Having fun playing an opponent vs having fun playing well

[justnum]

Playing good in practice is a lot of fun. When playing against an opponent players get more critical.

Unless your a playing for cash, it doesn't really matter who wins or loses. That is why is called playing a game.

But some players love to play the game as if it were a school test where they need to do everything perfectly.

In school I never did everything perfectly. When I play pool, I like to play to see what happens, I enjoy trying. I find it amazing others enjoy being disappointed. As if their favorite part of the game is being angry at themselves.

Some opponents challenge me forcing me to play better. I try to do that for opponents I play better than.

 

[JessEm]

There's critical, which is good, then there's overly critical... People who are outwardly, overly critical of themselves can be less fun to play with.

I relate a lot of these pool questions to golf - something I'm actually good at. I'm guilty of over critical myself at times, (ok, maybe a lot) but even then, I hide it out of consideration for others, to keep the atmosphere light. I personally don't tolerate people well who repeatedly can't control themselves, and allow the "mood' to become about their frustration... That said, I believe I've only let one club fly, ever. Younger with buddies lol

Being overly critical is a personality trait of competitive people. It has pros and cons like anything else.

 

[ShootingArts]

ego

Playing good in practice is a lot of fun. When playing against an opponent players get more critical.

Unless your a playing for cash, it doesn't really matter who wins or loses. That is why is called playing a game.

But some players love to play the game as if it were a school test where they need to do everything perfectly.

In school I never did everything perfectly. When I play pool, I like to play to see what happens, I enjoy trying. I find it amazing others enjoy being disappointed. As if their favorite part of the game is being angry at themselves.

Some opponents challenge me forcing me to play better. I try to do that for opponents I play better than.

Why get angry when missing a shot? It usually starts with feigned anger, acting out, "I am better than that!" In reality if we watch even highest level competition for whatever reason the best miss the occasional duffers shot. While a shot may be a 90% shot, even 99% shot, there are very few 100% shots! Smart players don't give the other player any shot unless there are other reasons for it than "can't miss".

Most of us enjoy the challenge of playing better players but many don't like playing lesser players. Sometimes it is our turn to give something back to the game and be the one playing the lesser player. It is a good time to relax, hit balls, remember we started playing this game for fun!

We are grooving bad things into our unconscious when we pretend we play about two balls better than Efren. Much better to practice shrugging off misses. In another form of competition I had to look back after a few years and admit my real level was one fubar in a sixty shot match. I would drop a point here or there but nothing serious except that one shot. Occasionally I made two or three mistakes and I could honestly say I had an off day. I had to admit that the day when I had no mistakes was not normal either. Great when it happened and I set a few local records but if I got angry every time I made that one mistake I was kidding myself.

Hu

 

[garczar]

There's critical, which is good, then there's overly critical... People who are outwardly, overly critical of themselves can be less fun to play with.

I relate a lot of these pool questions to golf - something I'm actually good at. I'm guilty of over critical myself at times, (ok, maybe a lot) but even then, I hide it out of consideration for others, to keep the atmosphere light. I personally don't tolerate people well who repeatedly can't control themselves, and allow the "mood' to become about their frustration... That said, I believe I've only let one club fly, ever. Younger with buddies lol

Being overly critical is a personality trait of competitive people. It has pros and cons like anything else.

When i first started playing a lot of golf an old sage at the local muni told me "Don't ever let your pursuit of a golf score get in your way of havin' a good time". Not easy to do but the old fart was absolutely right.

 

[JessEm]

When i first started playing a lot of golf an old sage at the local muni told me "Don't ever let your pursuit of a golf score get in your way of havin' a good time". Not easy to do but the old fart was absolutely right.

Agreed!

A good philosophy in general; "Don't ever let your pursuit of "X" get in your way of havin' a good time".

To follow up on frustration setting the mood... Unless we're betting, then... (lol)

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Playing good in practice is a lot of fun. When playing against an opponent players get more critical.

The difference might be whether you're focused on process or outcome. Some good books on the subject (Pleasures of Small Motions, for instance) have said that trying to simply execute each shot perfectly without regard to the game/match/drill outcome can be more enjoyable and more effective.

pj
chgo

 

[Chili Palmer]

Playing good in practice is a lot of fun. When playing against an opponent players get more critical.

Unless your a playing for cash, it doesn't really matter who wins or loses. That is why is called playing a game.

But some players love to play the game as if it were a school test where they need to do everything perfectly.

In school I never did everything perfectly. When I play pool, I like to play to see what happens, I enjoy trying. I find it amazing others enjoy being disappointed. As if their favorite part of the game is being angry at themselves.

Some opponents challenge me forcing me to play better. I try to do that for opponents I play better than.

It always matters who wins the game, if not, why play?

 

[jrctherake]

Playing good in practice is a lot of fun. When playing against an opponent players get more critical.

Unless your a playing for cash, it doesn't really matter who wins or loses. That is why is called playing a game.

But some players love to play the game as if it were a school test where they need to do everything perfectly.

In school I never did everything perfectly. When I play pool, I like to play to see what happens, I enjoy trying. I find it amazing others enjoy being disappointed. As if their favorite part of the game is being angry at themselves.

Some opponents challenge me forcing me to play better. I try to do that for opponents I play better than.

Going by your attitude toward perfect/performance..... I'd like to play some.

 

[Get_A_Grip]

To play really good pool, I think one needs to strive for perfection. Watch someone like SVB play. I guarantee you, he is not guessing or trying out new things during a game. He knows what the best cue ball path is to get to the next shot and how to execute it. He also knows what path and shot is the highest percentage for him to execute and he will take the highest percentage shot and cue ball path for his game.

I try some new things with my grip and stroke when practicing alone, but when playing an actual game, I'm also going to try to compute the shot and cue ball path with the highest odds to execute, and I will always make the choice that I figure is the highest chance to succeed with. Knowledge and facts really shouldn't ever change, so no need to do something different from what you know will work best.

To me, the knowledge part shouldn't ever change too much. Once you learn the best thing to do in that situation, that's it, it shouldn't change. However, you may need to practice on executing certain shots better to make the shot and also get the proper cue ball path. An amateur might not know that to achieve certain cue ball paths, a totally different stroke is required. Pros will instantly know what type of stroke is required, so they won't need to try something completely new, they just need to choose the proper stroke for that situation.

 

[justnum]

I agree. Even on the pro level when a shot is low percentage, but its the only choice. If it doesn't pay off the emotion is reasonable. If it does pay off, the excitement is great for replays.

But at a recreational level missing is so much more common, that it surprises me people get upset when it happens. My commentary was recreational players emulating pro style, but not having pro levels of practice and thinking.

Pro style is to get angry after a missed shot regardless of probability of making it.

During a match I try to gauge my comfort level. Some shots are just easier when I am relaxed. Staying relaxed during a match is a skill I am developing. Staying relaxed after a major blunder at the table, it sounds easy to do.

To play really good pool, I think one needs to strive for perfection. Watch someone like SVB play. I guarantee you, he is not guessing or trying out new things during a game. He knows what the best cue ball path is to get to the next shot and how to execute it. He also knows what path and shot is the highest percentage for him to execute and he will take the highest percentage shot and cue ball path for his game.

I try some new things with my grip and stroke when practicing alone, but when playing an actual game, I'm also going to try to compute the shot and cue ball path with the highest odds to execute, and I will always make the choice that I figure is the highest chance to succeed with. Knowledge and facts really shouldn't ever change, so no need to do something different from what you know will work best.

To me, the knowledge part shouldn't ever change too much. Once you learn the best thing to do in that situation, that's it, it shouldn't change. However, you may need to practice on executing certain shots better to make the shot and also get the proper cue ball path. An amateur might not know that to achieve certain cue ball paths, a totally different stroke is required. Pros will instantly know what type of stroke is required, so they won't need to try something completely new, they just need to choose the proper stroke for that situation.

 

[us820]

If you practice being mad when you miss you will get good at it.

 

[justnum]

If you practice being mad when you miss you will get good at it.

An ex-girlfriend I had was really good at getting mad at me. I got good at recognizing it and then leaving.

 

[evergruven]

good topic. I got into pool because it's such a cool game..sometimes I do get frustrated when I dog a shot, but this feeling doesn't last long.
dog one and move on. there's always another shot until there isn't..relish a new chance to get it right..
I don't need to play for money, and the people I play with tend to enjoy the game like I do.
good pool requires no short supply of knowledge, skill, and concentration..but my favorite cues sweat and bleed.
I'm no great shot, but I know that I wouldn't be half of what I am if I didn't flat out love the game.
having fun, playing well..maybe not all the time..but I think we can have it all.....

 

[FeelDaShot]

When you get competitive and passionate about winning, you're going to get pissed at under performance. It's just the way it is. You must try your best to remain calm and optimistic if you want to do well and be enjoyable to others around you.

On average, amateurs perform about 20% worse in competition than in practice. The sooner you learn to accept this, the happier you'll be.

Also, it helps if you put more emphasis and care on how well you stroked a shot rather than the actual outcome. Regardless of a make or miss, you should be looking for ways to improve your stroke for the next shot. You don't always make shots that you stroke well and you don't always stroke well shots that you make. Regardless, a perfect stroke should be your goal. The rest will follow.

 

[Bavafongoul]

Both cash or a title adds to one's nerves but doen't diminish one's desire to win; for some, it can actually undermine their game.

Like Jimmy Connors was known to say when asked why he played so hard, ."I don't have to win but I hate the taste of losing."

Anytime you don't try your hardest when it really matters, well, you neither have the heart or desire of a genuine champion.

There's nothing wrong with that & accept that you are merely one of the many wanna be players instead of a could be.

The difference is very signifciant and there tens of thousands, if not likely more, of the former & a small population of the latter.

Matt B.

 

[u12armresl]

Even when playing for the cash, it can be fun.
Especially when both parties don't miss, you just pay off and flip it.

I don't see it as much in 9 ball as I do in 1 pkt. Guy coming with a few tough banks or cuts which win him the game. Can't do anything but tap your stick.

Anyone you are playing who isn't giving any effort or just jacking around is wasting all parties time.

Playing good in practice is a lot of fun. When playing against an opponent players get more critical.

Unless your a playing for cash, it doesn't really matter who wins or loses. That is why is called playing a game.

But some players love to play the game as if it were a school test where they need to do everything perfectly.

In school I never did everything perfectly. When I play pool, I like to play to see what happens, I enjoy trying. I find it amazing others enjoy being disappointed. As if their favorite part of the game is being angry at themselves.

Some opponents challenge me forcing me to play better. I try to do that for opponents I play better than.