Bored Playing Pool

devindra

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
When I am playing people below my skill level for fun(no gambling) after a couple of racks I get bored and just start playing bad.

Any idea how to fix this? Does anybody else experience this?
 
devindra said:
When I am playing people below my skill level for fun(no gambling) after a couple of racks I get bored and just start playing bad.

Any idea how to fix this? Does anybody else experience this?

The fix is not to play people worse than you for fun. The problem you are having, that many people have is that you are playing to the level of your competition. The best thing you can do is play people who are better than you as cheaply as possible. I have the same problems, and sometimes people get irked when I refuse to play with them, but the fact is that playing them does nothing for my game.
 
devindra said:
When I am playing people below my skill level for fun(no gambling) after a couple of racks I get bored and just start playing bad.

Any idea how to fix this? Does anybody else experience this?

Set goals.....
Try beating your opponent every single game.
Try to break and run every rack.
Try to play the most wicked safety you can....the kind that makes your opponent want to break down and cry.
Try shooting all bank shots or carom shots or kick shots.....

If playing 8 ball, try to pocket all of your balls...while not allowing your opponent to pocket any balls.
 
okinawa77 said:
Set goals.....
Try beating your opponent every single game.
Try to break and run every rack.
Try to play the most wicked safety you can....the kind that makes your opponent want to break down and cry.

If playing 8 ball, try to pocket all of your balls...while not allowing your opponent to pocket any balls.


I think okinawa77 hit the nail on the head. You have to give yourself incentives to perform better than "just good enough to win".

I used to have a friend that I played with regularly, he wasn't close to my speed, but was a good friend. I couldn't hit the end rail for the longest time against him, until I realized it was MY problem.

My inability to beat players worse than me wasn't from my lack of ability, but from my laziness of knowing I didn't have to play well to win.

After much soul-searching, I decided I would rather win 11-0 than 11-5, or 11-4, or whatever. My game jumped immediately when I decided I would no longer accept losing even a single GAME.

I began to play everyone like I was playing Efren Reyes. If I miss a ball, I lose. If I miss position, I lose. If I scratch on the break, I lose. AND if I get another opportunity after a mistake, it's a miracle, which I don't deserve, but I will capitalize on.

When you stop thinking about your opponent's game, and try to play the best pool possible (for you), the results are easily noticeable.

After a while of practicing this mentality, I could run a 3 pack on my mom, and not feel bad.

It's all about playing YOUR best game, and not letting unrealistic expectations get in your way.

JMO,
Michael
 
gamble. Even if its for a dollar a rack. Im getting to the point where id rather go home and play on my table alone then play for "fun" with others at the hall. If you can get them to gamble thatll keep you focused.
 
Try playing opposite handed. its like learning the game over again and can be a valuable tool when you go to play tougher opponents.
 
I found playing for fun with people below your skill level only benefits them. I often play at my opponents speed unless they are alot better than me :)

At times, I swear it only hurts my game to play those people. Try playing for a little cash. It helps alot. Even if its just a few dollars. Having something to lose is some good motivation to play well.
 
Without meaning any offense, and although I agree with what the others have said.......


Work on your own mental game, try to play strong no matter who you're playing. This is the real answer. When you can bring your best game when playing Joe Blow or Scott frost, that's when you've arrived as a player.

For example: Johnny Archer would totally kick my ass. But while doing so, he would never give me any easy opportunities, never miss balls he SHOULD make, etc.

He's honed his mental game to the point where he can bring out his strongest game against anyone, for any amount of money. (Or none at all...imo)
 
Good advice from Okinawa77. When I got back into the game a couple of years ago I would play a buddy of mine once a week for fun, it was our night out! I never got bored playing him, just by setting goals for myself each week or even each rack. I'd go for break & runs whenever I could & try shots I might not usually go for.

I think the fact he's a good guy helped, and that he was always happy to learn whatever he could about the game. The funny part is on the nights when I played well & won most of the racks he'd be really happy & complimenting me on good play! He enjoyed it!
 
I like the idea of playing opposite or one handed, maybe alternate each shot. This would also be an excellent opportuntiy to improve your banking with position. You play banks while your friend plays normally. But whatever you do, try to do something specific! Do not get into the 'I don't care mode' try to get the cueball somewhere specific when going for a fun shot.

The biggest problem with all this fun stuff is that if you start executing them, you might think it's the right shot when your playing for something meaningful - please don't confuse the two.

I hope this helps a little.
 
thebigdog said:
The fix is not to play people worse than you for fun. The problem you are having, that many people have is that you are playing to the level of your competition. The best thing you can do is play people who are better than you as cheaply as possible. I have the same problems, and sometimes people get irked when I refuse to play with them, but the fact is that playing them does nothing for my game.

but it does something for their game... there is a give and take.

every game you get with someone better than you should be repaid by giving a game to someone worse than you..

IMO..
 
softshot said:
but it does something for their game... there is a give and take.

every game you get with someone better than you should be repaid by giving a game to someone worse than you..

IMO..

Well put. If everyone is playing better players, who are playing the weaker ones?:wink:

By the way, I don't like the suggestion of playing them one handed or opposite handed or any other gimmick. People tend to find that a bit insulting and it goes back to the above statement. If they are playing you to play a better player they probably don't want you doing goofy stuff.

I have a similar problem, but I don't get bored playing, I can't say I've ever gotten bored playing. I tend to have a difficult time concentrating if I'm not at least playing a set.

I've since been introduced to breathing techniques to maximize my capacity to concentrate. It's not a magic pill, but it certainly helps. Better breathing habits can't be anything but good.
 
Buy the stroke zone book by Bob Henning.. He discussed this situation. Worth every dollar.:smile:
 
softshot said:
but it does something for their game... there is a give and take.

every game you get with someone better than you should be repaid by giving a game to someone worse than you..

IMO..

I've repaid plenty. I just feel people should pay to play the same way I did/do.
 
I believe it was Pleasures of Small Motions that said to find something about the game you enjoy. Instead of just trying to beat your opponent, find something that you can put all of your effort into. When you're just trying to beat someone that plays at a lesser skill level, you really don't have to try very hard.

It's good advice. I still always play down to lesser players, but I tend to play up with better players as well, so it evens out.
 
Play The Table: -- not your opponent. Playing your opponent starts complicating the mind-game; giving you opportunities to doubt yourself or to let emotions such as anger or contempt cloud your ability to shoot. Use this as an extension of your "all alone" practice sessions. Try those things/parts of your game that you have been working on while in a game. By doing so, you will build confidence in your new found skills/point out where you might need more practice before trying them against someone for the "first time" during league/at a tourney when "it'$ on the line!" Work out all those kinks "before" it co$t$ you or your team.

Situations such as this provide a good opportunity to promote "the game" by pointing out areas your lesser player is doing wrong and help them develop. You were there once -- we all were. I remember the first time a person stepped forward to help me when I was starting out and was struggling. Even though he only spent five minutes or so with me, I felt a renewed interest in the game and felt like my game went up a notch -- if not two. That was in 1966 and I will never forget "Jim" for doing that -- be "that guy"! It's a win-win situation really: you get an opportunity to put into play what you have been working on (^^while actually playing someone and before it co$t$ you^^) and the lesser player develops into a stronger opponent -- someone who may be giving you the 8 and out before you know it. That's what happened to Jim! :joyful:
 
most of the advice so far is acceptable, but the one that sticks out is the one that says - look into strengthening your mental game. I don't care if you can beat someone 7-0 7-1 7-0 7-0 a gazillion - 0. You could always have played better. You were just a bit outta position here or there, you may have missed a shot you shouldn't have, and/or you played a comple of safes that coulda been better. WHO CARES WHAT YOUR OPPONENT IS DOING; better your game whenever you are at the table. Once you start playing absolutely flawless pool, then you can get bored with playing.
 
At the small town room that I go to, I am usually the best player there. While I like hanging around shooting with the boys it hasn't been good for my game either. In order to get out of the "be a banger" mentality I have been playing some 14.1, playing myself, playing with the one guy that is slightly better than I am, and not playing as much.

I found that the 14.1 is much better for enhancing my focus than ring 9 ball. After straight pool I play a much more careful and consistent 9 ball game.

I like the notion of no mercy, just beat 'em like a drum, every game. That way when the player comes to town I don't have to totally recalibrate my game.

At the risk of stating the obvious, your typical bell curve distribution of talent means that the better you get as a player the more you will run into this problem. Players in non-metropolitan areas would run into the no-competition zone earlier.

The ideal solution would be to be able to play anybody in the world without being there. Who wants to design a robot that can set up the balls on a table based on information from an Internet feed?
 
the420trooper said:
...My inability to beat players worse than me wasn't from my lack of ability, but from my laziness of knowing I didn't have to play well to win...

After much soul-searching, I decided I would rather win 11-0 than 11-5, or 11-4, or whatever. My game jumped immediately when I decided I would no longer accept losing even a single GAME.

I began to play everyone like I was playing Efren Reyes. If I miss a ball, I lose. If I miss position, I lose. If I scratch on the break, I lose. AND if I get another opportunity after a mistake, it's a miracle, which I don't deserve, but I will capitalize on.

Michael

This idea I like. I have been having this problem for some time. With me its not laziness that is the underlying cause - it is a lack of motivation that I don't seem to be able to do anything about. I can start off playing ok, but as soon as the other guy gets to the table and starts banging the balls about, its like my batteries just drain and I my concentration & interest ebb away.

I have tried setting myself other goals, but have not really found anything that works. But playing a mental game whereby I lose if I miss a ball or mess up a positional shot etc (I will have to work on some rules here) sounds like it could do it.

And when my opponent starts moaning about losing 3-0, I will be able to sympathize with him, saying that I have just lost 10-3:rolleyes:
 
Make your game against the balls not the opponent. I have been in fighting with pool balls for the majority of my life and they will never weaken as an opponent but will continually present a challenge. If you can actually get to a mental state where you are playing the balls and not the players it has advantages against both better and worst opponents because it eliminates that mental distraction. I was playing Roger Griffis in a match once and was holding my own until it dawned on me that I was holding my own against Griffis and he crushed me. I realize it sounds odd but keep the battle with the balls and it is easier to maintain a consistent level of play.
 
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