Ask Ray - Answered questions - Pro's & Becoming A Pro

I have read and heard that you should use the same stroke speed on all shots. Is this what the Pro’s do? – Danville, IN

Yes, and no, there are going to be a few shots where you need to draw the cue ball the length of the table and that isn't a stroke you want to use on every shot. When a Pro is in a zone he has great cue ball control and that allows him to be able to use the same type of stroke on most shots. Play the stroke the shot calls for and just try to play prefect pool when you practice. – Ray

What is the most used brand of pool cue on the pro tour? – Sumner, WA

Wow, it used to be Meucci. I don't know now. You have so many good regional cue makers and most of the players tend to use one from their area. Great question! – Ray

I have been playing pool for as long as I can remember and I have beaten some of the best players in a bar that I go to. I am 16 and there are no pool tournaments around here, how can I go pro? – Victoria, TX

Travel, if you think you have what it takes. Go on weekend to other towns and tee it up, see if you can get better and make a few dollars while you do it. – Ray

What made you to be such a great player and to be on T.V., because that is my dream; I want to be on the tube doing what I love...playing pool. – Lakewood, WA

Practice, practice, practice. – Ray

I am 14 years old. I play pool in a local area every Friday night. I see you tell younger players to stay in school, have a backup-plan, etc. I just want to know if there is an age limit for the professional tournaments. – Union City, TN

I don't know of an age limit for the cue world, you would need to call and get the info from the promoters. Most tournaments have a promoter that sets up his or her tournament rules and work with a location to have the event. Each location is different and if they sell beer you might not be able to play. Each state has rules on minors around alcohol. As for tournaments in your area look online or ask other players in your area. The best way is to go to the pool rooms and see if they have any flyers posted. – Ray

My dream is to become a professional pool player, currently I’m 20 years old. What advice can you give me to point me in the right direction and where to start, signup or how to go about becoming a pro. – Springfield, OH

First thing, are you in school? If so, play in the college tournament and see where you stack up. If you are able to win that event you will be able to play in the U.S. Open and play the very best players. That will open some doors if you able to compete well against the best. If you not in school you could travel the Viking tour, it will help you get an idea of what it takes to win and let you see how much it cost to play pro pool. The money isn't there yet so I would work on the weekend tournaments until you have a really good chance in getting in the top 10. Good luck. – Ray

I’m 14 years old and have been playing pool for 9 months. I want to become a professional pool player and I plan to train to do so. Can you give me any advice? – Singapore

If you become the best at something you will be able to make a living. First thing, don't buy a table for your home. Find a nice place to play in your area and watch the better players to help you pick up the game faster. Get a good education to help hold on to all the money you are able to make when you become the best. Have a back up plan if things don't work out on the tables. – Ray

Do you give lessons and if so what is the cost? – Evansville, IN

Yes, I do give Lessons and the cost is $60.00 an hour and you must buy blocks of 5. The lessons will be in Owensboro. – Ray

How do you turn pro? Is there any proof or card you carry to prove it? – Port Huron, MI

You really just start playing in pro events. When I turned pro you had to earn a player card, to do that you had to place in the top 24 two times in a tour calendar year. The tour gave out badges to identify the touring pros. Now it comes down to money, if you play in the pro tournaments and make money you are a pro. Just because you play in the pro events doesn't make someone a pro. If you generate your income from playing the game, you are a pro. – Ray

I am 14 years old. If I take pool seriously from now on, do you think that I could turn pro? – Manhattan, NY

I don't know if you would ever turn pro; it’s hard to tell. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Play the game, if you never make it to the level of a pro at least you found a hobby you enjoy. Make sure you try other sports. Pro pool is very hard to make a good living. What does a pool player and a medium pizza have in common? Neither one can feed a family of four. That is an old joke that I never liked but it seems to apply here. – Ray

Can you tell me how to become a pro? – Canyon, TX

We don't have talent agents going around recruiting players. You play at the local level, when you are the best player in the area you play in bigger and better events. The old way was you play in tournaments and place in the top 24 in one calendar year you earn your card. Now it's not as organized, it comes down to who can play. The tournament this month in Louisville, Ky. is open to anyone with a cue. Pro pool isn't team play it's one on one, you trying to beat me out of my money and I'm trying to beat you. If you want to become pro go enter some big tournaments and when you are able to live off what you make you are a pro. – Ray

It’s a dream of mine to be a pro pool player what should I do to become pro; how can I get a sponsor? – Houston, TX

The best way to get sponsors is to win big area evens. You live in a good area for pool and if you keep playing and winning you will make your dream come true. If you want the process to move faster enter in some of the pro tournaments and if you do well good things will come from it. Good luck. – Ray

I've been playing pool since I was six years old, and I am now 17. I have beaten both master and professional players, and I think I'm ready to become a master or a pro player, I'm wondering if you could help me out? – Holcombe, WI

Take advantage of your youth and get out there and play people. Just because you win a match or two doesn't mean that is how you will be able to feed yourself. Get out and play, if you have money after a couple of months write me back. – Ray

I am 17 and I have a career in mind but I also want to be a professional pool player; although I have no idea of pool tournaments in my area, how can I become more informed about entering tournaments? - Cameron, NC

North Carolina is a great place to live to play big time pool. Buy Inside Pool or Pool and Billiards (magazines) for a listing of upcoming events in the state. Find a pool room and look if they have a bulletin board or check other players if they know of any new tournaments; however, players like to keep them a secret if they think they have a good chance to win. - Ray

I want to become pro; but I don't know how to start. - New York City

To start-practice, practice and more practice. If you feel your ready to find out if you have what it takes to compete at the pro level, find a high level tournament and see where you stake up with the areas best players. From there get the magazine Inside Pool and see if the tour is going to be close by and see if you can enter. They should have the contact info with the info on the tournament listings. Good Luck. - Ray

I have been playing pool since I was 11; I am now 17 and soon want to become pro. Do you have any advice on how I can bring my game to a higher level? - Port Lavaca, TX

Try to play quality players. Always practice as a student of the game. You can always learn from all skill levels so keep your mind and eyes open to new shots. I like to watch players strike the cue ball; I look for level of impact through the cue and the affect it has for the other players' stroke. - Ray

I'm 15 years old and I already won a 9-Ball and 8-Ball amateur tournament; most of the people at the place where I go to play pool say I have a very good chance of being a pro if I stay with pool, so I was wondering what I have to do to become a pro? - Tamarack, FL

Try to have something solid as a career, stay in school and get a good education. They have collegiate tournaments that will be a great opportunity for you to win a real title and gain exposure to high profile pool. - Ray

I'm 19 years old and totally clueless where to bring my talent in order to take my chances in the pro circuit. Where should I go specifically? - Livonia, MI

Get a pool magazine and look for upcoming event in your area. You can play in most satellite tours. Florida has a tournament every weekend if you are able to travel. Go on the road on weekends and play other players in the state. If you chose to go out and gamble be careful and play to win not to deceive. Don't hustle people, if you make people think you can't play and then beat them you could get hurt. Play hard and try to win every game and opportunities will come your way. - Ray

How do you become a Professional player? - Cicero, IN

It takes hard work and a lot of talent. Pool is like any other sport you may become pretty good but to make it into the pros you need to have a gift. Good luck. - Ray

I'm an excellent pool player and want to be a professional pool player when I grow up but I don't know how the money is going to be if I choose that as a career, what can you tell me? - Northlake, IL

Very few players make it on pool money. Most have pool rooms or outside money to help. There is a big difference between the number one spot and the 6th place. I would say a range of 20,000 to 250,000 on tournament money for one year if you stay around the top 50. Stay in school and have something to fall back on. - Ray

I'm 17 years old and been playing pool one year now and my natural talent has carried me this far and in local tournaments. How many years do you think it might take for me to go pro assuming I practice everyday? - Canton, OH

The ability to pocket balls and run out isn't all that is needed to play on the pro level. Seventeen is really young, I would take the time to go to college and enter the collegiate tournaments for the experience. The title of college champion isn't bad to have on your resume. Take the time to get the needed knowledge of the game so you are more likely to have a long career. I played my first pro event at 18, I started playing when I was 15 and I wish someone would have given me this advice. - Ray

I am a 13-year-old and a beginner in pool; I am a pretty good player but I want to be a professional when I grow up can you give me a practice tip? - Clinton, MD

Make sure you do well in school is the first tip. Always have goals and try to reach them. When you practice put pressure on yourself to run out or pocket balls. Last when you set your goals don't expect anything less. - Ray

What routes can a pool players can take to become pro? - Oceanside, CA

Pro pool is a little miss leading. Most tournaments are open to anyone that has the entry money. The old rule to be recognized as a pro was, a player had to finish in the top 24 in two pro events in a calendar year. If I was a young player, I would play in every local tournament until they ask you to stop playing because it hurts the turnout. Then I would travel the satellite circuits, Joss or Florida tour. Get tournament tough and it's a little cheaper to lean on the smaller tours. Good luck. - Ray

I am 15 years old and I have been told to get into to tournaments but the ones I can get into offers no competition for me. What can I do to get noticed? - Taylor, MI

Play in tournaments with older players. Go to the pool rooms and play I'm sure you have local tournaments in the rooms where the adults play. When you step up to play with the older players try to watch and learn, even if you think you play better than them. The problem I had when I was coming up is I thought if I pocketed the balls better and ran out more they didn't know anything to help me. Wrong. I play a guy that I've been beating since I was 15 look at my stroke to help see if I'm coming through the ball. I also had Nick Varner's dad help me and he didn't play anywhere close to my speed at the time. Knowledge comes in all shapes, keep an open mind and you will learn faster and play better. - Ray

Is there an age of a person in pool when you would say if they don't have it now they will never be great? - Rochester, NH

Yes, but it is different for everyone, it really comes down to the want factor. Great is a big word. Great like a top pro, top player in the APA or be a great player in your area? Great to me is getting the most out of the time and talent. If they are happy with their game then they play great. - Ray

What are the best ways to get noticed to become pro? - Camdenton, MO

The best way is to put your money up and WIN, WIN, WIN. That is the best way to do anything, go to the tournaments and play. If you are any good the players will talk and the sponsors will know. Good Luck. - Ray

When pros break, their cue shaft bends. Where can I get a cue like this and how does the bending help? - Houston, TX

We don't get a special bendable shaft to break with. The bend comes from the extreme follow through. - Ray

I've had people tell me that I'm really good and that I'm the best pool player they have ever seen. I want to go for the Gold, go Pro, how do I get into the APA and enter the tournaments, you know get to the next level? - Anaheim, CA

Well, this site would give you a lot of info on APA League play. I would suggest trying a League before anything else; you'll find a lot of really good players in the League that will challenge you. I would also go to your local pool room to see if there is a local tour that the Pros play, like the Joss tour or Viking tour. Play and see how you do at the mid level before you spend big bucks on entry fees on the big tour only to find out you need a little more time to work your game. - Ray

I'm currently in the Army, stationed in Germany. I'm about to go to Iraq for 15 months. At 21 years of age, what do you think of my chances of becoming an APA champion? Is it too late? - Goldsboro, NC

It's never too late. I've seen players play better then they ever did after they turned 50 on the senior tour. You get out of pool pretty much what you put into pool. Good luck in Iraq and thank you. - Ray

I have been looking for competition around town and have yet to find any. I have asked every "heavy hitter" I could find and none of them want to play me anymore. How can I get practice if no one will play me anymore? Do the pros make enough money in straight play "no endorsements" to retire from the 9 to 5 rat race? - Hobbs, NM

No, stay in school or at work. You need to travel a little bit. Go to some area tournaments and play. If you really try you can find some competition if not in your town somewhere close and be careful not to bite of more than you can chew. - Ray

Who is Tony Watson? I was at a tournament and there was a guy there who everyone said was once a pro. - Summerville, SC

Look on AZbilliards.com. Tony was one of the best young players to ever play. Some hard times and bad decisions took some of that talent. He is from NC and is still a fine player. - Ray

I am interested in learning how to play pool. Are there any places where I can take classes and learn the trick hands on or do I just have to practice, read books and watch movies? If you know of any place that offers this kind of teaching in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN area or know of anyplace I could get info on classes please let me know. - Osceola, WI

There is a school in your area, you would need to contact the Billiards Congress of America and get the updated info. I would go to the local pool room and try to watch the better players and buy some videos of some of the top players to see if you pick up on their patterns. I don't thank a school will give you the knowledge you would get by watching good players go at it. This is a game that takes years to understand and that is why people thank the better players are keeping secrets from the world. The only way to learn how to really play is to expose yourself to as much pool as you can. Join a league and have fun while you learn. - Ray

How can I find out the names of the men who ranked in the top 10 pool tournaments earlier this year? - Coleman, MI

Look on the AZ billiards site. They keep pretty good records throughout the year. - Ray

I'm 14 years old and I'm already winning tournaments in my area. I want to be a pro so bad and I want to know how to get better at my game. - Williamston, NC

It sounds like you know, play, play, play. Play in as many tournaments as you can and put yourself in pressure situations as much as possible. Good luck. - Ray

I am a SL 6 in the League. I own and practice on a 9-foot table. Some days I feel I am ready to take a shot at a pro tournament and other days I don't. What was the one thing that put you "over the hump" and made you decide to play pro? - Las Vegas, NV

I won a lot of mid-level tournaments and I had the opportunity to play a great champion for practice and gauge may game. If you are a six, I would guess you wouldn't win often at the pro level unless you are really under rated. - Ray

I am curious about 3-cushion. I have never seen it played and there is nowhere around to see a game. Are there any players that you could recommend that might be interesting to watch? - Memphis, TN

I'm not up on the 3 cushion players. If you contact ACCU-Stats I'm sure they would have the best players on tape. - Ray

How do you deal with the stress while playing? - Jensen Beach, FL

Practice and confidence, I know you hear it all the time. If you are playing with a lot of confidence you will be able to hold up under more pressure. This takes a lot of practice and match play. You go to the tournament and just let it happen. If you have done your homework you will feel more conformable under the heat. - Ray

You mentioned in one of last week's answers that the pro's stroke the cue ball low about 75% of the time. I've noticed the really good players around this area do this as you said - why? - Fayetteville, NC

Control is everything in pool. Low gives you more feel on the shot. You are able to hit the cue with a little more stroke on each shot. High sometime causes the cue ball to ride the object ball and sometimes even will make the ball slide off the line. Speed it important, but line and angle is how you run racks. - Ray

If you are a Pro 9-Ball player and you frequently play in tournaments, do you really need a job on the side; can you just survive off of your tournament winnings? - Spring, TX

I have other income that comes from pool. I don't think other Pros in other sports only live off what they make in a tournament or a game. I have a pool room and a restaurant I opened with pool money. When the tour is running good you could earn about $50,000 being ranked in the mid 20's. - Ray

I am pretty young and pretty good but what is the age limit to start playing in the big time tourneys? - Orange, TX

Win all you can at the amateur level first. There are three reasons, one it will help you attract sponsor money when you are ready to play on the pro level. Two, you would have a chance to play in the APA U.S. Amateur (you can win a chance to play in a professional tournament), national juniors and in college. Three, you would get to play around world and see if that is something you would like to do to earn a living. - Ray

I saw that you live in Owensboro, KY. I was born and raised there. Where are the good places to play when I'm visiting my parents and friends in that area? - Covington, WA

I have a place called Razor's and there is a pool room on 2nd Street named Hutchins. Say hello the next time you are in town. - Ray

The WPBA seems to be very well managed, as exampled by the airtime the ladies receive relative to the men. What is wrong with the PBA and what needs to be changed to improve the situation for the men? - Houston, TX

Let's just say egos get into the way. - Ray

I have noticed that many pro's and top amateurs use a nearly flat tip. Is there an advantage? – Palisade, NE

I don't know what you consider a flat tip, but I use a shape of a nickel and most of the players I know use a nickel or a dime shape. – Ray

What happened to the Corey Duel hype? Is he as good as people said he is? Also, what is the difference in skill level between the pro women and men? – St. Louis, MO

Corey is ranked #1 and is very good. The men still play a few clicks above the women. Fisher played one of the middle ranked men a few years ago and he gave her the 5, 7 and the break and she didn't win. Safety play and the break is where the difference is. – Ray

I’ve noticed that when I play on a fast quality table, my game is twice what it is on a bar table. Do the pros notice this when they shoot on a table that isn’t perfect? – Chestertown, MD

Yes, we like the best equipment we can get. The ability to adjust to the tables is very important, the faster you learn the table the better. – Ray

I am interested in learning more about Allison Fisher’s instruction school. Do you have any info? – Huntersville, NC

I don't have any info to pass on to you but I'm sure if you get any pool magazine you will find her advertisement with the number, you could also try her Web site, www.allisonfisher.com. – Ray

Do you prefer a cue with a linen wrap or without? – Silver Spring, MD

I like to play with a cue with a linen wrap and break with a cue without a wrap. I grip the cue a little tighter on the break and I seem to get a better grip without the wrap. – Ray

I was watching Alison Fisher play a 9-Ball match and she had a "frozen" ball situation. The cue ball was "frozen" to the next object ball. She shot directly through both balls "pushing" both to the rail. The commentator said it was a legal shot and would have been a foul if the balls were not frozen. Since the balls were frozen, Alison could shoot the cue ball normally without creating a double hit. Is that how it works? - Duluth, GA

With the cue ball froze to the object ball you are allowed to shoot straight threw. They have this rule because it is impossible to play the shot and not have the tip on the cue ball and object ball at the same time. You do have to make a good stroke on the shot; if you over extend your stroke to create an angle, they may call a foul. - Ray

Where could I start to possibly become a Pro? Are there any leagues or tournaments that might prepare me for the challenge ahead? - Bismarck, MO

Try the Viking Tour. This is where most of the top players compete and stay in stroke. - Ray

Who would you consider to be the best trick shot artist ever, past and present? -- Staunton, VA

No question - Mike Massey. - Ray

I am interested in eventually becoming a professional pool player. What do I need to do to make the step up to the professional level? - Wickliffe, OH

Help from others should always help. You need to set goals for yourself that will challenge you every time you practice. If you want it bad enough you have a chance of it happening. - Ray

My girlfriend is a wonderful player. Where can I find information on Ladies Tournaments? - Silver Spring, MD

There are qualifiers for the Women's Tour but I wouldn't know where to get their tournament schedule. I would look on AZBilliards.com for some info...Sorry I couldn't give you any more help. - Ray

In your opinion was Minnesota Fats a showman only or a good player? - Staunton, VA

Not only was he a showman, he was the best at it. He was a very good player and not just anyone could beat him. He never played as well as most of the old pros, but he made as much money at the game as the top players. Fats was a good guy to be around and maybe he didn't play as well as Crane or Wimpy but he was pool and without him pool wouldn't be the same today. - Ray

In your opinion, who do you think is the number one pool player in the world? - Burbank, CA

Reyes, when the money is on the line he's the winner. - Ray

I was wondering if anyone could become a pro? Also, do you have any tips on how I can beat my friend? - Calgary, AK

No, I don't think just anyone has the ability to play at the pro level. Secondly, work on the break, this is the first shot in every game and a lot of the time the biggest. - Ray

Why are the men not on TV as much as the women? Are the women players better? - Springfield, MO

The men left ESPN over money about 5 years ago. ESPN would always put pool on against top programming because they knew pool would draw about a 1.7 share. This is about the same as hockey on a good night. The reason we left is, ESPN gives hockey money for the rights to show their sport and the pro men players had to pay about $40,000 to produce or show. We felt like we should get a deal like hockey, so we stopped taping our tournaments for ESPN to show. No, the women don't play anywhere close to the top players in the men's tour. - Ray

Can Pro's run a rack of 8-Ball out most of the time? How is your 8-Ball game? - San Antonio, TX

No, most Pro's don't play a lot of 8-Ball and have trouble picking patterns to play. I love the game and think I'm one of the best in the world. I have placed in the Top Ten at the World 8-Ball Championships the last three years. - Ray

Do you know of any professional pool player who could play the same quality of game using either his/her left hand as well as his/her right hand? - Sacramento, CA

Efern can play as well as most Pros, either hand. I would say he is the best ever with either hand. I have a very good friend that plays a very good speed with both hands, but he'd kill me if I let his name out! - Ray

I am looking to enter some tournaments do you know where I could look? - Philadelphia, PA

Try billiards magazines and any local papers that deal with pool. - Ray

I am considering competing in professional tournaments, I am ranked as an "A" player; do you think a person of this rank can handle a professional tournament? - Virginia Beach, VA

It never hurts to try to compete on the pro level; at worst you will have a good time and find some things to work on...Good Luck. - Ray

How good was Fats? Some say he was a trick shot player, I think he was one of the best. - Mays Landing, NJ

He was one of the best at a lot of the showmanship and he was not a push over to beat in his day. He wasn't the player Crane or Hoppe where but they didn't gamble like he did. He was the best in this day-at the part of the game he liked-getting you to bet out of you range where your nerves would take over and he would take your money. I think Fats was one of the best ever. - Ray

I would like to know how to get on the pro circuit for billiards? - Wappingers Falls, NY

The magazines, Inside Pool, Pool & Billiard and Billiards Digest have a list of tournaments you may play and some info on the men's upcoming tour. - Ray

I was just wondering about the status of men's pool as a sport and why there is no pro tour for the men. Do you think the state of men's professional pool will change for the better? - New York, NY

Bad leadership is why we don't have an organized tour. Men's pool was ran by some of the top players not qualified to be put in a role of leadership. Just because you can play the game doesn't make your thoughts gold. Miss-use of tour money and weak board members has hurt men's pool. The men have a good core of young players so I think pool is going to get better and the men have a small tour in the works for next year. - Ray

What does it take to become a professional 9-Ball player? Do you have to win any special tournaments to get into the professional tour? How many professional players are there and what are they earning a year? - Reykjavik, Iceland

No, you don't have to win any qualifiers but if you want to play in the big show you better be ready or rich. The average entry fee is about $500. I would say there are about 100 touring pros and about 500 players with the ability to compete on tour. The range of pay would be $10,000 to $500,000 -it just depends on endorsements and how many tournaments you enter. - Ray

Do pro player do side bets with each other at tournaments? - San Antonio, TX

Yes, but not every match or every tournament. Some tournaments will not allow you to gamble in or on the tournament site. - Ray

Who has the top five runs in straight pool? I know Mosconi had 526 in a run but how about others? - Staunton, VA

That is something I don't know. I wouldn't even know where to find that info. The runs are talked about for a long time. I heard a guy from New York ran around 700, I don't remember his name. But that is how most of the high runs are, one or two people see it happen and later on no one can prove it. - Ray

There are players out there that play very good in tournaments, but are not good when money is at stake. Who would you consider the best money player in the country? (Keith McGreedy?) - Commerce, CA

Keith was one of the best about 10 years ago. It depends on the game over all Efren would be my pick; but in 9-ball I would go with Earl Strickland or Johnny Archer. - Ray

Who is the oldest person to turn pro? - Pomona, NY

Sorry, I don't know. I don't think they keep stats like that. - Ray

Is there ever a time when a person is too old to consider going pro? (I'm 47) - Austin, TX

I don't think you are too old; I watch the senior players and they play real well. - Ray

What are Mika Immonen's and Alex Lely's nicknames? - Tampa, FL

Mika really doesn't have a nickname, some people call him the "Hunter" or "Ice Man", but nothing has stayed with him. Alex's nickname is "The Young Lion." - Ray

I'm 13 and an above average pool player. Do you think I would have a chance in an adult tournament? - Madison, WI

My advice for anyone is to play everywhere and anyone you can. Always try to play better players than you. You should try to get into every tournament you can, in time, with hard work you will be able to compete in any area. - Ray

I live in a small town that never has tournaments. What would be the best way for me to get into the pros? - Midland, TX

MOVE! No, do you have a car? If you want to get to pro level you need to do some roadwork. Go out and play. Good Luck. - Ray

I am imitating Alison Fisher's and Karen Cohr's stance. I block out my body and bend over as I bring my face in line with my cue. My Team Captain said I should not stand that way. I know I need to feel comfortable, but can you give me some direction on stance? - San Antonio, TX

The stance the ladies use is a Snooker stance, more for pocketing balls. This stance tends to let you shoot straighter but it also takes away power in your stroke. I would not recommend this stance. I believe the ladies would have a better break and would be able to move the cue ball around with more force if they would take a more athletic stance. Next chance you get to watch a pro event, check out and imitate some of the top men. - Ray

I am looking for information on amateur tournaments, I heard about Super Billiards Expo; can you recommend any Web sites? - Dresden, OH

Do you know of any Web sites that give help tips so I can become a better player? - Phoenix, AZ

The American Poolplayers Association hosts a U.S. Amateur Championship tournament. This is open to both members and non-members. The top two winners win the opportunity to participate in a 2003 pro event. The entry window opens in April, check out their site for more information. Also, I recommend www.AZBilliards.com, the APA often directs people to billiards magazine sites such as Billiards Digest at www.billiardsdigest.com and Pool & Billiard's at www.poolmag.com. You can find further information about the event in Valley Forge at www.superbilliardsexpo.com. - Ray

What part, if any does talent play in the games of top players? -- Minneapolis, MN

Like any sport, talent will carry you a long way. Talent is a little overrated in pool and most sports. Pool is a game that experience is as important more than talent alone. Case in point - Greg Fix, a fine player but I would say he is about 10% talent and 90% heart. He has won matches against just about every top player out there. - Ray

I was watching a match on Sunday and Jeanette Lee played a safety and Karen Corr decided to give her back the table. I could not find this in the rules, is this only in professional play? - Denver, CO

Rules are different in every bar and in every tournament I have played. She did not think she would make a good hit and didn't want to open up the table by missing the hit and move balls from a tough layout. We have players meetings at every event to go over the rules for that event. APA rules are different from Pro rules. Pro rules promote offenses to speed up matches - Ray

How realistic is it to go pro at age 31? What steps would you take to get there? Would you take lessons or just grind out the practice on your own? - Phoenix, AZ

Sometimes the best way to see what you need to work on is just jump right in. Find a top-level tournament and play. You will find out where your game really is and will have a chance to talk to some of the pro players and get some pointers. I like to ask someone for help and work on the problem by myself. - Ray

I am not a great player but I have a passion to be a great pool player. What are some of the things that I could do to improve my game? - Daytona Beach, FL

Find the best players around and play them for table time you will learn from them and they get free practice. - Ray

We recently have been watching the women play 9-Ball on TV. We were wondering about the size of the pockets. We were curious what the pros use? - Yonkers, NY

The men use 4 ¼" inch pockets. I don't know about the size for the women. - Ray

What is the choice of pool cue used on the circuit? - Cordova, SC

Every pro pretty much has a different brand cue. Meucci cues used to be the cue of choice but now we have a lot of great cue makers wanting the players to use their cue that most of them have a sponsor for the cue and get paid to use it. The cue is really up to the player and how it plays for them. You might like a hard hitting cue and someone else a softer hitting one. - Ray

I have been playing pool since 1974 and over the years have developed a fairly good game. I have never played in a big tournament as a result of raising three kids. Now that the kids are older I want to play in a bigger tournament provided I qualify. My question is how should I go about finding out how to qualify for the US Open either amateur or masters level? - Katy, TX.

The U.S. Amateur would be a good place to start. The U.S. Amateur is an APA National Championship of 128 of the country's more highly skilled amateur players. The Champion and Runner-Up win paid travel, lodging and entry fees into a Pro event, in addition to a marble and bronze trophy, jacket and APA membership. In the past the winners won the opportunity to play in the U.S. Open. Entry for 2002 is closed, but consider this for next year, entry forms are accepted April 1 - June 15. You do not have to be an APA member to participate. Entry fees for the Preliminary Rounds are $40 for APA members and $50 for non-APA members; the entry fees for the Championship Rounds (should you win a preliminary round) is $60 for APA members and $75 for non-APA members. This is an inexpensive way to find out if you want to compete among the nation's best. You can find more information about the U.S. Amateur on their web site under Tournament Information. Also, you can buy a billiards magazine and look for up coming events that you would like to play. This will give you a good opportunity to play; there are a lot of lower level tournaments listed. - Ray

What is the best way to get into the pros? How do I find out when and where the tournaments are taking place? - Doylestown, PA

Look in some of the pool magazines; they have pages dedicated to upcoming events. - Ray

I just started playing APA this past summer; I want to get better. I was wondering what your advice to a practicing player would be to help them become a professional. I love the game and love the competition, my worst downfall so far is when I mess up a shot I feel I should have made, I get angry and it ruins the rest of my shots. What techniques should I work on the most to improve my game? - Norwalk, CT

Go ahead and enter in some upper level tournaments it will help you improve faster. I like that you get mad about the misses, if you didn't get mad you would have a hard time getting better...Keep playing and good luck. - Ray

Will pro pool ever have another organized tour? If so, will it pay out any money? - Memphis, TN

Hope so, I like to eat! - Ray

What size tips do most of the professionals use and weight do they use for play and for the break? - Maurepas, LA

Most of the players use 13mm tips and about 19 oz, cues for play and the same weight to break. - Ray

Several players in our League continue to discuss the size of the tables the Pro's on ESPN play on. What is correct? - Dayton, OH

4 ½ x 9 is what we play on in most of the big events. I have never seen a TV match on a smaller table. - Ray

What are your suggestions on becoming a better pool player and wanting to become a woman championship player? - Middletown, OH

The only way I know how to improve your game is to play better players and always look for a better way to hit balls. I like to watch the other players and see how they play shots and patterns to run out. - Ray

One question was asked of you about the highest run in straight pool. You said it was someone in NY. It was probably Auther (Babe) Cranfield, Hall of Famer from Syracuse NY. Irving and other pros said he was the best ever in straight. I used to play Babe on a regular basis, the man could he run balls, 350 450, 550. Have you ever seen him play? - Rochester, NY

I never was able to see him play, I loved watching pool played the old way and I would have loved to have seen The Babe play. Thanks for the info. - Ray

What is the best game to become a complete poolplayer? - Dallas, TX

Straight pool is a great all around game, but I would have to say 10-Ball. The question is a little like, what sport has the best Athletes and I would say basketball, it combines a lot of other sports to make one. Ten-Ball is a little more up-tempo and you have to be creative. - Ray

What is the best approach when trying to acquire sponsorship for tournaments? Is there a list of cue manufacturers that are looking for people to sponsor and to use their cues? - Fairfield, IL

The best way is to play in a few events and let your play do the talking for you. If you play well, the sponsors will find you. Sponsors like personality as much as ability. - Ray

Do you guys strength train or are there any exercises that you use for hitting the cue ball better? - Victoria, BC

The pool stroke is not an athletic move so to improve your power you need to improve your timing. - Ray