Have you accepted the fact that you are a pool player for life?
- Thread starter DeadPoked
- Start date
After playing for about 30 years and "retiring" from the game at least a dozen times, I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm a pool player for life. I just feel comfortable being in the pool room and around pool players.
Early on, my pesky job would get in the way of my pool playing. I never got to be a whiz-bang great player but I always enjoyed all facets of competition - league play, tournaments, head to head matchups and traveling on the road.
I don't get out as much as I used to, and I'm not as serious now because I'm focused on my career. Pool is now a stress reliever. When I'm at the table, I forget about the job, my bills and all those other challenges we all have in life. My co-workers think it's a novelty that I'm a real live pool player. Those that have stepped out to the bar with me after work think I'm some sort of champion (of course I don't tell them any different). In fact, they think my job is just a front for my real work as a pool player.lol
Early on, my pesky job would get in the way of my pool playing. I never got to be a whiz-bang great player but I always enjoyed all facets of competition - league play, tournaments, head to head matchups and traveling on the road.
I don't get out as much as I used to, and I'm not as serious now because I'm focused on my career. Pool is now a stress reliever. When I'm at the table, I forget about the job, my bills and all those other challenges we all have in life. My co-workers think it's a novelty that I'm a real live pool player. Those that have stepped out to the bar with me after work think I'm some sort of champion (of course I don't tell them any different). In fact, they think my job is just a front for my real work as a pool player.lol
My story
First, let me say, I am probably somewhat of an anomoly, so consider that in my story. I have played since I was 14. I was into sports a lot in my youth, individual and team sports. I was short growing up, and only stand 5'7" now with thick socks. Something about Pool and I just jived, kind of like when you know you're going to marry the woman you have been dating.
After getting out of the Navy, and going down to Houston, where my parents had moved to from Dodge City, Ks.., I was determined to get my college education, but was also at a crossroads in my playing whether I wanted to seriously work on my game to turn pro or not. I opted to get my degree, but between my GI benefits ($175 a month), working at a Pool Room, and hustling, I put myself through College, graduating from San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Tx (south of Houston), and then with a BBA degree from the University of Houston.
But, at 18 or 19, I felt that I would be a lifer in Pool, it is something I just knew would always be a part of my life, but how much I didn't know for sure. I got married my Junior year of college (I went straight through year round including summers), and my son was born on my 1st anniversay in my Senior year. During the times when I was married, Pool took a backseat to other obilgations I had with my family and my job, but I usually played league once a week, and a little money on the side.
I know a lot of guys will say they could play better if it wasn't for their jobs, but some of the best Pool I played was when I was married, working 50+ hours a week, but not on a real regular basis. My last divorce was 18 years ago (a short rebound marriage), and I have been on disability for 12 years now, and even though I have multiple degrees and technical school too, noone wants to hire anyone over 50 anymore. The only offers I had were from the East Coast and from Phoenix, but I didn't want to move away from my family again (I went to Indy for a year and a half once) since my Dad died and my Mom wasn't in the best of health at the time.
So, I started playing a lot of Pool again then. The year of my last divorce I placed 9th in Vegas at the VNEA International Championships in singles 8 ball, and our team got 32nd. To me, I have kind come full circle from when I was young and playing, except now I am 60, and my interest hasn't waned any, but my drive to play all the time has. If I play once a week, I am happy, usually a tournament, and I still play most major tournaments, and some $50-100 dollar sets, $5-20 game challenge tables, and a ring game now and then, but that is about all.
I enjoy other activities, especially with my family, like WSU basketball and baseball games, barbeques, movies, dinner theaters, musical productions, etc., and those things are important to me also.
I, pretty much, always enjoyed being married, so I kind of feel myself longing for a longtime girlfriend to spend time with doing things together.
I have never been one to hang with guy friends all the time, I socialize when I go play, but do not run around with guy friends usually, more so with a woman friend.
Pool is apart of me, and always will be, but your perspective changes somewhat as you get older, and other things come into play.
First, let me say, I am probably somewhat of an anomoly, so consider that in my story. I have played since I was 14. I was into sports a lot in my youth, individual and team sports. I was short growing up, and only stand 5'7" now with thick socks. Something about Pool and I just jived, kind of like when you know you're going to marry the woman you have been dating.
After getting out of the Navy, and going down to Houston, where my parents had moved to from Dodge City, Ks.., I was determined to get my college education, but was also at a crossroads in my playing whether I wanted to seriously work on my game to turn pro or not. I opted to get my degree, but between my GI benefits ($175 a month), working at a Pool Room, and hustling, I put myself through College, graduating from San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Tx (south of Houston), and then with a BBA degree from the University of Houston.
But, at 18 or 19, I felt that I would be a lifer in Pool, it is something I just knew would always be a part of my life, but how much I didn't know for sure. I got married my Junior year of college (I went straight through year round including summers), and my son was born on my 1st anniversay in my Senior year. During the times when I was married, Pool took a backseat to other obilgations I had with my family and my job, but I usually played league once a week, and a little money on the side.
I know a lot of guys will say they could play better if it wasn't for their jobs, but some of the best Pool I played was when I was married, working 50+ hours a week, but not on a real regular basis. My last divorce was 18 years ago (a short rebound marriage), and I have been on disability for 12 years now, and even though I have multiple degrees and technical school too, noone wants to hire anyone over 50 anymore. The only offers I had were from the East Coast and from Phoenix, but I didn't want to move away from my family again (I went to Indy for a year and a half once) since my Dad died and my Mom wasn't in the best of health at the time.
So, I started playing a lot of Pool again then. The year of my last divorce I placed 9th in Vegas at the VNEA International Championships in singles 8 ball, and our team got 32nd. To me, I have kind come full circle from when I was young and playing, except now I am 60, and my interest hasn't waned any, but my drive to play all the time has. If I play once a week, I am happy, usually a tournament, and I still play most major tournaments, and some $50-100 dollar sets, $5-20 game challenge tables, and a ring game now and then, but that is about all.
I enjoy other activities, especially with my family, like WSU basketball and baseball games, barbeques, movies, dinner theaters, musical productions, etc., and those things are important to me also.
I, pretty much, always enjoyed being married, so I kind of feel myself longing for a longtime girlfriend to spend time with doing things together.
I have never been one to hang with guy friends all the time, I socialize when I go play, but do not run around with guy friends usually, more so with a woman friend.
Pool is apart of me, and always will be, but your perspective changes somewhat as you get older, and other things come into play.
Jay's quote probably comes close to fitting me best. I can have the worst $hitty day, then go to the poolroom and hit balls for a while and the universe seems to be in order again.jay helfert said:
I've been playing around 30 years I guess with all levels of involvement. I have had a job most of the time, but 3 of those times for several of the years it was when I owned poolrooms. Those are the time I did try to make a little extra money on the game.
I still love tournaments and gambling, but now I'm mostly a tournament player. One regret I have is that I don't get to gamble any more like I did earlier in my pool playing career. And that's one thing that I think is wrong with pool today. Nobody wants to win or lose $100 anymore. Most everyone now is like Fatboy or others who wants to bet at least $500-$1000 a set. I have responsibilities that don't allow me to do that. In the old days, you could play $5 and $10 pool till you couldn't stand up. And playing for $10 and quitting when someone gets 10 games ahead is a fun, fairly cheap way to find out who the better player is on a given night. It's almost impossible to find a $5 nine ball game anymore.
I do look at pool differently now as well. Earlier in my playing days, I didn't miss 3 days a month practicing, gambling, or playing tournaments. Now I'm lucky to get 3 days a week that I play. But I enjoy the game more now for what it is. I don't attract the girls like I did in 1985, and I'm not out every weekend looking for every nickle I can make, so I do have a different perspective. One thing about pool is that each individual has a unique way of enjoying or using the game.
Another thing is that the characters have changed quite a bit over the past 30 years with the advent of nicer, upscale rooms. But this post is long enough already, and that's a page in itself if I get started on that subject.
I don't think pool will really change much in our lifetimes, and I'm not sure that's a bad thing. Some of the seedy, tarnished ideas people have about pool are what interested me in the game in the first place. Alot of those ideas are still ingrained in many people's minds and I think that at least one more generation is gonna have to die out before that's not normal thinking when someone mentions pool.
Enough about my thoughts on the subject. I'd just like to say that even with the bad reputation of pool, I wouldn't change the hundreds of thousands of hours I have invested playing and enjoying this great game. And I have met some of the finest, most noble men and women doing so.
I guess I am a pool player for life.
Mike
Once a pool player, always a pool player. It's in your blood. I know people who quit for 20 years and go back to it. It's an addiction.
This is my first meeting...
I'm 30 and have been a pool addict since I was 21.
The great thing about pool is that there are different games, different walks of life and if you don't play all that great, there are other ways to get involved with the sport. I enjoy promoting pool and writing about it which I've done for Inside Pool, a few articles for az and On The Wire newspaper.
I wish I had time to play more, but unless there is a big event coming I only play the first Sunday of the month tournament at HT's in Bellflower.
When I was 21 I didn't work for 2 years and hit bar tournaments every night with two top local players.
Now-a-days, realization has set in and I work a real job 5-6 nights a week (to keep myself occupied) 12 hour shifts which explains why I'm on this forum at 4:25 in the morning. Speaking of... time to get back to work !
This is my first meeting...
I'm 30 and have been a pool addict since I was 21. The great thing about pool is that there are different games, different walks of life and if you don't play all that great, there are other ways to get involved with the sport. I enjoy promoting pool and writing about it which I've done for Inside Pool, a few articles for az and On The Wire newspaper.
I wish I had time to play more, but unless there is a big event coming I only play the first Sunday of the month tournament at HT's in Bellflower.
When I was 21 I didn't work for 2 years and hit bar tournaments every night with two top local players.
Now-a-days, realization has set in and I work a real job 5-6 nights a week (to keep myself occupied) 12 hour shifts which explains why I'm on this forum at 4:25 in the morning. Speaking of... time to get back to work
!
I have been playing pool for 46 years. I play because I enjoy the game, don't gamble, but enjoy league and tournament play. I don't have any expectations of making a living playing pool, but have been fortunate enough to discover I have a talent for teaching. I love helping other players uncover their talents for the game.
I knew I was a pool player for life when I got married. My wife had a custom wedding ring made for me with a 9-ball rack with 1 diamond in the center of the rack. I guess she realized I was a "lifer" before I did!
I will continue to teach and play as long as I am able. I know I am in my element when I am at a pool table.
Steve
I knew I was a pool player for life when I got married. My wife had a custom wedding ring made for me with a 9-ball rack with 1 diamond in the center of the rack. I guess she realized I was a "lifer" before I did!
I will continue to teach and play as long as I am able. I know I am in my element when I am at a pool table.
Steve
Sometimes I Lean Over For A Shot & Can't Get Up
I used to love to go to the poolroom, but today, I'm more worried about how far the bathroom is from the table.... imo
Doug
( and....from the Bar )
I used to love to go to the poolroom, but today, I'm more worried about how far the bathroom is from the table.... imo
Doug
( and....from the Bar )
Addicted for life..
First time I touched a pool cue was at about 5 years old. I was hooked from that point on. Did not play much until my senior year in high school when I gave myself a table as a graduation present to my self. Played on it relentlessly, to my mom's dismay, for the first six months. Then, on to the pool room to further my addictiion/education in the cue sports. Wound up being there from the time the doors opened until closing time(sometimes after hours). Wound up working in the room for almost two years. I don't have the time to spend playing that much anymore, having to actually work sucks. I got to the point where I could hold my own in the local room tourneys and won more than a few. Played league pool for many years and won a few league championships too. Now my pool odessy has migrated to repairing and making cues, go figure. So I guess the short answer would have to be, yes, I am, and always will be a pool player, for the rest of my days.
First time I touched a pool cue was at about 5 years old. I was hooked from that point on. Did not play much until my senior year in high school when I gave myself a table as a graduation present to my self. Played on it relentlessly, to my mom's dismay, for the first six months. Then, on to the pool room to further my addictiion/education in the cue sports. Wound up being there from the time the doors opened until closing time(sometimes after hours). Wound up working in the room for almost two years. I don't have the time to spend playing that much anymore, having to actually work sucks. I got to the point where I could hold my own in the local room tourneys and won more than a few. Played league pool for many years and won a few league championships too. Now my pool odessy has migrated to repairing and making cues, go figure. So I guess the short answer would have to be, yes, I am, and always will be a pool player, for the rest of my days.
Just felt the need to bump this thread 
Would love to get inputs from others! This is a thread too good to be buried away, imo
Would love to get inputs from others! This is a thread too good to be buried away, imo
Well....I started playing pool when I was 14,In dark shadey pool rooms.I'm 45 now.I have been playing competitive in leagues for the last 10 years,had some great times going to vegas and tournies,but afew years ago I said I was going to quit,but did'nt.
This last year we won our trip to Vegas,my whole team went but for the first time,I did'nt.Due to fact I'm going to Egypt in October,and could'nt take more time off.
After this year's league I promised myself I was going to quit,but low and behold some friends of mine have just purchased a poolroom.So now I'm sure I'm going to get drawn back into in-house leagues with them.
I KEEP GETTING SUCKED BACK IN....LOL
OH WELL,I ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL LOVE THE GAME.
This last year we won our trip to Vegas,my whole team went but for the first time,I did'nt.Due to fact I'm going to Egypt in October,and could'nt take more time off.
After this year's league I promised myself I was going to quit,but low and behold some friends of mine have just purchased a poolroom.So now I'm sure I'm going to get drawn back into in-house leagues with them.
I KEEP GETTING SUCKED BACK IN....LOL
OH WELL,I ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL LOVE THE GAME.
I started playing in 1969 when I was 14 at Linbrook Family Billiards in Anaheim. I worked at the Jack in the Box across the street and would take my paycheck over to Augie (the owner) and get all the pool I could play and one coke per day. I only worked 14 hours a week at the whopping minmum wage of $1.35 per hr. I stopped going out to play for a couple of years in the late 70s when I got married but I had a Gold Crown at home so I put my time in. I didnt work the end of the 80s and played bar pool for a meager living. Its like I went to a big party when I was 14 and when I came to I was 38 and the party was over. I made a decision that if I was going to stay sober, giving up pool would be required. Its been 17 years since I have gambled on pool or had a drink and I have picked up a stick maybe 5 or 6 times. I dont see worth a damn anymore and its no fun blowing easy shots. I miss it a lot, but I found golf and that fills the void ok.
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I do keep coming back to it (pool), that's for sure, but my first love was the piano.
Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to play the piano in "Two Tooth" Sally's hot pillow joint. It was a really nice place, with lace curtains, brass spitoons, and free cigars, and was located near one of the nicer parts of the downtown area, on the second floor above Kelly's Poolhall and Snooker Emporium. Sally knew our good friend ftgokie, by-the-way.
Anyhoo, I began taking lessons from Hazel Sappington, a spinster piano teacher who lived down the street from me, and every afternoon after school I would practice for two or three hours, sometimes more. My proficiency at the piano progressed at a prodigious rate, and, according to Miss Sappinton, was quite extraordinary for someone of my tender age. After two years of hard work and intense study I felt I was finally ready to fulfill my life's dream.
It was a Thursday afternoon, as I recall, when with a playbook of songs in hand, I walked over to Sally's place for an audition.
When I arrived I could barely contain myself as I bounded up the stairsteps, two at a time. Reaching the second floor I flew over to the big metal door that I knew would, in a matter of moments, open into a world that had been here-to-fore unknown by a young man such as I.
It was locked.
Taped to the door was a sheet of paper that read. "By order of the Department of Health, these premises are closed."
I couldn't believe my eyes. After all I had been through. Hundreds of dollars spent on piano lessons. Thousands of hours of practice. How could fate be so cruel, I asked myself. I turned and ran back down the stairs and into Kelly's poolroom.
"What happened to Sally?" I asked the manager.
"She died." He said.
"Died? From what?" I asked, tears streaming down my face.
"Chronic explosive diarreah." He replied.
"Damn!" I exclaimed. " So, does anyone in here know how to play One Pocket?"
Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to play the piano in "Two Tooth" Sally's hot pillow joint. It was a really nice place, with lace curtains, brass spitoons, and free cigars, and was located near one of the nicer parts of the downtown area, on the second floor above Kelly's Poolhall and Snooker Emporium. Sally knew our good friend ftgokie, by-the-way.
Anyhoo, I began taking lessons from Hazel Sappington, a spinster piano teacher who lived down the street from me, and every afternoon after school I would practice for two or three hours, sometimes more. My proficiency at the piano progressed at a prodigious rate, and, according to Miss Sappinton, was quite extraordinary for someone of my tender age. After two years of hard work and intense study I felt I was finally ready to fulfill my life's dream.
It was a Thursday afternoon, as I recall, when with a playbook of songs in hand, I walked over to Sally's place for an audition.
When I arrived I could barely contain myself as I bounded up the stairsteps, two at a time. Reaching the second floor I flew over to the big metal door that I knew would, in a matter of moments, open into a world that had been here-to-fore unknown by a young man such as I.
It was locked.
Taped to the door was a sheet of paper that read. "By order of the Department of Health, these premises are closed."
I couldn't believe my eyes. After all I had been through. Hundreds of dollars spent on piano lessons. Thousands of hours of practice. How could fate be so cruel, I asked myself. I turned and ran back down the stairs and into Kelly's poolroom.
"What happened to Sally?" I asked the manager.
"She died." He said.
"Died? From what?" I asked, tears streaming down my face.
"Chronic explosive diarreah." He replied.
"Damn!" I exclaimed. " So, does anyone in here know how to play One Pocket?"
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LOL,Nice read Tramp.Thx.
I am a pool player for life.
I've been at this long enough to fit Sunny's description... (grey and walking around the table)
I survive financially on pool in many ways.
Private Instruction
Instructional Seminars
Playing
Books
Sponsorship
Believe it or not, my efforts don't receive the support that many believe. Sometimes it is very difficult, but from those tough times, I have learned the greatest lessons.
My sole income is from POOL.
It has not always been an easy road, and I cannot remember a time when anyone in my immediate family supported me in my endeavors - AT ALL. I was always told that it was a waste of time. My mother still believes that I should write children's books.
I've been through 3 marriages. None of them ended as a result of my involvement in the game of pool. They didn't end because of gambling debts. They didn't end because I was screwing around with female pool players. Imagine that. I don't fit into any of the stereotypes.
I can't see anything else that I would be qualified to do more than pool.
I did the "job" thing. It worked for a while. I joined teh police force in El Paso, Texas - mainly because I needed health insurance for teh family and a steady line of income. Within months, I realized that as a police officer ... I was a much better pool player.
I opened my first pool hall in 1992 and it failed. It failed because I thought I knew what I was doing. My education and knowledge stemmed from being in pool halls for 20 years. I knew nothing about running a business. I would open up at 11 in the morning and shoot pool all day on one of my tables. Hard to pay the bills when that is your primary concern. The doors closed in less than a year, but I played real well that year.
I educated myself. Business and psychology. I couldn't find work with either of them so I did what any other pool player would do...
I opened another pool hall. lol .. What the hell, I needed a place to play.
I left the police department in 1999 - that decision had nothing to do with pool at all. I've lived in a few different places over the years... mostly Florida and Texas - I prefer Florida for the pool only - in my heart, Texas is home... but as a player I need to be where the best players are.
I know what its like to be out on the road - broke - out of gas at a rest area while I am swatting mosquitoes in the back seat of my car as I realize that I just finished the last piece of bread with my one-slice peanut butter sandwich.
I know what its like to go from the back seat of my car to closest pool hall -grabbing a house cue off the wall - and saying a prayer that I win the first set against some guy I had never seen before.
I also know what its like to play the best players in the world and to accurately rate myself against their greatness. I know what its like to win against them, and I know what its like to get drilled. I also know that neither of those outcomes are the same all of the time, no matter what their name is or how magnificent their resume may be.
I've got a lifetime of memories. I have a life time of experiences. Today I look back upon the good and the bad times, and I see a rocky road, but a road that many people wouldn't have the balls to walk down if given the chance.
I'll never get rich playing pool, selling my books, or teaching. But... my life is rich from the expereinces I have had, the people I have met, the lives I have touched, and the lives that have touched mine.
I wouldn't have it any other way. I may not have a lot to show for it, but I have a lot more than the guy that believed that they would never survive as a pool player. This life really is priceless, and I wouldn't trade places with anybody.
I love being a pool player.
Just felt the need to bump this thread
Would love to get inputs from others! This is a thread too good to be buried away, imo
Thanks for the bump, Roy. Somehow through all of the crazy ups and downs in life, I learned how to forget that I felt that way. Thank you.
I'm having trouble accepting the fact that there are people in the world who haven't decided to dedicate every waking moment to this game. what are they thinking?!
When I was around 18 or 19 I hung around Beechmont Billiards in Cincinnati. Every Sunday morning around 11:00, like clockwork, and old guy named Jim would come in and play for an hour or 2 while his wife was out shopping. Jim was in his 70's and every week I was there to play with him. I knew at that time that pool is definitely something that I want as a part of my life for as long as I live. I used to watch that old man run balls and I would think to myself "This is so cool. Not only does he have a decent game at his age, he has something that keeps him occupied." A lot of people get "old" because they don't have anything to do. I'm glad that if I make it to the golden years that I have something I can do while I'm there.
MULLY
I bet you live longer if you have some sort of hobby
MULLY
I bet you live longer if you have some sort of hobby