What does a House Pro make and do?

Wedge

WO Wedge Lock
Silver Member
I have a question about House Pro's. Does anyone know what a high level reputable pro makes financially from a good pool room and what is normally expected of them with respect to how much time and what else is expected of them as the House Pro?

Thanks

Wedge
 
Most of the ones I know of make very little actual money. Sigel was the house pro for Gary and got a rent free apt, plus got to keep any lesson money he made. Most house pros are responsible for running tournaments, and if they were smart they would give away some pointers to the customers, to drive potential paying students to them.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
 
Most house pros (excluding world champion level players) get free table time, a steady source for giving lessons, often, free food and non alcoholic drinks and some get sponsorship into tournaments.

Top tier guys are case by case. Earl gets "room and board", too. May even get travel expenses in return for wearing the Steinway vest.
 
Thanks

Thanks Scott and NYCcuedude for your positive input! I appreciate it!

Wedge
 
house pro

I have a question about House Pro's. Does anyone know what a high level reputable pro makes financially from a good pool room and what is normally expected of them with respect to how much time and what else is expected of them as the House Pro?

Thanks

Wedge

I never liked the term.

I was never a professional player, but was called "house pro" at five different establishments over the years.

I always preferred "resident instructor".
 
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I never like the term.

I was never a professional player, but was called "house pro" at five different establishments over the years.

I always preferred "resident instructor".

I also think the term "house pro" could be revamped into something more of an instructional role. I've seen some house pros that just wanted to get into customer's wallets. They should be adding to the sport, not taking away from it.
 
I made a four figure monthly salary as "House Pro."

Though I was not required to do so, I would convert my students' initial tuition into a monthly membership at the pool room - a way for the room owner to track my effectiveness & value.

I also brought numerous larger scale events & promotions to my home room. I packed the house repeatedly.

And lastly, I promoted the pool room as I traveled competing nationally & internationally. In other words, I put work in & produced measurable results.
 
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I bet it varies greatly from pool hall to pool hall.

The house pro where I play runs the front register and tracks the table time, he sells cues and accessories, keeps the pool balls polished and the tables clean, gives instruction to beginning players, does cue repair work (in some cases, on site) and from what I can tell he's pretty much the #2 guy in charge behind the owner of the place. He's kind of a do-it-all guy, comes across very self-actualized...

Oh, and he doesn't drink on the job, he doesn't gamble with the customers, and he's a treasure trove of information. Approachable and engaging in just about any conversational subject.

Not sure what kind of moolah he's pulling in, but he doesn't seem to be hurting for cash.
 
Unless you are a big name pro like Earl or Mike Sigel, you would probably have to bring more to the table than just your ability to play better than most people and give lessons. Taking over some managerial duties would probably make it worthwhile for the owner to put out some kind of salary.
 
The average house pro gets free table time and maybe bar and food discounts. So he can match up without losing table time and he can give lessons and keep the money. Top pros who are house pros may get more.
 
wages

I made a four figure monthly salary as "House Pro."

Though I was not required to do so, I would convert my students' initial tuition into a monthly membership at the pool room - a way for the room owner to track my effectiveness & value.

I also brought numerous larger scale events & promotions to my home room. I packed the house repeatedly.

And lastly, I promoted the pool room as I traveled competing nationally & internationally. In other words, I put work in & produced measurable results.

At my last paid job as "house pro" I was paid just over minimum wage to run weekly tournaments, a BCA league, give lessons and generally keep an eye on things.

Sadly for me, I was replaced by a guy who offered to do my job for no pay to pay off an old debt he owed the owner.

I've had some owners who treated me very well and others not so much.
 
House Men in the old days were the counter person who did it all.

Brush Tables.

Put out equiptment.

Collected table fees.

Sold soft drinks.

Was kind of a boy friday to a pool room.

Don't think this was a high paying job, but people seemed to sty in the position when they got it.
 
Most house pros (excluding world champion level players) get free table time, a steady source for giving lessons, often, free food and non alcoholic drinks and some get sponsorship into tournaments.

Top tier guys are case by case. Earl gets "room and board", too. May even get travel expenses in return for wearing the Steinway vest.

The average house pro gets free table time and maybe bar and food discounts. So he can match up without losing table time and he can give lessons and keep the money. Top pros who are house pros may get more.

House Men in the old days were the counter person who did it all.

Brush Tables.

Put out equiptment.

Collected table fees.

Sold soft drinks.

Was kind of a boy friday to a pool room.

Don't think this was a high paying job, but people seemed to sty in the position when they got it.


Geez reading all these is so sad and sickening. I was under impression that house pros like Earl get some pay of few thousand per month
So all this is a shock to me. Seriously.
How do they get respect when they are treated so badly and lowly? No wonder Earl keeps throwing tantrums. :D Now I know why these top pros do not mind racking their own in tourneys- they are used to doing these chores, menial stuff since they are boy fridays
 
Like any employee in any business salary is usually an indication of worth to the business.

How many rooms even make enough for the owner to pull a decent profit these days?

Can a house pro make that much of a difference in profitability to justify drawing a big salary?
 
Do you know what a room with board cost in NYC. Likely a few G.

Ain't same as cash.
Will the room owner pay cash if the house pro tells the room owner that he wants cash and will rent his own room?
Obviously, room owners can make "room" with no skin off their back- let the house pro stay in their spare room in house, or convert a store room into a room and board or makeshift a "room and board" in the pool room. :D
 
Geez reading all these is so sad and sickening. I was under impression that house pros like Earl get some pay of few thousand per month
So all this is a shock to me. Seriously.

How do they get respect when they are treated so badly and lowly? No wonder Earl keeps throwing tantrums. :D Now I know why these top pros do not mind racking their own in tourneys- they are used to doing these chores, menial stuff since they are boy fridays




You were think GOLF PRO.:wink:
 
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