Giving up on Tournaments.......

[arsenius]

I don't know too many people that will pay out 10:1 on the money.
Put up $10 for a chance to win $100+ in a tournament...
Can't find too many takers for that (unless you want to play Efren straight up in 1-pocket)

The other thing is that a Gambling session seems to always be won by the player that is "on" that night.

Tournaments you can learn to grind your way through even when you not on your game.

Lol, that's why I prefer gambling to tournaments. I can grind on a single player, but I can't grind my way through a tournament. One bad match and you're gone. One bad set gambling and you just do it again. Usually after I lose my first set gambling my head gets screwed on right again instead of getting flustered.

 

[StrokeofLuck]

playing from 7-1am or so for $100 seems to me like a lot of work for a modest payout.

Since when does playing pool for anything seem like work? I'll play against competition that long for no money.

 

[chefjeff]

Since when does playing pool for anything seem like work? (snip)

When it goes on for 8 or more hours.

My last two tourneys netted me $75. I got second for $50 and third for $25. They lasted from 3:00 pm to about 11:00 pm. It cost $5 each time to enter, I drank about $20 with tips each time, inhaled enough smoke to almost hook me on nicotine again, etc.

So, I'm making a cool $0 per hour, but having fun!...and that's the main reason I play. Plus, I'm improving my mental game. I can only handle such tourneys once in a while so I'm with ya on taking a needed break as often as necessary. Enjoy it or deploy it. Be happy not crappy. If fun, don't run.

Rack 'em up!

Jeff Livingston

 

[VIProfessor]

I would guess, Lenny, that much of your frustration stems from the fact that the kind of tournaments you're playing in are races to two and races to three. I can understand why one would be frustrated with that type of competition. Unless you truly dominate the field in terms of ability, the short races even the odds substantially, and I suspect that you may not be getting real learning experiences from the players you're competing against in the tournament.

I would not advise you to give up tournaments, because they can really play an important role in developing your game. What I would advise is to look for tournaments in nearby towns that offer a better competitive format. Among other things, tournaments, particularly regional ones, offer the opportunity to compete with better players without the cost you would incur if you got in action with them. You get an opportunity to know and evaluate other players in your region, and you learn so much just by watching. The knowledge, experience and confidence that you develop in tournament play will serve you well in your gambling sessions.

Good luck,
VIProfessor

 

[Fast Lenny]

I would guess, Lenny, that much of your frustration stems from the fact that the kind of tournaments you're playing in are races to two and races to three. I can understand why one would be frustrated with that type of competition. Unless you truly dominate the field in terms of ability, the short races even the odds substantially, and I suspect that you may not be getting real learning experiences from the players you're competing against in the tournament.

I would not advise you to give up tournaments, because they can really play an important role in developing your game. What I would advise is to look for tournaments in nearby towns that offer a better competitive format. Among other things, tournaments, particularly regional ones, offer the opportunity to compete with better players without the cost you would incur if you got in action with them. You get an opportunity to know and evaluate other players in your region, and you learn so much just by watching. The knowledge, experience and confidence that you develop in tournament play will serve you well in your gambling sessions.

Good luck,
VIProfessor

Well said,i certainly feel that its hurting my game at the moment,just frustrated i suppose.I think a double elimination format is better,this tournament is single and ran pretty well with most people being at the right spot so almost everyone has a chance.I just get frustrated because i have been playing well for the cash and always get out of the first round in the tourney but then it can be one bad set and its over,thats the difference between the cash and tourney play.

I am sure i will play tournaments again, but for now i will just continue to gamble and practice.I think i just have been gambling with pool for a bit now and making good scores and i have the same mindset when i go to tournaments,get the cash and its easier said then done when you have to win 5 or 6 matches to get it.If i go back i will just pay the $20 entree and stay out of the calcutta so i dont have anything invested other then the entree and look at it as just paying table time and playing people,good practice with alot of different players.Its just tough because as of late i have trained myself to get the cash when im playing and most of the time i am playing i am gambling so its tough to walk away a loser when your used to winning.Thanks for all the replies and i think i got my mind right.

 

[philw]

I would guess, Lenny, that much of your frustration stems from the fact that the kind of tournaments you're playing in are races to two and races to three. I can understand why one would be frustrated with that type of competition. Unless you truly dominate the field in terms of ability, the short races even the odds substantially, and I suspect that you may not be getting real learning experiences from the players you're competing against in the tournament.

I would not advise you to give up tournaments, because they can really play an important role in developing your game. What I would advise is to look for tournaments in nearby towns that offer a better competitive format. Among other things, tournaments, particularly regional ones, offer the opportunity to compete with better players without the cost you would incur if you got in action with them. You get an opportunity to know and evaluate other players in your region, and you learn so much just by watching. The knowledge, experience and confidence that you develop in tournament play will serve you well in your gambling sessions.

Good luck,
VIProfessor

Good point Professor! Imagine getting to play a young Efren Reyes for $20 in the mid 1980's That was the case at the Chicago Billiard Cafe. When Efren played in a quite a few tournaments back then the fields went from 32 to 48 or more players. Lenny would definately want an opportunity to play the worlds best for only $20 I can only imagine it would explain to him the importance of playing in tournaments as part of his overall pool training.
I have been playing this game for over 25 yrs and have felt pretty depressed about my game at times but quitting is easy so I can't go that route. Billiards is a lifetime experience and like jazz it is an aquired taste be proud to represent the game. OK i'll get down off my soapbox. I went on a little long for my first post here.
Hang in there Lenny the best is yet to come
Philw

 

[Jimbojim]

Since when does playing pool for anything seem like work? I'll play against competition that long for no money.

I played 12 hours today. 2 hours for a money game that my backer set up (I never gamble with my own money), a race to 15 for 100$...and I lost 15-12. He took his revenge, last time we had played I won 150$. I'm not gonna make any excuses, he beat me fair and square.

And 10 hours of practice by myself and with friends.

I'll never consider pool as work.

 

[TrickyRicky]

Ahhhh-- cheesy little tournaments. God's gift to the true pro players.

I have this "friend" who hasn't "won" a tournament in many years--not directly anyways

"He" enters tournaments to set up a few ego-laden players for post tourney action. It's quite simple. Throw a few tourney games, hang around until the tourney's finished, seek out the "winner(s)", get them and their egos in a money game, then send them home "losers" .

It's a simple formula, and is MUCH more satisfying than plodding through the unpredictable tourney itself.

Descent players with fresh winnings and over-confidence---easy pickens!

Ain't my "friend" evil

Rick P.

 

[Da Poet]

Ahhhh-- cheesy little tournaments. God's gift to the true pro players.

I have this "friend" who hasn't "won" a tournament in many years--not directly anyways

"He" enters tournaments to set up a few ego-laden players for post tourney action. It's quite simple. Throw a few tourney games, hang around until the tourney's finished, seek out the "winner(s)", get them and their egos in a money game, then send them home "losers" .

It's a simple formula, and is MUCH more satisfying than plodding through the unpredictable tourney itself.

Descent players with fresh winnings and over-confidence---easy pickens!

Ain't my "friend" evil

Rick P.

C'mon, a four year old could see that train coming down the tracks.

 

[TrickyRicky]

C'mon, a four year old could see that train coming down the tracks.

Sorry 'bout that!

Seems like there's a lot of white collar (organized) pool players on this forum who are completely ignorant to the blue collar (natural) side of pool.

Leagues, tourneys, pool instructors---ANY ORGANIZED POOL---all of the pool players I consider "friends" didn't have or need them to become the dominant players they are today. They simply played pool 6 to 12 hours a day for years and years at various bars and halls, against players of all skill levels. My "friends" perfected not only their skill on the table, but the ability to read another player's "true" ability just by watching him shoot a few games, hustling or not. Wisdom is learned, not taught, and it takes years of variety to become both a talented AND wise player. Lot's of guys can run racks--- big deal, that and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee.
Only a handful of these players can run racks AND recognize their opponents true ability and intentions. This makes ALL the difference between walking away ahead or going home broke.

But I'm sure all you white collar players with your basement pool tables and predator shafts already knew that

Pool has REALLY changed over the past 15 years or so (for the worse), and the blue collar players (the natural players) are definitely a dying breed----"they" ain't getting any younger

Oh well, maybe they'll put my blue collar "friends" on the endangered species list soon

Rick P.

P.S. I mostly blame the electronic boom with the steady decline in young peoples interest in pool. The 1990's computer, internet, and video game market really took (and still keeps) the kids away from the pool tables...

And no offense to all you white collar players
The game has just gotten (like everything else) too commercialized for this old (I'm 40 ) 32-year pool-playing geezer. It's not the glamorous and mystic game it used to be....

 

[mworkman]

Tournaments can be brutal. I can be playing my best pool of my life just smokin everyone for 2-3 hours and then just run out of zip and play like crap. It's very hard for me or anyone I suppose to play at a high level for long periods of time. Those players that can consistanly turn in a good performance each time, I have a lot of respect for. I think the reason we play tourneys is for status and respect. They create a pecking order of who's who, and I want to be top dog dammit!

 

[Flex]

I think you have discovered why there is more pressure in tournaments than there is in cash games. It takes a very good player to win a tournament.

Absolutely right.

In cash games, if the money doesn't mean anything to you, what does it matter if you lose?

In a single elimination tourney, the pressure is real, there's no second set if you get knocked out.

Thriving on the pressure is what steels champions.

Want an adrenaline rush that will inspire you? Play in a tough tournament, and do your best to beat the best. Nothing compares to it, IMHO.

Flex

 

[nyjoe14.1]

Sorry 'bout that!

Seems like there's a lot of white collar (organized) pool players on this forum who are completely ignorant to the blue collar (natural) side of pool.

Leagues, tourneys, pool instructors---ANY ORGANIZED POOL---all of the pool players I consider "friends" didn't have or need them to become the dominant players they are today. They simply played pool 6 to 12 hours a day for years and years at various bars and halls, against players of all skill levels. My "friends" perfected not only their skill on the table, but the ability to read another player's "true" ability just by watching him shoot a few games, hustling or not. Wisdom is learned, not taught, and it takes years of variety to become both a talented AND wise player. Lot's of guys can run racks--- big deal, that and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee.
Only a handful of these players can run racks AND recognize their opponents true ability and intentions. This makes ALL the difference between walking away ahead or going home broke.

But I'm sure all you white collar players with your basement pool tables and predator shafts already knew that

Pool has REALLY changed over the past 15 years or so (for the worse), and the blue collar players (the natural players) are definitely a dying breed----"they" ain't getting any younger

Oh well, maybe they'll put my blue collar "friends" on the endangered species list soon

Rick P.

P.S. I mostly blame the electronic boom with the steady decline in young peoples interest in pool. The 1990's computer, internet, and video game market really took (and still keeps) the kids away from the pool tables...

And no offense to all you white collar players
The game has just gotten (like everything else) too commercialized for this old (I'm 40 ) 32-year pool-playing geezer. It's not the glamorous and mystic game it used to be....

tap, tap, tap

 

[Adanac67]

I was forced to quit playing tournaments because I am now working 60 hours a week but the last time I did play, I won. Sometimes we play too much and our brains go to sleep. It helps sometimes to just stay away for a while and come back fresh.