I think a significant portion of the pool playing community has long recognized that, at least for many people, engaging in “action” matches can have a positive impact on the skill level of those competing. This makes sense, as with something at stake, the participants are likely going to “try their hardest” to win, so as to not lose money.
Of course, this practice stands in contrast to playing maybe by yourself practicing or against an opponent with “nothing” on the line.
My question to the forum is this: Does anyone believe there is a benefit to developing skill level in pool where a pool player intentionally pushes him or herself to gamble with stakes higher than they would normally be comfortable with. To me, if a player does this over time, they are likely to become more comfortable with higher stakes, but I am not certain that this increased comfort level with higher stakes translates to an improved player over whatever improvement would have occurred if the player in question simply played the same matches with lower stakes…provided, of course, the lower stakes were sufficient to cause the player to try hard.
What you do all say? Do higher stakes make for quicker or more substantial improvement?
kollegedave
Of course, this practice stands in contrast to playing maybe by yourself practicing or against an opponent with “nothing” on the line.
My question to the forum is this: Does anyone believe there is a benefit to developing skill level in pool where a pool player intentionally pushes him or herself to gamble with stakes higher than they would normally be comfortable with. To me, if a player does this over time, they are likely to become more comfortable with higher stakes, but I am not certain that this increased comfort level with higher stakes translates to an improved player over whatever improvement would have occurred if the player in question simply played the same matches with lower stakes…provided, of course, the lower stakes were sufficient to cause the player to try hard.
What you do all say? Do higher stakes make for quicker or more substantial improvement?
kollegedave