I'm a horrible gambler... (Matt_24's venting session)

[Big Perm]

Matt, venting is welcome....

I understand....it's foolish pride and embarrassment....if you lose $25, so what....but it you lose $100, pride starts to kick your azz, it draws a little more attention at the bar, and $100 goes just a little bit further....believe you me, I understand...

IMHO, if $25 is a good figure where you feel you dominate, start playing for $30....and when you dominate there, start playing for $40....take it in increments, stretch your comfort zone....before you know it, $100 will be a cheap set....it's all in the mind bro....good luck...

 

[Matt_24]

I didn't start this thread to denigrate non-gambling players in the least. There are many champions on the tour who do not gamble. Ralf Souquet being one of them, and I absolutely love his game!

I never said I was a "big money" player. Not in the least. I am quite fiscally responsible for myself and family. I don't get a "rush" from the gamble itself....just on the competition. I have no interest in casino's and games of "chance".

I was simply venting my frustration, and trying to figure out for myself why my game suddenly took a turn for the worse. I am always looking to improve and be the best at anything I'm involved with. The best "I" can be. Last night was not the best "I" can be - so I'm just trying to get various thoughts and opinions. I'm satsified with the conclusion I've drawn for myself. That is all. And I certainly respect and appreciate everyone's thoughts. Yes, it was an embarrassing situation that I could have kept to myself and stewed on....but I feel like posting here has really enlightened me on various levels, and I've learned a lot for next time.

Matt <-- You win some, you lose some.

 

[Matt_24]

Also, and I'm sure you know this, anyone can win a race to 5. Longer sets even out the rolls and the better player usually prevails. Sounds like your boredom got the best of your good judgement and you shot your one bullet on a short set! Maybe negotiate a longer set next time...?

You hit the nail on the head sir. This is the conclusion I have drawn for myself.

 

[Matt_24]

Matt, venting is welcome....

I understand....it's foolish pride and embarrassment....if you lose $25, so what....but it you lose $100, pride starts to kick your azz, it draws a little more attention at the bar, and $100 goes just a little bit further....believe you me, I understand...

IMHO, if $25 is a good figure where you feel you dominate, start playing for $30....and when you dominate there, start playing for $40....take it in increments, stretch your comfort zone....before you know it, $100 will be a cheap set....it's all in the mind bro....good luck...

Yeah, I'm sure it wasn't the money. It was the fact that I shot my only bullet in one shot, on a race to 5. Looking back, that was just stupid. I might as well have flipped a coin. I mean, He won 5-4...and I was getting horrible roles - but I'm not looking for an excuse. I lost, plain and simple. It was just a dumb move, that I thought was more of a sure thing - and then got incredibly frustrated when the reality of a "short set" set in and lost my cool. I'm sure I'm not the only one this has happened to, but I have no problem sharing it with ya'll.

 

[selftaut]

Matt , take your loses as gracefully as your wins, this keeps the psycy on even keel.

As to the match and why you lost. The only thing that should matter to you is that you lost, all the "bad roll" and "this guy is a" blah blah blah stuff is useless. Make no excuses, on that night the guy beat you, period.

Get on the practice table and when your ready you get back after that guy and you win that god#%& cue back! GET IT!!

 

[JCIN]

Speaking about myself only, I love to win when there is heat on me, Its more to win then than when your justing playing races to 11 for the time. Where does it end? Who knows as long anyone dosent have a gambling problem and isnt losing on a consistant basis it dosent matter. your right 200% it has to be fun, and stepping up to play a tough game is fun for me-a fair game that I can win if I can get the best of me out of me.

I agree and understand what you are saying. I guess what I was trying to say is that Matt seemed to dislike the fact that he does not play as well when he is betting higher than normal. (Although now I suspect having only the 1 barrel was a larger culprit) which is fine.

My point is, if you are not relying on your gambling abilities for food, do not sweat it. Life is too short to beat your head against the wall. If pool is a relaxation, treat it as such. If you feel that gambling outside your comfort zone is what it takes to get better then so be it, but be prepared to spend alot of time uncomfortable while you were supposed to be relaxing.

I know exactly how he feels, been there got the t-shirt. The physical side of this game is easy compared to what it takes mentally to excel. You either have to be very focused and dicsiplined or just not give a sh!t about anything and freewheel. The first one is what makes champions, the second one will eventually get you broke, no matter the short term successes.

Either way I wish Matt good luck from here on out.

 

[JoeyA]

I've been playing a long time bro.

I'm capable of running multiple racks of any game. Lots o' balls.

I've done well in tournaments beating some top local players in "weekly" tourneys here in D.C. and in Ft. Walton when I was stationed there... when I was playing all of the time. I don't get nervous in tournaments. I love the competition and if I'm in stroke play good. Well, I'll say I don't choke. Heck, I've beaten Pooky a few times in weekly events (8 and 9 ball). But if I gamble out of my zone - there is just no telling who will show up. Hard to admit it openly, but hey. This forum is for sharing - so I'm just keeping it real.

"I'm real because I'm keeping it real." (which comedy is that from?)

Matt, you're not the air force guy who knows a lot about "eyes" are you?

But on to the other subject. You are a bit frustrated with your gambling results. We all get that way. The loser's simply keep going off for their cash. The winners become more selective about the games they play. For guys like you who do not have the financial stress of everyday life, you should make it a goal to break even on your gamblings. If you lose at a particular game, don't play that opponent until they adjust. You shouldn't have to take the worst of it everytime even if you can afford to. If you book too many winners, step out and take the worst of it again if you have a need to.

But know this; the smart pool village doesn't want any golden gooses killed.

Good luck,
JoeyA (always carries some B-12 for the golden geese)

 

[hustler]

Keep playing the $100 sets if you can afford it. After a while you will be able to concentrate more on the game itself...the amount of your bet won't matter as much . The $ will become a little more secondary. I think you just need to get used to it...it will become something you are comfortable with...and keep working and practicing hard and you will turn it around.

 

[whitewolf]

Quote:
Originally Posted by rayjay
Also, and I'm sure you know this, anyone can win a race to 5. Longer sets even out the rolls and the better player usually prevails. Sounds like your boredom got the best of your good judgement and you shot your one bullet on a short set! Maybe negotiate a longer set next time...?

You hit the nail on the head sir. This is the conclusion I have drawn for myself.

So what are you waiting for?!!!!! Especially if money is not a problem with you!!!!! A lot of people would give their left nut to be in your position right now.

The guy probably thinks you are a stiff and a sucker, waiting for you to fork out some more money, and he is probably laughing his ass off right now. This is really what is eating you alive, besides the fact that you choked, mostly due to a BAD LOOSER ATTITUDE.....yes, I am talking about the bad rolls. In the long run they make no difference and should not even be coming up in your conversation.

From what I am reading you are an excellent pool player. You should have confidence in yourself and invite the guy to play again, this time in a longer race, and for $200 to $400. Explain to him that you want a longer race because you need to get over your nervousness. Try to say this without smiling. And I'll almost guarantee that it won't be you choking. If you loose, just do it again and again. This is a golden opportunity, especially since you know you should be winning.

In the meantime, before your next big money match, relive your experience over and over and over just before you go to sleep. Imagine him laughing at you over and over and over. You will be so motivated next time that it will be impossible to choke.

And remember, DON'T BEAT HIM TOO BAD - YOU WANT TO KEEP HIM COMING BACK.

 

[deadwhak]

ive been losing my a$$ lately playing a local guy one pocket..used to play him even now im gettin 8-7 and still losing!! it gets frustrating know i used to beat and but i quit for a while now i cant!! anyways ive lost about 800 the past 3weeks and last night i beat him out of 120 (we play anywhere from 50 to 100 a game) and he quit me!! boy was i hot!!one of the reasons i quit playing because of sh!t like that!!!

 

[Matt_24]

Matt , take your loses as gracefully as your wins, this keeps the psycy on even keel.

As to the match and why you lost. The only thing that should matter to you is that you lost, all the "bad roll" and "this guy is a" blah blah blah stuff is useless. Make no excuses, on that night the guy beat you, period.

Get on the practice table and when your ready you get back after that guy and you win that god#%& cue back! GET IT!!

Oh I totally agree! I just gave up the cue because I was so mad. I knew he wouldn't turn it down.........I don't know. I reacted irrationally in the heat of the moment. It happens.

 

[Matt_24]

Quote:
Originally Posted by rayjay
Also, and I'm sure you know this, anyone can win a race to 5. Longer sets even out the rolls and the better player usually prevails. Sounds like your boredom got the best of your good judgement and you shot your one bullet on a short set! Maybe negotiate a longer set next time...?





So what are you waiting for?!!!!! Especially if money is not a problem with you!!!!! A lot of people would give their left nut to be in your position right now.

The guy probably thinks you are a stiff and a sucker, waiting for you to fork out some more money, and he is probably laughing his ass off right now. This is really what is eating you alive, besides the fact that you choked, mostly due to a BAD LOOSER ATTITUDE.....yes, I am talking about the bad rolls. In the long run they make no difference and should not even be coming up in your conversation.

From what I am reading you are an excellent pool player. You should have confidence in yourself and invite the guy to play again, this time in a longer race, and for $200 to $400. Explain to him that you want a longer race because you need to get over your nervousness. Try to say this without smiling. And I'll almost guarantee that it won't be you choking. If you loose, just do it again and again. This is a golden opportunity, especially since you know you should be winning.

In the meantime, before your next big money match, relive your experience over and over and over just before you go to sleep. Imagine him laughing at you over and over and over. You will be so motivated next time that it will be impossible to choke.

And remember, DON'T BEAT HIM TOO BAD - YOU WANT TO KEEP HIM COMING BACK.

Absolutely.

 

[I rack balls]

You just got to control your breathing and just concentrate on winning each game at a time, don't rush don't make every shot the nine on the hill. I too had the problem you have but now with more experience gambling a little high I am learning how to play with the pressure and the thought of what is on the line. You just have to have the confidence that all the hard work you put in will allow you to play like you KNOW you can. Actually I was playing a $150 set yesterday and almost forgot I wasn't practicing ahah.

Eric.

 

[rayjay]

Actually, you had two barrels, since you were willing to give up your cue. If I were the person that beat you, I would have taken the $100 cash first, since there are so many cheap look-alike cues around today. Also, that left you with the $100, so you could have played another set if you wanted to....

 

[Tom M]

I don't know what it is. All I know is, I just have to do what I have to do. I love the game of pool too much to quit. I mean, I really see the beauty in pool. Watching a great player run out is as exciting for me, like a person who is moved to tears by the Symphony/Opera. Silly, maybe...but true. When I talk about pool like that to my wife she just looks at me like I'm insane.

I guess I just have to lose the ego and admit that I just can't go over "x" amounts (not quite sure what those are - but I'm self imposing a $25 max per set) without playing like a dirty dog. Thank the Lord I don't have to worry about money. I'd be up the creek if I had to gamble at pool for a living.

Matt, this is actually a great thread, and it has stimulated some excellent insights.

I am not a good pool player. I have not made the first step into a competitive pool environment, but I've just begun to think about looking for some very cheap sets just for the fun and experience of it. My financial situation is similar to yours, so it's not about the money it's the personal challenge and the competition. I will lose a lot of those cheap sets.

I am, on the other had, a very good slalom water skier, close to national level. (FYI, slalom is where you ride a single ski and go around the bouys. In competition, they keep shortening the rope to make it harder. At this level, the sport is like combining the strength of power lifting with the finesse of golf). It's incredibly physically demanding and can be hugely frustrating. What's worse, the regional and national tournaments are organized such that you have only one shot. There's no losers bracket. If you choke, you're done. Imagine playing a golf tournament where if you don't at least par the first hole, you have to go home!

I struggled with the choke factor in competition, performing way below my capability, sometimes embarrassingly so. The only way I overcame it was to just keep putting myself in the pressure situations until I finally managed a good performance. Eventually it will happen. It takes more than one of these "anomolies", but after a few, my confidence began to build and now not only am I pretty solid in competition, but I don't get freaked out if I have one bad day.

I suggest that you keep playing for just enough to be out of your comfort zone. I'm sure you'll acclimate and be able to ratchet up to whatever level you want. The thrill and satisfaction of winning a higher stakes set for the first time will be incredible, and worth the effort.

Best of luck,
Tom

 

[JoeyA]

Matt, this is actually a great thread, and it has stimulated some excellent insights.

I struggled with the choke factor in competition, performing way below my capability, sometimes embarrassingly so.

The only way I overcame it was to just keep putting myself in the pressure situations until I finally managed a good performance.

Eventually it will happen. It takes more than one of these "anomolies", but after a few, my confidence began to build and now not only am I pretty solid in competition, but I don't get freaked out if I have one bad day.

Best of luck,
Tom

Very nice advice, Tom.
JoeyA