I Think You Do Have to play better players
- Thread starter Johnnyt
- Start date
The true test of a great fighter is how he responds when someone hits him back. If you ever want to be the best pool player you can be, you have to slug it out with people that shoot back at you. You don't have to get pulverized but you can't be playing a mannequin either.
Does getting waxed help your game?
I agree Tbeaux. Everyone responds differently to most everything (how profound, lol).
I think it's fairly apparent that if you play people your speed or higher, your game is definitely more apt to improve vs constantly playing people a ball or more below you.
One bad side effect, is once you surpass people you used to play even, and you don't want to play with them AS much, it hurts their feelings when you turn down their offer... :sorry:
I agree Tbeaux. Everyone responds differently to most everything (how profound, lol).
I think it's fairly apparent that if you play people your speed or higher, your game is definitely more apt to improve vs constantly playing people a ball or more below you.
One bad side effect, is once you surpass people you used to play even, and you don't want to play with them AS much, it hurts their feelings when you turn down their offer... :sorry:
Of course you do. How else are you gonna know how good you play? Nobody cares what you do when you are playing with yourself.
Sheesh.
Sheesh.
Better players
Playing better players does not make you stroke better,it dosnt teach
you how to aim ,or bank or kick.There are different strokes ,different aim
lines for different cb postion on the table,things are always changing.Lessons
and practice will help you with these things.Playing better players will actually help you play the game the right way .All about Moves,and paying
attention while watching .
Playing better players does not make you stroke better,it dosnt teach
you how to aim ,or bank or kick.There are different strokes ,different aim
lines for different cb postion on the table,things are always changing.Lessons
and practice will help you with these things.Playing better players will actually help you play the game the right way .All about Moves,and paying
attention while watching .
IMO, you are correct as a broad generalization. However, you can actually play at a world class level without playing against anyone world class. For example, if you can run 200 balls in straight pool you play at the pro level - regardless of whether you have ever played a pro before.
The reason your statement is "accurate" is that you imply (although do not state directly) that in order to compete at a pro level you have to play pros. There is a distinct difference in playing at a pro level and competing at a pro level. That is, there is more to playing great pool than just pocketing balls. Without competing at the top level you may not have the mental/emotional/physical fortitude to succeed.
-td
Playing better players
I agree with you JohnnyT.I used to have a hard time concentrating on pool when there is no cash on the line.I spent a lot of time early on watching and playing the best players I could find.If I saw some new moves I would try to incorporate them.I love to play tournaments and I have found that being in action is the only way for me to recreate the pressure of tournament play.The money brings out the pressure and forces you to bear down.Gambling with people who are better than you is a always a learning situation.Lessons are always an option too in person or there are some great DVD's out there.:thumbup:
I agree with you JohnnyT.I used to have a hard time concentrating on pool when there is no cash on the line.I spent a lot of time early on watching and playing the best players I could find.If I saw some new moves I would try to incorporate them.I love to play tournaments and I have found that being in action is the only way for me to recreate the pressure of tournament play.The money brings out the pressure and forces you to bear down.Gambling with people who are better than you is a always a learning situation.Lessons are always an option too in person or there are some great DVD's out there.:thumbup:
Yes, you are correct. I ment playing other pros at a top level. Johnnyt
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I didn't read the whole thread but did you finally decide to quit playing the neighborhood repair men? If so I am proud of you. If not I am still proud of you.
BVal
Getting better at pool!!!!!
johnnyt, I been playing pool for 38 years, and when I first started playing pool there weren't that many tournaments for a below shortstop speed player, not many tournaments at all really, unless you were in a pro-semi pro tournament.
As I've gotten older there have been many local tourneys in which to play and hone your skills against better players for a reative short sum of money.
After I got my game close to a short stop level I began playing pool with much better players for money, I always gave my sellf a 10 game shot at anyone I was playing, after loosing I would quit, but my game as a whole would pick up some what, just don't go out and get "beat to-death", because it will take much longer to recover, not as much finanicilly, but the EGO!, may take a few weeks to recover.
Over the years of playing my gambling days made my game better, but today I really prefer to play in tournaments, because I now play just as hard to Win!( Dig Down)
Also, every player has that ONE shot( or a few shots) that they do, that is done better than any other player, and I incorporate it into my shooting style, so when you play me your really are playing several different players at Once!....lol
Even a cub can show a player a shot or two!
David Harcrow
johnnyt, I been playing pool for 38 years, and when I first started playing pool there weren't that many tournaments for a below shortstop speed player, not many tournaments at all really, unless you were in a pro-semi pro tournament.
As I've gotten older there have been many local tourneys in which to play and hone your skills against better players for a reative short sum of money.
After I got my game close to a short stop level I began playing pool with much better players for money, I always gave my sellf a 10 game shot at anyone I was playing, after loosing I would quit, but my game as a whole would pick up some what, just don't go out and get "beat to-death", because it will take much longer to recover, not as much finanicilly, but the EGO!, may take a few weeks to recover.
Over the years of playing my gambling days made my game better, but today I really prefer to play in tournaments, because I now play just as hard to Win!( Dig Down)
Also, every player has that ONE shot( or a few shots) that they do, that is done better than any other player, and I incorporate it into my shooting style, so when you play me your really are playing several different players at Once!....lol
Even a cub can show a player a shot or two!
David Harcrow
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I didn't read the whole thread but did you finally decide to quit playing the neighborhood repair men? If so I am proud of you. If not I am still proud of you.
BVal
If they come into my web it wouldn't be right not playing them. As far as bars, I'll pick my own from now on and be much more careful showing my speed. I want to start hitting tournaments also. I don't seem to be improving anymore, in fact I might even be going a little backwards. Playing the ghost and the ocasional steer just takes you so far. I'm happy with getting back up to "B" level from "D+ in 7 months, but I feel I can go a bit further, even at my age. Johnnyt
Two times I have hit a plataeu in my game. I have had to open my mind and figure out what is holding me back or where I am lacking. Once I opened my mind the floodgates were opened and it knocked me back a few steps. The thing that I work on the most is the patterns I play.
Congratulations on jumping back up to a B. That is about where I am at as well.
BVal
I believe I know why I'm not moving forward anymore. One reason is I don't play anyone better than me yet, and the other is I need to do drills that will help with the shots I miss the most. One other thing is I need to keep telling myself not to force the QB around the table shooting hard. I need to let my stroke and spin to get around the table in bad position situations. Probably 80% of my missed shots are because I try and force the shot with not hitting the QB where I wanted to. I hate drills.
Johnnyt
Good question
I think you are right, playing better players helps to improve your game in many areas i.e. shot selection, pattern play, game management in general. I think however, there is a fine line. If you play someone who is marginally better than you or better than you by say a couple of balls, then you can play your game and absorb at the same time. This is what helped my game elevate over the past few years.
If you play someone who is by far the better player, you are sitting in your chair most of the time. If you are gambling with them, I don't see how you can learn a lot other than how to keep your composure in face of great defeat. I can learn more by watching that player play someone else without any added pressure and can just absorb as much as I can. Frankly, after playing many players many who play better than I do, it can be more difficult playing someone who is so far above me. I am simply waiting for that rare error on their part, which means now I am asking even more of myself. After sitting through a run-out or two, they make a mistake and suddenly I need to come with a great shot? Not liikely, at least not in my case.
I enjoy competing against better players, but for stepping up your game, I think you need to know who you are playing and what you expect to get out of the match-up. Hope this makes sense...
I think you are right, playing better players helps to improve your game in many areas i.e. shot selection, pattern play, game management in general. I think however, there is a fine line. If you play someone who is marginally better than you or better than you by say a couple of balls, then you can play your game and absorb at the same time. This is what helped my game elevate over the past few years.
If you play someone who is by far the better player, you are sitting in your chair most of the time. If you are gambling with them, I don't see how you can learn a lot other than how to keep your composure in face of great defeat. I can learn more by watching that player play someone else without any added pressure and can just absorb as much as I can. Frankly, after playing many players many who play better than I do, it can be more difficult playing someone who is so far above me. I am simply waiting for that rare error on their part, which means now I am asking even more of myself. After sitting through a run-out or two, they make a mistake and suddenly I need to come with a great shot? Not liikely, at least not in my case.
I enjoy competing against better players, but for stepping up your game, I think you need to know who you are playing and what you expect to get out of the match-up. Hope this makes sense...
Yes, this make sense. I played Nick Varner 10 dollar sets even on different occasions. If you are playing a player that is far superior than you, it is my opinion you should match up a game with the weaker player getting games on the wire, this way they have to run out. In my case, I always just thought it was a great way to learn and played superior players dead even, provided they let me bet cheap enough.
Now, if you are trying to make money, none of the above applies and you should get the nuts, say the 6,7,8 and bet high. Of course, this is just my opinion. Nice post Kath13:wink:
Lol
Hypothetically, if we are just gambling, then I would say breaks, 6, 7, 8, with one of those being wild in order to get me to bet higher, otherwise, I will continue to the nit that I am. Of course, that is just my opinion.
Hypothetically, if we are just gambling, then I would say breaks, 6, 7, 8, with one of those being wild in order to get me to bet higher, otherwise, I will continue to the nit that I am. Of course, that is just my opinion.