Personality as a wall to improvement

[Billy_Bob]

I know a guy who comes up with all sorts of excuses for his not playing well. None of which is that he needs to improve his playing skills. He can't stand it if another player plays better than him. He will talk about how the other player does not play fairly or whatever, but will never admit that the other player is more skilled.

For the longest time, I couldn't figure out why he would not practice and improve his playing....

I think I figured it out. He will not admit to himself that there is anything wrong with his playing. And to practice would be an admission to himself that he is not up to par.

I think it is some sort of ego thing or maybe low self esteem?

I know some other players who will not play anyone who can beat them. They want to always play lesser skilled players.

I guess if there is anything to learn from this, it is that serious players would be better off to be modest, be able to critique themselves, and notice where they need improvement. Then of course work on these things.

What are the personality traits of the better players?

The better players I know don't go around bragging. Actually, those who I know go around telling other players how well they played [if appropriate] and say very little about themselves.

 

[sjm]

....serious players would be better off to be modest, be able to critique themselves, and notice where they need improvement. Then of course work on these things. What are the personality traits of the better players?

To a point, BillyBob, you answered your own question. A special characteristic that the best seem to have is holdng themselves accountable for their results. Yes, there are occasional matches where luck tells the story, but the best understand that most of the time, the deserving player wins a match.

So many players live in denial, unable to admit to any error in judgment or strategy. The ones that live in greatest denial always seem to be the ones spend the most time talking about their break after a loss.

Insufficient commitment, poor decisions, and impatience are often the difference between winning and losing over the green felt. The best have learned from it when they've lost in these ways, and it's part of why they're the best.

I've always admired Johnny Archer for the way he holds himself fully accountable for every aspect of his play.

 

[cheesemouse]

I know a guy who comes up with all sorts of excuses for his not playing well. None of which is that he needs to improve his playing skills. He can't stand it if another player plays better than him. He will talk about how the other player does not play fairly or whatever, but will never admit that the other player is more skilled.

For the longest time, I couldn't figure out why he would not practice and improve his playing....

I think I figured it out. He will not admit to himself that there is anything wrong with his playing. And to practice would be an admission to himself that he is not up to par.

I think it is some sort of ego thing or maybe low self esteem?

I know some other players who will not play anyone who can beat them. They want to always play lesser skilled players.

I guess if there is anything to learn from this, it is that serious players would be better off to be modest, be able to critique themselves, and notice where they need improvement. Then of course work on these things.

What are the personality traits of the better players?

The better players I know don't go around bragging. Actually, those who I know go around telling other players how well they played [if appropriate] and say very little about themselves.

Billy_Bob,

It sounds like you are just getting into the subculture of pool in your area. After you get to know the players in your area better you will notice a small group that always show up after the event/tournement has begun. They will hang out and tell everyone that will listen why they couldn't play and then continue to critique everyones game....these are the guys who had their pool hearts riped out of their chest and they can't handle to show their game in competitive situations...don't bother listening to these guys...

 

[sixpack]

I know a guy who comes up with all sorts of excuses for his not playing well. None of which is that he needs to improve his playing skills. He can't stand it if another player plays better than him. He will talk about how the other player does not play fairly or whatever, but will never admit that the other player is more skilled.

For the longest time, I couldn't figure out why he would not practice and improve his playing....

I think I figured it out. He will not admit to himself that there is anything wrong with his playing. And to practice would be an admission to himself that he is not up to par.

I think it is some sort of ego thing or maybe low self esteem?

I know some other players who will not play anyone who can beat them. They want to always play lesser skilled players.

I guess if there is anything to learn from this, it is that serious players would be better off to be modest, be able to critique themselves, and notice where they need improvement. Then of course work on these things.

What are the personality traits of the better players?

The better players I know don't go around bragging. Actually, those who I know go around telling other players how well they played [if appropriate] and say very little about themselves.

One time when I was just starting out, I had my 9-ball break REALLY working. In fact, in the Colorado Open 9-ball tourney in one match I had 3 9-ball breaks in a row and the 3rd one dropped 6 balls and was the match winner. (This was on a bar box.)

Most players just either dismissed it as luck or whatever, but the only player who ever asked me for help on his break was one of the best 3 players in Colorado at the time. I Was a B player and this player was a AAA+. But he approached me and asked me how he could break better. He was not egotistical at all, he sincerely wanted to find out if I knew something that could help him. I showed him where I aimed, how I hit it etc...he thanked me and told me he hoped I continued to play in CO because "we need good young players like you coming up." In a tournament shortly after, when he was breaking well, he made a special point to find me and thank me for it.

Your friend that you describe would never, ever in a million years ask for help from a lower ranked player, especially one that low ranked. SUCCESS LEAVES CLUES, and players who want to improve part of their game will look at ANYBODY who does it well and ask them to share those clues. Players who refuse to look at their game objectively have very little chance of becoming good IMO.

For the record, I practiced my break for a solid hour at least 3-4 times a week during that period.

Cheers,
Regas

 

[Blackjack]

Billy Bob
I cover this phenomenon in great detail in all of my books. Most of these guys are "C" players at best and spend most of their energy trying scrounge up side bets, mainly because they can't put the balls in the holes themselves. They choose their battles carefully, usually picking money games with some poor sucker that doesn't know any better. Hard fact is, that these people are the ones that get the most attention and end up giving pool a bad name. They won't take a lesson or do or say anything positive because it doesn't get them quick, easy cash in their pocket. It's not ego, it's not low self esteem, it's not greed, its just a lack of sense. When you understand that, you'll just walk away from these people as if they're not even there. Trust me, that works.

 

[JoeyInCali]

Tap, tap, tap BlackJack.

 

[breakup]

Bad action has many faces, avoid them all.

 

[Billy_Bob]

...you will notice a small group that always show up after the event/tournement has begun. They will hang out and tell everyone that will listen why they couldn't play and then continue to critique everyones game....these are the guys who had their pool hearts riped out of their chest and they can't handle to show their game in competitive situations...don't bother listening to these guys...

Yes I have noticed these guys. I guess you call them "railbirds"? Can't figure out why they never play in tournaments???

Anyway I will experiment with new shots I am learning in small money tournaments. I don't care if I win or not, I am learning new things which will help me in the long run. So my choice of shots will be favored in the direction of those which I am experimenting with. I practice these at home, but need to try them out in a tournament situation. (For example a shot-safety.)

Well sometimes these railbirds or whatever you call them will get quite upset if I lose a game with what appears to them to be a foolish choice of shots to play. They get so upset, you would think it was them playing and not me!

I'm not upset in the least, I'm just thinking about whether or not my experimental shots worked, if I should use them in important tournaments or avoid using them, practice them more, or whatever.

But it is funny to watch them get so upset. And then the shooting "advice" starts flowing. I let it go in one ear and out the other. They have no idea what I was really doing while playing my match, and wouldn't understand the concept of working toward a long term goal. They just see everything as *right now* win/lose period.

 

[chefjeff]

(snip)

I'm not upset in the least, I'm just thinking about whether or not my experimental shots worked, if I should use them in important tournaments or avoid using them, practice them more, or whatever.

But it is funny to watch them get so upset. And then the shooting "advice" starts flowing. I let it go in one ear and out the other. They have no idea what I was really doing while playing my match, and wouldn't understand the concept of working toward a long term goal. They just see everything as *right now* win/lose period.

I've had the exact same situation many times, BillyBob, as my choice of shots integrates with my long-term goals, too, and RARELY matches others' goals. My favorite response, to make it even MORE fun, when someone questions my choice of shot is, "What was my goal for that shot?" They, of course, can't know that, but it's fun listening to them try to tell me what I think.

If this doesn't get them, try this one: "You're telling me that for a reason." Then pause and wait. Suddenly, the conversation is about THEM, not you and your choices. Now THEY have to defend their choice of questions, instead of expecting an pool-shot answer from you. hee hee

I'd say, you're on the right track to happy pool.

Jeff Livingston

 

[Cue Crazy]

Alot of good points made here, and i do aggree with most, but in all honesty, I have seen both types of players guilty of this at one time or another, even the modest, quite ones, with good game skills, and IMO, I feel anyone being truthfull knows they have been guilty of atleast one of these things at one time or another. It's all part of the learning experience. I am no stranger to it myself, and still catch myself doing sometimes, and have to stop Myself. My problem is with giving advice to lesser players sometimes, but the reason this happens is different then what some might think. I actually have alot of players that ask for advice, and have worked with several over the years, some of which got really good in a short period of time, and have a more solid game then Mine now, because they are better at keeping it simple, and practice more. Therefore it almost comes automatically to me to do It sometimes before I catch myself on ocassions. Guess My point is that this is only a partial indication of the player, and not written in stone. I have seen alot of good players hype theirselves as well. Some are very confident strong mental shooters, and i would not put them in the same class, so I do not believe this is always the case, altough I do admitt It is a start to figuring the guys game, and mental status out. if I'm shooting bad, that's just the way it is, no amount of excuse is really going to help me. As most here mentioned you have to put your time in, and that would probably be My excuse, if one I guess, because to me It's the only one that adds up most of the time, besides the oponet out playing me at the time. Now on rare ocasions the equipment breaking down can really be a problem, i think we all know that. But most of the time is not the case, and is just an excuse.
When I play a player on My level of thinking, or above, the 2 of us usually do know what the other was thinking when they shot the shot, even if more complicating to the average player that has no idea. one might say you know what I was trying to do, and the other will just nod, or say yep. For the most part these days I do not get enough practice in, so I too have to experiment during game play sometimes, and understand the comment about that, but the good players still usually know what I was trying to execute. I do not like to play lesser players Myself, as it seems to hurt my game, I do prefer the same level or better, as it makes me focus to meet the challenge. Only problem with that, is few will play me once I overcome them, guess it's a pride thing. some will though, and like me, they will overcome, and matchup again. that's the guy I want to shoot, a strong mental player, not the showboater that relies on their shotmaking to boost their mental game, those guys usually break down and stay that way against me. I will not even play a money game with a lesser player. I know this sounds strange, but just my way. there are 2 reasons. 1- I really would not want to take the persons money if I felt I had too much of a advantage, as I do feel bad about it, and 2 there is no real challenge, so I actually have higher odds of losing from lack of focus. that's why i don't play for a living, would not be that good at working poor saps out of their change i am afraid. And I don't pertake in woofing unless put down upon me first, and that would depend on the person, as to wether I would give them a go or not. i usually have to know them for a while, and It's all friendly jawing with those anyhow. I can be a heated player, and even play better maybe when someone gets on My badside, but would rather not go there and butt heads, because It can lead to someone getting hurt. I prefer quite friendly games Myself, skill against skill, mental, agaist mental. Just My thing. As i said, I do fully aggree with the comments mentioned in this post,some really good observations, just that I believe there are some exceptions to the rule.