Does playing chess help your game?
- Thread starter Johnnyt
- Start date
Johnnyt said:
Yes, playing chess will definitely help your chess game. If you want to help your pool game, you should play pool.
Johnnyt said:
Yes, anything that helps you see patterns and think ahead will help you in anything. But you then need to apply that skill to making the balls on a pool table. If you can make the balls then the skill to see patterns and think ahead will help you with position.
Just like life...
Playing chess, playing pool or planning for your retirement – it’s mostly about managing risk vs. reward. But it’s ALWAYS about planning for the future. I have to assume playing chess puts that mindset to work. What’s troubling for me is that I was a really good chess player when I was in Jr. High. I could beat most of my teachers. Now I can’t get more than 12 moves in against my computer - set to beginner level. Thankfully my 401K is in better shape!
Playing chess, playing pool or planning for your retirement – it’s mostly about managing risk vs. reward. But it’s ALWAYS about planning for the future. I have to assume playing chess puts that mindset to work. What’s troubling for me is that I was a really good chess player when I was in Jr. High. I could beat most of my teachers. Now I can’t get more than 12 moves in against my computer - set to beginner level. Thankfully my 401K is in better shape!
Playing chess is great mental exercise, I would think the benefits of this would show up all over the place, including on the pool table. Being able to think quickly and clearly in order to plan an out pattern or think ahead in a safety battle is a good thing in pool, and concentration ability is absolutely crucial.
Also, the more training you can give your brain about this type of planning, the less mentally taxing it becomes. We all make mistakes as we become mentally tired; think of mental exercise (including chess) as a way to decrease the mental fatigue you experience during long or pressure-filled matches.
But, as Jude pointed out, I don't think it will directly teach you anything applicable to pool. Although some people compare 1-pocket to chess, the games ahve almost nothing in common strategically, except the fact that they are in fact games of strategy. I don't think there's anything strategic you can learn in one that applies to the other. Play pool if you want to learn pool. Play chess to learn chess, and to condition your brain.
-Andrew
Also, the more training you can give your brain about this type of planning, the less mentally taxing it becomes. We all make mistakes as we become mentally tired; think of mental exercise (including chess) as a way to decrease the mental fatigue you experience during long or pressure-filled matches.
But, as Jude pointed out, I don't think it will directly teach you anything applicable to pool. Although some people compare 1-pocket to chess, the games ahve almost nothing in common strategically, except the fact that they are in fact games of strategy. I don't think there's anything strategic you can learn in one that applies to the other. Play pool if you want to learn pool. Play chess to learn chess, and to condition your brain.
-Andrew
TimFXF said:
Dude..........do you work for Mutual of Omaha?
TimFXF said:Playing chess, playing pool or planning for your retirement – it’s mostly about managing risk vs. reward. But it’s ALWAYS about planning for the future. I have to assume playing chess puts that mindset to work. What’s troubling for me is that I was a really good chess player when I was in Jr. High. I could beat most of my teachers. Now I can’t get more than 12 moves in against my computer - set to beginner level. Thankfully my 401K is in better shape!
that is the funniest thing ever! I tried playing chess, but to no avail, but I'm extremely good at checkers. That and connect four.TimFXF said:\. I could beat most of my teachers. Now I can’t get more than 12 moves in against my computer - set to beginner level. Thankfully my 401K is in better shape!
Most people have a tough time with beginners level of computer chess games. The lowest level is generally set to ability of a C or a B player. Much like in pool, most people are well below that.
playing chess doesn't do s--- for your stroke
Memorizing lines of play is all you need to do to get good at opening moves in chess. 1P involves more thought out risk-reward than chess. If you know how well your opponent plays in chess, it's much easier to know what to do and what not to do. Skill almost never lets you down in chess. Skill can be fleeting in pocket billiards. 
The difference between the two is in the execution. I've dogged easy shots in pool, but I've never dogged a royal fork.
When I went to Mardi Gra in 1995, there was a guy on the street you could play games with for 5 dollars. If you win, you get a 10 dollar cash prize. I guess he was trying to get around gambling, even though that's exactly what we were doing. We played 4 games. I won all of them and blew the money on alchohol on Bourbon Street.
TX Poolnut<---Loves the Closed Sicilian Defense
The difference between the two is in the execution. I've dogged easy shots in pool, but I've never dogged a royal fork.
When I went to Mardi Gra in 1995, there was a guy on the street you could play games with for 5 dollars. If you win, you get a 10 dollar cash prize. I guess he was trying to get around gambling, even though that's exactly what we were doing. We played 4 games. I won all of them and blew the money on alchohol on Bourbon Street.
TX Poolnut<---Loves the Closed Sicilian Defense
I don't think the games are close enough to get any value as far as planning ahead or seeing strategic moves from one that can be applied to the other. As has already been mentioned, exercising your brain is beneficial for all endeavors. If you want to do something to help your brain handle the rigors of playing pool, I would suggest meditation and mental focus exercises. Being able to concentrate on what you are doing when at the table will pay off big time.
acedotcom said:
Yeah? Watch me combo my rook right into your King while my knight jumps your Queen.
Visualization
I think it helps with visualization. Sequences put in the right order. Patterns. Grandmasters can "chunk" positions and remember different motifs that are inherent in a position. I believe this translates into "chunks" on a pool table. Different layouts have patterns that are taken or routes.
I used to play chess alot. I have around 200 books on the subject. I can't play a lick either.
I think it helps with visualization. Sequences put in the right order. Patterns. Grandmasters can "chunk" positions and remember different motifs that are inherent in a position. I believe this translates into "chunks" on a pool table. Different layouts have patterns that are taken or routes.
I used to play chess alot. I have around 200 books on the subject. I can't play a lick either.