Cant beat this player

This is something I hear all too often from students, and I do not ever remember it to be true. More likely your abilities may differ, but sum up to a roughly equal speed. How do you define being the "better" player? While we'll all occasionally lose against someone of lesser ability, one does not with regularity! Even in order for him to get lucky, he'll need opportunities to do so, which in turn you must be giving him – continually? Maybe you'll start beating him once you take him seriously instead of assuming it should be a forgone conclusion. The way you're putting it, it appears to be a proven fact it's not.

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
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„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti
 
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This is what I am looking for.

If that was what you were looking for, then perhaps your question should not have been at all about the person you are playing, which threw a lot of us off the track, but more about how you can improve your strategy, regardless of who you are playing.
 
You inquired how you can be a better strategist. That can be a difficult question to answer since the specifics of each game influence the strategy. What I can offer is perhaps a broad perspective regarding 10 ball.

There comes a key moment in every game where you will be in a position, based on your skill level, to run out. Maybe it's at the 5 ball, perhaps it's at the 3 ball. It all depends on how the balls are lying and your ability to assess your talent.

Whoever is first to be in position on their key ball will likely win. Your objective is to analyze the table and plan your attack so that you get first crack at the run out when you get to the key ball. As the balls get moved around the table, you may have to change your key ball and also your strategy.

This means that you have to calculate when and where you may have to play a safe to ensure you get first crack at your key ball. You may even find yourself playing a calculated safe on your key ball in order to get ball-in-hand on your key ball, to start the run.

Your weaker opponent is probably beating you because you are giving him more opportunities to win when there are few balls left on the table instead of planning your strategy to be first in position for the run out from your key ball.

Many APA 5's can run 4-5 balls on an open table so the game strategy, at this skill level, is really executed during the first 3-5 balls. This is where you should plan your strategy and safety play so you have first shot at the run out from your key ball.

If it's a really ugly table, your key ball may be the 7. Regardless of the key ball, make sure you are first to have a clean shot at it and you will win those games more often than not.

nice post. good advice:thumbup:
i'll throw in my 70/30 rule which against tougher competition is an 80/20 rule
if im not 70-80% sure ill make the shot
I PLAY SAFE
 
You are right. I can feel this burn watching him stroke and make stupid shots. The thing is he get lucky and you cannot help but be even more pissed off.

When you said you cannot help but be even more pissed off, you said volumes! He is not making you mad...that's your choice. Manage that choice better! If you do you will play better. If you play better and still don't win, you might want to reassess his (and yours) "true" skill level.
 
I have always focused on shot making and positional play. I need to expand my thinking and play better strategy. I have always gone for tough shots and never backed down. I will practice on safeties and put my feelings on mute. I have always judge how much I have improved by beating an opponent until I can regularly beat them without much effort. I have plateau and need to strengthen these parts of my game.
 
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