When do you play your best?

Lea A

Lea A

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Is it while you're playing in tournaments, practicing, gambling, playing in league? Why do you personally play differently in different situations? What sorts of things affect your game? I personally play my best practicing at night after I've warmed up a few hours...I'm working on trying to clear my head in tournaments (i.e. trying to get rid of the choke stroke!).
 
I play my best when I play agressive pool, not just shot-making but agressive safeties too, problem is when it comes to tourneys I will often play a weak safe instead of attacking and it always bites me in the a$$.
 
NOT yesterday....

...... grinding against the 'ghost'.... just couldn't find it, for about 4 hours.... although I did find out I really like Triangle tips (that was what was on the house cue I was playing with). THEN.... BANG!!!! I had it again.. ran a 4 pack then jawed the 7 on an easy little back cut for the fifth.

BANG!!!! ................ It was gone. Another hour or so, and I changed it up and started hitting some banks.... shot a few, then ran 7 or 8... then again ... it was gone.

In answer to your question... when I string a bunch of sessions like this together in a short period of time, and then play in a tourney THAT is when I play my best.

td
 
When the pressure to perform is on, that's when I kick in gear. Whether it be in a tournie or for the money, I can usually step it up several notches. I remember one instance two weeks ago. I played this guy and I know the only reason he played me even is cuz he thought he had the nuts. Well he's up 4-0 and the only thing ive had to shoot at are getting out of super tough safeties. Well I finally a good kick safe and he makes a mistake. Well at the beginning of this game I put my head phones on and really focused. I rattled off six in a row before he wins another than I take the last game to win the set. Ofcourse he quits me cuz I "play to good" and I told him, "no you just have no f*cking gamble".Me winning like this happens to me all the time, but only when I am down do I really kick it in. I need to do it at all times.
 
When my opponent says....this should be a good close match....and then i think to myself...hmm...not if i got anything to do with it...=)
 
pressure, where people tend to tense up, i'm starting to just thrive on it.
 
When I am looking to prove a point usually. Like the other day I wanted to show someone I was going to take them seriously and play all out and I ran a couple in a row right after.

Also, I play great right after either reading or watching some instructional pool stuff, or after watching some pros battle in an accustats tape or youtube clip. Most recently I ran 3 after watching some Bert Kinister stuff earlier. I didn't do a single thing bert suggested, it's just that watching him do drills like 10 straight in 1-handed shots down the rail puts me in the mood to play by the book, which is when I run out best.
 
To me I think I play my best when I'm cool calm and relaxed , I've got to have my mind to the game instead of somewhere else .
 
From the rail for sure, really depends on my concentration and if my eyes are focusing on the OB hit spot
 
johnnydub said:
I play my best when I play agressive pool, not just shot-making but agressive safeties too, problem is when it comes to tourneys I will often play a weak safe instead of attacking and it always bites me in the a$$.
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If I'm not 100% behind whatever shot I'm taking, I lose.
 
Lea A said:
Is it while you're playing in tournaments, practicing, gambling, playing in league? Why do you personally play differently in different situations? What sorts of things affect your game? I personally play my best practicing at night after I've warmed up a few hours...I'm working on trying to clear my head in tournaments (i.e. trying to get rid of the choke stroke!).
Click to expand...

I think my best game comes out when I am on AZ Billiards reading the Main Forum. As I read the posts from the many top players on AZ, I start thinking I am one too. :p

Also, I often get inspired playing dirt-bags but beause I don't enjoy playing them, it has to kind of be a destiny thing.

JoeyA
 
I'm jealous of all you people who play best under pressure or against someone you don't like! That's where I want to be...or better yet, to the point where I just play my best all the time.
 
Rob_jerrylee said:
To me I think I play my best when I'm cool calm and relaxed , I've got to have my mind to the game instead of somewhere else .
Click to expand...

Absolute, you can't be thinking about where you need to be when..etc..or when the old lady is going to call.
I play best early afternoon and about 15 min of practice....and it's still daylight when I am done...why I gamble on the weekend..not a grinder or a night owl.
 
When do you play your best!

I play my best while gambling after 6 hrs., and drinking 6 or 8 beers with a shot or two of tequila!, then I'm set for about 12 more hours of playing awesome pool.


David Harcrow
 
I play well when I'm gambling but I don't usually catch a gear until the second set or so.

I play really well, when the location of the table and lighting has a favorable "look" to me. It's kind of hard to explain, the surrounding walls and the color of the walls effects the way the table looks under the lights. There was one table at the old Amsterdam on the west side that was in an ideal location, the lights seemed brighter over the table and it put me in a good mood, I played some of my best games on that table.
 
Bobby said:
I play really well, when the location of the table and lighting has a favorable "look" to me. It's kind of hard to explain, the surrounding walls and the color of the walls effects the way the table looks under the lights. There was one table at the old Amsterdam on the west side that was in an ideal location, the lights seemed brighter over the table and it put me in a good mood, I played some of my best games on that table.
Click to expand...

I happen to know exactly what you mean. I think there's even a name for it: Seasonal Affective Disorder or something (SAD, haha). Anyway, there's a 'poolroom' in my area (restaurant with a bunch of old 8 ft. Diamonds and two 9 fts.) that has high ceilings and no hanging lights, just track lighting 15 ft. up. I HATE the lighting there (plus the balls and the cloth are dirty) but I go because it's the only place open while my boy is at preschool (plus it's free pool from 11-2).
 
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