Professional Pool Players & Their Fans

[JoeyA]

When you see a professional pool player, what is on your mind as far as talking one-on -one with them? What is the main thing you want from them or what do you want to share/give them?

I'm creating this poll in hope of bridging the gap between professional pool players and the rest of us.
JoeyA

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

Hmmmmm, Let's See

When I see Buddy Hall, I wonder if he has any pants that he would give to me for Free.
When I see you, I wonder, "why did I drive this far to sit quiet & motionless for long periods ?"

Doug
( mostly, when I'm around poolplayers, I simply don't think about anything )(except pretty colors)



Edited to include: I go to pool tournaments that include Pro players in order to watch pool being played at a higher level by players that have worked hard on improving their game. I socialize with these players because when all is said and done, they are mere mortals just like all of us and enjoy food, movies, other sports, conversation and just plain goofing off as we all do. I have encountered VERY few that have a God complex and feel superior to we normal folks. I mostly like hearing the woofing and matching up and I REALLY like sweating the money games/matches......
Doug again
( oh, and like Mr. Bojangles.... I drinks a bit...... and my dog up and died )

 

[Terry Ardeno]

I keep stats on the pro players, so I like to get when they started playing, if they felt like they were a "natural" or had to practice real hard, what their high run is in 14.1, who are their favorite players, what accomplishment are they most proud of, ect. I am very curious as to what type of person they are. From a casual chat, alot can be discovered. Some pros (Varner, Putnam, Deuel, Strickland, Daulton, Jeremy Jones) are very kind, talkative & appear very appreciative of the questions / attention. I personally have found others (Immonen, Charlie Williams) to seem very put off, like prima donnas. Still others (Souquet, Parica, Stalev) are quiet & appear shy / introverted but still interested in you. Like anybody else, I suppose each of them have their good days & bad days. No matter what, we pool fans still have it better than NFL, MLB or NBA fans. Could you imagine ANY OF THOSE GUYS hanging out with their fans before or after a game? I appreaciate all of the pros.

 

[pooltchr]

I have been very fortunate to spend time with quite a few pros. There are times when we talk about pool, but often it's about totally different subjects like family, pets, local events, good places to go out to eat, the same things I would talk about with any of my friends. Most of the pros I have known are just regular people who happen to be very talented with a cue stick. But they still mow their lawns, work around the house, and lead very normal lives away from the tournaments. I interact with them the same way I would with anyone I meet.
Steve

 

[Tokyo-dave]

I was fortunate enough to spend two full days with Mike Sigel when he was here in Japan for the first Tokyo Nine Ball. We brought him to our club for an appearance so I was in charge of picking him up at his hotel, taking him home, and translating for him. Spent several hours talking pool, cue building, food, cars, cues...........whatever. It was one of the most interesting two days I've ever spent.
Back when I was still sexy and had the licks, I was also fortunate enough to have met Sammy Haggar, EVH, Guns and Roses, and even jammed with Jeff "the skunk" Baxter, and Dick Dale. All those experiences were exactly like the Mike Sigel experience. Meeting my heros and getting to chat with them and seeing their human sides brings you that much closer to what you at one time considered untouchable. To see the 'touchable' side of your heros gives you almost a sense of hope that someday reaching that level is not totally impossible and that their talents are not total gifts from God, but talents that have been earned through dedication and hard work. Most of all, talents that are in the reach of almost anybody that is willing to pay the dues.
dave

 

[ShootingArts]

their call

When I meet one of the "gods" I'll leave them in peace unless it would be rude. If a greeting would be normal had I met anyone else in the situation, I'll greet them. If they want to talk I let them lead, I'll follow. Most "names" have been asked the same few questions and heard the same few comments hundreds of times. If it is obvious that we are just passing by each other I will say "enjoyed" and whatever their recent performance was.

When I competed with names conversation was usually banter back and forth. Not appropriate during most actual competition but fair game most other times at an event.

Hu

 

[Icon of Sin]

Im torn between the first two. The last one would be nice but I wouldnt ask them.

 

[Cameron Smith]

I don't like to bother people too much so how I act depends on the situation. I would go over and say hi and whether or not I say anything more depends on how the person reacts.

People have to realize that not everyone likes to talk about themselves so not everyone is going to react well to constant questions. Personally I like to talk about pool in general, but I get tired quickly when it comes to answering questions about my own high runs and history with pool.

 

[ScottW]

I can't say I've met many pool pros, but over the years I have met quite a lot of famous people actors, writers yadda yadda - and in my experience, the thing that puts them off the most is treating them like they're famous people. Most of'em, if you act and talk toward them like they're anybody else, they're cool.

But, there are some folks who *expect* the famous treatment. I've met some of those too, and for the most part, they've been somewhat nasty people.

So my $.02 on this whole thing - if you do get the chance to meet one of your favorite pros, don't get all gushy.

 

[Cameron Smith]

So my $.02 on this whole thing - if you do get the chance to meet one of your favorite pros, don't get all gushy.

I completely agree with this statement. You can talk about pool if they are interested but talk with them as you would with any of your friends.

 

[Gerry]

I'm not one for fawning over anybody, but I have asked for pics and autographs in the past. Working tournaments with the big names entered you get up close without having to ask. These people are just that, people, that happen to be the best at a thing we enjoy doing.

The first time I met Mike Sigel at the pool room, He joined in on a conversation I was having with a guy about Fly Fishing. If we were talking pool, He most likely would have kept going. I guess if you want to just chat with them and see what they are about, find out what they do for fun, or are passionate about.

Here's how I learned to approach "celebs".
I was working for a plastics manufacturer, and went to California with the companies lead sales rep to buy some new equipment. This guy "Art" was fearless when it came to talking to people. We took the manufacturing rep to dinner at a VERY nice place, and I felt WAY out of place being 22 with no experience in these things. I was there to make sure the new plastics machines were being built right, and take pictures. So, after dinner the other folks leave while Art drags me to the bar. We sit down, and not 2 minutes later Christie Brinkley sits next to us with a few friends. Art leans over to her and said "Look, I know you know who I am, but lets not make a big deal out of this" She starts laughing, everyone had fun, and I just sat there earning from the master.

Gerry

 

[jjinfla]

I just want to watch them play. But for the last several months I haven't even done that. I am only impressed by how they play not how they live.

 

[JoeyA]

When I see Buddy Hall, I wonder if he has any pants that he would give to me for Free.
When I see you, I wonder, "why did I drive this far to sit quiet & motionless for long periods ?"

Doug
( mostly, when I'm around poolplayers, I simply don't think about anything )(except pretty colors)



Edited to include: I go to pool tournaments that include Pro players in order to watch pool being played at a higher level by players that have worked hard on improving their game. I socialize with these players because when all is said and done, they are mere mortals just like all of us and enjoy food, movies, other sports, conversation and just plain goofing off as we all do. I have encountered VERY few that have a God complex and feel superior to we normal folks. I mostly like hearing the woofing and matching up and I REALLY like sweating the money games/matches......
Doug again
( oh, and like Mr. Bojangles.... I drinks a bit...... and my dog up and died )

Besides wanting to show my appreciation for their devotion to this sport, I would like to:
Play a little pool with them for practice and for small money if the spot is enough to justify it.
I also like to find out what equipment they use and why. I often find out that they don't know their taper is conical or straight.
Mementos are nice but I prefer to give an a**whipping or to take one and it doesn't have to be for money.

John Schmidt in conversation offers the most in depth insight about his own game. He truly is a professional.

I was hoping that the responses here would be of help to the professional pool player more so than ourselves. It is apparent that everyone has their own drummer but most simply want to wish the warriors, well.
Thanks,
JoeyA

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

To answer the question of this thread, I want them to rack for me. That's it.

Beyond that, there really is very little gap between professional players and spectators. I know a decent portion of those touring and they are usually very accessable. If you feel otherwise, I don't believe it's intentional. If anything, I believe it's because they don't view themselves as celebrities and don't pay attention to the fact that people pay attention to them. For both the men and women, they are a group that travels a lot together. They all know eachother pretty well and tend to stay amongst themselves. If you feel like an outsider, it isn't because of their status but more because they're among friends.

 

[cmartor3]

blah blah blah, they are all normal everyday people like everyone of us, except they get paid for their talent......& i dont... LOL...some of them are great to talk to & others have the personality of a rock....but they are just part of the normal society...whatever that is...

 

[bomber]

I like to watch pros play and that is really about it. I dont care about hanging out with them or anything or even playing with them unless they are friends.I have made pretty close friends with Buddy and New York Blackie here lately since they are living close to me and play at my home room. But I am not enamored by them like they are celebrities. I dont see pro players that way. But I am enamored by their game.

I have been playing one pocket with Buddy cheap. He gives me a ton of weight and I still lose each session we play. However, I dont mind losing 100.00 to buddy for a good 5/6 hour one pocket session. It feels pretty damn good to hear him say nice shot or when I do win a game. Plus, the knowledge I have picked up is incredible. I have picked up my one pocket game a full ball, maybe more, by simply trying to get out of the spots he puts me in.

Both Buddy and Blackie are super good guys and I enjoy spending time with them. Buddy and I typically talk about golf and Blackie likes to talk about baseball (when u can get them to stop talking about pool.)

As much as I like pool, I dont really consider myself a fan of a paticular player. I just like to watch good pool. I do enjoy watching Keith play and if I am a fan of any player, its him...but not because of his game...just his attitude!