How do you cope?

[Cuebuddy]

At 70 i'm playing just about as good as I ever did. It took me a good year of playing every day to do it. I really can't risk going out now to match up or go to tournaments for health reasons. They really don't let you take a two hour nap in the middle of a set or tournament because your B/P has spiked or your having problems breathing. I have hit a wall as far as improving more w/o the compitition. I truely believe you need that to get to the the pro level. I find I don't have that fire in me to practice for hours and hours by myself anymore. It's very hard to just walk away from something that's been a big part of your life for 60 years. Johnnyt

I hear yoy JT I will not and could not ever walk away from pool, I will whine a little now and then.

I am 61. The nearest real pool room is at least an hour away from me. There are a couple of oversize 8's at the senior center which is about a 20 minute ride away. I also practice straight pool and play the ghost in rotation games. Yesterday I had a Kamui tip put on my 1st gen pred shaft. Tomorrow I'm going to see how it plays. Once in a while, one of the younger guys will go to the senior center with me as a guest. That's always fun and good practice. I also spend more time than I should on this forum.

There are a lot of bar table 8 ball tournaments I could go to that are not that far away, but the atmosphere in those places is pretty rough, and at my age that gets old pretty fast. I have a couple of friends around my age, one is 59 and the other 67 who play and cash in the bar tournaments often. I have less than a year to go to retire from my present job. Hopefully, I will get to play more then.

I like motorcycles too. Rode for over 30 years. Never had a bad accident. Lately there's been a rash of older guys getting hurt bad or killed out riding in my area. Decided to give it up before my luck ran out.

I won a tourny in Denver last fall and came from the loser's side and had to beat the team twice that beat my partner and I. After we won I talked to the team we beat and they were both way older then me. One gentalman was 76 and had two break and runs in our match.

Well I was already thinking about moving.. not just because of pool though..and JohnnyT from your post I'd have said you were a lot younger(compliment)...and as HU said....."HAPPY EASTER ALL".

Johnny's the man.

You have to keep in mind that the guys you are watching play pool for a living. Most don't work, and if they do as often as not it is in a pool hall where they practice and are immersed into the game every day. They play 20+ hours a week at the minimum, and often alot more then that when prepping for a match/tourney. They play weekly local tournaments, they play regional events and major events all over the world. They are on the road constantly, doing nothing but playing pool.

When you are totally immersed into the game and playing it that much you are going to shoot good. And anyone not living that lifestyle is at a huge disadvantage trying to compare themselves to these pros who lead that life.

A few times in my life I have gone to Vegas for the BCA and VNEA combined and stayed down in the USA for the week in between. I normally practice alot before the trip and usually have competed in the team event to win the trip less then a month before. By the time I have been in Vegas for a couple weeks doing nothing but shoot pool and have been immersed in the game to that degree I am shooting at a far higher level then my normal state. My game rises alot in that short period of time, and it would rise alot higher if I were to go from Vegas after those events and hit the road and actually live the life of a pro, off to the Philipines next, then Japan for a event, then the MiddleEast for a World Championship, then back to the USA for 2 regional tournaments, then off to Europe to play in an event, then a big race to 100 challenge match, and gambling all of the time in between the events.

You cannot compare your game to people doing that. It is simply not realistic to think you are going to shoot as good as Jason Klatt if you are not living the life of Jason Klatt, he has been all over the USA and has been traveling the world gambling and playing tournaments. He is a pool professional, it is all he does. If a person has alot of natural talent and they decide to live that life then they are going to get good, but that is where you need to ask yourself, do you want job security? Can you live on $20k a year unless you are in the top 10? Do you mind renting your house and not owning it, not having any finacial security, savings, net worth beyond your gambling stake in your bank account?

You cannot have your cake and eat it too. The people who become pro pool players give up alot to get that good, they are living life on the edge and everything they have invested in their life is wrapped up in how well they can play this game. If you are not at that stage in the game then no, you are not even going to come close to comparing to these guys.

Yes it is a tough way to make a living and I am certainly not disapointed about the things and family that I have made but life sure speeds by.

 

[Cuebuddy]

i was in that boat for years

the only way out is knowlege, hanging out with some of the people I do in pool has taught me more in the past 2-3 years than i learned in the previous 20something years. Then I take what I have learned and go find action, i stay in action as much as possibe.

I had a GC4 at my home with a perfect room and played in it for 7 years, i didn't get 1/2 ball better, I didn't lose any speed either so it wasn't a total loss.

being in the right places with the right people is a big pieve of the puzzle, i just never mentioned it befor. I'm playing better than ever(most days) I have awalys been a choppy player.

I do a little of this just by watching these pros play. Live streaming has many benefits and if you don't learn a ton by watching then you need to give it up. As far as your old table...it still plays great. Its about a 90 minute drive from me and Glen set that bad boy up:wink:.

 

[9BallPaul]

Thanks Paul when I get to the front range it is usally short notice but it would be cool to drop by now and then.
Did you ever sell that Predator Hoppe?

No, I didn't, and I've been fooling around with it lately and reconsidering. Maybe I was wrong about Predator. However, the McDermott remains my favorite weapon, with the Cuetec R360 close still getting played now and again.

Shoot me a PM with a day or two notice of your Golden passage (if possible). Cheers.

 

[JoeyA]

Well I must say that I am normally an up-beat positive person. Having stated that it sucks watching these players play at the Ultimate 10 ball championship play so well and seeing my own game slowly slide down hill.

I am lucky I have great equipment and a life style that lets me practice several times a week but it is not enough to increase my skill level.
I realize that with out competitive play my game will continue to deteriorate with age. I am a busy person and usually don't think much about it but it hit me tonight.... compared to these guys, well I don't stand a chance.

My main concern is there is no body close who plays much and I need to be challenged to improve.

Anyone else in this boat?

Cuebuddy,
Your game doesn't have to deteriorate with age.

Play in more tournaments if you don't have the challenge locally. It doesn't matter if you can hang with these guys or not. Playing them will improve your game regardless..


JoeyA