Jeff, you need to take up one pocket and three cushion billiards.
...those games will wake you up at four AM...at any age.
Hey Old Guys--does the fire still burn?
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Jeff, you need to take up one pocket and three cushion billiards.
...those games will wake you up at four AM...at any age.
As we get up there in age, for those of us still playing and competing, we all like to compare ourselves to the point and the age in our lives that we played our very best. We wonder how far we are from that level - how many games on the wire in a race to 9 would I need at my current age of 60, to compete with myself when I was 25 years old and playing my best? We'll never know the answer to that, but it's fun to speculate.
For most of us, our overall knowledge of strategy and defensive skills - safety and kicking, as well as knowledge of proper 9-ball pattern position play, which you only learn by playing for many years, should somewhat offset the decline in shotmaking - particularly the longer shots.
Another factor, I assume most here who grew up playing in the 1960s, 70s or 80s generally played on standard 9-foot tables with 5-inch corners and 5-1/2" sides, because that's all there was back then, so naturally we played better on those tables, as opposed to the tighter pocket tables many of us likely play on now.
As far as competing, I'd guess most of us are just as competitive and hate to lose just as much as we did years ago. However, we should have learned from years of experience how to handle ourselves during a match / tournament, that hopefully might give us a little advantage over a young player who may be less apt to handle the adversity that usually comes up at some point during a match / tournament.
For most of us, our overall knowledge of strategy and defensive skills - safety and kicking, as well as knowledge of proper 9-ball pattern position play, which you only learn by playing for many years, should somewhat offset the decline in shotmaking - particularly the longer shots.
Another factor, I assume most here who grew up playing in the 1960s, 70s or 80s generally played on standard 9-foot tables with 5-inch corners and 5-1/2" sides, because that's all there was back then, so naturally we played better on those tables, as opposed to the tighter pocket tables many of us likely play on now.
As far as competing, I'd guess most of us are just as competitive and hate to lose just as much as we did years ago. However, we should have learned from years of experience how to handle ourselves during a match / tournament, that hopefully might give us a little advantage over a young player who may be less apt to handle the adversity that usually comes up at some point during a match / tournament.
Hey Old Guys--does the fire still burn? - 09-09-2017, 04:40 PM
Yes, I need anti-Viagra!
Yes, I need anti-Viagra!
lol :d :d :d
Extremely well said, sir. I have macular degeneration in my left, dominant eye. Can't play a lick any more, and that frustrates hell out of me. But I look at the table and still see the layout, the easiest way to get from 1 to 9 without moving that white ball any more than necessary.
Funny thing is when I was playing with my 'A' game, I just saw the table and did what I saw. I knew the beauty was there, but didn't savor it. Didn't take the time to enjoy the pattern of the balls, the perception of it, the knowing that what I saw on that cloth canvas would get done. Now I can see the beauty of the canvas, but I can no longer paint it.
Life can sure as hell teach us lessons we don't want to learn. 8-(
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NO! You aren't done, unless you want to be, or your body or mind have deteriorated, past the point of no return.
We all have a comfort zone and if you haven't been out of it for a long time, when you do go out , there is too much stimulus going on to overcome.
We also get used to the pecking order in the pool room and so we still beat the guys we always beat and etc.
You have to do something different.
Number 1 , Practice with a purpose!
Not just knocking balls around , figure out where your weaknesses are and practice those until they are strengths. Banking? long cut shots ? Long straight ins were mine lately.
As I am cleaning that up, I am realising a couple of faults in my set up.
I never really used a pre shot routine which I now understand, hurt me.
Confidence is the key!
But it can't be false confidence, you have to have proven to yourself that you can play!
I also recommend Joe Tuckers drills for corner pocket and side pockets, if you do them , you will improve!
Number 2 , You have to start traveling and playing new players, not some guy that's trying to make a living off pool, guys that play like you, or a little better or worse , just for the experience of being anywhere and feeling comfortable.
If you can find a really good player who will play for nothing or cheap, if you can afford it ,by all means test yourself, and try to learn from them.
Once you get back in dead punch , there won't be a 10th as many people wanting to play for money as there might be right now.
I just watched a tape by Black Jack Sapolis on You Tube and I have heard all the information before many times , but the way he put it together clicked with me and in the last few days I have shattered all my practice records from the last couple of months and some from when I first came back to Ohio 4 years ago.
I am excited and I know that as long as God will allow my body and mind to hold up
I am going to keep improving and hopefully one day play better than I ever did before.
Which would be pretty sporty for 68 years old!
Good Luck
I never really had it but starting to play better than ever. Do what I’m doing..... have fun and lots of it. No mountains to climb. I took up OnePocket a few years ago and pool is better than ever. The good days are great .... if I’m
having a bad day I look forward to the next good day.
having a bad day I look forward to the next good day.
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I played pool nearly every day for fifteen years from age 18 to 33. My entire life revolved around the pool table and making money, and I had zero interest in politics, movies or anything else for that matter. I then had an epiphany where I realized my life was completely out of balance and stopped playing pool altogether for three years. I learned to enjoy other things.
When I returned to pool, it was with a whole new attitude, where playing for money was not paramount and it was only one part of my life. I enjoyed the game more but never played quite as well as I did before. I continued to play off and on (yes, sometimes for money) for the next thirty years. It is only in the last few years that I have nearly lost all desire to practice and play, with arthritic shoulders playing a part in keeping me off the table as well.
I still consider myself a pool player, I will be one for life! I know that I feel more complete when I'm playing well and when I'm not playing something is missing from my life. I don't know if I'll ever have that elated feeling of being in dead stroke again, but I haven't forgotten those times where I felt in complete control of myself and the table. For me, it was then that I was the highest I've ever felt in life, almost orgasmic when you feel like you can make any shot and do anything you want. I've been there and miss that. C'est la vie.
When I returned to pool, it was with a whole new attitude, where playing for money was not paramount and it was only one part of my life. I enjoyed the game more but never played quite as well as I did before. I continued to play off and on (yes, sometimes for money) for the next thirty years. It is only in the last few years that I have nearly lost all desire to practice and play, with arthritic shoulders playing a part in keeping me off the table as well.
I still consider myself a pool player, I will be one for life! I know that I feel more complete when I'm playing well and when I'm not playing something is missing from my life. I don't know if I'll ever have that elated feeling of being in dead stroke again, but I haven't forgotten those times where I felt in complete control of myself and the table. For me, it was then that I was the highest I've ever felt in life, almost orgasmic when you feel like you can make any shot and do anything you want. I've been there and miss that. C'est la vie.
For me, it was then that I was the highest I've ever felt in life, almost orgasmic when you feel like you can make any shot and do anything you want. I've been there and miss that. C'est la vie.
Qua sira sira
!Lyn
I've played some billiards this year on Big Dog's new heated table. I've always like 3-C as I know many of the shots after studying Byrne's book years ago. Also, when young and broke, we played 2 or more banks on the 8-ball, as that prolonged the game so we got our quarter's worth most every time. el Cheapo, we were.
About a month or so ago, I played some 1-Pocket with a vet who helped me learn some of the shots. (note: no joke attached)
Those are like wrinkles....try to cover 'em up or just go with the flow?
Jeff, flowing somewhat, Livingston
Yes
At 67 the fire still burns. I started back playing again a few years ago after about a 40 year absence.
I am laying down alibis here, but age and a lack of competition is an issue and I don't see my self improving much.
The pool hall closed do to a lack of player interest and the only available competition is on poorly kept bar box tables in bars that have their own goffy rules.
I have a good 9' table in my big garage, but not enough drive to put in a bunch of practice. Once or twice a year I make the trip to Anchorage to play in the only real tournaments held on good 9' Diamond tables with BCA rules.
If I could ever swing a 9' Diamond for my use I think I could compete better, but those younger guys are better then me, no matter how many excuses I come up with.
I still enjoy the competition and if I have a good match and they don't bring their A game I have a good chance of winning.
At 67 the fire still burns. I started back playing again a few years ago after about a 40 year absence.
I am laying down alibis here, but age and a lack of competition is an issue and I don't see my self improving much.
The pool hall closed do to a lack of player interest and the only available competition is on poorly kept bar box tables in bars that have their own goffy rules.
I have a good 9' table in my big garage, but not enough drive to put in a bunch of practice. Once or twice a year I make the trip to Anchorage to play in the only real tournaments held on good 9' Diamond tables with BCA rules.
If I could ever swing a 9' Diamond for my use I think I could compete better, but those younger guys are better then me, no matter how many excuses I come up with.
I still enjoy the competition and if I have a good match and they don't bring their A game I have a good chance of winning.
My passion for pool and practicing is greater than ever, at 60. Main reason I think is that having had both shoulders replaced due to numerous injuries and arthritic joint deterioration, has limited me to playing no more than 2-3 times a week for a few hours per session. With such limited practice / playing time at the table, to be able to have a chance at remaining competitive with the younger players, I really have to focus and get everything I can out of the time I do play, so I really look forward to those sessions more than I ever recall years ago when I was physically able to play all I wanted. I'm still hopeful I'll eventually be able to start playing more sessions per week and more hours per session, but I've learned to be patient and listen to my shoulder when it tells me I need to rest it, which is most of the time. Sucks getting old!