Definition of Professional Pool Player

[Terry Ardeno]

I got the SHIVERS!!!!

This thread was brought to my attention, and I felt like saying what I had to say.

First of all, there are a lot of players that are considered pros that are not.

Just for your information, I consider myself a pro because I'm subject to beat anyone or anybody at any given time. I beat Ralf Souquet the last time we played, Mika Immonen, Alex Pagulayan, Niels Feijen, Ronnie Alcano, just to name a few, and let's not forget about Francisco Bustamante. So I consider that a pretty good line-up. If anybody wants to try to knock that, then God bless you.

Every tournament I play in, I seem to do okay. Believe me, they're more worried about me than I'm worried about them because if I do get up and play good, 98 percent of the time, I'm gonna get that money. And it don't matter who their name is or how well they play because what good are they if they're a statue in the chair.

So you can label me, Sigel, and whoever else anything you want, but the ones who know what time of day it is are the pro players themselves.

Oh man!! Did everybody feel that?! I was just in a bonafire EARTHQUAKE!
How great it is to see you post, and you layed it out but GOOD!

Please, how about keeping up the after-shocks and keep on posting. (Stories on match ups are always a crowd favorite)
And it's best when whatever woofin' went on is included in the post!
Thank you Keith.

 

[vagabond]

In the past there was.During Don Macky time you have to collect 18 points from the sanctined tournaments to be taken into the pro tour.
You get 2 points if it is 'A" tournament,3 points from 'AA' tournament and 6points from 'AAA' tournaments. Out of the 18 points 6 points have to be from 'AAA' tournament.
U will get points only if you are placed in the upperhalf,meaning if there are 40 entries u have to be placed at the least 20th.
'A'- If the added money was 1000.00 $ or less
'AA' If the added momney was above 1000 $ and less than 3000 $
'AAA' If the added money was above 3000 $.
To get points from AAA tournament was difficult because Many pros compete in these tournament and u may be kncoked out in the first round by a pro and on the loosers bracket by another pro.

Once you get 18 points you will be taken into the pro tour as a semipro.Then if you are placed in the money two times you will then be promoted as a PRO.Inbetween there was a another category called developing PRO

 

[9 on the snap]

This thread was brought to my attention, and I felt like saying what I had to say.

First of all, there are a lot of players that are considered pros that are not.

Just for your information, I consider myself a pro because I'm subject to beat anyone or anybody at any given time. I beat Ralf Souquet the last time we played, Mika Immonen, Alex Pagulayan, Niels Feijen, Ronnie Alcano, just to name a few, and let's not forget about Francisco Bustamante. So I consider that a pretty good line-up. If anybody wants to try to knock that, then God bless you.

Every tournament I play in, I seem to do okay. Believe me, they're more worried about me than I'm worried about them because if I do get up and play good, 98 percent of the time, I'm gonna get that money. And it don't matter who their name is or how well they play because what good are they if they're a statue in the chair.

So you can label me, Sigel, and whoever else anything you want, but the ones who know what time of day it is are the pro players themselves.

Spoken like a true pro. Great post Earthquake!

 

[bigskyjake]

My humble opinion:

I think pro has LITTLE to do with current money won, and has everything to do with past-performance (tournaments / money) and playing ability. Semi-pro makes no sense. It's like being semi-pregnant. You can either compete at the highest level over a long period of time or you don't.

Whoever doesn't think these guys are all-out professionals need to log-off the internet and send someone in against them for the cash and find out first-hand. These guys are NOT "former pros" when they can rape many of the middle-range guys (and many top 10 players) I read about in magazines every so often. Don't get me wrong, they're not beating everyone at any level at any game every time---- but they're gonna win MORE than their fair share at nearly any game. If there are round things on flat surfaces with holes nearby, and they have a few days to loosen up, you better be wearing boxers or your nuts will shrivel up backing the wrong end of any match against the below players.

- Mike Sigel
- George Breedlove
- Nick Varner
- Allen Hopkins
- Buddy Hall
- Earl Strickland
- George San Souci
- Keither with the Ether (that's for you JAM)

They may not be in magazines this month, or on the top 10 money list ---- but they are PROS.

Exactly, damn well said

 

[Johnnyt]

Most pro's don't want a difference from pro to amateur. They want to be able to play in all tournaments. Just 1 of 100 reasons why they can't get together and pick one org. or person to run the show.

I use to hear it from them all the time when ever it came up. One would say "I think Joe Blow would be good" Pro #2 would say "I won't vote for him because his uncle blew my cover in TX." And it goes on and on and on. Johnnyt

 

[Johnnyt]

You want to see pool get big fast like casino's, boxing, and a few other sports they helped? Turn the whole thing over to the mob. Their rules are REAL easy to understand. "You all need to do this and everyting is fine" "If you do that your D***" Don't worry about it. Johnnyt

 

[corvette1340]

If you gross more than $13,624.00 USD you are considered a professional pool player.

That is minimum wage. Anything less is just a hobby or part time job.

I mean, c'mon. If you can make more working at McDonald's?

How is that for a determining factor? Discuss...

This is a very good point. If you can make $13,000+ at McDonald's and that is more than you are making playing pool, then why would you not work at McDonald's?

 

[9 on the snap]

My humble opinion:

I think pro has LITTLE to do with current money won, and has everything to do with past-performance (tournaments / money) and playing ability. Semi-pro makes no sense. It's like being semi-pregnant. You can either compete at the highest level over a long period of time or you don't.

Whoever doesn't think these guys are all-out professionals need to log-off the internet and send someone in against them for the cash and find out first-hand. These guys are NOT "former pros" when they can rape many of the middle-range guys (and many top 10 players) I read about in magazines every so often. Don't get me wrong, they're not beating everyone at any level at any game every time---- but they're gonna win MORE than their fair share at nearly any game. If there are round things on flat surfaces with holes nearby, and they have a few days to loosen up, you better be wearing boxers or your nuts will shrivel up backing the wrong end of any match against the below players.

- Mike Sigel
- George Breedlove
- Nick Varner
- Allen Hopkins
- Buddy Hall
- Earl Strickland
- George San Souci
- Keither with the Ether (that's for you JAM)

They may not be in magazines this month, or on the top 10 money list ---- but they are PROS.

Exactly. They are NOT former pros. They are PROS period. Great post.

 

[watchez]

Is Bernie Friend a Pro - he played on the IPT and made $7,000 (which was better than 40 other players that played on the IPT?

Again, I agree with CigarDave - Mike Sigel is Pro Caliber but no longer a Professional. Former Pro. If he shows up & plays a Pro event in Vegas this week, he can have his Professional status back.

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Is Bernie Friend a Pro - he played on the IPT and made $7,000 (which was better than 40 other players that played on the IPT?

Again, I agree with CigarDave - Mike Sigel is Pro Caliber but no longer a Professional. Former Pro. If he shows up & plays a Pro event in Vegas this week, he can have his Professional status back.

It's already been well-discussed that the initial IPT player list was not the top overall players in the world. They chose their players off of a "resume" submission which, many were puffed. Bernie had no business in the IPT.

The answer to this entire thread is in Vagabond's post with the old Mackey system. They need something like this from the BCA which ties in all of the regional tours' points --- and then this wouldn't be a discussion anymore.

For the record (w/ the exception of our buddy Bernie)--- all of the mentioned players would fly through that rating system as "pros" with flying colors.

 

[watchez]

Spider - You can't have your definition fit just because of your opinion about somebody.

Either a Pro Pool Player is determined by playing ability or by income produced from pool & entree in pool events. One or the other.

A player mentioned - Bobby McGrath is a nice guy & again, congrats on his big win in the $50K speed pool challenge but he just got bar b qued by Tony Fargo. Bobby is a great local player but is he a Pro in your mind or not?

And Bernie may or may not have puffed, but he was still ahead of 40 of the players that were apart of the IPT (roughly 20%) in money won.

 

[DeadPoked]

Watchez it doesn't take a genius to realize this thread was started to indirectly take a shot at JAM & Keith.

There's your huckleberry. Go ahead, skin it! Skin that smokewagon and see what happens...

 

[Dartman]

So what is the answer; level of play or earning source??

You want a definitive answer in a forum full of opinionated people?
Good luck.

 

[watchez]

Watchez it doesn't take a genious to realize this thread was started to indirectly take a shot at JAM & Keith.

No, I try not to direct or indirect at JAM because it usually gets a response that you would find from trying to discuss something with someone in a bar. It serves no purpose.

Believe me, if I wanted to direct at JAM, I would.

From what I read by JAM, Keith is getting in gear to play in a big upcoming tournament so in my mind he would still be a Professional Pool Player. Mike Sigel, again, I am afraid not and would be considered a Former Pro, by my standards. CJ Wiley would also be a Former Pro. So would Reed Pierce.

 

[DeadPoked]

No, I try not to direct or indirect at JAM because it usually gets a response that you would find from trying to discuss something with someone in a bar. It serves no purpose.

Believe me, if I wanted to direct at JAM, I would.

From what I read by JAM, Keith is getting in gear to play in a big upcoming tournament so in my mind he would still be a Professional Pool Player. Mike Sigel, again, I am afraid not and would be considered a Former Pro, by my standards. CJ Wiley would also be a Former Pro. So would Reed Pierce.

You would have to quote me when I misspelled genius. I had hoped I corrected that quickly enough, obviously not.

 

[JAM]

No, I try not to direct or indirect at JAM because it usually gets a response that you would find from trying to discuss something with someone in a bar. It serves no purpose.

What purpose do you serve on this forum? To instigate and cause trouble? You stink like a rotten egg.

Believe me, if I wanted to direct at JAM, I would.

You ain't gotta prayer against me, Pal. I could dance circles around you on this or any forum, NG, discussion group, or bulletin board, but quite frankly, you are definitely not worth the effort.

And don't you ever tell me to put you on ignore again. I don't play those forum games. I call 'em like I see him. You are a stinker.

JAM

 

[watchez]

What purpose do you serve on this forum? To instigate and cause trouble? You stink like a rotten egg.



You ain't gotta prayer against me, Pal. I could dance circles around you on this or any forum, NG, discussion group, or bulletin board, but quite frankly, you are definitely not worth the effort.

And don't you ever tell me to put you on ignore again. I don't play those forum games. I call 'em like I see him. You are a stinker.

JAM

Am I your Pal or a rotten egg? I am confused. And I must be worth the effort if you keep responding to me & even woke your boyfriend up off the couch to do so.

 

[JAM]

Am I your Pal or a rotten egg? I am confused. And I must be worth the effort if you keep responding to me & even woke your boyfriend up off the couch to do so.

It is comments like "woke your boyfriend up off the couch" that I respond to you in the manner I do.

I am not the only one on this forum who recognizes your mean-spiritedness.


JAM

 

[watchez]

It is comments like "woke your boyfriend up off the couch" that I respond to you in the manner I do.

I am not the only one on this forum who recognizes your mean-spiritedness.


JAM

Well Pal, that was the first & only comment that I have made towards you that you might find offensive. And after you lowered yourself to insults & unintelligent (make this the second comment) responses.

What you recognize as mean-spiritedness others have been PMing me and giving rep for being spot on. Just a difference of opinion that you feel the need to lower to a bar argument everytime.

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Spider - You can't have your definition fit just because of your opinion about somebody.

Either a Pro Pool Player is determined by playing ability or by income produced from pool & entree in pool events. One or the other.

A player mentioned - Bobby McGrath is a nice guy & again, congrats on his big win in the $50K speed pool challenge but he just got bar b qued by Tony Fargo. Bobby is a great local player but is he a Pro in your mind or not?

And Bernie may or may not have puffed, but he was still ahead of 40 of the players that were apart of the IPT (roughly 20%) in money won.

I said it should be based on one's playing ability and past-performance (not necessarily current-money-won).

I don't buy the "pro caliber" vs. "professional" player comment. So, Mike Sigel walks into ANY pro tournament and they're gonna tell him... "Sorry Mike, you can't play because you're not a pro. You play like one, but you're not." LMFAO...yeah, ok. If Mike is reading this thread, he's probably pulling glass out of his knuckles from sending his fist through his monitor.

By the way, I mean no personal disrespect, but anyone who calls a 8 or 9 time WORLD champion who can still destroy 99% of the pool playing world on his worst day a non-pro is absolutely confused. If you just started playing pool yesterday, I'd understand - but you didn't, so I'm scratching my head.

EDIT: Same thing for Wiley and Pierce.