Mental preference

Flakeandrun

Flakeandrun

Well-known member
Yesterday, I got absolutely smoked playing 9-ball with by my reckoning a far superior player. It was a game set-up by the boss of the store I play at. It was like the guy had the ball on a string. Final result was 9-3. I was pretty pissed.
I suggested immediately after that we have another set, but then he suggested we play a set of 8-ball... boy the fortunes reversed. It was like he couldn't hold a cue... I won 9-1.

We had a good laugh about it. I was curious why he suggested to change, when I was happy to play for the same amount just to try and learn/play better than last time (it wasn't a huge amount)
Due to language barrier, I couldn't really have the conversations I wanted to after, but it was great to watch the way he played 9-ball. By all accounts he played a better set than one or two of the pros I have had the good fortune of being able to play. I do play mostly 8-ball, or 10-ball, and I am still learning the dynamics and shot selection with regard to 9-ball (or maybe that is just an excuse for playing shite, and my brain just feels fried because I know I don't play as much 9-ball and starts to play mental gymnastics with shot selection?).

Just curious if there is anyone out there who feels confident in one style of play, but useless in another? If this is a common feeling? I was missing a ball in one style of play, that I was making in the other. Maybe it was because I spent a long time playing 14.1 prior? Should there be such a big difference in ability between the type of game played? Is there anyone who exclusively plays one game only? Is it useful to play as many game variations as possible?

Questions from the jumbled mind of a snooker player.
 
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Flakeandrun said:
Yesterday, I got absolutely smoked playing 9-ball with by my reckoning a far superior player. It was a game set-up by the boss of the store I play at. It was like the guy had the ball on a string. Final result was 9-3. I was pretty pissed.
I suggested immediately after that we have a another set, but then he suggested we play a set of 8-ball... boy the fortunes reversed. It was like he couldn't hold a cue... I won 9-1.
We had a good laugh about it. I was curious why he suggested to change, when I was happy to play for the same amount just to try and learn/play better than last time (it wasn't a huge amount)
Due to language barrier, I couldn't really have the conversations I wanted to after, but it was great to watch the way he played 9-ball. By all accounts he played a better set than one or two of the pros I have had the good fortune of being able to play. I do play mostly 8-ball, or 10-ball, and I am still learning the dynamics and shot selection with regard to 9-ball (or maybe that is just an excuse for playing shite, and my brain just feels fried because I know I don't play as much 9-ball and starts to play mental gymnastics with shot selection?).

Just curious if there is anyone out there who feels confident in one style of play, but useless in another? If this is a common feeling? I was missing a ball in one style of play, that I was making in the other. Maybe it was because I spent a long time playing 14.1 prior? Should there be such a big difference in ability between the type of game played? Is there anyone who exclusively plays one game only? Is it useful to play as many game variations as possible?

Questions from the jumbled mind of a snooker player.
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I’ve asked to change the game when I was losing but never when I was winning!!! But yes, for sure. Some players out there don’t play 8-ball as well as they play 9-ball, and vice versa.
 
Poolhall60561 said:
Maybe he is keeping you on the hook.
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ready for next time :ROFLMAO: given the amount we are playing for currently, I am not sure about that... But then I am not a hustler by nature, or from a hustle culture. Currently, I am happy with the amount played for, and it seems to be the going rate for games set up by the boss. Definitely felt it to be one of the worst performances I've had playing 9-ball since I started playing on these tables. I mean, I wanted to play 9-ball again for my own egos sake I guess, in an attempt to do better. He looked all at sea playing 8-ball. I often see him playing at the same store, and he seems to play 9-ball exclusively, and have also played on the table next to him before in a 9-ball tournament. He often sees me playing 8-ball casually with friends, which is why he suggested to play that maybe?
I feel like the boss set the game up for his own entertainment more than anything else. Before that, we were just two randoms playing 10 tables away from each other (I'd consider the boss to be a decent guy. Let's me have free light/table time when solo practice. Encourages me to partake in some tournaments around the city. I play games against him often. He often gives some advice and is a great player himself)
 
Cornerman said:
I’ve asked to change the game when I was losing but never when I was winning!!! But yes, for sure. Some players out there don’t play 8-ball as well as they play 9-ball, and vice versa.
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I see him play exclusively 9-ball often. I think he sees me playing 8-ball with friends often. Maybe he just wanted to try and gauge my speed better for future match ups? Maybe he just saw me having a shit time of it, and was wanting a less negative atmosphere (I did have a face like a slapped ass when I asked to play another set of 9-ball, maybe he didn't want to sit through another 9 racks of my bitch face? :ROFLMAO:)

Just came away from yesterday with lots in my mind.
 
9-ball you can play big position zones if you play smart. Hard to do in 8-ball.
Speed cotrol and accurate short distance cueball can be hard to 9-ballers.
 
I am also much better in rotation than 8-ball, but that probably boils down to having played and practiced rotation games 100x more than 8-ball, so not a suprise. As Poolmanis said, 8-ball requires more short shot finesse and more nuanced tactical planning which can be weird at first when coming from rotation.
 
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Poolmanis said:
9-ball you can play big position zones if you play smart. Hard to do in 8-ball.
Speed cotrol and accurate short distance cueball can be hard to 9-ballers.
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I'm still playing each shot with too many options in my head when I am playing 9ball. It affects my game greatly. I learn a lot from watching others. Last night was no exception, the guy was on point.
I did play much better during our 8ball race. But as I said, it was like playing a different person. I think you are right about the pattern play, he missed some crucial opportunities to break balls. I felt really good, and capitalised on his mistakes to keep me in the hotseat.
Honestly, the only reason I took 3 frames from him in 9ball, was because of MR breaking format and my safety game. I think I got into a defensive mindset and paid the price.
 
Oikawa said:
I am also much better in rotation than 8-ball, but that probably boils down to having played and practiced rotation games 100x more than 8-ball, so not a suprise. As Poolmanis said, 8-ball requires more short shot finesse and more nuanced tactical planning which can be weird at first when coming from rotation.
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I'm getting better at rotation. I think that because I play a lot of Chinese-8, and American-8 with friends, some of the shot selection has become more dialled in than other games. Plus breaking in 8 and 10 ball, I feel pretty strong.
 
Your writing is just fine, my feeling is that if someone can't be bothered to sit and read the whole thing, they aren't the kind of person I want to interact with anyway.
While the game styles between 8 and 9 are definitely different, I think a lot of it boils down to confidence, and how comfortable you are.
 
Cornerman said:
I’ve asked to change the game when I was losing but never when I was winning!!! But yes, for sure. Some players out there don’t play 8-ball as well as they play 9-ball, and vice versa.
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I have never really played 8b and I'm not good at it.
 
Sheldon said:
Your writing is just fine, my feeling is that if someone can't be bothered to sit and read the whole thing, they aren't the kind of person I want to interact with anyway.
While the game styles between 8 and 9 are definitely different, I think a lot of it boils down to confidence, and how comfortable you are.
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bbb is nice enough. He DM'd me before about some things. I don't think he meant it in a harsh way, and I also am aware that I can waffle (as I am mostly posting from the office when I'm bored out of my mind, dreaming of playing :) )

I guess a lot of it is confidence, as I really don't think it was anything to do with 'the hustle' as someone above mentioned (but that is a part of the game I am becoming more and more familiar with, and finding more interesting).

I also think, from a technical perspective, his game was quite a good speed (I certainly felt well out of my depth in the 9-ball set and he kept himself in the hotseat). It was interesting to see some shots missed in the following 8-ball set, that were be almost identical to those made in the first set. Perhaps the layout of the table, and the differing thought process involved threw a spanner into the works?
 
Black-Balled said:
I have never really played 8b and I'm not good at it.
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Always time :)
I have been trying pretty much every and any game someone wants to play with me.

Here, because Chinese-8 is a big deal, most friends will be wanting to play this (...can be frustrating as they accept not calling a pocket even on American tables and it drives me crazy sometimes :ROFLMAO:)

Recently started playing a bit of one pocket, but don't have any regular match-ups like I do for 8/9/10 ball, or 14.1 - no one really likes playing rotation or bank pool here either.
 
Sheldon said:
Your writing is just fine, my feeling is that if someone can't be bothered to sit and read the whole thing, they aren't the kind of person I want to interact with anyway.
While the game styles between 8 and 9 are definitely different, I think a lot of it boils down to confidence, and how comfortable you are.
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Sheldon
if you dont want to interact with me because i dont want to read war and peace because of its length
and i have rifleman ..buddy’s story for many years that i only read when i am flying cross country because it is so hard to read and still am only 1/3 of the way thru
you absolutely are entitled to your opinion and behavior
you seem to be able to communicate in a concise way
why not advocate a communicating style that will include more people rather than turn them away
🤔
 
Flakeandrun said:
bbb is nice enough. He DM'd me before about some things. I don't think he meant it in a harsh way, and I also am aware that I can waffle (as I am mostly posting from the office when I'm bored out of my mind, dreaming of playing :) )
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flakeandrun
i am glad that you see my comments are only constructive criticism
you have many fine ideas
and i just think some dont get their just consideration because of the way they are presented
jmho
icbw
 
Flakeandrun, your're one of the best new posters on the forum. You tend to raise interesting subjects and your threads tend to be interesting reads. You've been given good advice in this thread but you're under no obligation to follow it. Do as you please.
 
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