Do you know of Pro players that enter small $ weekly tournaments from time to time?

Rackemep said:
The Black Bull tourney wasn't handicapped for sure...that's the tournament that the "players" went to...it was always a strong field...

The tournaments at Main Street Billiards promoted the growth of players...I really liked how they ran their tournaments, they gave everyone a chance to compete at whatever level they fit into and above...they had a weekly 7 and under, 8 and under, 9 and under & 10 and under that were all handicapped. I think the open was monthly...(I don't think it was handicapped)...

I think it's great to have local tourneys that allow pro players in...in my mind it's motivating to play against higher level players...seems like a lot of people have the "I want to win but don't want to have to shoot good to do it" type of attitude...that's what I liked about Main Street Billiards system...if you wanted to compete at a set level and didn't care about improving you could come in once a week and play in any tournament your handicap allowed..If you were the type of player that wanted to continually improve you had the ladder set in front of you to climb!...having access to great players is invaluable!
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I do not know about Louisville (Where i currently live, but the pool scene seems very dead here), but I do not think I have ever lived in an area that had pro level players. I would love the opportunity to compete with pro level players, or at least players that are better then I am, but other then th3 typical apa league players, I never felt like there were any much stronger players around in any area that I have ever lived, but I have never lived in any areas that had pro tours going through from time to time (like th3 Midwest 9 ball tour for example). I really envy all of you guys that do have pros that come through your local room. If I am wrong about there being no pro players in Louisville area, then I would love to hear that I am wrong, and he told where and when I can go to see them or maybe even have a chance to shoot with them.
 
We've had several pro player's play in the local 10 and 12 dollar tourney at Big Tyme billiards. It would just depend on how was in town. I've seen Manny Chau, Jeremy Jones, Rafael Martinez, Justin Hall, Justin Bergman, Kevin Chang, Amar Kang. I figured it was just something for them to do. The payout isn't much but the chance to play them has been fun.
 
hang-the-9 said:
Dechaine and several other top players play in Snookers all the time, extra 2-300 a week pay.

I heard the tournament died down quite a bit from a year ago, but it used to get 30+ players even with a pro and several others just about pro level in the event.

Try playing an Open player that gambles or a pro for a race to 5 for a $20 outside of a tournament, I doubt they would even look at you for less than $50-100.
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Not true. Both Nelson and Shorty play cheap sets, and those guys are tough! I'm friendly with both of them and look to them for advice here and there, so that may have something to do with it.

KMRUNOUT
 
jasonlaus said:
Almost went a few days ago. Went the Magic 8 instead cause of 9'ers.

Btw the Ribs next door to Magic 8 are amazing!
Jason
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Saturdays... 9 footers, Triple Nines in Elkridge MD. PM me if you go. Strong field last weekend.
 
justinb386 said:
Oh wow, I had no idea. It is understandable now that players have to get full time jobs. Even the top pro players might really struggle to make a living. I see that it would be best to stay an unknown. Just hit up the bar tournaments, and avoid any major or big events. I see now why so many pro players need backers.
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You seriously just figured this out? You truly had no idear ? ??
 
Tramp Steamer said:
Ain't it the truth. He must think these guys are rolling in dough.
The last time I saw a Pink Cadillac convertible parked outside the front of a pool room was in the 60's, and it was a rental.
It's amazing how many people here have such a skewed opinion of professional pool players. Of course they'll play in a fifteen dollar tourney. They've got to eat just like the rest of us. :)
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Ding ding ding! We have a winner!
 
I heard that Shane was allowed to play in a weekly 9 ball tournament on Valley tables about a year ago in Sioux Falls. The highest handicapping tier had to win 6 games, Shane had to go to 12. He won.

I talked to Shane about a month ago, and mentioned a scotch doubles draw partner tournament, hoping he would stop in. I said we might even let him play, but his team would have to bank the 8 in the last pocket. He replied with a nod "I can do that"

He did not show up. I am sure prepping for the US Open was a much higher priority.

In the summer of 1991 in San Antonio, Vivian was often playing in a weekly tournament. I don't think she was a pro at that time.
 
a few points...

1. I think it is so nitty when average players complain about pros playing in weekly tournament. How would you like to have Phil mickelson play in your weekly golf league? If you really feel they are the only thing keeping you from that 250$ payout, you should stick to your day job.

2. As previously mentioned, most of these pros are not "rich" or even well off by society standards. A few hundred bucks to play pool, its great.

3. Most of these guys would just be hanging out in the pool room anyway, why not play?

Someone else mentioned the Airway tournaments in Dayton. This is close to Cincinnati and we used to have the same crowd for the weekly Saturday tournament in Cincy.

Spaeth, Raph Martinez, Steve Cook, Chris Mcdonald, Norm Wines, brumback. Lots of top level players. It was great to have these guys in the events. Oh how I miss Beechmont billiards...
 
Back in the days in St Pete, Fl there was a weekly $10 tourney and the night I entered I got to play
Ray Martin, then Steve Cook all in one night.

Tom
 
Icon of Sin said:
Mike Davis and Shaun Wilkie have frequented weekly tournaments in my area, as well as some other locals who play at a pro level. Some of the other players get butt hurt over it and I can see where they are coming from... but in my opinion, you cant get a game with a player like that for just 20 bucks.
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It is fun for a non-pro unless it becomes an every week situation where the tournament is populated with several pros. A lot of people like think they have a chance to win or cash in the tournament.

Once in a while you might beat a pro but it's hard to sustain it throughout the bracket.
 
alstl said:
It is fun for a non-pro unless it becomes an every week situation where the tournament is populated with several pros. A lot of people like think they have a chance to win or cash in the tournament.

Once in a while you might beat a pro but it's hard to sustain it throughout the bracket.
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People that complain about pros playing should practice harder, or quit pool.:D

On another note, i did see Vivian V. at a local tournament last Thursday night at Hard Times Bellflower CA.
She got knocked out and left.
 
alstl said:
It is fun for a non-pro unless it becomes an every week situation where the tournament is populated with several pros. A lot of people like think they have a chance to win or cash in the tournament.

Once in a while you might beat a pro but it's hard to sustain it throughout the bracket.
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Id rather see 3 or 4 than the same on each week, alone.

At least then there will be war.
 
I currently run a weekly tournament in Temecula, CA. We average 26 players a week and have had as many as 38. It is an open tournament that has had several pro players play in it. Within the last year and a half we have had Ramil Gallego, Edgie Geronimo, Johnny Kang, Fach Garcia, and Robert Moreno. Each of these guys is a pro, or was at some point and time. We have also had many several tournaments with semi pros as well. If you have a good weekly tournament, the players will come out.
 
I can see both side - nobody wants to give their money away. On the other side why get punished for being great.

Maybe a compromise is have a few different tournaments - Open and then amateur on different days/weeks.

I really liked how the Phoenix Az area does their handicaps and tournaments....probably the best area in the country for pool and pool handicapping. Lived there for a year, loved it!
Jason
 
jasonlaus said:
I can see both side - nobody wants to give their money away. On the other side why get punished for being great.

Maybe a compromise is have a few different tournaments - Open and then amateur on different days/weeks.

I really liked how the Phoenix Az area does their handicaps and tournaments....probably the best area in the country for pool and pool handicapping. Lived there for a year, loved it!
Jason
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Agreed! Phx area has a great system...seems like it's geared towards building players up!
 
Letting in 'pros' in a local tourney is usually the beginning of the end for that tourney.
Local players that are ;regulars' there start not playing and the tourney dies. It's happened in my area for years. Do you want to be 'dead money' week after week?
In my day, that made you a 'sucker'. It doesn't have to be'pros'. 3-4 of the better amatuer
players winning every week, cutting up the money, never playing out the finals will kill
a tourney quick. People might not play well, but they snap pretty soon and go somewhere else.
$20 a week is $80-$100 a month. Why give it to 'pros'? or, players you can't beat?
I got into pool in the 60's because I saw there was money to be made. Nobody made a 'charity for me, which is what a tourney is that lets 'pros' play with no handicap.
Players under me asked for a spot and usually got it. I only robbed the greedy ones.
Never could trap ole BB though...sign...ohh well, maybe in the next life...or the next
ps
Couldn't let you have all the fun BB!
 
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