Are Pool Players Optimists or Pessimists?

sunnyone

sunnyone

cum grano salis
Silver Member
Dear Gentle Readers,

Yes, I realize that it’s possible to rollercoaster from one emotion to the other in the course of a set. And perhaps there are some players so internally stoical that they don’t feel either one.

But I think some people basically have a somewhat rosy outlook on life. Others see mostly the dark side. (These pessimists, when contemplating a positive result, probably remember that old philosopher who remarked, “Don’t hold your breath.”)

Let me begin by speculating:

Efren - - an optimist.

Earl - - not so much.

SVB - - probably mostly positive.

So … pool players, how about you? And some of the other professional practitioners?

Rigorous forensic data are my life,

Sunny

P. S. During my gap year I spent a week in rural France with the most upbeat, optimistic boy I’ve ever met. A week was all I could stand.
 
Any sports psychologist will tell you that positive thinking is more effective than negative thinking. If you think you're going to lose, you probably will.
 
A pessimistic pool player says "I'm playing so bad, I couldn't play any worse." The optimistic pool player yes "Oh yes I could."
 
Optimist here. When I get to the table I always think I can get out from anywhere. Don't always get out of course but I approach the table as if I will.
 
I'd venture to say optimism/pessimism has more to do with how a person views the world, not whether they play pool. Meaning, if a poolplayer views the game negatively, there's a good chance he/she views alot of other things that way also, and will limit their own potential.

A casual pool player could be all over the spectrum, but the best of pool players have to view things positively (or at least their abilities positively) or else they wouldn't be where they are. Tom Brady may throw a fit when he makes a bad play, but there's no denying his optimism and believe he will win games.
 
peppersauce said:
I generally agree. But then there are guys like Earl who, as Sunny mentioned, you wouldn't exactly label as optimistic and have achieved great things.

I don't know if I would label thinking you are going to lose as pessimism...At least not the same kind of pessimism I'm talking about. That's just a losers attitude. If you have a losers attitude, you are supposed to lose.
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Good point.

There are great athletes who pump themselves up by getting pissed off and calling themselves nasty names. See Tiger Woods. That's a personality thing and it can be very effective.

In most cases, though, I would argue that people tend to be too hard on themselves and that they would be more successful if they took a more positive outlook. This is true across pretty much all pursuits.
 
Always a pleasure, Sunny.
For the most part I am usually an optimist in my daily affairs. Sometimes, when life gets me down, however, I become a bit pessimistic. But, above it all I believe I'm a realist.
When you add it all up I suppose you could say that I'm almost positive that things may, or may not, work out from a realistic point of view. How's that? :)

P.S. I once saw a sign in a restaurant that read: The Greene County Optimists Club meets here every Thursday, at noon, unless it rains.
 
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skip100 said:
Any sports psychologist will tell you that positive thinking is more effective than negative thinking. If you think you're going to lose, you probably will.
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Defensive pessimism is actually best. It's essentially optimism with a dose of pessimism to create a realistic view instead of an over inflated one or a loser mentality.

I'm much more optimistic than pessimistic in general but when I'm down on the shot or studying the table I'm more defensively pessimistic.
 
I feel an optimism or pessimism are unrealistic stances....
...who the hell are these guys to predict the future?

I've been asked in my prime how I thought I would do in some particular action or tournament...
I used to tell them "I play with a cue ball, not a chrystal ball."
 
sunnyone said:
Dear Gentle Readers,

Yes, I realize that it’s possible to rollercoaster from one emotion to the other in the course of a set. And perhaps there are some players so internally stoical that they don’t feel either one.

But I think some people basically have a somewhat rosy outlook on life. Others see mostly the dark side. (These pessimists, when contemplating a positive result, probably remember that old philosopher who remarked, “Don’t hold your breath.”)

Let me begin by speculating:

Efren - - an optimist.

Earl - - not so much.

SVB - - probably mostly positive.

So … pool players, how about you? And some of the other professional practitioners?

Rigorous forensic data are my life,

Sunny

P. S. During my gap year I spent a week in rural France with the most upbeat, optimistic boy I’ve ever met. A week was all I could stand.
Click to expand...

Efren - optimist
Earl - neither , he is mad
SVB- Both ( optimist when leading, pessimist when behind)
:D
 
pt109 said:
I feel an optimism or pessimism are unrealistic stances....
...who the hell are these guys to predict the future?

I've been asked in my prime how I thought I would do in some particular action or tournament...
I used to tell them "I play with a cue ball, not a chrystal ball."
Click to expand...


HA! good one.
 
sunnyone said:
Dear Gentle Readers,

Yes, I realize that it’s possible to rollercoaster from one emotion to the other in the course of a set. And perhaps there are some players so internally stoical that they don’t feel either one.

But I think some people basically have a somewhat rosy outlook on life. Others see mostly the dark side. (These pessimists, when contemplating a positive result, probably remember that old philosopher who remarked, “Don’t hold your breath.”)

Let me begin by speculating:

Efren - - an optimist.

Earl - - not so much.

SVB - - probably mostly positive.

So … pool players, how about you? And some of the other professional practitioners?

Rigorous forensic data are my life,

Sunny

P. S. During my gap year I spent a week in rural France with the most upbeat, optimistic boy I’ve ever met. A week was all I could stand.
Click to expand...


I think Earl, when playing, is optimistic for the most part.


The difference between Earl and Efren, for example, can be explained by understanding the optimum level of arousal.

There is a level of emotion needed to play your best pool, or any sport. Too little emotion and you don't care enough to focus your best... too much emotion and you lose focus. The level of emotion needed for peak performance changes from sport to sport and even player to player. Pool is generally a sport where a low level of emotion helps you play better. Earl is different than most. The more anger... the more pressure... it seems the better he gets. He certainly has a high optimum arousal level, especially for pool.



Look here to see what happens when Earls level of arousal is too low. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HYQjoHjwL4
 
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(((Satori))) said:
I think Earl, when playing, is optimistic for the most part.


The difference between Earl and Efren, for example, can be explained by understanding the optimum level of arousal.

There is a level of emotion needed to play your best pool, or any sport. Too little emotion and you don't care enough to focus your best... too much emotion and you lose focus. The level of emotion needed for peak performance changes from sport to sport and even player to player. Pool is generally a sport where a low level of emotion helps you play better. Earl is different than most. The more anger... the more pressure... it seems the better he gets. He certainly has a high optimum arousal level, especially for pool.



Look here to see what happens when Earls level of arousal is too low. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HYQjoHjwL4
Click to expand...

Here is a graph detailing optimal arousal theory.
 

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When I play straight pool i am definitely pessimist.
If you go for rack and there is some risk that something could go wrong it will :grin-square:
That how i decide when I go to clusters: If i feel something could go wrong wait better place if you can...
 
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