Play just the best players or mix and play medium and best?

[Billy_Bob]

I've been playing in local tournaments with "not-so-good players" and also tournaments with "very very good players".

So I go the "not-so-good player tournaments" and get in the money, sometimes win first.

Then go to the "very very good player tournaments", be the worst player there, and be lucky to win one game, but once got to 4th place because I was playing exceptionally well.

I have the choice of going to tournaments with better players most of the time (longer driving distance) or going to closer tournaments with lesser skilled players.

What is happening is that I am mostly playing the lesser skilled players who give me plenty of chances at the table because they miss, then I get to expecting this. Then go to the tournaments with the better players, miss once, then they run the table on me. (I forget I can't afford to miss even one shot and need to take more time with my playing.)

This is nerve wracking being king of the hill one day then at the bottom of the heap the next!

I'm thinking I would be better off playing just the best players and no longer going to tournaments where I can win. (Maybe go to the easier tournaments for a break/rest once a month?)

Suggestions?

 

[Teacherman]

I've been playing in local tournaments with "not-so-good players" and also tournaments with "very very good players".

So I go the "not-so-good player tournaments" and get in the money, sometimes win first.

Then go to the "very very good player tournaments", be the worst player there, and be lucky to win one game, but once got to 4th place because I was playing exceptionally well.

I have the choice of going to tournaments with better players most of the time (longer driving distance) or going to closer tournaments with lesser skilled players.

What is happening is that I am mostly playing the lesser skilled players who give me plenty of chances at the table because they miss, then I get to expecting this. Then go to the tournaments with the better players, miss once, then they run the table on me. (I forget I can't afford to miss even one shot and need to take more time with my playing.)

This is nerve wracking being king of the hill one day then at the bottom of the heap the next!

I'm thinking I would be better off playing just the best players and no longer going to tournaments where I can win. (Maybe go to the easier tournaments for a break/rest once a month?)

Suggestions?

YOU are the problem. Until you realize you're playing the table and not the opponent you won't get there.

 

[sjm]

Whatever your level, the very best you can do in both practice and in competition is to match up with players slightly above your level. If it's about improving and not only about the money for now, compete with the very best from time to time, but practice with those at or just above your level as often as possible.

 

[Rickw]

I agree with TM. You have to get to a point where you are playing the table, not the other player. Easy to say, very hard to do! You made a comment about missing and that you forget that you can't do that with the better players. There shouldn't be a difference, i.e., you shouldn't miss period whether it's against a good player or not.

 

[Billy_Bob]

I agree with TM. You have to get to a point where you are playing the table, not the other player. Easy to say, very hard to do! You made a comment about missing and that you forget that you can't do that with the better players. There shouldn't be a difference, i.e., you shouldn't miss period whether it's against a good player or not.

I have trouble with this...

I've had players refuse to play me in the past because I won too many games. (My thinking is that if I let them win a few, they will continue to play me.)

And one of the smaller tournaments close by has banned some of the better players (so the locals can win). Plus if you win 1st place there, you have to sit out the next week (can't play). (My thinking is that I can get away with winning every once and awhile and then be able to continue playing there.)

And that is the way people are at the lesser skilled tournaments. It's like there is "politics" involved. It seems like the best players who play at these lesser skilled tournaments will win one week, then play pretty bad the next week or two (like two and out). Then win again.

Now these same "best players" will go to the "best players tournament" and it is all out war - every week.

So I'm afraid to creamate the locals nearby - afraid I will not have anyone who will play me for fun. And I have seen them do this - no one would play one guy who kept winning. I walked in and he was sitting there and no one would play him. (until I got there - I won one game out of about 15 and really enjoyed myself).

Anyway I realize that my not always playing my best is hurting me when I go and play in the big boys tournament. I guess I just need to play more further away where there are better players.