How SERIOUS a Pool Player are you

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Bruce S. de Lis

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I ask this question after reading many posts here, as apparently there are a lot of people who here who are VERY Serious about their Game, Gambling, collection Fine Cues, etc..

Me personally I have been playing Pool Games for over 50 year, after being exposed to pool at the Boys Club in Miami Florida. Where we played on Table that Wobbled, with Noisy Rail.

Gambling was PROHIBITED by Boys Club Rules, but that never stopped me from Gambling for Lunch Money and many times having to explain to my Mom where I got extra Money that I did not leave home with. :D

I consider myself now a Recreational Player. I have a vision of become a better Recreational Player, but am not into Gambling, and have NEVER ENTERED a Tournament out side the Community Pool Room where I live where the entry Fees are a Dollar, or Two, and a Big Pot for First Place is Five to Seven Bucks.

I am actually think of entering some Small Local Nine Ball Tournaments, but need to get a Rating First. But truthfully think I am a Six on a Four to Ten Scale.

Maybe Next Winter I will also enter AZ State Senior Games, where Eight Ball is Game. If I do I will be playing in the 50-59 Age Category... ;)
 
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Trying to be more serious...

I started playing in 1977, my Grandfather owned two rooms in Chapel Hill, NC., back in the late 30's. My Father was known around the Triad and later Central Jersey. He bought a table for the house in 1977 as reward for good grades. I was eleven going on twelve. I've played ever since. Moved to ATL in 1992 and pretty much layed the stick down until 2002 when I was introduced to League Play, (APA). I have since awaken the dormant 'Pool Bug' within and now I play at least 3x a week...I Captain an 8-Ball Team, play on a 9-Ball Team and catch weekend Tourny's at least twice a month, and spend every Sunday, (the BOSS permitting) :D , in 1 of my 2 local rooms...

My Home Room: The Side Pocket, Canton Rd., Marietta,GA.

My 2nd Home: The Pool Room, Roswell Rd., Marietta, GA.

http://thebestpoolroom.com/marietta/index.html

ps. had to add this...I played growing up at Loree Johns Billiards on Rte. 22 W...in ?(Boundbrook)?...hard to remember...I used to watch Loree John practice for Tourny's when she was an up and comer and new Champion...even shot with her on many occasions...wonder if she remembers???

there you have it...
 
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Williebetmore said:
Bruce,
How serious??? Serious as a heart attack.
Click to expand...

Williebetmore. I'm with you on this one. I have a cue in my hands 7 days a week. I practice, practice, practice. Several short, targetted sessions a day. I play a regular Tuesday 10Ball ring game that is only the areas best players. I play all local tournaments I can get to and play all the regional pro tournaments I can get to. Sometime I get my brains beat out, sometimes I get in the money. I'll stick to the regional stuff until my nerves are like steel, then I'll move on to other things. Right now, I'm just working on getting tournament tough... when that happens, then I take my next step.

I have pretty high aspirations in pool for a 48 year old man that's spent his life loving this game. I take every oppurtunity to hit balls that I can, whether it's practice, matching up, tournaments, whatever. Taking every oppurtunity to hit balls, I also take every oppurtunity to learn anything I can from anyone willing to teach or share.

How serious am I about this game? DEAD SERIOUS!!!

Later,
Bob
 
Cane said:
Williebetmore. I'm with you on this one. I have a cue in my hands 7 days a week. I practice, practice, practice. Several short, targetted sessions a day. I play a regular Tuesday 10Ball ring game that is only the areas best players. I play all local tournaments I can get to and play all the regional pro tournaments I can get to. Sometime I get my brains beat out, sometimes I get in the money. I'll stick to the regional stuff until my nerves are like steel, then I'll move on to other things. Right now, I'm just working on getting tournament tough... when that happens, then I take my next step.

I have pretty high aspirations in pool for a 48 year old man that's spent his life loving this game. I take every oppurtunity to hit balls that I can, whether it's practice, matching up, tournaments, whatever. Taking every oppurtunity to hit balls, I also take every oppurtunity to learn anything I can from anyone willing to teach or share.

How serious am I about this game? DEAD SERIOUS!!!

Later,
Bob
Click to expand...

Bob,
Actually, compared to you, perhaps I'm only as serious as a really nasty sinus infection.
 
Serious ? It's a game. It should'nt be serious.
I enjoy playing and gambling but it's just a game.
I think taking anything too serious just takes the fun out of it.
I actually quit playing completely at times because I suddenly think
why am I wasting all this time hitting balls into holes on a table.
I really do enjoy the game, but anyone who is serious about any game
certainly does not have his priorities in order.
 
Thank goodness I'm not real serious about pool. I'd be awfully disappointed if I was. I think I'd like to be more serious about it, I just don't have the time. When I was in my 20's I was more serious about it. I keep doing things that would lead one to believe that I'm more serious like, lessons, quitting bar box 8 ball league so that I can go to a regulation size table 9 ball tournament that night. Try to make it down to my basement more often. etc.

But when I comes down to it, I just won't take the time to practice enough to really take it seriously. I'm not fond of sleeping with our dog so I think I try to keep my priorities straight.
 
Tex said:
Serious ? It's a game. It should'nt be serious.
I enjoy playing and gambling but it's just a game.
I think taking anything too serious just takes the fun out of it.
I actually quit playing completely at times because I suddenly think
why am I wasting all this time hitting balls into holes on a table.
I really do enjoy the game, but anyone who is serious about any game
certainly does not have his priorities in order.
Click to expand...

Tex,

Not trying to drill you here but with that kind of outlook, how do you ever get proficient at anything? I think I know what you are trying to say, but if you mean to say that anyone who takes a sport or hobby seriously has no priorities, I respectfully disagree.
My priorities are with my family which makes sense to me but the guys and girls out there who pursued it further and made it to the next level, at least in my opinion, had their priorities straight. Their priority was becoming the best pool player they could be. I don't see anything wrong with that, and actually I have a high level of admiration for them.
Doesn't matter what you do but whatever you do, you should always try to be the best.

JMO,
Koop
 
serious?

I like to think of myself as a "serious" pool player as I want nothing more than to be one of the best players I know. since getting out of the hospital, my game has dramatically gone south. it's just me getting irritated with myself when I miss, but other players tend to take it the wrong way. I don't do anything dramatic, but I will mumble to myself sometimes. even though...my game is just starting to come back as I won my first 3,6,9 tournament last night (on surgery day none the less)!! I played with and even beat some of the better players in this city. I was so proud of myself, the majority of the way I played, and how I was treated by these guys (for the most part) after winning. last night must have been my night. anyway...I'm as serious in the pool room as anyone. I just want to win, and sometimes I can carry that emotion over to how I play, meaning sometimes I play REALLY well. :)
 
Tex said:
Serious ? It's a game. It should'nt be serious.
I enjoy playing and gambling but it's just a game.
I think taking anything too serious just takes the fun out of it.
I actually quit playing completely at times because I suddenly think
why am I wasting all this time hitting balls into holes on a table.
I really do enjoy the game, but anyone who is serious about any game
certainly does not have his priorities in order.
Click to expand...

Tex... Priorities. Yeah, I see your point, but I'm 48, retired, and not rich, but I don't ever have to work another day in my life if I don't want to. I take the relationship with my woman very seriously, and she takes me and my pool very seriously. She supports me 100% in my billiards endeavors.

I also quit playing completely... for 14 years. I was a pretty damn scary player back in the early 80's, but it kept costing me wives, houses and cars. So I quit the game and decided to live a "normal" life. Well, I did and I did relatively well in that life. Well enough that I NO LONGER have to live under the list of priorities that most people do. Most people, I would imagine, put career first. Well, my career was well done, early on and I can do what I want, when I want, now. My woman, Billie, is very happy with the life we lead... travelling to tournaments, finding little flyfishing along the way and spending a lot of quality time together.

So, for me, my priorities are straight... now they may not be straight for those that have to work on a daily basis, but I don't, so dedicating myself to a game that I am passionate about is one of my PRIORITIES. Just like you dedicating yourself to your career might be your higher priority. I play pool and I teach pool. That's what I am, and what I do.

yeah, it's a game... so is everything else. Marriage, love, work, life itself... I take my pool so seriously because I'm in the fortunate postition where I CAN take it so seriously. Do I still enjoy it? Damn Skippy, I do. I love to play, I love to practice. I never get bored with tournaments, large or small, or with drills and practice. When I get a chance to walk up to a table with a cue in my hands, it's ALWAYS fun for me... well, maybe not quite so much fun when I lose, but still fun.

Lovin' every minute of it!

Bob
 
Tex said:
Serious ? It's a game. It should'nt be serious.
I enjoy playing and gambling but it's just a game.
I think taking anything too serious just takes the fun out of it.
...I really do enjoy the game, but anyone who is serious about any game
certainly does not have his priorities in order.
Click to expand...

Tex,
I think you may have misinterpreted the word serious. For Cane and I it means serious about becoming a student of the game. Serious about your practice habits (good and focused). Serious about giving your best in competition and practice. Serious about having a respect for the game, and learning the history of the game. Hopefully serious about being a good sport.

All of these practices ADD to my enjoyment of the game. I banged balls around long enough to know that serious is better for me. You can definitely be serious about the game and still have a smile on your face. Serious does not mean neglecting your family or job - it does not mean winning at any cost. I think you are mistaking serious for unfriendly, poor sportsmanship, win-at-all costs (ie. typical league player around here) - that was NOT my meaning.

P.S. - Be serious about your hobbies in the time allotted for them - it's fun.
 
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Williebetmore said:
Tex,
I think you may have misinterpreted the word serious. For Cane and I it means serious about becoming a student of the game. Serious about your practice habits (good and focused). Serious about giving your best in competition and practice. Serious about having a respect for the game, and learning the history of the game. Hopefully serious about being a good sport.

All of these practices ADD to my enjoyment of the game. <snip>
Click to expand...

Willie, you're absolutely right. I enjoy pocket billiards, win or lose. When I lose, I don't give a wimpy attempt at a handshake and walk off. I firmly shake my opponents hand, smile and tell him "Great set!" I don't want to be thought of as one of those "win at all costs" or as a poor sport in this or any other game.

I really like what you said about being a "student of the game". No matter what level I eventually reach, I'll ALWAYS be a student of the game.

Later,
Bob
 
I think I'd keep everyone in stitches if I tried to convince them I was serious :D

Why, I'd bet fast larry's dog could whip me!
 
Mr. Wilson said:
I think I'd keep everyone in stitches if I tried to convince them I was serious :D

Why, I'd bet fast larry's dog could whip me!
Click to expand...


Wilson I like your Humor. But there is to me Serious, and Addictive Behavior.

I once work with a Guy who was a Horse Player, and the Ponies CONTROLLED his life. To the Point it was an Addiction, and in one Case I know of the Ponies came before his Wife and Kids.

Remember the incident well it was Friday, and I use to Drive Cliff back and forth to work. Well Payday was not until Monday, as we got paid on the 1st. and 16th. or something like that.

On the way home Cliff hit me up for a $20.00 loan till payday, so Rose his Wife could by Groceries. I knew Cliff always went to the Track any place in LA County if the Ponies were running.

I knew Santa Anita was running that weekend, and said something like I guess you are not going to Santa Anita this weekend Cliff if you need TWENTY for Groceries.

He informed me that he was going to Santa Anita, as HE HAD Money for that. As his Track Fund had FUNDS.

I replied to the load request, telling Cliff I would not Loan him Money, if he had money for the Ponies, he need to reallocate some of those fund for the Family food fund.

Cliff was totally Addicted to the Ponies. He was a sad case, who had bet his entire life at the Horse Track.... :mad:
 
I think that serious is an ambiguous word as far as pool goes. I like to have as much fun as anybody. Even when playing in a tournament or match of some sort. I learned a long time ago that if you're not having fun while your playing, you miss out on some of the beauty of the game and of the competition itself. That's not to say that you can't try your ass off while your at it though. I would say that I'm a very serious player, even though if you saw me play in a tournament, you might think I was just jacking around because I almost always have a big smile on my face. :D
 
Well, Things have a way of working themselves out.

When I was 20 something, I could be much more selfish with my persuits.
I did spend 8-10 hours a night in the pool hall and drank and caroused to my hearts desire.

Marriage, children, career....mortgage etc have a way of altering you perception of what is "serious".

in my case, pool became a hobby rather than a career.

20 hours a week is a lot of thime for me these days. I could be accused of neglecting things in my life. Compared to the 100 hours a week I used to do, naw.......I'm not serious anymore.

I am happy though:)
 
Serious ...

Yes, I am a serious player, and have been most of my
life because I wanted to be good. I am competitive in
any sport I do, and have to be in the top 5-10% or I
am just not happy. It is a whole lot more fun to win
than to lose ...

I still have fun, usually only play in tournaments and for
money, but at 57, my interest at chasing the tables all
the time is starting to wane a little. Been married all I
am going to, done the girlfriend thing for a few years,
so if another longtime girlfriend comes along, she will
have to accept Pool as being a part of me and offer
support and share in it with me. I have no intention
of changing my life around for another woman again.
Been divorced 15 years now, so I am getting a little
set in my ways, I suppose.

I enjoy many other things other than Pool, but Pool
is the hub of the wheel, as they say.
 
Snapshot9 said:
I still have fun, usually only play in tournaments and for
money, but at 57, my interest at chasing the tables all
the time is starting to wane a little. Been married all I
am going to, done the girlfriend thing for a few years,
so if another longtime girlfriend comes along, she will
have to accept Pool as being a part of me and offer
support and share in it with me. I have no intention
of changing my life around for another woman again.
Been divorced 15 years now, so I am getting a little
set in my ways, I suppose.

I enjoy many other things other than Pool, but Pool
is the hub of the wheel, as they say.
Click to expand...

57 is Young, but Peter Jennings CHECKED OUT at 67 sadly, and I am sure he had all the money he could have ever wanted, and much too live for.

If your worst Vice is Pool, and you keep it under control, i would think a Wife or Girlfriend should not have too much too complain about.

At 50 Plus most of us are set bin our way, and like Old Dogs not good at learning NEW TRICKS... ;)
 
I'm pretty serious about it. I don't have any other hobbies. Being married, having a job (retired now) and raising kids put a real damper on my game. Now that I'm retired, I'm focusing more on pool. I'm trying to play as many tournaments as I can but I don't think my wife is real happy with that. Unfortunately, she still works during the day and the tournaments are all at night. Another nut to crack, oh well.
 
Bruce S. de Lis said:
I ask this question after reading many posts here, as apparently there are a lot of people who here who are VERY Serious about their Game, Gambling, collection Fine Cues, etc..
Click to expand...

Just last evening I went down into the basement to practice a bit. When I got there I realized that I had not picked up a cue for about 5 days (vacation spent doing home reno's). It's been 8 years since I went that long without a cue in my hand, since we moved in, the table being set up a few months later (that was HELL ! ).

I'm serious enough to have a table and veto many houses my wife liked because the table would not fit (and I survived !) . I'm serious enough to own a bunch of pool books and have read everything the Saskatoon library has in their collection (slim). I'm serious enough to have reformatted, collated, and printed various Internet resources for my pool binder, and made many notes and practice records in the binder during practice sessions. I'm serious enough to be one of a very few players around here who go to the pool hall in the summer. I'm serious enough to participate in this pool forum. I'm not serious enough to quit my day job, nor do I gamble much. My cue collection can be had for $500 if anyone wants them ... I'm sure I can find another cue very quickly that will work just fine. I just love to play and practice pool, that's all.

Dave
 
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