Trying to go Pro.

Until there is a defining line in which a player must cross skill level wise, in order to be considered to be a "Pro" before each major event, people are going to continue to chase the dreams that elude them, because they'll never know if they're good enough to make the grade. Until this sport defines the best of the best before all major events, all events will continue to fill up with a bunch of nobody's, and a few someones that we all know, because the nobody's are needed to round out the ring game of the major events...the fill-ins so to speak, because we'll never see sponsorship in this sport when we have to keep asking....who's playing that I know. Until we identify the best of the best, there'll never really be any superstars of this sport battling it out for the win. Without truly identifying who the "Pro's" really are, you'll never even be able to call someone a "Semi-Pro".....the player that almost made the cut to being called a "Pro"....no, they'll continue to be called....."Short-stops"...for what ever that means, because there's nothing to define even a "Short-stop" in this sport. NO ONE wants to pay to watch a bunch of nobody's and a few someone's playing pool for some world championship....that means nothing to anyone....if the best of the best in the world didn't compete in it.

The only thing you have to do....to be a "Pro" pool player today....is dream it, learn how to play...run a few racks....then call yourself a "Pro" and you've made it...you're now....a "Pro"....maybe not as good as this "Pro" or that "Pro"....but...never-the-less....a "Pro".....only thing is though, if you were a "Professional Race Car Driver" and you couldn't get past the time trials.....YOU WOULDN'T BE RACING WITH THE REAL "PRO'S"!

The world is FULL of "Pro" pool players...only thing is, no one really knows who they are, but we do know who a few of them are....more or less!

Glen
 
Hey Tate, I have played a Pro "caliber" player and I'm amazed at all the possibilities that exist in the game. That's why I want to take it up a notch. The only reason I say he's pro caliber is because he doesn't earn a living from it, but he's played and beaten many of the past and current greats. It's a beautiful game when you see it played the right way and by no means do I think it's easy.
 
Where are you located? I don't need your home address, but it would help to know what city you're closest to. The reason it's relevant is the competition you can spar against day in/day out. Choose any excellent player from the Philippines, and it's hard to say they'd be that great without coming up in that "scene"; surrounded by so many excellent players mixing it up all the time. All the extremely good ("pro-level" if you will) players I know of have found a thriving competitive environment full of tough games to cut their teeth on. Do you have that option available to you, geographically speaking?

-Andrew
 
I'm in NY... Queens to be more specific. I'd say there's some pretty good competition out here.
 
Give it all you've got.

Jay,
You've already been given the "rude awakening". The negative comments aren't rude. They aren't even negative. It is the reality of the pool world for the most part. You've already been given some good advice but I'll give you mine regardless.

It is apparent that you have the love of our sport and you have been "called". Many people are "called". Few have the sticktoitiveness that the POOL DOMINATRIX demands. Still, it is fun to try to live up to her demands.

A dream is more than a dream. Dreams are the things that make life worth living. Hope is the fruit of those dreams and it is there for the picking. Never turn your back on a dream. Follow your heart and follow your dream. Experience is the teacher and you have much to learn. None of us know what is in your heart and soul and it will be you who determines what price you will pay to follow your dream.

It is difficult to become a professional pool player and maintain a healthy relationship with a mate. (Know that going in.) You might get really lucky and find a mate who loves pool just as much as you do and that could help a great deal.

If after reading all of the advice given, you still choose to continue the journey, give it all you got because that's what it takes to be a professional player.

I read your blog and you write well. Maybe one day you will hook up on one of these reality shows and your dream will come true. OK, let's get back to reality. :grin:

Your next goal should be to get a pool table in your house or have "free" access to a pool table. The home table is the best option in my opinion but the "free" access to someone else's pool table is not a bad deal either. The free access is not totally free. Since you are unemployed at the moment, I suggest you make friends with the best pool room in your area and ask to work part time there for cheap wages and unlimited pool time. 20 hours per week is NOT ENOUGH time. Based upon your high run in straight pool I have a pretty good idea of your level of speed. You will have to be able to run centuries daily to play at a pro level.

If you get a pool table in your house, you can get a job that pays your bills and expenses that come with becoming a pro player. Playing on the pro circuit is not cheap and at first you will be lucky to cash in the tournaments no matter what level you are at. (There's a lot of hungry JayAnthony's out there and you will have to earn your place at the feed trough.) The steady job will give you peace of mind, knowing that your bills will be paid.

MAKE A WRITTEN PLAN OF ACTION.
FOLLOW THE PLAN. Be reasonable with yourself and above all, BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

You've already got the love, now you just have to get the game.

that's about all I have for you now Jay. Your blog had some nice billiard graphics, nicely written material and I look forward to hearing some more of your journey.

Best of luck to you and good shooting.

JoeyA
 
Stickyworthy Thread!

But please no more stickies.:D

The turnout on this thread is exceptional. "Going pro" is a question we've all asked ourselves and from my point of view, I don't think there is a better, more qualified collection of answers to that question anywhere in any form.

AZB at it's best.
 
realkingcobra said:
Until there is a defining line in which a player must cross skill level wise, in order to be considered to be a "Pro" before each major event, people are going to continue to chase the dreams that elude them, because they'll never know if they're good enough to make the grade. Until this sport defines the best of the best before all major events, all events will continue to fill up with a bunch of nobody's, and a few someones that we all know, because the nobody's are needed to round out the ring game of the major events...the fill-ins so to speak, because we'll never see sponsorship in this sport when we have to keep asking....who's playing that I know. Until we identify the best of the best, there'll never really be any superstars of this sport battling it out for the win. Without truly identifying who the "Pro's" really are, you'll never even be able to call someone a "Semi-Pro".....the player that almost made the cut to being called a "Pro"....no, they'll continue to be called....."Short-stops"...for what ever that means, because there's nothing to define even a "Short-stop" in this sport. NO ONE wants to pay to watch a bunch of nobody's and a few someone's playing pool for some world championship....that means nothing to anyone....if the best of the best in the world didn't compete in it.

The only thing you have to do....to be a "Pro" pool player today....is dream it, learn how to play...run a few racks....then call yourself a "Pro" and you've made it...you're now....a "Pro"....maybe not as good as this "Pro" or that "Pro"....but...never-the-less....a "Pro".....only thing is though, if you were a "Professional Race Car Driver" and you couldn't get past the time trials.....YOU WOULDN'T BE RACING WITH THE REAL "PRO'S"!

The world is FULL of "Pro" pool players...only thing is, no one really knows who they are, but we do know who a few of them are....more or less!

Glen
Click to expand...

The debate against this post is that pool, unlike most other sports where there is a "Professional" level, can, on any given day, see a "nobody" take down a past U.S. Open winner (or equivalent). There are so many very good poolplayers in this world that can play a notch above normal in some matches and beat some of the best players in the world of pool. Happens all the time. Seen it with my own eyes, read about it, seen it done on live streams, etc. Now.....if I was to play basketball against Lebron James, I (and anyone else) can GUARANTEE the outcome of that match. Me against Manny Pacquaio (sp?) in the boxing ring, same thing. I could go on with other sports comparisons, but you get the idea. But in pool, anyone that can run multiple racks has a decent chance against the worlds best ON ANY GIVEN DAY, and there are hundreds upon hundreds of players out there capable of doing it. Not so in most other sports.

JMHO, not trying to start a REAL debate here :grin:!!!

Maniac
 
For the guy that wants to go pro...Try this. Dont move on to the next stage until you can master the previous.

1st - Run 1 rack of 9 ball out of every 3 racks from the break
2nd -Take ball in hand and beat the ghost a race to 9
3rd - Beat the ghost a race to 5 without ball in hand
4th - Beat the ghost a race to 9 without ball in hand, if you scratch it costs you 2 games.
5th -Read the book " The inner game of tennis" (Relates alot to pool)
6th -Save $3000 for expenses
7th- Try some pro events!

Remember, Dont move to the next stage until you have accomplished the previous consistently!!

JT
 
The problem with pool IMO is that the sport is watered down...9 ball is the biggest Culprit, the game itself doesn't really require much skill and because the rules are such trash(IMO) anyone who can run a rack or two has a shot to beat a top pro in a short race. There's too much luck involved in the game. If i were a "PRO" I would be PO that I put in all the hard work needed only to be beaten by a player who got lucky. At the highest levels you shouldn't be allowed to fluke anything. Call all your shots! if you're really that good than your game will do the talking not the luck. I watched the mosconi cup this past year and it's supposed to be one of the most prestigious tournaments of the year and you had Pros fluking in the 9....that's trash. Let them earn every ball....That's why I prefer to play straight pool over 9 ball any day, I do however understand that 9 ball is the popular game and the one played in the majority of tournaments but something should be done to make the game about skill so that there can be true separation between the Elite and the Average player.
 
jaybanthony said:
Hey Tate, I have played a Pro "caliber" player and I'm amazed at all the possibilities that exist in the game. That's why I want to take it up a notch. The only reason I say he's pro caliber is because he doesn't earn a living from it, but he's played and beaten many of the past and current greats. It's a beautiful game when you see it played the right way and by no means do I think it's easy.
Click to expand...

I'm glad you've experienced this. That's the kind of player you need to play a lot - someone who does it "the right way". That's the fast track to improvement.

Chris
 
jaybanthony said:
The problem with pool IMO is that the sport is watered down...9 ball is the biggest Culprit, the game itself doesn't really require much skill and because the rules are such trash(IMO) anyone who can run a rack or two has a shot to beat a top pro in a short race. There's too much luck involved in the game. If i were a "PRO" I would be PO that I put in all the hard work needed only to be beaten by a player who got lucky. At the highest levels you shouldn't be allowed to fluke anything. Call all your shots! if you're really that good than your game will do the talking not the luck. I watched the mosconi cup this past year and it's supposed to be one of the most prestigious tournaments of the year and you had Pros fluking in the 9....that's trash. Let them earn every ball....That's why I prefer to play straight pool over 9 ball any day, I do however understand that 9 ball is the popular game and the one played in the majority of tournaments but something should be done to make the game about skill so that there can be true separation between the Elite and the Average player.
Click to expand...

Don't hijack your own thread. :D
 
'I'm not highjacking my own thread. Just offering my opinion to Cobra and Maniacs replies. My love for the game doesn't make me blind. I see what's wrong with the sport but that doesn't mean I'll stop playing.....it's a drug....I'm hooked.
 
Give it a few years. You'll burn out. Then rediscover the love. Then burn out again. It's like a marriage...and right now, you're in the honeymoon.
 
If your earlier post is really how you see 9 ball you are playing the wrong people. It is a game of skill. You may slop balls in and keep playing but any good player can break and run multiple games against any player, not just lesser players. Good luck on your journey, but maybe the mindset you have is slowing you down. John
 
jaybanthony said:
There's too much luck involved in the game..That's why I prefer to play straight pool over 9 ball any day, I do however understand that 9 ball is the popular game and the one played in the majority of tournaments but something should be done to make the game about skill so that there can be true separation between the Elite and the Average player.
Click to expand...

That is why we have what is called, 10-Ball.
 
jaybanthony said:
Cubswin - I don't have a job at the moment as I mentioned previously, not by choice. I was laid off a year ago and have had a tough time finding work just like millions of others. I love the game of Pool and want to be as good as I can possibly be but it's not my main priority in life. Providing for my family and improving their quality of life is the most important. 20 hrs a week is hardly a lot of time. Truthfully I wish I could play more but realistically I can't and if I could, I wouldn't want to play 8-12 hours a day 5 or 6 days a week. What kind of life would that be?....I'd miss out on a lot.
Click to expand...

This seems kind of weak if you truly are interested in reaching a "Pro" level. The word obsession was mentioned by someone in an earlier post and is a good way of describing the dedication neccesary to reach a high level at anything. The last two sentences in your post show allot about how much you have to give towards this goal.

----> It's hard to even get to a shortstop level at 20 hours a week.

I run a small business full time and play pool after work and I'm able to fit in 25 hours a week. (This feels like I'm barely playing at all).

During the point in my life when I had the chance to play allot I would say that I was playing 50 to 60 hours a week. It was easy to do, the days flew by and I never felt like I was missing something. ---> I guess I am a pool addict.

Sounds like you might be too responsible to be a pro pool player :rolleyes: :grin:

Dudley
 
jaybanthony said:
The problem with pool IMO is that the sport is watered down...9 ball is the biggest Culprit, the game itself ....
Click to expand...

9 ball has been the game of choice in the USA for a long time. There are reasons for this

1.) We're Americans and 9 ball was/is a fast gambling game.
2.) It's good for TV and the rules are simple.

Most players will agree it is not the most challenging or even the most interesting, but watching 1P or straight pool for Joe Plumber is like watching paint dry.

I love baseball and think it is one of the greatest games ever designed, but the American public has slightly turned their back on our Americas past time. Of course the strike and steroids have had their impact, but I think Americans attention spans have gotten a lot shorter. We have lived in and expect a world at our finger tips and immediate results. Pool is hard enough to watch when you love the game let alone for Joe Plumber who doesn't understand one pocket. JMO
 
It's not how I see it, it's how it is. all I'm saying is the rules should be made a little tougher is all. I love the game as much as anyone and when I play 9 ball, outside of tournaments, I play calling all balls. The game should be about skill but there is way too much luck involved. Any good pro will tell you that but 9 ball is where the money is right now and that's where they have to play. Doesn't mean they like it or agree with it...most don't. I love the game as much as anyone. I understand it's made to be played fast for TV, I get that. Just stating what I feel is wrong with the game and why there's less of a distinction between a true Pro or a so called Pro. Just giving my opinion, we are all free thinkers and it's perfectly fine for people to disagree.10 ball for the most part is played with the same 9 ball rules(at least the tourneys i've seen).....
 
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