Gap between Good and Bad game

D

d9ball

Registered
Hi

I have been playing pool for over 10 years on and off, recently more so, maybe last 3 years everyday having a few gaps now and again.

When I play good I can run out 9ball racks (with BIH to start) around 80-90% of the time. Without BIH, ie break and run, I have maxed only 5 racks as my break isnt the best.

However on a bad day even with BIH to start I run out alot less, my percentage of 9ball racks run goes down to 50% or less.

I am not sure if its an aiming issue, I wouldnt think so.

Basically my mind seems to go all negative (like when I play on the tour) and then seems somehow to drain my positive outlook and then affect my shots (missing easy balls and poor position).

My highest number of 9ball runouts with BIH after break is 14 which I think is quite good, not sure though as obviously I took BIH after break, so may not be that good.
 
Well your game is a hell of a lot better than mine, but the mind going all negative is definitely something I can relate to.

After going through a very tough 4 weeks where I just wasn't myself, in playing or mental state (work related stress), I finally tracked it down to a concentration problem that was preventing me from going through my full preshot routine for every shot, no matter what. Once I found the flaw and corrected it, my game went right back up to where I expect it to be and I think I've even improved a bit.
 
d9ball...I don't know what you're complaining about. If you're running out 50% of the time, when you play BAD...you should be on the pro tour! LOL :rolleyes:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

d9ball said:
Hi

I have been playing pool for over 10 years on and off, recently more so, maybe last 3 years everyday having a few gaps now and again.

When I play good I can run out 9ball racks (with BIH to start) around 80-90% of the time. Without BIH, ie break and run, I have maxed only 5 racks as my break isnt the best.

However on a bad day even with BIH to start I run out alot less, my percentage of 9ball racks run goes down to 50% or less.

I am not sure if its an aiming issue, I wouldnt think so.

Basically my mind seems to go all negative (like when I play on the tour) and then seems somehow to drain my positive outlook and then affect my shots (missing easy balls and poor position).

My highest number of 9ball runouts with BIH after break is 14 which I think is quite good, not sure though as obviously I took BIH after break, so may not be that good.
Click to expand...
 
Consistency

Hi Scott,

This is with BIH open table 9 ball, I think most players run out from these positions these days.

When I play well I do to but remember not break and run, I have position BIH on the 1ball.
 
hmmmm.....run out 80-90% of the time with ball in hand....hmmm 50% from the break (because does not have a strong break).....hmmmmmm...ran 14 racks in a row.....well I got to say, which pro are you? Hmmmm....**sniff** **sniff**
does any one know what that smell is?
 
d9ball said:
Hi

I have been playing pool for over 10 years on and off, recently more so, maybe last 3 years everyday having a few gaps now and again.

When I play good I can run out 9ball racks (with BIH to start) around 80-90% of the time. Without BIH, ie break and run, I have maxed only 5 racks as my break isnt the best.

However on a bad day even with BIH to start I run out alot less, my percentage of 9ball racks run goes down to 50% or less.

I am not sure if its an aiming issue, I wouldnt think so.

Basically my mind seems to go all negative (like when I play on the tour) and then seems somehow to drain my positive outlook and then affect my shots (missing easy balls and poor position).

My highest number of 9ball runouts with BIH after break is 14 which I think is quite good, not sure though as obviously I took BIH after break, so may not be that good.
Click to expand...

Go snap off some pro tournaments. That will really help you learn consistency, and should be a pretty realistic goal for you. Also the money's nice.

-Andrew
 
Runouts

I meant 50% from BIH, onot from break when playing badly, but 80 to 90 when playing good.

I try to play games that reflect matches, so safetey too if i miss etc.

Say I play a race to 11, yesterday it went like this (with BIH after break).

Clear up 8 racks
Miss
Opponent Miss Shot
Runout
Run out last 2 racks (I beat myself 11-0 :-)

I play the pros over here in the UK, Used to play Steve Knight sometimes etc.

I just cant work out why my bad and good games are so far apart.
 
d9ball...Well this statement clarifies some things, but not all. I have to tell you that either you play on a par with Peach, Gray, Majid, Hundal & Appleton...or you're delusional. Over on this side of the pond, few players outside of the caliber of Van Boening, Archer, Schmidt and a few others run out (even with B-I-H after the break) the percentages you claim. I'm not saying you don't play well...you must if you play with these guys...but reality, imo, is (at least here) that many pro level players do not run out even 50% of the time. Perhaps John Schmidt, who posts here frequently, will give us his input.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

d9ball said:
I meant 50% from BIH, onot from break when playing badly, but 80 to 90 when playing good.

I try to play games that reflect matches, so safetey too if i miss etc.

Say I play a race to 11, yesterday it went like this (with BIH after break).

Clear up 8 racks
Miss
Opponent Miss Shot
Runout
Run out last 2 racks (I beat myself 11-0 :-)

I play the pros over here in the UK, Used to play Steve Knight sometimes etc.

I just cant work out why my bad and good games are so far apart.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Scott,

I have been playing the best pool of my life on my table lately, and I do tell the truth,

The whole BIH thing with 9ball racks is sometihng I have done for years and my stats do improve.

I do of course have some poor games where maybe I runout the layout 2 times then miss, maybe 2 more runs miss, miss, 1 run, etc and thats when I know I am not doing very well.

It also depends on the layout alot, with clusters etc that is when I normally miss, but open table (ie pattern play is straight forward) I should runout.

My weaknesses are safety definetly, but my pattern play is typically good.

My problem is taking my game from my table to say the tournament room is rare.

I have played well in tourament a few times, running 4 or 5 racks in a race to nine, but sometimes play like a complete newbie, can runout, feel pressure, shaky, negative, just generally awful.
 
the answers seem to be getting away from the real question

The way I beat the negative is simple, I look at things in the long term. If I never win another gambling match I am far further ahead than most folks on here would ever believe so a loss is the abnormal event, winning is normal.

Breaking it down still smaller, missing a makeable ball or a failed safety is the abnormal event, successful shots are the norm.

Once you lock these simple thoughts in your mind, that you are a successful player and winner, it is easy to dismiss anything else and move on. Grin or laugh when you screw up. It will feel forced and fake at first but soon it will be natural. Nothing like laughing at your momentary silliness and saying to yourself, "what the hell was that move, you dummy!?!" and simply putting the shot behind you.

It really is your choice. Do you let the many successful shots define you or the few bad ones?

Hu


d9ball said:
Hi

I have been playing pool for over 10 years on and off, recently more so, maybe last 3 years everyday having a few gaps now and again.

When I play good I can run out 9ball racks (with BIH to start) around 80-90% of the time. Without BIH, ie break and run, I have maxed only 5 racks as my break isnt the best.

However on a bad day even with BIH to start I run out alot less, my percentage of 9ball racks run goes down to 50% or less.

I am not sure if its an aiming issue, I wouldnt think so.

Basically my mind seems to go all negative (like when I play on the tour) and then seems somehow to drain my positive outlook and then affect my shots (missing easy balls and poor position).

My highest number of 9ball runouts with BIH after break is 14 which I think is quite good, not sure though as obviously I took BIH after break, so may not be that good.
Click to expand...
 
ShootingArts said:
The way I beat the negative is simple, I look at things in the long term. If I never win another gambling match I am far further ahead than most folks on here would ever believe so a loss is the abnormal event, winning is normal.

Breaking it down still smaller, missing a makeable ball or a failed safety is the abnormal event, successful shots are the norm.

Once you lock these simple thoughts in your mind, that you are a successful player and winner, it is easy to dismiss anything else and move on. Grin or laugh when you screw up. It will feel forced and fake at first but soon it will be natural. Nothing like laughing at your momentary silliness and saying to yourself, "what the hell was that move, you dummy!?!" and simply putting the shot behind you.

It really is your choice. Do you let the many successful shots define you or the few bad ones?

Hu
Click to expand...

Hi Shooting Arts,

Actually its good you mention this.

Yesterday when I missed practicing I did laugh at myself, like "so stupid to miss that shot", I find its better than getting angry definetly.

I just want to enjoy pool to the highest level possible. Sometimes I practise and I put so much pressure on myself, even when practising I miss many balls I should never miss. I dont mind missing hard shots, but easy ones... just not acceptable.

I have tried playing fast and free, and mechanical, the best place is a mixture of both, stroking the ball at the same pace, perfect position, mind at one with the game. If only you could get into that frame of mind all the time.
 
Hi Scott

There is no way at the moment I could match up with Hundal etc.

I may have made myself sound too good...sorry if I have

I have stated the truth though, with my practice routine and results.

Hopefully I can rival these guys soon, but I know I need many more hours and certainly more competition play to calm the nerves.
 
That smell,,I smell that smell , that smell of>>>>

another," world class," pool player joins AZB. Where are all
these guys hiding?
I'm sorry I'm such a cynic but I've been hurt soooooo often! :crying:
I'm just jealous because I'm a "5" and on the decline.:smile-us-down:
 
When I play bad it's the gap between my ears, when I play well it is also the game between my ears! ;)
 
I guess i would just have to go off if anyone in the world wants to spot me 8 on the wire racing to 10 playing the ghost! I think many would like to see someone who can runout with bih 80 to 90%.Maybe you could post a video and someone might can see what the problem is when you play bad and only run out 50% of the time. What brand of table are you playing on,size,pocket size?
 
Very impressive statistics. It's quite obvious you can play.

The secret to this game, is doing it when somebody is sitting in their chair that can't wait to rip you to shreds.

Nobody gets ball-in-hand every time they come to the table. I practice like I'm playing someone. If I'm supposed to play safe, I do it, and it better be a good one. Then I try to make the kick.

Your engaging, in a fight, and your the only one throwing any punches. How you react when someone is hitting you it' what matters in this game.

Playing the ghost is fine but it really isn't a true test of your game. If you break and make a ball and nothing is tied up your a favorite to run out.

The winners of tournaments are the players that consistently win the racks either player could have won. These are the players that are willing to take punches and also land punches. That's the player you need to become.

Just my opinion.

_________________________________________

http://tommcgonaglerightoncue.com
 
Thanks

Thank you all for posting,Iappreciate all your comments.

Tom, I agree with you 100% to.

I rarely play well in matches, have to say.

I have always been a negative person really,

I am sorry if what I stated before sounds like crap, but it is just my achievement.

I do not consider myself even an A player.

Today i played and couldnt even pot many balls, played awful. This is what I mean by good and bad, such a big gap.

I olove this game and try to do my best.

My table has just been reclothed and shimmed to 4.3" corners 4.5" sides, I ran 11 with BIH just yesterday.

When I was 18, a good player siad to me "you have all the talent in the world, just sortout your bloody mind and you will go far"

Well, 10 years later, I still cannot sort my mind out. One day I can play great pool, beat a top 8 player, but another I will lose to anyone and miss countless shots, thats why this game is such a tough one, it really can drive you mad, literally.
 
The name of the game is consistency. You sound like someone the lives and dies on every shot and once you make one mistake that's all you think about. You will go mad if that's the way you approach this game. You're supposed to learn from your mistakes and shoot that particular shot until you feel like you'll never miss it again, knowing there's a good chance you might.
 
Consistency is the key I believe that can change my game forever.

Even if my bad game improved but my good game didnt, that would help me alot for a while.

Is consistency a mind thing? A physical thing?

I cant believe I could line up on a shot so poorly one day when you shoot lights out the next...
 
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