Do you have this guy in your life?

7

7forlife

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Ok, so based on previous success I figured I'd try this new situation.
Actually it's not new it just hasn't come up in a while, I haven't noticed or other.

So I asked before about dealing with emotions and such when at the table etc and although I feel like this may yield some of the same replies I want to know.

Q: do you have a guy in your life who generally is a nice guy, and every once in a while you would ablige with a game, but for some reason you either are never able to play a solide game with him or you end up out of stroke.

How do you deal with that? Do you use him as some type of training tool, do play with him less? What should I do?
 
7forlife said:
Ok, so based on previous success I figured I'd try this new situation.
Actually it's not new it just hasn't come up in a while, I haven't noticed or other.

So I asked before about dealing with emotions and such when at the table etc and although I feel like this may yield some of the same replies I want to know.

Q: do you have a guy in your life who generally is a nice guy, and every once in a while you would ablige with a game, but for some reason you either are never able to play a solide game with him or you end up out of stroke.

How do you deal with that? Do you use him as some type of training tool, do play with him less? What should I do?
Click to expand...


It sounds like there is an intimidation factor involved here for some reason. Only you would know. Conflict of personalities on some level?
 
Man up. It's time to stop blaming other people for your shitty play. If there's something he does that bothers you so much that you play bad, consider it a free lesson. Stop treating your game like a frail little porcelain doll that can't get exposed to anything other than perfect conditions. My wife jumps on my back and bites my ear to keep me from making the money ball and do you think that stops me? Hell no.
 
7forlife said:
Q: do you have a guy in your life who generally is a nice guy, and every once in a while you would ablige with a game, but for some reason you either are never able to play a solide game with him or you end up out of stroke.

do play with him less?
Click to expand...

play him MORE, until you get whatever is bothering you out of your system.
 
philly said:
It sounds like there is an intimidation factor involved here for some reason. Only you would know. Conflict of personalities on some level?
Click to expand...

No it's not that, he's a god shooter but we can trade blows at anytime. I do get bothered a bit when he ask to play cause it's usually the second I walk into the room and went looking to get some serous practice in.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Man up. It's time to stop blaming other people for your shitty play. If there's something he does that bothers you so much that you play bad, consider it a free lesson. Stop treating your game like a frail little porcelain doll that can't get exposed to anything other than perfect conditions. My wife jumps on my back and bites my ear to keep me from making the money ball and do you think that stops me? Hell no.
Click to expand...

You couldn't be more off in this case. I do get bother by something's people do as I feel that pool is a game of respect but this guy doesn't do any of the things that bother me, and also I specifically practice at a place where there is ZERO etiquette just so that I can become more immune to distractions.

It's just that when I play this one guy even if I just played lights out I seem to never be able to play remotely close to my ability with him and it's like instant slumps. He's a nice guy and like I said no faults that I can mention.

I know it's only been a few people but I'm actually surprised that most do have "this one guy" whom they can never seem to bring their A game or even B game when they play.
 
michael4 said:
play him MORE, until you get whatever is bothering you out of your system.
Click to expand...

I thought about that today but I'm at a very sensitive place in my game and progress so I'm a bit afraid to continue without knowing what the problem (if any) is this what to work on. Thanks for the advice though.
 
Maybe he is a pool cooler. But I doubt it. My suggestion is to re-orient your mental focus. It seems like ur letting this guy effect u mentally which is then effecting ur physical play. U need to find the means of changing ur mental focus. Afterall, as long as u r at the table u r the one in total control, not him. So u need to focus solely on ur own physical play, ur own mental thought processes, ur own decision making process. U need to find a way that works for u to completely ignore they guy's presence in the game. And then focus on every aspect of ur game that gives u complete control of what happens at the table. U have a puzzle to solve at the table. U dont want anyone else to solve it except for u. That approach has worked for me.
 
You obviously have some dislike for him which is fine. Just let that fuel you and rob him. Some of my best customers were guys I had great disliking for.

Obviously it's best to just play your game...you vs the table...but we all know it's more complicated than that.

You should have several players who you love to beat. The cocky kid who does most things wrong, but gets away with it cause he can aim a little. When you beat him he only remebers the shots he missed and always feels he should win every set. Beat him 7 to 2 and just walk off.
 
7forlife said:
Ok, so based on previous success I figured I'd try this new situation.
Actually it's not new it just hasn't come up in a while, I haven't noticed or other.

So I asked before about dealing with emotions and such when at the table etc and although I feel like this may yield some of the same replies I want to know.

Q: do you have a guy in your life who generally is a nice guy, and every once in a while you would ablige with a game, but for some reason you either are never able to play a solide game with him or you end up out of stroke.

How do you deal with that? Do you use him as some type of training tool, do play with him less? What should I do?
Click to expand...


Good Morning,

I'm don't find myself replying to many questions like this however this topic is one of my favourites.

The honest answer with out being critical is the "Conscious mind vs the Subconscious mind".

The key parts of your question that is causing you to under perform are:

"generally is a nice guy"

"oblige with a game"

Here's why these words affect your performance!

You have to decide if you want to win or loose before the game starts. If you're going into the game with the mind set that you've "Obliged" a "Nice Guy" the opportunity to play a few games with you - You've already decided that your focus and performance will be poor because you're no longer playing the table - You're playing the "Nice Guy".

Why you ask?
Because your Subconscious mind is telling you that you're being a nice guy "Obliging" a few games with this "Nice Guy" and you don't want to hurt his feelings or embarrass him on the table. You want this "Nice Guy" to enjoy his time with you and your game suffers because of it.

Pool is a game I love and study. Each player has to decide weather they want to play socially or strictly competitive. For most players they're conscious mind is saying I want to play competitive, focused and be a great player who others want to watch play.

However, in reality the subconscious mind which is typically more honest, realistic and will reveal itself during play is saying I'm a casual player who cares about others and haven't practised or invested enough time to "truly" play competitive.

There are many emotions that will affect your mind which include: relationship problems, finances, lack of confidence, atmosphere, employment.... it's a long list.

The conclusion is that your mind doesn't lie during the game and the true player is always revelled. While this can change from week to week you conscious mind and subconscious must be on the same page to perform at a consistent high level.

I hope this help answer your question.
 
I agree with Heath. I'd add that you went to the pool room to practice, but being the nice guy that you are, you've agreed to play a few games instead. i.e. you're "off-your-game-plan" from the start.
 
Heath Manning said:
Good Morning,

I'm don't find myself replying to many questions like this however this topic is one of my favourites.

The honest answer with out being critical is the "Conscious mind vs the Subconscious mind".

The key parts of your question that is causing you to under perform are:

"generally is a nice guy"

"oblige with a game"

Here's why these words affect your performance!

You have to decide if you want to win or loose before the game starts. If you're going into the game with the mind set that you've "Obliged" a "Nice Guy" the opportunity to play a few games with you - You've already decided that your focus and performance will be poor because you're no longer playing the table - You're playing the "Nice Guy".

Why you ask?
Because your Subconscious mind is telling you that you're being a nice guy "Obliging" a few games with this "Nice Guy" and you don't want to hurt his feelings or embarrass him on the table. You want this "Nice Guy" to enjoy his time with you and your game suffers because of it.

Pool is a game I love and study. Each player has to decide weather they want to play socially or strictly competitive. For most players they're conscious mind is saying I want to play competitive, focused and be a great player who others want to watch play.

However, in reality the subconscious mind which is typically more honest, realistic and will reveal itself during play is saying I'm a casual player who cares about others and haven't practised or invested enough time to "truly" play competitive.

There are many emotions that will affect your mind which include: relationship problems, finances, lack of confidence, atmosphere, employment.... it's a long list.

The conclusion is that your mind doesn't lie during the game and the true player is always revelled. While this can change from week to week you conscious mind and subconscious must be on the same page to perform at a consistent high level.

I hope this help answer your question.
Click to expand...

That sir is called hitting the nail on the head, you remind me of those guys who drive pins in the railroad (back in the days) pure accuracy. I know someone had to know the answer. Thank you so much for that insight.

2strong I have one of those guys already, and i'm actually thinking about paying him to come to tournaments with me so I could warm up with him, that guy brings the SVB out of me. I'm not saying that i am that strong but he is not on my level and swears deep down that we are not that far apart. I've went as far as to offer him $5 for any win against me and he pays $0 since he doesn't gamble, needless to say I've never had to pay more than $10 (he's an 8 ball player and unfortunately for him that's my strongest game) Men I love playing that guy.

but Heath and bdorman gave me my answer, so glad you guys chimed in. I am a very structured type of a guy and when I go to practice it's a mind set. There are two places that I like to practice at and for different reasons. One of them kind of sucks cause everyone knows me and always wants to come around and talk or ask me what i put on that shot meanwhile down inside i'm like WTF CAN'T YOU SEE THAT I'M DOING SOMETHING? I'd be down on a shot and they'll be like hey, hey, hey and get louder like I can't hear them, then I go "you don't have to yell, I was ignoring you just fine"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top