Probably pool is not for me

S

Slh

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
After another very poor performance I realized pool is probably not for me.
We know that you need great focus and confidence to play at a high level but I'm not a very confident person in the everyday life. When I'm at the table I don't feel focused and confident but I'm most of the time "scared" of missing shots. This obviously leads to missing sitters. I tried for a long time to focus and to think positevely when I'm at the table but without help. I'm tired and disappointed my game has not progressed, instead is stuck to a bad/mediocre level.
Because I'm a competitive person I can't stand playing badly and I reached the point where pool is not fun anymore instead is source of stress and disappointment. I decided to take an indefinite hiatus from the game... I still love the game and I'll probably play from time to time, but I'm not sure if I will play the game seriously again,almost surely I will but I'm not sure when.
Someone found himself in the same situation?
 
I felt that same way. I took a break and have slowly getting back into it. The fun is back now that I only shoot when I want instead of just going out to go out.
 
Each person has to do what is right for him/her. It sounds like you're making the right decision for you. Hopefully you'll come back to the game with a new sense of enjoyment.
 
Slh said:
After another very poor performance I realized pool is probably not for me.
We know that you need great focus and confidence to play at a high level but I'm not a very confident person in the everyday life. When I'm at the table I don't feel focused and confident but I'm most of the time "scared" of missing shots. This obviously leads to missing sitters. I tried for a long time to focus and to think positevely when I'm at the table but without help. I'm tired and disappointed my game has not progressed, instead is stuck to a bad/mediocre level.
Because I'm a competitive person I can't stand playing badly and I reached the point where pool is not fun anymore instead is source of stress and disappointment. I decided to take an indefinite hiatus from the game... I still love the game and I'll probably play from time to time, but I'm not sure if I will play the game seriously again,almost surely I will but I'm not sure when.
Someone found himself in the same situation?
Click to expand...

How long have you played? How many hours a week have you played?
 
How many hours do you play a week and how long have you been playing? Many come on this forum looking for that majic pill to get them better, when hard work and learning are truely needed.
Tell me this....what was your reason for playing this extremely difficult game, within that answer may lie your real reason for your supposid logic. Remember, ''anyone can quit''....that's easy. But finding a good reason to keep at it is key.
 
persevere.

i drive 5 days a week, enjoy grandkids 5 days a week, really do not have enough time to play as well as i have in days past. i accept my situation- play maybe 4 hours a week, tops. i know i am gong to miss many, many shots. would never think of giving up the game, never. NEVER! too much fun. then their is the ancillary entertainment of others in the pool rooms. lol!
 
options:

1) take a break
2) play weaker players for a change
3) solid practice will make you more confident in your abilities


As mentioned this might be a bigger issue for you than just pool???

Best of luck working it out, the first step is talking about it (which you are doing)
 
Slh said:
After another very poor performance I realized pool is probably not for me.
We know that you need great focus and confidence to play at a high level but I'm not a very confident person in the everyday life. When I'm at the table I don't feel focused and confident but I'm most of the time "scared" of missing shots. This obviously leads to missing sitters. I tried for a long time to focus and to think positevely when I'm at the table but without help. I'm tired and disappointed my game has not progressed, instead is stuck to a bad/mediocre level.
Because I'm a competitive person I can't stand playing badly and I reached the point where pool is not fun anymore instead is source of stress and disappointment. I decided to take an indefinite hiatus from the game... I still love the game and I'll probably play from time to time, but I'm not sure if I will play the game seriously again,almost surely I will but I'm not sure when.
Someone found himself in the same situation?
Click to expand...

i think you should practice byyourself more . when you play byyourself (and i mean practicing) you may not feel that presure and missing shots won't affect you that much. Try potting some balls by yourself and after a period of training try it with another player. Practice is everything , and good morale boost !
 
Slh said:
After another very poor performance I realized pool is probably not for me.
We know that you need great focus and confidence to play at a high level but I'm not a very confident person in the everyday life. When I'm at the table I don't feel focused and confident but I'm most of the time "scared" of missing shots. This obviously leads to missing sitters. I tried for a long time to focus and to think positevely when I'm at the table but without help. I'm tired and disappointed my game has not progressed, instead is stuck to a bad/mediocre level.
Because I'm a competitive person I can't stand playing badly and I reached the point where pool is not fun anymore instead is source of stress and disappointment. I decided to take an indefinite hiatus from the game... I still love the game and I'll probably play from time to time, but I'm not sure if I will play the game seriously again,almost surely I will but I'm not sure when.
Someone found himself in the same situation?
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear it. Maybe it is your perspective that could use some work. For me personally, I have came to the conclusion that I will not be a pro player....ever! But that's ok, I am fine with just working on being the best I can at this game. I have learned to just be as good as I can, not how good am I compared to others. Make sense?

At any rate it's times like this that determine character. By pushing on when things are not working out the way you planned.
 
Manage your expectations.....Go to a competent instructor and assess your game. This is a game that you will get as much out of it- as you put into it. Pool is a game that looks alot easier than it really is. If you don't want to put maximum effort in...than you can't expect maximum results out...........
 
Slh said:
After another very poor performance I realized pool is probably not for me.
We know that you need great focus and confidence to play at a high level but I'm not a very confident person in the everyday life. When I'm at the table I don't feel focused and confident but I'm most of the time "scared" of missing shots. This obviously leads to missing sitters. I tried for a long time to focus and to think positevely when I'm at the table but without help. I'm tired and disappointed my game has not progressed, instead is stuck to a bad/mediocre level.
Because I'm a competitive person I can't stand playing badly and I reached the point where pool is not fun anymore instead is source of stress and disappointment. I decided to take an indefinite hiatus from the game... I still love the game and I'll probably play from time to time, but I'm not sure if I will play the game seriously again,almost surely I will but I'm not sure when.
Someone found himself in the same situation?
Click to expand...

Have you had no "good days" where you've played your best?

If you have even had a few good days, think about them. If you stick with competing, sooner or later you will have more and more of them, then you will have more good than bad, then you will have many competitive days and ocassionally a bad day.

Me and a lot of my firends have quit or layed off out of disgust at one time or another, then have made comebacks. I've seen players become very competitive at high levels who I thought had no chance at being a good player.

I know it's difficult to accept defeat, but I guarantee you that every champion you see playing has endured the most miserable experiences imaginable getting to that position.
 
In all probability you are suffering from a deficiency of vitamin Q. It is characterized by a lack of focus, inability to stay at the table for more than one shot, and the occasional outburst at loved ones and pool hall employees. You are not alone. This affliction has effected pool players for thousands of years.
The best source of vitamin Q is derived from the leaves of the agave plant, but eating it's spiny vegetation can wreak havoc on the mouth and tongue. A much better way is to drink the nectar.
The next time you're in the pool hall, ask the bartender for a couple of shots of Quervo Gold, and make sure it's ice cold. It'll mellow you right out. :smile:

P. S. Failing that, maybe a couple of weeks off might help.
 
DoubleD said:
No, I haven't felt sorry for myself in a long time.

You say you are competitive, but you sound like a quitter. You aren't good, so you decide you aren't going to get better, which means you have to quit.

I bet that philosophy will lead to a VERY fulfilling life.

Just think about all the great stories you'll have to tell your grandkids--they will all end with '...but I wasn't good, so I quit trying.'

dld
Click to expand...

That's a little harsh don't you think? It sounds like the guy is already down do you really need to kick him?
 
I used to play every day at work against people whom were far and away better players than I. I'd barely ever touched a cue prior but I'd always had fun when I did. The people at my work were all very competitive so they felt no need to teach me how to get better, it was very frustrating watching them run half their balls and then missing my own shot just to watch them finish up the game. After a couple weeks I really started paying attention to what they were doing and observing how they held their cue, the angles they used and the stroke speed. They thought they were just having fun kicking my butt but they were teaching me more than they knew and I loved every minute of it after that because each loss was a lesson learned. My game improved a lot, although that's not saying much, and while I never beat any of them I still got what I needed out of it. Don't watch the table, it'll just depress you, watch the player and the cue ball.
 
Sounds like you should play on a league team that's just out for an excuse to drink and doesn't give a shit about winning. Learn to play for fun. After that, don't stroke until you know you will make your shot.
 
Slh said:
After another very poor performance I realized pool is probably not for me.
We know that you need great focus and confidence to play at a high level but I'm not a very confident person in the everyday life. When I'm at the table I don't feel focused and confident but I'm most of the time "scared" of missing shots. This obviously leads to missing sitters. I tried for a long time to focus and to think positevely when I'm at the table but without help. I'm tired and disappointed my game has not progressed, instead is stuck to a bad/mediocre level.
Because I'm a competitive person I can't stand playing badly and I reached the point where pool is not fun anymore instead is source of stress and disappointment. I decided to take an indefinite hiatus from the game... I still love the game and I'll probably play from time to time, but I'm not sure if I will play the game seriously again,almost surely I will but I'm not sure when.
Someone found himself in the same situation?
Click to expand...


1. Take 3 months off and forget about this site, too.

2. Don't allow pool to be your only or major hobby - get geeky about something else. Chess, pinball, foosball, cycling, guitar - anything.

3. Do something to develop yourself as a person - get physically fit, learn a martial art or a language. I suspect you need to toughen up mentally, and develop self-confidence.

4. When you play again, play against different players - this is important, as you can become as stale with the people you play against as you are with the game itself.

5. Play a different game when you return. I've been in a similar situation recently, and have quit American pool completely. Much to my surprise, i'm really enjoying English 8 ball and a bit of snooker from time to time. There's less pressure playing snooker as it's *bloody* hard, and is the great leveler. Players you thrash at pool will beat you at snooker, and vice versa.

6. Play in a new poolhall or bar if you can. A change is as good as a rest.

Don't try and grind your way through this - it's good you started this thread. Make a decision and stick with it.
 
I have found that I feel the same way about golf. It is not that I could never get better, it's just that I don't like it enough to put in the amount of time necessary to be considered a good player. I have not been on the course for almost 3 years and I don't miss it.
 
Take a decade off....I did, but not by choice.
Chances are in a decade, you won't have the expectations you have now and more confidence that those little balls cannot possibly get you down.

You have to bigger than the game, we all get beat badly, eventually.
Pool is one of those games you can play, never compete, and still have fun.
 
VERY IMPORTANT>>>Take lessons. Practice. You'll get better. Your confidence will keep improving. Get good enough to have fun. That's my goal. Quitting is worth "0". You know you don't want to quit.... Look at the bright side right now. You are so disgusted you will only get better. And you will. Good luck. Hang in there.
 
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