Bored Playing Pool

I went to a WPBA Charity event Wed. evening before the WPBA Tournament Thursday. They had a $20 9-ball challenge, (two games). This guy challenged Allison Fisher, he broke, came up dry, Allison ran the table. Since she won, she broke, made a ball and ran the table! She shook his hand, said, "Thanks" and who's next~!

Allison Fisher has one speed.....KILL. She NEVER lies down or "dogs it". She has ingrained the Killer instinct in herself and ANYTIME she has a cue in her hands, she doesn't let up~!

Yes...it's practice, BUT ~!

F.Y.I.
 
I have the same problem and playing for a few dollars doesn't help me. It just not enough money to worry about loosing. Jacking the bet and giving up a bigger spot doesn't work for me either because then they either wont play or i have to give up too big of a spot. I need to find a way to concentrate on the table and not the opponent.
 
i dont know about you guys, but i have seen small money games($1-$2 a game) end by someone winning $50-$100 or more when the less experienced player wants to double or nothing at $5-$10 and loses and askes for a bigger spot...give it to him! he will be out of his comfort zone betting higher than normal. there is a lot to be said for someone playing scared....

a lot of these posts just seem like a bunch of whining about why you are not becoming a better player and getting bored with the game...the blame is strictly on yourself and no one else regardless of how much people are betting etc...make a true effort to better your game and see how bored you are than.

hopefully i didnt offend anyone :embarrassed2:
 
it works both ways...

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.
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So you would rather play people that are better than you...

What if they think as you do... "sometimes people get irked when I refuse to play with them, but the fact is that playing them does nothing for my game".?

They may refuse to play with you cheaply cuz they may play to the level of their competition.

Don't let your head get too big.
 
cmbwsu said:
Play The Table: -- not your opponent. :joyful:
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The best advice that Willie and my Dad, both taught me in my formative years, was that you are NEVER playing against your opponent. You are playing against the table.

cmbwsu hit the nail squarely on the head. :thumbup:
 
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.
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Ha ve you ever tried to help this people who play below your level improve?
 
Shortside K said:
So you would rather play people that are better than you...

What if they think as you do... "sometimes people get irked when I refuse to play with them, but the fact is that playing them does nothing for my game".?

They may refuse to play with you cheaply cuz they may play to the level of their competition.

Don't let your head get too big.
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Plenty of people do think the same as me and I don't get offended if someone doesn't want to play me for the same reasons. I think the trick is that I will usually make it worth their while. Is there no reason I shouldn't expect the same?
 
14oneman said:
The best advice that Willie and my Dad, both taught me in my formative years, was that you are NEVER playing against your opponent. You are playing against the table.

cmbwsu hit the nail squarely on the head. :thumbup:
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I have to disagree. I think there are times where you definitely play your opponents. For example, if you know you're opponent can't kick worth a s**t, and you are torn between a runout and a safe, then you shoot the safety.

I agree that the mindset of playing the table instead of your opponent works if you are playing someone who plays stronger than you.
 
Considering the idea that you are playing with friends and relatives the idea is to keep everyone interested and require your best game. In this context try playing 8-Ball as usual except that you have to play yours in rotation. This will challenge the best players and allow the weaker player to have fun too.

If it is still too easy for you, relative to your friends, try requiring yourself to bank the eight ball and or allowing your friend to call the pocket you must use for the eight after the opening break.

One of the problems with playing other males with less skill is that they often do not want a handicap so I try to set it up so they do not feel offended and yet have an advantage. With my wife, who is not easily ofended, she gets ball in hand on every shot (she is also legally blind). With others they sometimes get ball in hand the first shot of every inning.

There are many ways to keep everyone interested these few idea should get you started. The idea is to always require your best game and yet give the other player a real shot at winning. If they win about 50% of the time you have a good system
 
A lot of ways to make the game more interesting . . .

Plan the entire run out before shooting your first ball, much tougher to keep the entire pattern together than just a rolling three ball pattern. Choose tougher patterns and deliberately choose shots with the cue ball crossing the area you need to shoot from instead of parallel to your next shot. Play much tighter shape than you really need too. All of these things are excellent practice for when the tough shots come up against better opponents and you should be able to do this without being obvious to the other player.

Another thing to keep you challenged is to look for the safeties or where you can nudge balls to create a good safety opportunity immediately after the break. Trying to give your opponent as many innings at the table as possible without being obvious and without letting them win is a constant challenge. This was how I kept myself sharp and in the game when local competition was hard to find.

I agree with those that say a person should play weaker players when they ask also. To me this is my payback to the game. I will use some of the things I mentioned to keep myself entertained and I won't seem to just trounce them. If they are open to advice I will give a little. New and lower players need to be encouraged to stay in the game.

Hu
 
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?
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try playing for PRIDE,
 
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?
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Same here. I don't even bother playing when there is no competitive pressure on me anymore. I just lay myself the perfect break shot and play 14.1 on my own when I'm not competing or playing for small stakes.
 
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.
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.
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I try everyday to practice what Okinawa77 preaches....but am failing!! This is the best of any possible advise.
 
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