am i too serious?
- Thread starter JayBates
- Start date
I play serious, work hard at my technique and always have a serious game face when i am at the table but i don't freak out when i miss easy shots and break my cue over the table or slam the walls and such, you sound like the kind of guy i would love to have on my team someone who takes his game serious actually we could use two to three of you LOL. But the people who complain around and call everything to be called by refs i can stand but don't like playing with them all the time. This kind of serious kills the game and the enjoyment for me. As in serious about the game for me is i started learning more things and it got me to the point where i look at other peoples technique and study them, i work very hard on drills and don't do them half ass, and always am pushing myself to be better then what i am too.
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Ummagumma
Guest
I'd take it down a notch when you're with casual players, friends, or in a less than ideal place. A truck stop with lots of noise, kids running by seems to fit that description
As other people have mentioned, you can practice by going for the hard/impossible shots. You accomplish two things by this: Practicing super hard shots and not being accused of doing safety plays (it seems to me that in casual settings with casual players, safeties are typically frowned upon).
Also, you may find that by not treating the game too seriously and shooting for fun, you're more relaxed and can usually make more harder shots. Of course, that might backfire -- since your friends may keep losing!
As other people have mentioned, you can practice by going for the hard/impossible shots. You accomplish two things by this: Practicing super hard shots and not being accused of doing safety plays (it seems to me that in casual settings with casual players, safeties are typically frowned upon).
Also, you may find that by not treating the game too seriously and shooting for fun, you're more relaxed and can usually make more harder shots. Of course, that might backfire -- since your friends may keep losing!
If your pals say you're too serious, there's no way to prove them wrong. You ARE too serious ... for THEM. They must find it boring to watch you bear down, just like you -- or I -- would find it boring to just bang the balls around, hoping to get lucky. Sounds like you need to find more serious people to play with, or learn to goof around with the people you know.
For myself, I'd rather just hit alone if I can't find a reasonably competitive game, or hit with somebody who's at least trying to learn to play the right way.
For myself, I'd rather just hit alone if I can't find a reasonably competitive game, or hit with somebody who's at least trying to learn to play the right way.
When I play lesser players I will take more chances and try out different things like 2-3 rail banks, carooms, kicks and practice safeties, etc. but still make it look like I am making a honest attempt to make a ball. Basically I will try to look for a 2 way shot and not a deliberate safety. I know that I have the game under control and can beat them if I want. For me to just keep beating them up would drive them away, especially on a BB where you have to keep feeding the machine. I am still playing serious and serious about winning but with a more casual approach.
I am rated a 7 in the APA. In prematch warm ups I have no need to pocket the balls just to pocket them. I want to let my stroke out, try the rails, speed of the cloth, pocket drops, comming back to the table with different leaves, etc. One of the players on my team has told me that many of the other players have made remarks that I am not that good and that they almost beat me. He said that he just laughs at them and said "Don't you understand that he is just messing around trying to warm up?" and they would reply back that he was really serious and really trying to win. I usually give the table up after my one warm up game so I don't care if I win or not. I also don't want to show my ability to the other team.
I am rated a 7 in the APA. In prematch warm ups I have no need to pocket the balls just to pocket them. I want to let my stroke out, try the rails, speed of the cloth, pocket drops, comming back to the table with different leaves, etc. One of the players on my team has told me that many of the other players have made remarks that I am not that good and that they almost beat me. He said that he just laughs at them and said "Don't you understand that he is just messing around trying to warm up?" and they would reply back that he was really serious and really trying to win. I usually give the table up after my one warm up game so I don't care if I win or not. I also don't want to show my ability to the other team.
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My way or the highway ....
Those 'others' are just jealous because you play better than them, and they are trying to 'talk' you out of the game to give their egos a boost. Don't fall for it, and don't play with them if it continues, especially for practice.
Now, if they play for money, show them what a good time you can have
taking their money, that shoiuld keep their egos in check.
Practice should be done by yourself, it is competition when playing someone else, generally to show what you have learned previously. In practice, you
need repitition and to work on your weaknesses or something new, and it is hard to do that when playing another person.
You can not always be good in Pool, and be one of the boys. That's why many good players are sort of loners, or like a gunfighter of sorts. Socialize
when you are not on the table.
Those 'others' are just jealous because you play better than them, and they are trying to 'talk' you out of the game to give their egos a boost. Don't fall for it, and don't play with them if it continues, especially for practice.
Now, if they play for money, show them what a good time you can have
taking their money, that shoiuld keep their egos in check.
Practice should be done by yourself, it is competition when playing someone else, generally to show what you have learned previously. In practice, you
need repitition and to work on your weaknesses or something new, and it is hard to do that when playing another person.
You can not always be good in Pool, and be one of the boys. That's why many good players are sort of loners, or like a gunfighter of sorts. Socialize
when you are not on the table.
TheBook said:
Sounds like a Hustler tactic LOL, but i can relate i do the same thing when i play leagues i shoot the cueball testing out the cloth, rails etc... I play serious at the table and had times people told me to smile when i just won or ran a table but my attitude off the table is a happy fun going guy so it suits me in pressure situations cause i don't let anything get to me.
Snapshot9 said:
Couldn't have said it better, what he said /\
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good idea sometimes
I often played hard, just not with the primary goal being winning as easily as possible. I can play hard or practice very seriously when I am alone somewhere I expect action to be found without making a lot of balls or flashy runs. The spot I often gave recreational players back when I shot seriously was that I would shoot banks and combinations and they just shot eightball. That can make you have to work against almost anybody!
Hu
renard said:
I often played hard, just not with the primary goal being winning as easily as possible. I can play hard or practice very seriously when I am alone somewhere I expect action to be found without making a lot of balls or flashy runs. The spot I often gave recreational players back when I shot seriously was that I would shoot banks and combinations and they just shot eightball. That can make you have to work against almost anybody!
Hu
These people do not get better by practicing, they win by trying to get other players to play worse. Or they win by sharking them. Or they win by banning better players from tournaments. Or they win by refusing to play with someone who will beat them. Ignore them.
You have also violated one of the "bar rules" rules. That is there is NO THINKING allowed. Thinking about a shot prior to shooting, lining up the shot, looking at it from different angles, etc. is cheating!
Sounds like you are on the right track though. You are winning games. As you win more and more, people will refuse to play with you, will shark you, and will scream like stuck pigs.
Try to find more advanced players to play against if possible. Usually the better players will complement you on your good playing.
You have also violated one of the "bar rules" rules. That is there is NO THINKING allowed. Thinking about a shot prior to shooting, lining up the shot, looking at it from different angles, etc. is cheating!
Sounds like you are on the right track though. You are winning games. As you win more and more, people will refuse to play with you, will shark you, and will scream like stuck pigs.
Try to find more advanced players to play against if possible. Usually the better players will complement you on your good playing.
All of my friends play pool. Some not as much as they used to, but they all understand. Even if we are going to go just hit balls for a bit at the pool hall before we go out, its on. And there will probably be money involved.
On the other hand, if I am going to play with my wife or her and her friends. Ouch. I cant really turn myself off. My wife worked at a pool hall for years when she was younger and was taught by some good players. But she plays a dozen racks a year now. When we first started dating she loved watching me play. Then one time we went to play ourselves. I beat her more often than not, and she was getting really mad. I thought maybe we should play together anymore. She still wanted to. The next time, she got mad at me because it became obvious i would let her in a few times, and she would win games. She told me to try my best. I beat her 30 games in a row. She just walked out. So, ya, we dont play pool one on one anymore.
But I wonder, if any of you find the following happens to you.... you are out with a new date, or with friends, and, its hard not to play good, so you just start trying shots you wouldnt try. And then you cant miss. This happens to me all the time. I can kick in anything, cut anything, bank anything (2 or 3 rails). Im not really trying, just getting down and hitting, and it seems like everything is just going in.
Now I just tell people when we are making plans for the evening, that if pool is going to be involved .... im not fun to play with.
On the other hand, if I am going to play with my wife or her and her friends. Ouch. I cant really turn myself off. My wife worked at a pool hall for years when she was younger and was taught by some good players. But she plays a dozen racks a year now. When we first started dating she loved watching me play. Then one time we went to play ourselves. I beat her more often than not, and she was getting really mad. I thought maybe we should play together anymore. She still wanted to. The next time, she got mad at me because it became obvious i would let her in a few times, and she would win games. She told me to try my best. I beat her 30 games in a row. She just walked out. So, ya, we dont play pool one on one anymore.
But I wonder, if any of you find the following happens to you.... you are out with a new date, or with friends, and, its hard not to play good, so you just start trying shots you wouldnt try. And then you cant miss. This happens to me all the time. I can kick in anything, cut anything, bank anything (2 or 3 rails). Im not really trying, just getting down and hitting, and it seems like everything is just going in.
Now I just tell people when we are making plans for the evening, that if pool is going to be involved .... im not fun to play with.
Social pool is way too much like social drinking.