Being a pool player vs. Regular life?

Quite a statement, although I'm sure it's well founded. Two pro-caliber players with full-time jobs are George Breedlove and Ernesto Dominguez. Would you say you're the favorite against them?

donny mills said:
When you can beat me is when you can say you're the best player in the world with a steady job.
 
Smorgass Bored said:
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'll be 57 in a fews months and have played for a living since I was about 21 years old. I have some great memories and many great times.

If I had it to do over again, pool would not be involved. The older I get the more I feel like i've lived half a life.

I'm getting married again on the 18th of June and this time I'm going to work at it real hard.
 
dabarbr said:
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.


Funny you should say that Frank. I am coming down for the 4th of July one pocket tournament at Hollywood Billiards. I will also hit House of Billiards in Santa Monica & Hard Times in Bellflower. I'll look forward to seeing you then. I also plan some longer trips later in the year, maybe one of Grady's tournaments, the Open & Derby City for sure (Wherever they have it). I have been saving up S/S checks and if I find a place with a good golf game I can beat, I might stay a long time. It's time to do it while I still can. John
 
I beg to differ ...

gpeezy said:
If you are a professional drag racer that more than likely takes up a large percentage of your life. Playing pool for a living can consume a life. Yes there is time for other things but it will take up a large percentage of your time. A race in to beat a man in pool is quite different to a drag race.

My Drag Racing years were 1968 - 1974 ... I held a regular job, supported a wife and two sons, played pool several times a month, and bought, sold and traded collectible firearms ...

A "Regular Life" can be defined in so many ways ... For those who possess the talent, skill, & drive to be the very best Pool Player "Regular Life" means lots of long hours in competition and lots of traveling to and from those competitions ...

I have traveled to destinations all over the USA, South America, and Asia for Shooting Competitions in the last 20 years, but still had plenty of time to hold a steady job, run a part-time business, pursue several expensive hobbies, and still find time to play pool at least 3-4 days per week ...

I would venture to say that Johnny Archer, John Schmidt, Efren Reyes, Rodney Morris, et al are accustomed to their "Regular Life" ...
 
gpeezy said:
I'm just curious how people make the decision between being a pool player and living a regular life. There is a big difference between the two. Or maybe I just see it that way. I've been torn many times between trying to hang up my everyday work life and friends and just play pool. Of course when I would get to thinking about it, thats a lot to give up. Guaranteed money to spend as I wish by working a 40 hr week. Friends (which mine would support me in whatever I wanted to do) that I can hang out with as I wish. The memories that I would loose of summers at the beach, lake, you get the point. On the other hand. I hands down love to play. I love the action, the characters, the suspense, the talent, the competition. I could go forever on the parts of pool I love. I've always felt if I just had time, I could mold myself into a good, possible great player. Often through my pool playing life I've drifted due to it affecting my "other life". I'm sure some would respond with the fact that I need to find a happy medium between pool time and what I call regular life. I have a problem doing that because I get so caught up with playing I tend to stay out later. I'm like a fisherman with "one more cast" I'm "one more game". I'm hearing less and less of stories of action battles that make me want to go hit some balls and match up. Rather I hear of tournament low payouts vs. expenses and lack of action. The Action Report is great for pool IMO as it is for many others. To me they are the most noticeable ones in pool promotion and I praise them for it. I just wonder where players make the decision to be a player. Or do they work also. Do they feel they have sacrificed a lot to play this game or does it just come to them as everyday life. Its a constant thought to me and I just have been thinking of it more and more due to I've been spending sometime away from the game in order to catch my life back up top par. I'm just curious as to what kinda response this thread would get. I've started it before and deleted it a few times do to I feel like its rambling. I'm posting this time.

All depends on where you are in life. If you're just starting out then stick with the job..if you lose what the value of money is early on then it may screw up your financial views your whole life. When you work (in the traditional sense) for your money you learn to value it in a different way than the gambler does. In addition to that starting your nest egg early on is a fantastic help in life as a previous poster mentioned.

Remember, when it is your living if you don't treat it as a job, it will go no where. If I was to make a living at something where I would have to be playing the world beaters to get paid...that wouldn't be a 'fun' job to me. Then on the other hand, if I were to play the bangers for their money, and I was on the hustle it would be hard for me to look in the mirror.

Keep it as a good paying hobby and invest all the profits (keep a P&L for each year). I would bet that you will be better off than 90% of the players $$ in 20 years. JMHO

td
 
StevenPWaldon said:
Quite a statement, although I'm sure it's well founded. Two pro-caliber players with full-time jobs are George Breedlove and Ernesto Dominguez. Would you say you're the favorite against them?
I don't know, but i have some money to blow playing them.
 
It's hard to find action...Most often ya have to create it.

donny mills said:
I don't know, but i have some money to blow playing them.

Donny you just said the magic words. "I have some money to blow". My nose isn't open yet but I'm looking at you.

It's just my perspective that makes me happy. I'm on the road everytime I walk out the front door. I'm pretty spontaneous and you just never can tell where I might end up.

The other day I was having a bad morning. An early meeting, a speeding ticket. Unable to be "there" for my sweetie at a very important doctor appointment blah blah. You get the idea. I saw a bar that I distinctly remembered a guy named LOLO hadn't seen enough of me. I went in looking for him and found 4 guys, construction workers who took 1/2 day. I made a game, got em side betting. Won a little and cheered myself right up.

It might have been a thursday mid day. In a sleepy little town but I stirred the pot. Had a few good games & then announced I had to go. They didn't want anymore of me right then anyway. It's just like cards. You just have to know when to put it together.

As for a normal life...When I have one I'll know how to compare. I do have a family and sometimes they plan fun stuff and I make it a priority to be there.
I "love" the people, the life. When I was on the road a few wonderful people made sure I got out of the pool room or casino. The beach, the mountains, the Tower of Power. (Thanks Jimmy Ried & Sherry Sewell, & Vicky Frenchen.)
 
I'm glad to see all the post here. I'm pretty sure it has crossed more than one person's mind from one point to another. The responses are all appreciated and all make sense in their own way. I'm glad I finally posted this thread.
 
1973
I was married to my 2nd wife and living north of the lake from New Orleans. I was a traveling salesman, wearing a coat & tie and selling wholesale building materials to retail outlets. I made good money, but it was boring.

I came to a realization one day, that I simply didn't want to WORK for a living. I had NO ambition and I just wanted to see if I could skate through life under the radar, doing as I pleased, while living well.

Oneday, my wife and I sat down and divided up all of our 'stuff', by each taking a turn and writing a household object down on legal pads and then swapping items until we got what we wanted. (I'll trade you the chair that matches 'your sofa' for the fire extinguisher lamp, etc.) This was the wife that went through the 60s and early 70s with me (including my Easy Rider stage).

I moved back to New Orleans, to an apartment and began my life of hustling and scuffling. New Orleans is a unique city with bars that never close and an 18 year old drinking age. My goal was to live as well as possible for the remainder of my life while doing absolutley nothing conventional. I was young, smart, handsome, fearless and above average in smarts, while lacking any desire to 'be something' in life.

More to come, after I shower and fix some coffee.
Doug




/
 
StevenPWaldon said:
Quite a statement, although I'm sure it's well founded. Two pro-caliber players with full-time jobs are George Breedlove and Ernesto Dominguez. Would you say you're the favorite against them?
HAha! They will have to go to FL to find out!
 
Smorgass Bored said:
1973
I was married to my 2nd wife and living north of the lake from New Orleans. I was a traveling salesman, wearing a coat & tie and selling wholesale building materials to retail outlets. I made good money, but it was boring.

I came to a realization one day, that I simply didn't want to WORK for a living. I had NO ambition and I just wanted to see if I could skate through life under the radar, doing as I pleased, while living well.

Oneday, my wife and I sat down and divided up all of our 'stuff', by each taking a turn and writing a household object down on legal pads and then swapping items until we got what we wanted. (I'll trade you the chair that matches 'your sofa' for the fire extinguisher lamp, etc.) This was the wife that went through the 60s and early 70s with me (including my Easy Rider stage).

I moved back to New Orleans, to an apartment and began my life of hustling and scuffling. New Orleans is a unique city with bars that never close and an 18 year old drinking age. My goal was to live as well as possible for the remainder of my life while doing absolutley nothing conventional. I was young, smart, handsome, fearless and above average in smarts, while lacking any desire to 'be something' in life.

More to come, after I shower and fix some coffee.
Doug




/
A cliffhanger.........?
 
gpeezy, I love your avatar so I'm going to let it slide... But you need to go ahead and break that down into a few paragraphs. There is no way I can read that all like that.
Still, I think I get the gist of what you were asking.

My solution was;
[x] being a pool player
[ ] regular life

Now I don't even play pool, so I guess I'm just
[ ] ??
 
I have to apologize for not paragraphing. All that is right of the top of my head. I just got to the end of what I was thinking and posted.
 
AZE said:
gpeezy, I love your avatar so I'm going to let it slide... But you need to go ahead and break that down into a few paragraphs. There is no way I can read that all like that.
Still, I think I get the gist of what you were asking.

My solution was;
[x] being a pool player
[ ] regular life

Now I don't even play pool, so I guess I'm just
[ ] ??
I went back and broke it up some for ya.
 
When I was in law school I was playing pool every day and I was attracted to the pool player lifestyle. Being single with no real pressure such as a mortgage or kids to feed, I found myself considering the path of professional pool. My Mom, to her credit, always told me she wanted me to follow my heart but to use my brain in planning my options so I didnt end up in a dead end later in life. I know that its sounds ridiculous, choosing between pool player or lawyer...but in fact I was going further and further towards pool than the law. The lifestyle, just as many have discussed in this thread, is just so addictive..

After I graduated from Gainesville, I told my Mom I was skipping the law school graduation ceremony to go to Chicago to play in a pool tournament. The disappointment in her voice was brutal, but she said ok go have fun and be careful. As it turned out, that trip really changed my life. The defining moment for me was seeing dozens of players who I thought it would take years for me to be able to beat, and NONE of them had any kind of security. Many of them hated pool and were pretty open with me about why. They all said about the same thing, that the pressure to win, in order to support themselves, let alone their families, was so great that they had learned to dislike the game they use to love. They all looked at me like I was from Mars when I told them I had just graduated from law school and was considering just playing pool. One of them, who I wont name because he is a big name, told me that he was nearing 50, had his entire net worth in his right pocket, had two broken marriages from pool, didnt know his kids and drove a car he prayed every day would not break down and that he would give me the 7/8 right now, so how long was I willing to live like that before i could play him even?

One thing I will also add to be fair is that all the years playing pool gave me alot of experience in the nuances of negotiation and settlement. I remember the second year of doing trial work in Jax a fellow defense attorney asked me how I managed to wrangle out community control from a prosecutor that previously wanted 18 months state prison on a burglary case. I responded that after you spent a good part of your life trying to get good games in the pool room, these prosecutors were easy action.
 
Last edited:
ironman said:
I'll be 57 in a fews months and have played for a living since I was about 21 years old. I have some great memories and many great times.

If I had it to do over again, pool would not be involved. The older I get the more I feel like i've lived half a life.

I'm getting married again on the 18th of June and this time I'm going to work at it real hard.


Ironman,

Some of your other posts had already indicated to me that you might be a man of considerable insight and wisdom. This post confirmed it.

Pool is my fulltime job: I am an instructor, a cue builder, a cue repairman, and a table mechanic. I also love to play. But as much as pool means to me, it could never even begin to replace those things that are really most important; God, family, and close friends.

Roger
 
uwate said:
One thing I will also add to be fair is that all the years playing pool gave me alot of experience in the nuances of negotiation and settlement. I remember the second year of doing trial work in Jax a fellow defense attorney asked me how I managed to wrangle out community control from a prosecutor that previously wanted 18 months state prison on a burglary case. I responded that after you spent a good part of your life trying to get good games in the pool room, these prosecutors were easy action.
Love it. I use things I learned in the pool world all the time in other walks of my life.
 
gpeezy said:
Love it. I use things I learned in the pool world all the time in other walks of my life.

My dad owned a pool hall from the time I was 17-22 y/o. Back at the time in my life, I thought there was nothing better than spending my days in the pool hall and found myself drawn to the action. My whole goal in life was to get to the point where I never would need to work a normal job again. One thing I did learn from talking to pool players who played for a living was that it was not the life I really wanted.

I know that I could have been a very good player had I not stopped playing when I was playing my best. I lost a lot of money to a guy over a 3 week period a just quit playing after that. I think that was the best thing that ever happened to me. I eventually started playing about 10 years later with a whole new prospective on the pool players lifestyle. I will take being a recreational player with a nice house and family over trying to grind it out playing pool as a perpetual bachelor. I don't even find tournaments all that enjoyable anymore, I tried playing in a weekend tournament in Southern California a couple of years back and I was miserable just sitting around waiting to play all day. I can't believe I used to think that was a great way to spend a Saturday.

For me the best choice was to keep pool as a hobby and nothing more.
 
hi

there is a big difference between being a pro pool player and being a very successful pro pool player like efren,allison,alex ,johnny etc.to be a successful one is alot of fun thats what they tell me anyway.some people have amazing ability and will be the ones who make it.most people seem to think they quit because the money was bad ,they quit because they were not talented enough and did not have the overall package to make it. i see this in bowling,golf baseball etc.people say i used to be great but would rather have a job ,yeah right.people come on here and compare being a pro pool player to a guy who lives in his car .i can show you pro golfers who are doing that. many of the pros i know own their own home have plenty in the bank and basically have a life that is very fun and exciting.so if we are gonna compare being a pro player to working lets keep it real and use a successful player like efren ralf,rodney,johnny,etc.it beats digging ditches trust me ive done that .
 
Back
Top