Being outclassed by another shooter

If someone asks me to play and I know I can easily win against that person, I am not very interested in playing.

If someone asks me to play and they can sometimes win against me, I am more interested in playing them.

If someone can always win against me, I will play them every opportunity I get. I *always* want to play them.

Unfortunately I live in a small town and there are only a couple of very good players here. It would be nice to play only the best players 100% of the time, but not possible in my situation.

But I can get 90% of the practice time playing one of these guys. He comes in and everybody plays him one or two games, then they will not play him anymore because he always wins. So then I step up and it is just him and I for a couple of hours of playing. No one else wants to play and lose. I don't care if I lose every game. I'm learning and am challenged when playing this guy.
 
Billy_Bob said:
If someone asks me to play and I know I can easily win against that person, I am not very interested in playing.
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BB,
I'm very disappointed to hear this. The pool world is a much better place if the more talented players will spend time with the less talented. If the "ease" of victory puts you off, then HANDICAP your games. Some of the best matches I have ever had have been in pool league, playing against less-than-stellar players, spotting them a large handicap. They enjoy it, I enjoy it - I wouldn't trade those experiences for a match with Efren.
 
Williebetmore said:
BB,
I'm very disappointed to hear this. The pool world is a much better place if the more talented players will spend time with the less talented. If the "ease" of victory puts you off, then HANDICAP your games. Some of the best matches I have ever had have been in pool league, playing against less-than-stellar players, spotting them a large handicap. They enjoy it, I enjoy it - I wouldn't trade those experiences for a match with Efren.
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You are right, the 'play better players' theory has to swing both ways. I play one guy a lot. There have been times, where for an hour straight, my only shots were all me being safed. Shooting only kicks every five or ten minutes for an hour, teaches you patience. I figure if guys like this give me a shot at learning, I owe the same to those below me. When playing a lesser player, you can learn things such as, concentration. Do not take them for granted and let your level of intensity wane. Make it your goal to see how long you can keep him away from a makable shot. Play the table, not the opponent.

Tracy
 
Williebetmore said:
BB,
I'm very disappointed to hear this. The pool world is a much better place if the more talented players will spend time with the less talented. If the "ease" of victory puts you off, then HANDICAP your games. Some of the best matches I have ever had have been in pool league, playing against less-than-stellar players, spotting them a large handicap. They enjoy it, I enjoy it - I wouldn't trade those experiences for a match with Efren.
Click to expand...

The Betmore dude has it right here, you can't help but gain experience playing all comers. Lessor players have an uncanny knack of leaving you in the worst of postitions some times.

You can learn something from players of all skill levels. (even if it's what not to do).

This year I put together a fun team in addition to my regular team and asked my younger brother to play on it. He's pretty much a beginner, but the enthusiasm he shows and the speed he picks things up makes it very enjoyable playing him.
 
supergreenman said:
You can learn something from players of all skill levels. (even if it's what not to do).

This year I put together a fun team in addition to my regular team and asked my younger brother to play on it. He's pretty much a beginner, but the enthusiasm he shows and the speed he picks things up makes it very enjoyable playing him.
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Super-G,
Leagues would be more fun if more people had your attitude (though I think we are in the majority for sure around here).

Players so far agreeing with us (meaning they've taken time to play hackers like me out of the goodness of their heart):

Cicero Murphy
sjm
Efren Reyes
Jeanette Lee
satman
Brian Groce
George Breedlove
Helena Thornfeldt
Jennifer Barretta
Sarah Rousey
Dee Adkins
Jeff Beckley
Nesli O'Hare

Allison Fisher has promised me a game, but she's not on the list yet.:)
 
I don't like losing, but when I get outclassed it doesn't really affect me. In fact, usually getting beat real bad triggers something in my head that makes me play better after that. Its not an angry emotion or anything, its just my little "conscience cricket" telling me, "Okay Stew, from now on we don't miss." that happened this Sunday at league...

But if that someone repeatedly beats up on me, then I just smile after the 200 games it would take for me to quit, and thank him for the games... Then I'd practice for 2000 more games >:D
 
Better and Worse

I have a couple buddies that shoot really well. I play my best pool against them but in a race I will come up short everytime. I learn a lot from them though, and am glad they allow a charity case like me to play with them. On the other hand I'm better than a lot of guys I play and don't mind that either. It picks my self esteem up after taking a beating from my better shooting friends. Bottom line, I enjoy playing period and if I can learn some things from a better player then I'll take it. If I can have some fun and teach a few things to a lesser player, then that's cool too.
 
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