Did it ever come into your mind to quit pool?

Here is my story. I started playing when I was 12. Started playing nearly everyday when I was 14. Then looking back one of the mistakes I made was starting to work in a poolhall. Seemed like a good idea for a job plus free table time. When I hit the age 18 my game seem to peak. It didnt seem to matter what I did to improve. I just ended burned out. So I didnt play one game till I hit 21. Started playing very little over a two or three month period. I got disgurged because my game wasnt progressing as quick as I had liked. By then I had a kid and a "real job". So I quit again. Started playing 4 months ago. I am now 32. I seem to see things much better than I ever did before. My game has seemed to surpass when I quit when I was 18. I dont know if I have matured as a person or just have fresh perspective. All through life your obligations and your perspective on things may change. Taking a break may not be such a bad thing. At least in my case. Sorry for the long and rambling post.:)
 
Great thread in my opinion, I like reading everyone elses experiences on the matter. I havn't been playing long, but I take my game way to seriously and when I begin to play terribly I get so stressed I always jokingly tell myself I might as well just quit; but no I have never actually considered it, and I always know i'll be right back at the table as soon as I begin to relax after the stressful session.
 
's funny. Not ha-ha funny, but crazy-funny - if you get my drift... (There might be a point, stay with me on this..)

I've felt like packing it in so many times I can't count. But there's always something that draws you back to the pooltable. Maybe it's some friends going out for a few beers and some games, or maybe it's a player that you haven't had a match against for a while - throws down the gauntlet, or just... just... you can't help yourself... It's just... the coolest game imaginable. The greatest skill you (sometimes) have, the upmost thrill when you make THAT shot, etc, etc, etc...

You ALL know what I mean. Even the Thorstens & the Mikas know...

It's like a magnet. Or a vacuum. No willpower can resist it.

Ach... why fight it anyway? It's fun & it's not a health risk. And... when you hit a really cool shot - and I do mean a REALLY COOL shot, the girls love it - and you're a hero for a wee while. What can be better than that?

I ask you.

Apart from that!

x

BS
 
The only negative thing associated with pool for me is guilt. I enjoy it (guilt) more than any other form of recreation & it is addicting(more guilt). However, it competes with hiking & weightlifting, which we are told contribute to health. It also competes with shooting & martial arts.

The only way in which I can rationalize it, beyond pure joy(more guilt), is that it totally absorbs me & thereby reduces tension. Even at $3 per hour it is cheaper than the drugs my colleagues pop & has no side effects. Occasionally, I can win & get free use of the bar table.

Given my advanced age, I can also compete all out without risking injury. Knees & shoulders sometimes protest heavy squats & bench pressing. Wrists, elbows & knees occasionally protest the heavy bag.

I guess I'm stuck with pool guilt & addiction until Merck or Galaxo come out with a pool methadone or a pool patch. Pool Anonymous has excessively religious overtones.
 
I just did about a year ago and I don't miss any of it!

Play poker right now and doing pretty good:D
 
BAZARUS said:
I just did about a year ago and I don't miss any of it!

Play poker right now and doing pretty good:D
Click to expand...

One adiction to another huh? lol I know how that is...

I think about quiting sometimes but it is just a frustration with a bad day of pool I really would never quit a day break is usually good for me. I just have trouble finding good people to play and I often end up playing by myself every day and find that it makes me not very focused and may actually be just creating bad habbits for me. It may be also because I just started about 6 months ago and I am really trying to make up for lost time so I can eventually compete with Tanner Pruess. But to sum up my long story I am adicted and I will never quit but damn it makes me mad sometimes.
 
berlowmj said:
The only negative thing associated with pool for me is guilt. I enjoy it (guilt) more than any other form of recreation & it is addicting(more guilt). However, it competes with hiking & weightlifting, which we are told contribute to health. It also competes with shooting & martial arts.

The only way in which I can rationalize it, beyond pure joy(more guilt), is that it totally absorbs me & thereby reduces tension. Even at $3 per hour it is cheaper than the drugs my colleagues pop & has no side effects. Occasionally, I can win & get free use of the bar table.

Given my advanced age, I can also compete all out without risking injury. Knees & shoulders sometimes protest heavy squats & bench pressing. Wrists, elbows & knees occasionally protest the heavy bag.

I guess I'm stuck with pool guilt & addiction until Merck or Galaxo come out with a pool methadone or a pool patch. Pool Anonymous has excessively religious overtones.
Click to expand...

Weightlifting, boxing, shooting and martial arts? Jeez, remind me not to pick a fight with you.

Of course, I'm 0-11 in bar fights anyway, so you don't have anything to worry about. LOL

Well, back on topic--- Like Jay, I've quit many times from a month to many years for different reasons. Burn out, family and marital priorities, job related, health problems, etc. But each time I came back because of the itch.

Basically, what started me playing hard again after a layoff was getting beat by someone I could have given the 7 and 8 to before I quit as I have a very competitive nature.

A couple of weeks of hard practice and I'd go hunting for them until I found them and whipped them.

Believe me, once bitten by the pool bug, it's in your life for good.

Take a break, wait for the itch and start hitting them again.

Stones
 
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