How do you expect to get better, if you're afraid to play better opposition.

P

poolmaster

Devilish
Silver Member
If I have a choice to play in either handicapped or open tourney,guess
what, I always chose an open. A lot of people tell me, I'm crazy, your
chance of making money is much less. I say, is money the biggest reason
for you to play? For me, it isn't. Yes. I have a better chance to make some
money playing in a handicapped event, but the experiance I can gain from
the open is priceless.

People, there is no shortcut to getting better, unless you play better
people and learn from it. I know it will cost you frustration and cash, but
this is the only way to do it. I have spoken to many pros, and they all
said the same thing, they got their ass beat to the pulp at their beginning.
In the long run, you will benefit from it. I'll say it again, don't be afraid and
go for it as much as you can.
 
Years back, I entered a open tourney and beaten an open player, my first.
I didn't make any money that day, but that one win alone told me one
thing, and that is, I can do it! If I can do it once, I can do it again. That
alone was a big inspiration for me to continue on playing and keep on
getting better. Go ahead and try it and see where that will take you.
 
This is the reason I play in the APA masters devision. Even though I'm only a 5 in 8 ball, I'm usually playing 7s and I haven't won yet but just making it to the hill feels good.
 
I always prefer playing better opponents, and if I can get a chance to play top players I do.

I hate playing handicapped events.

I am not playing pool to make money, I'm playing pool because I love the sport. I am in it for the competition, and there's not a better hobby.
 
Roy Steffensen said:
I always prefer playing better opponents, and if I can get a chance to play top players I do.

I hate playing handicapped events.

I am not playing pool to make money, I'm playing pool because I love the sport. I am in it for the competition, and there's not a better hobby.
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Hit her on the head brother, if people are ducking better competition because they wont make as much money, then they are only playing to see how much money they can win. Which has nothing to do with getting any better, remember the old saying a good hustler never shows his true speed.

Grey Ghost
 
No brag just sad but I don't have anyone better to play in my home town. Thats not to say there's nobody that presents a challenge.

I have to play and challenge myself by myself in order to improve.

Keep in mind I'm talking 3C. I can't pocket balls worth a S--t.
 
A little bit of the both is neccessary I think. Playing stronger competition serves as an incentive and a guide to use in order to improve your game. However, if you play out of you league too much it is very possible that you will start trying not to lose, rather than trying to win. In otherwords you may get too tentative or too aggressive.

A balance of both is neccessary, if for no other reason to maintain your confidence level. It's tough to feel good about your game when your losing 96% of the time, even if it's to the best players in town.
 
Cameron Smith said:
A balance of both is neccessary, if for no other reason to maintain your confidence level. It's tough to feel good about your game when your losing 96% of the time, even if it's to the best players in town.
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I agree, years ago I asked the question " If you try to surround yourself with better players, how can you get confidence in your game?" I didn't get much of an answer. Confidence is huge in this game, but playing better players is key to. Nice post
 
How many times do you hear people say, play the table and not your opponent. Saying
it and doing it is not the same. The intimidation factor kicks in if you play somebody well
known and the only way to get rid of it, is to play as much as you can.
 
Beat me, whip me

You guys might as well carry an ivory inlaid, cocobolo ball rack in a lizard skin case rather than a pool cue. If an open player is playing you for money do you really believe he got his pedal to the metal to beat you? Hell no. He'll play just a good as necessary. Now have him give you a handicap and play for money. You may see something closer to his true speed. Think about the bangers you have beat out of a couple of bucks. Did you overpower them with all your skills. No. Reason: You didn't have to.:speechless:
 
DMTY said:
This is the reason I play in the APA masters devision. Even though I'm only a 5 in 8 ball, I'm usually playing 7s and I haven't won yet but just making it to the hill feels good.
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Bet something and see how close to the hill you get
 
Most open player's

wont just practice with you so you can get better! They are in it for the money, most of them are jobless and that's how they eat playing pool for money. Hell if i did'nt have a wife and kid's I'd be on the road right now!(Broke) If you want to play great pool you better quit your job and get a divorce and rent a table to sleep,and play on at pool room. Playing open players will help you a little,but it's going to help their pocket's more. You've got to get seasoned on your on account that will give the confidence you need.
 
i agree they have a Bar Box Tournament down here on 11-12 in lakecharles BUT! i.m going to bogies billiards in TX becuz there more competition an theres alot of pro.s there i wanna learn don.t get me wrong i wanna make money but i wrather go there then a bar box tournament
 
To the OP, that is probably the Awful Truth!!!!!!

I mean if you really want to see how good you are, just find a cheap 50$ open tournament and play..... And when your done watch as many matches and you can and that 50$ will be worth its weight in GOLD.....

a few yrs ago a "pool" friend went to Valley Forge and after he was done playing in the Amatuer tourny he watched the pro's play and he was amazed at how much he learned just from watching.... He was already a decent shot, and just the knowledge he learned from watching the pro's bumped him up a few levels..... And made him that much better...
 
CRAIG CUE"S said:
wont just practice with you so you can get better! They are in it for the money, most of them are jobless and that's how they eat playing pool for money. Hell if i did'nt have a wife and kid's I'd be on the road right now!(Broke) If you want to play great pool you better quit your job and get a divorce and rent a table to sleep,and play on at pool room. Playing open players will help you a little,but it's going to help their pocket's more. You've got to get seasoned on your on account that will give the confidence you need.
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I know that most of them want to play for money( a lot of $), and this fact alone
will prevent you from playing them. But, you can enter an open tourney and that will
not cost you that much.
 
I like to play better players. The only problem I have is that when Im playing someone who is WAY better than me (not just a little better, but holy sh*t ive racked 8 times and havent got to shoot yet better) I get kind of deflated and quit trying. I dont gamble, so I probably dont have the necessary drive to make myself give it 100% effort. If Im playing someone a little bit better though, I tend to concentrate a lot more, and enjoy winning much more also. The same goes for playing someone worse than me too. I get lazy and unfocused because the challenge isnt there. I guess what Im saying is, I need a good balanced ass whipping to ass whipped ratio.


Joe
 
Am I wrong

Am I wrong in assuming you can play very good players in either tournament format???? That you have an equal chance at facing an open player in BOTH open tournaments AND handicapped tournaments?
 
What money can't buy ,I don't need

robleyf7 said:
i agree they have a Bar Box Tournament down here on 11-12 in lakecharles BUT! i.m going to bogies billiards in TX becuz there more competition an theres alot of pro.s there i wanna learn don.t get me wrong i wanna make money but i wrather go there then a bar box tournament
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Robley, a lot of people contributed to your endeavors a short time ago. It seems to me that if you have an opportunity to make a few bucks on your own it might be a good choice. Good luck either way.
 
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