I agree. I found myself drawn to the American Ninja competition for both the action AND the competitor bios.
Pro Pool Players Can't Make A Living!
- Thread starter TwinkleToes
- Start date
I agree. I found myself drawn to the American Ninja competition for both the action AND the competitor bios.
Obviously this change has been going on longer than the current digital revolution, but today people simply sit down and pull their phones out begging "what did I miss? what did I miss?"
Pro pool players don't have it as bad as pool promoters.
There are only about 10-50 promoters per country, counting pro and open events.
The competition isn't as bad as a pool player, hustling against their best road buddy every other month.
Pro players can't make a living because promoters schedule events at the expense of players. Meaning instead of scheduling a regional series of events week after week.
One event is scheduled and another event is scheduled a month later in the same area.
That doubles the traveling cost for pro or non-local amateur.
There are only about 10-50 promoters per country, counting pro and open events.
The competition isn't as bad as a pool player, hustling against their best road buddy every other month.
Pro players can't make a living because promoters schedule events at the expense of players. Meaning instead of scheduling a regional series of events week after week.
One event is scheduled and another event is scheduled a month later in the same area.
That doubles the traveling cost for pro or non-local amateur.
What about the guitar players?
The ping-pong players?
The ice skaters?
The bike riders?
The painters?
The writers?
The rest of the world thinks the same about pool as you do about the above.
It is not a career, given a few exceptions...like the list above.
The ping-pong players?
The ice skaters?
The bike riders?
The painters?
The writers?
The rest of the world thinks the same about pool as you do about the above.
It is not a career, given a few exceptions...like the list above.
Pro Pool Players live like millionaires, without all the fear
Pro Pool Players live like millionaires, without all the fear of losing millions of dollars.
The key is to truly enjoy what you do.....whatever you decide to do....enough money will always be there if needed. "The Inner Game is the Teacher'
Pro Pool Players live like millionaires, without all the fear of losing millions of dollars.
The key is to truly enjoy what you do.....whatever you decide to do....enough money will always be there if needed. "The Inner Game is the Teacher'
And on that topic...
Anyone want to guess about the payouts for ninja warrior qualifiers?
Banks
Banned
At one time it actually did fit in on an income scale. In 1972 the US open straight pool tournament had a first prize of $4000.00 It could have been a few hundred one way or another but that is what I remember.
In doing some research in 1972 the average household income was $8424.00 adjusted by inflation would be around $48000.00 today.
So the US open winner in todays dollars won around $23000.00.
There were also tournaments all over the place that paid $1000.00 to $2000.000
Again in todays dollars that would be from $4800.00 to $9600.00 a tournament.
Second place usually represented 50% but still a pretty good weekends pay.
Even with the smaller purses proportionally, there may have been more money then today.
$.36 a gallon gas you could buy a new car for from $1900.00 to about $3500.00
Get a complete breakfast for like $.49 and a complete dinner for $1.99.
You could make good money running around just playing $2 and $3 8-ball or 9-ball, $5 or $10 would be a big bet and you were making a better living then the average working stiff putting in a 40 hour week at a suck job. Pool was once an "out side of the box" profession for those that choose to do it and had a little skill.
Trust me, you didn't have to be a world beater.
I knew a zillion guys who made a good living who were not much better then todays league players. They were just smart and careful and doing what they wanted.
It was a lot of fun for a while and then it was over. People today play for little more then they played for 40 years ago and gas is not $.36 a gallon today.
Last edited:
And on that topic...
Anyone want to guess about the payouts for ninja warrior qualifiers?
Yep....and that was partially my point earlier. While a lot of the competitors come from intense athletic backgrounds already.....gymnastics, mma, rock climbing etc... a lot of them are simply regular people who spend a lot building their own courses to train on and then training like demons to see if they can reach the top. They spend their own money to get to the qualifying events.
So I don't feel bad for pro pool players in the least. They get paid to do a low impact sport and are masters of their own destiny. I guess it would nice if they got paid more which would mean that I would probably be selling more because the industry was bigger but as it is - getting paid to play pool is an awesome job even if no one is getting super rich.
Pfffft.
I have to agree Im beginning to think the great revelation is pffft. I will give him this, he got some attention I only hope this great revelation is really something. Its obvious people surely want to know. Even if we did know, Im not sure anyone would be willing to do anything about it because I would bet what ever it is, was or whatever that it will require some work. Its hard to make anyone keen on doing something.
I have to agree Im beginning to think the great revelation is pffft. I will give him this, he got some attention I only hope this great revelation is really something. Its obvious people surely want to know. Even if we did know, Im not sure anyone would be willing to do anything about it because I would bet what ever it is, was or whatever that it will require some work. Its hard to make anyone keen on doing something.
I played pool as a teenager with my guy friends. Fast forward 30 yrs., I joined a league 3 yrs. ago with my wife because it was something for us to do together.
We are now both hooked. We each own several cues, accessories, play league twice a week. Myself, my wife and 3 other women went to BCA Nationals in Vegas last week in the mixed beginner 8 ball division. We got eliminated early, but won 1 match, had fun and plan on returning next year.
Who knows what is the best solution or if there even is one, but attracting new players to the game is a good thing.
Last edited:
Attracting New Players
You would think attracting New Players to the game would be the optimum thing to do but it seems to me that everyone wants you to do it and they want no part of it. I'm really not sure that method of responsibility shifting is going work. What do you think?
You would think attracting New Players to the game would be the optimum thing to do but it seems to me that everyone wants you to do it and they want no part of it. I'm really not sure that method of responsibility shifting is going work. What do you think?
Joe T
Well-known member
[quote name="Joe T" post=4833718]We're trying that approach; www.AmericanBilliardClub.com hoping to have 64 qualifying clubs in 2015.[/QUOTE]<br />
<br />
Joe T,<br />
I have not read everything on your site yet or contacted the room where you have it going in NC but I will. I agree and I think most people would agree with your concept.<br />
<br />
I have a further belief in the club concept.<br />
<br />
I think the Pool Club concept just like a Chess Club is a way to bring new people into the sport not just organize what players we have.<br />
<br />
Any organization that doesn't have a way of bringing new blood into the rooms is one without legs. The Room Owners have to have new customers in order to survive. I am hoping that Pool Club is something that will catch on and as people come in more is possible for Room Owners, Players and Pro Players.<br />
<br />
I have a thread ...Pool Club Revolution....I think something can be done with the The Pool Club Concept at a local level that can attract new people.<br/>
Thanks Robin. I"m heading south in a couple of weeks and will try to give you an advanced heads up.
Not sure what advantages 64 clubs and 5-600 united players will bring us but do believe we'll be in a better place.
I wish it were as easy as typing in a comment though , we would be stealing
<br />
Joe T,<br />
I have not read everything on your site yet or contacted the room where you have it going in NC but I will. I agree and I think most people would agree with your concept.<br />
<br />
I have a further belief in the club concept.<br />
<br />
I think the Pool Club concept just like a Chess Club is a way to bring new people into the sport not just organize what players we have.<br />
<br />
Any organization that doesn't have a way of bringing new blood into the rooms is one without legs. The Room Owners have to have new customers in order to survive. I am hoping that Pool Club is something that will catch on and as people come in more is possible for Room Owners, Players and Pro Players.<br />
<br />
I have a thread ...Pool Club Revolution....I think something can be done with the The Pool Club Concept at a local level that can attract new people.<br/>
Thanks Robin. I"m heading south in a couple of weeks and will try to give you an advanced heads up.
Not sure what advantages 64 clubs and 5-600 united players will bring us but do believe we'll be in a better place.
I wish it were as easy as typing in a comment though , we would be stealing
The sad fact is, so much has been taken from the game with little to nothing being given back. This is a problem in all pro sports. You're at the top, sure you've worked hard to get there, but that doesn't entitle you to anything at the end of the day, let alone tomorrow. Too few want to work, and many that have worked once want to ride their past efforts for eternity. It simply doesn't work that way. Life is an infinite hustle.
There are people right now profiting off this game...they are in the best position to understand what's happening and have the most resources to execute a strategic plan...so what exactly are they doing to ensure sustainability and prosperity for those that come after? Very little, I'm afraid. The same old hustle, even though times change. Everyone is just looking to cash in while they can...and that's the world, not just pool. There are a few fighting the good fight...but they are too few, and all pretty much busted because they're not cashing in. They try to "give", but have you seen what people "give back" in return...mostly a bunch of grief.
I'm not sure anyone is supposed to find their livelihood in game...
There are people right now profiting off this game...they are in the best position to understand what's happening and have the most resources to execute a strategic plan...so what exactly are they doing to ensure sustainability and prosperity for those that come after? Very little, I'm afraid. The same old hustle, even though times change. Everyone is just looking to cash in while they can...and that's the world, not just pool. There are a few fighting the good fight...but they are too few, and all pretty much busted because they're not cashing in. They try to "give", but have you seen what people "give back" in return...mostly a bunch of grief.
I'm not sure anyone is supposed to find their livelihood in game...
<br />
<br />
Joe T,<br />
I have not read everything on your site yet or contacted the room where you have it going in NC but I will. I agree and I think most people would agree with your concept.<br />
<br />
I have a further belief in the club concept.<br />
<br />
I think the Pool Club concept just like a Chess Club is a way to bring new people into the sport not just organize what players we have.<br />
<br />
Any organization that doesn't have a way of bringing new blood into the rooms is one without legs. The Room Owners have to have new customers in order to survive. I am hoping that Pool Club is something that will catch on and as people come in more is possible for Room Owners, Players and Pro Players.<br />
<br />
I have a thread ...Pool Club Revolution....I think something can be done with the The Pool Club Concept at a local level that can attract new people.<br/>
Thanks Robin. I"m heading south in a couple of weeks and will try to give you an advanced heads up.
Not sure what advantages 64 clubs and 5-600 united players will bring us but do believe we'll be in a better place.
I wish it were as easy as typing in a comment though , we would be stealing
[/QUOTE]Definitely let me know when you come south. I sent you a pm. Call me Id love to chat.
NitPicker,
There is some truth in your last sentence yet other sport were once a game what makes them popular is the interactivity of making it possible to watch them. There are some things with pool that I think deserve being addressed but even then it will be a long time before popularity is likely achieved.
I think pool is supposed to be fun and social for beginners and we ....should be extending invitations to other demographic groups.
No new people is just stagnation.