Is adjusting your level of play to your opponents play level laying down?

[Lock N Load]

When, you're playing someone who does not play as good as you do, and you adjust your level of play to theirs, would you be considered laying down?
Example: The person you are playing is missing shots and does not get position when they do make a shot! And you are playing much better than they are. Do you slow your level of play down to theirs?

I did this in a match the other night, and as we played, I thought the guy could not play very well. I was very wrong! The guy had not played in a long time and was getting back in stroke while playing me. It turned out that as we played he got much better. It is a good thing that I had several levels of my game! He won the first set. And laughed at me. Well, we played another set and he won that as well. At this point I have come from an E, game to a C, game. We played another set for the championship! I stepped up to an B, game, and won the set! And laughed at him! Now this person will play me again, had I beat him like a drum the first set, he would have never have played another set!

I was accused of laying down!!
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[ShootingArts]

maybe . . .

When, you're playing someone who does not play as good as you do, and you adjust your level of play to theirs, would you be considered laying down?
Example: The person you are playing is missing shots and does not get position when they do make a shot! And you are playing much better than they are. Do you slow your level of play down to theirs?

I did this in a match the other night, and as we played, I thought the guy could not play very well. I was very wrong! The guy had not played in a long time and was getting back in stroke while playing me. It turned out that as we played he got much better. It is a good thing that I had several levels of my game! He won the first set. And laughed at me. Well, we played another set and he won that as well. At this point I have come from an E, game to a C, game. We played another set for the championship! I stepped up to an B, game, and won the set! And laughed at him! Now this person will play me again, had I beat him like a drum the first set, he would have never have played another set!

I was accused of laying down!!
Regards,
Lock N Load.

I suppose many would see it as laying down. When I played pool for money every night I was plying my trade. When I worked a day job I put in a full honest day of work but I didn't run wide open every minute of every work day. I felt pretty much the same about pool. Why work harder than I had to? If a lot less than my best game was good enough, why drag out the big game? It was much harder "work" and was going to turn off a lot of prospective "customers" that might be watching too.

Another point is that I never see any reason to discourage newcomers or recreational players by blowing them off the table. Plenty of other times when your best game is needed but I see it as a major advantage to be able to shift gears when needed rather than play one speed all the time.

Hu

 

[Lock N Load]

Hu, this is Exactly what I am talking about!

I suppose many would see it as laying down. When I played pool for money every night I was plying my trade. When I worked a day job I put in a full honest day of work but I didn't run wide open every minute of every work day. I felt pretty much the same about pool. Why work harder than I had to? If a lot less than my best game was good enough, why drag out the big game? It was much harder "work" and was going to turn off a lot of prospective "customers" that might be watching too.

Another point is that I never see any reason to discourage newcomers or recreational players by blowing them off the table. Plenty of other times when your best game is needed but I see it as a major advantage to be able to shift gears when needed rather than play one speed all the time.

Hu

Thank you very much for that input,
You said a mouthful. Why run on Kill! And scare away clients, because you want to show that you have an A game! There are several versions of A games too.... He, He, He. Thanks again Hu, for your response, and good input. I appreciate it. Sound like you're running a 6 speed!!!
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[softshot]

lazy pool breeds lazy pool it's a lot easier to shut off your "A" game than it is to turn it back on again...

my mindset has always been do it right or don't do it at all...

 

[Z3R0]

Personally, I don't think it is. This is something that's typically done during tournaments, and the advantage is obvious. You may not want to reveal your full potential right off from the start to everyone watching, and let them know what to expect.

This is commonly called "holding back speed". The advantage is that you always leave your opponents guessing and not knowing what to expect. Some people frown on it however, as it can be noticed pretty easily if you watch someone play long enough.

 

[Lock N Load]

I'll bet, you do not get a lot of action!

lazy pool breeds lazy pool it's a lot easier to shut off your "A" game than it is to turn it back on again...

my mindset has always been do it right or don't do it at all...

It is bad enough getting action when you do adjust your level of play down.
I guess it depends on who you are though!
So, you play wide open all the time? What do you do when that does not win for you? Perhaps ask for weight? I can turn my A+ game any time, no problem.
Thanks for your input and response.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

This is great! I like what you just said!

Personally, I don't think it is. This is something that's typically done during tournaments, and the advantage is obvious. You may not want to reveal your full potential right off from the start to everyone watching, and let them know what to expect.

This is commonly called "holding back speed". The advantage is that you always leave your opponents guessing and not knowing what to expect. Some people frown on it however, as it can be noticed pretty easily if you watch someone play long enough.

I like your statement you just made. You summed it up in a nut shell... I cannot add anything more to what you said. Thanks for your response and input! I appreciate it. Send me a friend request, so I can be one of your friends on AZB.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Ratta]

I always recommend:
No matter who s your opponent- step to the table and do your job!
The only thing you could do different is, that if you know that your opponent PERHAPS has some lower abilities to play a different kind of strategy in some situations.

I always just try to make it- if not, i m not playing pool atm! Further it s a kind of respect from my side. Each opponent gets the respect as i expect it from him-no matter what level he plays,

lg
Ingo

 

[Lock N Load]

Do, you give up weight to get a game?

I always recommend:
No matter who s your opponent- step to the table and do your job!
The only thing you could do different is, that if you know that your opponent PERHAPS has some lower abilities to play a different kind of strategy in some situations.

I always just try to make it- if not, i m not playing pool atm! Further it s a kind of respect from my side. Each opponent gets the respect as i expect it from him-no matter what level he plays,

lg
Ingo

If you play very well and everyone knows this, what kind of action do you get? If you do not adjust your level of play, you have to give up weight! To get action. Thanks for your input and response. I appreciate it.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Johnnyt]

I suppose many would see it as laying down. When I played pool for money every night I was plying my trade. When I worked a day job I put in a full honest day of work but I didn't run wide open every minute of every work day. I felt pretty much the same about pool. Why work harder than I had to? If a lot less than my best game was good enough, why drag out the big game? It was much harder "work" and was going to turn off a lot of prospective "customers" that might be watching too.

Another point is that I never see any reason to discourage newcomers or recreational players by blowing them off the table. Plenty of other times when your best game is needed but I see it as a major advantage to be able to shift gears when needed rather than play one speed all the time.

Hu

I’ve never heard “playing on the lemon,” explained so eloquently. Johnnyt

PS:Good to have you posting again.

 

[Z3R0]

This is the way I look at it. There are of course going to be times when you want to show-boat and let everyone know you're a bad mother(shut yo mouth). From my experience, the time you never really want to do this is A) During tournaments and B) When trying to run a slider or frame on a mark.

There's only two kind of people that I've noticed that play for money. There are those that know they're decent, and are playing with the hopes of winning a pot, such as in tournaments. There are also those who are overly confident...and don't know the difference between luck and skill.

The way I see it, there's no reason you need to drive on the interstate at 120 mph when you can cruise at 70 mph and still get where you're going. Obviously, there are times when you'll have to speed up to pass someone, and there will be times when you realize you don't have to go quite as fast.

 

[Falcon Eddie]

lazy pool breeds lazy pool it's a lot easier to shut off your "A" game than it is to turn it back on again...

my mindset has always been do it right or don't do it at all...

I like this. You can call it lazy , or underestimating , getting bored or whatever. One thing is for sure in the ring of boxing the fight is never over till its over. And a wounded opponent can be the most dangerous one.
The rectangular arena is no different. Find yourself asleep , could be lights out.

 

[NineballBEN]

lazy pool breeds lazy pool it's a lot easier to shut off your "A" game than it is to turn it back on again...

my mindset has always been do it right or don't do it at all...

WOW this has always been my motto...if your husltin this guy you don't have to turn off your A game,you can miss shots and still stay in stroke for when you really need it.Like the saying goes "are you really lucky or just that good"

 

[336Robin]

For Other Reasons

I suppose many would see it as laying down. When I played pool for money every night I was plying my trade. When I worked a day job I put in a full honest day of work but I didn't run wide open every minute of every work day. I felt pretty much the same about pool. Why work harder than I had to? If a lot less than my best game was good enough, why drag out the big game? It was much harder "work" and was going to turn off a lot of prospective "customers" that might be watching too.

Another point is that I never see any reason to discourage newcomers or recreational players by blowing them off the table. Plenty of other times when your best game is needed but I see it as a major advantage to be able to shift gears when needed rather than play one speed all the time.

Hu

I agree whole heartedly with Hu's post with other added reasons. I play a few players way above my level on a regular basis and had them grind me down to a nub back when I first started playing them because they are so competitive--also bad losers. I was the lesser and I took the beating without complaint but little was learned as the student just sat in the chair while they gloated over their prowess. Now its 50/50 and sometimes the other way around and I have a student/friend of my own to teach. I occassionally allow him to get 6 games ahead before I go into Super Nova shut down mode just to show him that I have that gear and to prove to myself that I do. Generally when I do I will control 4 racks or better of simultaneous play before noting his ego is cracking and its no longer fun for him. Then I slowly edge him back and end up the night a few racks ahead.
Pool is tough game and there are fine lines of division all over the place. Lines of division where kindness/weakness, sickness/competitive nature are close to one another at times. Certainly being able to distinguish the difference in those areas is a plus not only in your game but in your psychology. As one enters "pool realm" when faced with the green background having a real connection to the world outside the plane of the slate isnt necessarily a bad thing. It might just keep it real for you when you are assessing your own skill level. A delusional view of your real game isnt a good thing to be carrying around, beating your friends down to nubs to the point of complete demoralization isnt always necessary unless your friend is completely delusional about his own skill and needs it. Enjoying the game is necessary if you continue playing your friend and it allows you work on shots you are having trouble with.
A non-friend deserves no quarter if its gambling but there are levels of sickness and depravity there as well. You have no obligation to show your speed. Perhaps you are the therapy that it will take to make them realize they have a bit of a problem.
This is a game, a realistic view of it is a good thing to have otherwise we would just roll dice. You Sandbagger You!!

336Robin :thumbup:

 

[Lock N Load]

Well put, Z3RO. Thanks for your input. And being my friend.

This is the way I look at it. There are of course going to be times when you want to show-boat and let everyone know you're a bad mother(shut yo mouth). From my experience, the time you never really want to do this is A) During tournaments and B) When trying to run a slider or frame on a mark.

There's only two kind of people that I've noticed that play for money. There are those that know they're decent, and are playing with the hopes of winning a pot, such as in tournaments. There are also those who are overly confident...and don't know the difference between luck and skill.

The way I see it, there's no reason you need to drive on the interstate at 120 mph when you can cruise at 70 mph and still get where you're going. Obviously, there are times when you'll have to speed up to pass someone, and there will be times when you realize you don't have to go quite as fast.

Very well stated! Thanks for your response... I like your views.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

Robin, you have a great way of stating the facts!

I agree whole heartedly with Hu's post with other added reasons. I play a few players way above my level on a regular basis and had them grind me down to a nub back when I first started playing them because they are so competitive--also bad losers. I was the lesser and I took the beating without complaint but little was learned as the student just sat in the chair while they gloated over their prowess. Now its 50/50 and sometimes the other way around and I have a student/friend of my own to teach. I occassionally allow him to get 6 games ahead before I go into Super Nova shut down mode just to show him that I have that gear and to prove to myself that I do. Generally when I do I will control 4 racks or better of simultaneous play before noting his ego is cracking and its no longer fun for him. Then I slowly edge him back and end up the night a few racks ahead.
Pool is tough game and there are fine lines of division all over the place. Lines of division where kindness/weakness, sickness/competitive nature are close to one another at times. Certainly being able to distinguish the difference in those areas is a plus not only in your game but in your psychology. As one enters "pool realm" when faced with the green background having a real connection to the world outside the plane of the slate isnt necessarily a bad thing. It might just keep it real for you when you are assessing your own skill level. A delusional view of your real game isnt a good thing to be carrying around, beating your friends down to nubs to the point of complete demoralization isnt always necessary unless your friend is completely delusional about his own skill and needs it. Enjoying the game is necessary if you continue playing your friend and it allows you work on shots you are having trouble with.
A non-friend deserves no quarter if its gambling but there are levels of sickness and depravity there as well. You have no obligation to show your speed. Perhaps you are the therapy that it will take to make them realize they have a bit of a problem.
This is a game, a realistic view of it is a good thing to have otherwise we would just roll dice. You Sandbagger You!!

336Robin :thumbup:

The Lock, a Sand bagger, or Hu? Great input. Thanks for your response.
I appreciate it.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

I don't think it is.

 

[Highmiles]

lazy pool breeds lazy pool it's a lot easier to shut off your "A" game than it is to turn it back on again...

my mindset has always been do it right or don't do it at all...

That is sort of, the problem I have.
I find myself playing to the level of my competition. It's not really a matter of being lazy, so much as a reluctance to embarrass another player. As you state, it is sometimes difficult to pick up the speed again. I think it was caused by laying off pool for several years, and only playing against friends and relatives occasionally. I have had to really adjust my attitude, to get my mind back where it should be. As far as using it for sharking, an inadvertent accidental defense shot thrown into the middle of a run doesn't count, does it?

 

[richiebalto]

When, you're playing someone who does not play as good as you do, and you adjust your level of play to theirs, would you be considered laying down?
Example: The person you are playing is missing shots and does not get position when they do make a shot! And you are playing much better than they are. Do you slow your level of play down to theirs?

I did this in a match the other night, and as we played, I thought the guy could not play very well. I was very wrong! The guy had not played in a long time and was getting back in stroke while playing me. It turned out that as we played he got much better. It is a good thing that I had several levels of my game! He won the first set. And laughed at me. Well, we played another set and he won that as well. At this point I have come from an E, game to a C, game. We played another set for the championship! I stepped up to an B, game, and won the set! And laughed at him! Now this person will play me again, had I beat him like a drum the first set, he would have never have played another set!

I was accused of laying down!!
Regards,
Lock N Load.

I have been accused of laying down also and i wasnt, sometimes if my opponet is playing bad it will make me play bad also.but when i did lay down before ive notice that when i came out of stall and started to play hard i could not play my best,but thats just me,i guees for me thats like lying and i dont do that very good.iam not saying anything wrong about stalling,i know thats the way to win money,i just dont do it very good.

 

[Lock N Load]

I have been accused of laying down also and i wasnt, sometimes if my opponet is playing bad it will make me play bad also.but when i did lay down before ive notice that when i came out of stall and started to play hard i could not play my best,but thats just me,i guees for me thats like lying and i dont do that very good.iam not saying anything wrong about stalling,i know thats the way to win money,i just dont do it very good.

Hello Richie,
Laying down or stalling is something you practice in your regular game playing practice!! Or so I thought. He, He, He. If you miss a few shots during playing of a match, it does not mean you are laying down either. When a lot of people are watching when I am practicing I tend to miss sometime. Opps, that is stalling also! Thanks for your response and input, Richie. I appreciate it.
Regards,
Lock N Load.