My First Tournament
- Thread starter dustin_65
- Start date
Easiest way to keep your cool is to play well and win
Get there early and practice on the equipment you'll be playing on. Don't worry about match-ups (my luck is I draw the favorite to win the tourney in the first round), just play YOUR game. If you are as competitive as I am you'll beat up on yourself for mistakes....try to let it go - otherwise it'll only lead to more mistakes. Have confidence in your ability. If you're faced with a really tough shot, think about a similar shot you've made - this has always helped me. Lastly, and most important...be LOOSE, have FUN!!!
Easiest way to keep your cool is to play well and win
Thanks Im a pretty good shooter, i can beat just about any joe smo that walks into the bar, but there will be added pressure and i do beat myself up for mistakes so i am just looking for advice here thanks a lot for the reply, good advice.
-Dustin
I always keep a sweater or a jacket in hand in case the pool hall is freezing cold. If you get cold, your body sends your blood to your important organs and away from your extremities. Well guess what happens, your hands and your arms get cold, and it can have a negative impact on your game. It'll be harder to get loose and also you'll have a harder time getting that "feel" for the table through your cuestick. So dress warm and gluck! :thumbup:
Just focus on playing your game and try not to worry about your opponent. When I played in my first tournament, I lost my very first match by a big margin b/c I was worrying way too much about my opponent. After that match, I won my next couple of matches b/c I started to focus on my game only, which picked up my confidence and helped me get over my nervousness. I lost my next match though, but only by a game or two.
Go with the attitude you are practicing for the tournament, play the game a ball at a time, do not focus on winning, and don't drink alcohol.
I definitely am not going to drink during or before the tournament, im not really a big drinker, only time I'm usually in a bar, which seems like a lot, is to play pool.
Know the rules of the tournament. Relax and enjoy yourself.
You failed to mention - is the tourney a regional tour that has a stop nearby that you are playing in, or a weekly local thing? If a tour stop, the competition will most likely be pretty strong, and I'd be inclined to play the best players you can leading up to it. Not that there's anything wrong with doing that if it's just a weekly tourney either. :thumbup: Good luck, and again, have fun, and play YOUR game.
Its just a weekly tourny at a local bar, i just wanted something to get started in, ever since i got my new predator cue it seems like my game has grown by leaps and bounds and i just want to get out there and play some decent shooters, just to try myself out.
Just a weekly tournament, 8-ball or 9-ball it switches up every once in a while, im pretty comfortable with either. I don't honestly think i will have strong competition but i could be surprised i have seem some bar players that are alright.
If there's money to be won you'll likely have at least a couple of players there a bit better than the normal "bar players" you're used to shooting against. Which is a VERY good thing, the better the competition; the better you'll get....
Sometime I can not believe those who think that operate best under the influence of 5 or 6 beers.
Thats exactly what i thought, its only $120 pot, but it should draw maybe one or 2 good shooters, i can run a 9-ball rack if i sink 2 or 3 on the break but that doesn't happen often enough to count on, i do pretty good in 8-ball i had a decent player in the bar i play at a few nights ago, and i beat him 4 games in a row out of 5 games total.
I know what you mean. I think it's mostly a mental thing. They think they play better with some beer in them, and then sometimes they do. I was shooting around with one of my friend's managers (my friend works at Mickey D's) and at first he couldn't play worth crap, but after a couple of drinks, I had to play a little more seriously b/c his game went up appreciably.
Liquid confidence, then after they hit the certain point, their game degrades rapidly.
just try and ignore your nerves if you come across them.
also remember your basics and like everyone else says have fun.
also remember your basics and like everyone else says have fun.