First Tournament Win - First Final - First "oh god I'm nervous" moment!

GG11

GG11

Kill the Bunny
Silver Member
I've been wanting to post this all week, but didn't know if I'd feel comfortable vocalizing all my stupid internal thoughts. Then today as I'm leaving work, I figured screw it, maybe there are other players out there like me, maybe not but what the hell... so here goes!

So I just won my first tournament on Saturday - WOOHOO!! I really didn't expect to do well or go very far, but somehow I was just playing really good. No worries. Kinda like I was just going with the moment and the shots that came my way and whatever happens, I'll deal with it. If I had the out, I went for it. I played the right safes and went for the high % outs. I was in this weird pool zen state. So I eventually won my division and had to return the following day for the overall winner's round. First time I ever came in 1st! I was so crazy excited!

WOW! Somehow I won all my matches on the second day too!!! What the hell was going on??? And somehow I made it to the finals!! (Hell had officially frozen over!) I'd never gotten through a tournament undefeated. I had people coming up and congratulating me and I was like, "who me? um, .... " like I didn't belong there. I really felt like the whole thing was fluke. It felt so surreal! Then the finals came! Throughout the whole match I just wasn't nervous. I couldn't believe how calm and peaceful I felt. It got to hill-hill and the guy missed the 6 ball! WOW! I couldn't believe I was gonna win the whole thing.

Then EVERYTHING changed. My hands were shaking, my mind was mush, the music was quiet, the crowd got bigger (all in my head of course) and everything positive and powerful that I had been relying on all tournament long to help me win, well, died!

Litereally there were 3 balls on the table...6/8/9. And it was a easy layout. But I couldn't stop shaking and I couldn't concentrate. I made the 6 ball somehow ... oh yeah, that's b/c it was literally in the side pocket. But the 8-ball .. LOL ... the 8-ball after 3 times of getting up and getting back in position and laughing at myself for being so scared and the crowd laughing at me for laughing at myself .... I missed the 8-ball by a full diamond, maybe more!! I failed every fundamental, mechanical rules about stance, stoke and stillness. I lunged, I steered, I swerve, I think I may have landed on the other side of the table I jumped up so much!! The cue-ball, to make matters worse scratched in the side pocket thus increasing my state of "oh god no!"

So I lost. And for the next 48 hours, I could think of nothing but the 8-ball and my mind failing me in my time of need. Why can't I see what I accomplished? I know it's a normal to remember the bad, and all that stuff, but I just worry I'll never be there again and I let my one chance pass me by.

Ok, whew, I guess I feel better. So what are some other people's first final experiences? Win or Lose it's ok by me. Just want to hear other's and maybe that 8-ball miss will finally leave my head!!
 
It's always difficult to perform well when you're in your first true, intense pressure situation. Playing with fifty people watching you compared to speeding through the early rounds with no one makes one hell of a difference in pressure and difficulty. You're not alone in that by any means. Until you've experienced it it's pretty hard to prepare it, but now that you know what it's like you can try to practice with that same kind of intensity and focus and hopefully do better the next time you're in a final!
 
The very first time I made it to the finals, it was 8ball race to 5. It was hill-hill and was a very close safety battle. In the final game, the guy ran out and missed a bank on the 8ball. I had an open table, then it happened. With 2 balls left, I started getting really nervous and couldn't shake the nervousness. I got out of line, then made the ball. Out of line even more, but still managed to pocket my last ball. The cue ball went 2 rails for straight-in shape on the 8ball. Only thing was, I was on the rail. No big deal, I've made these a thousand times...Well, I didn't follow any pre-shot routine, and ended up following the 8ball into the corner pocket. D'OH!!! I lost sleep over it, not to mention I had to hear about it everytime I walked into the pool hall for the next few days...Oh well!! You live and learn.
 
win

GG11 said:
I've been wanting to post this all week, but didn't know if I'd feel comfortable vocalizing all my stupid internal thoughts. Then today as I'm leaving work, I figured screw it, maybe there are other players out there like me, maybe not but what the hell... so here goes!

So I just won my first tournament on Saturday - WOOHOO!! I really didn't expect to do well or go very far, but somehow I was just playing really good. No worries. Kinda like I was just going with the moment and the shots that came my way and whatever happens, I'll deal with it. If I had the out, I went for it. I played the right safes and went for the high % outs. I was in this weird pool zen state. So I eventually won my division and had to return the following day for the overall winner's round. First time I ever came in 1st! I was so crazy excited!

WOW! Somehow I won all my matches on the second day too!!! What the hell was going on??? And somehow I made it to the finals!! (Hell had officially frozen over!) I'd never gotten through a tournament undefeated. I had people coming up and congratulating me and I was like, "who me? um, .... " like I didn't belong there. I really felt like the whole thing was fluke. It felt so surreal! Then the finals came! Throughout the whole match I just wasn't nervous. I couldn't believe how calm and peaceful I felt. It got to hill-hill and the guy missed the 6 ball! WOW! I couldn't believe I was gonna win the whole thing.

Then EVERYTHING changed. My hands were shaking, my mind was mush, the music was quiet, the crowd got bigger (all in my head of course) and everything positive and powerful that I had been relying on all tournament long to help me win, well, died!

Litereally there were 3 balls on the table...6/8/9. And it was a easy layout. But I couldn't stop shaking and I couldn't concentrate. I made the 6 ball somehow ... oh yeah, that's b/c it was literally in the side pocket. But the 8-ball .. LOL ... the 8-ball after 3 times of getting up and getting back in position and laughing at myself for being so scared and the crowd laughing at me for laughing at myself .... I missed the 8-ball by a full diamond, maybe more!! I failed every fundamental, mechanical rules about stance, stoke and stillness. I lunged, I steered, I swerve, I think I may have landed on the other side of the table I jumped up so much!! The cue-ball, to make matters worse scratched in the side pocket thus increasing my state of "oh god no!"

So I lost. And for the next 48 hours, I could think of nothing but the 8-ball and my mind failing me in my time of need. Why can't I see what I accomplished? I know it's a normal to remember the bad, and all that stuff, but I just worry I'll never be there again and I let my one chance pass me by.

Ok, whew, I guess I feel better. So what are some other people's first final experiences? Win or Lose it's ok by me. Just want to hear other's and maybe that 8-ball miss will finally leave my head!!
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now that is what it is all about, nice keep it up!!!!
 
Finals??

9Ball_JJ said:
The very first time I made it to the finals, it was 8ball race to 5. It was hill-hill and was a very close safety battle. In the final game, the guy ran out and missed a bank on the 8ball. I had an open table, then it happened. With 2 balls left, I started getting really nervous and couldn't shake the nervousness. I got out of line, then made the ball. Out of line even more, but still managed to pocket my last ball. The cue ball went 2 rails for straight-in shape on the 8ball. Only thing was, I was on the rail. No big deal, I've made these a thousand times...Well, I didn't follow any pre-shot routine, and ended up following the 8ball into the corner pocket. D'OH!!! I lost sleep over it, not to mention I had to hear about it everytime I walked into the pool hall for the next few days...Oh well!! You live and learn.
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You were in the finals??? :poke: Did everyone else take the day off? LOL

Challenge match coming up..............

Luv ya Buddy!:grin-square:

Ray
 
i've played in the same tournament four years in a row now but never made it past the end of the first day. nicely done gail! it is not easy to get that far in that tournament. don't forget, you had to qualify to even get there!

next time you make it to the finals, regardless of the tournament, you'll be able to mentally hold up better. the first finals appearance is always the hardest/most stressful. its all downhill from there.
 
Your not the only one!!!

Hello, Gail(Is that right?) I had a similar moment at a Blaze tour event in Atlantic City Billiards! The following is a story from my web site, I Know you'll appreciate it!!

Atlantic City Billiards, Egg Harbour TWP, Blaze Pro-Am Tour, 8.27.2006

This is a great story of the first time I played a pro player at a Blaze tour stop! I was playing very well and was staying on the winners side! I played myself into 5th place without a loss and I was getting excited about my next match!!! I spoke briefly with Dawn Hopkins about playing her husband next and she kind of patted me on the shoulder and said something like she was sorry to hear that (like I had no chance at all!!) Nobody really knew who I was so they were all talking about me trying to find out who I was and where I was from!! We started the match and I was nervous as HELL!! I wasn't playing that great and to my surprise neither was he!! The match went back and forth with him pulling ahead 6 to 4. I made a 9 on the break and then won the next game making the score HILL HILL(HILL HILL AGAINST ALLEN HOPKINS!!!) MAN WAS I NERVOUS!!! The last rack went back and forth until he missed the 5! Thats when I really started feeling the pressure! I was looking at the 3 balls left on the table and I was telling myself that I was about to beat ALLEN HOPKINS!!!! I had a tough shot on the 5 in the side that I needed to play with high left to send the cue up to the end rail and back towards the side rail to play the 7 in the bottom corner on the same side of the table I had made the 5 on. From there I would play a stop shot on the 7 for the 9 in the opposite corner!! That's all I had to do!! I had just beat ALLEN HOPKINS I thought! He's a legend, a world champion, a US Open Champion, how could I beat such a player!! then I missed the 5!!!!!! CCCRRRRAAAAAPPPPPPP!!!! I worked myself up sooo much thinking I had already beat him that I didn't focus on making the shot! It was not a really easy shot but it was one I should have made! I learned a really big lesson that day! Stay in the moment, don't celebrate a win until the last 9 falls!!! Needless to say I had a really, really, long ride home back to Long Island!! I have not made that same mistake since!!


KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KID!!! YOU'LL GET THERE!!!

FINGERS
 
Good News: It gets better.

Bad News: The only way to get over it is to keep getting in the pressure situations. The more times you are there the more you will get used to it.
This is the only cure.

The same cure works for public speaking. That is a pill I will not take.The one time I gave a talk in public was to about 75 people. Mostly family and friends but a few strangers as well was way more than I could take. Also is one of the reasons you don't see me here more often. talking here is kind of like speaking in public.

maybe I just took a pill

steven
 
Now you know what your capable of, getting to the finals.

You'll get in the finals more often now and each one will make it a little easier,
someone referenced public speaking, as an auctioneer the first time I stood up in front of a crowd I could barely speak, my throat was dry, I was stuttering and shaking but every time that 'nervous time' would get shorter and shorter and before long it just went away.

You are on your way!
 
Congratulations Gail! If I couldn't win, Im glad you did. Now, lord willing, you will get a much deserved handicap bump!
 
GG11 said:
Then EVERYTHING changed. My hands were shaking, my mind was mush, the music was quiet, the crowd got bigger (all in my head of course) and everything positive and powerful that I had been relying on all tournament long to help me win, well, died!
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This is the perfect time for a bathroom/smoke break. Close your eyes, go to your happy zone (like in happy gilmore) and think about anything BUT pool. Go back to the table, take a deep breath.... and run out.
 
fingers said:
Hello, Gail(Is that right?) I had a similar moment at a Blaze tour event in Atlantic City Billiards! The following is a story from my web site, I Know you'll appreciate it!!

Atlantic City Billiards, Egg Harbour TWP, Blaze Pro-Am Tour, 8.27.2006

This is a great story of the first time I played a pro player at a Blaze tour stop! I was playing very well and was staying on the winners side! I played myself into 5th place without a loss and I was getting excited about my next match!!! I spoke briefly with Dawn Hopkins about playing her husband next and she kind of patted me on the shoulder and said something like she was sorry to hear that (like I had no chance at all!!) Nobody really knew who I was so they were all talking about me trying to find out who I was and where I was from!! We started the match and I was nervous as HELL!! I wasn't playing that great and to my surprise neither was he!! The match went back and forth with him pulling ahead 6 to 4. I made a 9 on the break and then won the next game making the score HILL HILL(HILL HILL AGAINST ALLEN HOPKINS!!!) MAN WAS I NERVOUS!!! The last rack went back and forth until he missed the 5! Thats when I really started feeling the pressure! I was looking at the 3 balls left on the table and I was telling myself that I was about to beat ALLEN HOPKINS!!!! I had a tough shot on the 5 in the side that I needed to play with high left to send the cue up to the end rail and back towards the side rail to play the 7 in the bottom corner on the same side of the table I had made the 5 on. From there I would play a stop shot on the 7 for the 9 in the opposite corner!! That's all I had to do!! I had just beat ALLEN HOPKINS I thought! He's a legend, a world champion, a US Open Champion, how could I beat such a player!! then I missed the 5!!!!!! CCCRRRRAAAAAPPPPPPP!!!! I worked myself up sooo much thinking I had already beat him that I didn't focus on making the shot! It was not a really easy shot but it was one I should have made! I learned a really big lesson that day! Stay in the moment, don't celebrate a win until the last 9 falls!!! Needless to say I had a really, really, long ride home back to Long Island!! I have not made that same mistake since!!


KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KID!!! YOU'LL GET THERE!!!

FINGERS
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Thanks Mike! I really enjoyed your story. I'm alone in my living room and laughed out loud when I read "CCRRRAAAP!!" I can totally related to your story. Man this game is no joke. Thanks for telling your tale and thanks for the support!
 
cleary said:
Congratulations Gail! If I couldn't win, Im glad you did. Now, lord willing, you will get a much deserved handicap bump!
Click to expand...

I welcome the bump! I like the challenge!!

cleary said:
This is the perfect time for a bathroom/smoke break. Close your eyes, go to your happy zone (like in happy gilmore) and think about anything BUT pool. Go back to the table, take a deep breath.... and run out.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I know you're right! But when it's a hill hill situation and there's a easy 3 ball out, I feel like that's so out of ordinary. I know I gotta do what is right for me, but I can't see me doing that! I'm' probably worrying too much about what everyone else is thinking and not doing what I need to do to win, but hopefully I'll learn how to win and not care!!
 
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yeah its kind of a scary feeling, but its a great feeling when you can turn it around and use it to your advantage. that comes from being in that situation multiple times...which is always nice.
 
Congratulations Gail! Welcome to the club! Your story makes me want to brush the 3 years worth of dust off of my cues and start playing again 'cause I know that feeling!

I was playing in a weekly tournament--this was back in '02 I think--it was a race to 7 and I was deeper in the hole than a ground hog goes when he sees his shadow. Somehow I dug deep and was in that "zone" and I came back to get to the hill, I think he was up 6-3. (Of course everyone was watching at this point which just added to my nerves--I was actually wondering if my butt looked good while in my stance--talk about the mind wandering!)

The last rack he broke and ran it down to the 6. He missed the 7 and left me the 7, 8, and 9. Yeah they're only 3 balls but for the love of all things pool, the pressure was just too much but it was that pressure that made me pull ou tthe win. But wait, like you all of my fundamentals went flying out the window--I did everything but spin my head a la the Exorcist. I shoot the 7 without a problem but left myself the most retardedest shot ever--the 8 was on the short rail and the cue ball was at the opposite short rail. WTF??? ;) At this point any sane thinker would play safe but Nooooooo I go for it. I don't know how the hell I did it, but I sliced that little bugger into the corner pocket and the 9 after that was a piece of cake. I think I even had the theme song from Chariots of Fire playing in my head. Anyway, what a great feeling, right!

Keep up the good work! :thumbup:
 
Yeah, I am thinking that it's probably cause I wasn't there to catch your gaze across the crowded room and shoot you the "you can do this!" look. LOL. I am just kidding of course! Sounds like you did lose your grip somehow... It could have been anything! But I'm proud mostly of you posting this thread... and putting yourself out there. It shows a lot of maturity and grace. The old GG11 would still be so upset about the loss that she wouldn't even want to talk about it. You're definitely growing as a competitor and a pool player, and I wish I was there to see it!! Congratulations on the superb performance... you've got tons of support vibes beaming up from the MIA. Don't ever forget that!:thumbup:

By the way, the first and ONLY time I was ever in the finals for anything pool related was that night at JP Gators when we used to play that Monday 8Ball tournament... and I had to play Jim, and I was scared out of my mind. I don't remember how I even made it that far, or what the hell happened during the match, but I definitely lost! LOL. Somehow that's the part we never forget:o ;)
 
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9 Ball Girl said:
Yeah they're only 3 balls but for the love of all things pool, the pressure was just too much but it was that pressure that made me pull ou tthe win. But wait, like you all of my fundamentals went flying out the window--I did everything but spin my head a la the Exorcist. I shoot the 7 without a problem but left myself the most retardedest shot ever--the 8 was on the short rail and the cue ball was at the opposite short rail. WTF??? ;) At this point any sane thinker would play safe but Nooooooo I go for it. I don't know how the hell I did it, but I sliced that little bugger into the corner pocket and the 9 after that was a piece of cake. I think I even had the theme song from Chariots of Fire playing in my head. Anyway, what a great feeling, right!

Keep up the good work! :thumbup:
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Most retardest 8 huh? HAHAHA!!! I know that feeling .. and that leave!! Thanks for the support Girl! You coming over to Comet and showing that recently dusted off cue??
 
lodini said:
Yeah, I am thinking that it's probably cause I wasn't there to catch your gaze across the crowded room and shoot you the "you can do this!" look. LOL. I am just kidding of course! Sounds like you did lose your grip somehow... It could have been anything! But I'm proud mostly of you posting this thread... and putting yourself out there. It shows a lot of maturity and grace. The old GG11 would still be so upset about the loss that she wouldn't even want to talk about it. You're definitely growing as a competitor and a pool player, and I wish I was there to see it!! Congratulations on the superb performance... you've got tons of support vibes beaming up from the MIA. Don't ever forget that!:thumbup:

By the way, the first and ONLY time I was ever in the finals for anything pool related was that night at JP Gators when we used to play that Monday 8Ball tournament... and I had to play Jim, and I was scared out of my mind. I don't remember how I even made it that far, or what the hell happened during the match, but I definitely lost! LOL. Somehow that's the part we never forget:o ;)
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Actually, lodini I probably should have looked into the crowd and gotten support from my friends, but I was too anxious to even look up. I was worried I might see the look of fear in them and then really SH*T my pants! LOL

I remember you making it to the finals in G-ville! You were like WTF am I doing here?!?! :) But you played Jam up that night!!

thomba02 said:
better start gambling in heads up matches....
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I've been told that from many many people. Honestly I just don't really believe in gambling. I have no qualms about other people doing it, but it just isn't something I want to be a part of. But I love watching the gambling matches.

But I think you're right ... that pressure cooker situation would seriously help me get used to the tensions. I guess I'm just gonna have to make it to some more finals if I don't want to gamble!! darn it! :D
 
fingers said:
Hello, Gail(Is that right?) I had a similar moment at a Blaze tour event in Atlantic City Billiards! The following is a story from my web site, I Know you'll appreciate it!!

Atlantic City Billiards, Egg Harbour TWP, Blaze Pro-Am Tour, 8.27.2006

This is a great story of the first time I played a pro player at a Blaze tour stop! I was playing very well and was staying on the winners side! I played myself into 5th place without a loss and I was getting excited about my next match!!! I spoke briefly with Dawn Hopkins about playing her husband next and she kind of patted me on the shoulder and said something like she was sorry to hear that (like I had no chance at all!!) Nobody really knew who I was so they were all talking about me trying to find out who I was and where I was from!! We started the match and I was nervous as HELL!! I wasn't playing that great and to my surprise neither was he!! The match went back and forth with him pulling ahead 6 to 4. I made a 9 on the break and then won the next game making the score HILL HILL(HILL HILL AGAINST ALLEN HOPKINS!!!) MAN WAS I NERVOUS!!! The last rack went back and forth until he missed the 5! Thats when I really started feeling the pressure! I was looking at the 3 balls left on the table and I was telling myself that I was about to beat ALLEN HOPKINS!!!! I had a tough shot on the 5 in the side that I needed to play with high left to send the cue up to the end rail and back towards the side rail to play the 7 in the bottom corner on the same side of the table I had made the 5 on. From there I would play a stop shot on the 7 for the 9 in the opposite corner!! That's all I had to do!! I had just beat ALLEN HOPKINS I thought! He's a legend, a world champion, a US Open Champion, how could I beat such a player!! then I missed the 5!!!!!! CCCRRRRAAAAAPPPPPPP!!!! I worked myself up sooo much thinking I had already beat him that I didn't focus on making the shot! It was not a really easy shot but it was one I should have made! I learned a really big lesson that day! Stay in the moment, don't celebrate a win until the last 9 falls!!! Needless to say I had a really, really, long ride home back to Long Island!! I have not made that same mistake since!!


KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KID!!! YOU'LL GET THERE!!!

FINGERS
Click to expand...

Wow, the Internet is a small world... how ya doin, Mike?

Hey, I read your blog too. I love to read about peoples tournament experiences and stories. I took notice of the entry about the match you and I played. While the details aren't completely accurate, I appreciate your compliment to me. You have a nice game, Mike, I think you are knocking on the door of being a top player.


Eric
 
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