I'm thinking of quitting league:suggestions?

P

pooladdiction

shut up and rack em
Silver Member
I feel like I'm in a weird spot but a pretty common one for many of you. I've been playing league now for 2 yrs and have learned alot. I'm ready for something new.

I'm not that great of a player so please don't think I'm looking down my nose at league players because there's plenty of people I play with that can stomp me. I just want more out of my 4 hours out twice a week than 5 racks and drinking/ socializing the other 3 1/2 hours. One option could be to play in a bigger place with more tables. Currently we play in a bar with only one table.

What I would really like would to just get a little action. Here's the problem with that: 1.Pool hall is about 25 miles away. There's about 20 bars with Diamond bb within 5 mi of me. 2. I'm a family man with a mortgage and bills etc. It's a real stretch now for the $50/week I spend at league so $50 is the max, no weekend long, stay overnight tournaments. 3. Let's suppose I do morph my 2 league league nights into one trip the pool hall for a little action, how far is $50 going to get me? I've never played for more than $10/ game at the bar. I don't even know how this s*** works! Am I really going to get someone's full attention for $10/ games of 1p or just laughed out of the place!

Grrrrr! I'm so frustrated! Long story short, I want more out of my pool life than league. I don't even know what I'm hoping to gain out of posting this. Maybe I just needed to vent.
 
50 bucks a week for league is 200 a month. That would pay for a nice home table in just a few months. Practice as much as you want and be home with the family. Then play a tourney every now and then. This is what I did and I am a better player and the wife is happier.
 
JMW said:
50 bucks a week for league is 200 a month. That would pay for a nice home table in just a few months. Practice as much as you want and be home with the family. Then play a tourney every now and then. This is what I did and I am a better player and the wife is happier.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the input. I should have stated that I have a home table that I play on every day. Perhaps I would be better served in saving my money and having that old nappy cloth replaced. Thanks for your response :)
 
JMW said:
50 bucks a week for league is 200 a month. That would pay for a nice home table in just a few months. Practice as much as you want and be home with the family. Then play a tourney every now and then. This is what I did and I am a better player and the wife is happier.
Click to expand...

pooladdiction said:
I feel like I'm in a weird spot but a pretty common one for many of you. I've been playing league now for 2 yrs and have learned alot. I'm ready for something new.

I'm not that great of a player so please don't think I'm looking down my nose at league players because there's plenty of people I play with that can stomp me. I just want more out of my 4 hours out twice a week than 5 racks and drinking/ socializing the other 3 1/2 hours. One option could be to play in a bigger place with more tables. Currently we play in a bar with only one table.

What I would really like would to just get a little action. Here's the problem with that: 1.Pool hall is about 25 miles away. There's about 20 bars with Diamond bb within 5 mi of me. 2. I'm a family man with a mortgage and bills etc. It's a real stretch now for the $50/week I spend at league so $50 is the max, no weekend long, stay overnight tournaments. 3. Let's suppose I do morph my 2 league league nights into one trip the pool hall for a little action, how far is $50 going to get me? I've never played for more than $10/ game at the bar. I don't even know how this s*** works! Am I really going to get someone's full attention for $10/ games of 1p or just laughed out of the place!

Grrrrr! I'm so frustrated! Long story short, I want more out of my pool life than league. I don't even know what I'm hoping to gain out of posting this. Maybe I just needed to vent.
Click to expand...

$50 want get you far
 
Perhaps a different view point is in order::

I have been a regular pool player at the local (walking distance) bar for 4.5 years. Back in college (38 years ago) I actually was good on the pool table. When I started playing after a 35 year hiatus, I found it difficult and was getting my nuts crushed every week. By 1/2 year into it I was a top bar player (not THE top player but in contention) 3.5 years later, after figuring out all the stuff I had forgotten, I got to the point where I seldom loose (last night I lost once in 3.5 hours of play, 20+ games) and basically nobody at the bar wants to play me anymore. Being a neighborhood bar, it attracts a rather constant crowd; and thus with little pool action going on I have been comming to the realization that the patrons are not all that interesting.

Which is why I joined a league 6 weeks ago (currently playing at APA6 but should be a 7 when they get more matches into their calculator.) League for me is about 25 miles away, and costs $7 plus about $10 in beer (2 pints which start after my match in ongoing) over 4.5 hours.

Perhaps you would fit into your local neighborhood bar (at least for a while.) However, don't expect that if you "whomp their buts" on the table that you will be big fish in litle pond. Its just as likely you end up as big fish no pond.
 
To Op
I get where you are coming,I've been playing on leagues for eleven years,at one time I was playing three times a week.I've since cut back to once a week,an invite friends over on fri an sat nite..an a few of my friends flat roll over the top of me,I talk alot of bs to them wich further encouages them to kill me..
Once in a while to show thanks for there ass kickings,I cook a meal for them,or play a race to nine for 50-100, a few times when I've had a little extra an I know they
need the money I'll play a race to nine for 200-300,but seeings how I'm out of work its been a while..I just feed them..their not great players,just under master players at nationals bcapl...an they have helped my stroke.I don't think I will ever quit league play,to much fun.I could do with out the whining,including my own
Enjoy the weekend.
 
pooladdiction said:
I feel like I'm in a weird spot but a pretty common one for many of you. I've been playing league now for 2 yrs and have learned alot. I'm ready for something new.

I'm not that great of a player so please don't think I'm looking down my nose at league players because there's plenty of people I play with that can stomp me. I just want more out of my 4 hours out twice a week than 5 racks and drinking/ socializing the other 3 1/2 hours. One option could be to play in a bigger place with more tables. Currently we play in a bar with only one table.

What I would really like would to just get a little action. Here's the problem with that: 1.Pool hall is about 25 miles away. There's about 20 bars with Diamond bb within 5 mi of me. 2. I'm a family man with a mortgage and bills etc. It's a real stretch now for the $50/week I spend at league so $50 is the max, no weekend long, stay overnight tournaments. 3. Let's suppose I do morph my 2 league league nights into one trip the pool hall for a little action, how far is $50 going to get me? I've never played for more than $10/ game at the bar. I don't even know how this s*** works! Am I really going to get someone's full attention for $10/ games of 1p or just laughed out of the place!

Grrrrr! I'm so frustrated! Long story short, I want more out of my pool life than league. I don't even know what I'm hoping to gain out of posting this. Maybe I just needed to vent.
Click to expand...

Well your going to be at least 10-15 for table time for 3 hours or so. Couple of beers about 10 bucks. That leaves about 30 bucks maybe.

With that I would look for a 9/10 ball game. Every pool hall has a guy or two that is the guy that lives there, plays all right but is a total nit. They will play the cheap sets and butter you up in hopes of getting into your pocket. They would probably play a 10 dollar race. Or maybe 15, make them long. like to at least 9 or 11. You will probably lose, but you'll get some good practice.

If onepocket is your fancy, the player choice is going to get a little shorter. It used to be if you were lucky and the guy took a liking to you, you could play a older guy that used to play real good but is trying to make some bucks to get by on. 5 bucks a game would get you 6 games at least. Once again you will probably lose, but if you win one game, you just got 2 more games on your 30. Here the money isn't the focus, you should plan on losing it, your going to be totally focused on learning from the guy. Play smart and don't try stupid shots, be patient and don't try and come up with impressive shots trying to look like you can shoot. The older guy is going to want you to play correctly and if you start flying at everything he isn't going to want to waste his time teaching you, he'll just take your money.:)

It'll take some luck and a little bit of networking but you should be able to find the right people that you can learn a lot from, cheaply. It is going to take several time going there and several sets with the wrong people but if you ask around and be respectful, you should be able to get steered to the right people. You can't let people think your a huckleberry though, everyone will want to pick your bones dry before sending you on to the next one:D They got to know that you're not going agree to jack the bet, that you want to play cheap, you got a tight budget and you just want to learn some.:grin:

There's some that will play you cheap, but they want to jack the bet as soon as they can, the goal to moving that amount as the standard. So once they see you're firm on playing cheap and you can't be goaded or as$ kissed into raising the bet, they'll resign themselves to having to play cheap and the requests to bet more will be fewer.

Good luck
 
"CaliRed". said:
Well your going to be at least 10-15 for table time for 3 hours or so. Couple of beers about 10 bucks. That leaves about 30 bucks maybe.

With that I would look for a 9/10 ball game. Every pool hall has a guy or two that is the guy that lives there, plays all right but is a total nit. They will play the cheap sets and butter you up in hopes of getting into your pocket. They would probably play a 10 dollar race. Or maybe 15, make them long. like to at least 9 or 11. You will probably lose, but you'll get some good practice.

If onepocket is your fancy, the player choice is going to get a little shorter. It used to be if you were lucky and the guy took a liking to you, you could play a older guy that used to play real good but is trying to make some bucks to get by on. 5 bucks a game would get you 6 games at least. Once again you will probably lose, but if you win one game, you just got 2 more games on your 30. Here the money isn't the focus, you should plan on losing it, your going to be totally focused on learning from the guy. Play smart and don't try stupid shots, be patient and don't try and come up with impressive shots trying to look like you can shoot. The older guy is going to want you to play correctly and if you start flying at everything he isn't going to want to waste his time teaching you, he'll just take your money.:)

It'll take some luck and a little bit of networking but you should be able to find the right people that you can learn a lot from, cheaply. It is going to take several time going there and several sets with the wrong people but if you ask around and be respectful, you should be able to get steered to the right people. You can't let people think your a huckleberry though, everyone will want to pick your bones dry before sending you on to the next one:D They got to know that you're not going agree to jack the bet, that you want to play cheap, you got a tight budget and you just want to learn some.:grin:

There's some that will play you cheap, but they want to jack the bet as soon as they can, the goal to moving that amount as the standard. So once they see you're firm on playing cheap and you can't be goaded or as$ kissed into raising the bet, they'll resign themselves to having to play cheap and the requests to bet more will be fewer.

Good luck
Click to expand...

Good post man...spot on
I know guys that will show you almost anything,but if you just want to fly..naugh
 
pooladdiction said:
Thank you very much for the input. I should have stated that I have a home table that I play on every day. Perhaps I would be better served in saving my money and having that old nappy cloth replaced. Thanks for your response :)
Click to expand...

take your 50 bucks, buy some beer and snacks. find a pile of guys your speed, invite them over for a friendly ring game on your home table. make it a weekly thing.
 
pooladdiction said:
I feel like I'm in a weird spot but a pretty common one for many of you. I've been playing league now for 2 yrs and have learned alot. I'm ready for something new.

I'm not that great of a player so please don't think I'm looking down my nose at league players because there's plenty of people I play with that can stomp me. I just want more out of my 4 hours out twice a week than 5 racks and drinking/ socializing the other 3 1/2 hours. One option could be to play in a bigger place with more tables. Currently we play in a bar with only one table.

What I would really like would to just get a little action. Here's the problem with that: 1.Pool hall is about 25 miles away. There's about 20 bars with Diamond bb within 5 mi of me. 2. I'm a family man with a mortgage and bills etc. It's a real stretch now for the $50/week I spend at league so $50 is the max, no weekend long, stay overnight tournaments. 3. Let's suppose I do morph my 2 league league nights into one trip the pool hall for a little action, how far is $50 going to get me? I've never played for more than $10/ game at the bar. I don't even know how this s*** works! Am I really going to get someone's full attention for $10/ games of 1p or just laughed out of the place!

Grrrrr! I'm so frustrated! Long story short, I want more out of my pool life than league. I don't even know what I'm hoping to gain out of posting this. Maybe I just needed to vent.
Click to expand...

Where do you live? There maybe a regional tour or weekend event that is close by.

Maybe you can find some other like-minded folks to meet once a month somewhere close. You could have mini tournaments among yourselves. We've done that before, and it's fun!
 
thefonz said:
take your 50 bucks, buy some beer and snacks. find a pile of guys your speed, invite them over for a friendly ring game on your home table. make it a weekly thing.
Click to expand...

Best idea so far!

If PoolAddiction is an SL4 with a table at home and playing everyday, this seems to be the only viable alternative to traveling down the road. I mean, there just aren't a hell-of-a lot of SL4s who want to gamble, and if he meets up with a better player, he is more than likely going to get his clock cleaned.

PoolAddition could play a lot of Scotch Doubles for a chipped in pot of money. Or get one of those pill-pool things - we used to have a ball with those games. We used to play a dime a point in rotation and if you got your ball in (what you drew out of the pill box) your team got the whole pot.

Another game is 3 ball. Everyone chips in a dollar and if there is no winner, then the pot keeps building. I have seen the pot to get to be over $100 in a friendly game of non-talented pool players just having fun.
 
I play once a week in a local scratch league. Great competition and the cash stays local. I get to compete with higher level players and the cost is reasonable. And our pool room gives us free practice time.

In this economy, I like to support our local businesses. :cool:
 
I had a bad taste of league so i am all for not playing....Weekly tourneys are the way to go now...whenever i get the chance too that is...lol
 
I don't know where you are located (sounds rural...being 25 miles to a pool room), but I have seen guys with the same problem you have....which is "limited" budget and time to devote to pool. Generally it will not do your game much good to play in a "bar league"...if that is your only "pool". Being at a bar...during a weeknight playing 5,6 or 7 games of "eight ball" at various levels of inebriation will NOT in and of itself bring your "game" up to a higher level. My suggestion would be to "find" (or start) a straight pool league (14.1 continuous pocket billiards). Most of these leagues are "handicapped". This allows players of various levels to play. You will find more "serious students" of the game playing Straight Pool than Eight Ball. Plus if you have only "one night" to devote to pool, you should be able to shoot a couple of hundred balls (counting warm-up or practice) during that session. You will also be able to "track" your progress over time by your "handicap" and you win/loss record. I have run just such a "league" for over 15 years. If you need help starting it (if none are available in your area), I will be glad to share my formats and handicapping systems with you (or your local pool room). GOOD LUCK!
 
I scuffled for years, took road trips with champions and usually ended up with little to show for it. You get known and end up playing against tough action at the bars. You waste a lot of time and money.

If you're looking to take your game to the next level, take the drive to the pool room. You can get a game for a dollar or a dime. There are a lot of players who will welcome your game and you will find tough action without all the grind.

Save up and get your home table. Spend some time with your family. It goes by pretty quick and you don't want to miss anything.

Best,
Mike
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
That is a who lot of GREEN Seem you would go better as suggest with a home table, or playing close to home with the money.
Click to expand...

It is kind of alot of money but I justified it to the wife by quitting smoking. 2 packs a day. I'd say I'm money ahead :) Thanks for posting
 
@ Scratchs & thefonz We used to do something like this when I was in high school. It was alot of fun. Definitely a good idea. Thanks for posting
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top