Do you know of Pro players that enter small $ weekly tournaments from time to time?

J

justinb386

Banned
Do you know of Pro players that enter small $ weekly tournaments from time to time (maybe just for some fun practice, if they do not have anything else better to do)?

I imagine that is is not easy to get a chance to compete against one of your favorite pro players, without having to pay a large sum of money to enter a big open tournament (like the DCC for example).

I am just curious if you have ever seen any nationally known pro pool players enter one of your local weekly tournaments (maybe because he lives in your local town, and maybe because he or she just happened to be there at your local pool room, and did not have anything else more important going on)?

I used to see some very strong players (like Justin Bergman and Chuck Raulston), travel from out of town to enter the weekly Friday night tournament that was held at the Billiard Center in Cape Girardeau (this was 10 and more years ago), and I wondered to myself, "why would these champion level players drive so far from home just to enter a small $10 weekly tournament"? They were not pro's (I do not think), but they were very solid AA or AAA players at the time. It was very cool to see them at those small weekly tournaments from time to time though. By the way, those tournaments did get a very good turn out on a regular bases (like over 40 players on average, but it was because they were handi caped tournaments). These guys had to spot the C players at least the 6 out and the breaks (and even the pretty decent B players were getting the 7 out and the breaks from Bergman and Raulston), but I guess it was just fun practice to them.

Anyways, back to my original question. Have you ever noticed any pro players enter your local weekly (or maybe monthly) tournament, if it was open to all players (and maybe handi capped)?
 
Funny timing for this question, I'm waiting to play this year's Japan Open winner (Hayato Hijikata) in a $15 weekly tournament. Of course his dad owns the pool hall, so that may have something to do with it.
 
Dayton - Airway Billiards Weekly $5 Tuesday night tournament. Non-handicapped,
Race to 3, DE, (Race to 2 on the west side now I think, but not when I played it).

At any time in the mid to late 90's, week in and week out:

Gary Spaeth
Steve Cook
Jason Miller

all world champions.

I'm assuming Billy Thorpe still plays this.


Freddie <~~~ two 4ths and a 5th
 
xianmacx said:
exactly...why wouldn't they?
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It just seemed to me that the prize money (maybe $300 to the winner plus calcutta money) was not large enough for it to be worth their time. Maybe they thought they could find some action after the tournament. It was a big action spot back in those days.
 
Cornerman said:
Dayton - Airway Billiards Weekly $5 Tuesday night tournament. Non-handicapped,
Race to 3, DE, (Race to 2 on the west side now I think, but not when I played it).

At any time in the mid to late 90's, week in and week out:

Gary Spaeth
Steve Cook
Jason Miller

all world champions.

I'm assuming Billy Thorpe still plays this.


Freddie <~~~ two 4ths and a 5th
Click to expand...

That is really cool. It is so cool that these pro's are willing to shoot with us amateurs for such small money.
 
justinb386 said:
It just seemed to me that the prize money (maybe $300 to the winner plus calcutta money) was not large enough for it to be worth their time. Maybe they thought they could find some action after the tournament. It was a big action spot back in those days.
Click to expand...
You have a strange view of 'pros'. Do you really think the majority of them wouldnt be happy to get a little workout in and get paid a hundred plus for an evening's (coughcough) work, risking only a 20?
I bet they wish there was a tourney every night.
 
Dechaine and several other top players play in Snookers all the time, extra 2-300 a week pay.

I heard the tournament died down quite a bit from a year ago, but it used to get 30+ players even with a pro and several others just about pro level in the event.

Try playing an Open player that gambles or a pro for a race to 5 for a $20 outside of a tournament, I doubt they would even look at you for less than $50-100.
 
A little down the road from me, first saturday of each month, We used to have Stevie Moore, Mike Davis, and Shannon Daulton come out for a local nine ball tournament on 9 foots. I haven't seen Stevie Moore in a bit, but Mike Davis is a regular at this tournament, and Shannon makes it up usually every other tournament. Two years ago I actually got to play Davis in one of the rounds. He was pretty on point but I gave a good account of myself.
 
That's the more constructive way of looking at it, others are unhappy that you're stepping on their revenue stream. It's kind of short-sighted thinking and unfortunately I've run more into that kind of person than the type to enjoy seeing someone who has put decades into trying to master the game. Just by watching or listening to what they have to say you can probably learn something new, but their thinking is clouded by the increased competition and not the opportunity presenting itself.


Neil
 
Mike Davis and Shaun Wilkie have frequented weekly tournaments in my area, as well as some other locals who play at a pro level. Some of the other players get butt hurt over it and I can see where they are coming from... but in my opinion, you cant get a game with a player like that for just 20 bucks.
 
Well -

Skyler Woodward was probably the best player in the area when I was playing and he got banned from tournaments because nobody felt like they could beat him and it drove the "normal" players away.

I felt they might have handicapped him a little and let him play but wasn't my room and the owner obviously wanted his regulars to have shot at winning.

That might explain why you don't see better players at small local tournaments.

Ken
 
Black-Balled said:
You have a strange view of 'pros'. Do you really think the majority of them wouldnt be happy to get a little workout in and get paid a hundred plus for an evening's (coughcough) work, risking only a 20?
I bet they wish there was a tourney every night.
Click to expand...

Ain't it the truth. He must think these guys are rolling in dough.
The last time I saw a Pink Cadillac convertible parked outside the front of a pool room was in the 60's, and it was a rental.
It's amazing how many people here have such a skewed opinion of professional pool players. Of course they'll play in a fifteen dollar tourney. They've got to eat just like the rest of us. :)
 
justinb386 said:
It just seemed to me that the prize money (maybe $300 to the winner plus calcutta money) was not large enough for it to be worth their time. Maybe they thought they could find some action after the tournament. It was a big action spot back in those days.
Click to expand...

LOL... They are pro pool players... they arent exactly raking it in.

300 bucks plus calcutta money is fantastic for a weekly tournament. Ive played against pros in weekly tournies in my area that paid out far less then that with no calcutta...
 
In Houston it's not uncommon

In Houston over the past couple of years I have played in little bar or pool room weekly tournaments where Manny Chau, Kevin Cheng, and Richie Richeson have all played on a somewhat regular basis. One Saturday afternoon even Dennis Orcullo played (he went 2 and out...hehe....just a race to 2 8Ball on Valley tables). I like when they show up.
 
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