Hahahaha, thanks for the shout out Momoney! First post, huh, is that you mom?
Seriously, Gideon said it best:
I guess it depends on what the OP was really asking. If we are looking at the question of who plays top level pool but is a real working person, I myself would exclude guys who had long professional careers and then went into full or semi-retirement (like Rodney, Dennis, George, Mike D). I don't think the top level skill they developed as full time players ever really goes away. I think Dennis hadn't touched a cue in months (or so they said) but still made a pretty deep run at the US Open, for example.
I agree. If we look at the best players currently working then the players he mentioned would definitely dominate the list.
If we narrow the pool to players that have always managed a full time job since they were adults then it would change substantially. If we further narrow it to those who are married and have children that would change things up again.
Personally I have a full time job since I was 18 and have three children, oldest 15. If we looked at players who have been full time employees and parents for the last 10+ years I am pretty sure I'd be competitive within that group. That said, I did play pool a ridiculous amount of hours as a teen and got pretty competent by age 17. Jesse Engel got better than me younger and followed it up with a few years of competing full time. He has had a job and child for 3-4 years now. Not surprising he plays a level above me.
Bottom line, it's not about whether you have a job or family, it's about how far you got before you do. In almost all cases the best players either don't have a job/family, or they went much further with pool before opting out of full time pursuit. You get out of it what you put into it.
It's a great reminder for those that put family and career ahead of pool not to compare themselves critically with those that didn't. Look at it like different weight divisions in boxing or MMA. Challenge yourself to get better. Try to break through your limits. Do the best you can with the resources you put in. Enjoy the heck out of this great game. But never beat yourself up for your decisions or regret spending time with your children, supporting yourself, giving back to your community, and celebrating the diversity of what life has to offer.