What Age range is "Prime" for a Pro?

Pangit

Pangit

Banned
25-45? It's not like football, but there is clearly some sort of age range where most people play their best, even in billiards?

For us older guys, Efren is quickly approaching Sixty, his eyesight isn't what it once was...But he can still hold his own against the best players in the world when "they are in their Prime".

He's Like Cal Ripkin Jr. Experience...I still wouldn't bet against him.
 
Younger the better, at least in terms of getting to the required level. It's not going to happen to anyone who is still relatively unknown by the time they are 16.

I'd say 22-27 is the optimum age.
 
Peak at age...?

TheThaiger said:
Younger the better, at least in terms of getting to the required level. It's not going to happen to anyone who is still relatively unknown by the time they are 16.

I'd say 22-27 is the optimum age.
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I've never been a "pro" player, but my best years as an amateur came in my early 50s. I might have continued upward, but loss of a job and having my cues stolen turned my life in another direction in 1995. But I've known many players who played extremely well in their 60s and even much older.

Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
 
I would say the prime age for a top player is 25-35 years old but this is just my opinion, probably could lengthen it out a bit to around 40 for some and others like Efren and Earl just keep going.
 
Donny Lutz said:
I've never been a "pro" player, but my best years as an amateur came in my early 50s. I might have continued upward, but loss of a job and having my cues stolen turned my life in another direction in 1995. But I've known many players who played extremely well in their 60s and even much older.

Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
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Sure, but in terms of eyesight/physical condition etc, younger the better. I would beat a younger version of myself today, but I'm aware my eyes are failing and my back is not good.
 
Your health and keeping the fire for the game have a lot to do with it. Johnnyt
 
depends on how hard you've been rode and if u were ever put up wet as the saying goes. some people peak before they reach 20 and because of lifestyle choices may be "threw" by the time they reach 20. my peak was from 19-25 but i made a strong showing in my 40s, but i still never reached the level of play when i was 23.
 
I would say the OP's timeline is pretty much spot on. It seems like 25-45 is the prime age. Look at all the top players right now. Rodney, Souqet, Archer, Bustamante, Hatch and others are all in their mid 40's and can play as well as nearly any of the younger top guys. There are some outliers like Earl, Efren, Parica, but most guys start to fall off later in life.

I would say, narrowed even further, the absolute prime age is about 28-38. Looking at most guys winning major events, there aren't many that win past their 30's. Earl's last US Open was at 38, Efren's US Open win he was 39 (but obviously Efren is a freak winning tons after that). There are outliers, but I would say that after 40 you are on the down slide of your prime.

I would guess that has to do more with stamina than it does playing ability. I would think that at any given point, Parica can play as well as any player in the world. The problem is that a professional tournament may last a week or even longer in the case of the derby. Playing on your feet for 12 hours a day 5 days straight takes a much greater toll on a 60 year old's body than it does on someone who is 30. Just my opinion.
 
brandoncook26 said:
I would say the OP's timeline is pretty much spot on. It seems like 25-45 is the prime age. Look at all the top players right now. Rodney, Souqet, Archer, Bustamante, Hatch and others are all in their mid 40's and can play as well as nearly any of the younger top guys. There are some outliers like Earl, Efren, Parica, but most guys start to fall off later in life.

I would say, narrowed even further, the absolute prime age is about 28-38. Looking at most guys winning major events, there aren't many that win past their 30's. Earl's last US Open was at 38, Efren's US Open win he was 39 (but obviously Efren is a freak winning tons after that). There are outliers, but I would say that after 40 you are on the down slide of your prime.

I would guess that has to do more with stamina than it does playing ability. I would think that at any given point, Parica can play as well as any player in the world. The problem is that a professional tournament may last a week or even longer in the case of the derby. Playing on your feet for 12 hours a day 5 days straight takes a much greater toll on a 60 year old's body than it does on someone who is 30. Just my opinion.
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I agree with this.
 
I'm 56 and I have found new motivation to stay at the table longer.
Hemorrhoids. It hurts when I sit down.
 
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