Playing a world class player.

[pool_rob9]

Two tools I use and they help me at least look respectable in the match. Either I step up because I don't want to get beaten like a rented mule and embarass myself, or I get to talk to them like they are normal people. Most of the champions (not all of course) are quite normal people off the table and getting to know that takes some of the edge off the encounter. It puts me in a more comfortable state playing them and the nerves don't drive me into the ground. And of course it takes mental training, but quit worrying bout what they're gonna do at the table and just take care of your business. If you think you're gonna loose, you will.

 

[Fatboy]

FWIW Archer has told me he dosent really pay atention to who he is playing(he is focused on his game), in other words the champion is ignoring you. Same holds true in body building the big guys arnt paying attention to the self concious fat people they pay attention to their peers. Same in pro pool, JA is watching Mika, SVB, Busta etc not the rest of us and thats the case with rest of the top players-they watch each other, not regular players. They call it a "chop" when they beat a soft player and shrug it off, now the truth has been exposed.

 

[Fatboy]

When the match starts I often see many champions become distant, aloof and in some cases downright mean-spirited toward their opponent.

Replace the awe you have created with a distaste and a desire to punish your opponent and you may have a chance to turn the 800 pound gorilla into a 85 pound chimpanzee.

JoeyA

if i played like you they would all look like 85 pound chimps(bad example did you see the news, that chimp ate that lady in Stamford Ct. the other day) but I get your point.

 

[Craig]

Guys, I would like some opinions on this.

You are in a tournament and you are playing great your CB is on a string and you have hardly missed a ball. To this point you have only played lesser players. Now you draw a champion and I mean a champion. A player who is so far above your talent level just looking at him you are in awe. He plays the game exactly how you wish you played.

I try my hardest to play the table but for some reason when I play someone of this cabliber I feel like they are sitting on my shoulder watching everything I do to see if I meet their standard of play. As comfortable as I felt against the weaker opponents is as uncomfortable as I feel against this opponent.

I dont completely fall apart when I play someone like this but my runs outs are poorly executed and my CB is all over the place but I fight and do get my games.

So my question is how do I ignore the 800 pound gorilla in the chair when I am at the table. I know everyone says play the table, but when you have such respect for a players accomplishements and dedication to the game how do you forget you are playing them.

Is there any other way to overcome this problem besides doing what is impossible for me, which is just play the table. Thanks for any opinions. If anyone has examples of themselves beating a world class player and how they dealt with their emotions that would be great too.

Try and look at it this way and this may sound a little crazy but it may work for.

Let's say your playing who ever it don't matter, and you have two small rooms and a pool table. Your in one room your opponent in another room and you can't see them and they can't see you shooting, but you have no ideal who your playing because when he/she is at the table your in your room and vice versa so you have no ideal who is playing and how their playing except when they miss they go in their room and you come out of your room and play as the table is, would it matter then who your playing again you go back to just play your game and the table not your opponent.

 

[Kimmo]

I would echo what has been said here in regards to the book "Pleasures of small motions". For myself, it is all about expectations...
I have noticed that I play far better against someone who is supposed to beat me hands down...the pressure is then off of me since noone is expecting me to win...so I can concentrate on doing what I can.
Now if I am playing against someone that I feel I should win (also read the chapter about unrealistic self-image), I get far more nervous...

The book also mentions that one should ignore the advice that a lot of people seem to say "ignore your opponent", "play the table not the guy". To some extent I do believe the book has it right. First of all it is practically impossible to ignore someone...and to be totally honest...it would be stupid to do so...every player has their weak points...some people might have issues executing kicks, some do not like shots of the cushion....for some it is jumps.....if you learn to recognize these in your opponent...you can use them to your advantage...therefore it would be foolish to just "play your game"...the opponent is a variable in your decision making when you are at the table. Unless of course you can run out 100% of the time....then go ahead...it does not matter who you play since you never let them back on table after you are done anyway...

just my 0.02