Learn the steps to turn your love for snooker into a career. Discover what it takes to become a professional snooker player and start your journey to the top.
Snooker is a popular cue sport enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. While many people play snooker recreationally, some aspire to become professional players.
Becoming a professional snooker player requires a combination of skill, dedication, and hard work. Let’s explore some tips on how to become a professional snooker player.
💰 With the top snooker pros earning six-figures yearly, there hasn’t been a better time to become a professional snooker player.
If you aspire to become a snooker pro and reap the rewards, you must do what the other pros have done.
Natural Talent
One needs to possess a certain amount of natural talent to excel in snooker as a professional. There are many people who have been playing the game for years, but still struggle to improve their highest break.
In contrast, some players seem to have a natural talent for the game and are able to play a good game from the outset.
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump are examples of players who were naturally gifted at a very young age. O’Sullivan scored his first century break at 10 years old and his first maximum break at 15. Trump started playing at 7 and turned pro at the age of 16.
Start Early
If you aspire to become a professional snooker player, it is crucial to start playing at a young age. Additionally, it is recommended that you begin practicing on a full-size snooker table at the earliest opportunity to develop your skills rapidly, especially if you possess some natural talent.
If your child shows potential and desire to become a pro, it’s essential to start nurturing their skills from a young age by encouraging them to play on a full-size table. The more they practice, the more they will progress as a player.
Additionally, by joining a local snooker club, they can participate in tournaments and compete against other skilled players, which can enhance their game and increase their likelihood of achieving a professional career in snooker.
In case you’re a talented player but didn’t get a chance to start early, it might be too late to pursue your aspirations of becoming a professional snooker player since the standard required is very high. However, it is not impossible.
Here are some tips on how to become a professional snooker player:
- Practice, practice, practice: To become a professional snooker player, you need to spend countless hours practicing. You should focus on improving your technique and building consistency in your game. One of the best ways to practice is by playing against other skilled players who can challenge and push you to improve.
- Join a snooker club: Joining a snooker club is essential if you want to improve your game. Snooker clubs offer the opportunity to play regularly and compete against other players. You can also receive coaching from experienced players or feedback, which can help you develop your skills and strategy.
- Attend snooker tournaments: Attending snooker tournaments is an excellent way to gain exposure and experience. Even if you are not playing in the tournament, watching professional players and observing their techniques and strategies can help you improve your game.
- Get a coach: Working with a coach is an excellent way to accelerate your progress and improve your game. A coach can help you identify weaknesses in your game and develop strategies to overcome them. They can also provide valuable feedback on your technique and help you refine your skills.
- Participate in local leagues and competitions: Participating in local leagues and competitions is an excellent way to gain experience and build your confidence. It will also give you the opportunity to meet other players and network within the snooker community.
- Enter professional tournaments: Once you have built your skills and experience, you can start entering professional tournaments. While it may take some time to break into the professional circuit, entering tournaments will help you gain exposure and experience. Winning smaller tournaments can also help you build your reputation and attract sponsors.
Pathway to become a Professional Snooker Player
In snooker, there are two player rankings: amateur and professional. Becoming a professional player is a long process that requires meeting the specific criteria.
The Q School is a competition for amateur snooker players that serves as a pathway to qualify for the World Snooker Tour.
Q School
Q School is the first step towards joining the ranks of professional snooker players. It involves a series of tournaments available to both amateur and professional players without a tour card. Graduates of Q School are eligible to compete on the professional tour with a two-year tour card.
World Snooker Tour
Earning a tour card is only half the battle, and once you have it, you must compete against the best players in the world. To retain the tour card for the following season, you need to be among the top 64 players on the World Snooker Ranking list. Those who finish below the top 64 will need to compete in Q School again.
Other factors that can help you become a professional snooker player:
- Strong mental game.
- Perfecting your cue action.
- Ability to travel.
- Good facilities to practice.
- Not being broke!
- Supportive family and friends.
It’s important to note that only a few make it, but those that do can make a lucrative living out of the game.
In conclusion, becoming a professional snooker player requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can improve your skills and achieve your goal of becoming a professional snooker player.
