Playing in a tournament you know you can't win

It's not about worrying about if I could win, or even win one match. My playing in a Joss event makes as much sense as me playing in The US Open, which is to say it makes no sense whatsoever.

If I entered and played in a Joss event, I'd feel liked I accomplished something if I won one GAME (that's game, as in a SINGLE game) :embarrassed2:.

I've never claimed to be very high on the pool food chain :sorry:.

I don't see any reason to donate any more than a $20 bill to get my arse handed to me at any given tournament. I've played in mid-level tournaments where I've only gotten 4 or 5 shots in the whole match, and a couple of them were kicking out of my opponents safety.

Maniac (sticking to leagues and small, local tournaments where I belong)
 
I haven't played in a tournament in years, but when I was younger - and working in a pool hall - I played in everything I could afford, mostly for the experience of it all.

I never snapped off a win in a major tournament, but I made a few established players uncomfortable a few times, and that felt like victory to me.

Mostly, though, I met a lot of great people that pasted me on the table, and then invited me out for drinks or cheap 9-ball sets later. Looking back, these may have been some of my better spent dollars. YMMV.
 
Dub,

At one time we (and all other players) were both beginners.

Honestly think some of my life was wasted chasing the pool dream. Tough to be too weak for the best and too strong for the weak. You're always chasing.......

Lyn

Lyn, I think this is a good reason to follow your dream....
..you have all the shots to win a tournament with great players in the field.
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...=pzMxSxa3A_AkiBRzUdE2_w&bvm=bv.41248874,d.aWM

Avelino Rico....a name not commonly known....but on his deathbed he
can say "I was the 1986 Three-Cushion Champion of the World."
 
WhO DA FLlCK IS DIS GUY?!!?

Oh hai.....I attempted to stay away from pool tables in favor of poker tables. Made it almost 5 years......now I has to play pool again.

BTW, is the wife letting you play much or are you still grounded? :)
 
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I am inclined to agree. I already know that if I get out from everywhere and/ or turn the table over as a result of my own choice/ strategy then I will win.

Only thin that keeps me from being fully onboard is the fact that I have seen some good shots that I would not have thought of, that are incredibly effective and easy.

Ever notice the people constantly telling you "you only get good by playing better players" and "you gotta pay your dues" are the ones also taking your money?

(obviously there are upsides to playing better players, but me thinks most of this comes from better players trying to talk people into a game)
 
I could understand someone playing in a tournament they were sure they couldn't win but what I never understood were the guys who gamble with guys they can't beat so they can "learn something".

That philosophy is very wrong IMO. You can learn the same thing by watching them play for free.
 
I could understand someone playing in a tournament they were sure they couldn't win but what I never understood were the guys who gamble with guys they can't beat so they can "learn something".

That philosophy is very wrong IMO. You can learn the same thing by watching them play for free.

Pool has so many erroneous ideas its laughable sometimes. People are convinced they "have to have heart" "have to gamble it up" "can't quit while you're ahead" "have to pay your dues" etc etc......

What it comes down to is the smart players/gamblers are the ones saying this to get a game and the losers are the ones believing it. Its comical anytime I hear someone say "I guess I'll try that game, I don't like it....I just like to gamble" and then proceed to take someone's cash. I say the same shit at a poker table when I know something I just did can be seen as "luck" by a lot of players. "What can I say, I just like to gamble sometimes" when I know exactly what the odds were, what was happening, etc.
 
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I will play in any tournament regardless of who is in it. The tournaments give me an opportunity to play higher level players at a fraction of the cost if we were gambling. I do not like handicapped tournaments I will still play. Some of my biggest highlights in my pool career Have been In tournaments I had no chance of winning.
Shannon Dalton Put me on the live stream table. I also played in the second chance tournament and won a match against a player who beat a top pro in the main event. I do not understand why it so hard to get guys to play in pool tournaments.


I regularly get into events with players way out of my weight class. It's a learning experience and an adventure and makes me a better player. And, every once in a while, I get lucky and take down a big hog :-)

Lou Figueroa
 
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