Newbie & Can I become professional at my age?

[FOXMULDER]

By the way: tip of the day - never watch your opponents practising before you play. They often look better than they are.

[weezer]

To be realistic I think it would be highly unlikely that someone taking up the game properly at 26 could become a professional. All the top players around today without exception started playing young and were making centuries and in some cases maximums at a very young age. Of course it would be possible to become a very good player with a lot of dedication, coaching and practice but for anyone it is not just qualifying for the main tour (which would be extremely difficult) it would be even harder to stay there for more than even just one season! Good luck to you though!

[Theguywithaplan]

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.

Can I just ask who that was out of interest? PM?

[FOXMULDER]

Can I just ask who that was out of interest? PM?

I honestly don't recall. It was 1998 or thereabouts. A scouser, I believe. That doesn't really narrow it down since there were dozens of scousers at Leeds pro am's in those days...

It was on the table to the left of the match table as you look from the lounge. I remember, because for some reason that was my favourite table in the club.

Actually, I haven't been to the Northern in years now. I believe it has been refurbished?

[magicman]

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.

Fair enough Scully! I kind of agree and yet kinda don't. My point is that really the levels of quality go up and up and these players are to all intents and purposes indistinguishable from lower ranked main tour pro's. I could beat practically any of them in one match, although they'd be favourite, but stringing 5 together is extremely unlikely.

[asbjorng]

Everyone saying that you can't become a pro are talking bull****. It will obviously be extremely difficult, but after all someone wins the lottery every week, too. Anyone can say agree with that the chances are incredible small statistically and the odds will be low, but again, that does not mean that it's impossible and effort in vain.

The argument regarding "how many pro's did start at age 26?" is pretty oblivious if you ask me. Okay, none you say. But how many have tried? There aren't a lot of people who seriously dedicate themselves to become a pro at that age.

Go for it! There will be setbacks and insanely hard, but if you work hard enough you can make it. FOXMULDER here has the point of the week. If you manage a 70 break, you win the frame. If you manage to win a frame, you can win a match.

Best of luck

[adamj2]

I agree with asbjorng!

Someone who started playing the game at the age of 7 may well turn pro at the age of 17. So I don't see any reason why someone aged 26 could not start playing the game and then turn pro at 36 (or much earlier).

The only thing in the way is the time and money to be able to practice 6-10 hours each day to get to professional standard. Since age is not really a concern since it is a skill game and not an athletic one.

[jrc750]

.....Since age is not really a concern since it is a skill game and not an athletic one.

Well unfortunately your wrong there, age does come into it, as in eyesight deteriorates and concentration becomes more difficult.

[magicman]

If age is immaterial how come there is only one player over 40 in the top 32, and that player is an exception to the rule anyway as he's a 7 times world champion?

[asbjorng]

The point here isn't that age don't matter, or starting early, or what the heck. The point is that this failure-attitude is nothing but worthless. It is possible to go pro. Hard, yes, but why the hell not try.

[ADR147]

i am afraid its not possible - not so much about age but about your standard - a professional player on a club table will score so heavily its frightening, trust me i have played some! if you have a high break of 64 that means your average visits are going to be around 30 which is not in the ball park. to be a professional player realistically you need 6-8 hours a day on the table and hitting tons every day. but there no reason not to try and improve! try playing your nearest main tour player on his own practise table and you will see how big a climb it is!

[BaconLad]

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 WALK an hour to practice!

[Inoffthered]

If age is immaterial how come there is only one player over 40 in the top 32, and that player is an exception to the rule anyway as he's a 7 times world champion?

Damn. The Nugget's dropped out of the 32 huh?

[cally]

If age is immaterial how come there is only one player over 40 in the top 32, and that player is an exception to the rule anyway as he's a 7 times world champion?

Actually..................Theres 3 players over 40 in the top 32 fella....

Hendry...

Ebdon...

Ken doherty...




Just sayin'

[magicman]

Yeah unfortunately. Steve has dropped to 44 now, so unless he has a good season he'll probably drop out of the 48, and then it's going to be very rare we see him on TV any more. Well playing at least.

Thanks for pointing that out Cally. I realised just when I posted it. Ken of course has only just got back into the top 32, and not many people will argue that Ebbo and Hendry are not going to be around for that much longer, but ok, you caught me!