Hello again, AZB. Yes, the title box is confusing, but I would really like some honest, tough love answers on this one. Outside of having a love for the game, going to leagues (strong 4 in APA), watching tons of practice, tournament and instructional Youtube videos...whats left for the amateur in the pool?
In bowling, there's a ton of money that can be made in tournaments and brackets, even if you're not that high a level of bowler. I have been in two house tournaments in my area and I did that to see how I measured up against folks who were obviously more skilled than me.
I always had this picture in my head that the US Amateur Open was the pinnacle of amateur cue sports. In my mind, that was the goal to shoot for. Now I'm hearing things like, it's a sham; the same guys win it all the time; you don't make enough money to cover traveling, etc, etc. So now, I have no idea what to do if I want to works toward a certain level of the pool as an amateur.
Yes, it'd be cool to be able to match up with my peers and everything, but after that, what's the point? I mean, am I missing the point? I've heard some folks say that those who are really good "true" 7's (APA) start to go to tournaments and only stay in leagues so they can still qualify for events. I don't know how much that is true, but that is what I've heard.
I'm not good enough, and even if I was, to gamble and I'm not trying to hustle someone out of their money or be hustled out of mine. I do believe in paying for time to play someone that is much better than your to get "lessons" but that's about it.
So, if folks don't mind sharing, when did the game become serious for you and how far did you go with it and what would you recommend to someone whose stuck on what to do? I mean, I do love this game, but I'm at a crossroads here. I mean, I could continue to play in leagues and try to make it to Vegas or SBE or wherever. But a part of my inner self keep slapping me in the back of the head telling me I'm not doing enough in the game.
In bowling, there's a ton of money that can be made in tournaments and brackets, even if you're not that high a level of bowler. I have been in two house tournaments in my area and I did that to see how I measured up against folks who were obviously more skilled than me.
I always had this picture in my head that the US Amateur Open was the pinnacle of amateur cue sports. In my mind, that was the goal to shoot for. Now I'm hearing things like, it's a sham; the same guys win it all the time; you don't make enough money to cover traveling, etc, etc. So now, I have no idea what to do if I want to works toward a certain level of the pool as an amateur.
Yes, it'd be cool to be able to match up with my peers and everything, but after that, what's the point? I mean, am I missing the point? I've heard some folks say that those who are really good "true" 7's (APA) start to go to tournaments and only stay in leagues so they can still qualify for events. I don't know how much that is true, but that is what I've heard.
I'm not good enough, and even if I was, to gamble and I'm not trying to hustle someone out of their money or be hustled out of mine. I do believe in paying for time to play someone that is much better than your to get "lessons" but that's about it.
So, if folks don't mind sharing, when did the game become serious for you and how far did you go with it and what would you recommend to someone whose stuck on what to do? I mean, I do love this game, but I'm at a crossroads here. I mean, I could continue to play in leagues and try to make it to Vegas or SBE or wherever. But a part of my inner self keep slapping me in the back of the head telling me I'm not doing enough in the game.