Can you become a AA/world beater at the age of 40'sh....

[Island Drive]

I'm not quite sure what an AA player is. Is it above an A player? First of all to reach A player level one needs to love the game first. Loving the game is the motivation needed to reach a high level. Some love the game and play hours on end but their abilites only let them reach a certain level. Others have the same motivation and can reach a higher level.

In respect to the OP on this thread he himself says that he has the time but not the motivation, then that tells me that he does not have the love of the game that is needed. When we're young we become obsessed with the game to the point that we want to spend all of our waking hours on the pool table. This the love that we can reserve for our game because we have the time to commit to it as opposed to later in life there are other commitments that keep us from putting the time on the table.

The Op admits to being aroung the game most of his life, that tells me that he has played enough to gain knowledge and experience but now wants to get deeper into the game. I believe he can get to the level to be competitive and be satisified with that. Beyond that, it may not be possible unless he has superior abilities and talent than most.

If one started playing at his age with no experience at all I believe one can get to the level of being competitive to A level. Expecting more than that would require him to have inborn excepional skills. At this age there are a lot of tools that are missing that are there when we're young. Not counting the mental parts like drive, desire, hunger for expermintation and the confidence to shoot the shot with no idea that something might go wrong. But the physicasl skills that the young posses like coordination, strength, sight, focus, stamina, and a host of other that are needed to reach a high level of play are not there at later ages.

If one could reach a very high level of play at 40 then why can't it be done starting at 60 or 70 years of age? Not happening. I've been playing for about 60 years and have experienced in the last 20 years the loss of some of my skills and for no other reason other than age. My desire is the same as always but the games is still fading.

My advise is to play as much as you can and be satisfied with what you have and enjoy the game.

I'm 65, but played ALLOT when younger, and you can never play too much is my attitude. Started playing again. In two 128 events I finished, one 13-16 & another 7-8 and 7-8 in another 64 event. It's a start, but matchin' up is waay more fun, and tournaments are Just tournaments. Frank I'm comin' soon, I'll let ya torture me in One hole. :grin-square:

 

[sixpack]

I don't believe that age is the end all be all of playing pool. I think one of the big reasons you don't hear about any older players (I'm talking >30) is because they don't have the time.

Everyone I have talked to that is a monster player had at least 2-3 years where pool was the entirety of their life. Each of them played a minimum of 8-12 hours a day for the entire period, practicing, gambling, and playing in tournaments. How many 40 year olds have the ability to put in 8 hours a day playing? Most have a job, spouse, kids, etc - all things that an 18 year old does not have to hinder their progress.

I believe that being young does give you some physical advantages over being older. Also, if you have been playing for 20 years your muscle memory is typically ingrained, be it good or bad.

I know a guy who has been playing about 10 years and he is an A player. He is around 45, but he is also a millionaire and has dedicated the past few years to pretty much nothing but playing pool.

This. I played with a golfer one time who was a former pro on the nationwide tour. He was an amazing golfer who was now in his late 30s. He said that he played the US Amateur in college and it's all college guys and guys in their 40s who have built businesses that allow them lots of time to play. He specifically said 'Insurance Broker' was a popular business for them. So after he got washed out of golf he became an Insurance broker and was, in his late 30s, at a point financially where he could play more and so he was trying to get his game back on point to try and win the US Amateur. When we played he was playing in the club championship ladder finals and he had 7 or 8 birdies in 12 holes and beat his opponent handily in match play. Best golf I've ever seen up close. The guy he was playing against was someone I played against in High School who dominated our region so it was pretty match to watch for me.

Point is, once you give up the dream as a youngster (or never had it) you don't have that kind of time again. Ever. Unless you plan for it and build your life around it.

There is no reason why a person couldn't pick up pool in their 30s or 40s and go on to a very high level. They would have a lot of catching up to do but maturity could help them speed up the process a bit too.

 

[sixpack]

I'm 65, but played ALLOT when younger, and you can never play too much is my attitude. Started playing again. In two 128 events I finished, one 13-16 & another 7-8 and 7-8 in another 64 event. It's a start, but matchin' up is waay more fun, and tournaments are Just tournaments. Frank I'm comin' soon, I'll let ya torture me in One hole. :grin-square:

Island - I think you could quit playing for 10 years, lose both arms and both legs and STILL find a way to whup up on people. You are the most focused, competitive person on a pool table I've ever seen.

 

[sixpack]

You have a business and yet you have 4 to 6 hours a day to goof off ?
Unless there is some reason why you can't expand, that means you are content to get by {at some level} and not make any effort to make it an even better business.
If you aren't applying yourself for sure money, why would you do it for {almost assuredly nothing or a loss ?}

Or he could just not watch tv. That would pick up 6 hours on the average American right there.

24 hours a day. Sleep 8. Work 12 Leaves 4. Work 8 leaves 8.

It isn't all about money.

 

[uwate]

Alot of people look at an A player and see very little difference between that level of play and a AA player, when in fact there is a huge separation between the two. The difference between A and AA imo is far more than rank beginner to A. Lots of players get to A and I believe that anyone with the proper motivation can do just that, even in later years. The AA level or higher is alot harder. Touring pro level, I would say there is about the same odds of a beginner getting to that level past age 40 than winning the powerball. I guess I should also qualify this by adding in the term "reasonably successful" to Touring pro since basically anyone with enough money can enter pro events and be dead money.

 

[ddadams]

Hell...

I am so glad to see this thread.

I was questioning MYSELF in this goal at age 24.

I've only played for 2 years now and as "silly" as it sounds (at least to the people around here) my goal is to get to the same level you're aspiring.



The more mistakes I make along the way, the worse the slumps are, and the worse I feel about it at times all help.

I was in a HORRIBLE slump for about 2 months recently after switching to something that just DID NOT WORK for me.

It's worked for a LOT of people on here but I came back out of it and switched back to my old fundamentals and that re-transition made me correct things I wasn't doing right before.


Now I'm finally really seeing the balls straight and center and stroking MUCH straighter than I've ever been.

I'm playing around 4-5 hours a day.


I'm not a world beater by any means. My goal for this year is to string a 5 pack together on any game. I get 2 packs every now and then but I've never done 4.



After coming "out" of my last slump I'm reinvigorated and really know that I can do it.

Just wait for it. You'll see me out there one day.


Danny

 

[TheThaiger]

Alot of people look at an A player and see very little difference between that level of play and a AA player, when in fact there is a huge separation between the two. The difference between A and AA imo is far more than rank beginner to A. Lots of players get to A and I believe that anyone with the proper motivation can do just that, even in later years. The AA level or higher is alot harder. Touring pro level, I would say there is about the same odds of a beginner getting to that level past age 40 than winning the powerball. I guess I should also qualify this by adding in the term "reasonably successful" to Touring pro since basically anyone with enough money can enter pro events and be dead money.

Completely agree. Those that dribble on about anyone being able to get to pro level are usually entirely clueless, and almost certainly poor players themselves.

In general terms, you're a pro by your tenth birthday.

 

[alstl]

I'm no way a AA player or even close, I have the benifit of owning a billiards store and all, but I have never really given the game the respect of time/practice that it deserves. I have been in a league off and on and been to a few tournaments at most but just never really gave it my all.
I'm sitting here thinking MY GOD!! my livellyhood is the pool buisness, what am I doing..... I'm not happy with my pool shooting ability. I know I need to practice more and get the drive to better my game, I'm just trying figure out how. I have 5-6 hours a day I can practice but just dont........... As the heading for this thread says, Can I at 42 bring my game up to the level (AA) to compete at the upper tournament level, or is my age and ability going to hinder me from advancing. :help:

NOTE: I HATE HANDICAP TOURNAMENTS, IF I GET MY ASS HANDED TO ME SO BE IT,.. THERE BETTER THAN ME.....I JUST WANT TO HAND THEM THERE ASS ONCE AND AWHILE TOO............OTB

The information missing from that is what is the highest level you have attained in pool and at what age did you start playing seriously?


I don't see anybody beginning at 42 and becoming a pro level player. Somebody who used to play and has taken a break has a chance.

If you go from not playing at all to playing 5-6 hours a day you will improve but everybody has a ceiling. Nobody can tell you with any degree of certainty you will become a pro.

 

[Island Drive]

My generation was never involved with the ABC's of skill level. Land of hard knocks cut your teeth and gave you the ability to see/read another players skill level....makin' a few honest bucks to stay alive and matching up is a skill....the abc concept is more involved with league dialogue or anothers reality?

 

[captainkoons]

This could be a serious case of if you have to ask.

If you have any hope, you shouldn't have any doubt in your mind you can make it.

Become that world beater and prove the haters wrong.

 

[JB Cases]

My generation was never involved with the ABC's of skill level. Land of hard knocks cut your teeth and gave you the ability to see/read another players skill level....makin' a few honest bucks to stay alive and matching up is a skill....the abc concept is more involved with league dialogue or anothers reality?

right on. some people seem to love imposing limits. if you can physically perform a task then you can probably train to perform it at a world class level.



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

 

[Jaden]

MAny people's be all end all is not more money...

You have a business and yet you have 4 to 6 hours a day to goof off ?
Unless there is some reason why you can't expand, that means you are content to get by {at some level} and not make any effort to make it an even better business.
If you aren't applying yourself for sure money, why would you do it for {almost assuredly nothing or a loss ?}

To start with, many people's be all end all is not amassing more wealth. Maybe he's comfortable where he is.

There is also the real possibility he believes that being more successful at pool can be a boost to his "pool related" business and there is merit to that thought.

Running a business once established should not mean you have to be working at it 20 hours a day and sleeping 4.

If you are, then you aren't doing it right.

The whole point of having more from a successful business is so that you can afford to have more fun.

Work hard, play harder and work smarter, not harder come to mind here. These are not mutually exclusive concepts.

Jaden

 

[jasonlaus]

You have a business and yet you have 4 to 6 hours a day to goof off ?
Unless there is some reason why you can't expand, that means you are content to get by {at some level} and not make any effort to make it an even better business.
If you aren't applying yourself for sure money, why would you do it for {almost

Posting on AZ is making you money?

 

[book collector]

True that, Bill Stroud is like 70, and he's playing great pool!

He played a lot better before he took off to make cues

 

[336Robin]

absolutely

I'm no way a AA player or even close, I have the benifit of owning a billiards store and all, but I have never really given the game the respect of time/practice that it deserves. I have been in a league off and on and been to a few tournaments at most but just never really gave it my all.
I'm sitting here thinking MY GOD!! my livellyhood is the pool buisness, what am I doing..... I'm not happy with my pool shooting ability. I know I need to practice more and get the drive to better my game, I'm just trying figure out how. I have 5-6 hours a day I can practice but just dont........... As the heading for this thread says, Can I at 42 bring my game up to the level (AA) to compete at the upper tournament level, or is my age and ability going to hinder me from advancing. :help:

NOTE: I HATE HANDICAP TOURNAMENTS, IF I GET MY ASS HANDED TO ME SO BE IT,.. THERE BETTER THAN ME.....I JUST WANT TO HAND THEM THERE ASS ONCE AND AWHILE TOO............OTB

Absolutely, practice smart and hard and when you get ahead, stay ahead.

 

[dabarbr]

I'm 65, but played ALLOT when younger, and you can never play too much is my attitude. Started playing again. In two 128 events I finished, one 13-16 & another 7-8 and 7-8 in another 64 event. It's a start, but matchin' up is waay more fun, and tournaments are Just tournaments. Frank I'm comin' soon, I'll let ya torture me in One hole. :grin-square:

Looking forward to having you as my quest.
P.S.I have a bridge holder for you.

 

[jchown]

I am 45 this year, I did give it a go in my early 20's but I got sidetracked with cards and gambling- stopped being a student and started being a gambler. Now that im older I intend to get back into the swing of things- its been 20 years since I played at all, but was respectable once!

 

[Lucky_Lew66]

find someone who plays at that level to play everyday until you start winning 50% of the time,then you will know if you can get there or not. Pick their brain apart and learn everything they know and do and see if you can play even with them. Nerve is a big part of the game,if you can play this person and maintain your focus and nerve you will definitely be gaining ground towards becoming as good as you can be.

 

[4onthebreak]

I'm no way a AA player or even close, I have the benifit of owning a billiards store and all, but I have never really given the game the respect of time/practice that it deserves. I have been in a league off and on and been to a few tournaments at most but just never really gave it my all.
I'm sitting here thinking MY GOD!! my livellyhood is the pool buisness, what am I doing..... I'm not happy with my pool shooting ability. I know I need to practice more and get the drive to better my game, I'm just trying figure out how. I have 5-6 hours a day I can practice but just dont........... As the heading for this thread says, Can I at 42 bring my game up to the level (AA) to compete at the upper tournament level, or is my age and ability going to hinder me from advancing. :help:

NOTE: I HATE HANDICAP TOURNAMENTS, IF I GET MY ASS HANDED TO ME SO BE IT,.. THERE BETTER THAN ME.....I JUST WANT TO HAND THEM THERE ASS ONCE AND AWHILE TOO............OTB

As long as you're healthy then age isn't a factor. I've seen more then a couple of senior citizens in my area who can break and run.

I don't know what your ability is but that's the real question. How good are you? What's your limit? Those are the important questions.

Read some books. Watch some videos. Take some lessons. Measure your progress.

The important questions will answer themselves. Whether or not you like the answers...well...I guess that all depends on your point of view.

 

[chefjeff]

I'm going to crack down and practice, look at my stroke and see what needs improvment and put the time in, I say this but I guess time will tell.........

Perhaps having a PROCESS goal, like this, is better than having a RESULT goal. Seeking to improve over time vs. seeking to be a pro-level player might bring you more happiness. Perhaps not.

I was talking to a player the other night who is just under 40 and plays better than I do at age 60. Each of us is a student of the game and we've discussed it wherever we see each other at tourneys. I made the point that, even after 50 years of playing pool, I still am in the learning stage and enjoy the hell out of that process, even though the 40 something guy is better and therefore must have learned faster than I, I still am finding pleasure in the game.

That's why I said that a process goal might be what you're really looking for.

fwiw,

Jeff Livingston