US Amateur

jamesroberts said:
I looked at the list and I saw a lot of familiar names, a lot of people that play really good!
Im not trying to be funny or anything or ruffle any feathers but why would someone that plays a "pro" speed want to play in a event that doesnt pay anything? Is it just for a title ?
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WEll, first does pay your entry and lodging(?) to the Us Open.

The other side of it is that they are playing for the love of the game. To use your same disclaimer; not tryin to be funny of ruffle feathers, but...

I see many shortstop level players that are under the delusion that they are able to make money/make a living from playing Pool. Those are the ones that have the "all business, all the time" mindset for Pool. From my experience, only 1 out of 100 actually break thru to "top player".


Eric
 
Eric. said:
9 ft tables. Women play a race to 5 and race to 9 in teh finals.


Eric
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US Am for men has the 8 and 9 ball format (5 - 8 ball, 8 - 9 ball) first one to 7, is this the same for women but they only go to 5? (shorter numbers, obviously)
 
Us am

The APA really doesnt cover much and I think that is to discourage semi-pros unless they like really big trophies and a one liner in Sports Illustrated. They only pay 3 nights at the hotel so you are responsible for travel (including from airport) and an extra hotel night unless you live close. I guess you could get a sponser but who does that? To me it just sounds like a great weekend playing similar high ranked players. Just hoping to catch a gear and win 8 or 9. :grin:
 
Nostroke said:
On the womens side

Jennifer Page
Suzanne Smith
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Jennifer Page is one of those that will make her opponent pay when they make a mistake and keep her head on straight while doing so. Her win over Crystal McCormick, after losing to her in a hill-hill slug fest earlier, a couple weeks back at the qualifier (Flamingo Billiards Tour 4th Annual “Cues for the Cure!” breast cancer fundraiser at Amy’s Billiards in Stuart, Florida), can attest to that.

I'd love to see Suzanne Osborne Smith (SOS) take it again. I've been following her for some time and am impressed, not only with her game, but in the way she carries herself and represents this sport. She's a wife, mother, billiard blogger, billiard writer (has helped/worked with Samm "Diep" Vidal on occasions in that regard), billiard photographer, and has that unusual/rare combination of smarts (Aquatic Scientists @ Cardno TEC) and common sense. Frankly, I don't know how she does it all.

On the field of felt between these two it's a:
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Alot of womens tourney talk.
I will bring my GF and stake her to play anyone in the womens field if anyone here is interested in staking one of the talented women qualifiers.
Just to generate alittle womens action.
 
JumpinJoe said:
Alot of womens tourney talk.
I will bring my GF and stake her to play anyone in the womens field if anyone here is interested in staking one of the talented women qualifiers.
Just to generate alittle womens action.
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What is your girlfriend's name? If she isn't named Corr or Fisher and is from the US, you might have action against Tammie from IN.

I'm not sure how I can get in on this, being that I don't know Tammie...


Eric
 
Eric. said:
WEll, first does pay your entry and lodging(?) to the Us Open.

The other side of it is that they are playing for the love of the game. To use your same disclaimer; not tryin to be funny of ruffle feathers, but...

I see many shortstop level players that are under the delusion that they are able to make money/make a living from playing Pool. Those are the ones that have the "all business, all the time" mindset for Pool. From my experience, only 1 out of 100 actually break thru to "top player".


Eric
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So you can either play for the love of the game OR money.
You can't do both?
 
jamesroberts said:
So you can either play for the love of the game OR money.
You can't do both?
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You can do both.

If anything, I was just playing the other side of the coin. It seems like that for the most part, it's not the top players that are looking down their noses at the amateurs, with a condescending attitude. The ones that have that 'tude would be the shortstops that feel they are above anything that is amateur in nature. Those are the same guys that overdo the "I'm in this to make money, not hit balls into rails on the weekend, and drink". Thing is, those are the shortstops I am referring to that can't really make it on Pool winnings alone. If you can't make it on Pool winnings alone, then you really don't need this "all business, all the time" mindset. Those guys can get a dose of reality and lighten up a lil.

Of course, this is meant in general and not directed at you, James.


Eric
 
Eric. said:
You can do both.

If anything, I was just playing the other side of the coin. It seems like that for the most part, it's not the top players that are looking down their noses at the amateurs, with a condescending attitude. The ones that have that 'tude would be the shortstops that feel they are above anything that is amateur in nature. Those are the same guys that overdo the "I'm in this to make money, not hit balls into rails on the weekend, and drink". Thing is, those are the shortstops I am referring to that can't really make it on Pool winnings alone. If you can't make it on Pool winnings alone, then you really don't need this "all business, all the time" mindset. Those guys can get a dose of reality and lighten up a lil.

Of course, this is meant in general and not directed at you, James.


Eric
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Yea but most of the people that qualified for the finals play at a serious level, I'm pretty sure they are not.coming to bang some balls into the rails and drink beer. So I'm just wondering what's the motivation to play in a event with no cash. I think maybe I'll play next year, I want a big trophy.
 
jamesroberts said:
Yea but most of the people that qualified for the finals play at a serious level, I'm pretty sure they are not.coming to bang some balls into the rails and drink beer. So I'm just wondering what's the motivation to play in a event with no cash. I think maybe I'll play next year, I want a big trophy.
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"Perhaps" for the love of the game, to interact with friends while doing what you love to do, personal growth, to just get out of town for awhile and chill, take pictures for an ongoing project/hobby, to gather information for a personal blog/article, ego, bragging rights, to check out (and even try before deciding to buy) what's new at the booths, or any combination thereof. The saying, albeit trite, "Different strokes for different folks" comes to mind here!
 
Tw
cmbwsu said:
"Perhaps" for the love of the game, to interact with friends while doing what you love to do, personal growth, to just get out of town for awhile and chill, take pictures for an ongoing project/hobby, to gather information for a personal blog/article, ego, bragging rights, to check out (and even try before deciding to buy) what's new at the booths, or any combination thereof. The saying, albeit trite, "Different strokes for different folks" comes to mind here!
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I have no clue what you are taking about, this isn't a hippie rock concert, its a pool tournament where it's every man for himself, not a campfire making smores.
From what I've seen, its very very serious and there are no booths or exibitors with booths. So maybe you are thinking of some other event.
 
My Picks

I had the pleasure of watching Richard Andrews and Sonya Hurst play at Bumpers tonight. Both of them play a great game and are going to be hard to handle. Both are very technical and great to watch. I hope to see them both take it all the way!
Thanks, Adam
 
jamesroberts said:
Tw

I have no clue what you are taking about, this isn't a hippie rock concert, its a pool tournament where it's every man for himself, not a campfire making smores.
From what I've seen, its very very serious and there are no booths or exibitors with booths. So maybe you are thinking of some other event.
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jamesroberts said:
Yea but most of the people that qualified for the finals play at a serious level, I'm pretty sure they are not.coming to bang some balls into the rails and drink beer. So I'm just wondering what's the motivation to play in a event with no cash. I think maybe I'll play next year, I want a big trophy.
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You will note that I proceeded my comment with the operative word "Perhaps"!

You said "a" event not this event. My point was, and still is, that people go to events for different reasons and I just listed a few. It's not all about money to some -- never has been or ever will be.

I, like many other instructors or truly concerned people, have sent or recommended many people (students and friends) over the years to attend various events for the experience factor alone ... seasoning ... playing under pressure and so forth. I have gone with some on occasion and, instead of staying at a hotel, camped out and ate smores. :eek:

I've never been to a rock concert so could not make a comparison. They (concerts) are not my cup of tea. I'm a different stroke then some other folk in that regard!
 
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jamesroberts said:
Yea but most of the people that qualified for the finals play at a serious level, I'm pretty sure they are not.coming to bang some balls into the rails and drink beer. So I'm just wondering what's the motivation to play in a event with no cash. I think maybe I'll play next year, I want a big trophy.
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Anyone that does qualify for the Championship round is a serious amateur player and definitely not a banger.

As far as serious amateurs/shortstop level, non pro players, it generally falls into two groups. Group One has the first priority of winning cash and improving their game/having fun playing is secondary. Group Two has the first priority of improving their game/personal achievement/having fun and winning cash is secondary.

Both groups have players that play just below top player level. Both groups have a burning desire to win and hate losing. Form what I've seen, the big difference between the two groups is that those in Group Two have other means of income and don't rely on Pool winnings. Because of that, it is ok to play in tourneys that have no cash in it. That said, they still have the same motivation and burning desire to win. The biggest difference is the actual reward.


Eric
 
US Am

Eric, I think you summed it up pretty well. Nobody defaulted their way here and most of us know how good we are, we just have different ways of showing it. Some people are more serious than others while they play. I laugh and smile because playing pool is fun but that doesnt mean I wont sit you down for 4 or 5 racks in a row. I think that some of the serious players hate playing people like me because it disarms them. Additionally, their expectations of my game are lowered and before they know it I am on the hill. We want to draw the big names just to prove something to ourselves. At the end of the day I think it is because we hate losing almost more than we love winning.
 
I have a feeling everyone will know who Troy Jones when this tournament is over. Lets just say I have first hand experience. :wink:
 
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