Most if not ALL really GREAT pool players- or any great accomplished athlete / sports figure had at least some period in their life where they did NOT work and only focused on the sport itself before they were considered GREAT. Ray Martin worked full time until he gave it up for pool- Jack Colavita always worked full time. Mizerak was a school teacher for a while- I don't think guys like Varner, Seigel, Rempe, Hopkins, Fusco etc. ever really worked full time before they were great players. Just from a bygone era perspective.