Games improved, but still losing...?

P

playerhater

American Soldier
Silver Member
Over the past 6-10 mths my game has improved by a ball or 2 and when I gamble/tournaments I don't win.
I just don't get it. Is it over-confidence/ taking players for granted? I have definitely improved. Has anyone had the same issues?
Just curious
Thanks
Smokin Joe
 
I have the same problem. I've boiled it down my mental attitude is relaxed when in casual or practice play. In tournaments where two losses and your' re out, I become fearful of a miss, so, instead of playing from the subconscious. I'm rechecking my aim and spending too much time thinking, which causes tension/changes in grip pressure and throws speed or stroke off. Also, often I think I'm staying focused on where I want the CB instead of my aim point.

I think I know but do not have the answers for a fix when there is pain in a miss.
 
Getting better at playing the game is one thing, getting better at winning is another. A good quote that I've known of for years is "it doesn't matter how good you play, it just matters that you book the win". Good luck to ya and just remember that winning is an instinct.

B Shuff
 
practice

Remember that when practicing with people they will hold back and take it easy. For the cheese, they bring out their bigger guns while holding back a little too. Keep practicing but push harder and harder and harder. In tough gamblin', or tournaments the level of practice will begin to show itself. Frame of mind has a lot to do with level of performance also.
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues:cool:
website: www.triplecrosscues.com
 
You may be making more balls than you used to, but that does not mean that you GAME is better. Making balls doesn't count. Making the LAST ball is what counts. The GAME is the break, picking the right balls to start your run, mastering Q ball control & learning to play safe. THAT'S how your GAME gets better...JER
 
playerhater said:
Over the past 6-10 mths my game has improved by a ball or 2
Click to expand...

The way I read your statement is that your average run length is 1 or 2 balls longer (than before.) But run length means nothing unless the run is terminated with the game-ball (8 or 9 or 10).

Can you convert that unit of data into how many fewer innings you have per average rack?

Going from 2 innings per game to 1.9 innings per rack is useful.
Going from 2 innings per game to 1.5 innings per rack is BIG.

Note: Accustats has the average number innings in (one 9-ball tourney last year) at 1.08 inning per rack.
 
I had a similar problem with that when I tried to play up to how I thought I should be playing at the time, instead of playing the way that got me there to begin with.

Play how you feel comfortable playing and stop trying too hard. :thumbup:

I'd guess that your game will get back on track after you pay attention to this and see that it's a big difference between how you play/practice with friends and your matches.

Play YOUR game, not what you THINK your game should be. It will progress naturally on it's own.
 
playerhater said:
Over the past 6-10 mths my game has improved by a ball or 2 and when I gamble/tournaments I don't win.
I just don't get it. Is it over-confidence/ taking players for granted? I have definitely improved. Has anyone had the same issues?
Just curious
Thanks
Smokin Joe
Click to expand...


Congratulations on your improvement.

If you are pocketing balls better but not getting out you might be making it easier for your opponent to win.

I haven't seen you play, but it might be time to tighten up your defense.

Good luck
 
It depends on what level you've moved up to and how your approaching it. When I started running 5-7 balls consistently instead of 3-5, my winning percentage went down. The problem is, in 9 ball missing on the 7 or 8 ball is far worse than missing on the 4 or 5 ball. Similarily in 8 ball a 6 to 7 ball run often ends in a loss depending on who you are playing against.

I think you need to analyse how you are losing and what led to the loss.
 
This is all good stuff. I'm in a similar position as the OP. And there sure is a difference in improved shotmaking vs improved game-playing. Can't really "improve" your game without improving both aspects, and both have their own challenges.

Keep on working. That's what we all need to do. Recognizing the difference is helpful, at least for me.
 
Improved playing won't help you at all unless you adjust your strategy to accommodate your new skills. For example, if you used to run three balls and now you consistently run 5-6, you are going to lose more. Why? Simple.

If you are playing rotation games, you used to leave your opponents 4-5 balls on the table a lot and then they wouldn't run out because they could only run out 3-4 balls too. Now you run 7 and leave them the 8&9 or the 7,8&9.

If you mostly play 8-ball, then you are running more balls and cleaning the table up better, allowing them easy run-outs and making them feel like heroes.

Basically your improved shotmaking is only helping your opponents.

As an exercise, go play someone cheap. Only try to run out if you KNOW you can run out. Otherwise, just run to where you can play a good safety and leave it there.

So your opponent might leave you a shot at the 2 ball (playing 9-ball). Instead of going for the out, make the two and three and possibly four, then play safe. Then let him do something and if you can run out from there, do it. If not, make the four and five and then play safe again. Eventually you'll get to a runout you like (even if it's just 8-9 or 9) and with ball in hand it'll be a cinch.

Just try this and I bet your winning % jumps a bit.

~rc
Suddenly you're making everyone look like champs because you can make balls better.
 
sixpack said:
Improved playing won't help you at all unless you adjust your strategy to accommodate your new skills. For example, if you used to run three balls and now you consistently run 5-6, you are going to lose more. Why? Simple.

If you are playing rotation games, you used to leave your opponents 4-5 balls on the table a lot and then they wouldn't run out because they could only run out 3-4 balls too. Now you run 7 and leave them the 8&9 or the 7,8&9.

If you mostly play 8-ball, then you are running more balls and cleaning the table up better, allowing them easy run-outs and making them feel like heroes.

Basically your improved shotmaking is only helping your opponents.

As an exercise, go play someone cheap. Only try to run out if you KNOW you can run out. Otherwise, just run to where you can play a good safety and leave it there.

So your opponent might leave you a shot at the 2 ball (playing 9-ball). Instead of going for the out, make the two and three and possibly four, then play safe. Then let him do something and if you can run out from there, do it. If not, make the four and five and then play safe again. Eventually you'll get to a runout you like (even if it's just 8-9 or 9) and with ball in hand it'll be a cinch.

Just try this and I bet your winning % jumps a bit.

~rc
Suddenly you're making everyone look like champs because you can make balls better.
Click to expand...

excellent advice
 
plainbutt said:
I have the same problem. I've boiled it down my mental attitude is relaxed when in casual or practice play. In tournaments where two losses and your' re out, I become fearful of a miss, so, instead of playing from the subconscious. I'm rechecking my aim and spending too much time thinking, which causes tension/changes in grip pressure and throws speed or stroke off. Also, often I think I'm staying focused on where I want the CB instead of my aim point.

I think I know but do not have the answers for a fix when there is pain in a miss.
Click to expand...

Your post about mental attitude is on the money, or as the sign said Winners NEVER QUIT, Quitters NEVER WIN.

110% Effort both Mentally & Physically win make you a WINNER.

JMHO....:thumbup:

 
I've got a bad habit of always trying to out the table, the problem is I'm a solid 5-6 ball runner (game doesnt matter) and usually leave my opponent (A) an open table making his run easier, or (B) on the 7/8 with only three balls to run.

Playing for free/beers/or a few bucks I dont mind. But anything over $10 a game or tourny play and I shift game.

Its hard to play safe instead of going for the nuts, but if you want to win you have to learn to do it.
 
ugotaction said:
Getting better at playing the game is one thing, getting better at winning is another. A good quote that I've known of for years is "it doesn't matter how good you play, it just matters that you book the win". Good luck to ya and just remember that winning is an instinct.

B Shuff
Click to expand...

This sums up what you have to do. What sets the pros apart from most players is they have learned to win. Hard to explain but if you ask any pro that is what it breaks down to.
 
storke said:
This sums up what you have to do. What sets the pros apart from most players is they have learned to win. Hard to explain but if you ask any pro that is what it breaks down to.
Click to expand...

Not to nit pick but...I don't quite agree

Learning how to win sets players of similiar skill sets apart from each other. That's about it. The idea that you just need to "learn how to win" against players that are far more skilled than you are just leads to a lot of frustration on the lesser players part. I guess if all you are concerned with is matching up (gambling) and coming out the winner - than I guess the whole concept of matching up properly and booking a winner and all that comes into play. So instead of beating yourself up while trying to "learn how to win", I think you are better off having realistic expectations when you are playing clearly superior opponents. This way you can spend your time focusing on why your opponent is better, instead of constantly beating yourself up over missed shots. Take some mental notes on the things you need to work on. Pay close attention to what your opponent is doing at the table, then take all these things back with you to the practice table.

I love the competition just as much as the next guy, but I've realized with this game you really need to focus on getting better and getting hung up on just your wins and losses can make you lose focus on what's actually happening at the table. Especially with nine ball. It's fairly common to win matches that you played poorly in and lose matches that you played well in. Utimately, we all want to win. But I tend to look more long term with my attitude. I've sort of adopted this attitute - "maybe this guy will beat me today but before it's all said and done - I'm going to be the better player."
 
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