Newbie & Can I become professional at my age?

[ADR147]

Lol your so cruel

and right!

[Nugget]

I've thought about this before. Given the time and the training, is there anything stopping someone reaching professional standard after taking up the game in their twenties? Players like Hendry and O'Sullivan were world class at a very young age - I'm pretty sure Hendry had only been playing for four years when he turned pro (12-16) and he was a ranking event winner by 18. Is it just the practicality of it that keeps older players from entering the game? Not many people can afford to spend all their time playing snooker once they're past the school-leaving age - they'll generally be working, studying or both - but if the right person can reach pro standard in four years when they're 12, why couldn't they do it at 22?

[Rane]

I've thought about this before. Given the time and the training, is there anything stopping someone reaching professional standard after taking up the game in their twenties? Players like Hendry and O'Sullivan were world class at a very young age - I'm pretty sure Hendry had only been playing for four years when he turned pro (12-16) and he was a ranking event winner by 18. Is it just the practicality of it that keeps older players from entering the game? Not many people can afford to spend all their time playing snooker once they're past the school-leaving age - they'll generally be working, studying or both - but if the right person can reach pro standard in four years when they're 12, why couldn't they do it at 22?

Well I think a player with the talent of O´Sullivan or Hendry would possibly make it to the professional rankings, but I doubt very much that such a player would achieve as much. It´s also about getting perspective to your life. We often see players getting married and getting kids and then having a down period. You see it right now with Davis, Hendry and O´Sullivan, they don´t really bother to use so much time travelling, and I think we will see the players retire earlier in the coming years, as the programme they´ve had this year is hard. Murphy said he had played 108 matches so far this season.

I read somewhere that Thorbjørn Blomdahl was offered a quite big sum to change from carom to snooker in the late eighties or start of the nineties, when he was in his twenties and best carom player in the world, but he refused as he feared that he wouldn´t reach the standard he was able to produce in carom, and he might be a bid for best player ever to lift a cue.

[Inoffthered]

Thx for your answer as well Terry, I know it will be hard. Financially is not a problem as I own my own business. Dedication is not really a problem either as I already drive 45 mins just to practice. I guess the chances of becoming are very low but not impossible.

I doubt it very much. If these 'negative' comments go some way to making you try harder, power to you. I used to play on the tour many moons ago. MY problem was a mental one, I just didn't believe in myself. Used to think almost anyone else was better than me. In the end, the game became unenjoyable.

Now, I play once a week and have no problem running centuries and clearances, don't care if I miss ( see the 'turned into a pratt' thread for my post there ). Mentally I am far stronger than I ever was, but it's not all about buzzing and smashing in huge breaks. I'm tempted to play in some bigger tourneys, but this would mean a lot of travel for me. I'm 41 now, have a good job ( work hard, who doesn't ), love my bed and tbh, I just can't be arsed with it.

I'm still a dreamer though, but that's what it is... a dream. Good luck with your dream also, but brace yourself for some disappointment when you start playing against GOOD players ( good is subjective here ). It's a hard school and the thing is with snooker, you need 'years to waste', which goes back to the point previous posters have made. At 26, you're still grasping what 14-15yr olds already have learned. The tablecraft comes after that. You have yet to learn the finer art of break building, when to play a long shot, when to play safe etc. You only get that kind of exp. against better players and in tournaments.

I'm not in anyway trying to stop you from pursuing your goal ( how can I? ), just being realistic. Sometimes ( depending on the point of view ), this can be perceived as a negative.

Good luck m8.

[Inoffthered]

Graeme Dott's highest break in the finals of the world championships which he won was in the mid 60's.
You need to have a strong all round game to succeed.
Good safety, mental toughness,

This is def. the one thing I lacked years ago.

[FOXMULDER]

Hi all, I am a newbie to these forums and decided to join to extract some advice from experienced players. I have only been playing on a full size table for 5 months (used to play on 3/4 when I was 13) and my highest break is 64, I havent had any coaching and tend to practice by myself for average of 8hrs per week at a local snooker club. My age is 26 though and Ive read a lot about people being to old. But I have only played snooker for 5 months doing only 8hrs per week. Is it possible to have a chance to become professional if I practice more? I only learnt by watching snooker and following tips from televised snooker. Any advice would be helpful. THX

Don't listen to the pessimists - of course it's possible for you to make pro. It all depends on ability, application, and a great deal of luck.

You've played 5 months and made a 60+ break. That's good, shows a certain amount of talent. Some people play their whole life and never make a 40.

You need to practise with some good players, and play in LOTS of tournaments. If you get to the level where you're knocking in century breaks and have a decent tactical game, then you can have a go at the PTC events and the Q School. That's going to cost a lot of money, but if you enjoy it (win or lose) then its money well spent.

Go for it. Best of luck.

[magicman]

As there has never been a pro in the history of the sport who first took the game up at 25 years old I'd suggest those pessimists are realists and the optimists are dreamers. Nothing wrong with dreaming, just don't expect everyone else to share your dreams.

[FOXMULDER]

As there has never been a pro in the history of the sport who first took the game up at 25 years old I'd suggest those pessimists are realists and the optimists are dreamers. Nothing wrong with dreaming, just don't expect everyone else to share your dreams.

Well, there's never been a Q School before. Five wins and you're in. Totally unheard of.

Give me one reason why this guy cannot play for a few years, attain a good standard, and qualify?

[magicman]

I'm not interested in having an argument but I can give you 128 reasons why. The Q school is made up of the very best players in the World not currently on the main tour. I've played for England, had a maximum, won pro-ams and I'm not good enough to win 5 straight matches against such quality opposition. Attaining a good standard is possible for the guy but unfortunately a good standard just doesn't cut it, not even close.

[Inoffthered]

I'm not interested in having an argument but I can give you 128 reasons why. The Q school is made up of the very best players in the World not currently on the main tour. I've played for England, had a maximum, won pro-ams and I'm not good enough to win 5 straight matches against such quality opposition. Attaining a good standard is possible for the guy but unfortunately a good standard just doesn't cut it, not even close.

Exactly the same reasons why I'm not good enough. I've had 9 max's in practice ( these players have had many more, plus in competition ). Add into the mix how my eyes are shot ( I think ) and there ya go... all about the teenagers and 20yr olds now.

[FOXMULDER]

I'm not interested in having an argument but I can give you 128 reasons why. The Q school is made up of the very best players in the World not currently on the main tour. I've played for England, had a maximum, won pro-ams and I'm not good enough to win 5 straight matches against such quality opposition. Attaining a good standard is possible for the guy but unfortunately a good standard just doesn't cut it, not even close.

With your credentials, I'm sure you are good enough to win five matches. But your post makes it obvious that you clearly lack belief in yourself.

That's not a criticism. I have a similar background in the game (although I never played for England), so I know where you're coming from. I've played a lot of these players too, and I know how good they are. My main problem was a lack of belief. I played them assuming they would win, when in fact that wasn't a certainty.

All I'm saying is: it's possible. Certainly for an excellent player like yourself. Couple of wins, confidence goes up, bit of luck, nice draw... It can happen. But of course it won't if you're beaten before you play.

Don't mean to sound preachy. Of course you know all this already. I just don't agree with the defeatist attitude. If nothing else, there's a lot of enjoyment in trying even if you don't make it. It's just a game after all.

[Inoffthered]

My main problem was a lack of belief. I played them assuming they would win, when in fact that wasn't a certainty.

But of course it won't if you're beaten before you play.

I just don't agree with the defeatist attitude.

You don't agree with yourself then. It takes one to know one.

[FOXMULDER]

You don't agree with yourself then. It takes one to know one.

That's true. I was the same. I'm saying that was my problem.

[cueman]

This Q school being a new event is probably going to see at least one shock player getting on the MT IMO. I've also seen and played some of these players, likes of Andrew Norman, former professional, can knock in tons for fun and has been there. BUT, they are not susceptible to crumbling under pressure. If you start potting and playing a very solid game and can do it even the very top players start missing. If you can keep this up for 5 matches running you have a very good chance. Everyone is in the same position, they all want it so bad and ultimately it won't always be the best players that win, its the one with the most bottle and best temperament.

I only wish this Q school was being televised or streamed somewhere, you'd be quite surprised at the low standard of some of them!

[FOXMULDER]

Exactly the same reasons why I'm not good enough. I've had 9 max's in practice ( these players have had many more, plus in competition ). Add into the mix how my eyes are shot ( I think ) and there ya go... all about the teenagers and 20yr olds now.

It's not all about breaks. It's called Snooker, not 'Potting' or 'Break Building'...

All the top amateurs look like O'Sullivan in practise, every one of them. Heck, even I have on very rare occasions! :P But it means nothing whatsoever.

I remember one time at the Northern Snooker centre pro-am I watched my opponent practising with his mate before we played. He was knocking in ton after ton, didn't miss a ball. I was scared to death! Then I beat him 3-1, all I had was a couple of 40s.

End of the day: in matchplay, if you're capable of making just a 70 break then you can take a frame from anyone, World Champion or club player. And if you can take a frame, you can take a match.