Will you, Have you, achieved your Pool potential?

Colin Colenso

Colin Colenso

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
A chance to recall your glory times or your ambitions and/or to discuss what we get or got from a game we have all enjoyed, knowing that few ever get more than a glimpse of their potential at success.

I'll start with a glimpse into my world as way of a starter, hoping others will share their achievements, regrets, resignation and ambitions an so forth.

At 49, I still think my best play is potentially ahead of me. I've had a few moments where I shined under a pretty small light bulb, but still feel a sense of regret about what could have been if I....
1. Knew what I know now.
2. Practiced Harder and more consistently.
3. Didn't drink so much.

But overall I've had a lot of great times in both a social and competitive sense.

I've managed to make around $150,000 over the years via a combination of pool winnings and earnings as a promoter of the sport, doing things I loved, though some broken cues and chipped balls may testify differently.

Those I've met who have had greater success seem to have been destined for the game via a natural talent and good instruction and support from a young age or they have serious obsessive compulsive disorders combined with an underlying competitive streak fueled by insecurity.

Just a few thoughts to kick-start a discussion.

Colin
 
1) started too late in life to reach my full potential

2) don't have as much "natural talent" as I thought I did when I was younger (and didn't have a clue back then)

3) sadly, will never reach my full potential (which isn't that high anyway) because I know I cant dedicate that much time......



Still love the game, but life gets in the way......
 
Colin Colenso said:
A chance to recall your glory times or your ambitions and/or to discuss what we get or got from a game we have all enjoyed, knowing that few ever get more than a glimpse of their potential at success.

I'll start with a glimpse into my world as way of a starter, hoping others will share their achievements, regrets, resignation and ambitions an so forth.

At 49, I still think my best play is potentially ahead of me. I've had a few moments where I shined under a pretty small light bulb, but still feel a sense of regret about what could have been if I....
1. Knew what I know now.
2. Practiced Harder and more consistently.
3. Didn't drink so much.

But overall I've had a lot of great times in both a social and competitive sense.

I've managed to make around $150,000 over the years via a combination of pool winnings and earnings as a promoter of the sport, doing things I loved, though some broken cues and chipped balls may testify differently.

Those I've met who have had greater success seem to have been destined for the game via a natural talent and good instruction and support from a young age or they have serious obsessive compulsive disorders combined with an underlying competitive streak fueled by insecurity.

Just a few thoughts to kick-start a discussion.

Colin
Click to expand...

Indeed. What's great about pool, is that knowledge and nerve is more important than pure talent and even mechanics (although your mechanics do need to be good, but I'll take the older player with knowledge and experience over the young gun growing up with an instructor holding his hand).

With improved medicine, what we know about the brain's plasticity now (older dogs can learn new tricks nearly as well as younger ones), and more access to knowledge, 49 is still "young," especially in pool, which isn't based around youthful athleticism.

See how Ernesto Dominguez posted his highest finish ever in a major tournament at the age of 63!
 
michael4 said:
1) started too late in life to reach my full potential

2) don't have as much "natural talent" as I thought I did when I was younger (and didn't have a clue back then)

3) sadly, will never reach my full potential (which isn't that high anyway) because I know I cant dedicate that much time......



Still love the game, but life gets in the way......
Click to expand...
One of the things I hoped would come from this thread is how the 99% deal with not ever being champions or even having a realistic chance to dedicate their lives to such a goal, but still, finding a satisfaction in playing and watching the game.

Cheers and thanks for your contribution.
Colin
 
midnightpulp said:
Indeed. What's great about pool, is that knowledge and nerve is more important than pure talent and even mechanics (although your mechanics do need to be good, but I'll take the older player with knowledge and experience over the young gun growing up with an instructor holding his hand).

With improved medicine, what we know about the brain's plasticity now (older dogs can learn new tricks nearly as well as younger ones), and more access to knowledge, 49 is still "young," especially in pool, which isn't based around youthful athleticism.

See how Ernesto Dominguez posted his highest finish ever in a major tournament at the age of 63!
Click to expand...
You've inspired me Pulpy :-)

I'm still pretty physically fit, thanks to my occupation. Even broke the over 40's city javelin record a couple of years ago. Might surpass that next year. And with a few brain neurons still 80% operational, who knows what the future holds.

Back to you.... it's rare to find a top level player that wasn't somewhat accomplished during their youth. Not sure why. Many aspects to postulate I guess, but I'm sure you're right that most can continue to improve in later life if they apply themselves.

Colin
 
Colin Colenso said:
One of the things I hoped would come from this thread is how the 99% deal with not ever being champions or even having a realistic chance to dedicate their lives to such a goal, but still, finding a satisfaction in playing and watching the game.

Cheers and thanks for your contribution.
Colin
Click to expand...

Your threads are always a welcome doorway to good pool discussion. Much appreciated.

we all love this game in some form or another - and we play for many reasons. I've grown closer to the sport over the last two years, and it's become a way of focusing and challenging myself but at the same time still being creative.

At times it's a cathartic release for my brain after a long day at work. I work in a field where you have to be very exact in details, patterns and work methods and if you make an error, it can be life threatening. So when not working, I believe pool helps me keep that sharp edge and focus.

I have taken to working out as much as I can to see just where the game will go. Full potential is a frame of mind to me. As long as I see constant improvements and progression, I'm happy.

It's really about the hours and quality of instruction/work you receive/invest on the table. So your full potential is only based on the amount of hours you invest. The pros can invest 50-hours a week in training/playing. I try to average 10 hours of serious table time a week. And with 40-50 hours of work, family/kids stuff, that 10-hours is sometimes impossible to schedule.

So there is a sense of reality when it comes to evaluating ones top pool potential. Just boil it down to one question. Are you better than you were a year ago? (If yes, then you are full steam ahead, if no, then you need to invest more time).
 
How good?

The real question is who ever has? Even those that are truely gifted tend to have vices that would appear to keep them from reaching full potential. Gambling, alcohol, drugs just general bad habits that would keep anyone from reaching their potential in a regular job.
 
RFranklin said:
The real question is who ever has? Even those that are truely gifted tend to have vices that would appear to keep them from reaching full potential. Gambling, alcohol, drugs just general bad habits that would keep anyone from reaching their potential in a regular job.
Click to expand...
Fair point, perhaps no sportsman ever has achieved their total potential.

So perhaps the question shifts, along the lines of how we are satisfied or frustrated with what level we have achieved, and how one's expectations for the future consider such possible limitations of success.

But that would have made an awful thread heading :)

Colin
 
Colin Colenso said:
You've inspired me Pulpy :-)

I'm still pretty physically fit, thanks to my occupation. Even broke the over 40's city javelin record a couple of years ago. Might surpass that next year. And with a few brain neurons still 80% operational, who knows what the future holds.

Back to you.... it's rare to find a top level player that wasn't somewhat accomplished during their youth. Not sure why. Many aspects to postulate I guess, but I'm sure you're right that most can continue to improve in later life if they apply themselves.

Colin
Click to expand...

Another inspiring case in Jen Barretta. Never held a cue before 30, fell in love with the game after a visit to the pool hall, and became a very, very good player through pure sweat. Her FargoRate is quite good, 12th best in the US.

Yeah, she's quite below the women's best, but it's still an impressive story considering how late she came to the game, and has some high finishes in the Women's US Open.
 
midnightpulp said:
Another inspiring case in Jen Barretta. Never held a cue before 30, fell in love with the game after a visit to the pool hall, and became a very, very good player through pure sweat. Her FargoRate is quite good, 12th best in the US.

Yeah, she's quite below the women's best, but it's still an impressive story considering how late she came to the game, and has some high finishes in the Women's US Open.
Click to expand...
I recall she was a national level figure competitor before she took up pool.

Clearly the OCD type, and a stunning example! :)

I used to play with Pan Xiao Ting, former women's world champ, before she went to the US. She'd only been playing for about 3 years, but she was doing 6-8 hours a day from the day she told her dad, who ran a pool room, that she wanted to be a pro-player. On our first meeting we played a race to 4 and I had two hits, both out of snookers, successfully may I add, but not well enough to prevent her running the racks.

I was pretty sure after that day that she'd figure among the best in women's pool. Last time I visited China I saw her face plastered on about 50 buses and I believe she owns at least 2 pool halls with 30+ tables in Shanghai.

I never saw her play a shot I couldn't make, but she sure as heck didn't make many mistakes.
 
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Sure I have...I started playing for fun and I still do. If it stops being fun, I'll quit. Hell, I'm 71 years old...know full well I'll never be a world beater or even hang with local shortstops.
 
Cardigan Kid said:
Your threads are always a welcome doorway to good pool discussion. Much appreciated.

we all love this game in some form or another - and we play for many reasons. I've grown closer to the sport over the last two years, and it's become a way of focusing and challenging myself but at the same time still being creative.

At times it's a cathartic release for my brain after a long day at work. I work in a field where you have to be very exact in details, patterns and work methods and if you make an error, it can be life threatening. So when not working, I believe pool helps me keep that sharp edge and focus.

I have taken to working out as much as I can to see just where the game will go. Full potential is a frame of mind to me. As long as I see constant improvements and progression, I'm happy.

It's really about the hours and quality of instruction/work you receive/invest on the table. So your full potential is only based on the amount of hours you invest. The pros can invest 50-hours a week in training/playing. I try to average 10 hours of serious table time a week. And with 40-50 hours of work, family/kids stuff, that 10-hours is sometimes impossible to schedule.

So there is a sense of reality when it comes to evaluating ones top pool potential. Just boil it down to one question. Are you better than you were a year ago? (If yes, then you are full steam ahead, if no, then you need to invest more time).
Click to expand...
To see progression makes the effort worthwhile. It's a good sentiment. But at some stage, we will all realize our best is behind us. Perhaps some who are at that stage can share their thoughts?
 
very insightful topic and posts.

I started playing pool about a year ago. i am so glad i posted a video of my stroke earlier on AZB. I look at my stance, stroke, alignment is so much better, not that great but its definitely better.

So I dont really know what my potential skill level would be. I am 25 with two little daughters, so it is very tough for me to make time to play but I somehow take the time out every other day and drop by the pool hall even if its for one hour or two and work on my game. It would be great if I could play 8 hours a day and train accordingly, would love to the see the results. I do get constructive criticism from senior players which is what I love about my pool hall.

I'll just keep at it with everything else in life and see where I can get too. At the end of the day, I love this damn game.
 
Colin Colenso said:
To see progression makes the effort worthwhile. It's a good sentiment. But at some stage, we will all realize our best is behind us. Perhaps some who are at that stage can share their thoughts?
Click to expand...

Colonel said:
This is a perishable skill
Click to expand...

This is an interesting topic and I too look forward to seeing some answers.

I have lived life with the philosophy of making effort to be better each day than you were the last. But I know that the truth is pool is not the only perishable skill and that is scary to think about.
 
Misadventures of Youth

Colin,
When I was younger I fell into pool by accident and not in the perfect setting yet these I would term as my glory days because I played for money and won a lot of games against people who probably played worse or just didn't have the natural talent I did.So there is the glory days part.

As for how I play I\m sure I play better now that I've ever played but as life would have it I enjoy an vocation and that puts me working some in retirement so I have things to do that keeps me away from the pool room. I do intend to remedy that with a homeroom at some point but not in the immediate future. I am paying tuition. I do love One Pocket and like the options you have that promote perfect cue ball control.

I have decided its more about helping other people reach their potential than anything else I can personally do. I do love to play and want to keep doing that but unless you create a player to take your place in the whole scheme of things then really what have you accomplished? I would like to look back on my life and see thousands of people who seem pleased with something I helped them with. I think those days are coming as I continue to experiment with new mediums and refine my methods.
 
To each his own. I never wanted to to be a tournament champion, nor a big time gambler, but I have accomplished my goals.
I have built and repaired cues and people still remember me for that.
I have achieved a level of play in One Pocket that has earned me a modicum of respect.
Along with that I have made many, many, friends and few if any enemies, and have been able to show off here on AZ for quite sometime.
My sainted Grandmother used to say: "Count your blessings, son." Well, I always have, and still do.
I don't know if this has answered your question, but it's really early in the morning here and I need some coffee. :smile:
 
I often wonder how folks can stay motivated to play/ compete for for long- as in decade+- periods of time.

For ini...i like the competition aspect., challenging oneself to produce an outcome that is better than expected and results in triumph.

As to the question, potential reached...that is a tough one. Proficiency is twofold, knowledge and execution. A pro nfl coach doesnt stand a chance to make his own team

As for pool, you can know a lot about the game , but of you arent "in stroke", your knowledge wont carry you.
Colin Colenso said:
One of the things I hoped would come from this thread is how the 99% deal with not ever being champions or even having a realistic chance to dedicate their lives to such a goal, but still, finding a satisfaction in playing and watching the game.

Cheers and thanks for your contribution.
Colin
Click to expand...
 
I definitely have a lot of room to improve. Pool has always been something in the background but for the first time ever I have gotten instruction and joined a league. Tournaments are next.

Traditionally I have played competitive golf but I'm just below the level where that is really worth doing. It's not worth it to me to take days off work to shoot 77 and finish closer to last place than first in a U.S. mid-am qualifier. My work hours and living situation in an urban area make it tough to be a scratch unless I decided to dedicate all of my free time to golf.

For the time being pool is a better fit. I think with the right instruction and table time I could start to be competitive in local events, and then go up from there. It's not going to be for the money, just because it's a fun thing to do.
 
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