Any of you play better mad?
- Thread starter m79a
- Start date
I have been known to play a bit better when mad. Not "irate" mad...just a little miffed at someone's poor sportsmanship.
I was playing an APA SL6 in an 8-ball match a couple months ago. He was one of those cocky, arrogant, "I'm God's gift to pool" kind of guys. After I won the first rack and handed him my two quarters for the bar box, I made a harmless comment about something that I did during the last rack...and he just scowled at me as if he was saying (without saying anything): "Don't talk to me".
I went on to beat him five straight games in very short innings for a Rackless Night.
Maniac
I was playing an APA SL6 in an 8-ball match a couple months ago. He was one of those cocky, arrogant, "I'm God's gift to pool" kind of guys. After I won the first rack and handed him my two quarters for the bar box, I made a harmless comment about something that I did during the last rack...and he just scowled at me as if he was saying (without saying anything): "Don't talk to me".
I went on to beat him five straight games in very short innings for a Rackless Night.
Maniac
Indeed....
A little peeved/mildly upset/agitated, yea, I play better....but something that's got me angry, my mind won't be in the game, and I won't be able to concentrate at all...hence, that's not the time to shoot pool.
I guess for most it would depend on what level of anger you are talking about. If you get so mad it raises your adrenaline level to the point where your muscles are tense and your hands shake, then I would say no, it doesn't make you play better.
If you are only mad to the point where it sharpens your focus and makes you determined than I would say yes.
If you are only mad to the point where it sharpens your focus and makes you determined than I would say yes.
I don't necessarily have to be mad at the person I'm playing, just a little pissed at something. I think it makes you a bit more focused. But don't confuse mad with worried or concerned, like you might be mad because your significant other is stepping out on you but you're also concerned or worried about that. That's like spreading the mind too thin
Yeah I do seem to play better when I'm agitated about something. Most times it seems that when I'm playing poorly, not getting the rolls or if my opponent is a jerk it causes me to increase my focus and make me play a little better. Our team captain has even pointed out that I have won every single match without fail that I have dropped the first rack in. My teammates have joked that I should spot each opponent the first rack. 
It absolutely can have the affect of inhibiting doubt.
Before I play I look at a picture of Dean Wormer that I keep in my case. And I remember when he put me on double secret probation for falsely thinking I took liberties with his daughter. It gets my blood boiling to 211 degrees. I'm not an animal! :grin-square:
Before I play I look at a picture of Dean Wormer that I keep in my case. And I remember when he put me on double secret probation for falsely thinking I took liberties with his daughter. It gets my blood boiling to 211 degrees. I'm not an animal! :grin-square:
If i'm even one bit of mad, angry, upset...... that's it, game is down the crapper. Focus goes out the window, concentration too. I rarely get upset at pool as it is, I mean hell, professionals miss shots, so why should I get upset about a shot I missed or being hooked? As JohnnyT said, pool is a very hard game.
On another note, I am prescribed adderol, so I'm always focused and calm while shooting, It's almost an unfair advantage (if I actually knew how to win lol)
On another note, I am prescribed adderol, so I'm always focused and calm while shooting, It's almost an unfair advantage (if I actually knew how to win lol)
been mad before
A few years ago during the 8ball 5 man team local tournament we have here in Ardmore.
We were having to play a team that had beaten us all year. We were already on the 1 loss side, And it was then and there that I told my self "its time to beat these guys!"
I pulled my weight and shot 3 ERO's to rack up a 30-1 point deficit on my matches.
Needless to say we won the match and went on to double dip the hot seat team and take 1st!
Thats one I will never forget.
A few years ago during the 8ball 5 man team local tournament we have here in Ardmore.
We were having to play a team that had beaten us all year. We were already on the 1 loss side, And it was then and there that I told my self "its time to beat these guys!"
I pulled my weight and shot 3 ERO's to rack up a 30-1 point deficit on my matches.
Needless to say we won the match and went on to double dip the hot seat team and take 1st!
Thats one I will never forget.
me too
On another note, I am prescribed adderol, so I'm always focused and calm while shooting, It's almost an unfair advantage (if I actually knew how to win lol)
I am prescribed adderol but I don't always use when Im shooting. I like to take it on the 2nd day and 3rd, 4th day etc of tournaments to keep my focus for the long haul.
On another note, I am prescribed adderol, so I'm always focused and calm while shooting, It's almost an unfair advantage (if I actually knew how to win lol)
I am prescribed adderol but I don't always use when Im shooting. I like to take it on the 2nd day and 3rd, 4th day etc of tournaments to keep my focus for the long haul.
That's a good idea, I've been prescribed it since it was 17 so I never really haven't taken it. I'm just always in a zone daily, shooting pool or not, never thought to strategically take it to help focus on my games or down the road.
Adderall has very different effects for those that actually need it and those that don't. If you actually need it then the benefits you get from it are simply making things a level playing field.
Tell me this, how do you sense the passage of time when you are on it compared to when you are not? Does time seem to go faster or slower or do you not notice much of a difference either way?
Time seems normal for me, I take it twice a day, and as you said it gives me a level playing field. I'm just focused and concentrated on anything I do. It started with me in school when I wasn't able to hold solid grades due to lack of focus and everything that goes along with it. Since being diagnosed with inattentive ADHD and prescribed adderol, everything seems a ok.
I play much worse when I'm mad, especially when I'm mad about my own game. This is one of my biggest weakest point.
I believe this is strongly related to how people learned their game; guys who trained in their own man cave will most likely need to stay calm while players who grow up playing for money or competitively will most likely play better under stress.
I believe this is strongly related to how people learned their game; guys who trained in their own man cave will most likely need to stay calm while players who grow up playing for money or competitively will most likely play better under stress.
Last edited:
In every sport I've ever competed!!! Unfortunately it doesn't last.
-- A year or two ago, I was playing a league match (8-ball) where the other team threw off... one of the team mates of the person I was playing was telling the player which ball to shoot next... Irritated me a bit, rather put me in "the zone" to where I could actually see lines on the table for the patterns I needed to run.
-- Just last week (league play again).. a guy I've played with/against a thousand times was playing make one hide one against me in a match that meant nothing. Irritated me enough that once again I went into the Zone and could see those lines on the table during my 8-ball match (that did mean something.)
-- A year or two ago, I was playing a league match (8-ball) where the other team threw off... one of the team mates of the person I was playing was telling the player which ball to shoot next... Irritated me a bit, rather put me in "the zone" to where I could actually see lines on the table for the patterns I needed to run.
-- Just last week (league play again).. a guy I've played with/against a thousand times was playing make one hide one against me in a match that meant nothing. Irritated me enough that once again I went into the Zone and could see those lines on the table during my 8-ball match (that did mean something.)
No one plays better mad.
Rocker especially.
Nick
Rocker especially.
Nick
I played a dude in a tourney at Grady's about 4 or 5 years ago, bar table 9 ball. Guys name was Tom something, from Texas. It was like 2-2 going to 9 games when he complained about the way I was racking for him. I asked what was wrong since he made a ball every other time he broke. He said I was racking them "high". I offered to let him rack his own and he said "I'd rather you just rack them without cheating". That bothered me, since I've never considered cheating. I don't think I missed another ball from there and I beat him 9-4. I'm getting pissed just thinking about thy d-bag.