Intimidation factor.
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Back in LA I'd been at pool a couple years and one of the guys puts 4 or 5 on me. I was up to banging out a 3 myself but this guy was miles ahead skill wise. Got medical grade knot but I stuck it out and took the thrashing.
Well I have related my startup experience previously but will endeavor to tell it the same again. Wink 
My playing with the big boys started at the White Spot Wednesday night 9 ball tournament that had full fields in the 32+ range. It was at first intimidating. I remember thinking, "as soon as my hands quit shaking, I'll be fine." Then realized that my hands were not going to stop shaking Until I made A ball.
It was around a year before I won A beer for 7th/8th finish. It was a weekly $5 lesson. At least that was my outlook. I watched and learned. My experience was that the lessons had greater impact when I was in the game as opposed to just watching two better players play. Well the weekly lessons had both and gradually became more of the first variety. Let's see? It was around 82 or 3 when I learned of the tournament and probably 5 years before I won the darn thing. It wasn't my only source of pool education though. I had the good fortune of finding a good coach with paid lessons as well. 6 weeks worth on the formal lessons at $20 @ was quite a bargain.
Intimation is always available. Heck I have had my hero admit to experience of same, so no shame. Learning to deal with the fear for me started with the self to self talk that went something like this. " What's there to fear? Losing? I've done that numerous times, yet I am still here alive and well. The next day is still the same, my life is still the same. No need to feel shame. It can happen to even the best. So just relax and do my best. Take it one shot at a time then one game at a time and see what happens. who knows....even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while.
My playing with the big boys started at the White Spot Wednesday night 9 ball tournament that had full fields in the 32+ range. It was at first intimidating. I remember thinking, "as soon as my hands quit shaking, I'll be fine." Then realized that my hands were not going to stop shaking Until I made A ball.
It was around a year before I won A beer for 7th/8th finish. It was a weekly $5 lesson. At least that was my outlook. I watched and learned. My experience was that the lessons had greater impact when I was in the game as opposed to just watching two better players play. Well the weekly lessons had both and gradually became more of the first variety. Let's see? It was around 82 or 3 when I learned of the tournament and probably 5 years before I won the darn thing. It wasn't my only source of pool education though. I had the good fortune of finding a good coach with paid lessons as well. 6 weeks worth on the formal lessons at $20 @ was quite a bargain.Intimation is always available. Heck I have had my hero admit to experience of same, so no shame.
Learning to deal with the fear for me started with the self to self talk that went something like this. " What's there to fear? Losing? I've done that numerous times, yet I am still here alive and well. The next day is still the same, my life is still the same. No need to feel shame. It can happen to even the best. So just relax and do my best. Take it one shot at a time then one game at a time and see what happens. who knows....even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while. I played with a guy way back when that had too many insecurities for a male. Mommas boy, I guess. Helluva nice guy, just no salt, ya know?? He'd tell me when we'd head into the hall that he always thot everyone watched him when he made bad shots and never saw the good ones. Needless to say, he didn't develop into much of a player. He couldn't understand that you just gotta suck it up and work on it. Courage. Don't let the people around you affect your performance in a negative way.Well I have related my startup experience previously but will endeavor to tell it the same again. Wink
My playing with the big boys started at the White Spot Wednesday night 9 ball tournament that had full fields in the 32+ range. It was at first intimidating. I remember thinking, "as soon as my hands quit shaking, I'll be fine." Then realized that my hands were not going to stop shaking Until I made A ball.
Intimation is always available. Heck I have had my hero admit to experience of same, so no shame.
Alphas and Betas. This applies to all areas of life.
How much did other players intimidation affect your progress starting out as a player??
Did it hinder or help you??
All eyes are upon you while you play.
I don't think I was ever scared to play in public or with good players. In fact, I love it when I am in a new pool hall and the locals are trying to match up their best guy against me. Hearing "he should play Billy" or "if he played John it would be a good match" is a nice ego boost, makes me smile.
I played CJ in some place in Florida while the place was filled with league players, we were smack dab on the middle table with 4" pockets, and I shot well enough to break and run a few 10 ball games on him with many people looking on. Loved seeing a former top 5 player racking for me LOL.
It helped me, never felt intimidated.
I always felt I’ll never miss a ball when I couldn’t make 1 in a row with ball in hand.
I donated plenty and missed more balls than I made. I loved it, still do.
I always wanted to play the best players.
Many eyes are on the table when you’re playing a World Champion. They were happy to take my lunch money.
Tomorrow I would come back for more after school.
I always felt I’ll never miss a ball when I couldn’t make 1 in a row with ball in hand.
I donated plenty and missed more balls than I made. I loved it, still do.
I always wanted to play the best players.
Many eyes are on the table when you’re playing a World Champion. They were happy to take my lunch money.
Tomorrow I would come back for more after school.
First starting out-fearless and dumb
I have taught myself not to hear anything or to see anything not on the line of sight while down at the table.
You could have multiple people shooting at each other, and I would hardly even notice.
You could have multiple people shooting at each other, and I would hardly even notice.
I happened to be around 3 or 4 miserable, complaining, and insulting people that no one liked, very poor sports, but they came by often enough that they were part of the crowd. They all disappeared and now everyone I know is more normal, but they really turned me off from pool players in the beginning. Just a coincidence.
I get it. Can be an acquired taste for many.
I don’t think I played for more than $20 a game in my life. I don’t think I could. $500! I can play pool but I am no true pool player.
where i started out you had everyone that wasn't playing sitting on the tables and chairs around your table and talking and making all kinds of noise. you got real early on to shut it out. there was no telling anyone to be quiet when you shoot.
games then were 3 to 20 a game mostly. but a steak dinner was 4 bucks or less. gas was 40 cents or less.
i was in action every day until evening when many went to the racetrack.
most i ever played for got up to 33k a game 8 ball, but i wasnt terrified i just played.
still bet high and if it is worth a dollar to bet, it is worth all in my pocket ,or not to bet.
and never in my life had a stake horse.
games then were 3 to 20 a game mostly. but a steak dinner was 4 bucks or less. gas was 40 cents or less.
i was in action every day until evening when many went to the racetrack.
most i ever played for got up to 33k a game 8 ball, but i wasnt terrified i just played.
still bet high and if it is worth a dollar to bet, it is worth all in my pocket ,or not to bet.
and never in my life had a stake horse.
The last time you played for 500 or shit yourself? Lol
Most I can recall playing for is $10K a rack 1P and $9K 9B. If I played for more I can’t recall anymore.
Once I tried to play higher but couldn’t get the game down. The times I did play that high and countless times for $5000/game or sets-what’s ever, it was just playing as I was immune to the $ at that point as I was in action all the time.
Same now for backgammon. $25 a point or $1000 it’s the same to me. I don’t think about the $, I just play and am confident in my game.
Money games aren’t for everyone, tourneys for me are much more uncomfortable in pool that action ever was. In backgammon for what ever reason, tourneys are comfortable for me. Funny how that works.
Even in business, I remember the first few big deals I did, they were a rush and I had some nerves. That all went away real quick for me. It’s just biz, do the deal and carry on.
This doesn’t make me any better than anyone. It’s just an explanation of how things work for me. It’s an interesting topic, the poker players are next level. I don’t play poker at all.
Gambol!!!
Best
Fatboy
I play only for recreation, I do not get intimated, so I enjoy the winning or loosing.
he hath returned
