Playing well when you don't care

[Pushout]

Nope... quite the opposite for me. Has to mean something for me to be able to concentrate at a higher level. Even if it is only $5 on race to 5,7, or even 9.... something has to be on the line for me to care... otherwise I try silly stuff that I wouldn't attempt normally.

Absolutely agree! If I have nothing to lose except pride {which I don't have much of} it means little. I do agree that putting too much emphasis on winning can have a negative effect but if I don't care I get sloppy. Bragging rights have never done it for me. That's how and why many of us learned to play. I have a hard time playing with people who obviously don't care whether they win or lose. I had to get out of the idea that I was going to lose playing people better than me also, not sure I've got that one down, yet

 

[WoodyJ]

I guess we are just wired differently ...

When you practice by yourself, you don't think about losing or missing a ball because it doesn't matter and guess what, you don't miss. You jump into a competition and all of the sudden you start to pay so much attention to not missing a ball because now it matters.

My thing is that you should concentrate more on the game itself than anything else. How many times you watch your opponent and you hope
that he misses so you can win. How about eliminating this thought
altogether and stop worrying about your opponent, just play your game.

When I practice by myself and/or the game doesn't matter I get sloppy like Pushout says and I do miss:

I do agree that putting too much emphasis on winning can have a negative effect but if I don't care I get sloppy.

However, when I'm in competition my juices start flowing, I gain focus and I'm chomping at the bit ready to jump out of my chair when it's my turn.

I don't sit there hoping that my opponent will miss. Instead, I tell myself that I'm not in control when my opponent is shooting, I enjoy the game vicariously through watching my opponent play and the only thing that is important (and within my control) is the next time that I get to shoot.

 

[corpse]

i remembered that i love playing pool when i stopped worrying so much about money and wins if i focus on my game and playing well wins will come i used to be impossible to talk to when i lost im a ahppier person and enjoy playing more now

 

[12310bch]

try to do what, though?

I dont know if I buy into that kinda thinking. I respect your opinion though. In my opinion trying is the only way. You try your best to execute the shot the way they need to be executed and winning takes care of itself. If your playing bad and still trying maybe your game needs some work.

IMHO I think you're very close here. Trying to win the game, set ,or match doesn't seem to work. The better you focus on the basic objects of the
sport, such as trying to execute a shot as close as you can to the way you know it should be executed will bring you as close to a win the end as is possible.
How many times have I been on top and say to myself , " Gee! I might win this," and the magic goes away.:frown:

 

[poolmaster]

IMHO I think you're very close here. Trying to win the game, set ,or match doesn't seem to work. The better you focus on the basic objects of the
sport, such as trying to execute a shot as close as you can to the way you know it should be executed will bring you as close to a win the end as is possible.
How many times have I been on top and say to myself , " Gee! I might win this," and the magic goes away.:frown:

They say that pool is a game of momemntum. Everything is going your way and all of
the sudden nothing is. It really is a weird thing. I think that we control momentum, we
allow certain things to get to our heads and that causes to change our performance.
I could be wrong, I'm just speculating.

 

[miscue]

You gotta be kidding me

I would rather watch 2 worms race across my driveway than respond to these threads

 

[poolmaster]

I would rather watch 2 worms race across my driveway than respond to these threads

So, if this is the case, why are you responding?

 

[miscue]

heping your opponent to win

Oh, by the way did I ever tell you guys how I felt about people conceding in a match?

 

[miscue]

Who ever won between Danny and Scott at Castle Billiards?

 

[Cameron Smith]

I think this can work to a certain degree, as you will be more relaxed for sure. However not caring generally leads to a loss of competitive edge. The drive to win should work in your favor if used properly.

For me, in order to play my game I have to at least be playing a set. There has to some competitive scenario beyond playing random games, otherwise I just can't focus on the tough outs or safeties. It's too easy for me to say "whatever it doesn't mean anything" when the it gets scrappy or tough.