And if the queen had balls she'd be the king. What's the point?
I Bet There Are A few That Could be pro
- Thread starter Johnnyt
- Start date
And if the queen had balls she'd be the king. What's the point?
I find this very hard to believe I can't think of one person I know in any sport that has the same eye hand coordination , I know it's impossible in any real sport , but I would stl think even in pool there would be some drop off ,,
1
:thumbup:
I enjoy the exhibitions they put on.
Glad to see you know what's going on!:wink:
Anyone know of a money game with a pro against the local hotshot (who everyone thinks could be a pro) where they played straight up. Where the pro didnt have to give an ungodly spot to a guy everyone thinks is as good as a pro. A pro plays against the best players in the world. Just because Shane is on top right now doesn't mean the other pro's suck. Every once in a while like in many sports someone just comes along and dominates. Tiger Woods and Rafael Nadal are examples. It just happens. Being a pro isnt just about running racks. Those guys make about 95% of their shots. They rarely give up ball in hand no matter how bad they are stuck. I have seen them jump a ball and draw it back 6 feet for position. This is in a match against another top player. Not in their basement trying to make a video where they can do a retake. This is to put food on the table. This is a passion for them and like many have said. Their isnt much money unless your a top pro. Not to mention they have to find sponsors. Guess depending on your sponsor could also depend on your lifestyle and the amount of tournaments you can play in. Not all sponsors are equal givers.
Well Johnny, it's clear you have no idea as to where to draw the line at being a "Pro" pool player, which is why you make such stupid comments toward me...like, just because I work on pool tables, and have for the last 30 years...I CAN'T possibly know anything about this sport/game...well, that's where you're wrong buddy. Argue with this logic:
My idea is to create a skill level test which must be performed on a Diamond 10' ProAm with standard/ProCut pockets before any "Pro's ONLY" events take place, and the test shall be as follows:
The test will be scored on a 20 rack total score. Player breaks a full rack of balls, if upon the break, scratches...that will end the inning and no points will be awarded, as a scratch on the break is a foul.
Next, upon a legal break, and playing from where the cue ball lays as well as all the object balls, a player then must attempt to clear the table in order to acquire as many points as possible. Scoring is as follows, all balls pocketed in any order are worth 1 point each, until there are only 5 balls remaining on the table, in which the last remaining balls must be pocketed in numerical order and are then worth 2 points per ball. Having cleared the rack without a foul or missing a shot, the total number of points received would be 20 points. In order to score an EVEN score such as in golf, being a PAR score, the player must break even in order to have a PAR score. Failure to do so would result in an OVER par score such as +4 or say +8 final score for that round. A scratch on the break would be an automatic +20 score.
Bonus points are awarded to any balls made on the break, being +1 point per ball, giving them a +2 point value. So, if a player made to balls on the break, plus successfully cleared the rack, the score for that round would be a -2 under par.
So, all players having taken a skill level test in order to determine their eligibility to play in a "Pro's ONLY" event would end up setting the BAR as to what is considered to be "PRO" since you're so hung up on that word, but what it would also do...in which you fail to understand....is create the level of "Semi PRO" in which most of the so called BETTER players actually belong. THIS would also help to establish the much needed "Semi PRO" division of this sport, as well as the "Advanced PLAYER" and "Intermediate Player" as well.
This kind of testing would break this sport down into 4 divisions of players, leading to the top...the "Best of the Best" It would also allow for the highest rated semi pro to take the place of a "Pro" that can't make it to a required event, therefore canceling out any "bye" at the beginning of any event.
The lack of requirement, the not knowing who's who in this sport, the lack of organizing in this sport to the point of NOT really knowing who the PROFESSIONALS are...is why it's never gone anywhere, why it's never really picked up a real sponsors...and the reason is....BECAUSE of people like you,...that's right...like YOU.
YOU and everyone like you feel like you have some god given right to play in tournaments in which PRO's are competing....because YOU have the money to pay the entry fees in which these so called tournaments need so badly in order to even take place. YOU and every one like you are the reason PROFESSIONAL pool players find it so hard to make a living in this sport....because YOU insist on being one of them....everytime you enter into a tournament to play against the "PRO's" This is why the races to win are short, this is why there is double elimination events...this is why "Pro's" losing their first round don't get paid.
In MY scheme of things, only the PRO's play...and get paid right after their first....single elimination loss...in a race to at least 21 games to win/lose....BECAUSE....they made the CUT to be a "PRO" in that certain event...and therefore should be able to make SOME kind of pay for that feat alone!!!
For an example, divisions may look a little like this:
Pro +5 to maybe -20
Semi Pro +20 to +6
Advanced +75 to +21
Intermediate +125 to +76
Glen
you're on to something but are WAY overestimating even top players...
I like this idea, but for full rack rotation, there's no way these rules you've come up with would work.
Change it to ball in hand after the break and you might be a little closer.
Even the top players are not going to regularly have a shot after the break in full rack rotation. There is much more safety play involved in full rack rotation to the point that this is just not feasible.
Change it to a combination of number of innings it takes and then you may have something.
For instance, you can keep the rules all the same, but for the first additional inning per rack, it's an automatic +5 for the second additional inning in a rack an additional +7 but you have to finish the rack each time.
Otherwise, you'd never have a full field of pro players, cause there just wouldn't be enough people who could regularly do what you're describing here.
Jaden
I like this idea, but for full rack rotation, there's no way these rules you've come up with would work.
Change it to ball in hand after the break and you might be a little closer.
Even the top players are not going to regularly have a shot after the break in full rack rotation. There is much more safety play involved in full rack rotation to the point that this is just not feasible.
Change it to a combination of number of innings it takes and then you may have something.
For instance, you can keep the rules all the same, but for the first additional inning per rack, it's an automatic +5 for the second additional inning in a rack an additional +7 but you have to finish the rack each time.
Otherwise, you'd never have a full field of pro players, cause there just wouldn't be enough people who could regularly do what you're describing here.
Jaden
Agreed. What "falls off" is the ability to quickly change focus between the CB and OB. The internal muscles in the eye simply weaken; they still work and the change in focus is still possible -- but the change in focus is slower and that affects the hand/eye coordination.
Jaden...only the last 5 balls are played in rotation...from the break...it's wide open, shoot ANY ball
A FULL field of say 64 Pro players...would consist of the 64 highest scores submitted prior to the event.
HIs Boy, I've read a lot of the threads you recently made about your home table, 760 cloth, draw stroke, the self admitted statement you have been to a pool hall once or twice in 40 years, etc, and now this statement. You really need to get out and go to a pool hall and test yourself in competition, and see what is out there. Frankly, you don't know what you don't know.
I'm not trying to be rude, but I couldn't bite my tongue any longer.
All this test is for, is to decide who can play, and who's going to miss out...it tests the players ability on many levels, and it's designed to bring out the best, and for once....establish some kind of bar as to what it means to be a "PRO"
This test is only for 9 & 10 ball, I have other tests for other games
I don't know if I love the test itself, but I do love the idea of having a qualifier. Of course, it would work best if there was an actual pro tour.
Let's say a season had 16 total tournaments with 4 majors. There could be a qualifier before every one. Once a player is on the tour, they don't have to re-qualify that season unless they don't place in a certain spot, say top 32.
I would rather see 4 quarterly 10 ball events, points awarded for each win, the the top 8 players with the most wins after the last quarterly event...plays for the world championship.
But, in order to guarantee the best 8 players in the world in the finals, there would have to be retesting prior to each quarterly event, sort of like reshuffling the deck every 3 months, that way only the real top players are going to be consistently placing, and a chance to see new faces as well. A player that placed 64th in the last quarterly cut off, had better be playing his ass off until the next quarterly takes place....because I guarantee you....there'd be at least 100 more players doing just that, so they can have a chance to make the cut for the next event
But, in order to guarantee the best 8 players in the world in the finals, there would have to be retesting prior to each quarterly event, sort of like reshuffling the deck every 3 months, that way only the real top players are going to be consistently placing, and a chance to see new faces as well. A player that placed 64th in the last quarterly cut off, had better be playing his ass off until the next quarterly takes place....because I guarantee you....there'd be at least 100 more players doing just that, so they can have a chance to make the cut for the next event
Last edited:
Keep in mind, 4 quarterly events before each world championship consisting of:
10 ball
9 ball
8 ball
One pocket
Banks
14.1 Straight pool
That's 26 quarterly qualifiers, and 6 world championships:thumbup:
And I'd make a few changes in the 10 ball events as well, just to name a few...(A) all balls are racked with the exact same patter in every rack, and (B) making the 10 ball on the break counts in any pocket, EXCEPT...that it spots back up, the breaker gets the win, but if he wants to secure that win...he must be the player that also plays the 10 ball last, or the opposing player gets a win by making the 10 ball last. So, for example if both player are on the hill at 20-20 going to 21 for the win....breaker makes the 10 on the break, the score climbs to 21-20 but fails to make the 10 ball last, and his opponent pockets the 10 last, the score ties at 21-21 and the player that made the last 10 ball is now the breaker in the overtime playoff game. This play continues until there is a clear winner.
But, too add to that..........let's fantasize a bit....
If Pool did have big sponsors and a list of 24 tour stops per year. Let's say that each stop would pay the winner $500,000 and the fields would be capped at 256 players, who would have to qualify to be on the Pro Tour.
If there were payouts like that, you would see the up-and-coming practicing every day. They would set up shots over and over just like guys do at the Golf driving range today. You would see the level of play go up, up, up...
Those guys who could be Pro, but just don't put in the time today, would actually have something to look forward to. If pool had big payouts, Shane wouldn't be the top player. JMHO
There would be guys playing 6-10 hours per day, because they could make a living at it. Ah......to fantasize.....:thumbup:
oh ok...
So basically the q challenge...
Jaden
Jaden...only the last 5 balls are played in rotation...from the break...it's wide open, shoot ANY ball
So basically the q challenge...
Jaden
Sure there are but I don't understand why anybody would want to become a pro in this game.
There is VERY little money in it - unless you're at the very top levels - and you have to kiss ass all day long just to get some miniscule sponsorship and even then it might just be a coupon for 10% of your next cue and you still have to wear their patch.
It's a total manipulation game.
You're not being rude. I'll take it as constructive criticism.
I like to see the BATTLE for the first shot, that's what takes the most skill.
That's a great point, the top champions know who can win and who can't. The world championships this year is a race to 9 and it's not even on ESPN? Between the one foul rules and the shorter races [and lack of television pressure] it's a real "crap shoot".
According to accu-stats the tournaments aren't being won by very high scores. I think the same players would fight their way to the top if the rules and equipment was more challenging, but it would be much more interesting to see. I can't watch any matches these days, it's just one of two things....a player playing safe or running the balls and both of these factors are uninteresting from my perspective.
I like to see the BATTLE for the first shot, that's what takes the most skill.....like boxing, it's more impressive to see the boxers mixing it up than just hitting the bag.....and so it is in pool as well.
That's a great point, the top champions know who can win and who can't. The world championships this year is a race to 9 and it's not even on ESPN? Between the one foul rules and the shorter races [and lack of television pressure] it's a real "crap shoot".
According to accu-stats the tournaments aren't being won by very high scores. I think the same players would fight their way to the top if the rules and equipment was more challenging, but it would be much more interesting to see. I can't watch any matches these days, it's just one of two things....a player playing safe or running the balls and both of these factors are uninteresting from my perspective.
I like to see the BATTLE for the first shot, that's what takes the most skill.....like boxing, it's more impressive to see the boxers mixing it up than just hitting the bag.....and so it is in pool as well.