How do Shut-Out Pool Hall BS

[bud green]

My poolhall is becoming a construction hangout where Nextels going off and people yelling about NASCAR across the room is standard. Its HARD to concentrate sometimes.

I was playing three cushion yesterday and right when I about to shoot, the bartender started saying "I have to take the balls out of the dishwasher to check if we have any red or blue dot cueballs" to a customer.

Yes, they actually wash the balls in the same dishwasher as the beer glasses.

 

[stevekur1]

Thanks alot guys! those were some great replies !

Its not so much the noise, its more the people that are doing it. like i said in my original post. some of the people that are making the noise ,are the same ones that want it to be like a church when they are playing.

i think in the end, if they want to get respect they have to give it first !

the next couple of times i go there i am gonna try to apply some of your suggestions.

Thanks Alot
Steve

 

[9 on the snap]

I really don't notice the distractions. I play at some loud places, including my house on Fridays. A couple of weeks ago this clown was actually asking me direct questions while I was getting out. I completely ignored him for the 6,7,8. Everyody in the house was aware of the game situation, was quiet except this idiot who was literally in my face between shots! Finally I had to pause, as I had a tough shot on the 9, and I wanted to think about it. I still don't know what this guy is talking about. My friend Greg had a big smile on his face, and that did it. I looked at the guy and said "Dude can't you see I'm on the F**king 9 ball, and I REALLY want Gregs $20!" He FINALLY shut up, I ran the 9 down the rail, and wiped the smile of Gregs face.

 

[MinoInADixeCup]

I can also CLEARLY hear myself breathing when I am using the ear plugs - and breathing is one of my methods to slip into the zone.

That reminds of something. About a month ago I had a horrible cold. I was so sick that I didn't go to work for 4 days or even play on my own table for 3 days. When I finally felt well enough to play, I played for 12 hours straight and played very well (for me anyway) most of that time. I beat my high run in straight pool, pulled off my highest score in equal offense, and beat the hell out of the 5 and 6 ball ghost. The thing I remember most is that I could really hear myself breathing the whole time because my sinuses were still messed up.

Do you have any more info on this blackjack? Books or videos? This sounds like something that might work for me.

 

[SCCues]

Distractions

I wish I could block out the loud talking and people walking by my table when i'm trying to shoot. I've lost matches because of people walking by just as i'm shooting a critical shot. These distractions are usually people who can't play a lick and they are in the pool room socializing having a few drinks which is their right to do.

I've tried ear plugs and music, but it hasn't worked for me......

James

 

[SCCues]

Pool balls in the dishwasher...

Yes, they actually wash the balls in the same dishwasher as the beer glasses.

I sure hope they run the dishwasher on the sanitizing cycle. Can you just imagine the germs and dirt that get on the pool balls from people handling them, plus what's on and inside the pool tables?

James

 

[Blackjack]

That reminds of something. About a month ago I had a horrible cold. I was so sick that I didn't go to work for 4 days or even play on my own table for 3 days. When I finally felt well enough to play, I played for 12 hours straight and played very well (for me anyway) most of that time. I beat my high run in straight pool, pulled off my highest score in equal offense, and beat the hell out of the 5 and 6 ball ghost. The thing I remember most is that I could really hear myself breathing the whole time because my sinuses were still messed up.

Do you have any more info on this blackjack? Books or videos? This sounds like something that might work for me.

In my book Lessons in 9 Ball, I dedicate an entire section to "Centering" which is a common breathing technique that is used to get into "The Zone". The book is available in the link in my signature, or you can check out these excerpts from my other books - Free.

The Focus Factor

The Keys To Achieving Dead Stroke

The Art Of The Choke

 

[FLICKit]

Simply slay everyone else in the room.

Voila! Instant peace.

This concept led to the book known as "War and Peace".

 

[Pushout]

I'll probably get flamed for this. Play for money. If that doesn't do it, ear plugs. Head phones/Ipods are insulting to any opponent you are playing, in my opinion. As someone said above, and Jay quoted, when you are in the zone, it pretty much fades away. What does it take to get you there? You can try asking/telling them to shut up, I've done it, with guys who were whistling or talking loudly. Always seems to be the same ones who, if the shoe was on the other foot, would be complaining about you.

 

[pletho]

Plantrionics

I have been having a hard time tuning out all the BS in the room i play in lately, how do you tune it out. note: that all of these same players would like you to be quiet while they are playing in a game. I have tried the iPod thing, that i also distracting to me..


Thanks
Steve

Maybe i should tell them to shut the F&@# up ! ! ! !

I bought a plantronics head set, its bluetooth, so it is wireless and light weight, it fits over both ears, these are the best investment I have made in many years.. The stereo sound is awesome, if you have a phone that plays mp3 via bluetooth, most do now day, you can go to napster and pay a small fee and load up on songs you like.

These headphones are the plantronics 590 model number I believe, you can get them every once in a while for a great price of around 50.00.

I paid 350.00 for mine when they originally came out. Mine included a adapter that just plugs into anything that has a 3.5 jack and you can turn it bluetooth wireless also, like a ipod, just keep your phone in your pool case on your belt or your ipod whatever you want the range is about 50 feet, plenty of room to wander around the room.

The battery life of these is amazing fully charged, you can play for close to 8-12 hours, talk time is about 24 hours. Another great feature is if you are expecting a phone call you can still listen to your music, the phone will beep in your ear phone, just press a button on the side of the earphone and "VIOLA" you have a wireless phone call in stereo hands free while playing, no interruptions, when they hang up the music comes back on slowly and louder.

Here is the web address for the headphones: http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/cat1150057/cat5420035/prod29780013

Some people are into looking cool when they play, I could care less about that These have caused me to be able to block out and focus on my game much more at times when the surroundings are a distraction, plus I get into a rythem if its my own kind of music playing verses what ever is on in the pool room.

You can block out any stupid irratating comments people make also.

I also tried an ipod WITHOUT the blue tooth wireless,just with the wires, it is to cumbersome.

These are light weight and very functional.

I feel like a salesman maybe I should be for this product, because they have highly impressed me with this product.... Any way this is my solution to my problem maybe not yours....?

This product like I said is frequently on ebay for around 50.00 dollars.

I finally got a Pool nickname because of them, I never have had one fit but this does, it sounds stupid but its funny "R2D2" because when I wear these a small blue ring flashes periodially on the earpiece, you cant see it but others can, so I just run out like a robot...........

 

[jgpool]

A starting focus point

concentration and focus seems to be the key for me.

Yesterday, I broke and ran a rack, I couldn't have told you 2 minutes afterward what was going on in the bar during that run. It might have been quite or very loud, I don't remember.

Other times, my friend ordering a drink can cause me to miss an easy shot or position.

I wish I knew how to bring that intense focus all the time, but sometimes I have it, sometimes I don't. It seems to be easier to get into that mode if I feel that I'm playing well, it lets me relax and focus on playing my game.

I do this. I put just a little more weight on my bridge hand when I set up to shoot, not alot but enough to signal to myself that it's time to focus(get my head out of my arse and shoot) on my pool game, period. Focus point starting point. It works for me, maybe it can work for you. Good luck.