What do Ewa Lawrence, Belinda Campos, Jeannie Seaver, Fran Crimi, and others have in

[jjinfla]

They are all professional billiard players.
They are all on the WPBA.
They all went to work in their profession last week.
They put in 4-5 hard days at their office.
And they all have a negative paycheck as their reward for their hard work.

No wonder professional billiards isn't going anywhere.
It is just another version of a ponzi scam.

Hopefully they all have real jobs and only play pool for the love of it.

Jake

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

ooh-ooh, I know, I know. They're all goils ?

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

ooh-ooh, I know, I know. They're all goils ?

I mean, imo... Doug

 

[eg8r]

They are all professional billiard players.
They are all on the WPBA.
They all went to work in their profession last week.
They put in 4-5 hard days at their office.
And they all have a negative paycheck as their reward for their hard work.

No wonder professional billiards isn't going anywhere.
It is just another version of a ponzi scam.

Hopefully they all have real jobs and only play pool for the love of it.

Jake

I think it sucks they did not make any money. I just don't understand how billiards would be any better off if they did? This is just a bit to wide open and general to make any sense. You failed to mention just how far back they finished, and at that rate just how far back should the winnings go? The money has to come from somewhere to pay these people, so where do you think that comes from? Should the WPBA borrow tons of money so they can pay back farther in the standings, would this bring in the sponsors????

I would think blatant wide open, general rhetoric (like what was quoted above) does not further promote billiards either....

eg8r

 

[BeeMan]

There is no easy answer to gaining greater winnings in pool...
But tv producers need to show more pool..., cover more pool

Sponsors won't sponsor pool if the only people that are going to see their brand are a few hundred people that go to the tournaments..

Huge winnings in other sports are because of major sponsors, and these major companies sponsor the sport because they know that thousands, and millions of people see their brand..

Its up to the media

 

[BazookaJoe]

There is no easy answer to gaining greater winnings in pool...
But tv producers need to show more pool..., cover more pool

Sponsors won't sponsor pool if the only people that are going to see their brand are a few hundred people that go to the tournaments..

Huge winnings in other sports are because of major sponsors, and these major companies sponsor the sport because they know that thousands, and millions of people see their brand..

Its up to the media

Greater winnings?
Are you saying they should be paid for just showing up?

What's the big deal here? They didn't place high enough to take home a check. Thems the breaks kiddies.

TV isn't going to make a big deal out of pool until you get a promoter in there to give it a "TV edge". Pool needs a Vince McMahon(spelling?)

Don't worry JJ
If these girls start starving, they'll get a day job.

 

[jjinfla]

Greater winnings?
Are you saying they should be paid for just showing up?

.

Duh. You mean like baseball, football, basketball, hockey, etc.?

Yes. They are professional performers and should be paid for their performance.

Unfortunately there are not enough people who think enough of their performance to pay to see it so alas and alac they flounder in never never land. Always chasing the gold ring that stays out of their reach.

I wonder if being classified as a professional billiard player entitles them to welfare benefits?

Jake

 

[BazookaJoe]

Duh. You mean like baseball, football, basketball, hockey, etc.?

Yes. They are professional performers and should be paid for their performance.

Unfortunately there are not enough people who think enough of their performance to pay to see it so alas and alac they flounder in never never land. Always chasing the gold ring that stays out of their reach.

I wonder if being classified as a professional billiard player entitles them to welfare benefits?

Jake

That's just dumb
Fact is, pool is not football, hockey, baseball, etc.

Do golfers get paid to show up? Do bowlers?

 

[Mungtor]

Duh. You mean like baseball, football, basketball, hockey, etc.?

Not that it is totally relevant, but those are all team sports. Try tennis, golf, or auto racing for comparison. A very select few of those players are guarenteed a certain amount just for showing up. Most, however, only take home a check if they win (or place well).

Yes. They are professional performers and should be paid for their performance.

They aren't performers, they are competitors. Possibly even atheletes. Mike Massey (nothing against him) is a performer when he pulls down money for a trick shot exhibition. Karen et al should be there to win first, and maybe entertain second.

I wonder if being classified as a professional billiard player entitles them to welfare benefits?

There has never been much money in pool, but I've heard that you can do OK if you win...

 

[bruin70]

I think it sucks they did not make any money. I just don't understand how billiards would be any better off if they did? ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I would think blatant wide open, general rhetoric (like what was quoted above) does not further promote billiards either....

eg8r

it's not our job to think of ways for pro billiards to make money...that's THEIR job. and there's not enough sponsors nor spectators to make it happen. and because they continue to bicker and shoot themselves in the foot, they are at where they are at.

actually, all they(pro billiards in general...but at least the women try) deserve is criticism.

 

[catscradle]

it's not our job to think of ways for pro billiards to make money...that's THEIR job. and there's not enough sponsors nor spectators to make it happen. and because they continue to bicker and shoot themselves in the foot, they are at where they are at.

actually, all they(pro billiards in general...but at least the women try) deserve is criticism.

And the reason there are no spectators is because it can be boring as hell. I love playing pool, but at VF I walked out about 2/3 of the way thru the winners side finally between Souquet and Parica. Souquet is soooooo damn slow. Almost every shot he made was perfect, but by the time he took it my mind and eyes were someplace else entirely and I didn't see most of them. Watching an entertainment shouldn't feel like work.
Luc Salvas on the other hand was entertaining as hell, he can't compete in the long run with the likes of Souquet, but he is infinitely more entertaining. Professional pool needs a shot clock desperately, then maybe it will get some spectators.
JMHO.

 

[DoomCue]

They are all professional billiard players.
They are all on the WPBA.
They all went to work in their profession last week.
They put in 4-5 hard days at their office.
And they all have a negative paycheck as their reward for their hard work.

No wonder professional billiards isn't going anywhere.
It is just another version of a ponzi scam.

Hopefully they all have real jobs and only play pool for the love of it.

Jake

Why don't you send them your opinion like you did to Sarah? That went over real well....

Is doing something you love not worth doing simply because there aren't great financial rewards for everyone? Tell all the school teachers that. Tell the guidance counselors, the firemen, the policemen, the carpenters, the painters, the writers, the musicians....

Pro billiards is going somewhere. The WPBA is growing, the talent pool is increasing, and more people are becoming aware of the sport thanks to TV. In fact, you can see pool pretty much every day on ESPN or ESPN2. Granted, pool needs even more exposure, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

You seem to have something against pro pool, like it offends you. That's cool, just don't watch it. There's no need to rail against pro pool. You're not a pro, you're never going to be a pro, so why waste the time to spout this drivel? Your negativity does nothing to further promote the sport, so spend all your time watching the bangers at your local APA league - I'm sure you'll learn plenty from them.

-djb

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

In fact, you can see pool pretty much every day on ESPN or ESPN2.
Granted, pool needs even more exposure, but Rome wasn't built in a day.
-djb

Or, as I'm so fond of saying, " but, Ronnie Allen wasn't built in a day." ..... Doug

 

[jjinfla]

Well Doomcue if you look at that list you mentioned they all get paid, have vacation days, medical insurance, sick days, etc. And a heck of a lot of them really enjoy their work.

I was a cop in Chicago for 22 years, an Evidence Tech and when I quit I made $50K plus overtime and tips. Got to go all over the city going from crime scene to crime scene. Couldn't pay for a meal anywhere. Worked a ten hour shift and it seemed that I was off work more than at work. Not a hell of a lot of money but I was happy.

As far as pool goes. It is people like me who love it and enjoy playing it for the pure pleasure of the game. Sorta like what Dr. Francher says in his book. I really don't ahve to win every match I play. But for the pros, they can't love it and play it for the pure pleasure of it. To them it is their means of support and they have to treat it as a do or die match each and every time they play. That is if they want to be successful at it. That is probably why Ralf soquet plays the way he does - winning is the most important thing to him.

And that is why Allison is such a fierce competitor. She wants to beat the new comers 9 zip to put the fear of her in their mind. And believe me she is successful at doing that.

Anyway, most people are confusing having fun at something and doing something for a living.

Hell, I probably win more money in tournaments than most of the women on the WPBA do. Especially if you talk net.

Jake

 

[Jimmy M.]

What do they all have in common?

What do they all have in common? And here I thought you were going to say that none of them can seem to win a WPBA event.

 

[Bobby]

And the reason there are no spectators is because it can be boring as hell. I love playing pool, but at VF I walked out about 2/3 of the way thru the winners side finally between Souquet and Parica. Souquet is soooooo damn slow. Almost every shot he made was perfect, but by the time he took it my mind and eyes were someplace else entirely and I didn't see most of them. Watching an entertainment shouldn't feel like work.
Luc Salvas on the other hand was entertaining as hell, he can't compete in the long run with the likes of Souquet, but he is infinitely more entertaining. Professional pool needs a shot clock desperately, then maybe it will get some spectators.
JMHO.

You walked out on the Parica/Souquet match? Are you
serious? That was one of the best 9 ball matches I've
ever seen, and I've seen a lot of great matches. Both
players probably played .950 or better. Parica made one
hell of a comeback, actually it's a shame that there
had to be a loser in that match.

 

[yobagua]

shakespeare

"Got to go all over the city going from crime scene to crime scene."

Gee Jake do you think your past experiences have anything to do with your outlook on your hobby or sport? You seem to have a "doom and gloom" outlook on things. Did you know that Van Gogh never sold a painting while he was alive? Many people play semi pro or amateur sports on the weekends and make nothing. I mean why are you so upset with people who do things because they do it for love. Or because it is what makes them who they are. Something tells me you did what you did, not because it was your passion, but because it was your obligation. I apologize if Im wrong but as Shakespeare said "I think he does protest too much"

 

[DoomCue]

Well Doomcue if you look at that list you mentioned they all get paid, have vacation days, medical insurance, sick days, etc. And a heck of a lot of them really enjoy their work.

And pro players don't enjoy their work?

I was a cop in Chicago for 22 years, an Evidence Tech and when I quit I made $50K plus overtime and tips. Got to go all over the city going from crime scene to crime scene. Couldn't pay for a meal anywhere. Worked a ten hour shift and it seemed that I was off work more than at work. Not a hell of a lot of money but I was happy.

Good for you. Are pro players not happy? Furthermore, does this qualify you to tell anybody who does what they do for a living not to do it?

As far as pool goes. It is people like me who love it and enjoy playing it for the pure pleasure of the game. Sorta like what Dr. Francher says in his book. I really don't ahve to win every match I play. But for the pros, they can't love it and play it for the pure pleasure of it. To them it is their means of support and they have to treat it as a do or die match each and every time they play. That is if they want to be successful at it. That is probably why Ralf soquet plays the way he does - winning is the most important thing to him.

Damn right it is. If you aren't playing to win, what's the point? If you're satisfied with mediocrity in yourself, that's fine. Pros push themselves to be more than the average, and there's no reason they shouldn't test themselves to be the best against the best. Besides, in any job, you should strive to be the best. Otherwise, you're wasting somebody's time and money.

And that is why Allison is such a fierce competitor. She wants to beat the new comers 9 zip to put the fear of her in their mind. And believe me she is successful at doing that.

Anyway, most people are confusing having fun at something and doing something for a living.

I think you're the only one confused about having fun versus playing pool for a living. Obviously, you only want to have fun (or your version of it, anyway). Does that mean nobody should choose to play for a living?

Hell, I probably win more money in tournaments than most of the women on the WPBA do. Especially if you talk net.

Jake

Maybe, maybe not. Why don't you post your massive winnings? Why don't you step up to the plate, put your money where your mouth is, and take on Ewa Lawrence, Belinda Campos, Jeannie Seaver, Fran Crimi, and others? Anyway, that really isn't the point, now is it? Ask yourself a few questions: how many of those mighty millions do you think you'd continue to make if pros just stayed home and played in YOUR local podunk tournament? How many players would even step up to play Earl heads up in your local weekly tournament? Eventually, locals would give up and there'd be no tournament.

By your logic, pros should give up because there's no money in pool RIGHT NOW. Was there money in pro basketball in its early days? How about golf? Or tennis? Or baseball? You sound like a bitter old man who hates life and wants everyone else to be just as miserable.

-djb

 

[TheGame]

I think that everyone in professional pool truly loves the game . With the exception of the top players most would probably make more money at a 9-5 job . They know what it is all about and would not be doing it if money was their only motivation. The competition and the love of the game is what drives them and keeps them going.

I would think that many of the lower ranked Pro's could probably make more money as an unknown winning small local tournaments night after night and playing sets with people . But the thing is they want to be the best and prove the they can play with the best and that is why they go Pro .

 

[BeeMan]

BazookaJoe, you misunderstood, i meant winnings should be greater, not money for just showing up..

These players are professionals and compared to other sports earn a spittle of prize money..But I won't go any further since this topic has been covered in many other threads.

DoomCue, I think you have a lot of animosity towards Jake after that post to Sarah, hell I hated that post as well..
But what I believe Jake is talkin about here (and correct me if I'm wrong), is pro players that rely on prize winnings to make a living from, not playing pool for fun or money. I'm sure all pro players enjoy the game,they do not treat it as a job, but they do need the money.