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(AVI SAPER)

Since he was just 16 years old, Erik Hjorleifson’s main source of income has been playing pool.

Born and raised in River Heights, the tall redhead would grind it out for hours at the tables either in local tournaments or gambling against other players.

Hjorleifson always had the belief he could make it as a pro, and at 22 decided to head east to see if he was right.

"I dropped everything else so I had more time for playing," said the 27-year-old who now calls Toronto home. "My first year playing full time I spent the whole year in the States gambling."

Covering 20 states, from the midwest to the southeast to the East Coast, he quickly learned what it took to play pool knowing that his next paycheque would depend on whether his game was up to par.

"If you play for a living, you believe in yourself," said Hjorleifson, who was in town last week to compete in the Super Series of Billiards, the inaugural event of Bonus Ball, a new form of pool invented by Winnipegger Larry Chiborak.

"You’re not thinking, ‘I’m not going to eat if I miss this shot,’ but you aren’t knowing when your next paycheque will come — it’s kind of like a musician looking for a gig."
While he wouldn’t change his choice of professional for a second, Hjorleifson does wish the business side of pool was more like golf or tennis.
"I survive and I’m comfortable," he said, "but it doesn’t pay as well as some mainstream sports, and I don’t see why it shouldn’t. There are really only about five tournaments in North America with TV coverage. The game deserves so much more."

Chiborak, and players like Hjorleifson, are hoping that Bonus Ball — with its eye-catching scoreboard and aggressive style of play — catches on as a television property.

Even in other niche sports, like surfing and skateboarding, the athletes are able to supplement their winnings with more lucrative endorsement and sponsorship opportunities.

Instead, Hjorleifson and his fellow pool pros must perform well at a tournament just to cover their own costs. For example, at last November’s World 10-Ball Championship in the Philippines, Hjorleifson’s $2,500 cheque for finishing tied for 17th was just enough to cover his airfare and hotel expenses.

Now that he’s established himself as one of Canada’s top professionals — with top-five rankings in each of the last four seasons on the Canadian 9-Ball Tour — Hjorleifson is looking to take his game to a new level internationally.

A typical year sees him spending 20 weeks playing local and regional tournaments in Toronto, five in Montreal, 10 in New York and about 10 to 15 outside of North America.

Playing the sport he loves has taken Hjorleifson to China, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as to destinations throughout Europe.

 "I’m trying to make a real breakthrough on the international scene, to become a mainstay," he said.

avi.saper@canstarnews.com