playing seriously vs. playing for money

9

9ballprodigy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
hey guys,

i'm new here, so i'll go into a brief intro. i'm 22, live in Hawaii, still in college, and i've been playing pool for about the last 5-6 years. i started out with a not-much-better-than-a-broomstick cue from sports authority, then went to a cuetec (because of the ads... *sigh*), then went to a graphite stick (worst mistake ever), a meucci sneaky pete, a dellera custom cue, and now, i play with a plain jane Nitti which i'm very happy with.

today, i played one of the worst games of my life. unfortunately, it was for money. i didn't lose a whole lot, but just enough to sting a bit. this isn't the first time, and it probably won't be the last. the funny thing is that i play a lot worse for money than i do playing in tourneys or just a serious race to 7 for bragging rights. the other weird thing is that it doesn't matter how much we're playing for. for example: in hawaii, the dominant money game is 5-9. money on the 5-ball, and money on the 9-ball. i could be playing for a dollar or 5-bucks a ball, 10 bucks a ball and i would still pretty much suck. the money rarely bothers me since i'm not in a financial bind, but i do know the value of a dollar. i want to play better under this kind of pressure, which by my logic, should be less than the pressure felt in a tourney (since you don't really "outed").

i know that most of you will just tell me that it's my inexperience playing for money that caused me to go out of stroke, and indeed, i play worse and worse as my bankroll diminishes. i guess i was wondering if there was any drill or advice you guys could give me about not letting the money affect my game. or do i just have to lose a lot before i win?
 
To be a true player you must look at money as merely a coupon that affords you the opportunity to step into the pit and test yourself against fellow competitors.

You must feel excited to have the chance to showcase your talents. You've worked hard to attain the level that you are at. All you can hope to do is step into your shot thinking of delivering the best quality stroke you're capable of and have confidence that you've done everything you could do to make that one shot.

Now that you've had your pep talk, get in there and kick some ass.
 
It is very common during money games to focus on losing the amount that has been wagered - as opposed to focusing on what you need to do to win that same money. There is a big difference between "playing to win" and "playing not to lose". One denotes confidence, the other denotes fear. Fear exists in the absence of confidence - and you will not play with any consistency if you are fearful during the situation. Remember, that confidence is the prerequisite to consistency. It needs to be developed just like you would develop your draw stroke or your patterns for position. The problem is that sometimes we rely on our brain to make decisions that its not ready for because we are in over our heads in certain situations.

The root of all of your problems begins in your own mind. Remember, under stressful situations your brain is a lousy pool player and it will naturally try to discourage you as soon as fear creeps into its thought patterns. That is natural, uncontrollable, and it happens to everybody (Except Billy Incardona) :p . Many of us have selective memories - and if you have more bad memories of playing for money than good memories, what do you think your brain will bring to the forefront? To overcome this, you need to learn how to get out of your own way and crash through these mental barriers.

Relax
The first thing you need to to do during these situations is to relax. Take a deep breath - do whatever it takes to keep yourself as calm as possible. This will steer your brain back towards the positive - and away from the negative.

Solidify the Positive with Confidence Building Statements
The second thing to do - is after you relax, recite a confidence building statement in your mind that is designed to have you re-focus on what you need to accomplish.

Deal With It
Champions understand that success or failure under pressure is determined before the onset of pressure. Everybody gets nervous, even the very best. Thebig difference between those that thrive under pressure and those that choke under pressure is that champions view pressure-packed situations as opportunities to succeed, while the chokers see them as opportunities to fail.

Remeber This...
No matter what the level of negativity, no matter how bad the situation looks, even if your down 10-0 in a race to 11, and your opponent's got the 9 ball hanging in the corner pocket, and no matter how much negative bull crap your mind throws at you while your sitting in that chair, that next thought can be a positive one - if you want it to be!

Here are some past articles I have written on the subject

Looking At Fear

Building Confidence

Dealing With Pressure

The Art Of The Choke

Feel free to get with me at any time if you need anything (except if you need money). :p
 
Last edited:
Blackjack said:
It is very common during money games to focus on losing the amount that has been wagered - as opposed to focusing on what you need to do to win that same money. There is a big difference between "playing to win" and "playing not to lose". One denotes confidence, the other denotes fear. Fear exists in the absence of confidence - and you will not play with any consistency if you are fearful during the situation. Remember, that confidence is the prerequisite to consistency. It needs to be developed just like you would develop your draw stroke or your patterns for position. The problem is that sometimes we rely on our brain to make decisions that its not ready for because we are in over our heads in certain situations.

The root of all of your problems begins in your own mind. Remember, under stressful situations your brain is a lousy pool player and it will naturally try to discourage you as soon as fear creeps into its thought patterns. That is natural, uncontrollable, and it happens to everybody (Except Billy Incardona) :p . Many of us have selective memories - and if you have more bad memories of playing for money than good memories, what do you think your brain will bring to the forefront? To overcome this, you need to learn how to get out of your own way and crash through these mental barriers.

Relax
The first thing you need to to do during these situations is to relax. Take a deep breath - do whatever it takes to keep yourself as calm as possible. This will steer your brain back towards the positive - and away from the negative.

Solidify the Positive with Confidence Building Statements
The second thing to do - is after you relax, recite a confidence building statement in your mind that is designed to have you re-focus on what you need to accomplish.

Deal With It
Champions understand that success or failure under pressure is determined before the onset of pressure. Everybody gets nervous, even the very best. Thebig difference between those that thrive under pressure and those that choke under pressure is that champions view pressure-packed situations as opportunities to succeed, while the chokers see them as opportunities to fail.

Remeber This...
No matter what the level of negativity, no matter how bad the situation looks, even if your down 10-0 in a race to 11, and your opponent's got the 9 ball hanging in the corner pocket, and no matter how much negative bull crap your mind throws at you while your sitting in that chair, that next thought can be a positive one - if you want it to be!

Here are some past articles I have written on the subject

Looking At Fear

Building Confidence

Dealing With Pressure

The Art Of The Choke

Feel free to get with me at any time if you need anything (except if you need money). :p
Click to expand...

Tap, tap, tap. Good stuff Blackjack.
 
Blackjack, nice post, we all need to regroup at times after a loss, it should have no effect on the next match. Thanks for the words of wisdom.
 
Blackjack speaks as a man who's been there, studied it in depth, and has the additional talent of being able to write very clearly about it. Rare qualities that, imo, we are privileged to have on access to on the forum. Now if he could just get commensurate recompense! (sp?)
 
Confidence

Great advice BlackJack . . .

The most valuable asset that anyone involved in competitive sports can possess is CONFIDENCE . . . losing it is easy . . . regaining it takes focus, desire and hard work . . .

Great post . . .
 
9ballprodigy said:
hey guys,

i'm new here, so i'll go into a brief intro. i'm 22, live in Hawaii, still in college, and i've been playing pool for about the last 5-6 years. i started out with a not-much-better-than-a-broomstick cue from sports authority, then went to a cuetec (because of the ads... *sigh*), then went to a graphite stick (worst mistake ever), a meucci sneaky pete, a dellera custom cue, and now, i play with a plain jane Nitti which i'm very happy with.

today, i played one of the worst games of my life. unfortunately, it was for money. i didn't lose a whole lot, but just enough to sting a bit. this isn't the first time, and it probably won't be the last. the funny thing is that i play a lot worse for money than i do playing in tourneys or just a serious race to 7 for bragging rights. the other weird thing is that it doesn't matter how much we're playing for. for example: in hawaii, the dominant money game is 5-9. money on the 5-ball, and money on the 9-ball. i could be playing for a dollar or 5-bucks a ball, 10 bucks a ball and i would still pretty much suck. the money rarely bothers me since i'm not in a financial bind, but i do know the value of a dollar. i want to play better under this kind of pressure, which by my logic, should be less than the pressure felt in a tourney (since you don't really "outed").

i know that most of you will just tell me that it's my inexperience playing for money that caused me to go out of stroke, and indeed, i play worse and worse as my bankroll diminishes. i guess i was wondering if there was any drill or advice you guys could give me about not letting the money affect my game. or do i just have to lose a lot before i win?
Click to expand...

You're thinking about the money, and not the pool. Stick to tournaments and leave the money games alone. It's not for you. You want to be a money player, then you must have a gambler's mentality. And you don't. It did sting, didn't it? More than you would like to admit.

Maybe some day when you have more money, and it doesn't matter anymore, you will be able to overcome this. For right now, if you want to gamble, play CHEAP! At some level, the money is insignificant to you. That is how much you should be playing for now.
 
Think of it this way. Money is just a way to keep score. FEEL contempt for your opponent. Confidence will come.
 
jay helfert said:
You're thinking about the money, and not the pool. Stick to tournaments and leave the money games alone. It's not for you. You want to be a money player, then you must have a gambler's mentality. And you don't. It did sting, didn't it? More than you would like to admit.

Maybe some day when you have more money, and it doesn't matter anymore, you will be able to overcome this. For right now, if you want to gamble, play CHEAP! At some level, the money is insignificant to you. That is how much you should be playing for now.
Click to expand...


Sweet.. But to the point.. They are allot of 10 a set champions out there. Nothing to be ashamed off. I dont play well in tournaments or races to seven for pride.. but put a couple coupons on the line... and I still cant play but a notch better than tournaments or pride..
 
Robertduke said:
Sweet.. But to the point.. They are allot of 10 a set champions out there. Nothing to be ashamed off. I dont play well in tournaments or races to seven for pride.. but put a couple coupons on the line... and I still cant play but a notch better than tournaments or pride..
Click to expand...

Is that an abused dog in your avatar? I don't understand the message you are trying to send with that. I guess it's none of my business but I have to ask.
 
Blackjack made good points on your problems when playing for money. I noticed similar problems with my game when I started playing. I was dedicated to practice and solving the "Solidify the Positive with Confidence Building Statements" problem. I didn't have a name for it 4 years ago though. I just wanted positive thoughts while over the hard shots. I started writing down all of the hard shots that I missed during a match and would set them up during practice. I would shoot them over and over. I would have an actual success % on every shot. Example: opponent misses the nine and leaves a hard cut down rail. After I had a success rate in my head on that shot, I addressed the shot knowing I make that shot 75% of the time. Once I started making the hard shots my % went up. I now initially look at the hard shot with more confidence. I am over 90% on potting the game ball (hard shot). This potting confidence improved my position play 10 fold. It freed my arm and my mind to a different game.
 
some people cant ever play for $$$, others have to play for $$$, I perfer to play for $$$
 
If playing for money bothers you, then you do not need to play with money you cannot afford to lose. Once you can focus on the game rather than the money aspect, you will be amazed how much more confident you will become. JMO.

Southpaw
 
When you are playing or practicing by yourself. Think in your mind and pretend you are playing for money. Get yourself used to the feeling. The only difference between playing for money and not is the difference you put on it in your own mind. The shots are exactly the same. If hit the same the outcome is no different if your playing a freind a game for bragging rights or for any amount of money. Remember this Pressure is something you put on yourself....................Dave
 
it just takes time, i used to be the same way, its just about your comfort zone. I think some people are just effected by money and some arent, from a gambler standpoint it would be great to just be born that way but i think you can learn to deal with it too. You just have to divorce your mind from the fact you are playing for money, or do the whole "whats the worst thing that can happen" thing.......worst case you lose and you lose the money, as long as you arent playing with your rent youre ok. The thing that helps me is to focus on having fun, or im focusing on running racks, solving the table, just get the money out of your head and breath
 
Player or gambler

DeadPoked said:
To be a true player you must look at money as merely a coupon that affords you the opportunity to step into the pit and test yourself against fellow competitors.

You must feel excited to have the chance to showcase your talents. You've worked hard to attain the level that you are at. All you can hope to do is step into your shot thinking of delivering the best quality stroke you're capable of and have confidence that you've done everything you could do to make that one shot.

Now that you've had your pep talk, get in there and kick some ass.
Click to expand...
Excellent advice. To be a true player/gambler you must look at money as merely a coupon, ect.ect.
My good friend David "Chip" Reese in my opinion the best poker player in the world said exactly what you referenced.But the problem most people have including myself at times is,where do you find these coupons??
 
Money Games

Back in the 70's and early 80's i would gamble on about anything that came my way..I loved to play and play and play..Cheap games by todays standards, action all the same..I quit playing pool (wife issues) and a habit of chasing bad money..I started playing again about 4 years ago and i very rarely gamble on pool anymore..Once in awhile ill play $5 one pocket but that is about it.. I have come to the point in life (57years of it) that i just enjoy playing and chatting with some of the oldtimers. Yikes..i think i am soon to be one..Maybe it is seeing some of the oldtimers that i know that have gambled big over their whole career and have nothing to show for it but memorys..While memorys are nice and they do make for good conversation they dont keep a roof over your head and your belly full...Some will say that is a little far fetched, but i will tell you i have been there and dont want to go back..So make sure you can afford to loose and lose..Otherwise it will eat you..Don
 
Good stuff

Blackjack said:
It is very common during money games to focus on losing the amount that has been wagered - as opposed to focusing on what you need to do to win that same money. There is a big difference between "playing to win" and "playing not to lose". One denotes confidence, the other denotes fear. Fear exists in the absence of confidence - and you will not play with any consistency if you are fearful during the situation. Remember, that confidence is the prerequisite to consistency. It needs to be developed just like you would develop your draw stroke or your patterns for position. The problem is that sometimes we rely on our brain to make decisions that its not ready for because we are in over our heads in certain situations.

The root of all of your problems begins in your own mind. Remember, under stressful situations your brain is a lousy pool player and it will naturally try to discourage you as soon as fear creeps into its thought patterns. That is natural, uncontrollable, and it happens to everybody (Except Billy Incardona) :p . Many of us have selective memories - and if you have more bad memories of playing for money than good memories, what do you think your brain will bring to the forefront? To overcome this, you need to learn how to get out of your own way and crash through these mental barriers.

Relax
The first thing you need to to do during these situations is to relax. Take a deep breath - do whatever it takes to keep yourself as calm as possible. This will steer your brain back towards the positive - and away from the negative.

Solidify the Positive with Confidence Building Statements
The second thing to do - is after you relax, recite a confidence building statement in your mind that is designed to have you re-focus on what you need to accomplish.

Deal With It
Champions understand that success or failure under pressure is determined before the onset of pressure. Everybody gets nervous, even the very best. Thebig difference between those that thrive under pressure and those that choke under pressure is that champions view pressure-packed situations as opportunities to succeed, while the chokers see them as opportunities to fail.

Remeber This...
No matter what the level of negativity, no matter how bad the situation looks, even if your down 10-0 in a race to 11, and your opponent's got the 9 ball hanging in the corner pocket, and no matter how much negative bull crap your mind throws at you while your sitting in that chair, that next thought can be a positive one - if you want it to be!

Here are some past articles I have written on the subject

Looking At Fear

Building Confidence

Dealing With Pressure

The Art Of The Choke

Feel free to get with me at any time if you need anything (except if you need money). :p
Click to expand...
I can definetly relate,and I think it's safe to say that all others also can relate to your summarization on what winners,and losers are thinking about when in action. In regard to the the way losers think,your unravelment suggestions are wonderfull,but if you or anyone else are willing to share their methods,and techniques to doublecross negative thoughts ,I think that would definetly be worthy of anyones time.I'm all ears. And by the way ,everone dogs it,every one,including Grady Mathews
 
Blackjack said:
It is very common during money games to focus on losing the amount that has been wagered - as opposed to focusing on what you need to do to win that same money. There is a big difference between "playing to win" and "playing not to lose". One denotes confidence, the other denotes fear. Fear exists in the absence of confidence - and you will not play with any consistency if you are fearful during the situation. Remember, that confidence is the prerequisite to consistency. It needs to be developed just like you would develop your draw stroke or your patterns for position. The problem is that sometimes we rely on our brain to make decisions that its not ready for because we are in over our heads in certain situations.

The root of all of your problems begins in your own mind. Remember, under stressful situations your brain is a lousy pool player and it will naturally try to discourage you as soon as fear creeps into its thought patterns. That is natural, uncontrollable, and it happens to everybody (Except Billy Incardona) :p . Many of us have selective memories - and if you have more bad memories of playing for money than good memories, what do you think your brain will bring to the forefront? To overcome this, you need to learn how to get out of your own way and crash through these mental barriers.

Relax
The first thing you need to to do during these situations is to relax. Take a deep breath - do whatever it takes to keep yourself as calm as possible. This will steer your brain back towards the positive - and away from the negative.

Solidify the Positive with Confidence Building Statements
The second thing to do - is after you relax, recite a confidence building statement in your mind that is designed to have you re-focus on what you need to accomplish.

Deal With It
Champions understand that success or failure under pressure is determined before the onset of pressure. Everybody gets nervous, even the very best. Thebig difference between those that thrive under pressure and those that choke under pressure is that champions view pressure-packed situations as opportunities to succeed, while the chokers see them as opportunities to fail.

Remeber This...
No matter what the level of negativity, no matter how bad the situation looks, even if your down 10-0 in a race to 11, and your opponent's got the 9 ball hanging in the corner pocket, and no matter how much negative bull crap your mind throws at you while your sitting in that chair, that next thought can be a positive one - if you want it to be!

Here are some past articles I have written on the subject

Looking At Fear

Building Confidence

Dealing With Pressure

The Art Of The Choke

Feel free to get with me at any time if you need anything (except if you need money). :p
Click to expand...
Blackjack,
I almost forgot to mention that this was a great post.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top