Age and Speed

[JimS]

I"m 64. I play at home every day but have very little desire to go to the ph and play with anyone. Sometimes, like about once every 6 months , I go to the ph and play with Brad Simpson. I do that because he's a good player. I learn from him, he encourages me, and he never needs to bet or show me up in any way. Good guy. Playing with him is always a positive experience for me. Other than that going to the ph is a pain in the arse for me. Lound music, smoke, loud-mouth drunks giving me a hard time and even threatening violence because I'm an alcohol/drug counselor, and they have to blame somebody for their DUI's and having lost their drivers license forever.


I'd be willing to put up with all that crap but I just have no desire to get into competition of any kind. Who I can beat just doesn't matter. I do like going out to see friends and railbirding the tournaments.

I VERY much enjoy practicing at home and seeing that I'm getting better. I achieve a personal best of some kind about once a week and that's where the fun is for me. And as a couple of others have said I do lose interest after a while. It seems fairly universal that as the years add up the desire to prove anything diminishes. I've learned that heatfelt enjoyment is what it's all about and laughs, love, back-slaps, inner peace can't be beat by coming out on top in a pecker contest.

 

[vagabond]

very interesting to read muse & views of other `Winnabago Warriors`.
I was a mean street fighter and an athlete ( 400 Meters Hurdles) in my yester years and the residuals from that training has been helping me going around the table with out any effort.

PS: I coined the term Winnabago warrior for any pool player who is above the age of 60 and still competing/gambling.

 

[Fatboy]

Face it man, you're a fat old f--k.

no I cant F### anymore with my back, email me your plans and phone numbers, i have a few things to go over with you-all is great news. i'm going to sleep now its 841am for you its 541pm here i'm going to sleep for 2 hours then call you.

it aint fat its soft muscles, wanna buy a wig?

 

[gulfportdoc]

One of the beauties of Pool is, that you can have a lonnng career. Many good players had 40 year careers. I've seen several great ones in their 60's. They make up for in experience what they have lost otherwise.

If I'm not mistaken, Irving Crane won a world title at age 65. But of course he was a rare exception. Efren is in that league with one-pocket. Even though he's only in his early 50's, he's going to have more and more trouble trying to win a major 9-ball championship against today's young guns. His 9-ball game will continue to deteriorate in comparison to his play during his middle age. However his one-pocket prowess is so overwhelming that --if his health holds up-- he'll be a threat into his 60's.

It's true that our bodies wear out as we age, although fitness work can help stall that off. But the main problem is mental. We simply lose our nerve and confidence. By 60, the days of playing competitively with abandon usually are over. It takes more effort to concentrate and to handle negative emotions. That's not to say that older players can't put together good games and matches; but for the average older player to sustain his best over an entire tournament or long gambling session is almost impossible.

Doc
still playing ok at 62

 

[Fatboy]

I will be 68 in a few days and don't run balls like I used to but still play decent 9 ball and a better game of one pocket. I still gamble and try to play a couple times a week. I can play at a fairly high level for 6 or 8 hours. Anything longer than that and I start to fall apart. The biggest problem is if I take a few weeks off, it takes a few sessions to get it going again. Age definitely slows down aspects of your game, but experience overcomes a lot of the handicaps age brings, especially in one pocket. I'll play as long as I can make a ball and I'll bet on it too. John Henderson

i would like to play you, you will recognize me from many years ago, you have awalys played better than me, soon as my back is ok and I'm playing again I'll make a trip up to Sac. to play you and visit my uncle in Tracy, i'm not looking for big $$$ action and we can let Jay(if its cool with you make the line on the game) that way nobody gets robbed. I just want a fair, tough game and play a first class player. I would like to play long races with breaks every 60 or 90 minutes. But I'm open to anything you want-but I cant play 1P I forgot how. I dont need the $$$ but I dont want to get robbed accidentally either. And Jay is honerable and I trust him to make a line(if its ok with you), if he is wrong, i can hold him while you punch him or you can hold him while i punch him.

BTW i have never been good at playing long sessions, i'm 40 and when I was 20 anything over 5 hours i'm seeing spots, thats why i suggested breaks or if we find a game we both love I dont mind playing over 2 for 3 days. It would be an honor to match up with you and play quality pool, sorry I cant play 1P, but I havent played in 8 years, I played Jay Helfert 1P the other day and I couldnt see the shot, years ago 9B players(my speed) had no chance playing me 1P but I litterly forgot how to play, so we have to play 9B or something netural like 8B. But I would perfer 9B express rules, CB foul only push after break. Let me know if your interested, you can set the bet where ever you like, I just want to play a tough game.

 

[TATE]

I watched some 9 Ball on ESPN last week and thought that Keith or Earl, in their day, would have handily beat both finalists. I assume that the reason Keith isn't traveling all over and playing anymore is that he doesn't quite play as well as he used to and at this point in his life, it doesn't pay to go through all that to finish a little down the leaderboard for little cash and lots of hassle. It makes sense that players don't play as well as they get older, I figure Miz didn't play as well in his latter years, otherwise, he would of traveled around and drubbed everyone. Earl doen't seem to play as well as he used to, I saw him in Los Angeles maybe 20 years ago and I haven't seen anyone on ESPN (haven't seen Efren) that had the kind of talent Earl exhibited back then. My question is, most seem to agree that Efran Reyes is the best in the world, but isn't he like 53? Has he not lost speed, or was he just so great that even after loosing speed due to age he's still the best?

I could write book on this subject. I don't think age is a big factor in pool until you are quite a bit older, say 70 or more, as long as your CNS stays in good shape, meaning no parkinsons, no dementia, no strokes. The condition of your back and joints are important too. With laser surgery, eyes can stay as good as new in most cases. Efren had laser and he was right back.

Muscles can be built back up. With a little (or in some cases, a lot ) of effort, many of us could be more fit than we were at a younger age. I'm 53. Between working out and distance running, I could run rings around my 25 year old chain smoking self and give my 30 year old self the 7 and 8 in pool. In fact I would like to go back in time and *****-slap myself for being an idiot.

The problem is more mental burn out, not just in pool, but in any career or pasttime. When the fire is no longer in your belly, mediocrity sets in.

Chris

 

[JoeW]

fire in the belly can give you heart burn

Seriously, I agree with you. The guy in the mirror has lines in his face. The eyes look the same but that fire in the belly often got him in as much trouble as it did success.

Mellow is the way to go. I have thoroughly enjoyed every decade I have been in and my 60s are no different. Seems to me that a few aches aside, life just gets better. My day doesn't even start until noon and I have no idea how I ever had time to work for a living. There are simply too many things to enjoy.

When I was younger I could not understand how anyone could be a railbird in anything. Had to be in the fray. Nice part about 60+ is learning that railbirds have fun too, a different aspect of the game but fun. I would still rather be in the action or doing something else but railbirding is also a good time.

 

[jrhendy]

i would like to play you, you will recognize me from many years ago, you have awalys played better than me, soon as my back is ok and I'm playing again I'll make a trip up to Sac. to play you and visit my uncle in Tracy, i'm not looking for big $$$ action and we can let Jay(if its cool with you make the line on the game) that way nobody gets robbed. I just want a fair, tough game and play a first class player.

Let me know if your interested, you can set the bet where ever you like, I just want to play a tough game.

I would play some if you make it up here. My 9 ball is nowhere near my one pocket speed, but we can let Jay set a line and play some sets for $200 to $500, depending on the length of the set. Enough $$ to pay attention but have a nice sociable game & win or lose a thousand or so. Any breaks you have to take are ok with me. I would go for games on the wire or balls spotted depending on what Jay thinks. I suspect he would like to play either one of us 9 ball. I don't play banks & am not crazy about 8 ball, so 9 ball will be fine. I will adjust if the spot is out of line & I'm sure you would too. John Henderson

 

[Fatboy]

I would play some if you make it up here. My 9 ball is nowhere near my one pocket speed, but we can let Jay set a line and play some sets for $200 to $500, depending on the length of the set. Enough $$ to pay attention but have a nice sociable game & win or lose a thousand or so. Any breaks you have to take are ok with me. I would go for games on the wire or balls spotted depending on what Jay thinks. I suspect he would like to play either one of us 9 ball. I don't play banks & am not crazy about 8 ball, so 9 ball will be fine. I will adjust if the spot is out of line & I'm sure you would too. John Henderson

i would adjust the spot, when it becomes obvious thats its out of line, we have both been around long enough to know if its wrong, earily on, i'm an honerable guy like that, its impossible for us to play 1P right now-the spot would be way too much then if I started remembering how to play It wouldnt be fair to you- iwas never a good 1P player but I could beat anyone my speedin 9B B+ to A- easily, now I couldnt beat a C player that is playing 1P on a daily basis. Whats your USPPA handicap-pm it if you like. I just want a tough game, i have to wait until my back fets better, the way it is now I would have to quit and give up the $$$ or give back the $$$ I never quite people stuck-bad ethics.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

Some of my favorite posters contributed to this thread and I just want to say that I have really enjoyed reading all of your thoughts and insights.

This is a nice, easy, relaxing thread.

I'm only 48, so I have to wait 2 more years before you guys here about how worn down I already am....

 

[Fatboy]

Some of my favorite posters contributed to this thread and I just want to say that I have really enjoyed reading all of your thoughts and insights.

This is a nice, easy, relaxing thread.

I'm only 48, so I have to wait 2 more years before you guys here about how worn down I already am....

What do I have to do to become one of your favorite posters?

 

[kvinbrwr]

I will be 68 in a few days and don't run balls like I used to but still play decent 9 ball and a better game of one pocket. I still gamble and try to play a couple times a week. I can play at a fairly high level for 6 or 8 hours. Anything longer than that and I start to fall apart. The biggest problem is if I take a few weeks off, it takes a few sessions to get it going again. Age definitely slows down aspects of your game, but experience overcomes a lot of the handicaps age brings, especially in one pocket. I'll play as long as I can make a ball and I'll bet on it too. John Henderson

John

I assume you played serious 9-Ball when you were, say 27? How would your 68 y/o self match up with your 27 y/o self? Forget the lack of stamina for a long session, how do you think the 2 yous would stack up in a race to 12?

 

[kvinbrwr]

If I'm not mistaken, Irving Crane won a world title at age 65. But of course he was a rare exception. Efren is in that league with one-pocket. Even though he's only in his early 50's, he's going to have more and more trouble trying to win a major 9-ball championship against today's young guns. His 9-ball game will continue to deteriorate in comparison to his play during his middle age. However his one-pocket prowess is so overwhelming that --if his health holds up-- he'll be a threat into his 60's.

It's true that our bodies wear out as we age, although fitness work can help stall that off. But the main problem is mental. We simply lose our nerve and confidence. By 60, the days of playing competitively with abandon usually are over. It takes more effort to concentrate and to handle negative emotions. That's not to say that older players can't put together good games and matches; but for the average older player to sustain his best over an entire tournament or long gambling session is almost impossible.

Doc
still playing ok at 62

Doc

Do you think that right now there are any 9-Ball players that play better than Efren? If not, that's a pretty good accomplishment for a guy in his 50s.

 

[jrhendy]

John

I assume you played serious 9-Ball when you were, say 27? How would your 68 y/o self match up with your 27 y/o self? Forget the lack of stamina for a long session, how do you think the 2 yous would stack up in a race to 12?

I believe I played my best pool in my middle to late 40's, especially 9 ball. It is more than just playing, it is for the want of a better term, being immersed in pool. I played quite a bit in my 20's, but I was working, raising a family, coaching little league, active in the community (Jaycee president in 69/70) and all of the things that go along with having a family in that age group. I still played pool 20/30 hours a week, but in my 40's I was single again and hanging around pool rooms almost every day. I still worked, but I traveled a bit and competed against different players in different pool rooms all the time. 9 ball was never my best game, but in 87 I won a couple of tournaments in the LA area and thanks to Jay Helfert, got invited to play in the Color of Money Tournament at the Biltmore Hotel. They needed a couple of fillers, and that was all I was, but it was quite an honor for me. There were quite a few local tournaments in So. Calif. and you could tee it up against good players all the time and that will keep your game up. Maybe I was just a late bloomer, but my game in my 20's/30's wasn't near as good as it got in my 40's. John Henderson

 

[jrhendy]

John

I assume you played serious 9-Ball when you were, say 27? How would your 68 y/o self match up with your 27 y/o self? Forget the lack of stamina for a long session, how do you think the 2 yous would stack up in a race to 12?

I reread my post after I submitted it and see I didn't answer your question. My game at 27 was probably four games better than my game today in a reace to twelve, but it was a couple games on the wire better 20 years later. John Henderson

 

[Fatboy]

i played alot from 18-28 and got better over time from 28-39 i played casually and if I played a week straight I played as good as I ever did, now I have been playing when ever I can because of my back and can tell that when I'm healthy I'll play better 9B than ever, my mind is clear, no noise, what if's, distractions are gone. I have matured in that way, my mind isnt playing tricks on me any more, i never had issues but I would dog it-talk my self out of a shot, i dont do that anymore.

this is an interesting topic, because as we age there are physical breakdowns but the mind can grow stronger.

 

[jay helfert]

I believe I played my best pool in my middle to late 40's, especially 9 ball. It is more than just playing, it is for the want of a better term, being immersed in pool. I played quite a bit in my 20's, but I was working, raising a family, coaching little league, active in the community (Jaycee president in 69/70) and all of the things that go along with having a family in that age group. I still played pool 20/30 hours a week, but in my 40's I was single again and hanging around pool rooms almost every day. I still worked, but I traveled a bit and competed against different players in different pool rooms all the time. 9 ball was never my best game, but in 87 I won a couple of tournaments in the LA area and thanks to Jay Helfert, got invited to play in the Color of Money Tournament at the Biltmore Hotel. They needed a couple of fillers, and that was all I was, but it was quite an honor for me. There were quite a few local tournaments in So. Calif. and you could tee it up against good players all the time and that will keep your game up. Maybe I was just a late bloomer, but my game in my 20's/30's wasn't near as good as it got in my 40's. John Henderson

I suspect your One Pocket game is close now to when you were in your 40's. Maybe a ball lower is all.

 

[chilli66]

as we age there are physical breakdowns but the mind can grow stronger.

BINGO!! I think you have the answer there! That seems to be the case with me anyway, strange as it may seem after a 12-13 year layoff I find myself seeing the patterns & options far better than I used to when I was younger. Even if my body doesn't want to help me out the mind is way ahead of it!

Nice one, FB!

 

[vagabond]

I suspect your One Pocket game is close now to when you were in your 40's. Maybe a ball lower is all.

I sneaked up on him .1 year 9 months ago I watched him play.when I realized he was keeping an eye on me I pulled my routine BS.

 

[dabarbr]

Last Sunday, I heard that the final 8 out of 96 players were all older folks 50 or older at Bellflower Hard Times' first Sunday. One of them said, hey where are all the kids ?!! I take that to mean that I can enjoy competitive pool for a while bit longer yet !!

I was one of the final eight at the Hard Times. I came in forth, playing my last match at 1:30 in the morning.

I can't ever recall being glad to be knocked out of a tournament. I lost my second match and won like nine matches before I lost. My back, hip, legs, arms and head were really hurting. I am 67 years old. When I lost I told the remaining old timers that I was the lucky one because I got to go home.

No matter how much heart you have, father time is the equalizer.