Buy a used car with a very large comfy back seat because you'll spend a lot of time sleeping in it...
Going Pro
- Thread starter poolshrk
- Start date
Buy a used car with a very large comfy back seat because you'll spend a lot of time sleeping in it...
poolshrk...There's a statement from someone who's been there (a world champion and Hall of Famer), and done that, for the past 50 yrs. I'd say that speaks volumes towards your goal. You had better be completely self-sufficient financially (and I know you own your own business), because you will NOT be able to live off of pool, and still be able to maintain a home and monthly bills, let alone provide for a family.
Next, speaking to what Bob Jewett said...a better question is, "Can you beat the best players just in MT?" If you haven't played and beaten Jeff Boucher, and a few others, you have a long road ahead of you.
I agree with the poster who suggested attending the Derby City Classic next January. For about $2000 you can get there, stay all 9 days, and play in all three events (but will not cover gambling). That will give you a pretty good idea of how you stack up in the playing pool end of it.
I admire your gumption, and it's a nice goal to have. Whether or not it is realistic remains to be seen. You definitely know my opinion on where you should begin your quest...
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Next, speaking to what Bob Jewett said...a better question is, "Can you beat the best players just in MT?" If you haven't played and beaten Jeff Boucher, and a few others, you have a long road ahead of you.
I agree with the poster who suggested attending the Derby City Classic next January. For about $2000 you can get there, stay all 9 days, and play in all three events (but will not cover gambling). That will give you a pretty good idea of how you stack up in the playing pool end of it.
I admire your gumption, and it's a nice goal to have. Whether or not it is realistic remains to be seen. You definitely know my opinion on where you should begin your quest...
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
He'd better buy a hybrid because gas isn't cheap anymore.
Every Road Player / Pro on a budget needs a Hybrid!!!
LMFAO
I had the same dream. Then I saw world Champions struggling to get buy, Earl, Johnny, Tommy Kennedy, Stevie Moore, Larry Nevel. I talked to Earl and Johnny personally and I decided i wanted to be better off then them when I am their age. I lost alot of motivation to improve after that.
Reality sucks sometimes.
Reality sucks sometimes.
I would start by going out and getting a decent paying job.
good luck
After all that's been said about pro pool players and the inability to make enough to justify a living, you come on here and declare that you want to go pro?
If I read correctly, you need to practice on a 4-1/2 x 9 foot table first......?
Nice to have aspirations, but realistically, you'd be looking for water in the desert, trying to make a living out of it..............It would be better as a hobby.
After all that's been said about pro pool players and the inability to make enough to justify a living, you come on here and declare that you want to go pro?
If I read correctly, you need to practice on a 4-1/2 x 9 foot table first......?
Nice to have aspirations, but realistically, you'd be looking for water in the desert, trying to make a living out of it..............It would be better as a hobby.
center pocket...I don't think you lost your motivation to improve...only to improve to YOUR best level, which was never going to be at Archer or Strickland's. I wouldn't call that 'losing motivation' as much as 'gaining comprehension' (some would call that being intelligent)!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
I think the O.P. should post a youtube video of him playing the 10 ball ghost for an hour. Any time you fail to get out, you have to set fire to a C note. That would help us get a feel of where you stand.
stakes
Guys you may laugh but its a dream of mine and i dont want to regret it in the future if i dont give it a go... I make my truck payment and insurance and have a few hundred left over right now just by playin stakes. Like i said... i really like that you guys give me advice but there is a lot of na-sayers out there.... Its a dream of mine and i have all the confidence in the work..
thank you all!!!
Not having any idea how good you play, it's not easy to suggest something.
Trying your hand at a high quality pro tournament is probably the easiest, least stressful way.
Or, as someone above suggested, walk into a known action room and offer to play anyone in the place. Probably not a real good idea
People come here from time to time with the same idea. Often they play nowhere NEAR good enough to make a living playing pool, either in tournaments or playing for money. How long have you been playing, how good is the competition you pit yourself against, how do you practice, how much seasoning have you had, what do you play? These are all questions that people here may ask before making suggestions due to the vagueness of your inquiry.
It's a real tough thing to do or even consider, for most.
Guys you may laugh but its a dream of mine and i dont want to regret it in the future if i dont give it a go... I make my truck payment and insurance and have a few hundred left over right now just by playin stakes. Like i said... i really like that you guys give me advice but there is a lot of na-sayers out there.... Its a dream of mine and i have all the confidence in the work..
thank you all!!!
It's tough to be a pro in any sport. There are many people at the next few tiers below that top tier and it's easy to have dreams of going further. And for some with the right talent and time it will happen.
But you also have the additional burden in pool of not being able to make a solid living even if you are in the top 100 in the game, unless you are in a unique situation like Efren, Jeanette Lee, Allison, etc. where you have lucrative sponsorships, finish in the top spots in tournaments consistently, gamble very well (usually with a backer) , or have other outside businesses that are profitable. It's not like golf, or tennis, or various team sports, where you can make a few hundred grand a year by being very good but not necessarily at the top tier, and where one great result can result in millions setting you up for life if you are careful with your finances.
That being said, if you are young and able to support yourself give it a shot if you feel you have it in you. As others have said, first you need to step up to playing and winning on more standard equipment, 9' tight tables. Big difference from bar boxes or 8 footers. If you can beat everyone in your area consistently on this type of equipment, then you venture out to the regional or state level and continue with larger tournaments, more money gambling, etc. until you are consistently winning and can handle the pressure and the grind while doing so. Plopping yourself in the US Open or Derby City is a great measuring stick as well, so many players and games and so much action you'll know pretty quickly how you stack up.
Good luck!
Scott
But you also have the additional burden in pool of not being able to make a solid living even if you are in the top 100 in the game, unless you are in a unique situation like Efren, Jeanette Lee, Allison, etc. where you have lucrative sponsorships, finish in the top spots in tournaments consistently, gamble very well (usually with a backer) , or have other outside businesses that are profitable. It's not like golf, or tennis, or various team sports, where you can make a few hundred grand a year by being very good but not necessarily at the top tier, and where one great result can result in millions setting you up for life if you are careful with your finances.
That being said, if you are young and able to support yourself give it a shot if you feel you have it in you. As others have said, first you need to step up to playing and winning on more standard equipment, 9' tight tables. Big difference from bar boxes or 8 footers. If you can beat everyone in your area consistently on this type of equipment, then you venture out to the regional or state level and continue with larger tournaments, more money gambling, etc. until you are consistently winning and can handle the pressure and the grind while doing so. Plopping yourself in the US Open or Derby City is a great measuring stick as well, so many players and games and so much action you'll know pretty quickly how you stack up.
Good luck!
Scott
TheThaiger
Banned
I can see you are going to try it anyhow no matter what advice comes your way here. Take a look at the purse money won over the years by US players in the players section on AZ so you can start thinking how you will live on that. Keep in mind that 2005-2006 was when the IPT was handing out huge puses and if you don't have a FULL sponsor deduct $1000-$2500 for expenses for each major tournament you play in. That's what your out before you hit a ball. Johnnyt
Well if you like the action you could always go on the road, match up wherever you can and hit some tournaments along the way. If you have a pleasant demeanor and are not recognizable as a top player, you will have no problem finding action in many places. A few months on the road will either give you a rude awakening or put you in a spot where you can't get fair action and have to count on tournament winnings to get by. If you don't have a solid 1p game, you need to build one; that will be the only action you can find in some spots.
I would get rid of car payments and other large financial obligations first, pay cash for a solid ride that gets good mileage and has a back seat you can sleep in. You don't want to go bust on the road and have your truck repo'd, leaving you stranded and with ruined credit. You will need a decent bankroll for a road trip; I probably wouldn't do it without at least $10k. Twenty dollar nine-ball might make the daily nut, but if you are going to get ahead you will have to be prepared to play some large sets when you get the opportunity to match up right.
Nothing wrong with following a dream as long as you know when to pull up if it isn't working. Lots of very talented players have followed that same dream straight into the gutter, but you don't know until you try.
Best of luck,
Aaron
Most of us are not laughing, I think. Just expressing the realities of the situation. I had a similar dream at one point but I chose a family, home, and job. Most of us still don't know enough about you personally to make good suggestions.
There are many players who can beat the 12 and 13 ball ghost and still have day jobs out of necessity. If you cant do that, id suggest you think hard about what you want in life. The USA is a very difficult place to make pool your occupation thats for sure.
If you really love pool, you might want to also consider that if you made pool your sole source of income, you might grow to really hate pool later on. Or you could pursue a career in another field and keep pool as a hobby that you can really shine in as an amateur.
If you really love pool, you might want to also consider that if you made pool your sole source of income, you might grow to really hate pool later on. Or you could pursue a career in another field and keep pool as a hobby that you can really shine in as an amateur.
First make sure you have a girlfriend. Why you ask? Do you know what you call a professional pool player without a girlfriend? Homeless.
Seriously. Play because you love to. Most of us have had the dream at one time or another. Now that my goal is no longer to be a world-beater, I'm probably playing better than I ever have.
Seriously. Play because you love to. Most of us have had the dream at one time or another. Now that my goal is no longer to be a world-beater, I'm probably playing better than I ever have.
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center pocket...I don't think you lost your motivation to improve...only to improve to YOUR best level, which was never going to be at Archer or Strickland's. I wouldn't call that 'losing motivation' as much as 'gaining comprehension' (some would call that being intelligent)!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
I agree Scott, I took a 5 month hiatus from pool earlier this year and it allowed my motivation to change. I now want to improve and play the best that I can.
Initially I did lose motivation, now its just shifted and I accept that it will always be a hobby and not my profession. Now if I eventually play at a professional caliber, than that would be great and I still try to play the best I can.
my current goal is to run 100 balls and i wont stop trying to achieve that goal unless i go blind or stop breathing.