Being a pool player vs. Regular life?

[gpeezy]

Its a gamble in its own taking up pool as your main source of living. I know it would be a struggle and risky but thats one of the things that makes it appealing. I would just hate to look around as an older man than I am now with regret of my decision. Which also applies to both sides. But one can't help but want to give it a chance. In one of the previous responses someone suggested giving it 90 days. That could come about in the cooler months when it seems pool is a hotter topic. I am fairly and some would say "am" young at the age of 26. So there is time to pick myself up from my mistakes made as a young man. But I would more than likely take a few months break and come back to working just because I feel like it is the most reasonable future. Its a much tougher decision to play pool day in day out for your living than it is to take a job making less than what you feel you deserve, or is it. I just know some have done it and wonder if they feel regret. I know of people in my area that don't work and play cards and pool for their bankroll. I don't look up to them but I do envy them. I also would like to think I would make more of that life than they do. A player that most know was wining about a game he was out of line in and a guy said something I will never forget, "I have a picture I would like for you to see Tedder. Its a picture of me in the bottom of a ditch when I was your age, sweating and working my ass off. You wouldn't say a damn thing about playing pool everyday."

 

[Milo]

I can relate, but with a sad note

I spent the majority of about 13 years in a pool room...gambling and paving the way to becoming a professional. And one day I woke up and realized how much I had sacrificed. I hadn't done any of the things that other people in my age group had. If I met new people outside the pool world...we had very little in common. I didn't go to parties, movies, the beach, the mountains, on dinner dates, etc when I was in my twenties. I went to work, and then the pool room. The light of day was a stranger to me.

Now, I've expanded my horizons and I golf regularly, play co-ed softball with my friends (and I hit a home run last season), have poker nights with my buddies, go to plays and movies...the list goes on and on. BUT...my pool game has suffered....mostly because I lack the same motivation and drive I used to have.

You can pick one extreme or the other....or you can find a nice balance. But there are sacrifices no matter which road you take...and it is up to you to decide what is going to make you happiest (or the least miserable...LOL).

Melissa

My time in the pool room was 8 yrs. That time definately helped me improve to where I am at today. I made a decision to have a balance in my life. I am happy with the decision I made. I will never regret it.
My mom died in a motorcycle accident in 2005. I didnt see her very much because of my time in the pool room. When she died, it gave me perspective. There is more to life than just pool. I miss her more than I can say. She would always say to me, " Its ok honey, I understand. I am proud of you". She was a terrific mom. I was very lucky to have such a supportive mom. I wish I would of spent more time with her.

 

[JoeyA]

Billiards Anonymous

I have to say, I'd rather go to an "action spot" or tourney than almost any other place on earth. I can't even remember a time that I was laying on the beach for more than two hours or so, and not thought about where I could play when the sun went down. I'm a pool addict, I guess. So there, I'm a pool addict. Bad part for me, I drink when I play 95% of the time. For the first four or five hours, no hindrance. After that, I might as well put the cue back in the Swift. Going to work with no energy, making money to buy a new cue or gamble, or make a tourney trek. Come on, you guys know the same feeling. I know you do.

You obviously have OCD. I am very sorry for you and all of the rest of us on AZ Billiards.

I am also sorry but I have to go play tonight to get ready for tomorrow's handicapped tournament. I don't really have a problem except with the owner of the pool hall who treats me like a brother. The owner is tightening the screws on me and it has become next to impossible for me to win the handicapped tournament but I am going to do my best to win every single game I play.

JoeyA (can't wait to kick some butt, but tonight I'll do some self-flagellation)

 

[Johnnyt]

From almost every pro I know, they started young and with great talent. When it came time to start a "square" job, none wanted to because there was too much money to be won.

It is hard to compare bring home a $1,000 paycheck every week to winning $25,000. With the exception of possibly Efren and Archie Karas, I feel certain very few people are up enough money to even come close to a job (for an entire lifetime - not a certain period).

Most players also give up any chance at a normal family life due to harsh hours, time on the road, and uncertain paychecks. There is also not pool player's medical insurance or a retirement fund, but there are stories that will last a lifetime. As well as times on the road and experiences the 9 to 5 would never compare to.

I agree with all you said. I was a little strange in that I almost always had a business, a job, or at least a part time job. Even the few years I was on the road I would pick up a job as a mechanic in a garage or boatyard to pump up my pockets to play some more. I'm married for over 40 years and played pool for at least a few hours just about everyday. I'm sure I just got lucky and found the right women to put up with that. Johnnyt

 

[thebighurt]

Here is how it works. This is in reference to players that have alot of ability starting out and may have the talent down the road to play pro speed.When you start out and are improving everybody in your town plays you and you make alot more than you lose normally. That is when most pool players get hooked. As you get better and better your action starts to get tougher because you have to give up weight and other guys dont play you anymore. Thank you have to branch out and go on the road. It is an exciting lifestyle but all you have to do is look at all these hall of famers and top pool players that are over 50 and most of them have nothing to show for it. They are broke and if they have a family it is worse. Young people win money when they first start and they think it is going to be like that forever. Plus they hear all the great stories and they cant wait to make their own stories. Look at the price of gas!! HOW THE F**K ARE YOU GOING TO LIVE ON THE ROAD THESE DAYS!! tournament payouts still suck. What people need to really do is look down the road. 20 30 40 years from now and think what are they going to do to survive. The overwhelming majority is not going to be able to make a living playing pool after 60. This is something parents should think of before they start their child playing pool. They have to have another option in case pool doesn't work out.

 

[Chesscat]

Stevie Moore is a very good guy. I heard that right before the IPT started, he had a job lined up with the Post Office, and had made the decision. But then the IPT promised everyone 6 figures a year, and he rethought. He is a great person, but he is also an example of a guy who had to make this tough decision.

 

[dabarbr]

I found out early in my pool playing career I didn't have what it took to make it just playing pool. My problem was, and it still seems the problem of players today, when you gamble for a living you want to gamble all the time. When I did grind out some $$ playing pool, and it was easy in the 50's/60's, I would play poker and other card games, play the horses and even gamble at golf and bowling, which I couldn't play a lick. Once I figured out I couldn't support my family this way I spent the next 45 years working and hanging around a local room playing in tournaments and gambling when action showed up. That is the happy medium you are talking about and the best way to go unless you are a stone champion. I am retired now and almost 69 years old and can still play a little, so I hope I have a road trip or two left in me while I still can play some. John Henderson

That's right John, tell it like it really is. Nothing like a steady income with a regular job. Only a few have the skills to make it with pool alone and most of ones that do only last a short while, then what?

John, maybe a couple of old timers like us should hook up for a short road trip. ( a short trip is probably all I could take these days )Who wouldn't want to try a couple of old men. Could be fun and profitable.

 

[Fast Lenny]

your right about everything in your post,

I never played real strong but have lived the pool life several times in life, I made enough to grind out enough $$ to live on, but the standard of living I could maintain was horrible(and I didnt have high standards either), the hours were brutal, perhaps if I played better it would have been better, but I gve it my best, if I added up all the time I lived the pool life its jut under 3 years in 3 different times.


I walked into the pool room one day- I remember is clearly. I was sick to my stomach with what I saw, a bunch of 50 year old guys(i'm averaging the age) who I know well and see everyday yet I dont know where they live, they dont know where a I lived because we were all at the pool room all day everyday looking for a customer, some of them played better than me some worse, none of them had a girl-I am not into the rental thing so there is no plan for me but to have a girlfriend, they were all miserable for the most part, just talking about how good things would if....and the "if" part is what made me sick because that "if" aint gonna happen unless you make it happen. So after my 3rd time around living the pool life, I was done with it.

I didnt want a square job(never had one) I wasnt a champion(not even close) and I didnt like the negitive gray haired guiys who had nothing going for them except who was gonna walk into the pool room next. For me that wasnt acceptable so I left pool-I didnt want to be 50, fat, lonely, and lost in life. I wasnt going to play into the "If" dream. So I had to go.

you cant live both lifes-no matter how good you play, the guy who chooses the pool life will awalys win. But in my eyes thats winning the wrong game.

Well said and I have been there,got bit hard by the bug and easy money in pool and cards.I have come to realize in the past year that its not for me and there is no future in it,just walk the line and do the 9-5 is best for me and the ones I love,but it taints you when you have made $6000 here in one night and $2000 another.I doubt I will find a job that pays that good but atleast I know whatever job whether it pays $500 a week will be money I can count on,no one likes to go to work and lose money and thats the chance you take in pool and cards.

 

[sjm]

This is a thread of high quality, and the posters have properly framed the issue at the heart of the matter: how much should one be willing to sacrifice to play pool for a living?

There's far more to it than the finances. In pure financial terms, the biggest part of the gamble is the fact that it's a career with no medical and pension benefits, no disability or unemployment insurance, and a career in which one's skills and earnings power typically decline with time, unlike most other jobs/professions where skills and aptitude tend to increase with time, explaining why most who work full-time make more and more as they get older.

On the one hand, it makes me think of of a couple of friends of mine who are consultants. I've been told that the absence of a year-end bonus, medical benefits, pension benefits means that a consultant earning $100,000 after expenses is no better off than somebody clearing $50,000 but having all three of these benefits along with disability and unemployment insurance. The pro pool player is typically in the same boat, and given how difficult it is to clear $100,000 as a pro pool player, only the most elite can choose pool on financial grounds......or those with no job/career prospects at all.

On the other hand, I cannot possibly express how jealous I am the life the pro pool player leads. How few of us get to do what we really love for a living! This gives pro pool an intangible that cannot be considered in financial terms alone. The pro player makes his own practice hours, too.

Pro pool as a career is a big gamble, as is being a pro in any second tier sport, where skills diminish before most are able to secure a solid financial foundation for the future. Nonetheless, I have limitless repsect for those who take that gamble, and feel they get to lead a fascinating, often fulfilling life with many good times and good friends.

Few of us have the skill that makes considering making the kind of sacrifices that are demanded of the pro pool player sensible, and it's all the more reason we all idolize our favorite pro players.

 

[halhoule]

This is a thread of high quality, and the posters have properly framed the issue at the heart of the matter: how much should one be willing to sacrifice to play pool for a living?

There's far more to it than the finances. In pure financial terms, the biggest part of the gamble is the fact that it's a career with no medical and pension benefits, no disability or unemployment insurance, and a career in which one's skills and earnings power typically decline with time, unlike most other jobs/professions where skills and aptitude tend to increase with time, explaining why most who work full-time make more and more as they get older.

On the one hand, it makes me think of of a couple of friends of mine who are consultants. I've been told that the absence of a year-end bonus, medical benefits, pension benefits means that a consultant earning $100,000 after expenses is no better off than somebody clearing $50,000 but having all three of these benefits along with disability and unemployment insurance. The pro pool player is typically in the same boat, and given how difficult it is to clear $100,000 as a pro pool player, only the most elite can choose pool on financial grounds......or those with no job/career prospects at all.

On the other hand, I cannot possibly express how jealous I am the life the pro pool player leads. How few of us get to do what we really love for a living! This gives pro pool an intangible that cannot be considered in financial terms alone. The pro player makes his own practice hours, too.

Pro pool as a career is a big gamble, as is being a pro in any second tier sport, where skills diminish before most are able to secure a solid financial foundation for the future. Nonetheless, I have limitless repsect for those who take that gamble, and feel they get to lead a fascinating, often fulfilling life with many good times and good friends.

Few of us have the skill that makes considering making the kind of sacrifices that are demanded of the pro pool player sensible, and it's all the more reason we all idolize our favorite pro players. LET US PLAY THE SAME AIMING SYSTEM THAT ALL TOP PLAYERS USE, THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME. HAL HOULE

 

[donny mills]

I was faced with this decision about two years ago. I was certain that I could play professional caliber pool if I only had the time to practice. Right before I was about to pull the trigger and try to play pool full time, I was leaving a regional event and I noticed a friend of mine sleeping in his car (at 3am). This wasn't his choice, he was homeless at the time. This guy has beaten a bunch of top pros and plays as good as anyone in the region. At that moment I decided to keep working. While I often enjoy weekend escapes into the "pool world", I've found that I am much happier with the security of a good job, health benefits, and a sure future. Now of course I will always wonder how good I could have been, but I am thankful to enjoy the security I do. The encouraging news is that even with working full time, my game continues to improve (slightly). So now instead of having a goal of being the best player in the world, I have a new goal. I want to be the best player in the world with a steady job. I think it's a realistic but very difficult challenge for me. Good luck with whatever you choose. I do admire those guys that take the chance and go for it; it's just not for me.

When you can beat me is when you can say you're the best player in the world with a steady job.

 

[tonmo]

Have to add to the chorus that this is a great thread. It goes to show you that the best thing to do, is to do both! Take your "Lost" series (or whatever) and chuck it out the window -- manage your time to better suit your interests. Take your career as a given, then condition yourself and your life to play pool and study pool whenever possible. Do it more for the love of the game, and competition, than for the money. Probably the best bet you can make!

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

I'd Like A "Do Over"

JoeyA (can't wait to kick some butt, but tonight I'll do some self-flagellation)

Please wear a condom.

I am paying the price now, for a lifetime of playing pool and gambling. No regular (or irregular) jobs for me. The booze, cigarettes and drugs have taken their toll. I'll be 63 in a few months. I can collect $400 in Social Security and I don't qualify for disability.

I've pulled my own teeth (when needed), set my own broken bones and sewn my own stiches (twice).

I lived life my way and had a blast and if I had to do it all over again, I would (except for marrying one particular woman). Thank GOD for my current wife (who JoeyA. just met for the first time and had lunch with last week in New Orleans).

I relish the friends that I've made along the way and online and I got to sweat and play some great matches.

Doug
( don't cry for me Argentina )


Edited: TMI

 

[bud green]

The best thing about starting when you're over 20 years old and seeing pro's run out from everywhere is you have no illusions about trying to be a pro.

Half the kids who are under eighteen start talking about being pros after they run 2 racks of nine ball. I think every A player thinks about playing in opens, but it doesn't take long to realize how much the cost/payoff ratio sucks unless you're one of the top players in the country.

Seeing A+++ players trying to hustle up $5 dollar games gets pretty depressing.

I spend a LOT of time in pool halls when I'm between jobs and don't regret it at all, but you better play like God to make any kind of living at pool these days or have that special charisma that makes weak players gamble enough to pay your bills.

Bustamente took second at the Predator tournement and got paid less than eight grand. 100 champions in the field, you beat every guy but one and get enough money for about two months of mortgage payments in Ca.

I can't even dream of playing good enough to buy a house in CA. Shane might have problems winning $3-4K month after month after month...

 

[8ballEinstein]

About 25 years ago I quit my job (due to job dissatisfaction) and decided I didn't want to look for another job right away. Since I really enjoyed playing pool, I figured I would take this opportunity to play all the time. At first it was exciting. I met many of the top players from throughout the west coast. There were a couple of road trips thrown in for good measure. I had no illusions of making big-time money since I wasn't any sort of whiz-bang player. I just wanted to go out and experience the lifestyle.

After 6 months, I was pretty much tired of the whole idea - my pastime had become a job. I ended up continuing on this same track for another 3 or 4 months, only because I couldn't find another job right away. It was quite a lesson for me. I found out I couldn't hack pool as a full-time gig, even if I had the chops to play top speed.

I look back on that time with many fond memories and I don't regret any of it.

Now I'm just a hacker, playing only a few hours a week. But, I'm a much happier player now than I was in the last few months of my time off from work.

This may be the answer for you too. Take some time off to do the same and see if playing pool full-time floats your boat.

 

[TSW]

I can't even dream of playing good enough to buy a house in CA. Shane might have problems winning $3-4K month after month after month...

$3-4K per month for the next 30 years on a standard mortgage. So Shane, to take an example, would have to keep playing at his current level until he's around 55 or 60 to pay off that house. Bad odds, bad odds.

 

[Scott Lee]

Balabushka...For some, I would agree with your comment...but definitely not all. Pool, for me, is my job, my hobby, and my passion...but I am a pool teacher, and pool entertainer, making a better living than 99% of the pro tournament players. I have plenty of life away from the pool table, and am happily married to a woman who loves me, and supports my love for pool, as well. I know I am a lucky one...and there could be hundreds more just like me, but for their EGOS!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

I guess what I am longwinded in saying is, balance. Music was much more fun to me BEFORE it was the only source for food on the table. Now its a job. And I bet you you love pool more now, than if it was the sole means of your support.

 

[Scaramouche]

Go to work, save and invest your money - don't buy insurance, buy stock in the insurance companies; don't buy gasoline, buy oil companies; don't put money in bank accounts, buy banks (that one isn't working well this year ). Start early in life and make compound interest work for you. You can build up a dividend flow that will allow you to take early retirement to play pool as much as you want, in comfort, and with an income stream that will increase with time. Beats the hell out of being a has-been or never-was pro.

 

[Josh Palmer]

When you can beat me is when you can say you're the best player in the world with a steady job.

Donny, what do you do for a living???

 

[DeadPoked]

Please wear a condom.

I am paying the price now, for a lifetime of playing pool and gambling. No regular (or irregular) jobs for me. The booze, cigarettes and drugs have taken their toll. I'll be 63 in a few months. I can collect $400 in Social Security and I don't qualify for disability.

I've pulled my own teeth (when needed), set my own broken bones and sewn my own stiches (twice).

I lived life my way and had a blast and if I had to do it all over again, I would (except for marrying one particular woman). Thank GOD for my current wife (who JoeyA. just met for the first time and had lunch with last week in New Orleans).

I relish the friends that I've made along the way and online and I got to sweat and play some great matches.

Doug
( don't cry for me Argentina )


Edited: TMI

I'd be careful allowing JoeyA to have lunch alone with my wife... Especially with all the sexual innuendo he speaks of...