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Question:
“What are the differences between professionals and amateurs?
And what is the process to become a professional?
- Daniel D. from Denver, CO
Answer:
The differences between the professionals and the amateurs are
that the pros establish a world ranking through either the Women’s
Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) or the World Pool Association
(WPA). The WPA is the governing body for pool and asks organizations
such as the WPBA & BCA for their top ranked woman/men players
to participate in tournaments such as the World Championships. I
have been honored to represent the USA/WPBA and participate in 6
world championships.
How to become a professional? Over the years the formats have evolved,
but currently the WPBA has created nine regional tours across the
USA. The top players from each tour receive special invites to participate
in the yearly Regional Tour Championships and the top finishers
from that event get spots onto the WPBA for the following calendar
year.
The WPBA awards points for participation on tour and at the end
of the year if you have calculated enough points to be ranked into
the top 32 then you become a touring professional plus get an invite
to play the following year. At the end of the classic tour year
if you’re ranked below the top-32 then you must re-qualify
through the regional tours system.
Another venture is to compete in individual WPBA qualifiers. This
is where all amateur players are welcome to participate in a tournament
in which the winner receives a paid spot into a WPBA event. For
more information I suggest visiting www.wpba.com or www.wpa-pool.com.
The men are basically the same, open to all independent events such
as the Men’s US Open, Turning Stone, and the Steve Mizerak
Championships award points towards the BCA men’s world rankings.
Then the top men are invited to participate in events such as the
World championships and additional international events. Also, the
Mosconi Cup US team is comprised of the top finishers from the BCA
points list. For more information on this visit www.bca-pool.com
Best of luck to you,
Viper
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