Are You Content ?

peteypooldude

peteypooldude

I see Edges
Silver Member
Are you content with your level of play ?
What do you think you need to go further ?
I will answer first, I am content and comfortable with my game.
The reason I am is because it would take a serious lifestyle change
to get that little bit of consistancy that I lack and that is a lifestyle
that I do not desire. I do like competing at high level tournaments but
I do not want to live on the road though. I like to travel some, but only
when I want to.
 
I am, to an extent.

I am really trying to become and SL9 on my APA team. There are no 9's and I'd like to be the only one. I have lost one match in, literally, my last 15ish matches. Don't know what's holding that back but oh well, eventually. We aren't talking 12 to 8 scores and whatnot. They are substantial wins. Bad thing is if I go to an SL9 then our team hurts, b/c we barely make handicap with me at an SL8.

As far as shooting ability goes I'm pretty satisfied. I feel comfortable with my game and know what I can't do. I shoot on a Diamond a couple times a week and that helps with going back to a bar box.

I know I don't have the time to invest to become a phenomenal player. I can hold my own against a number of opponents, and I think I play pretty intelligently. I try to vary the types of games I play to keep me fresh on the mental side, but there is no way I'm cut to be a road guy. No way, lol.

I think there was a saying..."A steady job has ruined many a great pool player."
 
bignick31985 said:
I am, to an extent.

I am really trying to become and SL9 on my APA team. There are no 9's and I'd like to be the only one. I have lost one match in, literally, my last 15ish matches. Don't know what's holding that back but oh well, eventually. We aren't talking 12 to 8 scores and whatnot. They are substantial wins. Bad thing is if I go to an SL9 then our team hurts, b/c we barely make handicap with me at an SL8.

As far as shooting ability goes I'm pretty satisfied. I feel comfortable with my game and know what I can't do. I shoot on a Diamond a couple times a week and that helps with going back to a bar box.

I know I don't have the time to invest to become a phenomenal player. I can hold my own against a number of opponents, and I think I play pretty intelligently. I try to vary the types of games I play to keep me fresh on the mental side, but there is no way I'm cut to be a road guy. No way, lol.

I think there was a saying..."A steady job has ruined many a great pool player."
Click to expand...

Good post , Thanks Nick
 
I'm not content with my level of play yet, which is understandable since I'm still in the beginner stage, 18 months into this. I realize I'm trying to cram 5, 10, 15 years or more worth of experience into a short period of time, and that isn't reasonable at all. But still I push myself, within the limits of job and family. And I'm having a ball with it, pretty much all the time.

I'm doing what I can to improve. Since I work too many hours, I won't be able to invest much more time than I already do in playing. I try to invest practice time, versus "playing" time, when I can. I play with as many better players than I as often as I can, which is quite often. I watch other matches when I'm not playing. I read as much as I can here. I've purchased a couple of books, probably gonna get a few more. Probably some DVD's, as well.

Starting this pastime as late in life as I have has made me set realistic expectations. I'll probably never be a hotshot tourney player, probably not even likely to become an "A" player. (If I can ever quantify that desgination.) But I will keep playing, having fun and trying to improve. This is cool stuff!
 
peteypooldude said:
Are you content with your level of play ?
What do you think you need to go further ?
I will answer first, I am content and comfortable with my game.
The reason I am is because it would take a serious lifestyle change
to get that little bit of consistancy that I lack and that is a lifestyle
that I do not desire. I do like competing at high level tournaments but
I do not want to live on the road though. I like to travel some, but only
when I want to.
Click to expand...

Yes and No.

I am working on becoming more consistent and on my mental game.

I split my time between practice, play and teaching.

They each reward me in different ways.

I enjoy the game and I enjoy developing as a player and an instructor.
 
peteypooldude said:
Are you content with your level of play ?
What do you think you need to go further ?
I will answer first, I am content and comfortable with my game.
The reason I am is because it would take a serious lifestyle change
to get that little bit of consistancy that I lack and that is a lifestyle
that I do not desire. I do like competing at high level tournaments but
I do not want to live on the road though. I like to travel some, but only
when I want to.
Click to expand...

Petey:

Good thread!

I'd have to say I'm a "qualified" content with my level of play. I say "qualified" because if I got the opportunity to play more, I'd most certainly be shattering my records. Like you say -- I'd have to modify my lifestyle to accommodate, but at the moment, I can't commit to it for various reasons (i.e. certain things going on in my personal life [new lady in my life], end-of-year work/project closeout commitments, etc.). I'm a 7+ ("super 7") in my traveling league, a hundred ball runner in 14.1 (ran a 122 in June of this year), and show my face once in a while on the Tony Robles Predator Open 10-ball tour -- when I can set a solid weekend away from being "on call" for work, that is. I'm "content" because I play only twice a week. So although I know I have greater potential in me, I smile contently because I know I'm not doing bad for only playing twice a week.

Next year, though, I'm going to make some changes. More "Sean" time, and less "computer network care and feeding" time. That extra time might go to pool; then again, it might go to my lady. :) I am thinking about some pool and snooker schools, though, to reinforce fundamentals and to shake things up again. Who knows.

-Sean
 
I think any decent player that is content is full of shit. You're going to tell me that the guy who you've beaten the crap out of FOR YEARS, when he improves and is beating you, it's not going to light you up? You're going to tell me that every time you play that guy that everyone says is better than you but in your heart, you think he isn't, you're not going to try to step up and show him?

I understand that you might be content not going professional but perhaps that should be labeled as realistic for about 99.99% of us. I'm never content with my immediate peers and frankly, if you have one competitve bone in your body, you won't be either.
 
no im not content with my level of play I never will be EVER. and i havent improved a bit in the past year. I'm actually pretty pissed about it. Stress has some to do with it. I need to get my fat ass back in the gym and then when I'm in good shape I will play better, I know this for a fact. Because when I do have the ocassional good day-I play way over my normal days, so its in me-I just have to get it out. the Gym is the solution for me i firmly believe.


There is also this brain mapping thing they do for athletes in all pro sports that I might try, helps concentration and staying in the zone. My friend did it and it works.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
I think any decent player that is content is full of shit. You're going to tell me that the guy who you've beaten the crap out of FOR YEARS, when he improves and is beating you, it's not going to light you up? You're going to tell me that every time you play that guy that everyone says is better than you but in your heart, you think he isn't, you're not going to try to step up and show him?

I understand that you might be content not going professional but perhaps that should be labeled as realistic for about 99.99% of us. I'm never content with my immediate peers and frankly, if you have one competitve bone in your body, you won't be either.
Click to expand...

Jude:

Your point is loud and clear. But at what point do you stop beating yourself up? Someone who's in their roaring 20s and perhaps still-maturing 30s probably still has that "Oh my gosh, I'm so f***ing mad at myself! He beat me? I really suck. Boy, do I have a lot of work to do!" competitiveness. Or shall I quote that as "competitiveness" since it's really something else?

At some point, one realizes what he/she is in control of, and accepts things for what they are. I'm in my mid-40s, and realize that life could've turned out very differently for me. But I accept things for what they are, the decisions I made, etc. The old classic, "it is what it is." Going forward, can I make changes to better myself? Sure. And I will -- because it's not that I'm not competitive -- it's that I try not to beat myself up, that it *could* always be worse for me.

When I'm playing someone, they know they're in a match. But after the match is over, the beer's on me.

-Sean
 
No, I suck at pool and it pisses me off.....I want to practice, but my back problems have been a huge problem.......at least I have a table now, so if I can get friends to come over, I will practice.....I hate playing alone....it's like having sex by yourself - it gets the job done, but it just seems wrong somehow :D
 
Yes. I am perfectly content with being a C player. I love the game to death, but work, family and some other activites take precedence.

:)
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
I think any decent player that is content is full of shit. You're going to tell me that the guy who you've beaten the crap out of FOR YEARS, when he improves and is beating you, it's not going to light you up? You're going to tell me that every time you play that guy that everyone says is better than you but in your heart, you think he isn't, you're not going to try to step up and show him?

I understand that you might be content not going professional but perhaps that should be labeled as realistic for about 99.99% of us. I'm never content with my immediate peers and frankly, if you have one competitve bone in your body, you won't be either.
Click to expand...

I really dont have many people that beat me in a tournament on a REGULAR basis. If they play perfect they can win, If they dont most times they are going to lose. I have been through what you are talking about and it is tough. I play the game and not the player, I know if I play the game right then then they will have to play perfect or close to win. Itsabout running out or playing the right safe. If your playing perfect noone has to like it. Once you beat them they will not look forward to pulling you in the tournament. Make them play perfect
 
Big Perm said:
No, I suck at pool and it pisses me off.....I want to practice, but my back problems have been a huge problem.......at least I have a table now, so if I can get friends to come over, I will practice.....I hate playing alone....it's like having sex by yourself - it gets the job done, but it just seems wrong somehow :D
Click to expand...

When you get a table then it is time to quit sucking, get on the table and work on it.
 
justadub said:
I'm not content with my level of play yet, which is understandable since I'm still in the beginner stage, 18 months into this. I realize I'm trying to cram 5, 10, 15 years or more worth of experience into a short period of time, and that isn't reasonable at all. But still I push myself, within the limits of job and family. And I'm having a ball with it, pretty much all the time.

I'm doing what I can to improve. Since I work too many hours, I won't be able to invest much more time than I already do in playing. I try to invest practice time, versus "playing" time, when I can. I play with as many better players than I as often as I can, which is quite often. I watch other matches when I'm not playing. I read as much as I can here. I've purchased a couple of books, probably gonna get a few more. Probably some DVD's, as well.

Starting this pastime as late in life as I have has made me set realistic expectations. I'll probably never be a hotshot tourney player, probably not even likely to become an "A" player. (If I can ever quantify that desgination.) But I will keep playing, having fun and trying to improve. This is cool stuff!
Click to expand...

Having insructional material to me is a must. There are so many things
that just dont come up in conversation
 
I have to be content. I made my choice 50 years ago. In my late teens I saw how much time and work it took to (maybe) get to the top in pool and I wasn't going to gamble my whole life on pool. I loved doing too many other things. I loved women, to party, race cars, bikes, and boats amoung other things. I saw how the best players in NY lived, and that right there was a big turn-off for me. These are the reasons I became a part time BB player with a job. I could be good at it, party, chase women, and gamble with the nuts most of the time. Johnnyt
 
sfleinen said:
Jude:

Your point is loud and clear. But at what point do you stop beating yourself up? Someone who's in their roaring 20s and perhaps still-maturing 30s probably still has that "Oh my gosh, I'm so f***ing mad at myself! He beat me? I really suck. Boy, do I have a lot of work to do!" competitiveness. Or shall I quote that as "competitiveness" since it's really something else?

At some point, one realizes what he/she is in control of, and accepts things for what they are. I'm in my mid-40s, and realize that life could've turned out very differently for me. But I accept things for what they are, the decisions I made, etc. The old classic, "it is what it is." Going forward, can I make changes to better myself? Sure. And I will -- because it's not that I'm not competitive -- it's that I try not to beat myself up, that it *could* always be worse for me.

When I'm playing someone, they know they're in a match. But after the match is over, the beer's on me.

-Sean
Click to expand...

I never said you can't be polite. I'm just saying I'm never going to be content. Am I happy with my game? Sure. Am I content? Hell no.
 
If I were content I think I would quit and take up something else. If I could play all night (six hours or so) and never miss a shot or position then pool would be boring. Until then I am always looking for the next ingredient that will help me play better than I play now.

I think the most interesting thing about pool is the challenge to play better than the last time. Would make no difference if I play every day or once a month – it is all about the challenge to play better.

Sure there are bad rolls and extraneous factors but I am discounting them.
 
I am content with my level of play when I look at how often I play and that I have only been playing a couple months.

I had a usual competitor tell me that I have improved quickly in a short period of time.
 
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