leagues or tournaments?

BoBB

BoBB

aka Pablo!
I was wondering what everyones opinion is on which is better to start off in, I play pool alot but mostly just socially and for fun, not to serious but I would like to start getting serious about it, was wondering which venue would be best for starting out ... Thanks in advance for any feedback :)
 
BoBB said:
I was wondering what everyones opinion is on which is better to start off in, I play pool alot but mostly just socially and for fun, not to serious but I would like to start getting serious about it, was wondering which venue would be best for starting out ... Thanks in advance for any feedback :)
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Leagues are more fun but tend to draw weaker players than tournaments. Ideally, you should do both. Still, if you can only do one, I'd go with tournaments for two reasons:

1) you'll get a greater opportunity to learn from better players than you would in a league.
2) you'll meet and get to know most of the serious players in your area and this will give you access to more good players for practice matches, which will help you develop more quickly.

Just my slant on it.
 
I would suggest *both* leagues and tournaments with the league play being most important and the tournaments so you get used to playing in tournaments faster.
 
I think in leagues things are more fun and sociable. In tournaments, you're the competition for most people there. There's not a lot of people rooting for you, your opponent isn't going to chat about strategy, offer you tips, give constructive criticism, etc.

Tourney play, though, does make you harder. You've got to bear down, because there is no next week if you lose. The added pressure is always good experience.

Aside from that, at least in my neck of the woods, your social calendar might make your decision for you. Here, leagues are on weeknights, and tournaments largely on weekends. There are smaller tourneys around, but the big ones where it goes Fri/Sat/Sun are IMHO more fun. Higher competition, more variety. Downside is you can spend your entire weekend playing pool. Oh, wait...that's not really a downside, is it? :)
 
I would start off in league play. Check your area and see what choices you have to play in. They are ALL good leagues to play in. Then I would start to play in small tournaments and finally to large tournaments.
 
I actually havent even looked into scheduling issues heh, but I hear in phoenix you can find a 9ball tournament pretty much any day of the week, which is what I like to play, much more than 8 ball. I should probably look into that heh, anyone from phoenix know the lowdown on leagues/tournys in town?
 
Not to get totally off topic, but im a hardcore geek first and foremost :D I only know like 3 people who use jabber though not to many people know about it.
 
BoBB said:
Not to get totally off topic, but im a hardcore geek first and foremost :D I only know like 3 people who use jabber though not to many people know about it.
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Heh...geek myself. I've met Peter St. Andre (exec dir Jabber Software Foundation) a few times. His license plate is "JABBER" :)

I have my personal sites at Dreamhost. As far as I can tell, they are the only good-sized hosting companies that offer Jabber.
 
phx tourneys

BoBB said:
I actually havent even looked into scheduling issues heh, but I hear in phoenix you can find a 9ball tournament pretty much any day of the week, which is what I like to play, much more than 8 ball. I should probably look into that heh, anyone from phoenix know the lowdown on leagues/tournys in town?
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There are probably more tourneys in PHX than any town I have been in....there is at least one every night of the week..the only unfortunate thing is that they are ALL handicaps!!!
There is a local pool paper that you can pick up in about any bar or pool room..
 
Leagues supply a different sort of pressure that can be good for your pool.You are no longer playing for yourself (like in a tournament) as you are playing for your team. It's a fun social event , however, it's a competive as well, as our team won the league championship last year.When you are shooting a big game and there are four teamates and five opponents watching, you want to get the job done. Learning to play in front of your peers can be good for your game.

Last year I started out on a very dysfunctional team with players not showing up etc and with poor attitudes. League play in that situation wasn't very much fun. That team eventually folded. I then joined a functional team that had lost a player and it was a world of difference.If you join a league make sure you get on a team of nice people that you enjoy spending an evening with. If that team goes on to win, consider it a bonus.

Tourneys offer stiffer competition which is also really good for your game.If you want to improve , I'd do a little of both. Take care, RJ
 
Leagues are okay but you meet quite a few wankers who aren't that good yet take it very seriously.

At least in the tournaments you are on your own and don't have to listen to "blind leading the blind" coaching.
 
BoBB said:
I was wondering what everyones opinion is on which is better to start off in, I play pool alot but mostly just socially and for fun, not to serious but I would like to start getting serious about it, was wondering which venue would be best for starting out ... Thanks in advance for any feedback :)
Click to expand...

I think how well you play has a lot to do with it. If you're not a particularly good player you'll find yourself 2 and out a lot in tournament play and not getting much playing time. If you're just watching, it doesn't help you that much. Even with handicapping systems the better player will generally win. League play offers more socializing and is especially good if you're more orientated towards team sports. Would you rather play golf and tennis or basketball and soccer? Tournaments solo, leagues team.
Personally I like to mix it up, with the mix more towards team (league) style. Either way it's a great game, enjoy.
 
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