getting back in action

Gerry

Gerry

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
So, I have been putting in TONS of time on my home table trying to get ready for the upcoming pool season....winter tourneys...DCC...US OPEN.... My table plays tough....gc4 4-3/8" pockets real nice practice table. Every day I'm down there running out like crazy imagining I'm all that.....til I went out to the pool room today and locked up with a guy I played many times and played some cheap sets.....egotistically I know I should be stealing. Eventually we broke even, but it was all I could do to get back to even......frustrating at the least. I kept getting the feeling I was paying my dues for not being in action for so long.

My question is this......when you all are getting ready for the season....what gets you back in fighting stroke quickest?.......head to head, or tourneys? I'm partial to locking up and playing til someone gives, but tourneys are everywhere too.

Nothing like getting back in the thick of it I guess to put the pressure on your game. Feels good though!

G.
 
Where's your table Gerry? I am trying to hit some balls here and there too (I have played one time so far!) I can play you some sets if you want. Let me know.
 
raybo147 said:
Where's your table Gerry? I am trying to hit some balls here and there too (I have played one time so far!) I can play you some sets if you want. Let me know.
Click to expand...


Hey Ray!

How's it going man? My table is at home here in Gilbertsville, not too far from you. Jimmy comes over and we butt heads every week or so. Let mew know what your schedule is.....You are welcome any time. Just make sure you miss every hour or so!

G.
 
Adversity

Gerry,
This may sound crazy but when it comes to getting back into shape gambling wise, there is nothing in the world like getting beat on. This is the way it is for me anyway. If I take a couple of beatings in a row, it toughens me up, fast, especially if I know that I play better than I have shown.

Adversity toughens the spirit and strengthens the spine.
 
I get burnt out on pool every once in a while so I'm taking 6 weeks off until Sept. 19th when our tournaments begin again. This usually helps me play better. This is all subjective but when I start playing again I know I will play well. Pool is a mental game, no more, no less.
 
Getting in shape

Locking up playing sets, even cheap sets ($50) with a good competitor will sharpen you back up and get the blood flowing a little. Then play some weekly $5 or $10 tournaments.

I don't usually warm up, because after 48 years of playing I usually don't have to unless I am planning on playing a big tournament or a real tough competitor. But when I do warm up, I shoot various random shots, a few I will set up, and then I spend the rest of the time banking. Nothing makes me feel more 'tuned up' than knowing my banking is right on.
 
Sounds as if you started second guessing yourself after a few bad rolls and killed some confidence. Let the beast out and play!...........easy for me to say it.
Also you're not preparing for an opponent's reasoning on the table, like shadow boxing ya think you can whip some ass until they hit back.
I know how you feel , I will practice run out left and right, make high runs, do drills go to the local 7:00 tourney and I'm home by 8.
 
Last edited:
I will let you know Gerry, I am pretty rusty right now but it usually comes back pretty quickly.
 
Neil said:
Something else you might have to get used to.... you said you are used to playing at home. That means that you are used to the same conditions all the time. You go out, you will have to deal with others watching, others walking by the table at just the wrong moment, excess noise that you have to re-learn to block out
Click to expand...

This is absolutely correct Neil! I know everyone where I was playing....which for me makes it harder to block it all out. Playing in a new place where there is no expectation by others or by me....is much easier for me. It's tough also because the last time I played there I was in dead pop and out ran the 2 best players there in a tourney.....actually thinking about it now, it's probably a good thing I didn't play my top gear.....I feel more motivate now.
 
raybo147 said:
I will let you know Gerry, I am pretty rusty right now but it usually comes back pretty quickly.
Click to expand...

Cool Ray, let me know. If it's too far to come here we can meet up at one of the pool rooms. I'll get Jimmy and we can get a ring game going.

G.
 
JoeyA said:
Gerry,
This may sound crazy but when it comes to getting back into shape gambling wise, there is nothing in the world like getting beat on. This is the way it is for me anyway. If I take a couple of beatings in a row, it toughens me up, fast, especially if I know that I play better than I have shown.

Adversity toughens the spirit and strengthens the spine.
Click to expand...

Very true Joey! For years I played the best players in the pool room to try to fade getting hammered on. This above all else I think is the reason I got good pretty quickly.

The good thing now is I know I can catch a gear and play with almost anyone. The biggest battle is getting myself to believe it all the time. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top