First comp --- any advice??

deep

deep

OFF THE CHAIN
Silver Member
Well after many years of playing 9-ball i'm entered in to my first big ish comp on saturday and i'm just wondering if any ones got any advice or tips for me. I'm not really expecting to win but i know if i do my best i should do ok. I'm shooting pretty good at the mo (except my break) and i just want to know how to prepare and not get to nervous when i'm playing.
Any help will be very much appreciated. :)
 
deep said:
Well after many years of playing 9-ball i'm entered in to my first big ish comp on saturday and i'm just wondering if any ones got any advice or tips for me. I'm not really expecting to win but i know if i do my best i should do ok. I'm shooting pretty good at the mo (except my break) and i just want to know how to prepare and not get to nervous when i'm playing.
Any help will be very much appreciated. :)
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Deep, just go in there and have some fun. That's what it is all about buddy. I hope you come in the money. Let us know how you make out.
Purdman :cool:
 
deep said:
Well after many years of playing 9-ball i'm entered in to my first big ish comp on saturday and i'm just wondering if any ones got any advice or tips for me. I'm not really expecting to win but i know if i do my best i should do ok. I'm shooting pretty good at the mo (except my break) and i just want to know how to prepare and not get to nervous when i'm playing.
Any help will be very much appreciated. :)
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Umm, yeah, just go and have fun. That's about it. If you're having fun, you're probably playing well.

And just remember, it's not whether you win or lose, it's whether you miss any easy shots and look really, really stupid.

Just kidding. Have fun. Play pool. :)
 
PoolBum said:
And just remember, it's not whether you win or lose, it's whether you miss any easy shots and look really, really stupid.

Just kidding. Have fun. Play pool. :)
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Lol, that made me laugh. :)

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm not trying not to take it to seriously, i'm using it as a chance to just get to play some good players more than anything. I doubt i'll make it in the money but i'll let you guys know how i get on and i'll try and get some pics too.

Anyone got any advice on how to settle down and not get to nervous??? (apart from a couple of beers of course! :) )
 
Maybe something

QUOTE=deep]Lol, that made me laugh. :)

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm not trying not to take it to seriously, i'm using it as a chance to just get to play some good players more than anything. I doubt i'll make it in the money but i'll let you guys know how i get on and i'll try and get some pics too.

Wow, your arrogant aren't you. Stop being so confident.

Anyone got any advice on how to settle down and not get to nervous??? (apart from a couple of beers of course! :) )[/QUOTE]

When you start getting nervous. Just picture your opponent in their underwear. Just think about how much more nervous you would be if you were in your underwear. Everyone would be watching you play, but there not. There watching him. Cause he's in his underwear..... :cool: :cool: :cool:

Mike
 
Take some deep breaths every once in a while when you're playing. This will help with the nerves. Also, try to look like you're not nervous. Sometimes that helps you to actually not be nervous.
 
Get a good night's sleep before the tourney and have a complete breakfast on the day of the tournamnet. Also, make sure you warm up before the tournament.

Most of all, play your own game. Have a game plan, and stick with it. Many fall into the trap of allowing their opponents' play to change the way they play. Play within yourself.

And, finally, enjoy the experience. Welcome to the world of competition. Good luck!
 
CantEverWin said:
QUOTE=deep]Lol, that made me laugh. :)

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm not trying not to take it to seriously, i'm using it as a chance to just get to play some good players more than anything. I doubt i'll make it in the money but i'll let you guys know how i get on and i'll try and get some pics too.

Wow, your arrogant aren't you. Stop being so confident.

Anyone got any advice on how to settle down and not get to nervous??? (apart from a couple of beers of course! :) )
Click to expand...

When you start getting nervous. Just picture your opponent in their underwear. Just think about how much more nervous you would be if you were in your underwear. Everyone would be watching you play, but there not. There watching him. Cause he's in his underwear..... :cool: :cool: :cool:

Mike[/QUOTE]


Picturing your opponent in their underwear is about the worst advice you can possibly give. What if he plays a rosie o'donnel look alike? He could be scarred for life because of you.
 
sjm said:
Get a good night's sleep before the tourney and have a complete breakfast on the day of the tournamnet. Also, make sure you warm up before the tournament.

Most of all, play your own game. Have a game plan, and stick with it. Many fall into the trap of allowing their opponents' play to change the way they play. Play within yourself.

And, finally, enjoy the experience. Welcome to the world of competition. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks, thats some good advice. :)

I'll definatly be getting to bed early tonight, got to set off about 7 a.m tomorrow. I want to get there early to get used to the surroundings and equipment, the tables will be a lot faster to what i'm used to playing on.

If all goes well tomorrow theres another comp next weekend. Lely, Bustamante and Chamat are all confirmed to be playing in it so i think i might be worth entering just for a chance to play one of those!
 
deep said:
Thanks, thats some good advice. :)

I'll definatly be getting to bed early tonight, got to set off about 7 a.m tomorrow. I want to get there early to get used to the surroundings and equipment, the tables will be a lot faster to what i'm used to playing on.

If all goes well tomorrow theres another comp next weekend. Lely, Bustamante and Chamat are all confirmed to be playing in it so i think i might be worth entering just for a chance to play one of those!
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Bustamante, Chamat.....Hmmmmm Where are you??
 
I'm in the U.K and the comp next week is in London. There is a guaranteed first prize of £2000 (about $3500) so there are some big guns turning up. There are quite a few guys coming from europe to play in it.
 
deep said:
I'm in the U.K and the comp next week is in London. There is a guaranteed first prize of £2000 (about $3500) so there are some big guns turning up. There are quite a few guys coming from europe to play in it.
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Where in London are you playing? One of the Riley's clubs? I hope the attacks this week dosen't disrupt things. Presumably a lot of the Pros are stopping in on their way back from the WPC.

As for advice, seeing as how you are British perhaps some Kipling would be appropriate:

"If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same"

- Rudyard Kipling, "If"

Best of luck! Shoot good, have fun and let us know what happens.
 
The comp is being held in Q-Stix in Catford. Apparently there are another 3 already planned. I dont think i'm going to be able to make it down there, train fares + accomadation = to much ££££

I'm not sure how many U.K pros will be turning up as it clashes with the Nottingham Open which is a U.K tour event, but i'm sure the lure of £2000 will get a few down there.

As for tomorrow,as its single elimination i'm predicting a first round exit. From what i've heard its going to be a lot of good players there.
 
AuntyDan said:
One of the Riley's clubs? I hope the attacks this week dosen't disrupt things.
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He just said the magic words...think about all the people that got killed and hurt in the attacks and be glad you're inside playing in a pool tournament.

What if they were to start again? Do you want to calm your nerves? Take a walk outside 10 minutes before you're ready to play and think about a bomb going off close by. Then walk inside to the safety of a pool room and being able to walk around a table to shoot at balls. That should bring nerves under control and put everything in perspective.
 
Don't worry too much about the nerves. They don't actually ever go away... you just learn to play better with them. A couple beers will just make you forget your misses easier, you won't play any better!

I forget who said this (maybe Cory Deuel?)...

"I'd be concerned if I wasn't nervous in a match. That would indicate that I don't care about the outcome."

I had one of my biggest wins early in my competition days against a very good player and ran out the last rack shaking like a leaf. No one else knew I was shaking. Act outwardly confident even if you're not feeling it. You'll play better.

Good luck!
Andy
 
Deep,
Listen to SJM, Aunty Dan, and D'maker. The very best advice about any sport was given to me by a very great coach (baseball) - he said, "to perform at your peak in pressure situations, you've got to LOVE winning, and can't mind losing." It takes the pressure away if you can convince yourself to enjoy it, and not tie your ego to your performance. As soon as you start worry about other's perceptions of you, as soon as you start worrying about the consequences of your performance; bad things will happen. This is not brain surgery, it's pool - it's just not important, it's just for fun.

Despite all of these thoughts, we ALL still get self-conscious at times in pressure situations; at these times RELY ON YOUR MECHANICS. Game ball at hill-hill should be struck just the same as the first shot of the match, and just the same as every shot you shoot (if you are a SERIOUS practice player like most good players).

P.S. - If you really think about it though, pool is TOUGHER than brain surgery. In the U. S. there are probably 500 or 600 neurosurgeons who can perform at the very highest level, I'm not sure we have that many top players. The neurosurgeons can get insurance to cover them if they screw up, pool players don't have the luxury. Neurosurgeons put you to sleep while they operate, pool players have to grab your money while you are awake. Neurosurgeons have a whole room of people helping them while they are performing on their mark, pool players generally go it alone. Neurosurgeons always have the same equipment, the same room, the same general layout; pool players have to adapt to their equipment (and man, sterilizing their cues is a bitch). Good luck, keep us posted.
 
No need to be nervous when no one is expecting you to do well. I always played best when no one knew who I was.

Also, trust yourself. If you have the skill set from practicing than you are well on your way to doing well, all you need are a couple rolls and maybe a good draw. And have fun it sure beats working. I love the saying a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work, just apply this to pool.
 
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My advice is twofold -

1. Eat a bannana about 1/2 hour before competition - nothing like potassium to steady you.

2. Remember that your opponent will oftentimes be just as nervous (if not more) than you, especially if you are playing well and keep him under pressure)
 
Good advice. I'll add mine about warming up.

-Shoot simple shots with stun, follow and draw. The more successful shots you make, the more warmer you get. Trying difficult shots and missing them will just make you uncomfortable and not ready for the match. And no, you don't look ridiculous when shooting easy shots in warm-up !

-Shoot simple cut shots with english and try to observe the speed of the table and the tightness of the cushions by moving the cueball around the table. Try a 1-2-3 rail kick shot for instance.

-With the last strokes in your warm-up, try to shoot the lag until you get it quite near the rail. Often overlooked by many...

-Warming up probably won't take you into dead stroke, it's just about getting things into running. Like a car, you need to start from the 1st gear as well :)
 
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