I finally grew some balls!!!!

Wazuela

Wazuela

Future World Beater
Silver Member
Yep. I finally grew some balls. I played for money tonight. LOL!!!
I've probably gambled playing pool about 10 times my whloe life! The last time being at least a year ago. Only lost twice, 20 bucks each time.

Now I play pool because I enjoy the game. I don't feel the need to prove that I'm better than anyone else. I can spend 3 hours at a time practicing by myself, mainly Rotation. The intricacies of the game is what really gets me off!

Well tonight I ventured off to another pool hall. I shot a couple racks before I was approached by a gentleman who wanted to play me for a beer. I wasn't drinking, so I said how about 5 a game. He agreed so we played 8 ball.
I'm up 20 so he wants to play 9 ball, race to 5 for 20. I agree so we play. I win that set pretty convincingly.

The kid could play, but I could tell that he's not on my level. So now he wants to play race to 9 for 100. I actually like long races and I only had 40 on me so I told him i'd play him for 80. He was trying to get me to spot him balls, but I said no spots. He finally agrees and I take an early lead, 5 games to 2. He comes back to lead 7 games to 5, and it eventually goes to double hill with me breaking.

I don't think this guy had more than a 4 ball run the entire time we played. Even though he made it to the hill before I did, I had no doubt in my mind I was going to win. He was trying to get in my head by talking a lot saying he was going to win, and that he's suppossed to win. He would repeat that 2 or 3 times between racks. I would just brush it off but after a while it was irritating me, especially because I was giving him games. So I told myself not to let it bother me and decided to dish it back to him. I started saying at back at him.

Ok so now I'm breaking. It's hill-hill and I come up dry. He makes the 1 and plays safe on the 2, putting it behind the 9. Originally I was gonna play safe, but then looked at it and decided to kick at the 2 to play the 9. I couldn't hit it straight with center ball so I had to put some spin on the ball. I judged it so bad! Didn't even hit the ball! Ball in hand with a 2-9 combo.

So I lost 40 bucks. I know. Not the happy ending everone was expecting. I wish I could have delievered, but I feel it was meant to happen. It kind of sparked a flame inside me to play more competitively.

Even though I lost, I learned so much about myself. I do have heart. Even though I missed shots and missed shape a few times, plus having to deal with his talking, I played great most of the night.

I'm looking forward to my next money game.
 
Wazuela said:
Yep. I finally grew some balls. I played for money tonight. LOL!!!
I've probably gambled playing pool about 10 times my whloe life! The last time being at least a year ago. Only lost twice, 20 bucks each time.

Now I play pool because I enjoy the game. I don't feel the need to prove that I'm better than anyone else. I can spend 3 hours at a time practicing by myself, mainly Rotation. The intricacies of the game is what really gets me off!

Well tonight I ventured off to another pool hall. I shot a couple racks before I was approached by a gentleman who wanted to play me for a beer. I wasn't drinking, so I said how about 5 a game. He agreed so we played 8 ball.
I'm up 20 so he wants to play 9 ball, race to 5 for 20. I agree so we play. I win that set pretty convincingly.

The kid could play, but I could tell that he's not on my level. So now he wants to play race to 9 for 100. I actually like long races and I only had 40 on me so I told him i'd play him for 80. He was trying to get me to spot him balls, but I said no spots. He finally agrees and I take an early lead, 5 games to 2. He comes back to lead 7 games to 5, and it eventually goes to double hill with me breaking.

I don't think this guy had more than a 4 ball run the entire time we played. Even though he made it to the hill before I did, I had no doubt in my mind I was going to win. He was trying to get in my head by talking a lot saying he was going to win, and that he's suppossed to win. He would repeat that 2 or 3 times between racks. I would just brush it off but after a while it was irritating me, especially because I was giving him games. So I told myself not to let it bother me and decided to dish it back to him. I started saying at back at him.

Ok so now I'm breaking. It's hill-hill and I come up dry. He makes the 1 and plays safe on the 2, putting it behind the 9. Originally I was gonna play safe, but then looked at it and decided to kick at the 2 to play the 9. I couldn't hit it straight with center ball so I had to put some spin on the ball. I judged it so bad! Didn't even hit the ball! Ball in hand with a 2-9 combo.

So I lost 40 bucks. I know. Not the happy ending everone was expecting. I wish I could have delievered, but I feel it was meant to happen. It kind of sparked a flame inside me to play more competitively.

Even though I lost, I learned so much about myself. I do have heart. Even though I missed shots and missed shape a few times, plus having to deal with his talking, I played great most of the night.

I'm looking forward to my next money game.
Click to expand...

It's good to get your feet wet. You gave it a shot, get em' next time.
 
Wazuela said:
Now I play pool because I enjoy the game. I don't feel the need to prove that I'm better than anyone else. The intricacies of the game is what really gets me off!

I'm looking forward to my next money game.
Click to expand...

Which is it? I think you're hooked on the adrenaline rush of gambling.
 
Wazuela said:
Yep. I finally grew some balls. I played for money tonight. LOL!!!
I've probably gambled playing pool about 10 times my whloe life! The last time being at least a year ago. Only lost twice, 20 bucks each time.

Now I play pool because I enjoy the game. I don't feel the need to prove that I'm better than anyone else. I can spend 3 hours at a time practicing by myself, mainly Rotation. The intricacies of the game is what really gets me off!

Well tonight I ventured off to another pool hall. I shot a couple racks before I was approached by a gentleman who wanted to play me for a beer. I wasn't drinking, so I said how about 5 a game. He agreed so we played 8 ball.
I'm up 20 so he wants to play 9 ball, race to 5 for 20. I agree so we play. I win that set pretty convincingly.

The kid could play, but I could tell that he's not on my level. So now he wants to play race to 9 for 100. I actually like long races and I only had 40 on me so I told him i'd play him for 80. He was trying to get me to spot him balls, but I said no spots. He finally agrees and I take an early lead, 5 games to 2. He comes back to lead 7 games to 5, and it eventually goes to double hill with me breaking.

I don't think this guy had more than a 4 ball run the entire time we played. Even though he made it to the hill before I did, I had no doubt in my mind I was going to win. He was trying to get in my head by talking a lot saying he was going to win, and that he's suppossed to win. He would repeat that 2 or 3 times between racks. I would just brush it off but after a while it was irritating me, especially because I was giving him games. So I told myself not to let it bother me and decided to dish it back to him. I started saying at back at him.

Ok so now I'm breaking. It's hill-hill and I come up dry. He makes the 1 and plays safe on the 2, putting it behind the 9. Originally I was gonna play safe, but then looked at it and decided to kick at the 2 to play the 9. I couldn't hit it straight with center ball so I had to put some spin on the ball. I judged it so bad! Didn't even hit the ball! Ball in hand with a 2-9 combo.

So I lost 40 bucks. I know. Not the happy ending everone was expecting. I wish I could have delievered, but I feel it was meant to happen. It kind of sparked a flame inside me to play more competitively.

Even though I lost, I learned so much about myself. I do have heart. Even though I missed shots and missed shape a few times, plus having to deal with his talking, I played great most of the night.

I'm looking forward to my next money game.
Click to expand...


the more you gamble the more you'll realize that doing things like that are usually not the "right shot".

at one point you'll realize that you like your money so much that taking the higher % shot is the best way to protect it
 
Wazuela said:
Yep. I finally grew some balls. I played for money tonight. LOL!!!
I've probably gambled playing pool about 10 times my whloe life! The last time being at least a year ago. Only lost twice, 20 bucks each time.

Now I play pool because I enjoy the game. I don't feel the need to prove that I'm better than anyone else. I can spend 3 hours at a time practicing by myself, mainly Rotation. The intricacies of the game is what really gets me off!

Well tonight I ventured off to another pool hall. I shot a couple racks before I was approached by a gentleman who wanted to play me for a beer. I wasn't drinking, so I said how about 5 a game. He agreed so we played 8 ball.
I'm up 20 so he wants to play 9 ball, race to 5 for 20. I agree so we play. I win that set pretty convincingly.

The kid could play, but I could tell that he's not on my level. So now he wants to play race to 9 for 100. I actually like long races and I only had 40 on me so I told him i'd play him for 80. He was trying to get me to spot him balls, but I said no spots. He finally agrees and I take an early lead, 5 games to 2. He comes back to lead 7 games to 5, and it eventually goes to double hill with me breaking.

I don't think this guy had more than a 4 ball run the entire time we played. Even though he made it to the hill before I did, I had no doubt in my mind I was going to win. He was trying to get in my head by talking a lot saying he was going to win, and that he's suppossed to win. He would repeat that 2 or 3 times between racks. I would just brush it off but after a while it was irritating me, especially because I was giving him games. So I told myself not to let it bother me and decided to dish it back to him. I started saying at back at him.

Ok so now I'm breaking. It's hill-hill and I come up dry. He makes the 1 and plays safe on the 2, putting it behind the 9. Originally I was gonna play safe, but then looked at it and decided to kick at the 2 to play the 9. I couldn't hit it straight with center ball so I had to put some spin on the ball. I judged it so bad! Didn't even hit the ball! Ball in hand with a 2-9 combo.

So I lost 40 bucks. I know. Not the happy ending everone was expecting. I wish I could have delievered, but I feel it was meant to happen. It kind of sparked a flame inside me to play more competitively.

Even though I lost, I learned so much about myself. I do have heart. Even though I missed shots and missed shape a few times, plus having to deal with his talking, I played great most of the night.

I'm looking forward to my next money game.
Click to expand...


You'll deliver soon enough. If you need help with anything, let me know!
 
poolplayer2093 said:
the more you gamble the more you'll realize that doing things like that are usually not the "right shot".

at one point you'll realize that you like your money so much that taking the higher % shot is the best way to protect it
Click to expand...

I agree with you 100%. Most people that just play pool "for fun" take shots like those and when they miss to them it isn't a big deal. This guy actually learned a lesson (hopefully) because he LOST something from trying a low percentage shot. 3 things need to happen here.

1. Identify what you did wrong
2. Learn from your mistakes
3. Apply the knowledge in future games

Gambling in my opinion is just another form to teach someone the value of their decisions. The better player is going to learn and apply what he has learned. Now there are people out there who gamble ALL the time, never get any better, and rarely win. These people are not learning from there mistakes they simply take it that is wasn't their day to win. I don't want Wazuela to believe that fate is what decided that he was to lose. Him making the bad decision was the factor.

I understand that somedays we just aren't on our games. With that being said if you know that and still gamble that's on you. A good way for me that has helped me along is; I come into the room grab a table by myself and play the 9 ball ghost race to 10. I keep track of my scores and based on how many games are won/lost gives me an idea on how well I may or may not shoot that night. This is just something for me it may not work for everyone, but it could help if you don't have anything.
 
Another lesson to be learned is not to play his game play yours. When you started wolfing back at him you stepped into his game and out of yours so you lost your concentration. I always dance with the one that brought me.
 
Wazuela said:
I wasn't drinking, so I said how about 5 a game. He agreed so we played 8 ball.
I'm up 20 so he wants to play 9 ball, race to 5 for 20. I agree so we play. I win that set pretty convincingly.

The kid could play, but I could tell that he's not on my level.

I don't think this guy had more than a 4 ball run the entire time we played. Even though he made it to the hill before I did, I had no doubt in my mind I was going to win.

Ok so now I'm breaking. It's hill-hill and I come up dry. He makes the 1 and plays safe on the 2, putting it behind the 9. Originally I was gonna play safe, but then looked at it and decided to kick at the 2 to play the 9. I couldn't hit it straight with center ball so I had to put some spin on the ball. I judged it so bad! Didn't even hit the ball! Ball in hand with a 2-9 combo.

So I lost 40 bucks.

Even though I lost, I learned so much about myself.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you got hustled. Plus, I'm confused about your level of play. You stated that you could tell that he was not on your level. Then later in your post you said that he didn't make more than a four ball run the entire time y'all played. How in the hell did he get to hill-hill and eventually win this match :confused:? Maybe he never made more than four balls in a row because he didn't have to ;). Who went home with the cheese :rolleyes:?

It's good that you learned much about yourself. I've personally always thought that "a twenty in the pocket is worth two on the light". I hope you fare better in your next "money" match. Good luck to you and shoot well, my friend!!!

Maniac
 
JimS said:
Which is it? I think you're hooked on the adrenaline rush of gambling.
Click to expand...
I've got to admit. I did like the adrenaline rush! Plus people, mainly his boys, were sweating the action. I like showing off what I've spent so many hours practicing for. It was fun watching his boys shake their heads everytime he racked.
 
poolplayer2093 said:
the more you gamble the more you'll realize that doing things like that are usually not the "right shot".

at one point you'll realize that you like your money so much that taking the higher % shot is the best way to protect it
Click to expand...
Yeah, you're right. That last shot I could have played safe, but then I figured why prolong it any further. I'm good at kicking so I went for it. The 2-9 was wired so if I hit just about any part of the 2, the 9 was going. Aww well, maybe next time I'll play safe.
 
Chi2dxa said:
Another lesson to be learned is not to play his game play yours. When you started wolfing back at him you stepped into his game and out of yours so you lost your concentration. I always dance with the one that brought me.
Click to expand...
Well it was irritating me, especially when he was getting lucky coming back. But then when I started woofing back at him, I could tell it rattled his chain quite a bit. He actually stopped after that. I'm not a smack talker either. I usually let my stick do my talking for me.
 
Maniac said:
Sounds like you got hustled. Plus, I'm confused about your level of play. You stated that you could tell that he was not on your level. Then later in your post you said that he didn't make more than a four ball run the entire time y'all played. How in the hell did he get to hill-hill and eventually win this match :confused:? Maybe he never made more than four balls in a row because he didn't have to ;). Who went home with the cheese :rolleyes:?

It's good that you learned much about yourself. I've personally always thought that "a twenty in the pocket is worth two on the light". I hope you fare better in your next "money" match. Good luck to you and shoot well, my friend!!!

Maniac
Click to expand...

I know I definitely didn't get hustled. He got lucky. The strongest part of his game was his break, and he played some good safes. What happened was that last set I played a bit more loose. I remember one game I broke and made a ball. The 9 ball was close to the pocket so I tried to shoot the 1 ball into the 3, to carom off of it to pocket the 9. I almost made it but left the 9 ball hanging with an easy 1- 9 combo. He had 3 other games where he had early combinations on the 9. And he did make the 9 ball once on the break one time.

I think you can assess a players ability by how well they move the cue ball. He was a good shot maker, but his moving game was not great. He got lucky.

Don't get me wrong. He played good. Good enough to win, but in the long run, say in a long race to 100, he wouldn't have a chance. I've gambled against people in the past who I know were better than me, but admittedly I got lucky too, and came out on top. That's just the way it goes.
 
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