Next step for American pros:move to Asia.

L

leto1776

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Any country in Asia where pool and billiards is popular will work. Once they're in Asia and situated (ie, place to live, and *gasp* a job for steady income), they'll have it a lot easier. They'll be within short flying distance for most of the big payday tournaments, and flying from one Asian country to another is generally a lot cheaper.

Also, they'll be around all the top Asian players who are set to take over. Likely easier to get money matches,too.

A few years ago,when I was in Korea, one of my American friends said that Asia is the new land of opportunity. Neither of us were even thinking about pool at the time, but I think it applies well to pool.
 
For years the euros and pinoys have migrated here in their quests to become something... This should say something about the drive of all the imports we now know better than most of the American players coming up... I could see a handful going over if it happens just like only a handful have came here.....

I won't say that it will happen just speculating that if it does it won't be in mass....

Chris
 
The difference is that the Europeans and Pinoys could speak English before they came over. Going to live in a foreign country where you don't speak the language, with no degree or job skills, and expect to get a work visa and be able to make a living with enough extra time and money to practice pool, play money matches, and travel around to tournaments is asking A LOT.
 
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Actually....

victorl said:
The difference is that the Europeans and Pinoys could speak English before they came over. Going to live in a foreign country where you don't speak the language, with no degree or job skills, and expect to get a work visa and be able to make a living with enough extra time and money to practice pool, play money matches, and travel around to tournaments is asking A LOT.
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Many Asian countries have programs that pay good money to English only speakers to teach English to their natives...You don't even have to speak their language...The classes are structured so that you only speak English the whole time.

Jaden
 
Yeah, actually I did that for a while.
But, you usually need at least a university degree to get into it though, but I guess it depends on the country.
 
You sayin' we should outsource our pool playing jobs to them asians overseas? shame on you!!! this is Amerr'ca!!
 
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Just looked and China doesn't require a degree, but that makes it difficult to get a job in a major city like Shanghai or Beijing.
I guess it's possible, but I just can't imagine someone like SVB or Rodney teaching English to a bunch of kids in the Chinese countryside.
 
Well I doubt Shane needs a second income...

victorl said:
Just looked and China doesn't require a degree, but that makes it difficult to get a job in a major city like Shanghai or Beijing.
I guess it's possible, but I just can't imagine someone like SVB or Rodney teaching English to a bunch of kids in the Chinese countryside.
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I seriously doubt that Shane needs a second income considering that he has made more than any other pool player sans snooker players the last several years...lol...

Jaden
 
Ok my bad... not many other Americans would be able to support themselves on winnings alone though.
 
Except for Jose Parica, none of the Pinoys could speak English, but they had American Pinoys that could interpret for them. There will be interpreters in China as well.

If the USA didn't accept the Europeans, Pinoys and Asians, The American players would have done better financially. The level of play would not be as high though.
 
leto1776 said:
Any country in Asia where pool and billiards is popular will work. Once they're in Asia and situated (ie, place to live, and *gasp* a job for steady income), they'll have it a lot easier. They'll be within short flying distance for most of the big payday tournaments, and flying from one Asian country to another is generally a lot cheaper.

Also, they'll be around all the top Asian players who are set to take over. Likely easier to get money matches,too.

A few years ago,when I was in Korea, one of my American friends said that Asia is the new land of opportunity. Neither of us were even thinking about pool at the time, but I think it applies well to pool.
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and how do you expect broke pool players to pay to live in Asia? just askin
 
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Jaden said:
Many Asian countries have programs that pay good money to English only speakers to teach English to their natives...You don't even have to speak their language...The classes are structured so that you only speak English the whole time.

Jaden
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have a good friend in China right now, pay is not that great and not to much time to play pool.
 
Common International misconception

victorl said:
The difference is that the Europeans and Pinoys could speak English before they came over. Going to live in a foreign country where you don't speak the language, with no degree or job skills, and expect to get a work visa and be able to make a living with enough extra time and money to practice pool, play money matches, and travel around to tournaments is asking A LOT.
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This is a common misconception because everyone believes that we don't learn other languages (another subject for another time). But, yes, most Western Europeans do speak English well enough to get around.

For our players, I believe that traveling to foreign countries could be easier if we could train them how to travel. Sounds strange, but it is a skill. You must learn simple language skills like asking for the check when you are finished at a restaurant. Food language, like words for beef, chicken, rice, potatoes, etc. Learning to mail comfort food (allowable for that country) ahead to a friend. Finding American hotels in that country that speak english and serve american cuisine. There are many ways that our players could be better trained. Of course, I have heard our players say that the food abroad is terrible. I found the opposite, but only after I learned to order the correct dish. Actually, returning to the US was a bit of a let down. I really miss fresh ingredients, not filled with all the toxins that we use to extend food life and make it look more appealing.

When Asians travel to cities in the west, they will always find a community from their region. Even in small cities, these communities usually have restaurants and grocery stores. The communities are well organized and have get togethers usually weekly. This gives them a good support structure. Also, having previous players that travel here giving them travel tips helps. Now, we need to build that support system.
 
spanky79 said:
and how do you expect broke pool players to pay to live in Asia? just askin
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It's this dirty little four letter word that tends to make pool players' ears bleed: w-o-r-k. Even if it's becoming a house pro at a room that caters to English speakers and giving lessons to same said English speakers.

Anyone know what Kelly does for money besides pool? She's already living in China, reaping the benefits of being over there.
 
Kelly Fisher has been in China doing exhibitions for three weeks. She goes there many times a year to play in WPA events, the Chinese Women's tour and for exhibitions.

If she can do it then I see no reason why other professionals can't.
 
leto1776 said:
It's this dirty little four letter word that tends to make pool players' ears bleed: w-o-r-k. Even if it's becoming a house pro at a room that caters to English speakers and giving lessons to same said English speakers.

Anyone know what Kelly does for money besides pool? She's already living in China, reaping the benefits of being over there.
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Kelly Fisher? She does not live in China although sometimes she might feel like she does as often as she is there. Kelly is a professional player and all of her income (as far as I know) is derived from pool. I know that some players have invested their winnings into real estate and that some of them have rental property income. Others established pool rooms or billiard supply companies.
 
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victorl said:
The difference is that the Europeans and Pinoys could speak English before they came over. Going to live in a foreign country where you don't speak the language, with no degree or job skills, and expect to get a work visa and be able to make a living with enough extra time and money to practice pool, play money matches, and travel around to tournaments is asking A LOT.
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Why you tryin to bring fact an logic into the discussion. Sheesh.
 
There is decent money to be made in Japan (and I imagine several other Asian countries) by well known champions playing challenge matches and exhibitions. The problem is that they need handlers to show them around and handlers don't work for free. Also, famous players in the US are not necessarily famous in Japan. Most of the younger pros in the US, except Shane and possibly Oscar, would not be recognizable in Asia at all and would not command a very high price for challenge matches.

If Shane ever wanted to take an extended vacation in Japan and tour the country while playing pool to support himself, he could definitely do it even after a handler takes out a (large) percentage of his revenue. Other American pros, I'm not so sure.
 
I can think of 1000 things better than moving to asia to play pro pool.

#1. Use pliers to remove fingernails..
#2. Chew nails...
#3. Lick a skunks ass...
...
...
 
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