Pace of play
- Thread starter ctyhntr
- Start date
We have a shot clock for the pace of play. I'm much more patient in a One Pocket game, waiting for my opponent to make a choice, than I am in 9 ball. To stare at every ball playing 9 ball and to consider your options shouldn't consume a significant amount of time. If you're a slow player....no, I don't want a game.
Pool should be like tennis......hit the ball.
Pool should be like tennis......hit the ball.
For me it depends on skill level, If you have the skill to execute whatever it is that could be clouding your mind please take your time (for the most part) but if you are a low level player with little knowledge of multiple aspect of not only pool but any idea of what could come into your mind, like this 3 rail safe/position/escape that you're lining up with your cue having absolutely no experience in the shot much less a system then please, please JUST SHOOT THE F***ING SHOT, YOUR OPTIONS ARE STOP FOLLOW AND DRAW, I'M ON THE HILL AND YOU'RE DOWN 5 GAMES AND YOU HAVEN'T RAN ONE RACK, COME ON!
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The worse was playing or watching a very low level in any league. If they had BIH they would stand there looking at the whole table that still may have all 7 of their balls and try to figure out a total runout. Set the CB in place and then miss pocketing the ball.
At the SBE I was playing in the 8 player warm up. The guy I playing was old and very slow, and I doubt he was any older than I am but he acted older. He would take his time walking around the table on every shot. Stand there addressing the CB. Chalk up his cue. Get down on the shot. Stand back up and chalk up his cue. Walk over to the OB and look at it to line it up again. Get back adressing the CB and stand up to chalk his cue again. Then maybe wipe off his hands or the cue and chalk it up again. The only good thing that came from it was that it made you more focused to play better and not let him back at the table.
The worse was playing or watching a very low level in any league. If they had BIH they would stand there looking at the whole table that still may have all 7 of their balls and try to figure out a total runout. Set the CB in place and then miss pocketing the ball.
At the SBE I was playing in the 8 player warm up. The guy I playing was old and very slow, and I doubt he was any older than I am but he acted older. He would take his time walking around the table on every shot. Stand there addressing the CB. Chalk up his cue. Get down on the shot. Stand back up and chalk up his cue. Walk over to the OB and look at it to line it up again. Get back adressing the CB and stand up to chalk his cue again. Then maybe wipe off his hands or the cue and chalk it up again. The only good thing that came from it was that it made you more focused to play better and not let him back at the table.
Same thing happened to me at the SBE last year and it took me out of my game. I was back in the game 1 year at that time. I have a lot more poise now and have learned to handle slow players differently.
I think playing faster would add to the perceived skill level for sure.
I'm a quick placed player. I was playing with a monster last Friday (same guy I wrote about in that "Best pool you've ever seen thread") and he told me younger players tend to play faster and looser and they just "know" what to do and I'd say that defines me pretty well.
I see the shots, and the angles and everything else and I don't play nearly as well when I'm planning out what to do and logically thinking things through. Doesn't work for me.
As I get older and older maybe my style of playing will change but right now my pace is fast and aggressive - even with slower games like one pocket I'm still looking to be aggressive but more controlled. Basically, aggressive as possible while affording minimal risks.
I see the shots, and the angles and everything else and I don't play nearly as well when I'm planning out what to do and logically thinking things through. Doesn't work for me.
As I get older and older maybe my style of playing will change but right now my pace is fast and aggressive - even with slower games like one pocket I'm still looking to be aggressive but more controlled. Basically, aggressive as possible while affording minimal risks.
To your actual question I think it varies. I've seen some players who play fast but only because they're nervous - basically fast out of fear, instead of fast out of knowing or experience.
Also, I've seen slow players who are slow because they don't know what to do, and slow players who are slow because they're methodical and want to focus on the shot before shooting it but they hardly ever miss.
So, aside from pace it depends on the emotions you see in their pace.
I let a slow player get into my head a few weeks ago. What made me mad was that I don't mind playing slow at all and have even had it brought up (when that happens i'm kind of a dick cause then as soon as they miss I got "should of took some more time on that") but back to that match. I lost because I could not refocus after realizing that the pace was not what I went into the match thinking it would be, I wanted a flowing game of 14.1 not that shit that happened. Don't just sit there and watch me shoot, please count the balls with me or allow me to not focus on shooting and counting, don't go "how much" to me at the end of my run with not so much of a clue on your face. But maybe it's me, I try not to miss a beat on the table, the second you're done I want to say X and address the table while you slide the beads. I'm getting angry again, i'm done.
Farhan
RSPECT
It doesn't really change the perceived skill-level of the player, just their watch-a-bility.
Take Earl or Shane, for example. Their play is a pleasure to watch because of the fluid pace with which they play.
Johnny Archer or Ralf aren't any less skilled. But their more deliberate and less fluid pace makes them a little less enjoyable to watch. In my opinion, of course.
Take Earl or Shane, for example. Their play is a pleasure to watch because of the fluid pace with which they play.
Johnny Archer or Ralf aren't any less skilled. But their more deliberate and less fluid pace makes them a little less enjoyable to watch. In my opinion, of course.