RANT: Serious pool or no pool at all
- Thread starter ktrepal85
- Start date
Depends on a lot, but motive is another thing
Unfortunately I have some experience with this. I can get super serious and really into what Im doing but. I don't mind people laughing and joking around, that's cool if there isn't any gambling. That should almost go without saying but what I don't like is when the conversation, the actions, the innuendo are aimed at making me mess up, that's not cool and is where I draw the line. I spent a fair amount of time as a teenage honing those sharking instincts against lesser players when it was all about the money. I was a child really who needed the money and I know the difference between irritating, sharking techniques and good natured comments. Comments made aimed at making a fertile ground in which they win to me are disrespectful. I give equal chances to my opponents to win always regardless of the game or the money. I did things as teenager that I don't do as a mature adult and I expect anyone I play to give me the same latitude. Anything less is blatant disrespect. I don't do disrespect of any kind. I always give mine and I expect the respect of others. You wont find me gambling much either unless I know there is a gentlemen to gamble with or there is something I know I need to learn. Its definitely not necessary to gamble to have a serious game but there will never be anything like shooting your money to make you hyperaware of what you are doing. Just don't forget a person who has the capacity to be hyperaware will also know what youre up to when you pull that mess and there is no hiding it, no justifying it and no excuse for it if you are a mature adult.
Unfortunately I have some experience with this. I can get super serious and really into what Im doing but. I don't mind people laughing and joking around, that's cool if there isn't any gambling. That should almost go without saying but what I don't like is when the conversation, the actions, the innuendo are aimed at making me mess up, that's not cool and is where I draw the line. I spent a fair amount of time as a teenage honing those sharking instincts against lesser players when it was all about the money. I was a child really who needed the money and I know the difference between irritating, sharking techniques and good natured comments. Comments made aimed at making a fertile ground in which they win to me are disrespectful. I give equal chances to my opponents to win always regardless of the game or the money. I did things as teenager that I don't do as a mature adult and I expect anyone I play to give me the same latitude. Anything less is blatant disrespect. I don't do disrespect of any kind. I always give mine and I expect the respect of others. You wont find me gambling much either unless I know there is a gentlemen to gamble with or there is something I know I need to learn. Its definitely not necessary to gamble to have a serious game but there will never be anything like shooting your money to make you hyperaware of what you are doing. Just don't forget a person who has the capacity to be hyperaware will also know what youre up to when you pull that mess and there is no hiding it, no justifying it and no excuse for it if you are a mature adult.
How much we talk or don't talk during a match is pretty much up to you, unless I know you're trying to throw me off. I'd always rather be friendly and keep it light. Even so, I'll never stand in your field of vision if I don't have to and if I happen to in you sight for a shot I will remain still and quiet and I won't speak or speak to you while you're shooting and I expect the same from you. Between shots there may be some banter but again that's pretty much up to you. The problem I always have with this is lets' say I notice you're about to shoot the wrong ball, typically I'd stop you and tell you. However, playing someone like the OP I would have received the message early on that I'm not to speak up under any circumstances while he is at the table, so what do I do?
Additionally, I would always like to play someone that's invested in the match and focused, but that doesn't mean it can't be kept light and friendly. If you don't roll like that I respect that, but don't feel like you can give me any shit if I'm playing and having a good time
Additionally, I would always like to play someone that's invested in the match and focused, but that doesn't mean it can't be kept light and friendly. If you don't roll like that I respect that, but don't feel like you can give me any shit if I'm playing and having a good time
I can relate to the OP. I have often been told by other players, especially league players, that I am too hard on myself. They do not understand that I hold myself to higher expectations when I play because I know what I am capable of when I give 100%. If I do not perform at the level I want to, then my emotions will show. However it is not a sign that I am on tilt; it is my way of psyching myself up. Sometimes I focus so hard that I shut people out and they think I am being rude by not speaking to them when I am in the zone.
I am guilty of playing down to a weaker player's level as well, mainly during league play, and as a result, I have lost to players that I should destroy if I am playing my best game. What I hate to hear is someone trying to pick me up after a loss or during a tight win over someone I should shut out by telling me that I shot good. In my mind if I lost or nearly lost to a lesser player, then I did not shoot good.
I completely agree with the idea that if you ever want to be good at something you cannot do it half-a**.
I am guilty of playing down to a weaker player's level as well, mainly during league play, and as a result, I have lost to players that I should destroy if I am playing my best game. What I hate to hear is someone trying to pick me up after a loss or during a tight win over someone I should shut out by telling me that I shot good. In my mind if I lost or nearly lost to a lesser player, then I did not shoot good.
I completely agree with the idea that if you ever want to be good at something you cannot do it half-a**.
I think talking it up some is fine. The robot style or playing with ear buds is no fun.
But I'm a big Earl fan too. Not talking about him going off, but if more pro players had his style or Vivian / Jeannette on the female side, pro pool would be WAAAAY more popular.
U don't have to look at the table to see where he's playing....Just check out the stands:grin-square:
But I'm a big Earl fan too. Not talking about him going off, but if more pro players had his style or Vivian / Jeannette on the female side, pro pool would be WAAAAY more popular.
U don't have to look at the table to see where he's playing....Just check out the stands:grin-square:
I believe like you do. Even when playing alone, I try to raise the bar on previos accomplishments.
BUT....when pool stops being fun, it becomes work.
BUT....when pool stops being fun, it becomes work.
People have different reasons for playing, and there are too many to even list. Some of us need to play and have an internal drive to try to improve as much as possible. For others it's just a night out. The people on Az are the hard core of players (mostly). You can't expect others to have the same attitude towards the game as people on here, and you'll inevitably be disappointed if you do. If others don't take the game seriously, that's the real test for you to keep your game sharp.
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