Do you guys play better under pressure/for money?

ddadams

ddadams

Absolutely love this cue.
Silver Member
I'm an ok player, in my opinion way better than anyone I've seen with as little experience I have..

But that being said, I am still inexperienced.

During the blizzard we had here the other week I decided to spend the day at the bar because I knew one of the locals who I look up to was there.

Anyways he had been playing for a while so didn't want to play unless there was some money involved. After a while I reluctantly agreed.

The odd thing that happened though was everything went a lot slower and better for me. I saw everything more clearly and outplayed him in most of the racks that I actually got to shoot.

I broke even at the end, but didn't think that would happen in the beginning. Call me a fool but I didn't really want to win the last set because I know the guy is out a job and hasn't been working for a while. I let him have the last rack so we would both break even because I didn't want to take his money.


Do you guys play better under more pressure or when money is involved?
 
You should be ready for JR. now.

Come on down thru Texas, I'm sure we can find you some pressure packed action. And I'll make sure JR. is the best player you ever get in the box with. Junebug likes to gambol.
 
JumpinJoe said:
You should be ready for JR. now.

Come on down thru Texas, I'm sure we can find you some pressure packed action. And I'll make sure JR. is the best player you ever get in the box with. Junebug likes to gambol.
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lol

I'll stay in Indiana for now

edit:

I don't know if you think I was knocking him in the other thread or were joking here but I was just commenting on the stroke difference.. Sorry if that offended you for some reason. I clearly acknowledge that he's a much better player than I am.
 
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I always seem up play a little better under pressure ($$)
Makes you step it up a little more than usual. Although a solid game with no pressure is just as good too.
 
ddadams said:
I'm an ok player, in my opinion way better than anyone I've seen with as little experience I have..

But that being said, I am still inexperienced.

During the blizzard we had here the other week I decided to spend the day at the bar because I knew one of the locals who I look up to was there.

Anyways he had been playing for a while so didn't want to play unless there was some money involved. After a while I reluctantly agreed.

The odd thing that happened though was everything went a lot slower and better for me. I saw everything more clearly and outplayed him in most of the racks that I actually got to shoot.

I broke even at the end, but didn't think that would happen in the beginning. Call me a fool but I didn't really want to win the last set because I know the guy is out a job and hasn't been working for a while. I let him have the last rack so we would both break even because I didn't want to take his money.


Do you guys play better under more pressure or when money is involved?
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I have knowen a lot of pool players in my time and seen a hell of a lot more, i would have to say that a very good percentage of pool players play their best game when they are gambling and there is just a few that just cant handle the pressure of gambling their own money, but would play excellent in tournaments.
 
money

richiebalto said:
I have knowen a lot of pool players in my time and seen a hell of a lot more, i would have to say that a very good percentage of pool players play their best game when they are gambling and there is just a few that just cant handle the pressure of gambling their own money, but would play excellent in tournaments.
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Because I get the butterflies I rather play for money every rack.
What ever it taked to face the pressure head on.

MMike
 
Usually I do, however I got drilled this past summer in Atlanta-I hadn't been in big action in some time and I froze up. Dont happen often, but it did then. I played not to lose not to win in hindsight. I was so sick I couldnt get out of bed the next day.

I cant play for free. FWIW,
 
I think most guys play better for money because they are more focused. I know I am. However, I think a lot of guys shoot worse the last three shots of a hill-hill set for good money due to the extra nerves at that point in the set.
 
FYI: I think losing on purpose will wreak havok on your mental game in the future if you are not careful.
 
Luxury said:
I think most guys play better for money because they are more focused. I know I am. However, I think a lot of guys shoot worse the last three shots of a hill-hill set for good money due to the extra nerves at that point in the set.
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8 or 9 for me, I can relate to that...
 
In my first league playoff there was about 40 people gathered around the table watching and it was a sudden death game to get into the money. The captain called a time out right before I was going to shoot to ask me what I was going to do. I told him how I was going to fire this ball in and get shape on the eight with low left. He liked it. So did I.

Then I got down to shoot and my arm was shaking so bad that I was certain that everyone could see. I'm still sure that they could. I fired the ball straight into the rail a full diamond from the pocket.
 
Luxury said:
In my first league playoff there was about 40 people gathered around the table watching and it was a sudden death game to get into the money. The captain called a time out right before I was going to shoot to ask me what I was going to do. I told him how I was going to fire this ball in and get shape on the eight with low left. He liked it. So did I.

Then I got down to shoot and my arm was shaking so bad that I was certain that everyone could see. I'm still sure that they could. I fired the ball straight into the rail a full diamond from the pocket.
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Your captain in my humble opinion should have let you just play the shot and not called the time out. The time out increased the pressure on you.
 
I use to just mess around for 20.00 /40.00 sets. My buddy backed me in a race to 5 with the bar owner for 500.00 the owner thought it was an easy gamble being he played me all the time for cheap and I usually won on the hill getting a 6/4. He's a strong 6. I'm a very strong 4 in APA. Outside of league i have no clue where I'm ranked. I beat him 3 sets 5/1,5/1 and 5/2.

It took me playing serious one time to show everyone at the pool hall how I really shot. He figured he was guaranteed the money.

I now shoot strong all the time and every game is easier for me 8/9 ball.

Something about the pressure kicks in on me and I'm a different animal.
 
ddadams said:
I'm an ok player, in my opinion way better than anyone I've seen with as little experience I have..

But that being said, I am still inexperienced.

During the blizzard we had here the other week I decided to spend the day at the bar because I knew one of the locals who I look up to was there.

Anyways he had been playing for a while so didn't want to play unless there was some money involved. After a while I reluctantly agreed.

The odd thing that happened though was everything went a lot slower and better for me. I saw everything more clearly and outplayed him in most of the racks that I actually got to shoot.

I broke even at the end, but didn't think that would happen in the beginning. Call me a fool but I didn't really want to win the last set because I know the guy is out a job and hasn't been working for a while. I let him have the last rack so we would both break even because I didn't want to take his money.


Do you guys play better under more pressure or when money is involved?
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Sorry to be the one to say it but that first sentence makes your whole post sound like your full of shit.

That being said... I always shoot better under pressure because I concentrate harder and have the drive to win in those situations.
 
zpele said:
Sorry to be the one to say it but that first sentence makes your whole post sound like your full of shit.

That being said... I always shoot better under pressure because I concentrate harder and have the drive to win in those situations.
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It IS the internet after all. I should have said that I am the next SVB and beat him out of $100K cash.
 
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Pressure comes from within in several different forms. I will agree that a higher dollar amount will cause u to pay more attention. The pressure of winning is far more greater than losing. Its easy to give someone ur money it hard to take it ...losing is a mental disorder .....
 
Nope, I dog it.

To be honest though, I think pressure makes almost everyone shoot a little below their A (or even B) game.

a lot of guys go through life just hitting balls without full focus, and they only put care into it when there's money or a tournament to be won.

never met anyone who normally plays with care, and then some how goes up a ball under pressure.


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The further I get into a tournament field the better i play. The first few matches are the ones I struggle with most. I've always thought I played better under pressure.
 
I've rarely played for money & mostly small amounts the max being $100 / game & hardly ever for that much. Personally I do not play pool to 'earn' money or take it form someone else. I play for the love of the game & the enjoyment & instant gratification it can or can not bring. I enjoy winning & not 'losing', although I do not mind getting beat. I know the difference between getting beat & losing & I know the difference between winning & being lost to.

All that being said, the answer to your question is yes I play better when I place more importance on doing so. It can simply be not wanting to 'lose' to a certain opponent for some special reason.

I played in leagues & the pressure there was wanting to not let my team mates down. Unlike me, they may not know the difference between winning & being lost to or losing & being beat. Also, there is less of 'there is always another game', where league is concerned.

So, the basic answer to your question is yes, but I believe it is self generated for what ever reason one wants to impose it upon oneself.

If one perceives outside pressure I not sure if it can more beneficial or more harmful. I think that would certainly depend on the particular situation.
 
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