Anyone else feel this way...

[Milo]

If you make it to the top, it's not such a bad life. By that I mean a top twenty player in the world, like a Ralf Souquet, Shane Van Boening, Mika Immonen, Francisco Bustamante and the like. Otherwise it can be pretty frustrating at times. Being a top pro can lead to other more lucrative endeavors though, like owning a billiard room or billiard supply, making cues, being a table mechanic, making DVD's, writing books etc. More than one way to skin a cat.

I have a front row seat with a player who is not in the top twenty in the world. (probably in the top 100) Its a VERY tough life. I agree with Jay. If you can make it to the top twenty and establish a career out of it, you can make a good living. The path to get there requires dedication and hard work. Good Luck!!!!

 

[Bobby]

It's very hard to make a living as a pro player. One pro once told me that whenever he hears about a young player that has a lot of talent and will soon be going pro he get's sad a feels bad for the kid.

 

[katiemelady]

Negatives of being a Pro Pool Player.


No Medical Insurance! NUFF SAID.

Unless they are lucky enough to marry someone w/ benefits and they could sign on as a spouse.

 

[Cameron Smith]

Why don't more players engage in exhibitions? This was discussed a bit in another thread but I think it is pertinent here as well. It seems to me that this could be an excellent source of income and could offset some of the travelling.

I realize not every player has the showmanship required, but there are certainly players that do, ie. Alex Pagualyan and John Schmidt. I think it would just take a little self-marketing.

Snooker player John Virgo once said that when he was first getting started on the pro scene in the UK, Ray Reardon told him that the being a pro was about the exhibitions not the tournaments. At that time the snooker scene was very similar to the current landscape in pool.

 

[td873]

Anyone have some good sides to being a touring professional??

Beautiful women and fast cars. Lots of flash and lots of cash. Improved social status and respect from your peers and family. Long term job security.

On second thought, you should contemplate a backup plan. At some point your wife/girlfriend/kids/etc will want something to eat and somewhere to live...

-td

 

[center pocket]

I agree with Cameron. I feel that If I start playing in the pro tournies and become a house pro. I think once a month I should do an exibition just to promote the sport. All though I really dont care for trick shots, I would learn them and execute them in an exibition for viewer entertainment and interest. I read somewhere that in old days when pros would show up to tournies they would put on exibitions before it ever kicked off.

 

[TX Poolnut]

I am wanting to put forth a great effort to become a touring professional player but it seems that it is no reward for doing it. The competition is so tough and if you break even you are doing well with taking in consideration travel expenses....
Anyone have some good sides to being a touring professional??

You'd be living your dream. That's about it.

 

["T"]

Just an outside observation of most "pros" I have met, and I would say they don't pursue their career because of the money, they pursue it in spite of it.

It's not love of the game, it's an absolute obsession which brings with it both a dark side and an incredible magic all at the same time.

My guess is that those who have chosen to play pool competitively for a living will likely say that pool chose them rather than the other way around.