Does it always have to be this way...?

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Impact Blue

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Does it always have to be this way...? (seasoned gamblers need apply)

I'm a total douchebag when it comes to playing for money. And I don't like it one bit, and I can't explain why.

Recently, I was stuck four sets by wide margins. Pride bruised and on tilt, I ask to jack up the bet and lengthen the game by two. Not to say it was a sweep, but it wasn't close--I broke even that night.

Yesterday, I'm stuck two short sets, and I misheard my guy saying something stupid at the closing of the second set. I call him out on it, act like a total ass, and I'm off like a rocket and jack up the bet.

That set was a sweep. I made very little money, already being behind.

Now, I'm not much of a gambler, but I feel like I've hit a wall. Lately I've been fishing for action in hopes to correct that, however now (or maybe always...yikes) my ego gets involved and I'm left with a bitter taste in my mouth. I get defensive, and apparently the only way for me to close it out is to "destroy" my opponent. -sigh-

Really, I can't stress enough how much I love the game of this game. If you can call it Zen, or meditation, or whatever, pool has been my closest friend these past years, and it's something I just feel good about, playing my best, by myself. But when it's for the money--well, you get the point. That guy has left the building. (and when I'm always preaching about "letting the table do the talkin".)

Can I grow out of this phase? what's my f-in deal?... If I am equipped to go pro, you all will see it. But years behind that day, wtf is going on now?
 
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bump for feedback eh....

Well you asked for it. I thnk you're looking to be taken down acting the way you are. One day someone is going to take you for a lot of $$ because you let your ego get in the way.

I suppose you want to double the bet now?
 
Earl in the making? lol Just take a breather buddy, yes money is involved, but "I think maybe the money's what's throwing you off here today." lol cheer up.
 
Number one, I just want to be the best player at my speed. In practice, I push myself hard, but equally as hard to remember to have fun playing. I know that I can't be a greater player without that.

Man, I really wanted to be a player that doesn't believe in gambling to hone one's skills. Seriously, though, I'm starting to get it when many of my peers (all of which who play much stronger, and much bigger action than I) say that you can't get any better unless you put something on it.

Currently reading:
Pleasures of Small Motions
The Inner Game of Tennis

Lookin for answers.
 
I think there's some truth to the idea that sometimes reaching the next level requires putting something on the line, so you can learn how to dig deep and execute when there's a real price for failure.

But the "something on the line" doesn't have to be gambling sets. Enter tournaments. You've put in money, and there's a real penalty for losing. Each match has a little more pressure on it than the previous one. For me, I put a lot of pressure on myself on league night, even if I'm the only one in the room who really cares if I win or lose. The reason is that I enjoy learning to play under pressure. I try not to infringe on anyone else's relaxed attitude, but during my match, I'm really leaning on myself to perform.

If you find that gambling sets bring out the worst in you, there are other ways to improve your "something on the line" game.

-Andrew
 
supergreenman said:
Well you asked for it. I thnk you're looking to be taken down acting the way you are. One day someone is going to take you for a lot of $$ because you let your ego get in the way.
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You're right. That's why I'm posting....

It's not that I'm bad about losing. I'm bad about losing something that I invest my heart and soul in to. That's just how I feel about it. And maybe I do need a good a-s kicking, pride-breaking take. It'll happen, I'm sure. I think it might be a common denominator amongst the great players out there.

supergreenman said:
I suppose you want to double the bet now?
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Sure. I'll play till I'm broke, as long as it's a good game. :p If my best game can get there, you got action.

If I bust, I'll just come at ya again next payday! :lol:

---

Simply put: I just want to be some zen, chi-aligned, master always sitting the rock on the good side. There's no way that's gonna happen acting like a mad ape trying to shake the other player. I don't want my opponent to e x i s t. Period.
 
I'm the opposite of what you asked for (I'm not a seasoned gambler) but I can tell you that for some people the appeal in pool is just pool itself, and for others it's the action.

I believe everyone can get to the next level if they want it, but whether or not they want it depends on how much they love the game vs. how much they love matching up and competing and gambling. I love the game by itself and have reached a pretty good level with virtually 0 gambling. I do not buy for a second that I need to start putting money on it to get to the next level. That's crap. You will not learn tighter position, smarter pattern play, more accurate shotmaking or better fundamentals over the course of a few gambling sets.

If you've hit a wall and you aren't getting any better, you will have to fix that over the course of hundreds of hours of practice. There's no shortcut for it. You won't magically go up 3 speeds over the course of a few sets, even if you bet the rent on those sets. You might play well and you might win, if added pressure helps you to focus, but if that's the only way you can be bothered to focus then I feel sorry for you because it limits your ability to improve.

I'd say forget about the money or even competition in general, put 30 bucks into some pool books and read up and do drills. Figure out the holes in your game that prevents you from playing shape like efren or breaking like shane. Fix those holes. Play the ghost until you can beat it, or beat it with a spot even. Then go out looking for sets.
 
CreeDo said:
I'm the opposite of what you asked for (I'm not a seasoned gambler) but I can tell you that for some people the appeal in pool is just pool itself, and for others it's the action.

I believe everyone can get to the next level if they want it, but whether or not they want it depends on how much they love the game vs. how much they love matching up and competing and gambling. I love the game by itself and have reached a pretty good level with virtually 0 gambling. I do not buy for a second that I need to start putting money on it to get to the next level. That's crap. You will not learn tighter position, smarter pattern play, more accurate shotmaking or better fundamentals over the course of a few gambling sets.

If you've hit a wall and you aren't getting any better, you will have to fix that over the course of hundreds of hours of practice. There's no shortcut for it. You won't magically go up 3 speeds over the course of a few sets, even if you bet the rent on those sets. You might play well and you might win, if added pressure helps you to focus, but if that's the only way you can be bothered to focus then I feel sorry for you because it limits your ability to improve.

I'd say forget about the money or even competition in general, put 30 bucks into some pool books and read up and do drills. Figure out the holes in your game that prevents you from playing shape like efren or breaking like shane. Fix those holes. Play the ghost until you can beat it, or beat it with a spot even. Then go out looking for sets.
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uh, ditto that.....well said, rep headed your way!
 
CreeDo said:
I'd say forget about the money or even competition in general, put 30 bucks into some pool books and read up and do drills. Figure out the holes in your game that prevents you from playing shape like efren or breaking like shane. Fix those holes.
Click to expand...

I have oodles of books. I invest 20-30 hours a week, and up until recently, to all Pro Skill Drills, PAT tests, and the Ghost...I haven't gambled much, or should I say played for money. I feel my match ups with haven't been much of a "gamble" per se. It's the bad attitude and lack of focus (unless I'm super stuck) that I'm trying to remedy.

I just got a new evening job, and I'm shopping for personalized instruction so I can have some homework during the day-rates, also so that I have clear cut goals beyond the 9-ball ghost I play.

Beyond tournaments, I don't know what else can reinforce that knowledge.?

Plus, c'mon, if there's an opportunity to make money, why miss out?

CreeDo said:
Play the ghost until you can beat it, or beat it with a spot even. Then go out looking for sets.
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You might have something there. But that's not going to help me understand myself against a mouthy opponent.
 
Did you ever think of just playing in tournaments? That way you will get people's best game. Know how much money you will be out. Have a chance to win some. And will have a reason to improve.

You will also have a chance to play better players and should be able to learn a few things.
 
You might not want to hear this but if you act like a jerk when you are gambling and stuck and then feel bad about it later you probably need to see a phychiatrist.

It sounds like you have some anger issues with yourself that you need to work out. I am not trying to be mean but if you can't control your anger while you are playing, either avoid the situation or figure out why. No one here is going to be able to accurately tell you why you can't control your emmotions.
 
TheMarsMan said:
You might not want to hear this but if you act like a jerk when you are gambling and stuck and then feel bad about it later you probably need to see a phychiatrist.

It sounds like you have some anger issues with yourself that you need to work out. I am not trying to be mean but if you can't control your anger while you are playing, either avoid the situation or figure out why. No one here is going to be able to accurately tell you why you can't control your emmotions.
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I suppose this could be a fair assessment, given my recent posts, but I don't think I'm in denial by saying that I don't have anger issues. As a matter of fact, I think I might be too nice outside of the table. Not to go off on a long tangent, but I've been screwed over by a few pool players exclusively. Tough crowd, but that's how they survive, and I have learned from it.

I still feel that this is an intellectual's game, despite the ebb and flow of my emotions.
 
TheBook said:
Did you ever think of just playing in tournaments? That way you will get people's best game. Know how much money you will be out. Have a chance to win some. And will have a reason to improve.

You will also have a chance to play better players and should be able to learn a few things.
Click to expand...

I know enough people that dump a $15 buck entry for a stake at the locally inflated ego, and prove it to be very profitable.

Tournament players n'est pas strong gamblers. Strong gamblers can own tournaments.
 
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