The best, Billiard room tournament

[pete lafond]

The best? Billiard room tournament

We have been contemplating sponsoring a tournament among billiard room players, non-pro. The dilemma is how to define a non-pro. First of all there is no governing body of pool, period. There are many different organizations for pool, so the bottom line is there is no general and acceptable parameters to define this.

I welcome any ideas that may help in differentiating the non-pro. Any help appreciated. Thanks

 

[Tom In Cincy]

How many Pro Pool Players have a full time job? (outside of the pool industry sponsorships and player reps)

I would suggest the players would have to show pay stubs from local businesses and at least two recent pay periods that show they work 40 hours.

But, why don't you just call it a "B" tournament?

 

[pete lafond]

How many Pro Pool Players have a full time job? (outside of the pool industry sponsorships and player reps)

I would suggest the players would have to show pay stubs from local businesses and at least two recent pay periods that show they work 40 hours.

But, why don't you just call it a "B" tournament?

This will attract many 'A' players, at least this is the intent. The focus is to enable the best billiard room players to compete. The other point is that the billiard room must be able to identify them as a regular. The purpose is to promote players going to billiard rooms regularly as this tournament is meant for the pool player.

 

[JPB]

As you said, the problem is that there is no accepted general parameter. What I suggest is radical. And to my knowledge has not been tried in pool. And it is to have an amateur tournament. Truly amateur. Prizes would be prizes with sentimental value only. Big, beautiful trophies and the bragging rights to go with it. Charge a low entry and buy wonderful trophies and table time with the money. That will keep the pros and road guys away because who would play for a trophy? An amateur, that's who.

I am not guaranteeing success for your tournament BTW.

Seriously though. Amateurism means not playing for prize money. Any prize money. Pros play for prize money, amateurs don't. Simple, but not the custom in pool I know.

 

[Williebetmore]

As you said, the problem is that there is no accepted general parameter. What I suggest is radical. And to my knowledge has not been tried in pool. And it is to have an amateur tournament. Truly amateur. Prizes would be prizes with sentimental value only. Big, beautiful trophies and the bragging rights to go with it. Charge a low entry and buy wonderful trophies and table time with the money. That will keep the pros and road guys away because who would play for a trophy? An amateur, that's who.

I am not guaranteeing success for your tournament BTW.

Seriously though. Amateurism means not playing for prize money. Any prize money. Pros play for prize money, amateurs don't. Simple, but not the custom in pool I know.

JPB,
Bravo!!!! These "amateur" tournaments with huge prize money make me a little nauseous (especially when the losers complain about the "pro's" getting into the tournament and taking all the money - it's laughable). You and I are definitely in the minority though.

P.S. - This reminds me of a well known joke I have threatened to tell several times here, but never did. A guy goes up to a girl in a bar and says, "Would you sleep with me for 2 million dollars?" The girl says yes. The guy then asks, "Well would you sleep with me for 20 dollars?" The girl is offended and says, "No, of course not, what do you think I am?" The guy says, "We've already established what you are, now we're just haggling about the price."