Loss of Initiative?

Standbykid

Standbykid

Results or excuses?
Silver Member
So, after 10 or so years of play and the purchase/collection of several cues (most of them Nitti), I feel like I've lost interest in the game and the cues. Now mind you, this isn't because of me mastering the game, far from it. Nor, is it from frustration with my own skill level. I'm quite grounded with who I am as a player. I just don't care to play anymore.

I took several weeks off over the summer hoping it would reignite my passion, but it had the opposite effect. I also just received the most phenomenal Nitti I've ever purchased in July which I thought would fire me up too.....Nope. Now I'm considering selling my cues and cases with the exception of my original Nitti, my break cue and my JB Prototype case. I may even sell my table.

One factor (the only one I can think of) is that I'm tired of worrying about the condition of my cues. Are they dinged or dented? Do the have a shaft wobble or taper roll? Is the butt straight? Are the wraps okay, is there any fraying in the linen? Is the finish okay? It seems to never end. None of my cues have any of these problems (that I know of), but that doesn't stop me from checking and re-checking.

Have any of you lost interest in the game like this before? If so, what'd you do?

Thanks for reading.
-J
 
Not in pool, but in music. And it was for some of the same reasons you've mentioned: I became a gear-head.

It was fun at first but after a few years I realized that I was more focused on the gear than the music. (Music has 1000x the amount of potential "gear" than pool) Then I lost interest in the gear...but hadn't rekindled the flame for music.

I sold everything except a couple of guitars. I quit the recording business.

It took a while, but music became fun again.
 
When Johnny cash met with the filmmakers who would make a bio pic "walk the line", he had one request, he said don't show me nursing the guitar like it's sacred, he said show them how a guitar should be treated, and he proceeded to pick up one of his guitars and walk around his house violently picking a tune, slapping the neck and playing it off to the side banging it into walls, etc.

I only remember that detail because it taught me a lesson, that if you want to be the good at something, your gear is going to get used. I have invested some good money into my cues and I play the hell out of them. There's dings and scratches and serious chalk stain going on, and I take it as a sign of experience.

Now if only I can use a cue like Johnny cash used a guitar, then that would be special. but I'm working on it. :cool:

Good luck to you, and if you lighten up on the gear, and play hard on the rest, you might find the fire back inside.
 
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I can understand where the op is coming from:( it's a tough situation to be in. I don't have much of a chance to play out much anymore. Working between 70-90 hrs a week, there really is no time, but I still play for an hr or 2 a day! I got to the point where I was just bored hitting balls all by myself, and 1 pocket being my favorite game, it was tough to "practice"!

So what I did was I totally changed up my game,,,, straight pool:), I've made it a point to try to run 100! I was into it months ago, but because I got busy again, I got off that high most likely because I was tired! But putting it into perspective, I've got my itch again:)

What totally sucks is not having someone to spar with, but hey, I love the game, so I just Olay:)

Good luck:)
 
Cardigan Kid said:
When Johnny cash met with the filmmakers who would make a bio pic "walk the line", he had one request, he said don't show me nursing the guitar like it's sacred, he said show them how a guitar should be treated, and he proceeded to pick up one of his guitars and walk around his house violently picking a tune, slapping the neck and playing it off to the side banging it into walls, etc.

I only remember that detail because it taught me a lesson, that if you want to be the good at something, your gear is going to get used. I have invested some good money into my cues and I play the hell out of them. There's dings and scratches and serious chalk stain going on, and I take it as a sign of experience.

Now if only I can use a cue like Johnny cash used a guitar, then that would be special. but I'm working on it. :cool:

Good luck to you, and if you lighten up on the gear, and play hard on the rest, you might find the fire back inside.
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A wonderful post, sir.....I have this feeling back never put it into words.
 
I've lost interest here and there. I get it back but not on the same level as before. Just wondering how old you are. Sometimes life has a way of making you focus on other things. In example I used to golf every Sunday with a group of 20 guys. Standings, money, ego the whole 9 yards. I was decent, an 11 handicap, and I took the game V-E-R-Y seriously. Then one day I didn't want to play any more. I've played in 2 charity tournaments in the last 10 years. Don't miss it a bit. Same with pool. Used to play in 1-2 double elimination events a month and at least one single elimination every week. No more. I keep saying I'm going to but I never do. I really think it has to do with life, age and what you have going on. Hold on to a cue or two. You might get some level of interest back, but it probably won't be the same intensity.

Bob
 
Standbykid said:
So, after 10 or so years of play and the purchase/collection of several cues (most of them Nitti), I feel like I've lost interest in the game and the cues. Now mind you, this isn't because of me mastering the game, far from it. Nor, is it from frustration with my own skill level. I'm quite grounded with who I am as a player. I just don't care to play anymore.

I took several weeks off over the summer hoping it would reignite my passion, but it had the opposite effect. I also just received the most phenomenal Nitti I've ever purchased in July which I thought would fire me up too.....Nope. Now I'm considering selling my cues and cases with the exception of my original Nitti, my break cue and my JB Prototype case. I may even sell my table.

One factor (the only one I can think of) is that I'm tired of worrying about the condition of my cues. Are they dinged or dented? Do the have a shaft wobble or taper roll? Is the butt straight? Are the wraps okay, is there any fraying in the linen? Is the finish okay? It seems to never end. None of my cues have any of these problems (that I know of), but that doesn't stop me from checking and re-checking.

Have any of you lost interest in the game like this before? If so, what'd you do?

Thanks for reading.
-J
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It is easy to love something like pool but sometimes it is just because there is nothing else occupying your interest at the time. I have played for over 50 years and have quit for years a at time in the past. Even though I post on here and I have to say, this forum is what probably feeds my interest more then anything else, I haven't really played with any seriousness in maybe 12 years.

I remember in the past if I missed even one day it was strange. Now I may go weeks or months and not hit a ball and I have a table sitting in the next room. However I still think of myself as a pool player but I can't really say it is some kind of love anymore, if it ever even was.

I was good at it and the game seemed easy to me. That may be why I stuck with it in the first place. When I was young I played the guitar and music seemed like it may be my future. When I began playing more and more pool though the music took a back seat. I have a Gibson guitar sitting in my closet now that has not been touched in a good 20 years. I often think about taking it out and giving it a try.
 
Standbykid said:
So, after 10 or so years of play and the purchase/collection of several cues (most of them Nitti), I feel like I've lost interest in the game and the cues. Now mind you, this isn't because of me mastering the game, far from it. Nor, is it from frustration with my own skill level. I'm quite grounded with who I am as a player. I just don't care to play anymore.

I took several weeks off over the summer hoping it would reignite my passion, but it had the opposite effect. I also just received the most phenomenal Nitti I've ever purchased in July which I thought would fire me up too.....Nope. Now I'm considering selling my cues and cases with the exception of my original Nitti, my break cue and my JB Prototype case. I may even sell my table.

One factor (the only one I can think of) is that I'm tired of worrying about the condition of my cues. Are they dinged or dented? Do the have a shaft wobble or taper roll? Is the butt straight? Are the wraps okay, is there any fraying in the linen? Is the finish okay? It seems to never end. None of my cues have any of these problems (that I know of), but that doesn't stop me from checking and re-checking.

Have any of you lost interest in the game like this before? If so, what'd you do?

Thanks for reading.
-J
Click to expand...
I once lost interest so much that I sold my whole collection and only kept a sportcraft cue and a soft case. I have gone months without hitting a ball.

I went from obsessively cleaning my ferrules to never cleaning my shafts.

There is life outside of pool....I am trying to cultivate more of a life outside of pool.
 
DONT DO IT!! Dont QUIT!!!

Standbykid said:
So, after 10 or so years of play and the purchase/collection of several cues (most of them Nitti), I feel like I've lost interest in the game and the cues. Now mind you, this isn't because of me mastering the game, far from it. Nor, is it from frustration with my own skill level. I'm quite grounded with who I am as a player. I just don't care to play anymore.

Have any of you lost interest in the game like this before? If so, what'd you do?

Thanks for reading.
-J
Click to expand...

I have had over 60 Cues, I play with a $4,800 Joss West, it has digs and scratches and I refuse to refinish it, because I don't wont to worry about digs and scratches!! I am a B level player because I spotted worrying about my cue and starting worrying about running out. Pick a cue you play well with and have fun, don't clean the shaft, don't wipe the cue off..., run out and then put it in the case and go home.

P.S. I have a Very Fast, car in the garage, it get driven hard every time I get the chance, that's what its for!
 
Quitting is easy
I have quit as many as 3 times in one year

i usually sell my table

Today I had my 4th table innstalled in my house where i have lived only 4 years

I now have a Gold Crown 5

So as you can see quitting is easy

so go ahead and sell everything you own and quit
 
Standbykid said:
So, after 10 or so years of play and the purchase/collection of several cues (most of them Nitti), I feel like I've lost interest in the game and the cues. Now mind you, this isn't because of me mastering the game, far from it. Nor, is it from frustration with my own skill level. I'm quite grounded with who I am as a player. I just don't care to play anymore.

I took several weeks off over the summer hoping it would reignite my passion, but it had the opposite effect. I also just received the most phenomenal Nitti I've ever purchased in July which I thought would fire me up too.....Nope. Now I'm considering selling my cues and cases with the exception of my original Nitti, my break cue and my JB Prototype case. I may even sell my table.

One factor (the only one I can think of) is that I'm tired of worrying about the condition of my cues. Are they dinged or dented? Do the have a shaft wobble or taper roll? Is the butt straight? Are the wraps okay, is there any fraying in the linen? Is the finish okay? It seems to never end. None of my cues have any of these problems (that I know of), but that doesn't stop me from checking and re-checking.

Have any of you lost interest in the game like this before? If so, what'd you do?

Thanks for reading.
-J
Click to expand...

I had two aunts and uncles who had tables in their basements so us kids loved going there and playing. I've always loved the balls rolling around and making the sounds they make when they hit each other.

Later, in high school, when I was finally old enough to enter a poolroom it was still the same love of the sights and sounds that motivated me to play. It didn't matter that I could not play well yet, the friends I played with were my speed.

Then I started playing the guys from the room and learning new games like 14.1, 9 Ball, Banks, OnePocket, 3C billiards, Snooker and other games. With every game it was the same love of the moving balls and the sounds they made. My game improved as I lost my money to the experienced guys but I always had fun playing.

If you don't have fun playing then you should quit and never start again, it's the only thing that's kept me playing, whether for money or not. Skill level has nothing to do with it, as you say.

As far as worrying about your cues I'd say you don't love playing if you're more worried about your cues in that manner. My playing cue has dents all up and down the entire forearm of the butt due to the previous owner and his maniacal style of playing. I never worry about it at all.

Simply put, you are wasting time doing something you don't love and have fun doing.

ONB
 
I don't know if this will work in pool but I know it has worked for me in music and in other sports.

1. Stop taking it so damn seriously for awhile.

Stop playing in tournaments or any kind of competitive leagues. If you are going to play then it should just be for fun and preferably on bar tables or if it has to be 9 foot tables then pick ones with larger pockets. Consider just playing without even keeping track for awhile. Just hit balls. When the 8 goes in by either player then re-rack and go again.


2. Find someone new to the game to play against and feed on their enthusiasm.

Ask someone to play for fun who just got into pool. You don't necessarily have to be an instructor even a passable mentor. Just hang out and play. Be understanding that they are new and that there may be lots of mistakes and questions. Oh behalf of new players, we always appreciate more experienced players just shooting around in fun games. It goes a long way toward helping us enjoying it more and helps with confidence. And in exchange, we will gladly share some of our enthusiasm for the game.
 
Thanks for the posts and advice guys. I'll get green to all of you ASAP.

Bob (doitforthegame), I'm 42 years old and started playing in 2003 when my grandfather left me cue after he passed away. I started getting serious about the game in '04 or '05, I'd say. Based on my skill level (or lack of LOL), the game has been very good to me. I've met a lot of great people, I've placed third or better at a few local tournaments and the Florida Firefighter Games and I won a trip to Vegas with the BCA in 2009.

ONB, I can't say I don't like the game anymore, I still love watching matches, surfing the forum and talking about the game with guys I know that still play regularly. I just don't feel like playing myself right now. I don't want to practice, play tourneys, league or anything else. Like I've lost "the fire" to play.
I have become over-obsessive about my cues, like I said. Which is a mental factor I need to shake. Offloading my gear, as the other guys have said may be the solution.
However, every time I visit Chris's shop, I find something else that I want LOL.

Thanks again,
-J
 
Don't sell the table just yet Kid.

I kind of know where yer coming from, since we lost our only decent hall in our little Burg.

Still have League night but the Magic disappeared when our Hall did.
 
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