Cant beat this player

cwong79

cwong79

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have been playing 10 ball with the same guy for 4 months now. His game is weaker than mine. Everyone says so. But i just can't seem to beat him. There are so many occasions that he seems to just get lucky. He will combo bank off other balls and always seem to make the 10. It just getting to the point where my frustration is getting the better of me and I keep scratching on critical shots. I know i need to be better mentally. What exercises or techniques can you recommend to overcome someone who just seems to play with luck and not the actual game.
 
Not sure the rules you are playing but if your the better player in every aspect then I would be playing by the bca 10 ball rules (call every ball and have the player option).

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10 ball

Its gard to believe its luck 10 ball is a call shot game and that includes the 10 even in combinations or caroms.
 
He's got your number...for the moment. Best thing is to stop playing him for a week or two and play someone else for a while. His "style" of play is tough for you, as it seems to get in the way of your game/pattern/style. It happens all the time. The better (overall) player runs into someone who's weaker, but because of his usual shot selection/strategy, things seem to roll tough for you. Give it a break and come back at him fresh (and for sure be more confident)...you'll walk him down.

If your game is really that much better than his, his slapshot style shouldn't be giving you that many problems...maybe you need to work on your two way shot selection and safety play a little more?
 
isn't 10 ball call pocket? change the game! play some 14.1 or 1 pocket and that'll take the luck factor out of the equation
 
I think its a matter of pride and competitiveness. I want to be able to beat this player to prove that my game has progress. I will take a break for a while. I have ran him down in the past but recently lack of mental focus has killed my game(family problems, etc,). Factor in his pinball style of playing, my nerves are getting the better of me. Btw, he is the kind of player who would try to do an insane combo instead of running 4 balls to win the game.
 
if he wins hes better
jmho
icbw
you may be weaker in how you manage the game
strategy/shot/pattern selection
even if your shot making is better
 
i got hustled by a road player many years ago thinking he was lucky
cause of how "lucky" he made the game ball or how he left me no shot
ROUTINELY
fortunately he later showed me alot about how "real" pool is played at the upper levels and how to spot the player on the lemmon
 
He is ranked lower than me in a tourney. We have been playing this for 1 year now. And no, he doesn't win it.
 
cwong79 said:
I have been playing 10 ball with the same guy for 4 months now. His game is weaker than mine. Everyone says so. But i just can't seem to beat him. There are so many occasions that he seems to just get lucky. He will combo bank off other balls and always seem to make the 10. It just getting to the point where my frustration is getting the better of me and I keep scratching on critical shots. I know i need to be better mentally. What exercises or techniques can you recommend to overcome someone who just seems to play with luck and not the actual game.
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How many times have you played him? Have you lost every match? What was the race? Winner breaks? How were the scores? Close or not so close?
 
Played him the past 5 months 3 - 4 times a week. And only him. Race to 7 no call 10 ball. Lose 75% of the time. Matches were either close him winning mostly or I would win overwhelmingly. Winner breaks. Im not great but beat better players than him easily. He has a very annoying setup routine, he strokes 20 - 25 times before he hits the ball. I am generally a fast player.
FranCrimi said:
How many times have you played him? Have you lost every match? What was the race? Winner breaks? How were the scores? Close or not so close?
Click to expand...
 
Can't beat

You claim that you are the better player; however, there are some who correlate shot making abilities with being superior. Is it possible that you are the superior shot maker but your oppnent is a better strategist?

This could be the real difference between victory and defeat.
 
I think you are somewhat right. I may make better shots. But how it is making balls 4 rails or attempting ridiculous combos be a better strategy? I am looking for advise. So what do you recommend to be an even better strategist?
rrick33 said:
You claim that you are the better player; however, there are some who correlate shot making abilities with being superior. Is it possible that you are the superior shot maker but your oppnent is a better strategist?

This could be the real difference between victory and defeat.
Click to expand...
 
cwong79 said:
Played him the past 5 months 3 - 4 times a week. And only him. Race to 7 no call 10 ball. Lose 75% of the time. Matches were either close him winning mostly or I would win overwhelmingly. Winner breaks. Im not great but beat better players than him easily. He has a very annoying setup routine, he strokes 20 - 25 times before he hits the ball. I am generally a fast player.
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You can try lengthening the sets to 9 or 11. Longer sets are more favorable to the stronger player.

A lot of people have problems playing slow players. You have to figure out a strategy that works for you so it doesn't get you off your rhythm. If you like listening to music, try plugging into your ipod and enjoy the music while you're sitting in the chair and at the table. But if you have never played pool with one, you have to practice first. It takes awhile to get used to the muffled sound of the balls.

Also, realize that someone who takes 20-25 strokes every time he shoots is very insecure about his game. He's double and triple guessing himself. He's got more problems than you do, so there's no reason for you to give him the upper hand. Just sit back, relax, enjoy the rest when you're in the chair and watch him put in triple the work than is necessary when he's at the table.
 
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He's in your head and you have to figure how to get back to playing the table and not the player. This mental stress is causing you to make the critical errors.
 
can't beat

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.
 
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This is what I am looking for.
rrick33 said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
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