How to become a professional?

[orenzai]

hi everybody,
i dont know if this question has been asked but i cant find any topics about this question.i was just wondering if there is any requirements to turn pro. like how old or what achievements must be made. i am only 15yo so it just came through my mind that maybe i would go for snooker as a profession as i love this sport a lot.would it be a very risky chance to take to go for snooker rather than finding a job using your academic skills?i am in malaysia which is somewhere in asia. hope somebody here can answer my question.thnx in advance


Or3nZai

[Alex0paul]

Well there are a few routes you can take. Either play in the Asia Under 21 Championships and win it, win the Asia Championships, win the IBSF World Under 21 Championships or enter PIOS. PIOS is the semi pro tour and the easist route to getting on the main professional tour however it is too late to enter this season.

What is your game like and what is your highest break?

[orenzai]

my highest break now is only 30. i started taking snooker seriously few months back. since this is my public examination year, my parents only let me go once a week. i was thinknig if theres really an opportunity to make this as a profession why not. my game is probably still kinda inconsistent as i told you i just started taking it seriously. may i know more about PIOS?Thanks for your reply

[Watford]

To be fair 30 breaks at 15 would mean that you've got alot of work ahead of you if you want to be a pro.
The PIOS is definatley not worth looking at yet.
It would be interesting to hear what the standard is like at the Asia under 21s.
Could you get coaching in Malaysia?

[cueman]

Not wishing to put you down or anything but realistically you have a less than 2% chance of making it as a professional at best. To have only just started taking the game seriously at 15 means in all reality you will never be able to get up to the standard required to play at the highest level.

Most top players will have already been playing about 4 or 5 years by the time they are you age, and most will boast quite a few century breaks in competition, let alone in practice in that time.

I don't imagine the standard is quite that high in malaysia and you may be very good for your age in your country. However I thought it might be worth pointing out to you the kind of standard you should be at to stand any realistic chance of becoming professional.

[orenzai]

thanks for the comments...as i said...this profession thingy just came through my mind...just wondered what was the percentage of being a pro for my age...guess its already answered..malaysia standard is not really bad...we have an 18yo getting 147 in my state...i dont know about the other parts of the country...well...i guess this profession is out of my wishlist then...ahahaha... just envy how judd trump had the talent...lolz...

[matt01]

don't quit

Hi there

If that is your dream, go for it. Don't let anybody tell you that you can't make it. I would suggest get professional coaching imediately and practice, practice, practice....
Everything is possible for him that believes.

Good luck and God bless.

[orenzai]

but its a less than 2% chance...lolz....and joining PIOS is so expensive..

[austrian_girl]

There are people who would give a sh** load for 2%. If it's really what you want, then go for it. Just first think about the "really"!

[dannyd0g]

I believe its worth bearing in mind that the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan and Matthew Stevens I think were making century breaks by the time they were 10 years old. Mister Jimmy White was reportedly making 50 breaks within 2 weeks of first picking up a cue. I cant quite remember the full details of the Judd Trump story but I think it was along the lines of him winning national tournaments and then running along to play on the swings.

True these guys are rare natural talents. But at 15 and only making 30 breaks there is an incredibly massive amount of catching up to for Lorenzai to do. Ok its not impossible for him to make it, just extremely unlikely.

[MrRottweiler]

As already stated although still young 15 is old in terms of starting on the road to professional Snooker. Its not impossible though and you should never let anyone discourage you from your dream of turning pro. There is no shortcut to getting good at Snooker. You have to practice and practice very hard. While your friends are going out partying you will need to be in your club potting balls. You wont want to but its unavoidable. Get coaching early on to assist in good habits. Even if you never turn pro you could make a good amature player and win competitions. The only way to find out is to play and play a lot!

[orenzai]

as you know...malaysians have a very bad impression on snooker... everybody here thinks that snooker are for gambling...thats why my mom dont really allow me to play snooker... in addition, 70% of the people that goes to the snookerium smokes...and thats another reason for my mom not letting me go... if i had the support needed i will persevere...but nah...as danny and the other members said so, its extremely unlikely...

[Watford]

I wish you could still smoke in the snooker halls here!
Think your self lucky!

[MrRottweiler]

Orenzai, Users here are giving you practical advice but dont be disheartened by it. Use it to motivate yourself.

[Sam_92]

Motivation as MrRottweiler said!!

Set yourself a goal. Try and be as good as the 18y/o making 147's when your 18.
Try and improve your highest break. Practice hard. You can do almost anything if you set your mind to it and you want it bad enough!!!