Buddy Hall made $85,000 in 1982

Can't remember the exact year, somewhere around 1976 - 1978 but I am certain of this. I was at the Caesar's Tahoe 9-Ball tournament. I remember at one point, in the lobby, I saw Cole Dickson for the last time. He was surrounded by at least a dozen enthusiastic fans. Just to look at him: he was so cool. I'm pretty sure of remembering the announcement at the end of the final heralding Buddy Hall as winner. The announcer mentioned how Buddy had just recovered from a bad auto accident. And this was his first tournament comeback appearance. If any of you knows Buddy, it would sure be nice if you could confirm this. Thanks.
 
For those who might want to say hey to Buddy he is living at : The Metropolis Rehab. And Health Care Center. 618-524-2634. He still goes in Sully's poolhall in Metropolis from time to time.
 
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they get a 1099. but being a pro you can write off all expenses in obtaining those wins. so they end up paying nothing or little as they end up in a small tax bracket.

but being good isnt being good enough. same in most sports. pool isnt a cash cow for advertisers so pool players rank low in what they can make. its a personal choice of what you want to be . we all make that choice. unless for outside circumstances.
 
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jjohnson said:
Found it! Here is the YouTube link. At 1:09:00 in this video:
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ESPN probably found a staffer that wasn't busy and told them to go track down this Buddy Hall guy. Not sure i'd put a lot of stock in their findings. Doesn't matter anyways.
 
JAM said:
While $85,000 does seem like a good amount in 1982, the cost-benefit ratio of professional pool is brutal when it comes to profit. Back then, most traveled the American pool tournament trail, but lodging, airfare, gas, food, living out of a suitcase, it adds up. Cost of gas was $1.28 a gallon in 1982. Average cost of a hotel room was $58 a night. A pack of cigarettes cost $1.20 in 1982. If a player got sick, however, most did not have medical insurance, an unknown cost.

Today's professional pro must travel an international pool trail to turn a profit. I cannot imagine the expenses involved to attend two, three, and four tournaments around the world on a regular basis.

My personal opinion is 50 percent of earnings per annum in professional pool cover expenses for that year because only a minute few—Shane, Joshua, Kaci, Fedor come to mind—are capable to win, place, and show in all tournaments. For an aspiring pro to keep up with the "regulars" on the professional tournament trail, the costs are heavy.

I'd be interested to hear other views on this topic.
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Way Better off Gambling!
 
of course gambling is better return wise.

you pick your opponent and the size of the bet.
you can quit when you want or jack up the bet if he lets you.
its all your money with little expenses.
you control all the outcomes.
 
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garczar said:
For those who might want to say hey to Buddy he is living at : The Metropolis Rehab. And Health Care Center. 618-524-2634. He still goes in Sully's poolhall in Metropolis from time to time.
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Does Buddy have an email address? I don't know him well enough to just pick up the phone and give him a call. I only met him once in Las Vegas at a 9-Ball tournament about 8 - 10 years ago. I asked him if he really did invent the "clock system." He nodded and said, "Yes."
 
jjohnson said:
Does Buddy have an email address? I don't know him well enough to just pick up the phone and give him a call. I only met him once in Las Vegas at a 9-Ball tournament about 8 - 10 years ago. I asked him if he really did invent the "clock system." He nodded and said, "Yes."
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no clue. i'm sure he'd love to hear from any fan. call the center and see if they get phone to him.
 
Danny DiLiberto at the age of 17 in 1952 was making between $400 - $500 a week playing pool in a local (Buffalo?) pool room.
That is between $4742 - $5927 per week in today's money. Wow.
 
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back then it was very easy to make that a week. all the regulars in the rooms played between 3 and 20 a game often. and most regulars played poorly.
others played for much more. gambling was a culture.
 
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