playing MUCH better against better opponents

trustyrusty

trustyrusty

I'm better with a wedge!
Silver Member
WHY IS IT? Let's just say there is a guy you give 10-6 to in 1P, and you can win but it's close, but when you play someone who should spot you, you play them even and win. If you feel the concentration is the same, money involved is the same, etc. etc. etc. How can you play a couple of balls better against the better player? I understand that you may know the guy going to 6 isn't likely to get out on a sell out, and the better player is, but how do you actually MAKE more shots when playing someone better? Why can't you play as well against the 10-6 guy as you can against the even guy? I know it sounds like I know the answer, but what I'm looking for is consistency...is the answer to spot the lesser player even more?
 
trustyrusty said:
WHY IS IT? Let's just say there is a guy you give 10-6 to in 1P, and you can win but it's close, but when you play someone who should spot you, you play them even and win. If you feel the concentration is the same, money involved is the same, etc. etc. etc. How can you play a couple of balls better against the better player? I understand that you may know the guy going to 6 isn't likely to get out on a sell out, and the better player is, but how do you actually MAKE more shots when playing someone better? Why can't you play as well against the 10-6 guy as you can against the even guy? I know it sounds like I know the answer, but what I'm looking for is consistency...is the answer to spot the lesser player even more?
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I think it is called Rising To The Occasion
 
Neil said:
It's called playing your opponent vs. playing the table. With the weaker player, your mind is already set that you will get more chances, screwups won't cost as much, and you actually slack off just a little. That LITTLE makes a huge difference in level of play.

With the better player, your mind is set that he is out if he gets to the table with a fair chance. So, you play to keep him in his chair.
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So, to play that way against the 10-6 guy, I should give him a spot that will put me in the same mindset?
 
mikeyfrost said:
I don't know but sign me up for some of that 10-6 action please? Thanks.

The Management
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I don't need Charlie Williams un;less you make me give you 9-7. Then I gotta get the number 11 1-hole player in the universe to assist me. It'll be like holding low kick for 5 seconds and releasing with Liu Kang on your ass. After that, I'll stand over you and tell you "Say it with your chest"

If you don't get that, use this clip for reference and refer to Mortal Kombat 2 strategy guide. Thanks. I speak in codes, the Feds are watching.

http://comedians.jokes.com/kevin-hart/videos/kevin-hart---say-it-with-your-chest
 
mikeyfrost said:
I don't need Charlie Williams un;less you make me give you 9-7. Then I gotta get the number 11 1-hole player in the universe to assist me. It'll be like holding low kick for 5 seconds and releasing with Liu Kang on your ass. After that, I'll stand over you and tell you "Say it with your chest"

If you don't get that, use this clip for reference and refer to Mortal Kombat 2 strategy guide. Thanks. I speak in codes, the Feds are watching.

http://comedians.jokes.com/kevin-hart/videos/kevin-hart---say-it-with-your-chest
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but I know that one pressure point that'll shut your body down!! FIGHT BACK! http://comedians.jokes.com/kevin-hart/videos/kevin-hart---reasons-not-to-fight/
 
while all the other posts highlight factors that may contribute to how you play against other players and the speed of the players involved, I believe that styles of play make the match. While it is true one should play the table as much as possible; the styles of different players often do contribute greatly to the outcome of matches.

I believe it can be much like the sweet science in that styles and the makeup of the fighters do make the fight.
 
thintowin said:
while all the other posts highlight factors that may contribute to how you play against other players and the speed of the players involved, I believe that styles of play make the match. While it is true one should play the table as much as possible; the styles of different players often do contribute greatly to the outcome of matches.

I believe it can be much like the sweet science in that styles and the makeup of the fighters do make the fight.
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this is a HUGE factor between the two opponents I'm speaking of....the lesser play does move well, but likes to more or less let you do his work for him, while the better player rarely traps, but puts you in MUCH worse spots, and waits for an opportunity. Obviously the better player shoots MUCH straighter as well, making you much more wary of where you leave whitey uptable than you would be against the lesser player....

good insight
 
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It's probably that we are just playing more to our potential when we have interest in the game. I lose track of time when I'm in a match against anyone better than me.
 
trustyrusty said:
this is a HUGE factor between the two opponents I'm speaking of....the lesser play does move well, but likes to more or less let you do his work for him, while the better player rarely traps, but puts you in MUCH worse spots, and waits for an opportunity. Obviously the better player shoots MUCH straighter as well, making you much more wary of where you leave whitey uptable than you would be against the lesser player....

good insight
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I always win, when I know I am supposed to. When it is unknown, I tend to play worse. Its all mental and I am working on this.

This is not an easy question using the game of One pocket. It this were 9-ball, I think you already know the answer.
 
T-dog said:
I always win, when I know I am supposed to. When it is unknown, I tend to play worse. Its all mental and I am working on this.

This is not an easy question using the game of One pocket. It this were 9-ball, I think you already know the answer.
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thintowin's comment about style of play and strengths and weaknesses of opponents made me think about it in a different way. I think I just play the better player's "style" of 1P better than I do the lesser player....so, if/when the lesser (now) player gets better and shoots straighter, I may not like our game much. That style, if played better may show weaknesses in my game more.
 
When people player better players they may be more focused and have a cleaner approach to the game. By a cleaner approach, I mean that you actually think the shots and patterns through because a better player is eyeing your game. I have a friend that I've been playing with for years, and I always play like garbage with him. But when I do ask someone better to play with me, I usually perform A LOT better.
 
outcomes of 1p matches swing more on errors and capitalizing on opprtunity.
Playing better when one has to is almost as common as playing bad when
you expect to.
If you beat better players they are not better players then you!
Have you ever been considered a nut-hunter:D
Have fun 1p is a great game,if you ever get to the dfw pm me.Maybe we
can look to create some errors.
 
alphadog said:
outcomes of 1p matches swing more on errors and capitalizing on opprtunity.
Playing better when one has to is almost as common as playing bad when
you expect to.
If you beat better players they are not better players then you!
Have you ever been considered a nut-hunter:D
Have fun 1p is a great game,if you ever get to the dfw pm me.Maybe we
can look to create some errors.
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Would love to, and I want another shot at that Cowboys course (golf) down there...nice track!!
 
Neil said:
It's called playing your opponent vs. playing the table. With the weaker player, your mind is already set that you will get more chances, screwups won't cost as much, and you actually slack off just a little. That LITTLE makes a huge difference in level of play.

With the better player, your mind is set that he is out if he gets to the table with a fair chance. So, you play to keep him in his chair.
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I like this response best. Play good players enough and you start to consider every opportunity as your chance to win another game, as opposed to "Lets see if I can run this". It's a completely different mindset and the former is a more positive approach.

The other reason that applies more to games like 9 ball or straight pool etc. Good players miss better. In other words, they leave you better shots and they don't move the furniture around. Watch lower ranked amateurs play and every miss can be a colossal disaster changing the complete layout of the table. Furthermore, the cue ball often ends up on the end rail a million miles away from anything that could be remotely described as a ball.
 
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Cameron Smith said:
Watch lower ranked amateurs play and every miss is can be a colossal changing the complete layout of the table. Furthermore, the cue ball often ends up on the end rail a million miles away from anything that could be remotely described as a ball.
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That's so true. Especially in 8 ball where I already have my run out planned before getting out of my chair, then my opponent decides to move 4 balls around and form new clusters :(. The same can be said of 9 ball where when good players miss the missed object ball usually stays somewhere near a pocket. I think straight pool is the biggest difference for this concept. Playing with bad players I often find the cue ball all the way at the other side of the table or that there tends to be random object balls frozen to the opposite end rail making it hard to play a good pattern..
 
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