Where should I go to become a Pro.

Rin

Rin

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Silver Member
Hey there,

I'd like to become a pro player. I'm pretty sure that I have what it takes to become one.
The problem is, I live in a place where pool is pretty much dead (my birthplace).
We only have one pool hall here (it's an island in Spain), almost no good players around and almost no tournaments going on.

I usually just practice at home on my table with 3 inch pockets. I am willing to move somewhere else to make this dream come true, somewhere where I can play with people who are better than me and where I can improve my game.

I thought about going to the US but it's almost impossible for me to get a visa.
I also thought about going to Taiwan for a while, since I see great players coming from there like Ko pin yi.

What do you guys think?
I'm European so I can go anywhere in Europe without the need of a visa, but I'm not a big fan of Europe to be honest.

Thanks for the input.
 
Mustardeer said:
Get a table first and practice until you can put together a 5 pack. Then you can move.
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Hum? As I said, I usually practice at home, so I do have a table. And I can do 5 pack, I've done that before, just not all the time.
 
The Philippines seems as good a place as any to sharpen your skills under pressure from great players.

So, go there for as long as your money/visa allows. And then do it again, and again.

gr. Dave
 
The UK has plenty of players that should be Pro, but for what ever reason they've chosen not to pursue it. So naturally, if you can get in with playing some of these players on a regular basis you will improve. It's rather cliquey though so getting in with them as a regular practise partner if you can't challenge them could be an issue.

If I was you I would seriously consider your choice of becoming a pro in pool. It's such a time consuming effort for very little reward, and in most cases ends with a huge hole in your pocket and nothing of value to show for it. I would not consider becoming a pro and taking the life changing step of moving away until you have proven you can compete at the high end of the amateur game. Like you said, you're from a small Spanish island so even though you might be the best on the island, you move to Yorkshire where I'm from and you can't compete even against the average players.... This is just hypothetical... I don't know if you could compete or not its just a what if type of statement. Then you end up burning through money to play the better players and can't afford rent after a while and move back home after wasting a year or two of your life.

If I was you I would travel, sure, but I wouldn't move. I would keep working hard from home playing everyone on the island.... Dependant on the island and how many British tourists you get they're always good for making a few euros off over a game or two (add it to the moving fund!) but I would travel to some of the euro events and see how you stack up against some of the better tournament players in Europe. If you compete fairly well then try the euro tour full time for a season or two to gather experience then after that if you're still playing well I'd consider a pool tour to the Philippines to see how you stack up in their conditions. If all is well then I'd consider a move there and participate in all the big tournaments that end of the world has to offer not to mention all the money games that go on there.
 
Rin said:
Hey there,

I'd like to become a pro player. I'm pretty sure that I have what it takes to become one.
The problem is, I live in a place where pool is pretty much dead (my birthplace).
We only have one pool hall here (it's an island in Spain), almost no good players around and almost no tournaments going on.

I usually just practice at home on my table with 3 inch pockets. I am willing to move somewhere else to make this dream come true, somewhere where I can play with people who are better than me and where I can improve my game.

I thought about going to the US but it's almost impossible for me to get a visa.
I also thought about going to Taiwan for a while, since I see great players coming from there like Ko pin yi.

What do you guys think?
I'm European so I can go anywhere in Europe without the need of a visa, but I'm not a big fan of Europe to be honest.

Thanks for the input.
Click to expand...

All depends if you want to lay low or fly high.
Philippines would be THE place to learn at the highest level, whilst laying low or the Euro Tour would bring excellent seasoning, but you'll be on the radar :thumbup:
 
this

Philippines
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duh.

Although whenever I have thoughts of becoming a pro pool player I remind myself of a quote I once heard: "show me a great pool player and I'll show you a life wasted"
 
Thanks guys. I'll consider going to the philippines. I'll go to Japan for 3 months from next month, that's where my girlfriend lives, I hope I can play with some great players there.

I don't want to become a pro for the money, I know there isn't much money to be made. I'd like to win titles.

Like you said, you're from a small Spanish island so even though you might be the best on the island, you move to Yorkshire where I'm from and you can't compete even against the average players.... This is just hypothetical...
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I don't think so. Yes I'm from a small island, but I'm not delusional, I've met great players like Francisco Diaz and other pros, I'm not on that level yet because I need more competition, but I'm sure it's possible for me to reach this level.

If you're not lying and can really put together a 5 pack on a 9' diamond table without BIH you ARE a pro already. Go where the big tourneys/action is
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No I'm not lying, but the break is a big factor, you can't always break and run. I've never played on a diamond table though, they don't exist here. I've played on Brunswick gold crown and Lehmacher etc
 
agree

Mustardeer said:
If you're not lying and can really put together a 5 pack on a 9' diamond table without BIH you ARE a pro already. Go where the big tourneys/action is. :bow-down:
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If your that good just go enter so desent size tournaments and c how u fair. Hell if your young u might want to give snooker a go seems to be alot of money (pounds) in winning or even placing high in those tournaments.
 
Rin said:
Hum? As I said, I usually practice at home, so I do have a table. And I can do 5 pack, I've done that before, just not all the time.
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You just claimed to have a 5 pack or better on a 9' with 3" pockets. WOW!!!!
 
M.G. said:
You go to a: mental institution due to severe reality loss.
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Thanks for the tip. Can you recommend me yours?

You just claimed to have a 5 pack or better on a 9' with 3" pockets. WOW!!!!
Click to expand...

No I didn't say that I can do this on my practice table. I did it on a table with regular pockets. My table at home is very difficult to play.
 
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M.G. said:
You go to a: mental institution due to severe reality loss.
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LMAO. The OP did say he was looking to take titles, not make money!

OP: I say go for it. Theres nothing you can lose by trying. Do a few tournaments and qualifiers, if you have the money. If you can find a backer, or have the money, try the gambling side of it.

Also, post up a video of ten games playing anyone! We'll be able to tell just by watching you. Good Luck.
 
Back to being serious.

Why would anyone want to be a "pro" player?

There isn't much money in it..
It is incredibly difficult to stay at the top..
The hours are brutal for the long haul of a "career"..


The payoff if you hit it big isn't, in my opinion, even worth the effort of doing it.

So my not so serious response is "take a trip to skid row,, that is where most pros end up anyway and it will save you time"... (sorry)
 
Don't come to The States, unless you enjoy a homeless, sub poverty existence.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
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