Having more fun when playing pool

BillPorter

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Thank goodness I don't play pool for a living! With my crooked stroke and poor eyesight, I'd have trouble scoring enough cash to pay my cell phone bill. While I may occasionally wager a few bucks on a pool game, my main reason for playing is simply to have fun. And when I notice that I'm NOT having much fun, I try to figure out why I'm not. Sometimes it's because I am playing a game that I don't much like, such as bank pool. Sometimes it's because I am playing for higher stakes than I'm comfortable with. Sometimes it's because there are problems with the equipment, like a table that really needs to be leveled. And on and on. When I reflect on the most common reason for pool not being fun for me, I think it has to do with my opponent. There are certain opponents that I almost always enjoy competing with, win or lose, and others that are almost invariably a pain in the ass. I have finally realized that life is too short to play pool with people you really don't like to play. How about you? What is the most common cause of pool being less than fun when you play?:)
 
The most common reasons for pool not being fun:

1. Losing my composure, which results from failing to live up to unrealistic expectations, lack of focus, impatience, or thin skin.

2. Feeling guilty that I'm playing pool and ignoring my "do" list. (Also a source of AZB guilt.)

3. Sloppiness caused by fatigue, alcohol, or general distraction.

4. Lack of competition, caused by not getting out enough.

I suspect that if I got out more, the list would be longer.

C.
 
BillPorter said:
Thank goodness I don't play pool for a living! With my crooked stroke and poor eyesight, I'd have trouble scoring enough cash to pay my cell phone bill. While I may occasionally wager a few bucks on a pool game, my main reason for playing is simply to have fun. And when I notice that I'm NOT having much fun, I try to figure out why I'm not. Sometimes it's because I am playing a game that I don't much like, such as bank pool. Sometimes it's because I am playing for higher stakes than I'm comfortable with. Sometimes it's because there are problems with the equipment, like a table that really needs to be leveled. And on and on. When I reflect on the most common reason for pool not being fun for me, I think it has to do with my opponent. There are certain opponents that I almost always enjoy competing with, win or lose, and others that are almost invariably a pain in the ass. I have finally realized that life is too short to play pool with people you really don't like to play. How about you? What is the most common cause of pool being less than fun when you play?:)

All I will say is amen to the opponent/friends thought. Been there, found that out. :)

ez
 
Yes! When whatever you are doing is for fun? When it becomes not fun?
Stop it. Sounds simple, but all to often easier said than done. :)
 
The most frustrating thing is playing on a slow table, that isn't level, with bad slate and cheap balls, with dead rails and crappy pockets while playing against a banger. I HATE playing like that.

I like to play on a perfect or near perfect table, with tight pockets, fast cloth and true rails with a player that is at or near the same level of better than I am.
 
Scott Lee said:
I dunno Bill...it's ALWAYS fun for me! :D Guess I'm just lucky! You're on my list for the next time I'm in Cincy! We WILL have fun! :D

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Yeah, maybe we'll finally have that dinner together. BTW, Adam Keith, the young man you gave a day long lesson to a while back, continues to improve, and that's at least in part due to your efforts. He might want a tune-up when you next come through this area.
 
Bill...I saw both Adam and his dad at the DCC in January. Adam was in action EVERY time I saw him the whole week! :eek: :D We're definitely on for dinner... and hopefully some pool too!

Scott Lee
 
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