Play the Table not the Opponent - What Does it Mean?

sjm

sjm

Older and Wiser
Silver Member
We've all heard it countless times -

PLAY THE TABLE NOT THE OPPONENT

On Saturday, The One and I were talking about this age-old saying, and strangely enough, we had differing views on what it meant.

Without offering our interpretations, what do you think it means?
 
I think it means, When your at the table, play YOUR game, play the way that YOU play. Don't play shots differently because you are playing a weak or strong player. And honestly i don't believe in this saying. When i am playing a lousy player i might try a really difficult shot and risk selling out to a player i know can't run out. If i am playing a good player and a safety is there i play it. I think the 'Don't play scared' and 'Don't play cocky' kinda fit that statement as well.
 
Did one of you think it had something to do with sharking? I guess it could apply to that as well. Play pool don't play head games type deal.
 
I think it means always play what the table gives you. Run out, safety, or kick. Don't try a dumb shot, or anything you wouldn't normally do even if you know your opponent is a lesser player.
 
sjm said:
We've all heard it countless times -

PLAY THE TABLE NOT THE OPPONENT

On Saturday, The One and I were talking about this age-old saying, and strangely enough, we had differing views on what it meant.

Without offering our interpretations, what do you think it means?
Click to expand...

It is true that some get anxious about having to play a name-brand player; a "pro," if you will, whatever "pro" means in the year 2005. :p

I've heard a few players say they enjoy anonymity when in competition. In fact, they think it gives them a little edge being a mysterious unknown, putting a question mark in the head of their opponent. :cool:

Taken another way, it reminds me of the time Keith McCready was scheduled to play Buddy Hall a few tournaments ago. On our way to the designated table for their match, I said to him, "OMG, you've gotta play Buddy Hall next round. He's a world-beater. I'm sweating it a little," to which he responded, "You've got it all wrong. Buddy Hall's gotta play ME!" Self-confidence goes a long way, I guess.

I think playing the table means just that. You bring your best game to the table, and it doesn't matter who you're competing with.

Of course, if you get into semantics, "playing the table" means being able to adjust your game and play well on a Diamond, Gold Crown I, II, III, or IV, Olhausen, Gandy, Gabriel, or a Sears special! :D

JAM
 
from a PRACTICAL standpoint, you have to be aware of the quality of your opponent when you plan a shot. however,,,

my take is that you play the game within yourself, regardless of who you play. this is, in fact, liberating, because you will play unencumbered in a zen-like state. the only ones who do this successfully have superior skills and believe in themselves totally. to them(the great players), nothing anyone else does matters and when they are at the table they control their destiny.

"the table" is them(or you :) ) because they impress the table with their personality.
 
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sjm said:
We've all heard it countless times -

PLAY THE TABLE NOT THE OPPONENT

On Saturday, The One and I were talking about this age-old saying, and strangely enough, we had differing views on what it meant.

Without offering our interpretations, what do you think it means?
Click to expand...



I'll try to explain it the way it happens in my head. The table and the ball layout is like a puzzle...your job is to run your balls. IF this can not happen for what ever reason your job is to leave your opponent with out a shot...or a desirable out come for you...force them to break up balls without making a shot...etc... That is ALL you think about...the balls on the table. After your opponent has a chance at the table the puzzle changes and you re-evaluate it and do the same thing. You NEVER focus on the ability of your opponent. You either run out or leave them with the toughest leave possible. For me technically I guess I look at it like a puzzle game against a computer. I know I am weird because I think of it like a puzzle, but it works for me...I think clearer that away. That is correct ladies and gentleman...the Nintendo generation is screwed, LMAO!!! :cool:
 
sjm said:
We've all heard it countless times -

PLAY THE TABLE NOT THE OPPONENT

On Saturday, The One and I were talking about this age-old saying, and strangely enough, we had differing views on what it meant.

Without offering our interpretations, what do you think it means?
Click to expand...


Well I always take it to mean that you simply shoot your game to the best of your ability regardless of what your opponent does, what the score is, ect.... you simply never change your simple plan to play as well as you can despite outside interferance. Nothing matters but you and the table.

That being said I disagree with it. I believe you should actually analize your opponent and change up your game according to them. The best thing in the world you can do against some people is early on in a set hook them a few times well and get them to miss early kick shots and give up ball in hand, it blows their game all to hell for the rest of the set. Does not work on everyone. Some guys should be hooked in certain ways and others may be too good at kicks or jump shots to rely on a certain hook shot that will be effective against another. Some guys you can leave long diffiuclt cuts as effective safeties they are liable to miss, or long bank shots, others those are not effective against and they will simply stroke them in. The score also matters, if you are playing a race to 9 and the score is 8-2 with you only having got to the table once to run a two pack then it is time to amp up your break and try to put some racks together, a safe controlled break with a smaller chance to make balls is not the way to go at that point, although it may have been before the guy went off and ran an unexpected 8-pack. Yet he may be the kind of guy who will get discouraged with some hooks and chances he can not capitalize on at the hill and therefore loose that huge game he has going if you play some good safeties and mess with him abit on the table, depends what kind of player he is.

Play the opponent and the situation as well as the table, not just the table.
 
JAM said:
I said to him, "OMG, you've gotta play Buddy Hall next round. He's a world-beater. I'm sweating it a little," to which he responded, "You've got it all wrong. Buddy Hall's gotta play ME!"
JAM
Click to expand...
LMAO!! CLASSIC Keith! The best part of that is picturing HOW Keith said it and the body language I'm sure he used.... LOL :p
 
JAM said:
Taken another way, it reminds me of the time Keith McCready was scheduled to play Buddy Hall a few tournaments ago. On our way to the designated table for their match, I said to him, "OMG, you've gotta play Buddy Hall next round. He's a world-beater. I'm sweating it a little," to which he responded, "You've got it all wrong. Buddy Hall's gotta play ME!" Self-confidence goes a long way, I guess.
Click to expand...

Roughly twenty years ago, I recall Mizerak making a similar coment upon drawing a very young up and comer who appeared to be in dead stroke named Oliver Ortmann. Knowing you're a champion is good for your confidence!
 
I think it means play the balls on the table, shoot to your ability, and don't try to run every single rack if its not a good layout to do so.


In tournaments I try to play the best I can every game. Just want to get in a good stroke and see where it takes me.

If I'm playing for a little money I tend to play my opponent more. If I know they hate to kick I'll play safe on them alot. If I know they get upset at getting 2 or 3 games ahead in a set and losing I may let them. Of course on that last one it sometimes happens that I'm just getting my butt kicked *lol*

I catch myself not trying in some sets against a few people just because I like playing them, and know they want to play for money or not at all. Its not that I want to lose money, I just don't want every dime they have in there pocket.

Heck I'd play for free if I could get a good game, but its hard to do that where I live. RSb-refugee is fun to just play play with. Gentleman at the table and fun to shoot. Need to play him some more actually.
 
Roadies usually do not play the table and they play the opponent.
I never played the table.I play the opponent.
Vagabond
 
"Play the table, not the opponent" is a generalization used when giving advice to someone who is worried about competing against a stronger player; in hopes of comforting the weaker player about to be roasted. All generalizations are wrong (including this one).

I doubt this advice is very useful to the better players - hopefully they already know their own skill level, they know their percentages during a game, they know what their strategy should be against better/similar/worse players, and know that every stroke should be the same no matter the opponent. "Play the table..." is a gross oversimplification of a complicated situation.
 
Keep it simple....

When trying to picture the image conjured by the 'play the table' statement it is useful to see this picture: Everytime it is your shot they let you out of your sound/sight proof booth and your opponent enters into his booth having never seen each other one would just play the balls on the table to his advantage....after you win the match out walks Willy and you are very suprised...LOL
 
I guess the assumption in the statement "play the table not the opponent" is that there is a correct shot for each layout, and your shot selection should not change regardless of who your opponent is.

But, as others have already hinted, the percentages are not always an exact science. They change according to the skill level of the players, and according to the competitive situation at hand. In that sense, it makes sense to note your opponent's strenghts and weaknesses (as well as your own), and take them into consideration in your shot selection. Especially on shots that could be played more than one way.

The other meaning of the statement is: 'Don't let up because your opponent is weaker' ; or, 'Do not let the status of a stronger opponent interfere with your game.'
 
sjm said:
We've all heard it countless times -

PLAY THE TABLE NOT THE OPPONENT

On Saturday, The One and I were talking about this age-old saying, and strangely enough, we had differing views on what it meant.

Without offering our interpretations, what do you think it means?
Click to expand...
It's feel good fluff, but with good intentions.

In the end, it's to your advantage to know your opponent's strengths and weaknesses and incorporate that into your strategy.

Fred
 
sjm said:
We've all heard it countless times -

PLAY THE TABLE NOT THE OPPONENT

On Saturday, The One and I were talking about this age-old saying, and strangely enough, we had differing views on what it meant.

Without offering our interpretations, what do you think it means?
Click to expand...


Ignore everything about your pool Game except where the Ball Lay in front of you. Plus about three Shot Ahead of you.

Forget about

Room Temperature

Onlookers

Smoke

Small Talk Flying through the Air

Who you Opponent is

How good a Player your Opponent is

Turn all that STUFF OFF, just concentrate on what is on the table when you step up to take your First, or Next Shot. Play to win, and not Safe.
 
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I think that most importantly it means, don't be intimidated by your opponent. You should be concerned about the shot at hand not who's sitting in the chair waiting to get to the table.
 
Basically, it means that you should focus on your game and not your opponent's. There are times when the ability of one's opponent (better or worse) will give a player reason for taking a riskier shot. No matter how good you think you may be at avoiding this, I assure you, unless you're a top-notch professional, you've done this from time to time.

Two scenarios to illustrate my definition:

1. You're playing a weaker player and have a difficult out. Instead of playing an obvious safe, you decide to take a wild shot at the one.

2. You're playing a stronger player and instead of playing a mediocre safety, thinking he'll likely have some trick up his sleeve to deal with it, you take a risky shot.


The most common one I see among lower-ranked players are 3-foul situations. Players will often take note in how their opponents kick and will jump at any opportunity to try and foul them out. I'm always amused when a player trys to get me on 3 simply because they assumed that a failed kick on my part meant I was having difficulty judging the table, especially when a rather routine out was available.


I think the difference in interpretation will be seen in whether one is talking of a stronger or weaker player. But in the end, the defitiion remains the same. It refers to changing one's strategy when the opponent's ability is factored into the equation.
 
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