Embracing reality, no longer improving my game

jalapus logan said:
, but not the time to practice in order to make that happen.
Any suggestions as to how to lighten up and to just enjoy the game on these terms?
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Just do the best you can right now. Relax and have fun. Someday you'll have the time to do what is necessary to improve.
I started to improve about 50 years after I started playing. I took (stroke) lessons. It's never too later improve. Pool will be there waiting for you.
 
No shame in that game, a man has to know his limitations. Since you seem to know where you are at, you can have fun developing your matching up skills. With some practice, you can set up matches where you need the 7 to win but actually get the 6 out.
 
ghost ball said:
No shame in that game, a man has to know his limitations. Since you seem to know where you are at, you can have fun developing your matching up skills. With some practice, you can set up matches where you need the 7 to win but actually get the 6 out.
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Astute observation. Pop always used to say "it's not how well you play, it's how well you match up".
 
jalapus logan said:
I try to play most of the games. In order of estimated frequency:

9 or 10 ball
8 ball
onepocket
14.1
banks
Honolulu
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IMO playing structured games like 9 and 10 ball become boring and redundant quickly considering the restrictions you are bound by. This paint by number guideline has to get old fast. Not to mention when you do run a rack, that success is often governed by the lie of the balls more than any tangible improvement in your game.

8 ball, while not a structured paint by numbers game, is analogous to being in the "on deck" circle of the real game without ever getting to play the real game. Yeah, you can run 8 balls and win without playing by number, but 8 balls and finish is merely the "on deck" circle.

One pocket IMO is the chess game of pool and is better enjoyed once you are proficient in the game of pool. Certainly not a game conducive of playing alone and enjoying the practice for any length of time.

Now straight pool is the creative open pallet that the game of pool has to offer. Endless challenge, very little success by luck, and the game that limits you by your own ability, focus, creativity, and stamina. The only thing that stops you is you.

This is a very humbling game that exposes your weaknesses like no other. One reason I think its less popular. The big ego 9 ball hot shots get put in their place pretty fast trying to run racks of straight pool.

I think you're playing the wrong game! :thumbup:
 
jalapus logan said:
Well, it’s sad but true. I have reached a plateau and am not improving, nor do I expect to. I have the desire to improve, but not the time to practice in order to make that happen. I made the decision to take on a part time job and another seasonal summer job a couple of years ago in addition to my full time gig. Doing all of that and trying to stay married has cut waaaaayyy down on my available pool time. Hey, we all have to make decisions in life, and this one is ultimately right for me. But, I find myself growing frustrated at the table knowing that I can do better, but also knowing that I can’t devote the time to do so.

Long story short, I still enjoy the game, but am having trouble reconciling my constant desire to improve with my current reality. Maybe at age 38 I am still pining for the carefree days a decade or so ago.

Any suggestions as to how to lighten up and to just enjoy the game on these terms?
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Do you have, or can you get, a home table?
 
TATE said:
Do you have, or can you get, a home table?
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Yeah, I've got a 9' diamond and a 7' valley in the basement. Guess I can't complain too much, huh. :D

My home tables are pretty much the only thing that keeps me going these days. Every blue moon I get to go to a buddy's house and play or I substitute in the league. I don't care for the league much any more however.
 
Relax, your 38 and you should have at last 40 years of pool playing left.
Take care of business, enjoy your game knowing some day you will be able devote more time to it.
 
If I had the room for two pool tables, I'd prefer to get an older 10' Brunswick with 4 3/8" pockets.

In my estimation, that is the hardest pool table to master & it makes other smaller tables easier, even 9'.

Unless, or until, you play on a 10' table, you can't appreciate the added difficulty & challenge it creates.

For social reasons, the two tables offers more versatility but for your skills improvement, the 10' is best.
 
Initially this may sound dumb but read on. I really don't want to get any better. It's certainly not because I'm great lol. It's because I feel I'm in the " sweet spot " for gambling. I still get good weight from the big boys and I generally don't have to give up the world to lesser players. If I play my game good in either of these scenarios I win. No outrunning any nuts needed. I dont really give a sheet about tournaments, and I don't play for fun except with my best friend or maybe a chic ( although there is usually some type of bet involved there too 😁). I'm not in it for the glory in in it for the cheez. I I were to get better and that meant less chicken or chees - no bueno!
 
Focus on fundamentals only. You already know how to make balls. Proper setup (stance), bridge, cradle (not grip), staying still during delivery of the fore stroke etc.
 
jalapus logan said:
Yeah, I've got a 9' diamond and a 7' valley in the basement. Guess I can't complain too much, huh. :D

My home tables are pretty much the only thing that keeps me going these days. Every blue moon I get to go to a buddy's house and play or I substitute in the league. I don't care for the league much any more however.
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You know, even though I was burned out on pool and practice, I found quite a bit of motivation in the AZ ghost challenge thread. For some reason, playing the ghost and videotaping sessions motivated me to play hours on end. I had many excellent sessions sometimes lasting 2 to 3 hours a night for several weeks. I decided to play some tourney's after that and didn't do too bad.

Playing with a goal like that can motivate you. My goal became to shut the ghost out 7 - 0 in 9 ball. I haven't done it yet (closest was 6-0) but the motivation kept me on the table and helped a lot with all aspects of 9 ball.
 
jalapus logan said:
Well, it’s sad but true. I have reached a plateau and am not improving, nor do I expect to. I have the desire to improve, but not the time to practice in order to make that happen. I made the decision to take on a part time job and another seasonal summer job a couple of years ago in addition to my full time gig. Doing all of that and trying to stay married has cut waaaaayyy down on my available pool time. Hey, we all have to make decisions in life, and this one is ultimately right for me. But, I find myself growing frustrated at the table knowing that I can do better, but also knowing that I can’t devote the time to do so.

Long story short, I still enjoy the game, but am having trouble reconciling my constant desire to improve with my current reality. Maybe at age 38 I am still pining for the carefree days a decade or so ago.

Any suggestions as to how to lighten up and to just enjoy the game on these terms?
Click to expand...

Lesson + Great Teacher = End of Plateau
 
My goal was to run 100 balls, but I've given up, 78 is my high run. It's not even the 'hard' shot that gets me, usually something simple. Concentration is not what it used to be!
 
nick serdula said:
Even a monkey has to learn to climb. Well monkey,try this. Follow every shot. You will see that will put a natural spin on the ball that forces it to drop.
Nick :)
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A keen observation, sir.
Something about that 'high ball' that really cuts down on the collision induced throw and skid. (as long as you can avoid a scratch line and still get position)
Straight Pool player Dick Lane in Texas was a strong advocate of this procedure. He also said it gave a better sighting picture.
I am a CTE shooter and the follow is still my "go to" process for getting a clean pure rolling ball.
Just my opinion..and nothing more
 
nick serdula said:
Even a monkey has to learn to climb. Well monkey,try this. Follow every shot. You will see that will put a natural spin on the ball that forces it to drop.
Nick :)
Click to expand...
A keen observation, sir.
Something about that 'high ball' that really cuts down on the collision induced throw and skid. (as long as you can avoid a scratch line and still get position)
Straight Pool player Dick Lane in Texas was a strong advocate of this procedure. He also said it gave a better sighting picture.
I am a CTE shooter and the follow is still my "go to" process for getting a clean pure rolling ball.
Just my opinion..and nothing more. Ignore at will.
 
jalapus logan said:
Well, it’s sad but true. I have reached a plateau and am not improving, nor do I expect to. I have the desire to improve, but not the time to practice in order to make that happen. I made the decision to take on a part time job and another seasonal summer job a couple of years ago in addition to my full time gig. Doing all of that and trying to stay married has cut waaaaayyy down on my available pool time. Hey, we all have to make decisions in life, and this one is ultimately right for me. But, I find myself growing frustrated at the table knowing that I can do better, but also knowing that I can’t devote the time to do so.

Long story short, I still enjoy the game, but am having trouble reconciling my constant desire to improve with my current reality. Maybe at age 38 I am still pining for the carefree days a decade or so ago.

Any suggestions as to how to lighten up and to just enjoy the game on these terms?
Click to expand...

Just wanted to add that I quit pool entirely for a full 20 to 25 years and quit golf for 18 years while I was building a business and raising a family.

Once my youngest daughter was in high school and had a social agenda of her own, I decided to start playing pool again. Now I am semi-retired and enjoy both pool and golf a lot more.

While it is important to have escapes from the daily stress, there are things far more fulfilling in life.
 
Cardigan Kid said:
The best move was getting my own table in the basement. Even on a busy day, I can fit in an hour of intense drills or work on the table and still be upstairs to put the kids to bed.
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I agree that this is it.

If you don't have a table, get one. I am always coming to terms with what I want out of pool. There is no better place to do that and to simply enjoy the game than during that time you are alone with your table. If you have a table and find that you just aren't using it (like most folks treadmills) then get rid of it and quit pool. It's not for you. At least not now.

JC
 
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TATE said:
Just wanted to add that I quit pool entirely for a full 20 to 25 years and quit golf for 18 years while I was building a business and raising a family.

Once my youngest daughter was in high school and had a social agenda of her own, I decided to start playing pool again. Now I am semi-retired and enjoy both pool and golf a lot more.

While it is important to have escapes from the daily stress, there are things far more fulfilling in life.
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This is so true. Also thanks for bringing up the Ghost challenge. I might give that a go. I did the 14.1 challenge a few years back when I was able to play more, it was really fun.

You guys have added some needed perspective here. On the negative side of the ledger, I am not able to become a stone cold world champion. On the plus side of the ledger, we own two cars with no car payment and will have our house paid off in less than a year. It will feel really good not to have to crack that nut each month anymore...
 
jalapus logan said:
This is so true. Also thanks for bringing up the Ghost challenge. I might give that a go. I did the 14.1 challenge a few years back when I was able to play more, it was really fun.

You guys have added some needed perspective here. On the negative side of the ledger, I am not able to become a stone cold world champion. On the plus side of the ledger, we own two cars with no car payment and will have our house paid off in less than a year. It will feel really good not to have to crack that nut each month anymore...
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That is really amazing at your age and quite an accomplishment. A house pay off is something many people don't see until considerably later in life.

The man you see in the mirror 30 years from now is the one who will be thanking you for the decisions you made today.
 
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