Other players nervous playing *you*?

[Billy_Bob]

I played a game the other night with someone I had not played in quite awhile.

I watched him play someone else before he played me and he was shooting just fine.

Then he played me and was nervous as could be! He couldn't make thing. His game just went to pieces.

I know the symptoms of this because I used to do it when I played one of the better players in the area. I was so intimidated by *who* they were, I couldn't think straight. I've since learned I can beat anyone if the conditions are right (If I am lucky, playing well, and they are not). So I play my best game with everyone now. Sometimes I win a few.

Anyway I'm playing this guy and thinking... "Hey... it's just me! You know, the beginning pool player who likes to play for fun. Relax!"

Well I guess I'm not a beginning pool player anymore. Someone told me the other night at a tournament that I and one other guy were the players to beat. That kind of took me by surprise as I don't consider myself that good.

Anyway I do like the idea of everyone gunning for me, then I have to play a better game to win.

I don't like the idea of other players being nervous playing me and therefore playing lousy. (Or thinking they don't have a chance, so why try.)

Has this happened to you as you have improved your playing (some players being nervous playing you)?

 

[Koop]

It happens a lot in league play because of the handicap system. A lot of people assume if they are a 4 and going up against a 6 or 7 that they don't have a chance. While the opposite is true( been beat by plenty of 4's and 5's), it's still tough to get it through that in this game anyone has a shot, especially in league play.
As far as tournaments, the opposite for me sometimes happens. I hadn't played in a 9-Ball tournament for over a year and decided to just jump into one a little while back. It was handicapped and because I was new they made me a 5. The guy I was playing was a 7 and I guess that was the highest. I had the match at hill-hill and someone told me that this guy usually wins or finishes top 3 every week. I ran down to the seven and then the mental shark came in. Hung the 8 and the rest was history. Next match, my buddy Dave spanks me and sends me home. I did learn my lesson after that but I still feel it trying to come in sometimes.

Dave

 

[drivermaker]

A great way to produce fear in someone is (a) have a license to carry a gun and actually carry one (b) play for some big stakes and let them catch a glimpse of it while you're bending over to shoot.

I don't know why that works, but it seems to have a debilitating affect on other shooters.

 

[1pRoscoe]

A great way to produce fear in someone is (a) have a license to carry a gun and actually carry one (b) play for some big stakes and let them catch a glimpse of it while you're bending over to shoot.

I don't know why that works, but it seems to have a debilitating affect on other shooters.

that's why I love living in Texas, home of the CHL!

I'd have to say that I have the same problem now-a-days, it's just a bit different....

I used to be the "banger" that you were referring to above, as just "the beginning pool player who likes to play for fun". There were about 5-6 other regulars who were in there at all times that I regularly played with. I was the kid that was pretty good, but couldn't hang with the big boys.

Then about a year ago I decided to play serious and give it my all, rather than just having something to do while drinking beers with the buds...

I'd have to say that I got my game back from when I was 20-21.... Cause now I'm one of the big boys. I was talking with one of the best in the place that used to beat up on me pretty heavily. We were playing golf one night, probably on the 5th game. I'd already won two of them, so I was up maybe $100. He made the comment that over the past 6 months, he had seen my game improve beyond what it had ever been.

This of course was a compliment. Anyways, long story short - I don't really get nervous playing certain people anymore, especially nine ball. I play the game, not the person. I play the ghost on a daily basis, always looking to improve my game.

I still get nervous playing a few people in one hole, though... Namely the best around here that give me weight!

 

[hobokenapa]

I've certainly won my fair share of APA games by my opponent being scared. If you are a 2-5, playing an APA7 is intimidating.

 

[mjantti]

Bob Fancher has written a lot about this. It's about your status in your pool environment and what happens when you move up or down with your status. I felt I've started being the player to beat after I took a giant leap in Finnish rankings all the way to the top. Many players are nowadays sharpening their knifes for my scalp... gulp !