Where should I go to become a Pro.

3 inch pockets?

How are 3" pockets even helpful? I guess it helps to hone in your shot making skills, but so much position relies on cheating the pocket that I can't imagine this being beneficial over the long run vs. pockets that are tight but cheat-able...

Also, running 5 packs on a 9' table with 3" pockets is a claim that few people would believe without some video evidence.

Why not throw up a youtube of you running even a 1 pack on this table - maybe people could give some pointers that help with the original question...

b
 
WillyCornbread said:
How are 3" pockets even helpful? I guess it helps to hone in your shot making skills, but so much position relies on cheating the pocket that I can't imagine this being beneficial over the long run vs. pockets that are tight but cheat-able...

Also, running 5 packs on a 9' table with 3" pockets is a claim that few people would believe without some video evidence.

Why not throw up a youtube of you running even a 1 pack on this table - maybe people could give some pointers that help with the original question...

b
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I will say it again. I didn't claim that. I said that I can do a 5pack, I've done it before, but I didn't say that it was on my practice table with 3" pockets. It was on table with regular pockets.

For me, the 3" pockets are very useful for my pocketing skills, of course it's different than a regular table, but when you play on a regular table the pockets feel huge.

It seems most of you guys didn't get my question though. I didn't ask if I can make it or not, also I didn't post here to brag about my skills. I was just wondering where I should go.
 
Go wherever you can find stiff competition & jump in.

The true reality is if you are as talented as you say & I have no reason to question you, the fact remains that you state you're from a small place, no competition and mostly practice/play alone.

It stands to reason if you can put together packages alone in practice that you can do it against top flight competition. That's a nice theory but has been a stumbling block for many players. I've seen guys play alone or for no stakes & play world class but for $ or in competition they come apart.

What you need if you're serious is competition to determine if you're ready. Nothing else will do.
 
Rin said:
I will say it again. I didn't claim that. I said that I can do a 5pack, I've done it before, but I didn't say that it was on my practice table with 3" pockets. It was on table with regular pockets.

For me, the 3" pockets are very useful for my pocketing skills, of course it's different than a regular table, but when you play on a regular table the pockets feel huge.

It seems most of you guys didn't get my question though. I didn't ask if I can make it or not, also I didn't post here to brag about my skills. I was just wondering where I should go.
Click to expand...

Start playing in tour events and get your name out there. Play in the US Open and beat some notable players.
 
Rin said:
I will say it again. I didn't claim that. I said that I can do a 5pack, I've done it before, but I didn't say that it was on my practice table with 3" pockets. It was on table with regular pockets.

For me, the 3" pockets are very useful for my pocketing skills, of course it's different than a regular table, but when you play on a regular table the pockets feel huge.

It seems most of you guys didn't get my question though. I didn't ask if I can make it or not, also I didn't post here to brag about my skills. I was just wondering where I should go.
Click to expand...

I wish you all the best of luck.
There are a couple of AZ members who live in Japan, when you get there, you can start a thread and ask them to play?

But there are a TON of quality players in Japan, so I'm sure you will have no problem in finding pool halls and competition.

In the mean time, we would like to follow your career, so keep us posted and maybe toss some videos into the various challenge threads on this forum.

Like here:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=422084

Or here:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=427475
 
Do yourself a favor, stay in Europe!

I'd welcome you here in the U.S., but really, you've got an excellent way to develop into a true professional very near you. I played off and on all over Europe, and I'll say your best path is the Netherlands, Germany or Austria. Very organized league structures that build to a professional class, with opportunities for state funding and a rich tournament road. You'll find ways here in the U.S. to grow as a player, but apart from gambling, you're not going to find much here in the way of a career. Lots of scuffling around playing very talented players for nickels and dimes.
 
Rin said:
I will say it again. I didn't claim that. I said that I can do a 5pack, I've done it before, but I didn't say that it was on my practice table with 3" pockets. It was on table with regular pockets.

For me, the 3" pockets are very useful for my pocketing skills, of course it's different than a regular table, but when you play on a regular table the pockets feel huge.

It seems most of you guys didn't get my question though. I didn't ask if I can make it or not, also I didn't post here to brag about my skills. I was just wondering where I should go.
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You keep fading the haters.

If you get to the US, NYC has one of the best concentrated pool of top players. If you stand out there, you'd be good enough.
 
To me the answer is simple:
Find the closest big city nearby. Most big cities have at least some good players, but do some research, just in case. Get a job there that gives you plenty of time off to practice.

If this is too drastic, stay where you are and take frequent trips to the Phillipines. You can play champions there relatively cheaply.

An even less costly alternative is to wait for the Eurotour to have a stop near you. You can find the schedule here:
http://eurotouronline.com/eurotour-calendar/
The one in Tirana might be an option? Albania is the least expensive vacation country in Europe (I think). The Dutch open is sure to be packed with great players, as well.
 
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Do you realize how few players get any kind of "state funding"? First of all, you have to be a citizen of that country, even to have any chance. He's a Spaniard...not Dutch, German or Austrian. His "opportunity" is to go it alone, and maybe play in some Eurotour events.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

West Point 1987 said:
I'll say your best path is the Netherlands, Germany or Austria. Very organized league structures that build to a professional class, with opportunities for state funding.
Click to expand...
 
Scott Lee said:
Do you realize how few players get any kind of "state funding"? First of all, you have to be a citizen of that country, even to have any chance. He's a Spaniard...not Dutch, German or Austrian. His "opportunity" is to go it alone, and maybe play in some Eurotour events.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
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Well, I'm German.:p but born in Spain. I have a German passport.:)
 
Scott Lee said:
Do you realize how few players get any kind of "state funding"? First of all, you have to be a citizen of that country, even to have any chance. He's a Spaniard...not Dutch, German or Austrian. His "opportunity" is to go it alone, and maybe play in some Eurotour events.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Yes I do. He's an EU citizen, he only needs residency. One of the top Cypriot snooker players is actually a Brit, yet he represents Cyprus on their national snooker team, and played for them in the European 9 Ball championship. You're absolutely correct about the small percentage that actually get state funding. Plus, we're all assuming he has what it takes to make a national team in the first place. Spain has a team, yet he's looking elsewhere...at least Europe has a road to a "professional" player.
 
West Point 1987 said:
I'd welcome you here in the U.S., but really, you've got an excellent way to develop into a true professional very near you. I played off and on all over Europe, and I'll say your best path is the Netherlands, Germany or Austria. Very organized league structures that build to a professional class, with opportunities for state funding and a rich tournament road. You'll find ways here in the U.S. to grow as a player, but apart from gambling, you're not going to find much here in the way of a career. Lots of scuffling around playing very talented players for nickels and dimes.
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This is a great piece of advice. If you want to be a pro you'll need a quality pool club with pro level instructors and a tough league to constantly put yourself in fire. Germany, Holland and Austria have them all. And people are not lining up to take your money, you'll get some genuine help there.
 
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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I'm sure you can see why somebody would think you have done a 5 pack on your table at home, because thats EXACTLY how it reads
Jason
 
jasonlaus said:
I'm sure you can see why somebody would think you have done a 5 pack on your table at home, because thats EXACTLY how it reads
Jason
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Yep, I know. I didn't clarify where I did it:o I still go to the pool hall sometimes:smile:
 
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