That's an interesting point, the odds of making it are low!
Crazy amount of practice
- Thread starter livemusic
- Start date
That's an interesting point, the odds of making it are low!
Playing pool will not make a champion over the time spent. You've got to do an assortment of drills over and over to get better. Go find a teacher and get his drill paperwork so you can practice his drills. I've had a great one with Robin Dryer in Portland. Everything he does, he give a paper drill out.
That's amazing but kind of proves up a point in the OP, that it is somewhat of an addiction. Maybe a psychologist could say if it's something akin to that regarding brain activity. Perhaps drive and addiction are the same? Or perhaps drive fosters addiction?
I salute such an amazing drive/addiction!
Too bad he didn't practice golf. Could be worth $millions.
Shane isn’t addict, he’s a hard worker. His drive to win and motivation to improve at pool are clear. I have known pool addicted people-that’s a real thing, it does not however pertain to SVB.
Best
Fatboy
Sound like the man approached Pool as his profession, and practice was part of what was necessary to be top pro player.
That’s exactly right. His grandpa taught him. I was in his room in 87.
I described it to Shane and he said “that was my grandpa’s room”. We were talking about traveling around playing pool. I mentioned I was in SD on the road forever ago. What do you know? I played in his grandpas room. Pretty cool coincidence.
Best
Fatboy
Only in todays' world would hard work and dedication be viewed as some sort of negative. OMG.
He's playing pool for 10 hours, not working in the coal mines for heavens sake.
It does become work after a while. But he don’t complain. He’s gifted and has the career of his choice. He’s a smart guy.
For me, it was addiction. It's the only thing I'm addicted to. One of those nights at MBC, I played 15 hours, 12 of which I went without even a bathroom break. I did stop to eat at lunch time for about 10 minutes.
Then after they closed for the night, me, Tommy.... what's his last name, Najal? Najar? Last I heard he was playing out of Houston, and several of the other guys went to a 24 hour joint and played till 7 am or so.
So that would've had to be 19 or 20 hours of straight playing, well, minus the drive time over to the 24 hour place.
Although I played alright on the first couple of seasons of the Mezz tour and had several good wins (even beat a 762 without a spot), I haven't practiced or played any where near that much since being in Atlanta and OKC and traveling the country. I'm confident I could get back to that level if I was able to put in the time again though. Hopefully soon I'll get the chance, but I've been saying that for 6 or 7 years.
Jaden
Last edited:
Was for me at a few points in my life, and I don’t have a addictIve personality. Tommy Najar was his name, he worked for Johnny for a few years.
Yeah, but there is "work" and then there is "work"
Still better than 99% jobs on the planet, lol
Yeah, but there is "work" and then there is "work"
How many work jobs for years they hate reporting too…….most people.
Luck for me I only had one “job” I was a prep cook at Great American billiards in Sacramento for 3 weeks in 87. I made $4/hour and all I could eat-the “eat” part was worth more than the $4/hour.Yeah, but there is "work" and then there is "work"
After a 8 hour shift I played a $50 race to 9 9B and lost 9-6 or 9-7. I went into the bathroom for a evaluation of what had just happened, I thought-ok I locked up $32 before taxes so maybe $28 net to me for the first 8 hours I spent here and lost $50 in the next hour. So on the day I’m -$22 and playing a 2nd set. I was never so confident about winning as I was that next set. I won 9-3 the guy pulled up even. So after 12 hours I was up my $28 from working and even playing $50 pool. I quit the next day. I promised myself I’d never trade hours for dollars again no matter what. That was in 87, it’s 21 I’m 54 now and kept that promise I made to myself.
I’m glad I lost that first set in retrospect. Was the best lesson I ever had in life. It put it all in perspective for me.
I understand it don’t workout like this for everyone and I’m very blessed and grateful that I could live life on my terms. And say I came from the dirt to do such, no big silver spoon for me.
best
Fatboy
This has been studied, how people gain skills and reach the pinnacle of their chosen field. One good book that discuses the subject is :
Research shows that achieving greatness requires a huge investment in practice, and that practice needs to be properly focused and ideally guided. There is no suggestion that some are "born" with some talent or superiority, other than obvious traits that are required by the endeavor (tall people are better at basketball, it is hard to play cello with extremely short fingers, etc.).
My understanding is that SVB's family is heavily involved with the game, no doubt an influence on him when young. Mosconi had his father and his father's poolroom. These advantages are real and when combined with focused practice and training the result is superior performance. These people were born into a good situation and have motivation and persistence, they were not born with the talent.
Dave
Research shows that achieving greatness requires a huge investment in practice, and that practice needs to be properly focused and ideally guided. There is no suggestion that some are "born" with some talent or superiority, other than obvious traits that are required by the endeavor (tall people are better at basketball, it is hard to play cello with extremely short fingers, etc.).
My understanding is that SVB's family is heavily involved with the game, no doubt an influence on him when young. Mosconi had his father and his father's poolroom. These advantages are real and when combined with focused practice and training the result is superior performance. These people were born into a good situation and have motivation and persistence, they were not born with the talent.
Dave
I hate it when people say oh he just picked up and cue and played top level, oh he just picked up a club and played scratch golf, oh, he just picked up a racket and could beat Nadal....
NO ONE, I repeat NO ONE has EVERY played ANYTHING at top level without doing it for thousands of hours. Some learn faster than others, some have higher peak potential than others, but EVERYONE puts in the time, maybe a little less, maybe a little more, but they still put in the time.
Jaden
7 to 8 hours is not crazy amount .
Jay Helfert said Dennis was practicing 12 hours a day when he was staying with him.
An acquaintance told me Dennis carried his own score sheet against the ghost .
Jay Helfert said Dennis was practicing 12 hours a day when he was staying with him.
An acquaintance told me Dennis carried his own score sheet against the ghost .
This true as well. Denis works hard too. Most top players do. Sitting watching TV has never helped anyone’s pool game.
best
Fatboy
You never contribute much except 🗑.
Eric, are you referring to the room with the goldcrown 5 where Max filmed his videos? I need to come visit you again, it's been too long my friend...
Jaden
p.s. I'll never forget the first time I met Max, it was at your house... You couldn't get away from LA and let me in and I was there in the room practicing and Max comes in. He says "Oh are you a friend of Eric's?" and I said yeah. He asked if I wanted to play some and I said sure.
He says "I'll rack" and I proceeded to put a 3 pack on him.
He gets this quizzical look on his face and says "How do you know Eric again?"... lol