Is It Worth It?

M

Methodman201

@gmail.com
Silver Member
I'll start off with a short intro on my life and the sport so you can grasp the full aspect of the situation.

My name is Vincent(Vinnie), From st.Augustine, Florida.
I have lived just outside of town pretty much my entire life of 16 years.
Just a little after I turned 13 my parents split-up(The norm these days,lol)
I diden't do much for fun up untill that point.

Shortly after my Parents split-up I would go with me mum on the weekends and dad on the weekdays. I would travel to Edgewater, Florida to meet up with her boyfriend Johnny Lucas(Lucas Surfboards).
There I met many great surfers, Oldies but goodies.
I also learned to shape Boards and play pool.

Not too long ago they split up, I Found myself back to where I started. I had nothing to do but play pool.
I have been very serious about my game since I started playing.
I go to school and play pool, Thats it, nothing more.
The thing is, I am a Loner, Have abit of OCD, And Find myself exactly where I started again.

I have put everything I *had* in the sport and have Grown Faster, Stronger and better than Most local players.........
I Now Find Myself Asking Myself And Others, Is It Worth It?
Is Striving To Be The Best At The Game Really Worth All the money spent, the long grueling hours at the hall, Green hands, Smelling of smoke, Mental games, and lack of Friends Really Worth It?

I just want to see what You have to say.
-Vinnie
 
Last edited:
Methodman201 said:
I'll start off with a short intro on my life and the sport so you can grasp the full aspect of the situation.

My name is Vincent(Vinnie), From st.Augustine, Florida.
I have lived just outside of town pretty much my entire life of 16 years.
Just a little after I turned 13 my parents split-up(The norm these days,lol)
I diden't do much for fun up untill that point.

Shortly after my Parents split-up I would go with me mum on the weekends and dad on the weekdays. I would travel to Edgewater, Florida to meet up with her boyfriend Johnny Lucas(Lucas Surfboards).
There I met many great surfers, Oldies but goodies.
I also learned to shape Boards and play pool.

Not too long ago they split up, I Found myself back to where I started. I had nothing to do but play pool.
I have been very serious about my game since I started playing.
I go to school and play pool, Thats it, nothing more.
The thing is, I am a Loner, Have abit of OCD, And Find myself exactly where I started again.

I have put everything I *had* in the sport and have Grown Faster, Stronger and better than Most local players.........
I Now Find Myself Asking Myself And Others, Is It Worth It?
Is Striving To Be The Best At The Game Really Worth All the money spent, the long grueling hours at the hall, Green hands, Smelling of smoke, Mental games, and lack of Friends Really Worth It?

I just want to see what You have to say.
-Vinnie
Click to expand...

This one line you write, " the long grueling hours at the hall" answers your own question, Methodman. If the hours you play pool are grueling and not enjoyable you need to choose something else.
 
In a word: Absolutely.

Get yourself into a local league, it'll cost you $10-15 a week but you'll meet a large and diverse group of similarly minded people.

I've been in 2 leagues for the last 2 years & have met & talked to people that I would have otherwise never known. It's strange, pool has this dirty reputation, and there are certainly players out there who promote that, but for the most part serious pool players & people who are serious about honing their skills are without a doubt some of the nicest, most intelligent, detail oriented & dedicated people you'll ever meet.

Seriously, I can't adequately describe it; this sport has an amazing following.
 
Hey Vinnie, it is worth it to do everything to the best of your ability. Son, I am going to tell you a little secret. If you do the best you can at whatever you do, be honest in all your dealings and treat everybody with dignity and respect (the Golden Rule), you will be 3 steps ahead of 90% of the young people out there today. Do you know what that means, guarenteed success at whatever you do. I would also like to remind you that you have to be a friend to have a friend. I have a wife who has never met a person she didn't know. She can have a meaningful conversation with anybody. I know her secret. She always ask and shows interest in the people she meets. She wants to talk about them. Guess what, that's exactly the opposite of the way most people work it. So take these two little secrets and get out there and enjoy your life. Be thankful for the time you got to spend with your parents together and just hope they find lasting happiness in their lifetime. Good luck in all your endevers.
Purdman
 
Let's see, my parents also split up when I was 13. As a result, I lost touch with my family. My friends became my new family. Throughout high school, I focused a lot more time and energy into partying, drinking, and getting high, than on going to class, and doing homework. I dropped out during my junior year and started to party harder than ever. At one point, some girl brought me to a pool hall and I found my calling in life. Since I've started playing pool, I have enrolled in the University of Colorado, though for personal reasons I'm not taking any classes this semester. I have fallen out of my old routines. I no longer drink at all. I don't smoke anymore, nor do I indulge in illegal and potentially dangerous activities. If I had to name one thing that has changed my life in a positive way, playing pool goes to the top of my list. I understand how you feel with the lack of friends or what you might call a social life. But believe me, you're not missing much. High school is so overrated. The social life of the average high school kid these days is nothing but self-destruction. Stick to it kid. Pool is one of the greatest things in the world.
 
what purdman said

Sounds good to me. Only thing I might add, is to keep your integrity. Thats one thing no one can give up or take, but yourself.:)
 
Hey Vinnie:
I looked at your profile and partly base my response if your age is still in the area of 16. First off, sorry to hear about your rents splitting up. Mine did the same while I was in my early 20's and it was very tough.
As for your question about "Is it worth it?". I would suggest reflecting back as to why you started playing and what you wanted to get out of the sport. It a hobby? It a game you want to make a name in? It something to do socially to meet people? It something to de-stress from or even win some pocket change playing others? Each of us has different reasons for playing so we could each answer your question differently. For me, has he past 20 years of playing been worth it, you bet! I started playing with high school friends back when I was 15. It was the shady, cool element of the smoke filled halls and small time gambling that attracted us. To try and learn and beat the older guys at their game. As I grew older and played different games more I realized the people I started to meet were good folks, won some money, won plenty of drinks, met some cute girls and had a good time. As a side note. I am very analytical and by playing so many different people and so many different games, over and over and over. The sport has helped me in the business world figuring people out and solving statistical/analytical problems as work. It has also boosted my self confidence as I became better and better.

It's a tough sport to get rich quick from or even try to make a pro run, but it can be done if that is what you are after. Thus I go back to my first comment, what are you in it for? Think about that, where you are at in relation to your answer and decide what to do next. :)

Surfing is a cool hobby to have as well where you live.
ez
 
I'm going to go out on a limb here. I think its possible that you fear making friends or partners because you've seen that the relationships in your life have ended. You might fear the loss or the rejection so you are isolating yourself as a way to self protect from getting to know someone.

Joining a league is a good idea but you might seek some advice elsewhere because if you are spending long hours in a bar or hall practicing and haven't made friends yet it might be time to worry about being overly anti-social.

I don't mean any offense by this and like I said I'm going out on a limb. I speak from experience and I used to isolate myself too, thats what prompted me to say what I did.

If thats not it then its only worth what you are willing to put into it. If you love the game then yes its totally worth it.
 
Friends, I don't care about but Does still bug me.
I follow many rules, The Golden Rule is the first on the list.
Bishop, That might just be a possability and I understand where your comming from.
I use to know what I was in it for, I have lost that knowledge and has Yet to be found.
Drew: I have come across that aswell, My Dad and I are not asclose as we use to be, I want to change that. As for partying, Drinking, and Getting high. I have never touched Beer, Liquor or Weed and I have never been to a party before Ither:)

ez2h8: Yes, It sure can be very tough, Though They are happyer now.
Yeah, I have Really No Self Confidence. That needs to change.

I'll admit My hands Have Done Great things and some bad things. I have met many people in my short span. Johnny Archer, Thorsten Homman, David Grossman, Johnny Cash, BB King, George Thorogood And I even had a Conversation with Tom Petty just to name a few...
I'll tell you one thing, Walking in to a hall and Being Greeted By some of Floridas finest sure Is Beautiful.

-Vinnie
 
Pool will always be part of your life. No matter how many times you "quit" or just feel "like it's not worth it." you always go back to it eventually. It is a love we all share and as with all loves, it's is sometimes a love/hate relationship. I am an example of that because I "quit" for a while when I met my ex but in the end pool won out. I don't play much now because there is no longer a pool hall in my city so I have to travel to play. Today I feel inspired so I may actually go and hit a 9 ball tournament in Langley, even though 9 ball is not my favorite game. Just going to the hall will make me feel like I've never left and I wouldn't trade that feeling for anything. So in short, yes it's always worth it.
 
Methodman201 said:
I Now Find Myself Asking Myself And Others, Is It Worth It?
Is Striving To Be The Best At The Game Really Worth All the money spent, the long grueling hours at the hall, Green hands, Smelling of smoke, Mental games, and lack of Friends Really Worth It?

I just want to see what You have to say.
-Vinnie
Click to expand...

Vinnie,
Many people hear the call of the clicking, colored balls. You are right about many things. Excellence does not come easily----in anything.

Excellence is more of a result of determined, hard work than it is of natural born talent and most every champion in any sport or successful business person will tell you this, if you ask. On the surface you might think the successful business owner has it so easy with the showcasing of his wealth but what you don't normally see is their countless hours of work, sometimes called grueling by some and part of the price to be paid by others. There is a great deal of satisfaction received from "grueling work" but is up to each person to work out their own salvation.

Many pool degenerates are successful in other things that they apply themselves to. I really believe that poolplayers could be in almost any successful venture because generally they have the single characteristic that is common with all successful people. They all have this ability to stick to a plan and modify it as they go. This sticktuitiveness is almost a form of masochism and seems common to successful people while their dedication is often ridiculed by lessor people.

The pool room fraternity is unique. For the most part, it's sociable aspects are generally confined to inside of the walls of the pool hall. For some outsiders pool players could easily be considered anti-social and to a certain extent they are right. But inside the walls of the pool room is a vibrant sociable fraternity willing to accept people of different races, religions, social backgrounds, educational backgrounds, intelligence or lack of and in general a melting pot of all that the world has to offer.

The neat thing about the pool room you can take it or leave it. The pool room holds few prejudices and it will always be there should you leave, waiting with unconditional love for you to return to the family.

Welcome to the journey.
JoeyA
 
JoeyA said:
Vinnie,
Many people hear the call of the clicking, colored balls. You are right about many things. Excellence does not come easily----in anything.

Excellence is more of a result of determined, hard work than it is of natural born talent and most every champion in any sport or successful business person will tell you this, if you ask. On the surface you might think the successful business owner has it so easy with the showcasing of his wealth but what you don't normally see is their countless hours of work, sometimes called grueling by some and part of the price to be paid by others. There is a great deal of satisfaction received from "grueling work" but is up to each person to work out their own salvation.

Many pool degenerates are successful in other things that they apply themselves to. I really believe that poolplayers could be in almost any successful venture because generally they have the single characteristic that is common with all successful people. They all have this ability to stick to a plan and modify it as they go. This sticktuitiveness is almost a form of masochism and seems common to successful people while their dedication is often ridiculed by lessor people.

The pool room fraternity is unique. For the most part, it's sociable aspects are generally confined to inside of the walls of the pool hall. For some outsiders pool players could easily be considered anti-social and to a certain extent they are right. But inside the walls of the pool room is a vibrant sociable fraternity willing to accept people of different races, religions, social backgrounds, educational backgrounds, intelligence or lack of and in general a melting pot of all that the world has to offer.

The neat thing about the pool room you can take it or leave it. The pool room holds few prejudices and it will always be there should you leave, waiting with unconditional love for you to return to the family.

Welcome to the journey.
JoeyA
Click to expand...

Tap tap tap.
Well said.
ez
 
Vinnie, you sound a lot like me a few years ago. I'm 21 now and I've been playing pool seriously since I was about 14 (the same age as when my parents split up). My dad would take me to play pool every friday night and I started loving it. Once I got my license it was every day, but my dad and I barely have coinciding free time so we never play together.

I've never thought of the many hours and days I spend at the poolhall as grueling. I feel great walking up the stairs and smelling the mix of cigarette smoke, stale beer, and used table cloth. Most of the people I associate with are the ones I've met playing pool, mainly because we're always in the same place. Maybe my social life isn't the strongest because of that, but I love being around the crowd at Sharpshooters down here.

If you really love the environment that comes with the game, stick with it. If you don't you can always look around for other things.
 
The tough thing about being your age is the doubt you have about your commitments. Pool and school are fine ways to spend your life. Keep trying to excell at both. The things is this; you are on a good track, you're just not sure you are. Hopefully this thread will help reinforce this and make you more sure of yourself. Good luck
 
Self confidence, self esteem come from trying to live up to your own standards, taking inventory every night to see if you have and then standing in front of a mirror and looking yourself in the eye and telling yourself what you would want to hear if your dad could talk to you the way you wish he could and would.

In other words; you gotta start being your own parent. That's really what growing up is.

Is it worth it? What else provides the benefits you get from pool?

Is it worth it? What else you gunna do?

Sounds to me like you are kinda down today (some days are down days) and need some encouragement. Head for the bathroom, look in the mirror and tell yourself what you need to hear. That makes you self-sufficient instead of needy.

It works... if you DO it.
 
JoeyA said:
Vinnie,
Many people hear the call of the clicking, colored balls. You are right about many things. Excellence does not come easily----in anything.

Excellence is more of a result of determined, hard work than it is of natural born talent and most every champion in any sport or successful business person will tell you this, if you ask. On the surface you might think the successful business owner has it so easy with the showcasing of his wealth but what you don't normally see is their countless hours of work, sometimes called grueling by some and part of the price to be paid by others. There is a great deal of satisfaction received from "grueling work" but is up to each person to work out their own salvation.

Many pool degenerates are successful in other things that they apply themselves to. I really believe that poolplayers could be in almost any successful venture because generally they have the single characteristic that is common with all successful people. They all have this ability to stick to a plan and modify it as they go. This sticktuitiveness is almost a form of masochism and seems common to successful people while their dedication is often ridiculed by lessor people.

The pool room fraternity is unique. For the most part, it's sociable aspects are generally confined to inside of the walls of the pool hall. For some outsiders pool players could easily be considered anti-social and to a certain extent they are right. But inside the walls of the pool room is a vibrant sociable fraternity willing to accept people of different races, religions, social backgrounds, educational backgrounds, intelligence or lack of and in general a melting pot of all that the world has to offer.

The neat thing about the pool room you can take it or leave it. The pool room holds few prejudices and it will always be there should you leave, waiting with unconditional love for you to return to the family.

Welcome to the journey.
JoeyA
Click to expand...

First off JoeyA, brother that is one great piece of rheotoric...I may have to print that up and frame it! REALLY!

Vinnie,

My parents divorced when I was 8. Both my Dad and my eventual Step-dad both played pool at a pretty high level. I spent most of my time with my Mom, but learned to love the game. The pool hall was my family. Since I live about 1000 miles from my school day old pool hall buddies it might seem all is lost to some people. But when we get together, time has not lost a step in the pool room. We go to each others weddings and care about each others' families and it feels as though we will never lose that.

The one thing I did was befriend a couple of players way better than me and that helped my game and my ability to learn and understand things with pool and outside of pool faster. I was the little brother. You just need to see if you can find someone you want to be your close friend and really click with. It is likely their other friends will like you

My dad and step-dad, didn't play with me very often as a young person, but now as we are all older this is something we do have in common and do enjoy doing together...hopefully this will workout for you too.

OCD- just try and force yourself to take breaks, and allow yourself a chance to get out of the pool hall from time to time. You really will want to get a worldly view of life. There is so much more than pool out there, but no matter where I travel, I can stop in a pool hall and meet people that understand me.

Good luck and go make some friends you can talk to.
 
I would not be facetious in saying that pool is an empty venture. It won't make you rich and it won't give you peace. It is just something to do. If you enjoy it, then play away. But don't expect it to do anything for you. In fact, it could be negative in a few ways .... for example, there are many who will be less-than-supportive of your game, and many who are seedy. The poor reputation of the game has been well-deserved. In fact, if you mention to others outside of the game that you are a pool player, that usually makes them apprehensive, and that could affect you negatively (for example, if you are applying for a job). That nothwithstanding, pool only serves the egoic mind. It yields a bittersweet reward because there must be failure as well as success, and you can never be completely satisfied. If you already have an addiction toward the game, you will find that this addiction suddenly vanishes when you achieve peace of mind. These things are hard to describe in a paragraph, so I would recommend that you read "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle.
 
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