I think I understand it all now.........

[Shawn Armstrong]

After the wonderful responses I got from some of the people on this site. I now understand some things.

I have a job. I have a wife, whom I love. I have a 3 year old son that I love too. I get 3 weeks of holidays per year, so I decide to spend my time with my wife and son. I don't get to play big tourneys on the weekends, because my son is little only once. I do cue repairs and build the odd custom cue when I have some time between all of my diversions above. I work hard for my money, having a mortgage, two vehicles, and putting aside money for retirement and my son's education.

So, I used to play a lot of pool back in my single days. When we bought the new house, my wife bought me a table - a 4.5x9 Brunswick Metro - she saw it on TV and thought I'd like that table. Anyways, I go downstairs and hit balls for 1-2 hours per day, usually on my lunch break (work from home most days), and after my son has gone to bed. Because my wife has to have a life, too, I get one night a week that I can play. I decided to go the casual route and went back to the CPA league. I like to play, even though the opponents aren't as tough. But what I do like about the 9ball format of the CPA/APA is that it forces you to play the table, not the opponent. It costs me $8 per week to play, and I drive 35 minutes to play there.

Here's my point. I don't gamble anymore, even though my game is the strongest it's ever been. I don't get to play tournaments anymore, as weekends are for my family. I don't go to DCC, or the BCA Open, or the US Open, or sweat any major action because I don't have time to do it. I am, for all intensive purposes, a casual pool player. It will never be my livelihood, and thank the good Lord for that. However, I represent the VAST MAJORITY of pool players in the world. I play well. People ask me why I don't play more tourneys, or enter the Masters Divisions or whatever else.

I am one of the faceless 95% of poolplayers in the world. You needle me saying my ranking means nothing. Great. You say my opinion is wrong because I don't like hearing certain voices on my TV set. Great. The problem is I'm not alone. And, unlike you, the industry relies on people like me to join those "crappy little leagues" you put down to make yourself feel glam and great. You want to grow this industry? Clean up the sport. Do you think that the top pro golfers gamble on the course? Most likely. But we don't hear the stories being broadcast on CBS when the guys talk about the game. This used to be the game of royalty. Now it belongs to guys that don't shave and wear t-shirts that say "Hustlin".

You are your own worst enemy.

 

[derk70]

gambling was and probably always will be the most interesting thing about pool.

color of money was about the gamble
the hustler
minnesota fats barking at mosconi

this is what led to a surge in popularity in pool not bar bangers playing league

 

[Andrew Manning]

After the wonderful responses I got from some of the people on this site. I now understand some things.

I have a job. I have a wife, whom I love. I have a 3 year old son that I love too. I get 3 weeks of holidays per year, so I decide to spend my time with my wife and son. I don't get to play big tourneys on the weekends, because my son is little only once. I do cue repairs and build the odd custom cue when I have some time between all of my diversions above. I work hard for my money, having a mortgage, two vehicles, and putting aside money for retirement and my son's education.

So, I used to play a lot of pool back in my single days. When we bought the new house, my wife bought me a table - a 4.5x9 Brunswick Metro - she saw it on TV and thought I'd like that table. Anyways, I go downstairs and hit balls for 1-2 hours per day, usually on my lunch break (work from home most days), and after my son has gone to bed. Because my wife has to have a life, too, I get one night a week that I can play. I decided to go the casual route and went back to the CPA league. I like to play, even though the opponents aren't as tough. But what I do like about the 9ball format of the CPA/APA is that it forces you to play the table, not the opponent. It costs me $8 per week to play, and I drive 35 minutes to play there.

Here's my point. I don't gamble anymore, even though my game is the strongest it's ever been. I don't get to play tournaments anymore, as weekends are for my family. I don't go to DCC, or the BCA Open, or the US Open, or sweat any major action because I don't have time to do it. I am, for all intensive purposes, a casual pool player. It will never be my livelihood, and thank the good Lord for that. However, I represent the VAST MAJORITY of pool players in the world. I play well. People ask me why I don't play more tourneys, or enter the Masters Divisions or whatever else.

I am one of the faceless 95% of poolplayers in the world. You needle me saying my ranking means nothing. Great. You say my opinion is wrong because I don't like hearing certain voices on my TV set. Great. The problem is I'm not alone. And, unlike you, the industry relies on people like me to join those "crappy little leagues" you put down to make yourself feel glam and great. You want to grow this industry? Clean up the sport. Do you think that the top pro golfers gamble on the course? Most likely. But we don't hear the stories being broadcast on CBS when the guys talk about the game. This used to be the game of royalty. Now it belongs to guys that don't shave and wear t-shirts that say "Hustlin".

You are your own worst enemy.

I'm not sure you do understand it.

You start posting here, and as a first step, throw uncalled-for insults at people who were making valid points about something you said. When people told you that you were out of line, you explained that they must have you confused with a beginner, but in fact you're God's gift to pool, and so what you said is okay.

When people railed against you for this explanation, now angered by your attitude toward the forum, you explain that it's all okay because your life is great, 95% of pool players are just like and therefore you speak for them, and you hold the key to improving the sport of pool. Therefore attacks against you must be coming from degenerates of some sort or another, whose opinions are not to be bothered with. You insulting us is therefore really for our own good.

If the reactions your posts have elicited have surprised you so much, your communication and interpersonal interaction skills need quite a bit of brushing up.

-Andrew

 

[Snapshot9]

Shawn ...

thanks for your post with the background info. Absolutely, your family should come first, and mine did too when I was married. I didn't mean to put down leagues before, just to share some thinking of how they are thought of within the Pool world, by players in the different leagues, and also by those that just prefer to gamble.

Some of the things you mentioned are right, we are our own worst enemies at times, and this frustrates many of us who want to the sport to be better and bigger, and we chew on it many times here.

Some of the things, like gambling, is a continuation because it is inherited as part of the sport, and because many players before and now were dropouts out of school, and just trying to survive in the world. With the way the sport is now, it is a hard living, and in the past, it was easier to make money gambling playing Pool. The real good players were fewer and far between than they are nowdays. People are generally a lot smarter a bout Pool today, and with the internet and cell phones, hardly anyone can fly 'under the radar' very long.

I do understand your wanting to see 'how good you could become', and the frustrations from not being able to do that with your current life, I have been there, too, at times in my life. And everyone always says that you can't play good Pool when you work, are married, have a family, etc.., but I found that not to be true for myself, because some of the best Pool I have played in my life occurred when I was married with 2 kids, working about 55 hours a week, a mortgage, 2 cars, etc.. I was about 42 then.

I played league for many many years, like I said, APA, VNEA, BCA, and city leagues also, I just got tired of the weekly hassle of them, and now just to prefer to play tournaments and to gamble, and I have always gambled in Pool, for 45 years. I am 59, and lately the glitter of Pool is wearing down for me, and I am getting tired of chasing the tables, and want to devote more time to other areas of my life.

 

[crawfish]

You're the only one with mortgage, wife, two kids, great career, cars, etc.? We are glad you value that life. Lighten up. As far as those who gamble and those who don't, it's a choice. I IMHO do not believe that you can become a great player without risk involved. The gamble. You can become a good player, tourneys, etc. When that pressure is on you from losing $500, instead of your $8 or $65 dollar entry fees, you gain nerve. All of the best players got that way from the action. Exception: Possibly two or three. I also have a pretty consistent life, career, etc. But, I love the action. There are guys who claim to be great players because they are 8-2 in their league. Watch them play seven ahead for a thousand and see which player shows up. NOT ALL, Mind you, but most will dog it like they were on fire. I enjoy the rush. You ride roller coasters and I will ride the cheese!

 

[Gregg]

Congrats on finding out that your not a pool pro, and never will be.

Add me to the list.

The general public views pool in the same light as darts, air hockey, or any other conceivable parlor game. Allowing your glorified hobbies to get in the way of work, family or friends, and you have an obsession on your hands.

You wouldn't be the first around these parts

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Shawn Armstrong]

You're the only one with mortgage, wife, two kids, great career, cars, etc.? We are glad you value that life. Lighten up. As far as those who gamble and those who don't, it's a choice. I IMHO do not believe that you can become a great player without risk involved. The gamble. You can become a good player, tourneys, etc. When that pressure is on you from losing $500, instead of your $8 or $65 dollar entry fees, you gain nerve. All of the best players got that way from the action. Exception: Possibly two or three. I also have a pretty consistent life, career, etc. But, I love the action. There are guys who claim to be great players because they are 8-2 in their league. Watch them play seven ahead for a thousand and see which player shows up. NOT ALL, Mind you, but most will dog it like they were on fire. I enjoy the rush. You ride roller coasters and I will ride the cheese!

Awesome line "losing $500, you gain nerve". Like those MasterCard commercials. Cue - $300. Table time - $8/hr. Learning "nerve" - $500.

Dogging the 9 ball, whether it's your mortgage or a Diet Coke on the line - priceless. (just a lot less painful when it's the Coke)

 

[Bishop]

Unfortunately gambling in pool has scarred the face of the "sport" possibly forever. Thank god there isn't any of that in football, baseball, hockey and especially basketball.

I don't care what this game is called. I don't care what t-shirt you wear or how long your beard is or if your an addictive boozer with low morals. I'm still going to play, my son will play, my wife will play and as long as I can find a game, money or not, I'm happy.

The game isn't dirty life is dirty. Deal with it.

 

[gpeezy]

This kinda....

This kinda reminds me of conversations I have had with people on why they don't gamble. I've always told people that gambling will make you a better player. Also, unless your betting beyond your means, gambling is fun. They just don't feel like they have to gamble to play pool. Which is correct. What I was saying it wouldn't hurt them to do both. Well league is where they decide to have their fun. Thats all good. Me however I don't really enjoy league play. I am no slouch on a pool table. As far as league goes I am one of the best players to play it in our area. It just doesn't feel like I won anything when I win a match. Even when we went to Las Vegas 4 times. I was more into Vegas, side tournaments and action than the league play. Everyone is different. Everyone has a spot in pool. Your spot is more difined by your family life. I have to say your point of views are a little bias do to the fact. I beleive family is every man's dream and responsibility. However, for a man with less responsibilty, playing pool tournaments, gambling, running the roads can be part of life that he enjoys. I'm sure you enjoy family more than pool. Thats why it has become a Hobby, a time of leisure. Your family has become your life. For some people pool becomes an everyday walk of life. Point of views are more strongly expressed about what they like and don't like about things surrounding the game. To say league is a better route to pool growing as a sport could be true. But me, I get sick of watching a couple of 3s bang balls for a hour. I respect their efforts but I'd rather watch a couple of warriors battle over a few bags of sand.IMO

 

[crawfish]

Wow, sounds like me.

This kinda reminds me of conversations I have had with people on why they don't gamble. I've always told people that gambling will make you a better player. Also, unless your betting beyond your means, gambling is fun. They just don't feel like they have to gamble to play pool. Which is correct. What I was saying it wouldn't hurt them to do both. Well league is where they decide to have their fun. Thats all good. Me however I don't really enjoy league play. I am no slouch on a pool table. As far as league goes I am one of the best players to play it in our area. It just doesn't feel like I won anything when I win a match. Even when we went to Las Vegas 4 times. I was more into Vegas, side tournaments and action than the league play. Everyone is different. Everyone has a spot in pool. Your spot is more difined by your family life. I have to say your point of views are a little bias do to the fact. I beleive family is every man's dream and responsibility. However, for a man with less responsibilty, playing pool tournaments, gambling, running the roads can be part of life that he enjoys. I'm sure you enjoy family more than pool. Thats why it has become a Hobby, a time of leisure. Your family has become your life. For some people pool becomes an everyday walk of life. Point of views are more strongly expressed about what they like and don't like about things surrounding the game. To say league is a better route to pool growing as a sport could be true. But me, I get sick of watching a couple of 3s bang balls for a hour. I respect their efforts but I'd rather watch a couple of warriors battle over a few bags of sand.IMO

Tap, tap my fellow action lover. Well quoted.

 

[gpeezy]

!

Cha CHing.... thanks crawfish you liked that didn't ya.

 

[Methodman201]

Shawn,
I'd Love To say "I know where your comming from" But The stone cold Fact is, I can't. I'll be the first to say I don't know Jack Sh!t about life But I know what I know.

I'm 17 and I've been around pool my entire Life, I love it more than anything in the entire world. I see friends my age With boyfriends or girlfriends, Happy people whitch is a good thing and of course the stoner kids who work to feed their habbit and I wonder to myself "What The Hell For"?

I Play pool because I love it. Sure I maybe alone, May not be happy but I love pool. It will be there for me in times of good and times of bad. Do I gamble? Well Yeah. Do I work, Yeah.

I'm the guy who don't shave and wears t-shirts that say Hustlin. I'm not royalty and I also represent a vast majority of players.
You may not want to add me to your "Friends List" and My opinion may not matter to you but it matters to someone, that someone might be me or someone else but It matters.
Thanks,
Vincent

P.S: I'm my own Worst Enemy, I also Know who I am.

 

[Klopek]

0000000000

 

[BVal]

So........

After the wonderful responses I got from some of the people on this site. I now understand some things.

I have a job. I have a wife, whom I love. I have a 3 year old son that I love too. I get 3 weeks of holidays per year, so I decide to spend my time with my wife and son. I don't get to play big tourneys on the weekends, because my son is little only once. I do cue repairs and build the odd custom cue when I have some time between all of my diversions above. I work hard for my money, having a mortgage, two vehicles, and putting aside money for retirement and my son's education.

So, I used to play a lot of pool back in my single days. When we bought the new house, my wife bought me a table - a 4.5x9 Brunswick Metro - she saw it on TV and thought I'd like that table. Anyways, I go downstairs and hit balls for 1-2 hours per day, usually on my lunch break (work from home most days), and after my son has gone to bed. Because my wife has to have a life, too, I get one night a week that I can play. I decided to go the casual route and went back to the CPA league. I like to play, even though the opponents aren't as tough. But what I do like about the 9ball format of the CPA/APA is that it forces you to play the table, not the opponent. It costs me $8 per week to play, and I drive 35 minutes to play there.

Here's my point. I don't gamble anymore, even though my game is the strongest it's ever been. I don't get to play tournaments anymore, as weekends are for my family. I don't go to DCC, or the BCA Open, or the US Open, or sweat any major action because I don't have time to do it. I am, for all intensive purposes, a casual pool player. It will never be my livelihood, and thank the good Lord for that. However, I represent the VAST MAJORITY of pool players in the world. I play well. People ask me why I don't play more tourneys, or enter the Masters Divisions or whatever else.

I am one of the faceless 95% of poolplayers in the world. You needle me saying my ranking means nothing. Great. You say my opinion is wrong because I don't like hearing certain voices on my TV set. Great. The problem is I'm not alone. And, unlike you, the industry relies on people like me to join those "crappy little leagues" you put down to make yourself feel glam and great. You want to grow this industry? Clean up the sport. Do you think that the top pro golfers gamble on the course? Most likely. But we don't hear the stories being broadcast on CBS when the guys talk about the game. This used to be the game of royalty. Now it belongs to guys that don't shave and wear t-shirts that say "Hustlin".

You are your own worst enemy.

Do you live in Phoenix? Have you been following me?

I have to say I don't care about almost everything you said.
Where should I send the bill for wasting my time with this?

BVal

 

[kevin s]

I play pool because I like it. I would like to see the public accept the sport so companies would jump on board and make a real tour. It will probably never happen in the U.S. ! To many other things to compete against NFL,NBA,NHL,MLB, all COLLEGE SPORTS. IMHO. Regardless of image ,trust, and respect! If there was money to be made companies would be all over pool!

If you don't like gambling then don't do it! You have no right to judge anyone that does. Pool will never be played at church on Sunday. I think poker is though.

I don't think you get it. It never will be about image . IT"S ABOUT MONEY!

WORLD SERIES OF POKER CAME FIRST.... then came Poker After Dark , High Stakes Poker, World Poker Tour just in the last couple of years. I see what you mean about gambling not selling. lol Did I leave any out?

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

I don't think you get it. It never will be about image . IT"S ABOUT MONEY!

WORLD SERIES OF POKER CAME FIRST.... then came Poker After Dark , High Stakes Poker, World Poker Tour just in the last couple of years. I see what you mean about gambling not selling. lol Did I leave any out?

Ah, Celebrity Poker, Heads Up Poker, Mansion Poker and isn't there a PPA ?
Doug
( Not to mention the Free poker Leagues going on across the country )

 

[kevin s]

Ah, Celebrity Poker, Heads Up Poker, Mansion Poker and isn't there a PPA ?
Doug
( Not to mention the Free poker Leagues going on across the country )

Smorg you truly are a wealth of knowledge!

 

[alstl]

gambling was and probably always will be the most interesting thing about pool.

color of money was about the gamble
the hustler
minnesota fats barking at mosconi

this is what led to a surge in popularity in pool not bar bangers playing league

What's a bar banger?

 

[jay helfert]

Shawn,
I'd Love To say "I know where your comming from" But The stone cold Fact is, I can't. I'll be the first to say I don't know Jack Sh!t about life But I know what I know.

I'm 17 and I've been around pool my entire Life, I love it more than anything in the entire world. I see friends my age With boyfriends or girlfriends, Happy people whitch is a good thing and of course the stoner kids who work to feed their habbit and I wonder to myself "What The Hell For"?

I Play pool because I love it. Sure I maybe alone, May not be happy but I love pool. It will be there for me in times of good and times of bad. Do I gamble? Well Yeah. Do I work, Yeah.

I'm the guy who don't shave and wears t-shirts that say Hustlin. I'm not royalty and I also represent a vast majority of players.
You may not want to add me to your "Friends List" and My opinion may not matter to you but it matters to someone, that someone might be me or someone else but It matters.
Thanks,
Vincent

P.S: I'm my own Worst Enemy, I also Know who I am.

And VINCENT has got a Killer Break!

 

[jay helfert]

After the wonderful responses I got from some of the people on this site. I now understand some things.

I have a job. I have a wife, whom I love. I have a 3 year old son that I love too. I get 3 weeks of holidays per year, so I decide to spend my time with my wife and son. I don't get to play big tourneys on the weekends, because my son is little only once. I do cue repairs and build the odd custom cue when I have some time between all of my diversions above. I work hard for my money, having a mortgage, two vehicles, and putting aside money for retirement and my son's education.

So, I used to play a lot of pool back in my single days. When we bought the new house, my wife bought me a table - a 4.5x9 Brunswick Metro - she saw it on TV and thought I'd like that table. Anyways, I go downstairs and hit balls for 1-2 hours per day, usually on my lunch break (work from home most days), and after my son has gone to bed. Because my wife has to have a life, too, I get one night a week that I can play. I decided to go the casual route and went back to the CPA league. I like to play, even though the opponents aren't as tough. But what I do like about the 9ball format of the CPA/APA is that it forces you to play the table, not the opponent. It costs me $8 per week to play, and I drive 35 minutes to play there.

Here's my point. I don't gamble anymore, even though my game is the strongest it's ever been. I don't get to play tournaments anymore, as weekends are for my family. I don't go to DCC, or the BCA Open, or the US Open, or sweat any major action because I don't have time to do it. I am, for all intensive purposes, a casual pool player. It will never be my livelihood, and thank the good Lord for that. However, I represent the VAST MAJORITY of pool players in the world. I play well. People ask me why I don't play more tourneys, or enter the Masters Divisions or whatever else.

I am one of the faceless 95% of poolplayers in the world. You needle me saying my ranking means nothing. Great. You say my opinion is wrong because I don't like hearing certain voices on my TV set. Great. The problem is I'm not alone. And, unlike you, the industry relies on people like me to join those "crappy little leagues" you put down to make yourself feel glam and great. You want to grow this industry? Clean up the sport. Do you think that the top pro golfers gamble on the course? Most likely. But we don't hear the stories being broadcast on CBS when the guys talk about the game. This used to be the game of royalty. Now it belongs to guys that don't shave and wear t-shirts that say "Hustlin".

You are your own worst enemy.

Shawn aka Predator Hater,

FYI these forums are not designed to be where a remedy for the ills of Pool is discovered (not that it can't happen). Rather, they are for people who enjoy Pool to get together and gab about anything and everything, be it good or bad.

You chose to focus on the "negative" responses responses you got on your previous thread, basically ignoring all the support you got on here. I think that says a lot about you and your attitude in general. You are making a grievous error when you group all the posters on here into one large stereotype. They are as diverse as the people who play and enjoy Pool worldwide, many of them with lives a lot like yours.

In my "pool career" I've gone from a wannabe player to a shortstop of some note, to a total non gambler to an amateur league champion, and finally a pool has been. It's been a fun ride all the way, and I ain't done yet. You can either get on the train or you can watch it go by. It's your choice.

You sir, are your own worst enemy. And maybe some day you will realize that.