Trying to go Pro.

[jaybanthony]

Hey Guys,

This is my first post on this forum. I'm trying to become a professional pool player. Can anyone please give me some advice as to how to go about it?....right now I'm only able to play about 20 hrs a week, is that enough? I'm trying to stay positive but I'm also realistic. I would appreciate any advice from the respected members of this community.
Please check out my blog as I try to chronicle my journey. http://mypooljourney.blogspot.com/

All comments are welcome.


Great pool and success.
Jay

 

[Scott Lee]

jaybanthony...First, get a good education. Second, get a good job, so you can AFFORD to play in pro events (and have something to fall back on). Third (maybe first), enter some higher level regional events, to see how you stack up against other good players. The playing field is littered with people "wanting to be a pro". Very few make it to the elite level...and fewer even of those actually make a decent living at it. Remember anybody can pony up the entry fee, play in a pro event, and call themselves a pro player. Best of luck in your endeavor.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[Johnnyt]

jaybanthony...First, get a good education. Second, get a good job, so you can AFFORD to play in pro events (and have something to fall back on). Third (maybe first), enter some higher level regional events, to see how you stack up against other good players. The playing field is littered with people "wanting to be a pro". Very few make it to the elite level...and fewer even of those actually make a decent living at it. Remember anybody can pony up the entry fee, play in a pro event, and call themselves a pro player. Best of luck in your endeavor.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Very good advice. Read no further and take this advice and be honest with yourself about how good you play compares to top pro level. Johnnyt

 

[Race2-9]

Turning Pro

As Scott said...Get an education and a job first. Pro pool does not meet expenses unless your in the top 5 unless of course you enjoy fastfood, cheap hotels and rooming with a number of guys all the time.
As for your prcatice/play hours...remember it's the quality of practice as much as it is the quantity.
I would also suggest, get with a certified instructor juast to see if you have any flaws to take care of now vs changing later after it's really deep in your mindset.
Good luck

 

[real bartram]

Hey Guys,

This is my first post on this forum. I'm trying to become a professional pool player. Can anyone please give me some advice as to how to go about it?....right now I'm only able to play about 20 hrs a week, is that enough? I'm trying to stay positive but I'm also realistic. I would appreciate any advice from the respected members of this community.
Please check out my blog as I try to chronicle my journey. http://mypooljourney.blogspot.com/

All comments are welcome.


Great pool and success.
Jay

when you can give me the 8 playing 10 ball
then you can go pro and make money.
good luck

 

[jay helfert]

jaybanthony...First, get a good education. Second, get a good job, so you can AFFORD to play in pro events (and have something to fall back on). Third (maybe first), enter some higher level regional events, to see how you stack up against other good players. The playing field is littered with people "wanting to be a pro". Very few make it to the elite level...and fewer even of those actually make a decent living at it. Remember anybody can pony up the entry fee, play in a pro event, and call themselves a pro player. Best of luck in your endeavor.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

I second Johnny on this one. Scott is giving you the straight scoop here. IMO 20 hours a week is not enough table time to really improve to a high level. My opinion is that it takes nothing short of OBSESSION to be a top level player. Every one of those players who you admire, has put in thousands of hours for years to reach that level. There are no shortcuts! Good lessons/coaching, good observation (of top players), reading the best books and watching the best DVD's can help shorten the learning curve. That's about all.

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

Pro pool is a tough profession to be successful at. It really depends on whether you are talking about making some money at it in your spare time; earning your living primarily from playing pool; or becoming a millionaire from playing. The first two are very difficult if not impossible. There's not a lot of prize money and expenses such as travel are high.

As for becoming a millionaire playing pool there is a way, but I know of only one: Start with $2 million and work your way down.


Welcome to the forum.

 

[elvicash]

I think Scott and Jay are right takes alot of effort to be touring pro level. Mark Wilson is coming out with a book on developing a pro level stroke. His basic analysis comes down to the pro players control the cue/tip better or more exactly and will cover all aspects of what needs to be developed. I expect this book will be out late this year or early next year. I have seen a draft and it is like no other pool book. You need to have a constant high quality approach to the game to improve Mark's book mentions 10,000 hours to develop a mm of repeatability so if all of your hours are at the pool table and you spend quality time consistently you will be there in about 500 weeks or 9.5 years. If you have unbelievable eye hand coordination or talent the time could be shorter. It seems to me most of the higher level pro's played at strong short stop speed or better in a short amount of time say 2-4 years, John Schmidt said he played near his current level after 4 years. I expect he was talking about hitting the cue ball, I know he know more about pool now than he did 5 years ago but his basic tool, the stroke and making balls seeing the table etc was in place pretty quick. I believe all of the best players have played pool day in and day out for a year, two or more (8-12hrs a day or more) early in their careers. Put in some work, try yourself, analyze results, identify problems repeat.

Stay down - Finish your stroke

 

[jaybanthony]

Thank you all for the great advice. I am currently ranked at a B skill level. I don't want to necessarily earn my living from pool though it would be nice. I'd like to get my skills to the point where I can have a realistic chance to compete with anyone. I am currently being helped by a world class player though there's only so much he can do. I'm the one that has to execute. I'm trying to make the most of my time and hopefully down the road and my finances are in order, I'll be able to devote more time at the table. Keep the advice coming. Thanks.

http://mypooljourney.blogspot.com/

 

[master_cueist]

so i just read your blog and after reading it i have to say you have a LONGGGGGGG way to go to even be a short stop(strong local player) you were complaining about the tables and rails and thats screwing with your game so much that you lost because of it...remember this they were playing on the EXACT SAME table and rails as you were and if you were truly a better player than them you should have been able to adapt to the conditions better than them. Another thing is you ask ANY pro and they will tell you NEVER underestimate ANY opponet even if you are better than them they might have a good day and give you a very humbling experience. and any good player doesnt get rattled by being down or one or two things going the other persons way thats when a true champion will show his heart and buckle down and make shit happen...im not calling myself a pro or anything but i gave someone 2 games in a race to 7 on a bar box 9 ball once and quickly found myself down 6 2 and i buckled down played smart and came back and won the set. you need to learn to be fearless but smart and to quote one of my favorite movies a bronx tale...sonny says..."nobody cares" in this case meaning nobody cares if you win or lose its HOW you win or lose that matters so stop worrying about the tables, rails, opponents, rail birds, ball and good rolls...learn to adapt and overcome and take the good with the bad and while you will still lose some in the long run this will make you a much better player because without it no matter how good you are, you will never become a pro.

 

[bamadog]

Applying all the hours you'll need to become real professional pool player to almost any endeavor in the commercial/business world will reap far greater rewards.
There are very, very few professional pool players who make even $60K after a lifetime of sacrifice, dedication and practice.

That's about the starting salary for an engineer.

If you're a young buck, look at the lifestyle of the professional players: sleeping two or three up in B grade motels
or often in your car, eating at Sizzler when you've made a score but more often at Taco Bell or even 7 Eleven, staying up all night in,
depressing dives that smell of beer and urine listening to drunks bicker, while trying to get a game or stalling in the hopes
of getting the bet up in the game you're in, driving four hours because you heard there was action and then finding out it was BS,
living single because after a few months and the "glamour" wears off and you've blown through her savings too on matches you "couldn't lose" she takes off and it dawns
on you that no girl you've ever dreamed of will be traveling this road with you.
While your childhood friends and classmates are spending a couple of weeks in a rented chateau in Tuscany.
"Why don't you join us?"
And, "She married a Thoracic surgeon. I thought you knew. Yeah, they flew friends and family into Napa for the ceremony.
It is was magnificent." You think that's what they said because you can barely hear over the dryers in the laundrymat
where you're putting in a load of threadbare t-shirts, socks and your extra pair of jeans permanently stained with the chalk from the
rails where you scrape out a $100 on a good day.
Two hours until the Town Tap opens, might be some old-timers looking to play some $10 or $20 dollar one-pocket.
You'd like to get up enough for a room tonite-$49 out by the interstate.
Hell, if you get real lucky you might get enough to fix the water pump. You can get out of the cold and kill time
in this little diner across the street drinking their stale coffee and watch for the Stroh's sign to come on ... two hours and you're up champ ... go get 'em.
It's show time.

 

[Falcon Eddie]

I second Johnny on this one. Scott is giving you the straight scoop here. IMO 20 hours a week is not enough table time to really improve to a high level. My opinion is that it takes nothing short of OBSESSION to be a top level player. Every one of those players who you admire, has put in thousands of hours for years to reach that level. There are no shortcuts! Good lessons/coaching, good observation (of top players), reading the best books and watching the best DVD's can help shorten the learning curve. That's about all.

These guys know what they are talking about. The only thing that might be a great help is a trust fund. Takes a lot of time and money.

 

[jaybanthony]

Master-Cueist, Thanks for reading my blog. You are absolutely right about me being far from becoming a Pro. That's why I'm here asking for advice. I allowed myself to let the elements defeat me before I had a chance. That was very weak. I will take that into account and next time there will be no excuses, I will grind and play my ass off no matter what. Thanks for the comments. It really lit a fire under me.......in a good way.

 

[richiebalto]

Thank you all for the great advice. I am currently ranked at a B skill level. I don't want to necessarily earn my living from pool though it would be nice. I'd like to get my skills to the point where I can have a realistic chance to compete with anyone. I am currently being helped by a world class player though there's only so much he can do. I'm the one that has to execute. I'm trying to make the most of my time and hopefully down the road and my finances are in order, I'll be able to devote more time at the table. Keep the advice coming. Thanks.

http://mypooljourney.blogspot.com/

lets get some of your vital info,how old are you,when did u start playing pool,you say u r a b player now,if u been playing less than a year that is very good,if you had just started playing and you play at a b level that tells me u have talent,now if u been playing for 5 years an are at b level then you would have problems,compeating at a pro level.so please let me know how old u r and how long u been playing.that way maybe i can give you more info that who knows mite help?

 

[mantis99]

I can't imagine that 20 hours a wk will be enough to get to a pro level. I imagine that you can be a pretty solid player with that amount of time, but unless you are truely gifted, you will have a tough time becoming world class. Good luck!

 

[Maniac]

Matching up with me won't make you a Pro, but you'll sure LOOK like one in comparison :grin:!!!

Maniac

 

[JCIN]

Applying all the hours you'll need to become real professional pool player to almost any endeavor in the commercial/business world will reap far greater rewards.
There are very, very few professional pool players who make even $60K after a lifetime of sacrifice, dedication and practice.

That's about the starting salary for an engineer.

If you're a young buck, look at the lifestyle of the professional players: sleeping two or three up in B grade motels
or often in your car, eating at Sizzler when you've made a score but more often at Taco Bell or even 7 Eleven, staying up all night in,
depressing dives that smell of beer and urine listening to drunks bicker, while trying to get a game or stalling in the hopes
of getting the bet up in the game you're in, driving four hours because you heard there was action and then finding out it was BS,
living single because after a few months and the "glamour" wears off and you've blown through her savings too on matches you "couldn't lose" she takes off and it dawns
on you that no girl you've ever dreamed of will be traveling this road with you.
While your childhood friends and classmates are spending a couple of weeks in a rented chateau in Tuscany.
"Why don't you join us?"
And, "She married a Thoracic surgeon. I thought you knew. Yeah, they flew friends and family into Napa for the ceremony.
It is was magnificent." You think that's what they said because you can barely hear over the dryers in the laundrymat
where you're putting in a load of threadbare t-shirts, socks and your extra pair of jeans permanently stained with the chalk from the
rails where you scrape out a $100 on a good day.
Two hours until the Town Tap opens, might be some old-timers looking to play some $10 or $20 dollar one-pocket.
You'd like to get up enough for a room tonite-$49 out by the interstate.
Hell, if you get real lucky you might get enough to fix the water pump. You can get out of the cold and kill time
in this little diner across the street drinking their stale coffee and watch for the Stroh's sign to come on ... two hours and you're up champ ... go get 'em.
It's show time.

I think the OP is talking about the tournament pro route. Not the scuffling road man route. None of the guys I consider true pro's live like you describe.

 

[MitchAlsup]

I'm trying to become a professional pool player.

You have two choices, A) learn to live, work, eat, sleep, and travel on a combined income of $30K/year, or B) have a day job.

Can anyone please give me some advice as to how to go about it?

A) Get an education, a good job, and a fine income to bolster your ability to play pool.
B) Have a rich uncle support you

....right now I'm only able to play about 20 hrs a week, is that enough?

For college aged people, you should be trying to get 60 hr/week in. If you really want to get good enough to win tournements. Not playing other people, dedicated to parctice. You should keep a notebook of every shot you missed in the last week, and then practice makng that shot 100 times (each).

 

[jaybanthony]

Hey guys,


Thanks for all the feed back. I am 31 yrs of age. I've been playing seriously for a year and a half. I've worked my whole life though I've been out of work for a little over a year due to the bad economy(laid off). Truthfully until I can get back to work I can't really afford to put in more than 20 hrs a week. Pool is pretty expensive. I'm trying to make the most of the time I do get to play and when I'm home I try to read books and study video of the game. I know 31 is not 18 but my mind is more receptive now than it's ever been. I plan on continuing this Journey for the rest of my life because I'm hooked on the game, only time will tell how far I can go.

 

[Jaden]

That's probably the nicest way to put it realistically...

jaybanthony...First, get a good education. Second, get a good job, so you can AFFORD to play in pro events (and have something to fall back on). Third (maybe first), enter some higher level regional events, to see how you stack up against other good players. The playing field is littered with people "wanting to be a pro". Very few make it to the elite level...and fewer even of those actually make a decent living at it. Remember anybody can pony up the entry fee, play in a pro event, and call themselves a pro player. Best of luck in your endeavor.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

I would go further and say forget about being a professional pool player. Instead if you would like focus on becoming a professional caliber player, or even more realistically, focus on becoming the best, most consistent player that you are capable of becoming.

If you're entering regional open events and placing in the top ten consistently, then you can consider going pro, but like scott said don't think that you'll be able to make a good living as a pro pool PLAYER, emphasis on PLAYER, most of the pros that make a decent living at pool do it with a secondary pool based income, be it lessons, etc..

There's just not enough money in pool for it to be a career.

Jaden

p.s. Many of us are hoping that that will soon change, but I don't think any of us who are basing our thoughts on reality are holding our breath...