Should pros be allowed to rob amateur events?
- Thread starter JC
- Start date
What seems to work pretty well around here is setting tournaments up by skill level. One of the most popular tournaments is a MPS/Fargorate 499 and under. There are also 425 and under, 625 and under, etc. A player does not need to be over a certain threshold to be eligible, as long as they do not go over the maximum. Fargo is very well established here because we have been using MyPoolStats for at least 5-6 years now which is based off of Fargorate. We still have high level players complaining that they are rated too high for certain tournaments but the funny thing about it is when there is an open tournament they complainers are nowhere to be found. I think a certain amount of players just want to be able to for lack of a better word rob the lower level players and they avoid tournaments where they will face stiff competition.
Why work for money, when you can play for it?
I have fallen for the ruse many times!
I have fallen for the ruse many times!
I will never understand why we penalize players for being too good.
I'm just above terrible about once a week and I'm below terrible the rest of the week and I still enjoy when Shane Or Danny Olson shows up to one of our local tournaments. It's pretty rare to see Shane these days but Danny still shows up here and there and I haven't heard 1 player complain about it.
I'm just above terrible about once a week and I'm below terrible the rest of the week and I still enjoy when Shane Or Danny Olson shows up to one of our local tournaments. It's pretty rare to see Shane these days but Danny still shows up here and there and I haven't heard 1 player complain about it.
CJ Wiley often plays at our local tourney. Some people complain but imo it's great having that level of competition for such a cheap entry. And considering they're short races, anyone that can break and run occasionally has a chance against even the top pros
JC
Coos Cues
Yet a serious discussion is taking place in spite of the verbiage.
I wasn't really thinking about weekly local tournaments although that's where it seems to have headed. I was talking about larger/longer amateur events where the majority of the contestants are taking time off of work to attend at no small expense. Food, travel, lodging, entry fees etc.
I have mixed feeling about it myself because I don't go to these just to win but mostly for the atmosphere and camaraderie and to get away from work. It doesn't bother me the way it is but I have heard a lot of opinions from people who it does. And they make valid points. That's all.
JC
It really depends on the format.
If it's a short race to 2 or 3 games, you may have a chance to win against a Pro.
If the races are to 7ish, you have very little chance.
If they use some type of handicap system, like Fargo, you may have a 7/3 race for example. This puts more pressure on the Pro to not miss a money ball.
So, winning against a Pro really depends on the format.
Another thing to think about....Will some guys show up to play just because they want to play a Pro? Usually the answer is, yes. This will get more guys in the tournament and ultimately means more money for the pool hall by selling food/drinks.
My own opinion, I think it helps the local tournies to have a Pro get involved. Especially if he sticks around and gives a few pointers to the lower rated guys.
For every player that thinks its cool, there is a player that won't show up.
I agree people SHOULD appreciate it, and it SHOULD benefit people's games, etc...but in reality it definitely kills turnouts. This concept also applies to all open events where there are a few people of much higher skill than the rest of the field. This is especially true when people need to travel and have expenses.
The fact that people will actually enter a tournament and have zero chance of winning shows the poor state of pool and its organization. There are good reasons most sports have divisions or handicaps.
I've seen good players make people want to play...
..and I've seen good players make people not want to play.
Seeing how small the pool scene is and how world class players once struggled to get the first cue, the first cuebag etc and how many who`s helped them getting where they are today, it`s expected that they give back to the sport for free, it is in their own interest to motivate more people to play pool and for the people who allready play pool, to become better.
I`ve witnessed just what you are describing and sadly too many of the pro`s are selfish d***k`s who only serve their own interests.
it boils down to two types of players
1. one who is willing to lose money all the time at pool just so he can play and that's fine.
2. and the other who wants to win money overall, and also a subset of that, ones that want to get better and are willing to win or lose for the experience but not give away their cash.
this group will stop playing in places where it is obvious that they are donating.
1. one who is willing to lose money all the time at pool just so he can play and that's fine.
2. and the other who wants to win money overall, and also a subset of that, ones that want to get better and are willing to win or lose for the experience but not give away their cash.
this group will stop playing in places where it is obvious that they are donating.
Tap tap tap
If you're an amateur pool player only playing for money, take the time you spend at a pool table and go to work at McDonald's you will be farther ahead!
Play for enjoyment, play for competition, play for self improvement, but don't play to make money! The hours spent getting good enough to make money is lost opportunity to make lots of money with a regular job! Stay in school kids!
Education is important but Pool is importanter! Lol
Play for enjoyment, play for competition, play for self improvement, but don't play to make money! The hours spent getting good enough to make money is lost opportunity to make lots of money with a regular job! Stay in school kids!
Education is important but Pool is importanter! Lol
Isn't that what leagues are for?
I like how it works (for the most part) in my area.
There are handicapped one night "fun" tournaments with tiny entries where you might win $150 for first.
Bigger weekend tournaments are staggered entry fees, but not handicap.... entry fee based on skill level, but the top people most often come out on top.... the lower players are okay with this and still come out.
There are handicapped one night "fun" tournaments with tiny entries where you might win $150 for first.
Bigger weekend tournaments are staggered entry fees, but not handicap.... entry fee based on skill level, but the top people most often come out on top.... the lower players are okay with this and still come out.
And there it is.. pro’s play in these amature event’s becuase they have no choice. They are trying to make ends meet and in the world of pro pool that’s touch. Pro golfers don’t Play in local tournaments because they just don’t have to.. they have a tour and real money to play for.