RANT: Serious pool or no pool at all

K

ktrepal85

Banned
When I play I always want to play my best pool. I can only seem to channel my best pool by being quiet and completely focused, even when I'm in the chair. The amount of money I'm playing for doesn't necessarily matter to me. I can play great for free as long as I really decide I want to win and be quiet.

I've actually had people get irritated with how focused I get and complain. Last weekend I was down to the final three is a small bar box tourney and I hear my opponent say "this guy's playing like he has $5,000 on the line". So what if I want to take the game serious? Is that wrong? I was also playing a friend of mine for free the other night and we were taking the game very seriously for some reason(pride mostly). I was winning and he started standing up every time I was on the 9 ball so we got into an argument when I told him to stay seated and shut the hell up until it's his turn. He starts saying that we're not playing for any money so what's the difference?

If I'm not gonna play serious pool I'd rather not play at all. If people think that I'm going to run around the table 100 mph firing balls into the rails just b/c were not betting they can go **** off. I do play considerably faster when nothing is on the line but I take my time when it's necessary to make the shot.

If you wanna be friendly and bullshit we can do that but if you wanna play pool I'm gonna shut up and get serious...

Does anyone else have trouble channeling their best abilities without complete focus or agree that playing lazy pool hurts you more than it helps?

Some people seem to be able to talk and laugh and make friends while playing but are they really playing their best pool?
 
I hear ya. Two thoughts: 1) It's classic excuse-making on the part of your opponents. "I'm not taking this as seriously as you" is one of the most commonly used excuses. 2) Gambling is so rooted in pool, it's like a disease. I know a lot of people who basically can't - or won't - play unless there's money. I can't imagine playing golf or tennis or any other game or sport where everyone plays give-up when you're not playing for money. How annoying would that be?
 
For reasons I do not yet know I play considerably better in tournaments than I do in league. I also have a bad habit of playing down to the level of my opponent if they are the weaker player.
 
BRussell said:
I hear ya. Two thoughts: 1) It's classic excuse-making on the part of your opponents. "I'm not taking this as seriously as you" is one of the most commonly used excuses. 2) Gambling is so rooted in pool, it's like a disease. I know a lot of people who basically can't - or won't - play unless there's money. I can't imagine playing golf or tennis or any other game or sport where everyone plays give-up when you're not playing for money. How annoying would that be?
Click to expand...

That's a great point about other sports. People act like you're crazy for trying when there's no money on the line
 
fastone371 said:
For reasons I do not yet know I play considerably better in tournaments than I do in league. I also have a bad habit of playing down to the level of my opponent if they are the weaker player.
Click to expand...

I also have the habit of playing worse against worse players. I think a lot of people have that problem.
 
ktrepal85 said:
When I play I always want to play my best pool. I can only seem to channel my best pool by being quiet and completely focused, even when I'm in the chair. The amount of money I'm playing for doesn't necessarily matter to me. I can play great for free as long as I really decide I want to win and be quiet.

I've actually had people get irritated with how focused I get and complain. Last weekend I was down to the final three is a small bar box tourney and I hear my opponent say "this guy's playing like he has $5,000 on the line". So what if I want to take the game serious? Is that wrong? I was also playing a friend of mine for free the other night and we were taking the game very seriously for some reason(pride mostly). I was winning and he started standing up every time I was on the 9 ball so we got into an argument when I told him to stay seated and shut the hell up until it's his turn. He starts saying that we're not playing for any money so what's the difference?

If I'm not gonna play serious pool I'd rather not play at all. If people think that I'm going to run around the table 100 mph firing balls into the rails just b/c were not betting they can go **** off. I do play considerably faster when nothing is on the line but I take my time when it's necessary to make the shot.

If you wanna be friendly and bullshit we can do that but if you wanna play pool I'm gonna shut up and get serious...

Does anyone else have trouble channeling their best abilities without complete focus or agree that playing lazy pool hurts you more than it helps?

Some people seem to be able to talk and laugh and make friends while playing but are they really playing their best pool?
Click to expand...


Love to play you sometime. I have no problem with not talking during a match. Come to think of it I rarely say anything to my opponent during match play other than "nice shot" or "good stroke."
I play a guy sometimes that is quite the opposite and it drives me a little batty. I call him Vin Scully because he does a play by play on every one of his shots. Continual talker.
 
philly said:
Love to play you sometime. I have no problem with not talking during a match. Come to think of it I rarely say anything to my opponent during match play other than "nice shot" or "good stroke."
I play a guy sometimes that is quite the opposite and it drives me a little batty. I call him Vin Scully because he does a play by play on every one of his shots. Continual talker.
Click to expand...

Haha, I know those types. A guy around here has a strong southern accent and sounds like Boomhower from King of the Hill who loves to narrate his shots:

"Did you see I hit dat dang ole ball right dah der and those balls all came running up table and...der her..der der..dang nine ball!"...."yep?"
 
I'm with you. Lol I hear people say that at small tournaments. I don't care if it's a $10 tournament , $100 dollar tournament or pool leagues I came to play the best I can and win if I wanted to just hang balls around I could stay home. I'm also one of those people that feels happier that was the last man standing at a tournament then I am with the pay out no matter how big or small it is.
 
ktrepal85 said:
If you wanna be friendly and bullshit we can do that but if you wanna play pool I'm gonna shut up and get serious...
Click to expand...

Same here. Some guys in our clubhouse come into chat/laugh,BS. Tell me I'm taking too long....( 2 warm up strokes, final backswing, pause , fire) And I'm too serious. And we're playing for nothing...what's the deal. I simply finish the game and find another player or just say unlike you guys I do in practice what I do in a game.. Also say if you want to BS let's grab a drink later
 
ktrepal85 said:
When I play I always want to play my best pool. I can only seem to channel my best pool by being quiet and completely focused, even when I'm in the chair. The amount of money I'm playing for doesn't necessarily matter to me. I can play great for free as long as I really decide I want to win and be quiet.

I've actually had people get irritated with how focused I get and complain. Last weekend I was down to the final three is a small bar box tourney and I hear my opponent say "this guy's playing like he has $5,000 on the line". So what if I want to take the game serious? Is that wrong? I was also playing a friend of mine for free the other night and we were taking the game very seriously for some reason(pride mostly). I was winning and he started standing up every time I was on the 9 ball so we got into an argument when I told him to stay seated and shut the hell up until it's his turn. He starts saying that we're not playing for any money so what's the difference?

If I'm not gonna play serious pool I'd rather not play at all. If people think that I'm going to run around the table 100 mph firing balls into the rails just b/c were not betting they can go **** off. I do play considerably faster when nothing is on the line but I take my time when it's necessary to make the shot.

If you wanna be friendly and bullshit we can do that but if you wanna play pool I'm gonna shut up and get serious...

Does anyone else have trouble channeling their best abilities without complete focus or agree that playing lazy pool hurts you more than it helps?

Some people seem to be able to talk and laugh and make friends while playing but are they really playing their best pool?
Click to expand...

I like this topic. I think we can all relate in one way or another. I do have a tendency to play lazy sometimes when playing for fun against someone I know I can beat a majority of the time. This definitely hurts my game. A good friend and excellent player once told me that if it isn't quality, don't play. In other words if the practice, opponent, tournament, or even gambling isn't quality and taken seriously then it isn't worth it. This is why I'll opt to shoot a drill or stroke shot over and over before I'll play somebody "friendly" or cheap one pocket.

Mind you I'm always will to play free 9 and 10 ball because I can focus on the table a lot more than having to layout a mental minefield for my opponent in one pocket. I'm also still learning the game and 9 and 10 ball are my weakest.

Now, to whether I have to be quiet and focused or not. Not necessarily. If I'm in the "out for blood" mode. I usually don't say a word to anybody, and I make no expressions when down on the table. If someone makes a comment or says something about the game, I ignore them. I consider almost everything anybody says to me as being rhetorical and therefore not requiring my participation.

That being said I have found that this can be a double edged sword because I'm not immune to my own emotions. Focus and calm are one thing, being serious is another. If I'm too serious and make a mistake, I tend to criticize myself. The more I smile and accept my mistakes and bad rolls (or good for my opponent) the better my state of mind for when I'm down on the table next. This can backfire too and cause me to be unfocused and careless.

I'm trying to combine the two really. When I'm sitting I'm calm and quiet both outwardly and inward. When I stand up and walk around the table I try to pretend that I haven't been able to play in forever and walking around the table is liking seeing an old friend. From the time I stand over a shot to getting down, and finally shooting, I'm at war.

If I do talk to people, the more optimism and positivity the better, this can help when the calm cold quiet thing isn't working.
 
Here is something you can do thats fun sometimes. If you have a friend that you play often and dont gamble with. Play mum pool. You can even put a bet on that, even if you dont bet on the game.

Ive pulled that one out when Im playing someone who wont stop talking. :D
 
ktrepal85 said:
When I play I always want to play my best pool. I can only seem to channel my best pool by being quiet and completely focused, even when I'm in the chair. The amount of money I'm playing for doesn't necessarily matter to me. I can play great for free as long as I really decide I want to win and be quiet.

I've actually had people get irritated with how focused I get and complain. Last weekend I was down to the final three is a small bar box tourney and I hear my opponent say "this guy's playing like he has $5,000 on the line". So what if I want to take the game serious? Is that wrong? I was also playing a friend of mine for free the other night and we were taking the game very seriously for some reason(pride mostly). I was winning and he started standing up every time I was on the 9 ball so we got into an argument when I told him to stay seated and shut the hell up until it's his turn. He starts saying that we're not playing for any money so what's the difference?

If I'm not gonna play serious pool I'd rather not play at all. If people think that I'm going to run around the table 100 mph firing balls into the rails just b/c were not betting they can go **** off. I do play considerably faster when nothing is on the line but I take my time when it's necessary to make the shot.

If you wanna be friendly and bullshit we can do that but if you wanna play pool I'm gonna shut up and get serious...

Does anyone else have trouble channeling their best abilities without complete focus or agree that playing lazy pool hurts you more than it helps?

Some people seem to be able to talk and laugh and make friends while playing but are they really playing their best pool?
Click to expand...

People who don't know how to reach excellence will always try to bring down those who do. They will try to tear you down, rock your boat, unsettle you, all to bring you down to their level. Ignore them and it will make you stronger. Channel your focus against their BS and you'll learn to ignore all the sharking. Choose Excellence over BS.

Good luck and happy running out the table.
 
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ktrepal85 said:
When I play I always want to play my best pool. I can only seem to channel my best pool by being quiet and completely focused, even when I'm in the chair. The amount of money I'm playing for doesn't necessarily matter to me. I can play great for free as long as I really decide I want to win and be quiet.

I've actually had people get irritated with how focused I get and complain. Last weekend I was down to the final three is a small bar box tourney and I hear my opponent say "this guy's playing like he has $5,000 on the line". So what if I want to take the game serious? Is that wrong? I was also playing a friend of mine for free the other night and we were taking the game very seriously for some reason(pride mostly). I was winning and he started standing up every time I was on the 9 ball so we got into an argument when I told him to stay seated and shut the hell up until it's his turn. He starts saying that we're not playing for any money so what's the difference?

If I'm not gonna play serious pool I'd rather not play at all. If people think that I'm going to run around the table 100 mph firing balls into the rails just b/c were not betting they can go **** off. I do play considerably faster when nothing is on the line but I take my time when it's necessary to make the shot.

If you wanna be friendly and bullshit we can do that but if you wanna play pool I'm gonna shut up and get serious...

Does anyone else have trouble channeling their best abilities without complete focus or agree that playing lazy pool hurts you more than it helps?

Some people seem to be able to talk and laugh and make friends while playing but are they really playing their best pool?
Click to expand...

I think there's nothing wrong with your behavior. Might not make you very well-liked sometimes, but we all have our different reasons and motivations for playing the game. You want to play focused pool, and there's nothing wrong with that. I've seen plenty of other people do what you do, in pool and other sports.
 
2 things:

1) Repetition breeds familiarity, aka "train like you fight". If I play the same way every time there's a cue in my hand, it doesn't matter if I'm playing with my buddies (I actually choose my sparring partners based on their demeanor in the chair and at the table), at a tournament, league match, playoffs, gambling, world championship... it's all the same. Builds consistency, and the people who are worth respecting will respect you right back.

2) I graduated from barbox warrior to actual 9-foot+ table player in Japan, and was taught by a Japanese player. I had to learn and display proper etiquette before I was allowed to enter anything competitive. Maybe we should do that here.
 
ktrepal85 said:
When I play I always want to play my best pool. I can only seem to channel my best pool by being quiet and completely focused, even when I'm in the chair. The amount of money I'm playing for doesn't necessarily matter to me. I can play great for free as long as I really decide I want to win and be quiet.

I've actually had people get irritated with how focused I get and complain. Last weekend I was down to the final three is a small bar box tourney and I hear my opponent say "this guy's playing like he has $5,000 on the line". So what if I want to take the game serious? Is that wrong? I was also playing a friend of mine for free the other night and we were taking the game very seriously for some reason(pride mostly). I was winning and he started standing up every time I was on the 9 ball so we got into an argument when I told him to stay seated and shut the hell up until it's his turn. He starts saying that we're not playing for any money so what's the difference?

If I'm not gonna play serious pool I'd rather not play at all. If people think that I'm going to run around the table 100 mph firing balls into the rails just b/c were not betting they can go **** off. I do play considerably faster when nothing is on the line but I take my time when it's necessary to make the shot.

If you wanna be friendly and bullshit we can do that but if you wanna play pool I'm gonna shut up and get serious...

Does anyone else have trouble channeling their best abilities without complete focus or agree that playing lazy pool hurts you more than it helps?

Some people seem to be able to talk and laugh and make friends while playing but are they really playing their best pool?
Click to expand...

Years ago I read an interview with Jack Nicklaus. He made a comment that I never forgot. He said he never hit a shot where he was not trying. When he played golf he was always trying his best.

I don't recall what the question was this was into response to but sounds like a pretty good personal rule in sports. I doubt much can ever be gained screwing around. If you are a serious player you have to kind of protect yourself.

They may not do it on purpose but others will bring you down. You even see the same think on a job. Some will come in and just do nothing and you may actually like your job and do it well.

They may look at you like there is something wrong with you, you actually care about your job. Screw them. I stopped caring what other people think decades ago.
 
I play with good focus, unless we're all beatin' our gums & shooting the balls into the rails for fun.

The other night, I had a easily makeable 12-Ball, but shot the 12-Ball into the rail. My opponent looks at me, in a half baked stunned look, & says... are you gonna play pool or what. I told him I wasn't going to give him a shot, unless I had to. He grumbled a bit & went on to giving me a run out. Then his eyes opened wide & he understood.

Even though he doesn't have the game to play great safeties, he will probably start playing a tighter game.
 
When I play by myself or with other serious pool players, I try to take things seriously. I respect your position, and some part of me wishes I had the concentration to not screw around occasionally. However, I don't mind letting my guard down and not running out /locking my opponent up every single time (especially if they're new to the game). Sometimes it's good to loosen up a bit, and maybe teach the newer players if they're interested in learning. If you continually crush your opponent, they will lose interest in playing you. Money seems to be the divider for a lot of people in terms of playing serious pool. I think it's a bad habit to get into. I've found that depending on the person, I can play really competitive games for nothing. Just my thoughts, I see benefits to both sides of the coin.
 
I was sitting around a table the other night with some friends, and we channeled Grady Mathews, and my Aunt Thelma. It was some weird wild stuff.
Grady knew every thing there was to know about strawberry preserves, and Aunt Thelma could make a three-rail kick, four out of five times. Damnedest thing. Could've been the Tequila. :smile:
 
As the previous poster stated different people have different motivations as to why they play & what they want out of it.

I gamble, that's my motivation, like you I take it as serious as cancer because to play great I believe it requires that. There are those that don't, I avoid those games & players. There's nothing wrong with your perspective but many don't see it that way, just avoid them.
 
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