Going Pro

Robert Jordan: “If you want to be a Writer, go be an accountant. If you want to write, write.”

Hugh MacLeod: "I think it's too easy to confuse the AMBITION of doing something, with the actual DOING of something. That confusion is the domain of the amateur..."

You can interpret these quotes to mean, if you want to be a professional pool player, you've already started off on the amateur path. Go play pool. If, in the course of your travels, you find yourself competing amongst professionals and winning, then you are a professional pool player.
 
Great responses here / Listen to Neil

Neil had a fantastic, well-thought out response.

I especially liked a previous poster that also said '...we have all seen too many 50 year old bums in pool halls who have never let go of the dream and have nothing to show for it.' Funny, I just saw that last week first hand.

I once read somewhere not to make career decisions on 'romantic ideals.' That's very wise. Think about that one long and hard.

The life of a road hustler or pro looks glamorous, for sure. But what I've increasingly come to realize is that those folks pay a very heavy price.

I suppose one doesn't need a lot to be happy. Little assets, etc.

But time and age are too fleeting. Then where will you be?
 
I have seen the light too.

Used to think I wanted to play for a living, now I work to play.

Replace/ forego a loving environment for a new pool room every couple of days? You'd be a lunatic.

As said earlier, there are plenty of STRONG players out there that are struggling to get by. The World really doesn't care if you can suck the rock 3 rails!
 
hey guys.. i appreciate you all.... Like all the comments... i guess i didnt tell you guys enough.... i have a plan... I am not going to go on the road hustling or anything like that.. I have a home based biz with residual income so that is my backing but essentially my goal is to become a sponsored pool player. WHat does pro really mean... i really don't know... but i want to compete in all the major tournaments, play the best and beat the best... be a US open champion... win events like the turning stone and such.... derby city would be great...

Reason - there is nothing i love to do more than play pool.. i mean i could and have played 12 - 15 hours straight and love it. it what i think about, its what i bring about... i mean there is so much passion behind pool for me, it just feels like its what i need to do

Regret... The biggest reason is I cant live with not giving it a chance. I mean thats what the difference is between dreamers and people who give it a shot... If i fail to reach my goals i will not have to regret not ever entering the open or anything like that....

As far as mentors... I have been having conversations with scott lee and i am going to mentor under scott if at all possible....

I just wanted to post a thread because a goal isnt a goal if nobody knows about it... its just too damn easy to go back on what you said if nobody knows...

PS... I expect to keep everybody updated... if you care.... about what im up too...

Scott... we will be talking buddy... I love ya all... and thanks for the comments!!!
 
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poolshrk said:
hey guys.. i appreciate you all.... Like all the comments... i guess i didnt tell you guys enough.... i have a plan... I am not going to go on the road hustling or anything like that.. I have a home based biz with residual income so that is my backing but essentially my goal is to become a sponsored pool player. WHat does pro really mean... i really don't know... but i want to compete in all the major tournaments, play the best and beat the best... be a US open champion... win events like the turning stone and such.... derby city would be great...

Reason - there is nothing i love to do more than play pool.. i mean i could and have played 12 - 15 hours straight and love it. it what i think about, its what i bring about... i mean there is so much passion behind pool for me, it just feels like its what i need to do

Regret... The biggest reason is I cant live with not giving it a chance. I mean thats what the difference is between dreamers and people who give it a shot... If i fail to reach my goals i will not have to regret not ever entering the open or anything like that....

As far as mentors... I have been having conversations with scott lee and i am going to mentor under scott if at all possible....

I just wanted to post a thread because a goal isnt a goal if nobody knows about it... its just too damn easy to go back on what you said if nobody knows...

PS... I expect to keep everybody updated... if you care.... about what im up too...

Scott... we will be talking buddy... I love ya all... and thanks for the comments!!!
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Some people dream and others make their dreams come true, good luck man.
 
Terry...Thanks for the kind words. I will be glad to help you any way I can, and I believe you'll find many more here will also lend a hand, as you get closer to "following your dream"! I understand totally the idea of not wanting to 'live with regret' without at least trying to give it a go...and lots of folks here will live vicariously through you, if you can make it happen! 20 years ago I would have never dreamed that I could do what I am doing today, via my exhibition tour (and I've been doing it successfully now since 1995!). I hope to see you soon, my friend!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

poolshrk said:
As far as mentors... I have been having conversations with scott lee and i am going to mentor under scott if at all possible....

I just wanted to post a thread because a goal isnt a goal if nobody knows about it... its just too damn easy to go back on what you said if nobody knows...

PS... I expect to keep everybody updated... if you care.... about what im up too...

Scott... we will be talking buddy... I love ya all... and thanks for the comments!!!
Click to expand...
 
poolshrk said:
I have plans to go pro in the near future. What is the best plan of action? Just enter a big tourney and see where you stack up? Opinions?
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Before you think about doing anything like trying to call yourself a pro or going to the BIG pro tournaments expecting something big of yourself...You better be able to beat everybody in your town first off, then if and when you do that, go to the next closest big town to you and be able to beat everybody there and i dont mean just barely win, you better be able to give them a spot and still make them look stupid. When you have beat everybody in your state gambling and everybody is scared to play you there...then go to a place like florida, new york, big towns with lotssssssssssssssssssss of great talent that either are pros or right under pro speed...if and when you have managed to do these things then go find a couple big boys and if you can beat them or even run with them closely after playing for 5 or 6 hours then realize you just wasted 30 years and its too late. Unless your really young and already running at AAA (vnea) speed chances are very slim and none you can make your living playing pool unless your already smoking everybody that you come across and just now got the idea that hey maybe i should try going pro? Look at SVB he won AA/AAA state tournaments at like 16...and he didnt even get a second look by even a lower level pro till he was 23 when he blasted onto the scene by winning the 10 ball championship and the us open...
 
poolshrk

Pool players do not ‘go’ pro. Specifically, pool players that are professionals are those sponsored to play in tournaments and receive sponsorship in return for attending guest signings and appearances.

According to Wiki-a professional is one who is paid/receives monetary compensation to undertake a specialized set of tasks and orchestrate them with uncommon skill. Wiki goes on to state-The term "professional" is commonly used incorrectly when referring to sports, as the distinction simply refers to how the athlete is funded, and not necessarily competitions or achievements.​

What may help you is to present a resume listing your player accomplishments, work history, charity work, and educational background that could potentially attract sponsorship. If not ready begin building said resume.

Unfortunately, Dreams can’t be eaten, used as auto fuel, won’t buy hotel rooms, don’t pay table time and sure don’t pay entry fees. Make a plan using the positive advice that has been provided by the AZ’rs…I hope you achieve your dreams.:thumbup:

Jay P.
 
poolshrk said:
I have plans to go pro in the near future. What is the best plan of action? Just enter a big tourney and see where you stack up? Opinions?
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Don't listen to the nay say'rs! Do listen to the guys that told you to go out and play pool, before you ever hit a Pro Tournament. Only way you will ever compete with the touring players is to get seasoned! You do that by going around and playing strange people in strange places, poolhalls! Now i disagree with the you need to slap 100 on the rail and fire at anyone........Go pick out old timers, during the day when its dead, and play and get your moneys worth. 5 a game 9 ball, 10 one pocket ect.....when you go busted, just make sure you have enough money to get back home at all times, work a job, save save save, then go and do it again!

Play on those dirt tables, play on the dead tables, slow tables, tight tables, play on every dam table, at every dam place you go too. Match smart, and see how long you can go on your bank roll. If you save now, 5k, you should be able to go a long time on that, around, if you learn how to find cheap places to stay, (motel 6-family owned places) If you arrive in Cali' for example, you need to make 50-70 bucks a day to stay even. If you match with old timers, getting 40-60 bucks should be easy, and most likely once they know your travling, trying to learn, they will fill your brain with info.


After you do this for 4 years minimum, then if you still want to go play tournments, you should have a real advantage over some silver spoon yuppie, with a cue stuck up the keyst'r! that was handed all the info. like a spoiled brat! Takes a real set of balls to do that solo, got the heart?

best of luck!
 
DefiniteHasBeen said:
This may possibly be the best response ever posted on AZ!
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Well not to argue but i think this is a terrible answer to anyone who has a dream.
Whether anyone believes you can do this or not is of no importance at all. you must believe it and truely believe in yourself and your abilities as a pool player.
The odds are long i admit. The rewards can be slim as well as few and far between.
my advice would be to go to Florida. there is a lot going on down there and plenty of tough action and not all so expensive. A lot of seasoning can be gained there.
Good luck and let none here convince you it can't be done. Just know that it is tough, very tough and enjoy every minute.
 
charlesufarley said:
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.
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lmfao! Best post in the thread!!!!
 
Is this one of those if you have to ask then you aren't qualified sort of questions? Sorry OP but the subjects of what is a "pro", how bad pros have it financially and everything "pro player" has been discussed to death.

The US Open is where you start. This year or next. If you really think you are good then go there and play.

But most people who want to go "pro" are already beating the best players around them. I have never yet heard of anyone who is a bonafide professional who wasn't a world beater or close to being one.

I HAVE seen a lot of players who CLAIM to be pros who struggle to beat me and some who flat out cannot beat me. The thing is that in this sport no one is going to say you're not a pro if you claim to be one. Since there is no official border between professionals and amateurs you can be a pro just by claiming to be one.

Mike Janis has some definitions to separate the amateurs from the pros. I don't know what his website is these days but you can check there when you find it. BCAPL has some definitions.

Here is mine. Check the AZB money list. On it you will find all the names of people who won money in just about every tournament/tour in the USA. You will see that in every region there are strong players who almost always finish high or win the events. And whenever a known pro shows up they ususally beat these players to finish high or win. So if your name is not up there or you can't get it up there then you aren't a pro and unlikely to play good enough to be one.

Now, if you're some kind of secret Bruce Lee training monster and you are regularly beating the ghost then my advice is to save as much money as you can between now and Derby City, learn to play world class one-pocket in secret, go there as an unknown and BUST the room getting outrageous weight. Then start snapping off tournaments.

Good luck with whatever you do. Hope you have a ton of fun out there!

P.S. The advice about having a car with a comfy back seat is spot on. Let me add to it by saying you should invest in plush quilted blankets, preferrably goosedown and some great pillows that aren't too plump so you can pad all the points that stick you. Do that and you will sleep like a baby. Tint your back windows so that people can't see you and don't leave your windows cracked or you will wake up to a car full of mosquitoes. Be careful where you park. 24 hour supermarkets are a good place because cars are always expected to be there. Get eyeshades to block out the lights.
 
poolshrk said:
hey guys.. i appreciate you all.... Like all the comments... i guess i didnt tell you guys enough.... i have a plan... I am not going to go on the road hustling or anything like that.. I have a home based biz with residual income so that is my backing but essentially my goal is to become a sponsored pool player. WHat does pro really mean... i really don't know... but i want to compete in all the major tournaments, play the best and beat the best... be a US open champion... win events like the turning stone and such.... derby city would be great...
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Well that clears things up quite a bit...not sure where you live, but I'd recommend you join a regional tour (like Planet Pool or Tiger) if it's around...you'll get a lot of seasoning/experience, gain confidence and run into a lot of the same players you'll see at DCC or the U.S. Open; and it's a nice way to work your speed up to par before you spend hundreds on entry fees just to go two and out.
 
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