does age matter????

P

pinoyincalgary

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi,
Is it ever too late to master this game and turn pro? I have a friend whom I graduated university with and has gotten serious with the game (taking lessons, reading books, competing in every tournament possible, and trying to play 8hrs+ a day after work); He asked me the question "if he still has the chance to be able to reach the pro level?". He has a career and is not in it for the money as he knows that he can't reach an efren reyes status...just really loves the game and trying to be realistic on his goals. I have no idea on how to answer him. He is on his late 20s and in great physical condition (eyesight and all). Thanx in advance for the help.
 
I don't think age matters at all. It is like most things, if you have the will and want to get there, you will make it. Plus, he isn't very old. One of the positive things about pool is that you are not forced into retirement at an early age like other sports. Like I always say, it is the only game that an 8 year old and an 80 year old can be friends and play. He is taking the right approach if he is that dedicated to practicing and entering as many tournaments as possible, that is a very smart thing to do. The love of the game can definitely get you a long way :)

Sarah
 
Only thing I think age would effect is.............Stamina......as you get older you can't walk around the table as many times as the younger guys. And eye site are the 2 things that come to my mind about age. Other than that I don't see what difference your age makes. I got beat by Dirty Danny Jones one time .......9 to zip! And he was at least in his late 60's. Hel aughed and said he was sorry..........said he had a Flashback to Johnson City! Great guy! First time I got blanked, and I was happy! lol!
 
If your in good health without RA and the like and have great vision and motor skills you should know how good you can be in a couple of years.
 
Whats the guys name? There are very few people in Calgary with the natural talent to become a pro despite how good our players are and how many we have. Off hand I can think of about 6 players who either are/were or have a chance to become a pro strictly due to natural skill. Anyone else in the city while they could be great players would never in my mind reach true pro level pool.
 
I agree with Sarah. Joe Balsiis became a Champion, and as I understand it he didn't start playing until age 48. I would ask those of you posting, don't get started about how it was different back then. It would only show disrespect to a noted player of our history who did become a champion.
The other thing I might add, PinoyinCalgary, your friend should not put limits on how good he could become, only to work hard and see where it leads him. The 4 minute mile was not broken for decades and it was said back then it would never be accomplished. After Jim Ryan surpassed that mark, dozens more followed over the following year.
 
hi,
Thank you all for the reply. Bankerburt, thank you for sharing ur knowledge on the history of this game;it will definately be an inspiration to my friend that it is not too late to strive for his best nor to set any limits to what he is capable of. Thanx again to all.

PS: Celtic, his name is chris and been living in vancouver since we graduated in 1998. He is in the process of going back to the philippines to get lessons from some of the unknown pros there.
 
Your welcome PinoyinCalgary. Your friend will learn quickly in the Phillipines, as there are many great champions hidden in the grass. you might also suggest to your friend to watch as much as he plays. In my experience, the flow and grace of all Phillipino players may be what sets them apart from the rest. Plus, their gracefulness as sportsmen make them very entertaining; beyond their talents.
 
Banker Burt,
Hi. My friend does watch alot of pool. He is one of the regular customers of accustats as he purchases at least one tape a month. Also, he likes watching people play and drives to big tournaments to watch if able to
 
I don't think age is as big a factor as talent. Mike Lebron didn't come back to the game until after he retired from another job. He did pretty good. I think the reason Mike did so well was because he had that talent all the time, just never took advantage of it.

I've seen players, I'm sure we all have, that practice hours and cannot play a lick and they never will play as good as they think they can. They think that if they practice enough, they'll become champions. I'm sorry to say this but most of them are deluding themselves. Motivation and hard work can do wonders for other endeavors but in pool, you either have it or you don't. I didn't make it that way, that's just the way it is.
 
Banker Burt said:
I agree with Sarah. Joe Balsiis became a Champion, and as I understand it he didn't start playing until age 48. I would ask those of you posting, don't get started about how it was different back then. It would only show disrespect to a noted player of our history who did become a champion.
The other thing I might add, PinoyinCalgary, your friend should not put limits on how good he could become, only to work hard and see where it leads him. The 4 minute mile was not broken for decades and it was said back then it would never be accomplished. After Jim Ryan surpassed that mark, dozens more followed over the following year.
Click to expand...

I would be VERY, VERY SURPRISED if Balsis only took up the game at 48!! I think you have some bum information. He pushed the game aside for a long time to run his family's meat market, but to think he only took up the game at 48 is a major stretch, IMHO.

Also, Roger Bannister was the first to run a sub 4 minute mile, years before Jim Ryun came along.

Otherwise, your points are taken. :)
 
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Thank you Cactus Ed, for your tactful approach in correcting me. So much of what we learn changes as it is past along. It's the old saying, "Say something to one person, and then 30 people later it is completely different."
Thanks again.
Banker Burt
 
Banker Burt said:
Thank you Cactus Ed, for your tactful approach in correcting me...Thanks again.
Banker Burt
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Let us all learn from the example set forth here- We can correct & react without turning the exchange into a pissing match.

Good work, Ed and Burt!!

-pigi
 
Age no, experience yes

Age itself is not a major problem in Pool. However one problem is ammassing enough sheer experience of tactics and dealing with high-pressure match environments to play at a pro level.

I read a very insigtful comment in an interview with Steve Davis the UK Snooker player, former Snooker world champion and regular on the Mosconi Cup squad. He said that, even as an experienced professional Snooker player with great cueing talents he still felt at a disadvatage to American pros who have been playing serious 9-ball since their teens. He would not ever be able to replicate their experience even if he matches them in pure skill.

But then given his victory over Earl Strickland in last years European Mosconi Cup triumph maybe he's finally caught up! We'll find out in Vegas in 10 days!

Aunty Dan.
 
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