Opinions regarding a former top pro playing in and dominating a Poolroom‘s weekly handicapped tournament?

garczar said:
There was an old player/stakehorse that once said "You can shear a sheep a thousand times but you can only skin it once" You beat somebody's brains in they quit but if you make 'em think they have a chance its like having your own atm machine.
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I got to where I worked hard to develop and maintain regular "clients". In the seventies and eighties anyone that could lose a hundred or more and not be pissed was well worth developing.

I can tell a few stories of skinning a sheep. I had a shoulder surgery and was ordered to keep my arm in a sling for seven weeks. Two or three nights later I went in a strange place and found a sweet little ring game. I was drooling! Over the next six weeks or so I came in a few times so I would be somewhat recognized as a "regular". The day the doctor told me I could take the sling off I went in that night and busted the ring game all to hell! So much for sheering sheep. I knew better by then but it was worth it after being caged for so long!

Hu
 
xproskier said:
one is playing the table,
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I concur with the majority of your position. I strive to play the game to the best of my ability, regardless of my opponent. I strive to respect "the game". My shot selections must include my perception of my opponents ability. The equation has numerous factors with variable weight in my decision making process. I strive to play My best. On the occasion that I lose I want my weaker opponent to know it was my best and an accomplishment.
 
xproskier said:
What is the difference whether you are playing a Fargo 730 or a 400 if the nine is near a pocket and the eight is on the opposite short rail bank and your cue ball is next to the nine? Answer: Not a f**king thing. Are you saying you'd play the shot a little differently? I highly doubt it.
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Sure, in 9 ball most shots it doesn't matter who your opponent is. But not all, there are plenty of situations that are easy to think of. Playing 9 ball, you break wet but can't see the one. You have a jump cue; if you're playing that 400, maybe you can push out to a simple jump shot. Don't want to do that vs Gorst.

And if you're playing any other game - e.g. one pocket - you'd be well served to know your opponents strengths and weaknesses.
 
xproskier said:
Again, because I don't think or agree with YOU doesn't matter one bit. I have played other sports including one at the professional level. There ARE sports where you do play differently against a player. In baseball, a pitcher vs a certain batter, etc. But pool, I disagree. In other sports, such as pool, bowling, golf, etc., one is playing the table, alley, course, etc., respectively. Does Tiger Woods hit his shot differently off the tee because he is with his friend? I doubt it. What is the difference whether you are playing a Fargo 730 or a 400 if the nine is near a pocket and the eight is on the opposite short rail bank and your cue ball is next to the nine? Answer: Not a f**king thing. Are you saying you'd play the shot a little differently? I highly doubt it.

Again, in a competitive or tournament situation, I play to lock you up when I can and make shots with position when I can. All to the best of my current abilities and skill-set that I have trained so hard for. The other person is of no importance to me. It could be Joshua Filler or Fedor Gorst. I don't give a shit. A ball-banger could leave me the exact same table layout after a break as both of those guys, and you know it. It's up to YOU to figure out the table, the pattern, the roadmap-to-runout, or defensive play. There should be nothing else in your brain during that match. Nothing.

Now, if you're talking about playing your 9 year old grandson in the basement for "winner gets an ice cream," or the gal on your 2nd date, or a family member visiting for the holidays, then maybe you're right. You can earn one point on this post. The abovementioned is for very competitive situations.
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For the most part you do indeed play the table, but playing the opponent has its place as well. Deciding between a lower percentage shot and a safe, or between going all out for making a ball vs a 2way shot? I think it’s pretty important to think about.

This is assuming we’re talking about non - onepocket aka “boring” games 😂

In one pocket you better be trolling your opponent and tempting him and constantly leaving him in his least favored positions
 
xproskier said:
Again, because I don't think or agree with YOU doesn't matter one bit. I have played other sports including one at the professional level. There ARE sports where you do play differently against a player. In baseball, a pitcher vs a certain batter, etc. But pool, I disagree. In other sports, such as pool, bowling, golf, etc., one is playing the table, alley, course, etc., respectively. Does Tiger Woods hit his shot differently off the tee because he is with his friend? I doubt it. What is the difference whether you are playing a Fargo 730 or a 400 if the nine is near a pocket and the eight is on the opposite short rail bank and your cue ball is next to the nine? Answer: Not a f**king thing. Are you saying you'd play the shot a little differently? I highly doubt it.

Again, in a competitive or tournament situation, I play to lock you up when I can and make shots with position when I can. All to the best of my current abilities and skill-set that I have trained so hard for. The other person is of no importance to me. It could be Joshua Filler or Fedor Gorst. I don't give a shit. A ball-banger could leave me the exact same table layout after a break as both of those guys, and you know it. It's up to YOU to figure out the table, the pattern, the roadmap-to-runout, or defensive play. There should be nothing else in your brain during that match. Nothing.

Now, if you're talking about playing your 9 year old grandson in the basement for "winner gets an ice cream," or the gal on your 2nd date, or a family member visiting for the holidays, then maybe you're right. You can earn one point on this post. The abovementioned is for very competitive situations.
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i think you should listen to maha
here is an example
you get alittle out of line on the lets say the 7 ball
but you are left with what you determine is a 70% make but an easy out the rest of the way
(for example purposes exact number could vary)
against a lower level player the odds are more in your favor to play a safe and let him eventually leave you an easier shot than take the shot
against a top pro (someone that is clearly better than you )
your odds to win are probably higher to take the shot as he will probably out move you and run out when you dont lock him up
also you are not going to get many opportunities to run out against a top pro
p,s,
whats your fargo now?
 
yes, yes yes, you always play the shot in such a way it gives you the best chance of winning that game. not making that shot.

and that is determined by the ability and way your opponent plays.

also has almost nothing to do with the score of the set as many think.

and it does apply to all games. some more than not.
 
doesn’t really matter who it is
nobody has to back up claims
or mention the city or state or
defend their friendship codes

-did he think he’d get +300 responses?
-did he think it could remain anonymous?
 
markjames said:
doesn’t really matter who it is
nobody has to back up claims
or mention the city or state or
defend their friendship codes

-did he think he’d get +300 responses?
-did he think it could remain anonymous?
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bbb said:
i think you should listen to maha
here is an example
you get alittle out of line on the lets say the 7 ball
but you are left with what you determine is a 70% make but an easy out the rest of the way
(for example purposes exact number could vary)
against a lower level player the odds are more in your favor to play a safe and let him eventually leave you an easier shot than take the shot
against a top pro (someone that is clearly better than you )
your odds to win are probably higher to take the shot as he will probably out move you and run out when you dont lock him up
also you are not going to get many opportunities to run out against a top pro
p,s,
whats your fargo now?
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Exactly right! If playing a top player well above your skill level you bite on any slim chance, 50-50 looks like a gift! You either get control of the table in a hurry or you are likely to be on the wrong end of a whitewash. If you get the lead, as in a dance not talking score here, you try like hell to never give it up.

Hu
 
Nob
ShootingArts said:
Believe it or not, ego is your best friend! When you put your money up to play in a tournament you have just as much right as anyone to win. Ego is what tells you that you can!

One way I evaluate competition is a quick pass around the venue. Maybe eighty percent of competitors are saying they can't beat three or four monsters in the event. Might be true, but what I have learned is that these people are also very unlikely to beat the people genuinely trying to beat the monsters. Just a quiet walk around often lets me eliminate seventy or eighty percent of competitors. Now the numbers are small enough to work with.

One thing, never say anything negative about yourself. I went to the extreme of taking negative words out of my everyday vocabulary for a few years or so. Might have sounded a little stilted when I had to say something negative at work. It was an unintended consequence but I found myself much more popular even at work. I was at my doctor's office a few days ago and his nurse commented I was so calm and laid back she couldn't even picture me getting angry or upset about something. Funny, but a nice impression to give!

Easier said than done but building our mental game will pay huge dividends. That does include not coming across as understating our abilities. False modesty is as deadly to our unconscious as real modesty. Those of us that desire to are winners, whether it be past, present, or future. Always keep in mind that you are there to win and it will happen. Not every time but a lot more often than when you are writing yourself off against the top of the field.

Remember, you are there to have fun and winning is more fun than losing!

Hu
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Nobody likes a whiner. Now if they gave out cheese and crackers w it, I might put up w a bit.
 
ShootingArts said:
The mental game is one of the few places we still have a lot to talk about. The best way to make a shot is usually pretty cut and dried. The best mental preparation and mental management during a match, always more to be said. Not only that, people can have radically different ideas and all be right!

Reading about a great old billiards player, he believes hating your opponent while playing is a key to success. I disagree, wasted energy. Plus I am playing friends, maybe family, and strangers in a tournament. I don't want to generate feelings of anger or hate at any of them even for a few minutes. For me, all are just obstacles to be gotten past as quickly and easily as possible. Different mindsets and while I have read of a good many people recommending hating their opponent, I am half Sicilian, hate is a blood feud, not something I can turn off and on.

Hu
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To be avoided at all costs. Shouldn't enter into your game.
 
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