Basic questions

[lewdo26]

Gosh, after all the aimin' and flamin' threads, I feel almost self-conscious to ask the simple-minded questions below. These, by the way, were inspired from my reading of "Pleasures in Small Motions", which I'm enjoying terribly thanks to the positive reviews I gleaned on this great forum. Here goes:

1)Why do you play & care about pool?

2)What place does pool have in your life?

3)Why do you compete?

4)How do you rationalize defeat?

5)What are your aspirations in the game?

If you're a pro or quasi-pro you'll likely wanna skip this thread altogether for obvious reasons (with the possible exception of inquiry #4), unless you choose to join the fun and mock this thread a bit.

My answers go a little something like this:

1) enjoyment

2) serious hobby (a lot more than collecting baseball cards, and a lot less than depending upon it for my next meal)

3) to bring out my best and measure up against others doing the same

4) I double my resolve to improve/reform

5) I only know what it is not, realistically. It isn't becoming a pro or giving Efren the 7... Everything else is up in the air.

Thanks

 

[Rickw]

Good thread Lewdo! I need to get that book, heard so much about it.

1. I just love playing it.
2. My only hobby. It's the most important thing for me other than my family.
3. It's a way of guaging my progress with the game.
4. I hate to lose even if I'm just playing someone for fun. I try to analyze what I did wrong and work on it over and over.
5. I aspire to be the best that I can be. If it winds up having to give Efren the 7, then so be it.

 

[9 Ball Girl]

1)Why do you play & care about pool?

I play because I love pool. I care because I love pool.

2)What place does pool have in your life?

All of my vacations revolve around pool. Need I say more? (Well, I guess until I get married and have kids, pool will have to take a back burner.)

3)Why do you compete?

I love to compete when I can because I like the pressure of having to win. Even if it's not in a tournament--if I happen to be playing someone for "fun" or come across a table at a fair, I HAVE TO WIN.

4)How do you rationalize defeat?

Ah fuckit. That's how. Seriously, I try to think of my mistakes and learn from them for the next time.

5)What are your aspirations in the game?

To be the best that I can be. Not better than anyone else, just better everytime I get to the table.

Thanks

You're welcome!

 

[lewdo26]

Good thread Lewdo! I need to get that book, heard so much about it.

1. I just love playing it.
2. My only hobby. It's the most important thing for me other than my family.
3. It's a way of guaging my progress with the game.
4. I hate to lose even if I'm just playing someone for fun. I try to analyze what I did wrong and work on it over and over.
5. I aspire to be the best that I can be. If it winds up having to give Efren the 7, then so be it.

Thanks, Ricky. Let's see if we can get a couple more responses before I'm on page three!

 

[Jersey]

My reasons...

Good Thread, Thx~

1. I love it...

2. #1 and most serious of my 3 hobbies...(2 being Cars, (Mustangs), 3 being Firearms...

3. For the challenge, and to hone my skills...

4. Don't like it, but I look at it this way; I don't mind getting beat, but I hate to lose...practice, practice, practice, focus, focus, focus...

5. For players in my area to know me as a Gentleman Player and one tough competitor...and If I could one day be fortunate enough to meet Efren let alone give him the 7, then HURRAY FOR ME!

 

[Rude Dog]

1)Why do you play & care about pool?

2)What place does pool have in your life?

3)Why do you compete?

4)How do you rationalize defeat?

5)What are your aspirations in the game?

1) I play because I think I can be the best.
2) It used to be #1 in my book, but now my family and freedom are, with pool a distant 3rd.
3) I love competition, whether it be in pool, bowling, pitching quarters, whatever, I love to compete.
4) My feet hurt, oh, you said defeat. Um, when I lose, which happens a lot these days, I blame it on my lack of practice. In the days that I did practice, I always knew why I lost and where the critical moments of the match were and I worked on those situations in my next practice session.
5) See answer #1. That will never change.

Peace, John. BTW, good thread here, I hope we get a lot of replies.

 

[NewGuy]

Gosh, after all the aimin' and flamin' threads, I feel almost self-conscious to ask the simple-minded questions below. These, by the way, were inspired from my reading of "Pleasures in Small Motions", which I'm enjoying terribly thanks to the positive reviews I gleaned on this great forum. Here goes:

1)Why do you play & care about pool?

2)What place does pool have in your life?

3)Why do you compete?

4)How do you rationalize defeat?

5)What are your aspirations in the game?

Good topic, lewdo26!

My answers:

1. I'm not really sure. I was always fascinated with the game since I was a little kid. Unfortunately, I didn't really start playing until a couple of years ago. I guess you can say I just love everything about the game, from the sound of the balls sinking in the pocket to the smell of the pool hall.

2. I consider it a very serious hobby. Ask my ex and she'll tell you it's an obsession and addiction of mine. By the way, pool was one of the reasons we broke up.

3. I've always been very competitive in anything I've done. I want to be the best and I use competition to measure myself against others.

4. I'm one of the most gracious losers you will find. When I lose, I go over what I did wrong and what I can do to not make the same mistakes again.

5. I first began in the APA as a horrible SL3 (should have been a SL2). My original goal was to become a SL6 in five years. After less than two years, I'm on the cusp of becoming a SL6. I guess I can stop pushing myself the next 3 years . Ha! Not likely. I want to just keep pushing myself to see how far I can get.

 

[Tom In Cincy]

1)Why do you play & care about pool?
I gave up Bowling, golf and Poker. Pockect billiards has been a part of my live for 40+ years.

2)What place does pool have in your life?
Pocket Billiards is a daily part of my life.

3)Why do you compete?
When I did compete, it was more of a 'status' thing. I wanted to be considered one of the best players. Respect is a big part of competition.

4)How do you rationalize defeat?
I always tried to learn something from my "defeats" I didn't want to repeat my mistakes

5)What are your aspirations in the game?
To be able to play the best I could and get the respect my game deserved.

These answers have changed over time. Early in my competition experiences it was very frustrating.

Tournaments for the most part were run by players or room owners just trying to get the event going, but most times, it was just a organized cluster fuck. Arguments, special favors, seeding, scammed calcuttas and uncertain rule opinions made wining even more difficult.

But, when you did win, it is great. Winning is worth all the effort and agony put into your game.

Nowadays, the money is still the same, the younger players only have enough stamina to last until they get enogh money to get into a poker game.

You can still get a game for big bucks, but 'added' money is the same it has been for almost 30 years.

Why would any young players want to take up pool for anything other than a hobby is beyond me. There is no money in the game, unless you gamble. There is very little respect for the players, outside the pocket billiard community.

 

[Hooked]

1)Why do you play & care about pool?
The mental challenge and recreation
2)What place does pool have in your life?
Kids, Pool, Money, Muggles, Girlfriend, Wife. In that order
3)Why do you compete?
To punish people
4)How do you rationalize defeat?
I get beat or I beat myself. The latter pisses me off
5)What are your aspirations in the game?
To master it