How to play better pool.

Good thread, good point that you just cant really argue about cuz it's essentially true.

As with most things in life, there are people that just seem to have less of an issue with things than you do... you should be used to it now, I know I am. But I'm also used to being the best at whatever I decide to do.

Pool is a hobby for me, albeit a vexing one at times. But considering my nature and the nature of the game, it sometimes sucks me in from being a semi-serious thing to being a consuming direct challenge to my competitive drive. It's like the game calls my mom names.

Bugs Bunny: "Of course you realize, this means war."

Nothing does me more good than to drench myself in loss after loss against people that I have absolutely no sane reason playing (if you can find people of such caliber that have a generous nature).

After such punishment.... raw and bleeding, I take a day to just consider the real basic failings of my game. I fix that stuff.... not permanently in some cases, but I fix it as best I can until I grow stupid enough to allow these things to become a problem again. I do have the ability to learn, but sometimes I forget things.

Solo practice is golden for me because I can work out my angst and compete against myself. The more I play against myself, the less I enjoy the prospect due to the fact that I am merciless. The biggest gains I have ever gotten have been playing against myself for extended sessions... like 5 or 6 hours a day every day for a week.

As far as equipment goes... get stuff that makes you feel like you can play well.

Have fun :)
 
How to play better pool

I agree with Chrippa. I have learned a great deal from every source that has been considered here in this thread. Even when we miss something can be learned.
Where did the extended shot take the object ball and the cue? What were the playing conditions? Did I hit the cue where I intended to? Did I stay down on the shot and be true to my pre-shot routine? Did I have a death grip on the butt. Did I complete the stroke or stun the cue ball.
Yes, practice all we can! Always pay attention to your opponents and playing friends shots. We can double our opportunities to learn thru watching them. Never forget, there are endless ways to learn but all of the knowledge in the world cannot out weigh feel, stroke, imagination, determination and heart. The last biggest ingredient to the complete recipe is playing experiences in tournament or gambling situations. Leaning to control nervous energy will take each of us to a higher level.
What a great sport!!
 
I agree because I have been a sucker for most of the easy magic pill. There is no secret or magic except for the person selling the snake oil.

There are a few fundamentals that need to be learned but after that it is all practice and playing.

I relate this to weight loss. There is no magic pill, it takes control, eating the right foods and exercise to help burn off the calories and build muscle. You can't pop a magic pill and keep up the same bad eating habits.

Pool is the same way. Learn the basic fundamentals that never change and practice and play. Don't rely, depend or waste your money on that magic pill.

This applies to cue sticks also, there is not any brand, joint, ferrule, tip and etc that will make you a better player. Have you ever heard any pro player giving credit to the cue for winning a tournament ? They may thank the sponsor but that is all they will say.


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If someone has an unhealthy obsession with, say, talking on the phone for a long time,
and they end up spending lots of money they don't need to spend on phone bills and fancy new smartphones...
I don't tell them "cell phones are bad and you should ditch yours and just talk to people in person."

The phone is just a tool to accomplish a task. So are videos, books, and magazines.
They stop becoming a tool and start becoming a problem when you lean on them too much.
So on a case-by-base base, there MAY be times it makes sense to tell a specific person
"hey, you're leaning too much on books and lessons and not enough on actually practicing".

There is no blanket bumper-sticker logic to help everyone, like "JUST HIT MORE BALLS GUYS BOOKS ARE FOR SUCKERS".
 
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