It takes a lot of discipline to enjoy practicing by yourself when you’re not feeling it. The best way I’ve found to bring back my interest is to play a session against someone of a similar skill level. You don’t have to play for anything $, but you do need to keep score and play races, in order for it to mean something, even if it’s just pride. If you have any love for the game, any pride in your game and any competitive juices remaining somewhere inside you, they should be re-awakened!
Finding the Desire to Play the Game
- Thread starter Fast Lenny
- Start date
I also took 7 years off to run my Billiard Club and put together a 4 million dollar private club/biliards/restaurant and rarely even thought about pool. I have many interests in several different fields of knowledge, however, pool is my way of self expression, for me it's an art form much like music and painting is for others. I'd recommend not thinking of it as a "game" although there can be deeper meanings to that word such as this game of life we are all currently being subjected to. Whatever you want to find passion in must be a way to express yourself, whether it's physical, mental or Spiritual. Life is a thousand times better when I'm exercising my passion and not just my mind and body, I have a feeling this is true for most people that aren't lazy and I know you are far from lazy.
Play Well, and let the Game be your Teacher
Occasionally, I have felt something like you describe. I have always found that my motivation for playing was roughly proportionate to my improvement. That is to say, if I felt like I was making some improvements, then I was more motivated to play.
Of course, for me, this means actively seeking out problems with my game and then working to fix those. Sometimes it is fixing stroke mechanics, PSR, or just a shot or two than I need to improve. Lately, I am happy with mechanics and PSR, and I am finding some motivation in practicing difficult shots that I know will come up when I compete.
I hope that helps you. Pool has diminishing population of enthusiasts. Hopefully, we don't loose you.
kollegedave
Bluewire686
New member
I started playing at age 10 in pool hall and bars where I'm from kids could go in at 10 years old. Played serious pool to I was 30, got busy with life, childern, job own a olhausen table played at Christmas some, it sat in the finished basement covered for 25 years . Covid hit , was at home 6 weeks , kids out of school my 15 year old asked how to play he now has sneaky pete mcdermott. My job changed gave me more time with my family , I'm playing 9 ball with my son at home and I'm playing in a pool league. I play for two hours every night practicing .Never sold any my cues can't believe the cost of new meucci . Now I can't get enough pool love playing at home never liked playing at home before . My son playing makes it for me , he is off his computer and walking around the table learning geometry lol.
Bluewire686
New member
Very well put I agree
Lenny, since the last time I saw you, I have a bum knee, bum elbow, a constant headache, and a crazy gf, but one day I’m going to make my way west to play you
I think it is also beneficial to play virtual races against friends who have tables. During lockdown, I've played 9 ball ghost and Hopkins challenge matches with a friend of mine. We alternate the game each day- one day ghost, next Hopkins- 10 racks each day- total score recorded for 10 racks.
We also get together to play in person periodically, but have kept up these virtual match ups when we have the time. It makes me focus more during practice. You can even feel a bit nervous even though you are playing all alone!
For me it was watching pool in my spare time. I’d see how easy the top players make the game appear to be and how perfect their cue delivery is and I’d start to obsess over it again.
I wouldn’t recommend trying to improve your game if you’re not really into playing at the time because you won’t get better and it might make you decide to quit for good. Sometimes it can even make you worse via bad habits you develop from playing without caring. You’ve gotta have the interest and the drive to play and get better. Otherwise you won’t have the patience to figure out why you make mistakes. At least that’s how it is for me.
I'm in the same boat. I have a nice table and a closet full of cues, but have almost zero interest in playing. And when I do play (about 15 minutes every other day or so), all I do is bang the balls around. I cannot force myself to concentrate enough to practice seriously.
Personally, I come to suspect I really don't like pool the way I think I do. I think it may have more to do with recapturing a time period in my life that I enjoyed the most and mistakenly credit that time period with pool.
I played (a lot) from 14 to about 19. In those years, I was young and healthy without a care in the world except to play good pool. I didn't have bills, a big mortgage, kids, a wife, A-holes at work...and on and on. My parents (gone now) were young, healthy and happy. Everything in life was uncomplicated and good. I keep thinking if I play enough pool that "feeling" would return. It never does though.
Personally, I come to suspect I really don't like pool the way I think I do. I think it may have more to do with recapturing a time period in my life that I enjoyed the most and mistakenly credit that time period with pool.
I played (a lot) from 14 to about 19. In those years, I was young and healthy without a care in the world except to play good pool. I didn't have bills, a big mortgage, kids, a wife, A-holes at work...and on and on. My parents (gone now) were young, healthy and happy. Everything in life was uncomplicated and good. I keep thinking if I play enough pool that "feeling" would return. It never does though.
Much of the world is in a sad place right now. Focusing on one's family and keeping them close is a wise move.
I'm having a bit of a hard time with my motivation right now too and I've always thought that there were very few players that loved the game as much as I do. It's dawned on me that it's not just the game that I miss but the fraternity. Us pool misfits, even with all of our flaws -- are really a unique group of characters that can only be understood by those on the inside.
This is where those that sort of look down upon league/team pool really miss out. Going into battle with your brothers and/or sisters can really lift your spirits, win or lose. Having gone down the league path for the past half dozen years or so I now miss the camaraderie more than simply the game.
Fast Lenny - you can maintain a balance and still get something out of pool. You may have to look under a few different rocks though.
I'm having a bit of a hard time with my motivation right now too and I've always thought that there were very few players that loved the game as much as I do. It's dawned on me that it's not just the game that I miss but the fraternity. Us pool misfits, even with all of our flaws -- are really a unique group of characters that can only be understood by those on the inside.
This is where those that sort of look down upon league/team pool really miss out. Going into battle with your brothers and/or sisters can really lift your spirits, win or lose. Having gone down the league path for the past half dozen years or so I now miss the camaraderie more than simply the game.
Fast Lenny - you can maintain a balance and still get something out of pool. You may have to look under a few different rocks though.
I was still getting better every year heading into my early 30's. 1/91. I got a divorce/walked, then focused my life more on my two girls and the game never got better after that. A week later I was in Houston where I first ran into Jeremy Jones and the Red Raider same pool room (he was helpin' JJ with his game) hadn't seen the old guy since Janscos, late sixties.
Pool is a very challenging sport, there's always room for improvement. Incremental though it may be, I get a little better as the months pass provided I work on my weak points (and I have many). That alone keeps me motivated to get back to the table, the journey along the path of knowledge. It sure feels good when those epiphanies hit you and suddenly after hours and hours of struggle a new piece of the puzzle reveals itself. It's been the same for me no matter what I was into. Self improvement is it's own reward.
Thanks for all the responses and I see that I am not alone. I have started watching Accu-Stats videos on YouTube as they have a great archive of old and newer matches. It seems to help a bit even if its just playing in the background while I do other things. Trying to hit balls each day even if its just briefly. It is a great game and its me that needs to find my balance. Pool is pool.
Thanks CJ. Hope you are doing well. That is kind of what has happened to me with running Freezer's, my own stuff and my kids. It keeps me pretty busy. I do spend 3-4 hours a week working out which is a healthy interest. I think if you own/manage a poolroom then it can kill your desire to play the game. My buddy when he managed a spot said he was excited to play and his pool game was going to go up, I said trust me you will play less and it will go down. He realized soon after I was right.
I try not to lift too heavy most of the time, no ego lifting. I might go for a PR here and there but usually it is lots of reps at 60-70% of my ability. I definitely need to get the kids outdoors more. I like to hike and went on a bunch a couple months back, even took Rodney Morris on another good journey to the top of a mountain.
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That would be fun buddy. Enjoyed the little bit we play. You got good energy.Lenny, since the last time I saw you, I have a bum knee, bum elbow, a constant headache, and a crazy gf, but one day I’m going to make my way west to play you
Aside from a few other things like our obligations to others, the primary goal in life is true happiness, and everything we do is or should be geared to helping us ultimately meet that goal. That is what it really comes down to if you think about it. And what ultimately makes us happy is different for all of us, and indeed can even change for any one of us over time.
As with most things pool comes with its good and bad, but if on net pool brings happiness or improvement or benefit to your life, then do it, and if on net it doesn't, then don't do it. And trying to force enjoyment is never going to lead to true happiness. It all really is just that simple.
As with most things pool comes with its good and bad, but if on net pool brings happiness or improvement or benefit to your life, then do it, and if on net it doesn't, then don't do it. And trying to force enjoyment is never going to lead to true happiness. It all really is just that simple.
In 2012 I was shooting the best pool of my life (not claiming to be a great player) my Youtube channel about pool was doing well. Then my only brother passed away. I couldn't go in my pool room without thinking of him even though he was never a player nor did he really support my competitive play. Like many people who experience great loss I changed several major things about my life. I moved, I quit playing pool, I quit my job. It was like a reboot for my life. I have always been a history nerd so I got in to living history. I learned several crafts (leather working, bronze casting, metal working) I wrote articles for a historical magazine and then I began dabbling in traditional archery. I created a traveling museum that I took to universities, festivals and high schools. I really love sharing anything that I am in to which is probably why I am a teacher. My competitive archery really heated up and I started winning tournaments. I then moved to a more modern style of archery and started winning there too. All the while I am doing freelance video and photography which I love.
I say all of that to say this Lenny: the world has an infinite amount of diversity when it comes to various pursuits/areas of discipline and study. Also don't fault yourself for focusing on your job and providing for your family. My wife and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary and we have 2 fantastic kids that I have never regretted letting my hobbies suffer for. You will want to play pool again just don't force it. Follow your muse, broaden your horizons and no matter what never let the family go without you.
I say all of that to say this Lenny: the world has an infinite amount of diversity when it comes to various pursuits/areas of discipline and study. Also don't fault yourself for focusing on your job and providing for your family. My wife and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary and we have 2 fantastic kids that I have never regretted letting my hobbies suffer for. You will want to play pool again just don't force it. Follow your muse, broaden your horizons and no matter what never let the family go without you.
Definitely a better idea than racking for him!