Bar table leagues suck

[JasonS]

and the difference in skill doesn't bother you? i've seen a lot of players in the short time that i've been playing and the players that gamble always seem to play way better than the players that play for fun

People who want to play the game well will practice... You don't have to lose a bunch of money to want to learn to play well, you just have to have the desire to win... A passion for the game and a desire to be the best is quite enough to want to learn how to run balls like a champ and small tournaments and leagues are as far as you have to go and as much as you need to spend to learn how to play cold and under pressure like a champ.

I've dedicated a good few years of my life to playing the game properly by practicing drills and patterns on an average of 2-3 hours every single day for over 1,000 days and I've gone from a C to a borderline A in about 2 years because of my desire to win tournaments. My philosophy is money is the residue of doing a good job. It doesn't matter what you're doing... setting goals and performing the tasks or steps it takes to achieve those goals with the idea of doing them correctly will lead to wealth. Sure it's possible to get rich quick, but working hard and pushing yourself to do better and better is what separates the people at the top from the people at the bottom.

What I'm saying is, well, gambling has it's place in pool of course, but to many people the satisfaction of playing good and winning a match is more than enough because that is what's important to them... not a quick buck.

 

[skeptic]

I'm a league player and I don't gamble on pool. I play league pool as a fun way to get out of the house once a week, hang out with friends, and forget about work. I want to improve my play and I'm trying to get serious about practice, but I think if I was gambling it would be less fun. Of course it's hard to get real practice in, whenever I start the wife wants to play for fun...

I should really search the forums here for some good practice drills and stick to them.

 

[Roger Long]

People who want to play the game well will practice... You don't have to lose a bunch of money to want to learn to play well, you just have to have the desire to win... A passion for the game and a desire to be the best is quite enough to want to learn how to run balls like a champ and small tournaments and leagues are as far as you have to go and as much as you need to spend to learn how to play cold and under pressure like a champ.

I've dedicated a good few years of my life to playing the game properly by practicing drills and patterns on an average of 2-3 hours every single day for over 1,000 days and I've gone from a C to a borderline A in about 2 years because of my desire to win tournaments. My philosophy is money is the residue of doing a good job. It doesn't matter what you're doing... setting goals and performing the tasks or steps it takes to achieve those goals with the idea of doing them correctly will lead to wealth. Sure it's possible to get rich quick, but working hard and pushing yourself to do better and better is what separates the people at the top from the people at the bottom.

What I'm saying is, well, gambling has it's place in pool of course, but to many people the satisfaction of playing good and winning a match is more than enough because that is what's important to them... not a quick buck.

Jason, how did you learn? Did you take lessons? Where did you do all of your practicing? Was it at home, or in a pool hall, or in a bar?

I know these sound like off-beat questions, but I have my reasons for asking, and they do pertain to the subject of the thread.

Roger

 

[JasonS]

Jason, how did you learn? Did you take lessons? Where did you do all of your practicing? Was it at home, or in a pool hall, or in a bar?

I know these sound like off-beat questions, but I have my reasons for asking, and they do pertain to the subject of the thread.

Roger

I started getting into the sport at a local pool hall on 9ft gandy tables near the middle of 07. I had played before, but not with any kind of knowledge of the game... Going to the pool room essentially became a daily thing like brushing my teeth... In the beginning of 08 a semi-pro sponsored by Shawn Putnam named Justin Daniels from Youngstown (two hours away lol) started coming up just about every night and I ended up playing him at one point and he told me that I was a natural and have a good shot of going pretty far. That's when I really started to buckle down and really analyze what the pros do. I took a couple months off to live in NY with my SO and when I came back I got a great job making decent money and just started playing as much as I could, which was every night for hours and hours. I lost my job in the beginning of 09, racked up a tab of 400 bucks and started working at the pool hall. I've had free table time since. For the months I was working there I could put in a good 45-50 hours a week of just pool since the place was dead almost all of the time. Justin never really gave me lessons, but he's definitely helped by giving me some good tips here and there. I just watch and study as much as I can and then emulate, in the process you'll start coming up with your own methods and that has been working well for me. I particularly love watching safety play... you can learn a ton watching players like Reyes... He's definitely helped me win some matches by watching how he uses kicks in his safes.

 

[dr2112]

While I certainly agree that leagues are not for everybody. But, they are great for the game. A league is a place to meet new pool playing fiends and designed to be a social event. With commitment to a league you are also getting out and playing on that desired night. As to the looking for action after the league, Every league that I have been in I have found plenty of action during and after league night if desired. Some leagues are better than others depending on ability.... As far as I know they all share one common interest and that is to HAVE FUN!!

Regards,
Darin

 

[cfrandy]

Some of us don't give a shit about gambling. Most of the knuckle heads who want to gamble all the time don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. In fact I look at must of the guys who were good players gambling all the time still as broke as they were 20 years a go. The reason why I have a house..bmw.. play with a high end timmy scruggs. Go on multiple trips and cruises every year and have a savings is because I don't waste my money gambling with numb skulls. I get all the competition I need out of leagues and tournaments. You don't like leagues don't play in them..leave the rest of us alone.

Could not have said it better. I also like the way the OP said "cheap" rings...that's not gambling! Just ask the player who draws 5th in line of 5 great shooters. Most of the guys that play in "cheap" rings count on being left the 9-ball with a straight in shot. They avoid tournaments where they must play one on one with the best of the best!:sorry:

 

[jojopiff]

I don't know where you're from but I can't imagine no one would want to gamble if it's a real pool hall. I personally enjoy league and there are many strong players (and some not so good) and after league I almost always leave and I enjoy gambling as well. My leagues don't usually get over until 10 or 11 PM and I have to get up and work so I don't EVER stay and gamble.

If I'm gonna gamble I wanna play several sets and that'll leave me there until 2AM and that ain't gonna happen if I got to get up for work. You can find action on any night and if the right guys are there you can get action on any game--9Ball, One Pocket, or Straight. This is the only pool hall in a town of 300,000 people so it's where all the Players go and maybe you don't have that.

Oh, and Golf as well, more times than not you can get in a Golf game.

 

[IbeAnEngineer]

I can't believe I joined a league! After league matches were over, I mentioned a cheap ring game and the room was empty in 5 minutes. It's no wonder the card rooms are full and the pool rooms are empty. Leagues are nothing but a marketing tool and a cash cow for operators. It will be a sad day when real pool rooms with real pool tables are gone. Does anyone feel the same?

Maybe they did not want to bother playing a CHEAP ring game?

 

[trob]

let me clarify a bit. I have no problem with gambling ...the fact is just because playing in leagues and tournaments gets my adrenaline flowing doesn't mean it gets yours or vice versa. Gambling is an interesting part of this games history and I've read plenty of great books about it. They all seem to end the same though...the player ends up broke lol

What gets to me is the thought that just because I don't gamble then I don't KNOW the game. I've been playing more then 20 years...I play 7 days a week. Two leagues and usually one night I get out to the 9 footers at the clubs. the other 4 days I play at home against the ghost and also spend time working on fundamentals and drills just about every day. I read everything I can on the game. Why you ask since I make no money from it? Because I love the game..rocketing balls into pockets and making the cue ball do what I want is one of the small things in life that makes it worth living and has never gotten old. I want to play this game as high a level as I can and to me the reward of holding up the trophy after winning the finals in a league with good friends who also love the game is all the payment I need.

 

[Mike in MN]

Some of us don't give a shit about gambling. Most of the knuckle heads who want to gamble all the time don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. In fact I look at must of the guys who were good players gambling all the time still as broke as they were 20 years a go. The reason why I have a house..bmw.. play with a high end timmy scruggs. Go on multiple trips and cruises every year and have a savings is because I don't waste my money gambling with numb skulls. I get all the competition I need out of leagues and tournaments. You don't like leagues don't play in them..leave the rest of us alone.

Boom. There it is. You could have closed the thread after this one and it would be complete.

 

[rlw]

I can't believe I joined a league! After league matches were over, I mentioned a cheap ring game and the room was empty in 5 minutes. It's no wonder the card rooms are full and the pool rooms are empty. Leagues are nothing but a marketing tool and a cash cow for operators. It will be a sad day when real pool rooms with real pool tables are gone. Does anyone feel the same?

Did you ever consider that they all left because they didn't want to be around a clown like you!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[strokerace]

Wow, another league bashing thread.. These are becoming as common as the CTE threads of yesterday..:angry:

Agree MOJOE..no one gets better at the game if they dont put some
cheeze on the line..league is only for guys who think they can play..
thats why i never play..it is revolting that a group can not even get
a little 2-5 buck ring game..after the league play is done..SA

 

[strokerace]

Some of us don't give a shit about gambling. Most of the knuckle heads who want to gamble all the time don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. In fact I look at must of the guys who were good players gambling all the time still as broke as they were 20 years a go. The reason why I have a house..bmw.. play with a high end timmy scruggs. Go on multiple trips and cruises every year and have a savings is because I don't waste my money gambling with numb skulls. I get all the competition I need out of leagues and tournaments. You don't like leagues don't play in them..leave the rest of us alone.

and i bet your game is shit..come play me..whoops..no way..cause
you know you cant win..knuckle head..SA

 

[strokerace]

Did you ever consider that they all left because they didn't want to be around a clown like you!!!!!!!!!!!

Your game is weak too..your the only non playing clown here..SA

 

[poolplayer2093]

I'm a league player and I don't gamble on pool. I play league pool as a fun way to get out of the house once a week, hang out with friends, and forget about work. I want to improve my play and I'm trying to get serious about practice, but I think if I was gambling it would be less fun. Of course it's hard to get real practice in, whenever I start the wife wants to play for fun...

I should really search the forums here for some good practice drills and stick to them.

oops, posted twice

 

[poolplayer2093]

I'm a league player and I don't gamble on pool. I play league pool as a fun way to get out of the house once a week, hang out with friends, and forget about work. I want to improve my play and I'm trying to get serious about practice, but I think if I was gambling it would be less fun. Of course it's hard to get real practice in, whenever I start the wife wants to play for fun...

I should really search the forums here for some good practice drills and stick to them.

the ugly truth about pool is that if you want to play it the best you possibly can, you have focus so much it isn't fun anymore.

it's a little off but that's why imo men like this game. we're raised to like games that end with a winner and a loser. the end result is the only real fun. it ain't pee wee soccer. someone's going to lose and if i have my way it won't be me

 

[poolplayer2093]

Rep for you.





I'd offer an opinion here but since I won't gamble I apparently know little, if anything, about pool. Geez, I am ever a newb!

i've run into plenty of strong league players. players i wouldn't want to play! but i've also run into gamblers that could give all them the 7.

 

[poolplayer2093]

I started getting into the sport at a local pool hall on 9ft gandy tables near the middle of 07. I had played before, but not with any kind of knowledge of the game... Going to the pool room essentially became a daily thing like brushing my teeth... In the beginning of 08 a semi-pro sponsored by Shawn Putnam named Justin Daniels from Youngstown (two hours away lol) started coming up just about every night and I ended up playing him at one point and he told me that I was a natural and have a good shot of going pretty far. That's when I really started to buckle down and really analyze what the pros do. I took a couple months off to live in NY with my SO and when I came back I got a great job making decent money and just started playing as much as I could, which was every night for hours and hours. I lost my job in the beginning of 09, racked up a tab of 400 bucks and started working at the pool hall. I've had free table time since. For the months I was working there I could put in a good 45-50 hours a week of just pool since the place was dead almost all of the time. Justin never really gave me lessons, but he's definitely helped by giving me some good tips here and there. I just watch and study as much as I can and then emulate, in the process you'll start coming up with your own methods and that has been working well for me. I particularly love watching safety play... you can learn a ton watching players like Reyes... He's definitely helped me win some matches by watching how he uses kicks in his safes.

you went from c player to close to a player in 3 years!:thumbup: now that's gangsta! when i had been playing for 3 years i ran into a guy that'd been playing for 8 months that played even with me. some guys just pick it up quick! lucky sob

 

[onepocketron]

Come play in my league. We have some players that will play for $1,000+ a set with no problem (we don't play on bar boxes). Better bring your A+++ game though. Just because they like the league play to have fun and mess around with friends doesn't mean they can't play.

 

[poolplayer2093]

Could not have said it better. I also like the way the OP said "cheap" rings...that's not gambling! Just ask the player who draws 5th in line of 5 great shooters. Most of the guys that play in "cheap" rings count on being left the 9-ball with a straight in shot. They avoid tournaments where they must play one on one with the best of the best!:sorry:

now this is BS if i've ever heard it. anybody has a chance to win in a ring game. especially since there probably aren't going to be any "great" players.

the last time i played in a ring game i was easily the weakest player in the room, 2 A players 2 B players and me C player, and we were all on the hill and i got a great shot on the 9 (shot it into the rail).

we played the ring game like this. $20 buys in 5 is worth 1 diamond 9 is worth 2 and the first person to go around the table gets the dough