Do you ever lay down for fun?

Sounds like the girl you were playing wasn't "in" on your laying off a bit by playing left handed, so that's what got her upset. I can understand that a to a point.

On the other hand, her blow-up says more about her, than you having fun. Your buddy was in the wrong for telling her after the game (IMHO). Always let a person enjoy their victory. Life is too short to throw cold water on everybody.
 
I have been told by better players than me to
NEVER do that. But I have, several times.


nyjoe14.1 said:
The question is would you take it easy on someone if you were playing pool in a bar for fun?

The bar that I hang out at has quite a few people that play “just for fun”. As I am a regular at this bar most people know that I play OK and think that im gonna win most of the time. Most of these people have never set foot in a pool room and just play because there at a bar. So the night in question I decided to play left handed because a few of my friends were breaking my balls about being on the table all night last week. Well the first few games went by OK and then this girl racks and I just happen to lose. I think I made the eight out of turn or something like that. Well a wise as*s friend of mine tells her that im not left handed and she proceeds to flip out on me for not trying against her. I wasn’t trying to pi*ss anyone off, just be fair.
The thing is it doesn’t seem fair for someone like me who plays pool 20-40hrs a week to run the table all night when other people just want to have fun, but I don’t want to just sit there and watch either.

Has anyone else been in this situation and if so what did you do?
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jay helfert said:
My experience has been that "laying down" will get you out of stroke. And if you play your best, people will get excited about the opportunity to beat you. Everyone wants to be the one who beats the good player in a bar, or in a poolroom.

So wherever you are, play your best. It's better for you and more fun for your opponents, except for an occasional a--hole.
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I agree 100%. What I do in such situations is to play the best I can, except that I don't play obvious safeties against bar players unless there's money involved, and when I've been on the table for a while I give up my game to someone else so others can get a chance to play and shoot. The philosophy behind this is simple: If you're not in a situation where you're worried about queering your action, give the bar players a chance to see a higher level of pool (remember that they won't usually see it in their bar, and most do not watch the pros on TV). You may inspire someone to try and get better! Secondly, if you ever happen to be in that spot again and luck into some action, you'll have no shortage of people willing to back you!
 
VIProfessor said:
I agree 100%. What I do in such situations is to play the best I can, except that I don't play obvious safeties against bar players unless there's money involved, and when I've been on the table for a while I give up my game to someone else so others can get a chance to play and shoot. The philosophy behind this is simple: If you're not in a situation where you're worried about queering your action, give the bar players a chance to see a higher level of pool (remember that they won't usually see it in their bar, and most do not watch the pros on TV). You may inspire someone to try and get better! Secondly, if you ever happen to be in that spot again and luck into some action, you'll have no shortage of people willing to back you!
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Right on all points. If I feel the crowd getting uncomfortable, I give up the table and ask some other people to play a while. I tell them I want a break.
Gives me a chance to schmooze and visit with people. Very true that in a bar, you want as many friends as possible. Especially the big guys. lol
 
Shortside K said:
Take a break from the table every hour or so and let others play. If you are already playing 20-40 hours a week, it can't be that important to you to get every game you can.
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Was going to be my point.

Play hard, give your best game, and don't back off for anyone.

Then take a break to let others present play.
 
nyjoe14.1 said:
...Well a wise as*s friend of mine tells her that im not left handed and she proceeds to flip out on me for not trying against her. I wasn’t trying to pi*ss anyone off, just be fair.
The thing is it doesn’t seem fair for someone like me who plays pool 20-40hrs a week to run the table all night when other people just want to have fun, but I don’t want to just sit there and watch either.

Has anyone else been in this situation and if so what did you do?
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Perhaps if you would have told her before the game that you were a good player and asked her if she wanted a handicap, she wouldn't have been mad had she accepted or turned it down.

At my local hangout, everyone sees it as a challenge to play against me because it is a small town and everyone knows each other.

Vinnie
 
Sure, I "lay down for fun." When with my chick friend comes to play I am not nearly as serious about the game as I would be for $ or in a tourney. You see when she comes to play it is about kicking back and having fun. Not trying to demolish her every chance I get to shoot. Often I'll let her have muligans and reshoot shots too in hopes that she will learn something and enjoy it more:) Btw,she plays pretty good for someone who doesn't take it to seriously like us pool geeks do:D
 
"Laying Down"

Cameron Smith said:
I was playing a guy and I started playing left handed and continued beating him. In 4 hours he didn't win a single game of 9 ball, 14.1 or 8 ball. He got very angry stating that I was humiliating him and sending a statement that he isn't good enough for me to give it everything I had.

I can see what he was getting at, but he was taking it far too seriously. But that will happen in anything that is competitive, when playing a weaker player.
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That's a strange reaction on his part, because it appears to me that his options are (1) to have a somewhat sporting (but handicapped) contest with you, or (2) for you to play flat-out and virtually mop the floor with him. Would he actually prefer that?

Ken

"I want your best game!"
--Eddie Felson
 
jay helfert said:
My experience has been that "laying down" will get you out of stroke.
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You know, that's a good point - especially if you're "laying down" by missing shots. For me, there is some as-of-yet unknown factor that let's me "see" an angle to the pocket and put together a shot. Instances of true "clarity" and "flow" in this regard are scarce enough as it is, and I don't want to mess with that at all. So, if I am in a purely social game against noncompetitive players, I'll generally back off by playing more "Hollywood" shots than normal, more banks than necessary, and just by playing faster and more relaxed, (which is a lot more fun anyway) and can even put you in a higher level of "stroke".

Ken
 
Slider said:
You know, that's a good point - especially if you're "laying down" by missing shots. For me, there is some as-of-yet unknown factor that let's me "see" an angle to the pocket and put together a shot. Instances of true "clarity" and "flow" in this regard are scarce enough as it is, and I don't want to mess with that at all. So, if I am in a purely social game against noncompetitive players, I'll generally back off by playing more "Hollywood" shots than normal, more banks than necessary, and just by playing faster and more relaxed, (which is a lot more fun anyway) and can even put you in a higher level of "stroke".

Ken
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thats my version of laying down.......ill go for crazyier shots, try to run out and never shoot any type of defense. The only problem i have with "fast and loose" is it gets me out of my preshot routine if im not careful.
 
Nobdy here has mentioned the way that I use to take it easy on lesser players on bar tables....I don't "lay down"; I will just try to leave myself for balls that I wouldn't try in other (tougher) situations. Or, I'll try for break outs that might not be necessary at that particular time, etc. You still get to play, and practice different types of english, but you're taking a harder way out instead. I find this much more fun....trying tough position shats that I may need in another game (3 rails - lotsa draw/follow - etc.). You really can make an easy run look tough if you try! :)
 
Wow

JamisonNeu said:
I just found a great way to equalize a game just last week. I was at my local hall and there were only a few people in the place. No one there wanted to play. I asked one of the guys if he would play nine ball with me, if I banked every third ball. He said sure, and we started to play.

He got to shoot enough to make it worth his money for time and I held on the best I could. He's not helpless at this game in the first place. If I was going to stand a chance, I needed my AAA best game. To nobody's surprise, I had alot of trouble running out like this...I think it will pay to play him like this from now on.

He knows I was trying my hardest and I was still showing him respect by doing so. I plan on getting him next time.
Jamison
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Great handicap to give up for fun to make it a game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
jay helfert said:
My experience has been that "laying down" will get you out of stroke. And if you play your best, people will get excited about the opportunity to beat you. Everyone wants to be the one who beats the good player in a bar, or in a poolroom.

So wherever you are, play your best. It's better for you and more fun for your opponents, except for an occasional a--hole.
Click to expand...
I gave up a game once, to keep from getting "raised", and never got the lead back. I don't recall giving one up SINCE intentionally.
 
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