Are you a Professional...

The_JV said:
Just this year, I and massive host of players that merely put effort into their games have been excluded from the Canadian Amateurs. The cut off was something ridiculous like a fargo of 630.

Yes we all still have the Open event, but that puts me up against the likes of Morra and Alex. Not to mentioned tons of guys in the mid 700's.
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As an advanced amateur compared to a pro there's as many levels of difference in skill as comparing a banger to and advanced amateur.

No matter what tournament, there's only 3 people who are supposed to win. Think of all the top pros who have only won a couple times.
 
Professional Billiards "Player": One who successfully makes their sole living through competing in the game of billiards. Competition would be defined as tournament and/or gambling matches.

Professional Billiards Instructor: One who successfully makes their living through the instruction of billiards.

Caveat: One can be both of these, or one of these.

Professional Billiards Business person: One who successfully makes their living within the billiard industry (mfg, retail of billiard relate products and services)

2nd caveat: One can be all three of these things (ex: Nick Varner)
 
I played horrible compared to any champion, but I never needed a job. My standard of living was not what I liked. I was capped at what I could make playing pool-it was better than minimum wage but far from what I wanted in life.

I had a choices:

1. Play pool and squeak by not living like I wanted to.

2. Play better and hopefully earn more. I did that for a few years. But I was still capped as I couldn’t get good enough to make enough.

3. Get a job<———never a option for me

4 Find something else that paid better and wasn’t a job and suitable for me.

Option #4 was the clear choice, however that didn’t come along right away. When it did, I stopped playing for a few years and the came back to pool because I love the action.

I’d never call myself a “pro” as that’s a insult to guys like SVB. I was a “scuffer” that got by using pool and other short hustles instead of working.

What I learned being around pool has served me well and was the best education I could have asked for. To this day I still have my fingers in pool for many reasons and I ain’t hit a ball in years. But I’ll forever be a part of pool.

I feel that I have earned the respect of my peers-which is important to me, but a “pro” nope-I didn’t get there, I tried tho. Hard as I could.

Keeping it real,

Fatboy
 
Fatboy said:
I played horrible compared to any champion, but I never needed a job. My standard of living was not what I liked. I was capped at what I could make playing pool-it was better than minimum wage but far from what I wanted in life.

I had a choices:

1. Play pool and squeak by not living like I wanted to.

2. Play better and hopefully earn more. I did that for a few years. But I was still capped as I couldn’t get good enough to make enough.

3. Get a job<———never a option for me

4 Find something else that paid better and wasn’t a job and suitable for me.

Option #4 was the clear choice, however that didn’t come along right away. When it did, I stopped playing for a few years and the came back to pool because I love the action.

I’d never call myself a “pro” as that’s a insult to guys like SVB. I was a “scuffer” that got by using pool and other short hustles instead of working.

What I learned being around pool has served me well and was the best education I could have asked for. To this day I still have my fingers in pool for many reasons and I ain’t hit a ball in years. But I’ll forever be a part of pool.

I feel iver warned the respect of my peers, but a “pro” nope-I didn’t get there.

Keeping it real,

Fatboy
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What would you guess your fargo would be at your best?
 
easy-e said:
What would you guess your fargo would be at your best?
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That’s a great question. I’ve haven’t played anyone rated to know. Watching some streams seeing rated players. I’d guess 650-700. Based on what I’ve seen. I could be way off. The 650’s-675’s all looked soft to me. But that was on small tables.

I’m better at banks and 1P by a mile.

I played Max lots of times and alt break he spotted me the 7,8 playing 9B and it was a tough game. Winner break he crushed me with that spot. I can’t break 9B or 10B. So winner break is very very bad for me.

Gambling I always took the break away from who ever I played. It’s huge for me to get that spot, the extra balls not so much.

Mary Kenniston played a hair stronger than me in the early 90’s. We used to play hard-no gamble, but seemed like it was $10,000. She’s family so we just played hard💪. I couldn’t beat her when she was on tour. I’d lose 11-9 on average. But years later I played a bit stronger and she wasn’t playing. Last time I played a real session of pool was with her and she won, I didn’t get drilled but she won clearly. I hadn’t played in 2-3 years then and that was 5-6 years ago. At her best and at my best-close game, probably give the nod to Mary due to experience. But that game never happened as we peaked at different times.

But as far as Fargo goes-I’m guessing and could be way off. Right now from what I’ve seen on steams on the bar box I’d rob the 625’s-650’s with one days preparation. Any moving game 8B or 1P real easy-I know way more/move better.

Again it’s a guess

Fatboy <——-needs to hit some balls
 
The-Professor said:
I think there are three different definitions that are valid in response to the question... "What declares a pool player a pro". These all take different perspectives, and really focus in on what the questioner means when they say "pro".

1. I agree with individuals that say an individual that makes his/her livelihood off of playing the game tournaments and/or gambling... can be considered a professional pool player. Other examples would include professional musicians who play gigs for money, while not being famous, known across the country, still show a level of professionalism enough that I see them as professional musicians. As opposed to hobbyists.

2. I agree with the individuals that say a professional pool player is the elite group of players that play at the top of the Fargo-Rate and are competitive at the highest levels of national and international tournaments.

3. I would add that some people would define pro players and individuals who can play "Pro-Speed" on any given day. These players may not be on the tour (I know there isn't a formal tour, but I think most people know what I mean here), but could be competitive against tour players given the opportunity. By this definition, I think the high level short stops would be considered Pro-Speed players..... In that their skill levels are closer to those on the top of the list then those in the middle/bottom.

I think we could al think of the types of players that would fit into these three categories. Category 1 players would be top touring pro's as well as local short stops or house pro's....... Category 2 would include player at the top of the Fargo Rate List..... the reason I don't like this definition as much as Category 3 is because there are several players listed in the low-mid 700's that most of the United States would consider pro level players, for them, I favor the Category 3 definition. There are commonalities as well as specific uniquenesses of all three of these definitions. I think the single most common characteristic is that their play level (excluding only the best hustlers) far exceeds the lower to mid level players in any/most pool rooms.

AN IMPORTANT POINT: And this can save a lot of people money when gambling/backing players in pool. There is a large variety of talent at the professional level of pool. In other words, the very best in the world "Elite" players, are significantly better than the lower level pro's. This is true in other sports like football... The greatest NFL quarterbacks are significantly better than the lower level albeit still professional lower level quarterbacks..... Why is this important...... Take some of the recent one pocket games....I'm not trying to name names, but we have professional players playing against "Elite" players... for fairly substantial amounts of money.......... The odds in these games in my opinion are HUGELY stacked toward the "Elite" players, even though they aren't known for playing one pocket.... In short, I don' think most people recognize the difference in professional player and "Elite" player. Understanding this can make/save you a lot of money if you gamble on pool matches.

Peace,
Chris
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Chris do you remember a few years back on YouTube they paired up Francisco, Busty with a non pool playing Chinese woman, older in years, to play like 5 games 9 ball. Well the first 3 games Busty had no trouble, but then the old lady started to get much better and Busty had to step up his game a bunch... just to say at a given time we can be human... Guy, I'm wrong it was 8 Ball...
 
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Guy Manges said:
What declares a pool player a pro ? If you play pool for a living are you a pro. If you play in a pro tournament are you a pro. If you pay money and join a PPPA does that make a pro ? Is there any sport that you can play for a living and not be a pro... Guy
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I would say when the people around you tell you are a pro, then you are a pro.
 
Fatboy said:
I played horrible compared to any champion, but I never needed a job. My standard of living was not what I liked. I was capped at what I could make playing pool-it was better than minimum wage but far from what I wanted in life.

I had a choices:

1. Play pool and squeak by not living like I wanted to.

2. Play better and hopefully earn more. I did that for a few years. But I was still capped as I couldn’t get good enough to make enough.

3. Get a job<———never a option for me

4 Find something else that paid better and wasn’t a job and suitable for me.

Option #4 was the clear choice, however that didn’t come along right away. When it did, I stopped playing for a few years and the came back to pool because I love the action.

I’d never call myself a “pro” as that’s a insult to guys like SVB. I was a “scuffer” that got by using pool and other short hustles instead of working.

What I learned being around pool has served me well and was the best education I could have asked for. To this day I still have my fingers in pool for many reasons and I ain’t hit a ball in years. But I’ll forever be a part of pool.

I feel that I have earned the respect of my peers-which is important to me, but a “pro” nope-I didn’t get there, I tried tho. Hard as I could.

Keeping it real,

Fatboy
Click to expand...
YES... GUY
 
Fatboy said:
That’s a great question. I’ve haven’t played anyone rated to know. Watching some streams seeing rated players. I’d guess 650-700. Based on what I’ve seen. I could be way off. The 650’s-675’s all looked soft to me. But that was on small tables.

I’m better at banks and 1P by a mile.

I played Max lots of times and alt break he spotted me the 7,8 playing 9B and it was a tough game. Winner break he crushed me with that spot. I can’t break 9B or 10B. So winner break is very very bad for me.

Gambling I always took the break away from who ever I played. It’s huge for me to get that spot, the extra balls not so much.

Mary Kenniston played a hair stronger than me in the early 90’s. We used to play hard-no gamble, but seemed like it was $10,000. She’s family so we just played hard💪. I couldn’t beat her when she was on tour. I’d lose 11-9 on average. But years later I played a bit stronger and she wasn’t playing. Last time I played a real session of pool was with her and she won, I didn’t get drilled but she won clearly. I hadn’t played in 2-3 years then and that was 5-6 years ago. At her best and at my best-close game, probably give the nod to Mary due to experience. But that game never happened as we peaked at different times.

But as far as Fargo goes-I’m guessing and could be way off. Right now from what I’ve seen on steams on the bar box I’d rob the 625’s-650’s with one days preparation. Any moving game 8B or 1P real easy-I know way more/move better.

Again it’s a guess

Fatboy <——-needs to hit some balls
Click to expand...
You know Eric, i don't think that we ever quit hitting some balls, As long as we can move ,physically move and get to a table. We can play it never leaves... Guy
 
You know Carl Sagen use to be on PBS, television said that we in this free world are the front-runners, first to criticize that of what we don't know... Guy
 
How about a five ball combination to make a money ball hanging in the corner pocket and a person near the shooter say , We call that a twofur...
? Is twofur what... Guy
 
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