Do you get into character when you play?

desertshark

desertshark

Racks on racks on racks
Silver Member
I went out and shot a few racks with my fiance last night. Shes not much of a pool player. We get to a place with a table and I was asked for a game, she said she noticed a sudden change in my personality. She said I was fun and outgoing until I pulled my cue out. She said at that point I was just focused; to the point where it was almost scary. I watched every move the other guy made on the table and I didnt approach the table until I was ready to shoot.

I played a few safeties to start to get a feel for the guys game then once I was sure of a run, I went for it, not cocky, just confident. We were just playing 8 ball, ball in hand off the foul. Nothing outrageous. I didnt parade around like a douche, I shook his hand once the game was over and he asked if I wanted to play again. I agreed and pulled out my break cue. I broke and ran the rack. Not being cocky, just playing as normal. I wasnt trying to hustle the guy, I was just playing and trying to get some practice in. I tried a few shots I normally wouldnt have played in a money game.

The guy commended my game, I bought him a beer and he went back into the crowd. No love lost.

She said it wasnt until I put my cue down that I became "friendly" again. I didnt notice, I just thought I was focused.

I thought back to games Ive played in the past and I guess when the game is on, I get focused, cut the small talk and play.

Do you guys go into "play mode" or am I alone on this...?
 
You're not alone...I think most casual players look at pool as kind of a social game (which it can be), But someone who has a passion for the game has a difficult time not focusing and playing the game they are used to playing, Thats why I rarely play at a social setting where there's a pool table.
 
Great thread

Spot on and the answer is yes.

Thanks for posting this thread.

I been making a conscious effort to be more friendly within my pool community and I have found it to be difficult to also be competitive.
In other words I've taken the edge off.

I have not mastered this yet (Not even close), but I am figuring it out.
At least I think so :confused:

One thing I would like to add, unless someone has experienced extreme focus. To be completely dialed in. They will not appreciate it or in fact comprehend it when they witness it.
 
Guess I am in this group. My girlfriend says she doesn't even want to deal with me when I am playing because I turn into a "feminine cleansing product". I know that people line up to try to beat me at the table but other than a few isolated incidents, I feel as if people are just being competitive. I usually just play for drinks when I am out and when I play for money in public I usually just give back half the cash to the people at the end of the night. Sadly, people get upset at me about a third of the time, but I just say sorry and put my hand out for the money back...which oddly tends to upset them further.

Ok, wait, maybe I am a feminine cleansing product.
 
I'm the same way. I've been told I get serious. My focus is on the table and winning. I can go the whole game without saying a word until the game is over.

I don't like losing no matter who I'm playing. I'll break and run on a girl at a bar if I have the chance, or better yet ability, but sadly, that's rarely the case.
 
Everybody has a character of his/her own,it is the focus needed to play this game on certain level which reveals this true character. I have been labeled as having the face of a serial killer when playing usually and to be honest when i REALLY want to win my thoughts are on totally crushing my opponent,to rip him apart so i guess this label is quite spot on. But there is also a higher gear i have where i am able to just play the balls and table...and at this level i virtually turn into a kid at the sandbox and play for the sheer love of the game...when i switch to this mode i am told to have just little smile on my face and the look of my eyes becomes playful. This is when i enjoy the game of pool the most..not thinking..just reacting...relaxed.."connected" with the table..it is not easy to get into this mode and stay there in serious match but once you do your character just disappears,you become egoless and you are free to achieve anything on the table... :)

Sent from my MB632 using Tapatalk 2
 
If my opponent is a bad player i play the character of a begginer i ask questions about rules i raise cue at the end of my stroke and use nothing but top spin on all shots never run 3 balls in a row and act like i got something better to do. when i win i always am the most surprised becouse i never win.

if my opponent plays my speed i try to intimidate him with my professional demeanor at the table. i want him to think he is not my skill level so i never show any sign that he has impressed me ever. i want his insecurities to eat at him like a disease.

playing the better player i always want him to beat the crap out of me and humiliate me in front of everyone. long race bigger gap 10-3 sounds like more of a ass whooping than 5-2 lol. i want to play cheap so it only cost me a couple of dollars. i want every player watching to feel like they can beat me. and i quit the better player and have a bunch of minnows chasing a shark best move ever.

i always play a character when i gamble it a tactic in a bigger strategy for winning. now let me say this i always concentrate and stay focused and i play with perfect fundamentals every thing i do is deliberate and rehearsed after doing this over and over i have developed a natural shift into characters. i keep a low profile always and i know that there is a chance the guy i am playing is a better actor than me and he may be playing me. ego is my enemy.

lately i have been playing left handed on the bar tables to get better left handed and to disguise my stroke. it is the best character ever because i am being me, just handicapped and humbled.

this is one of my favorite topics on az good thread
 
For me, outside of leagues and tournaments its not winning or losing, but how I conduct myself when I play the game.
 
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It's the competitive nature. Focus on doing your best & hopefully winning.
Vince Lombardi said, "Winning isn't everything, but it's the only thing worth striving for".

My wife is a championship ball player with a competitive nature, but I have played with others that simply do not understand & I do not understand them. Why does one play a competitive sport or game if one is not going to give it their best all out effort to play to the best of their ability. I don't care if your ability is lacking but I care if your effort is lacking.

You do not have to be a sour puss. You can have fun. It can be fun to give your best effort & succeed. More fun, I think, than just going through the motions with a care less attitude & losing, both for yourself & your team mates.

So..to answer the question, Yes. Yes I do get into my competitive character, but I remain a good sportsman.

Have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
 
desertshark said:
[...]
She said it wasnt until I put my cue down that I became "friendly" again. I didnt notice, I just thought I was focused.

I thought back to games Ive played in the past and I guess when the game is on, I get focused, cut the small talk and play.

Do you guys go into "play mode" or am I alone on this...?
Click to expand...

Yes, I most certainly do. But it takes the following situations to elicit that type of mode from me:

1. Playing a complete stranger that is being a dick/jerk, or just someone I want to put in his place.

2. Playing in any tournament. I don't mess about -- I'm there for the money. I'm there to win.

3. Any straight pool or one pocket game. It appears to be just 14.1 and one pocket (see my avatar) that ALWAYS elicit my "strong game." I guess because I don't take short-rack rotation seriously (unless it's situation #s 1 or 2 above), or probably because I love 14.1 and one pocket so much -- that I give the utmost respect to my opponent for engaging me in these two games, and I therefore proffer up my best game. In 14.1, it might seem like a paradox that my take on "respect" for the opponent is making sure he/she stays in the seat while I'm on an extended run, but those that play 14.1 well understand this.

Even in league matches, I'm known for goofing around, especially if the company is enjoyable and it's not playoffs or anything like that. (When I say "league," I mean 8-ball -- an in-house 8-ball league.)

If it's a social night out, obviously, the "fun Sean" shows up with bells on. And you'll see me try some crazy she-ite on the table, but it's also obvious that I'm just letting my hair down. Some of the folks that like to engage me in situation #3 above, also LOVE this other side of me -- it's slap-stick and a lot of fun. By design, of course.

I think having both a "fun" mode and a "Bunsen-burner" full-out play mode are the keys to having fun in this game. Both are fun!

-Sean
 
yeah, I morph into a giant, dripping and sour vagina. that characterizes me when I play pool
 
It's good to know that I'm not alone! And a lot of the points on here I totally agree with. Most days I'll hit the pool hall to just practice drills or play the ghost. A lot of the time I stay on the table without interruptions. But when I'm really focused and some body asks me for a game, I'm on. I flip a switch and damn near run racks on 8-ball and cross the finish line first on 9-ball.

I have noticed too when moneys on the table or any bet for that matter, I get fully focused and really analytical. I take more time with shots, focus on getting shape and running out.

I had a guy who wanted to race to 5 on 9-ball. I won the lag and broke. I ran to 6 then combo'd the 9. It was about 10 minutes of pure planning. The guy asked if all the games were going to be like that and I simply replied, you're paying for this, I want to get your moneys worth. I wasn't trying to be a Dick, I was being honest and was very focused. I ended up $50 richer which isn't much but it was something. After the game I shook his hand, offered him a beer and thanked him but I guess that statement kind of stung.
 
Sometimes I feel like my pool hall persona is "me" and I slip into character when stuck working and being around people outside of the pool hall. I play serious but I am more friendly, talkative, and humorous there.
 
when I am playing pool

I tried to be nice once , It was the worst 10 sec of my life:eek:
MMike.


ps dont get married to that girl she is going to use your pool game against you in your relationship..............................................................

guys watch close
wife before.
a866.jpg


wife after
a916.jpg


See I didnt feel a thing
a915.jpg


MMike
 
CreeDo said:
Sometimes I feel like my pool hall persona is "me" and I slip into character when stuck working and being around people outside of the pool hall. I play serious but I am more friendly, talkative, and humorous there.
Click to expand...


i like your statement and it IS kinda true. In "Society" (job, family blabla) we often do what we are "supposed" to do. be friendly, kind etc

when stepping to a pooltable and you are a competitive person, your deepest instincts come out.

"i am the alfa man", you just want to show your the better player that destroys his "enemies" (not opponents)

So pool might reveal more of your character than you might think.

For me, i have played a lomg time just for fun, when i won a game i won, when i lost, no prob, its "only" pool. well this was untill i discovered my love for straight pool and 8 ball (nearly only 9 ball here around).
From one week to the other my "character" changed, when i stepped to the table i didnt chat anymore, i was planning how i could keep my opponent off the table. No smiling, no bla bla.... and my results got MUCH better.

I guess when youre in competition, the animal in you comes out. some might get agressive, emotional, others get quiet and focussed. thats real character, not what we show everyday, thats just a conditionned "light" version of us.
 
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