Aiming for pro within 5 years. Realistic?

SamLambert

SamLambert

Daydreaming about pool
Silver Member
So, I recently started playing the incredible game that is pocket billiards (july) and quickly developped a great interest forthe game.

I am not aiming for anything lower than pro-level skill and was wondering what would be a realistic target to aim for? The pro who owns the pool hall where I play became one after 4 years, so I'm figuring it is very much possible to do, but then he told me it was before there were rating systems in place and so he was ranked as such arbitrarily.

After asking another one who became one just this year, it took him just a little over 5 years.

So, everything points toward it being very much possible, albeit very hard and not without a lot of hard practive and lots of tournaments.

Since I started, I have been playing/practicing about 30-35 hours a week on average.

What's your take on this? Am I looking at this the wrong way? Input from others is always interesting to hear.

Sam

EDIT : I should mention that although I said "pro", I didn't really mean it in the literal sense. In Quebec we use a bit a different system, and being a pro instead refers to someone who is good enough to participate in major events without being squashed like a bug.

EDIT2 : So, I made a blog. Will be updated about every month with a quick summary and a new video.

Any suggestions will be appreciated!

https://progresstoprospeed.wordpress.com/
 
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Assuming you do not have physical limitations, if you are really dedicated I'd say it's possible but the odds would not be favorable.
 
SamLambert said:
So, I recently started playing the incredible game that is pocket billiards (july) and quickly developped a great interest forthe game.

I am not aiming for anything lower than pro and was wondering what would be a realistic target to aim for? The pro who owns the pool hall where I play became one after 4 years, so I'm figuring it is very much possible to do, but then he told me it was before there were rating systems in place and so he was ranked as such arbitrarily.

After asking another one who became one just this year, it took him just a little over 5 years.

So, everything points toward it being very much possible, albeit very hard and not without a lot of hard practive and lots of tournaments.

Since I started, I have been playing/practicing about 30-35 hours a week on average.

What's your take on this? Am I looking at this the wrong way? Input from others is always interesting to hear.

Sam
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How many hours per week have you been practicing and for how long?

If less than 5 per day for 3 months, go do that and then ask for encouragement.

I've had several keen students tell me they wanted to become good players but rarely would they stick to the first drill I gave them for more than 30 mins. It's about dedication.

Edit: Didn't notice before you mentioned hours put in.

Colin
 
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Colin Colenso said:
How many hours per week have you been practicing and for how long?

If less than 5 per day for 3 months, go do that and then ask for encouragement.

I've had several keen students tell me they wanted to become good players but rarely would they stick to the first drill I gave them for more than 30 mins. It's about dedication.

Colin
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I have been playing/practicing since the beginning of july, so roughly 2 months and a half. I have taken a few lessons with the pro who owns the pool hall where I play and plan to take quite a few more.

Practicing is kinda a loose term for me. I usually play a few racks, let's say for 1 hour, then I practice the shots that I found to be annoying for roughly another hour, After that I'd spend about an hour practicing my break and/or jump shots. Add another hour for some more variety depending on how I feel, stop-shot drills, big cuts, long shots, heavy follow/draw, sidespin, etc..
 
SamLambert said:
So, I recently started playing the incredible game that is pocket billiards (july) and quickly developped a great interest forthe game.

I am not aiming for anything lower than pro and was wondering what would be a realistic target to aim for? The pro who owns the pool hall where I play became one after 4 years, so I'm figuring it is very much possible to do, but then he told me it was before there were rating systems in place and so he was ranked as such arbitrarily.

After asking another one who became one just this year, it took him just a little over 5 years.

So, everything points toward it being very much possible, albeit very hard and not without a lot of hard practive and lots of tournaments.

Since I started, I have been playing/practicing about 30-35 hours a week on average.

What's your take on this? Am I looking at this the wrong way? Input from others is always interesting to hear.

Sam
Click to expand...

Who are these 'pros'? One could become pro speed after 5 years if they started at 12 and played all day, every day, but it is virtually impossible to play so good later in life.

Statistically speaking, you have no chance. Sorry.
 
rossaroni said:
I am just curious what constitutes being a pro. Good luck either way.
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I was going to ask the same question.

If you can play with the pros and beat them as often as they beat you, does that make you a pro?

There are lots of people who can play at the "pro" level, but that doesn't mean they will ever win a tournament, or even play in one.
 
Ron Swanson said:
Who are these 'pros'? One could become pro speed after 5 years if they started at 12 and played all day, every day, but it is virtually impossible to play so good later in life.

Statistically speaking, you have no chance. Sorry.
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Sylvain Grenier and Fred Lapointe.

Here in Quebec we have a system very similar to Fargo ratings. Uses the same system they use for ranking chess players. At a particular score, you are officially ranked pro in Quebec.

Like I said, very similar to Fargo ratings, so if the system ranks you as a pro with a score of 2600 and you are against someone with a score of 2800, well the odds say that you are gonna lose, but you still stand a decent chance.

I'm guessing this is not a good question to ask on this forum, based on the fact that this system is not used outside of Quebec and that being a pro is defined much more arbitrarily.

Website where you can find the rank and score of each players : http://www.webillard.com/index.htm

Here's a picture of how the ranking is done :

shemas-des-classes.gif
 
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The best way to hit your goal is to make it a stepping stone to an even higher goal. People very rarely hit their actual end goal - but always hit their highest stepping stones on the verge of reaching that goal.

So, if your goal is to be a pro then you need to find something even higher than that and make being a pro just a piece of your goal.

For me, I want to be able to compete on the World Stage with the absolute top players.
 
NYC cue dude said:
How old are you?

Also, why do you want to become a professional pool player? Depending on your answer, I have lots I can tell you.
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23 years old.

As to why, that's kind hard to answer accurately. A sum of small things I'd say. I love being the best I can be at something, even though I don't really think there is such a thing as individual limit, I believe almost anyone can be at the international pro level given enough practice. I like the idea of playing pool with other great players. Money definitely ain't a factor. The small fame that comes with it would be nice. Overall I'd say it's because I love the sport and a part of the fun comes with a high level of skill for me.
 
Sam,
A few questions:

How old are you? 23

Have you been playing pool for only 3 months?

Can you afford to be without a job for the next few years?

Can you afford to be without a "better half" during this time?

Do you have a will strong enough to bend spoons with that alone?

Do you want to gamble while you are becoming a professional player?

Do you want to travel nationally to play pool?

Do you want to travel internationally to play pool?

Are you especially talented in some other sport? If so, what and how did you come to the conclusion that you are at that particular level?

Are you Canadian? Quebec: Was your Sylvain Grenier once upon a time a professional wrestler?

Thanks,
JoeyA


SamLambert said:
So, I recently started playing the incredible game that is pocket billiards (july) and quickly developped a great interest forthe game.

I am not aiming for anything lower than pro and was wondering what would be a realistic target to aim for? The pro who owns the pool hall where I play became one after 4 years, so I'm figuring it is very much possible to do, but then he told me it was before there were rating systems in place and so he was ranked as such arbitrarily.

After asking another one who became one just this year, it took him just a little over 5 years.

So, everything points toward it being very much possible, albeit very hard and not without a lot of hard practive and lots of tournaments.

Since I started, I have been playing/practicing about 30-35 hours a week on average.

What's your take on this? Am I looking at this the wrong way? Input from others is always interesting to hear.

Sam
Click to expand...
 
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SamLambert said:
So, I recently started playing the incredible game that is pocket billiards (july) and quickly developped a great interest forthe game.

I am not aiming for anything lower than pro and was wondering what would be a realistic target to aim for? The pro who owns the pool hall where I play became one after 4 years, so I'm figuring it is very much possible to do, but then he told me it was before there were rating systems in place and so he was ranked as such arbitrarily.

After asking another one who became one just this year, it took him just a little over 5 years.

So, everything points toward it being very much possible, albeit very hard and not without a lot of hard practive and lots of tournaments.

Since I started, I have been playing/practicing about 30-35 hours a week on average.

What's your take on this? Am I looking at this the wrong way? Input from others is always interesting to hear.

Sam
Click to expand...

It is definitely possible to play at pro level in 5 years. Assuming you have the dedication, the real question becomes "How talented are you?". You must have serious talent or it can't happen. What does the pro in your area say, does he believe in you?

Just for curiosity sake, why do you want to become a pro pool player? Everybody has their own reasons for playing the game, what are yours if you don't mind me asking?
 
JoeyA said:
Sam,

<Bunch of questions here>

Thanks,
JoeyA
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A few questions:

How old are you? 23

Can you afford to be without a job for the next few years?

No, but I do have a lot of free time after my work day / during the weekends.



Can you afford to be without a "better half" during this time?

Better half is actually supporting me and coming with me to my tournaments and helping me with my practice.



Do you have a will strong enough to bend spoons with that alone?

I bend spoons for breakfast.



Do you want to gamble while you are becoming a professional player?

Low amounts, sure. Nothing neck-breaking though. 500$ sets are not in my sight for a long time.



Do you want to travel nationally to play pool?

Yes



Do you want to travel internationally to play pool?

Being in Canada, north of the US is okay, maybe not the tournaments that would take more than a whole day of driving though.



Are you especially talented in some other sport? If so, what and how did you come to the conclusion that you are at that particular level?

I didn't play many sports at a high level. I liked playing with my Rubik's cube when I was younger and practiced solving it quickly (speedcubing they call it) and I was quite good at it. Sylvain did say that I am very good for someone that has only been playing for 3 months. His opinion is that if I continue working hard, pro in 5 years is something attainable.



Are you Canadian? Quebec:



And no, that Sylvain Grenier was not a professional wrestler :) That's another one!
 
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DJ14.1 said:
It is definitely possible to play at pro level in 5 years. Assuming you have the dedication, the real question becomes "How talented are you?". You must have serious talent or it can't happen. What does the pro in your area say, does he believe in you?

Just for curiosity sake, why do you want to become a pro pool player? Everybody has their own reasons for playing the game, what are yours if you don't mind me asking?
Click to expand...

I answered in a post a big higher why I aim to be a pro pool player.

I'd say, from the comments I am getting, that I have sufficient talent. I've been told a few times that I will become very good.
 
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JoeyA said:
Are you especially talented in some other sport? If so, what and how did you come to the conclusion that you are at that particular level?

JoeyA
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my question - what other sports have your tried, and why didn't you "stick" with those until you reached pro level ? In other words, do you have the personality to stick with one sport for 5+ years (forsaking all others) ?

my answer - Yes, possible to be pro after 5 years, with massive dedication and massive natural talent.

my humble suggestion - if you only have invested a few months so far, keep pool as a hobby and dedicate yourself to golf, where you can really make a good living !!
 
michael4 said:
my question - what other sports have your tried, and why didn't you "stick" with those until you reached pro level ? In other words, do you have the personality to stick with one sport for 5+ years (forsaking all others) ?

my answer - Yes, possible to be pro after 5 years, with massive dedication and massive natural talent.

my humbles suggestion - if you only have invested a few months so far, keep pool as a hobby and dedicate yourself to golf, where you can really make a good living !!
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Unless I don't know myself as well as I think I do, I'd say I didn't stick with previous stuff just because in the end it didn't appeal that much to me and I just wanted something to do with my free time.

For pool it is definitely different. Work days can't end fast enough so I can go back to playing. My friends are probably pretty annoyed at me these days, since I pretty much only talk about pool all the time.

I tried golf once, and god was it boring! Don't like it one bit.
 
It doesn't seem like you are particularly receptive to negative feedback to your question...
 
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