Opponent interaction in sports/pool

[The_JV]

Could you give your definition? I reread your posts, but I can't really see how you would define it.

IMO, either of the two definitions of the above pertain to how a person plays pool against an opponent. I have zero doubt that some will argue against my stance and that's fine.

"Influence" is probably the closest thing, if you want to add potential human intent to situational circumstance you find yourself in when you walk up to the table. However there is no 'direct involvement' in pool. Nothing similar to the other games/sports that have been mentioned.

 

[DaWizard]

Hmm it might be my limited understanding of English. It's very good in general, but I don't fully grasp it.

Or a semantic error from the get go. Me using the word 'interaction' where another word was more fitting.

 

[The_JV]

Hmm it might be my limited understanding of English. It's very good in general, but I don't fully grasp it.

Or a semantic error from the get go. Me using the word 'interaction' where another word was more fitting.

No, I think your choice of wording is perfectly fine. I just don't happen to agree with the logic is all. No different then my stance on pool not being a sport, but rather a game. ...and now that I think about it. My opinion on opponent non-interaction plays nicely with my take of not classifying it as a sport as well.

At least I'm consistent

 

[ShootingArts]

Bowling is the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about sports that aren't interactive. Nothing you can do to keep your opponent from getting a nice straight rack of ten pins after your turn. Then again, the opponent sees your score all the time so you can put pressure on them and affect their play.

Pool, obviously we can put the heat on the other player but more than that, they have to play the table we leave. I was playing a tough road player on a bar table. We started out all offense but it was an unspoken deal. We were talking, laughing, both enjoying ourselves. First night I met the man and he tried to talk me into going for a ride down the highway, team up awhile. However, the main point is that he was easing away from me on my home turf! That wasn't done at this point in time.

With apology to Snoopy and Peanuts, I needed a new battle plan. I wasn't losing by a lot, I would win four games he would win five might be a fair guess. The answer was two way shots, accidental safeties if my ball didn't fall while getting shape on my next shot. I didn't put a bunch in, I didn't want him to change his playing style too, just enough to change the ratio to five to four my way now. Over hours of play it was all I needed to reel him in. Pretty sure he would have described our session as interactive!

Hu

 

[The_JV]

Bowling is the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about sports that aren't interactive. Nothing you can do to keep your opponent from getting a nice straight rack of ten pins after your turn. Then again, the opponent sees your score all the time so you can put pressure on them and affect their play.

Pool, obviously we can put the heat on the other player but more than that, they have to play the table we leave. I was playing a tough road player on a bar table. We started out all offense but it was an unspoken deal. We were talking, laughing, both enjoying ourselves. First night I met the man and he tried to talk me into going for a ride down the highway, team up awhile. However, the main point is that he was easing away from me on my home turf! That wasn't done at this point in time.

With apology to Snoopy and Peanuts, I needed a new battle plan. I wasn't losing by a lot, I would win four games he would win five might be a fair guess. The answer was two way shots, accidental safeties if my ball didn't fall while getting shape on my next shot. I didn't put a bunch in, I didn't want him to change his playing style too, just enough to change the ratio to five to four my way now. Over hours of play it was all I needed to reel him in. Pretty sure he would have described our session as interactive!

Hu

I was considering in my last post to suggest that a back and forth of 'moves' could be considered interactive. However my rebuttal to my own suggestion is that even a 'move' could only be truly interactive if said move was tailored to the opponent specifically. Otherwise you're simply going through the same motions of smart play, and the ability of the opponent (and thereby them) are inconsequential.

If you've developed an understanding of your opponent and have identified their weaknesses and tendencies. Then you could tailor move choices to manipulate them. That could be considered interactive play imo.

 

[ShootingArts]

If you've developed an understanding of your opponent and have identified their weaknesses and tendencies. Then you could tailor move choices to manipulate them. That could be considered interactive play imo.

That is the key to being successful on the road, you have to rate the other player in minutes, hopefully while he is playing somebody else. Failing that, it is just a matter of experimentation to see what shots he dislikes or which he plays awkwardly. When most people want to go to the off hand or a bridge I often cross my grip hand across the front of my body. Looks odd, works well, and shooting behind my back worked much better fifty pounds ago!

I don't think we are in disagreement, more trying to define what is interaction which I think is a many years long debate. Two bangers in a bar are a lot less interactive than two pros playing for a title.

Hu