Been playing a monster

G

Gmanpoke

Banned
So, lately I've been playing Chip Compton one pocket. He's giving me 10 to 4 and its embarrassing but I keep coming back for more. I hope I'm improving but dag these guys are unbelievable. A year and a half or 2 years ago I was playing James Walden a lot, and I play Joey Gray now and then but mainly play Chip right now.

I think everyone should play top level players in your area. It's going to cost a little money, but I think you will have an opportunity to experience a level of play most don't understand.

My goal is to become an "A" level player. Don't know if I'll get there but I keep trying. Gabe Owens is around every once in a while. I haven't ever asked him to play but I will in the near future.

So does this make me a sucker?

Steven
 
Gmanpoke said:
So does this make me a sucker?

Steven
Click to expand...

One born every minute !! :p J/k

Honestly, I wish that level of play was close to me as well. Keep playing them, the more you play them the more you learn and the more you learn the better you get. :D
 
It does if you have a wife, some kids, and a mortgage.
Can't you find some one there who'll play for shits and grins, or at least no more than table time? :)
 
Playing better...

I wish I had the opportunity to play top-level players...not everyday mind you, but once in awhile.

I look at the money you lose while playing better players is the cost of a pool "lesson". There are people on here who make a living by organized clinics or individual lessons... The way I learn, is by emulating. So to me, playing a better player and seeing how they do what they do, is no different than taking an "organized" lesson from an instructor...


Jason
 
Gmanpoke said:
So, lately I've been playing Chip Compton one pocket. He's giving me 10 to 4 and its embarrassing but I keep coming back for more. I hope I'm improving but dag these guys are unbelievable. A year and a half or 2 years ago I was playing James Walden a lot, and I play Joey Gray now and then but mainly play Chip right now.

I think everyone should play top level players in your area. It's going to cost a little money, but I think you will have an opportunity to experience a level of play most don't understand.

My goal is to become an "A" level player. Don't know if I'll get there but I keep trying. Gabe Owens is around every once in a while. I haven't ever asked him to play but I will in the near future.

So does this make me a sucker?

Steven
Click to expand...


If they are drilling you at 10-4 is too easy for the champions.

You should try to play a game where they go to at least 14.

So maybe 14-6
 
Tramp Steamer said:
It does if you have a wife, some kids, and a mortgage.
Can't you find some one there who'll play for shits and grins, or at least no more than table time? :)
Click to expand...

Well,

I have a wife of 28 years, two daughters with one in medical school, and three mortgages (of course two of the houses are rentals). I guess I'm a sucker.

Yes, I can find people who will play one pocket for shits and grins, but most of those people, I run over. There are a few friend who play better than me that will play for free. But, most of the top level players won't play for free. I'm sure you could be at a tourny and one of the top pros would probably play a game or two. That's not what I'm talking about here. I want to play these top players for 3 or 4 hours at each session. Top players won't play like that for free, unless you are really good friends. I want them to show me something. I want to believe they are playing there top game, but I doubt they are.

Steven
 
My concern is that if you have been playing these champions for close to two years now and still need 10-4, you might want to give up one pocket and try another game. :D

You have more patience and money than I do! :thumbup:

All that being said, the only way to get better is to keep playing and play the best players you can find.

Kelly
 
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One of the awesome things about Japan is that champions will generally play for cheap or even free if they like you (and have nothing else to do).
 
Gmanpoke said:
So, lately I've been playing Chip Compton one pocket. He's giving me 10 to 4 and its embarrassing but I keep coming back for more. I hope I'm improving but dag these guys are unbelievable. A year and a half or 2 years ago I was playing James Walden a lot, and I play Joey Gray now and then but mainly play Chip right now.

I think everyone should play top level players in your area. It's going to cost a little money, but I think you will have an opportunity to experience a level of play most don't understand.

My goal is to become an "A" level player. Don't know if I'll get there but I keep trying. Gabe Owens is around every once in a while. I haven't ever asked him to play but I will in the near future.

So does this make me a sucker?

Steven
Click to expand...

Hell no you're not a sucker.... as long as you're keeping the bets as cheap as you can, or cheap depending on your financial situation. One man's cheap might be 2 dollars a game, anothers might be 20.00 a game.
But keep it cheap, because you're going to lose the majority of the time.

It's hard to find good players that will play you cheap and give up a lot of weight, but that is the ideal situation to learning if you can find someone.

It doesn't have to be a champion, because you've got a lot to absorb and a lot of basics to learn. Watch how the better players are moving balls to their side or near their hole and leaving you froze to a ball or making sure they hide you from seeing those balls. They are protecting them.

Watch how they shoot shots that don't have to necessarily be a shot in their pocket... sometimes it's designed to move balls from your side, to your hole and protect them all at the same time.

Watch how they carom off balls with the cueball to get where they need to go, or carom object balls off others to send them to their hole.

Watch how they use distance and the cueball on the rail to their advantage. They will tease you with a shot, but you'll be 8 ft from the ball, almost on the rail and you'll be straight in so you can't do anything with the cueball and there will be hell to pay if you miss. You need to learn how to control yourself from shooting those.

Watch how they leave you uptable seemingly with a shot at your hole, but when you get down there, you notice there is no clear path to the pocket.. They put you there on purpose.:)

Watch all the short rail banks down there near the pockets. Watch what shots bank, which ones don't, what speeds you need to hit them to avoid kisses. Watch the english they use and whether its high or low.

Watch how they take balls out of the pocket and which ones can be taken out and which ones can't. Watch what english they're using, what kind of stroke they're using.

Watch how they sometimes pass up shots you think they would take and choose something else.. figure out why they did that. Ask them.

Enjoy your lessons! The more you learn, the more you will get hooked on this game of all games!

There's nothing more satisfying then when you are down by a lot of balls and you think there is no way you can win, that if you be patient and tighten the noose on them, pick up a ball here and there, they scratch.. all the sudden you're back in the game. I've came back several times from 7 to -1 and won the game. One of those games took about 90 mins to finish, but I was happier then hell and proud I stuck to the game plan.
 
Lessons are rarely free....

Gmanpoke said:
So, lately I've been playing Chip Compton one pocket. He's giving me 10 to 4 and its embarrassing but I keep coming back for more. I hope I'm improving but dag these guys are unbelievable. A year and a half or 2 years ago I was playing James Walden a lot, and I play Joey Gray now and then but mainly play Chip right now.

I think everyone should play top level players in your area. It's going to cost a little money, but I think you will have an opportunity to experience a level of play most don't understand.

My goal is to become an "A" level player. Don't know if I'll get there but I keep trying. Gabe Owens is around every once in a while. I haven't ever asked him to play but I will in the near future.

So does this make me a sucker?

Steven
Click to expand...

Well worth the money if you can afford it, and if you're actually improving. You have to play better players if you want to get stronger, and many better players don't like to play for free.

Where are you playing? I'm not quite the caliber of those guys, but I'm considering (dreaming of, maybe) making a comeback.....
 
give chip the 10-4 and have chip give you 4-1 on the money.that will put your game to work.

bill
 
10-4 is not much weight if you are an APA 6 and you are playing one of the top one pocket players in the USA.

It's like getting the 7,8 playing Earl or Shane, Johnny, etc.

10-4 doesn't even have to come up if the champion gets to the first shot.

You'd be better off breaking them wide open.

You need to make the Champion go to like 14.

Then you will have a chance.
 
Gmanpoke said:
So, lately I've been playing Chip Compton one pocket. He's giving me 10 to 4 and its embarrassing but I keep coming back for more. I hope I'm improving but dag these guys are unbelievable. A year and a half or 2 years ago I was playing James Walden a lot, and I play Joey Gray now and then but mainly play Chip right now.

I think everyone should play top level players in your area. It's going to cost a little money, but I think you will have an opportunity to experience a level of play most don't understand.

My goal is to become an "A" level player. Don't know if I'll get there but I keep trying. Gabe Owens is around every once in a while. I haven't ever asked him to play but I will in the near future.

So does this make me a sucker?

Steven
Click to expand...

If your main concern is money, than you're a sucker, but you're saying that you're playing a monster, so it's actually worth the money. You're not suppose to edge a better player ever unless he is a dumbass. It's kinda like hunting or fishing, you always want a monster...keeps the heart rate going at a steady pace.

Suppose you're a monster yourself! and you run into another monster.....but it took you 2 sets to find out he is a bigger monster! Some guys like this kind of excitement and will shell off a few more barrels. And then, there are guys that play best if they don't know who they are playing. Scary stuff.
 
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You have the right idea about playing those that are better than you and also wagering. I personally never learned anything playing for shits and giggles. I have picked up a bad habit playing for free though. You do need to adjust the spot if you never win, especially against top-line players. 10-2 with the breaks would make them earn your money, and if you win a few times in a row then adjust the spot. Always bet enough that it stings. If the wager doesn't make you pay attention, then it's like playing for free.
 
Tap Tap

"CaliRed". said:
Hell no you're not a sucker.... as long as you're keeping the bets as cheap as you can, or cheap depending on your financial situation. One man's cheap might be 2 dollars a game, anothers might be 20.00 a game.
But keep it cheap, because you're going to lose the majority of the time.

It's hard to find good players that will play you cheap and give up a lot of weight, but that is the ideal situation to learning if you can find someone.

It doesn't have to be a champion, because you've got a lot to absorb and a lot of basics to learn. Watch how the better players are moving balls to their side or near their hole and leaving you froze to a ball or making sure they hide you from seeing those balls. They are protecting them.

Watch how they shoot shots that don't have to necessarily be a shot in their pocket... sometimes it's designed to move balls from your side, to your hole and protect them all at the same time.

Watch how they carom off balls with the cueball to get where they need to go, or carom object balls off others to send them to their hole.

Watch how they use distance and the cueball on the rail to their advantage. They will tease you with a shot, but you'll be 8 ft from the ball, almost on the rail and you'll be straight in so you can't do anything with the cueball and there will be hell to pay if you miss. You need to learn how to control yourself from shooting those.

Watch how they leave you uptable seemingly with a shot at your hole, but when you get down there, you notice there is no clear path to the pocket.. They put you there on purpose.:)

Watch all the short rail banks down there near the pockets. Watch what shots bank, which ones don't, what speeds you need to hit them to avoid kisses. Watch the english they use and whether its high or low.

Watch how they take balls out of the pocket and which ones can be taken out and which ones can't. Watch what english they're using, what kind of stroke they're using.

Watch how they sometimes pass up shots you think they would take and choose something else.. figure out why they did that. Ask them.

Enjoy your lessons! The more you learn, the more you will get hooked on this game of all games!

There's nothing more satisfying then when you are down by a lot of balls and you think there is no way you can win, that if you be patient and tighten the noose on them, pick up a ball here and there, they scratch.. all the sudden you're back in the game. I've came back several times from 7 to -1 and won the game. One of those games took about 90 mins to finish, but I was happier then hell and proud I stuck to the game plan.
Click to expand...

Well said Cali-Red !!!
 
gutshot said:
All that being said, the only way to get better is to keep playing and play the best players you can find.
Click to expand...

I would say play someone a little better than you, but if you find the best players you can find you're going to be sitting a lot while they run out. (yes, even in one-pocket) You'll be getting the same info as watching a match on dvd.

I've spotted several guys 10-6 and they've gone over a year without winning a single game. It didn't improve their game at all, in fact getting beat that bad weakened their confidence so much that their game deteriorated, they started bunting the balls and playing less aggressive and could have improved 100 times faster in three months doing one-pocket drills and playing someone slightly better. That outdated line about playing the best needs to be stricken from our daily verbiage.
 
"CaliRed". said:
Hell no you're not a sucker.... as long as you're keeping the bets as cheap as you can, or cheap depending on your financial situation. One man's cheap might be 2 dollars a game, anothers might be 20.00 a game.
But keep it cheap, because you're going to lose the majority of the time.

It's hard to find good players that will play you cheap and give up a lot of weight, but that is the ideal situation to learning if you can find someone.

It doesn't have to be a champion, because you've got a lot to absorb and a lot of basics to learn. Watch how the better players are moving balls to their side or near their hole and leaving you froze to a ball or making sure they hide you from seeing those balls. They are protecting them.

Watch how they shoot shots that don't have to necessarily be a shot in their pocket... sometimes it's designed to move balls from your side, to your hole and protect them all at the same time.

Watch how they carom off balls with the cueball to get where they need to go, or carom object balls off others to send them to their hole.

Watch how they use distance and the cueball on the rail to their advantage. They will tease you with a shot, but you'll be 8 ft from the ball, almost on the rail and you'll be straight in so you can't do anything with the cueball and there will be hell to pay if you miss. You need to learn how to control yourself from shooting those.

Watch how they leave you uptable seemingly with a shot at your hole, but when you get down there, you notice there is no clear path to the pocket.. They put you there on purpose.:)

Watch all the short rail banks down there near the pockets. Watch what shots bank, which ones don't, what speeds you need to hit them to avoid kisses. Watch the english they use and whether its high or low.

Watch how they take balls out of the pocket and which ones can be taken out and which ones can't. Watch what english they're using, what kind of stroke they're using.

Watch how they sometimes pass up shots you think they would take and choose something else.. figure out why they did that. Ask them.

Enjoy your lessons! The more you learn, the more you will get hooked on this game of all games!

There's nothing more satisfying then when you are down by a lot of balls and you think there is no way you can win, that if you be patient and tighten the noose on them, pick up a ball here and there, they scratch.. all the sudden you're back in the game. I've came back several times from 7 to -1 and won the game. One of those games took about 90 mins to finish, but I was happier then hell and proud I stuck to the game plan.
Click to expand...

That all sounds wonderful and I would have agreed with you for the first 15 years I played and gambled with champions, the first $90,000 lost gambling with better players, because "that's the way to get better". But all that "improvement" he's getting from watching a great player making moves on him can be done by watching as a bystander or on dvd. You take a guy playing with a 10-4 spot against a monster player for two years and put him up against a guy who's spent that time practicing the shots he's seen on video and moving up through the ranks against slightly better players and he'll destroy the guy who's been playing the champion. I doubt many people would agree with me, including myself a couple years ago, but it's scientifically proven....in my new book "God?why do I feel like a sucker even though everyone keeps telling me this is the way to improve??" $19.99 paperback
 
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