Hours, weeks, months, years, and I’m still lousy

J

judochoke

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
What is it with this game? I put the time in, i watch videos, i buy training aids, i give my heart and soul to this game. And get nothing in return? Sure, i can get lucky and run a 9 ball rack once in a while. Sure i can throw 9 balls out on the table and shoot them in rotation MOST of the time. All of the time usually with one or two small position errors. Big deal

was going to go to my local pool hall tonight for there weekly 9 ball tournament, and i happened to look on you tube, and they had some past matches, (from last week), so i watched some matches. (They live stream the weekly tournament)

and this older Asian guy, just didn’t miss. At all. He shot very easy, got position on every shot, looked like his eyes were closed. He shot very unbelievable low key, just boom, boom boom, game over. his opponent only got a shot when he played safe. he took the most easy route on every shot, perfect position each time. Little 6- 8 inch movements. I started crying a little watching him. I cant do that.

has he been playing for 30 years? Is he semi pro? What do i have to do to shoot like him? Play and practice for 20 years? I’m 65, I have to wait till I’m 85 to shoot like that?

It’s not fair. (Sorry for crying like a baby, but I was shocked at how easy a non pro made it look)
 
I think most of us mere mortals can relate. I guess the old saying- "comparison is the thief of joy"- is applicable. I’ve come to terms that I will never be a great shooter unless I practiced maybe 10 hours a day with focus and concentration. That’s not going to happen- so I just try to enjoy the game and competition for what it is and not have such high expectations
 
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i cant speak from experience with pool but with most things in life the idea is to set small goals, achieve them, and continually move the goalpost further and further.

Maybe you need to dial it back and focus on fundamentals. Film yourself play, if you dont already—its easy enough to pull off with smartphones nowadays. Ive learned a lot about my play in the last few months just from taking the time to set up a camera.

if you can run out 9ball every so often id say your doing good, keep up the hard work and it will pay off!
 
judochoke said:
What is it with this game? I put the time in, i watch videos, i buy training aids, i give my heart and soul to this game. And get nothing in return? Sure, i can get lucky and run a 9 ball rack once in a while. Sure i can throw 9 balls out on the table and shoot them in rotation MOST of the time. All of the time usually with one or two small position errors. Big deal

was going to go to my local pool hall tonight for there weekly 9 ball tournament, and i happened to look on you tube, and they had some past matches, (from last week), so i watched some matches. (They live stream the weekly tournament)

and this older Asian guy, just didn’t miss. At all. He shot very easy, got position on every shot, looked like his eyes were closed. He shot very unbelievable low key, just boom, boom boom, game over. his opponent only got a shot when he played safe. he took the most easy route on every shot, perfect position each time. Little 6- 8 inch movements. I started crying a little watching him. I cant do that.

has he been playing for 30 years? Is he semi pro? What do i have to do to shoot like him? Play and practice for 20 years? I’m 65, I have to wait till I’m 85 to shoot like that?

It’s not fair. (Sorry for crying like a baby, but I was shocked at how easy a non pro made it look)
Click to expand...

How long have you been playing?

Lou Figueroa
 
judochoke said:
What is it with this game? I put the time in, i watch videos, i buy training aids, i give my heart and soul to this game. And get nothing in return? Sure, i can get lucky and run a 9 ball rack once in a while. Sure i can throw 9 balls out on the table and shoot them in rotation MOST of the time. All of the time usually with one or two small position errors. Big deal

was going to go to my local pool hall tonight for there weekly 9 ball tournament, and i happened to look on you tube, and they had some past matches, (from last week), so i watched some matches. (They live stream the weekly tournament)

and this older Asian guy, just didn’t miss. At all. He shot very easy, got position on every shot, looked like his eyes were closed. He shot very unbelievable low key, just boom, boom boom, game over. his opponent only got a shot when he played safe. he took the most easy route on every shot, perfect position each time. Little 6- 8 inch movements. I started crying a little watching him. I cant do that.

has he been playing for 30 years? Is he semi pro? What do i have to do to shoot like him? Play and practice for 20 years? I’m 65, I have to wait till I’m 85 to shoot like that?

It’s not fair. (Sorry for crying like a baby, but I was shocked at how easy a non pro made it look)
Click to expand...


Do you do drills, do you practice Cue ball control?

Do you do anything good, or great?

Just have zero strengths?
 
I have been playing for 3.5 years. Just play at home, practicing, haven’t played anyone in months. I do some drills, always trying to get position, trying to make the layout easy. Trying to get near my next ball. Always with position in mind. Use CTE for aiming, and my half ball hits or 30 degree shots are not my problem. I can run a lot more racks, but I’m always one or two balls away from position. Does this come with time?????? I can put the time in, as i love to play practice. Was going to make tonight my first major 9 ball tournament, but after watching the asian gentleman play, I’m not ready. If I can’t clear the table 9 time out of 10 with throwing 9 balls and spreading them out, I’m not ready.

Am i asking too much of myself???????/
 
judochoke said:
I have been playing for 3.5 years. Just play at home, practicing, haven’t played anyone in months. I do some drills, always trying to get position, trying to make the layout easy. Trying to get near my next ball. Always with position in mind. Use CTE for aiming, and my half ball hits or 30 degree shots are not my problem. I can run a lot more racks, but I’m always one or two balls away from position. Does this come with time?????? I can put the time in, as i love to play practice. Was going to make tonight my first major 9 ball tournament, but after watching the asian gentleman play, I’m not ready. If I can’t clear the table 9 time out of 10 with throwing 9 balls and spreading them out, I’m not ready.

Am i asking too much of myself???????/
Click to expand...
When you say 3.5 years. Are you saying playing seriously, or you never played at all before that.
 
Not all opponents inspire the same post game effect.

A great pool player has many meanings. Some talk titles, others talk rules and few talk about losing.

How to learn from losing? Its not a best selling title. The better detail was what specific types of shots was your opponent making.

There have been many videos about cheating the rack. Do you know enough to tell the difference?
 
judochoke said:
Am i asking too much of myself???????/
Click to expand...

Yes.

Good players, really good players, make any game look easy. Golf, tennis, darts, basketball, synchronized swimming, pool…

Unfortunately, most of us mere mortals, no matter how hard or how long we practice, will never get anywhere near that level. If you wait until you’re as good as the really good players, you will likely never play the game at all.

Go play pool.
 
middleofnowhere said:
It really isn't. Hitting a fast ball is hard.
Click to expand...

not sure this is a fair comparison. hitting a fast ball requires physical attributes pool doesn't, but it takes time and practice to be a master at either.

judochoke said:
I have been playing for 3.5 years.
Click to expand...

hey judo, I seem to recall when you started posting here a few years ago
I know 3.5 years isn't nothing, but it sounds like you've made significant progress since your pool journey began
and based on what I've seen, from not much to occasionally running out in 3.5 years is pretty good
stick with it, and you will continue to get better, tho it might not always appear so when you want it to..
 
Go play in the tournaments. The way to learn to win is to make sure you are losing to the right kind of player. You'll learn more about what you need to work on playing better players. Playing bangers, you'll never find out where you are weak, and no matter how long you play, they'll never show you where you could be stronger.
 
judochoke said:
I have been playing for 3.5 years. Just play at home, practicing, haven’t played anyone in months. I do some drills, always trying to get position, trying to make the layout easy. Trying to get near my next ball. Always with position in mind. Use CTE for aiming, and my half ball hits or 30 degree shots are not my problem. I can run a lot more racks, but I’m always one or two balls away from position. Does this come with time?????? I can put the time in, as i love to play practice. Was going to make tonight my first major 9 ball tournament, but after watching the asian gentleman play, I’m not ready. If I can’t clear the table 9 time out of 10 with throwing 9 balls and spreading them out, I’m not ready.

Am i asking too much of myself???????/
Click to expand...
That answers your questions right there. At home not getting out and playing anyone is no way to improve. I’ve been down that road 40 years ago. 3.5 years isn’t that long either-but playing in a vacuum is the real issue. You have to go out and learn, total immersion. Then you’ll improve. The amount of sacrifice to become a player is HUGE. Pay your dues, put down the computer-pick up a cue and work on it.

That’s the real truth,

Good luck
Fatboy
 
judochoke said:
I have been playing for 3.5 years. Just play at home, practicing, haven’t played anyone in months. I do some drills, always trying to get position, trying to make the layout easy. Trying to get near my next ball. Always with position in mind. Use CTE for aiming, and my half ball hits or 30 degree shots are not my problem. I can run a lot more racks, but I’m always one or two balls away from position. Does this come with time?????? I can put the time in, as i love to play practice. Was going to make tonight my first major 9 ball tournament, but after watching the asian gentleman play, I’m not ready. If I can’t clear the table 9 time out of 10 with throwing 9 balls and spreading them out, I’m not ready.

Am i asking too much of myself???????/
Click to expand...
The easiest way to get better is to find someone who knows the game.How things work and why. Then listen. 3.5 years is enough time if everything went perfect, obviously it has not. The more you learn about great position play , the easier the game gets. That is accomplished by knowledge of how to run balls correctly and speed control drills for both the cueball and object ball and shot making expertise. Easy to say, harder to do.
 
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