Really Long Pool Sessions

[kollegedave]

Is there a correlation between the skill level of a player and their participation in extra long sessions of pool?

Or maybe another way to say it: Do you all think very long sessions are required or at least extremely helpful in moving from proficient amateur to a more accomplished level of play?

To those of you who are champs, former champs, "open" caliber players: to what extent do think really long pool sessions contributed to your improvement as a player.

Thanks in advance,

kollegedave

 

[Andrew Manning]

What do you consider "very long"?

I do think there's much to be learned from playing 4+ hours non-stop. Most I've ever done is probably around 9, so I can't weigh in on whether 10+ hour marathon sessions are critical to one's development.

-Andrew

 

[dardusm]

I've never been big into playing long sessions as I'm more of a tournament player than gambler. But, I have seen over the years, young players games take a big jump in part to the amount of play because of gambling and playing long sessions. They are getting better in part of playing focused for hours at the table. The key is the focus and that comes from the $$$ on the line.

I don't necessarily advocate it because of other issues, but in my mind, playing long sessions for the do ray me can have a positive effect on a players learning curve.

 

[sixpack]

..........

 

[naji]

Is there a correlation between the skill level of a player and their participation in extra long sessions of pool?

Or maybe another way to say it: Do you all think very long sessions are required or at least extremely helpful in moving from proficient amateur to a more accomplished level of play?

To those of you who are champs, former champs, "open" caliber players: to what extent do think really long pool sessions contributed to your improvement as a player.

Thanks in advance,

kollegedave

IMO
There are few things in pool to consider:
1-Skill of pocketing any ball (straight in to about 80 degree cut, left and right), with all english and speeds and all distances separating ob from cb, including near rail shots
2- Position play for multiple balls (8 ball and straight pool, one pocket)
3- Position play for individual ball with position for another (rotation games)
4- Kicks, banks, and jumps
5- Strategy for each game

I'd say # 1 needs a lot of continuous time to figure out what pool is all about, until consistency is mastered..

2,3,4 and 5 the more you play, and rack and run the better you get at it

The reason i put numbers up, is if you did not master # 1 in practice and money games you will never master the rest no matter how much time you put in it, and will remain around the A to A+ skill with A++++ reserved for a pro.

 

[Banks]

I've never been big into playing long sessions as I'm more of a tournament player than gambler. But, I have seen over the years, young players games take a big jump in part to the amount of play because of gambling and playing long sessions. They are getting better in part of playing focused for hours at the table. The key is the focus and that comes from the $$$ on the line.

I don't necessarily advocate it because of other issues, but in my mind, playing long sessions for the do ray me can have a positive effect on a players learning curve.

That's how I've felt about it from my own experience. After spending 8 or more hours at a table, playing nonstop for my own limited cash, I usually come away with something that can help my game. That's either noticing something I could spend time on, something that I was doing correctly or just that determined focus that makes playing otherwise seem easier. Whenever I'd go to our regional tournament for a week or so, I'd come back home a better player. After dozens of hours of playing such a focused game, things just seem more natural.

 

[owll]

i think that playing long sessions....12+ hours is a good thing occasionally.

When you get tired, and somewhat numb, i think it helps reduce anxiety, and helps a person to stay down .... and then you get to see the improvement from a more relaxed and steadier position.....so from that perspective i'd say playing a real long session occasionally is a good thing.

 

[macguy]

Is there a correlation between the skill level of a player and their participation in extra long sessions of pool?

Or maybe another way to say it: Do you all think very long sessions are required or at least extremely helpful in moving from proficient amateur to a more accomplished level of play?

To those of you who are champs, former champs, "open" caliber players: to what extent do think really long pool sessions contributed to your improvement as a player.

Thanks in advance,

kollegedave

I am not sure long sessions were meant to prove anything (Going back a lot of years) but just neither player just didn't want to quit. They were almost the norm. Two guys would start and they would play till the place closed almost all the time. If it was a 24 hour place there is no telling how long they may play.

One of the differences years ago was we usually played by the by game, sessions were not as common as just $10 or $20 a game with the bet usually going up from time to time. When you play sessions there is a predetermined stopping point at the end of every session.

Playing by the game it requires one of the two players to actually just quit. It is not as easy for a guy to escape. He had to say, "That's enough" or "I quit".
When ever you started playing someone it was almost assumed you would play till one of you had enough and that may be 10 or 15 hours who knows.

I remember watching Mike Carella playing Bob Strauss in the congress one pocket. I watched for a while and left. The next day I come in and they are playing. I asked Sharky the house man who won the night before and he said they were still playing. They played for close to three days.

Weenie Beenie was famous for long sessions. I heard him want to bet a guy they play till one quits for $10,000. He seemed to never get tired. I am sure back then though it may not have been spoken about but more then a few used a little help to play those long sessions.
Seems today, the players are ready to quit right out of the box.

 

[macguy]

i think that playing long sessions....12+ hours is a good thing occasionally.

When you get tired, and somewhat numb, i think it helps reduce anxiety, and helps a person to stay down .... and then you get to see the improvement from a more relaxed and steadier position.....so from that perspective i'd say playing a real long session occasionally is a good thing.

After a while you don't really think about anything, it is Monopoly money you have passed it around so much. You can actually go beyond anxiety, or worrying about the money, you just keep playing. What often happens is at a point one of the players may just go down the drain.

They may play very close for hours and hours, both confident they can ultimately win. Then one of the players begins to have doubt. You can almost see it happen.

He just can't withstand the constant having to play his best to stay even or win and he gives up. Toby Sweet could bring that out in a player. You knew from the start what you were in for, Toby was not likely to ever quit. He was relentless and never let up from the start.

His heat was so strong he could make even a top player fold. In fact, many would avoid getting in a game with a guy like him. There was not much to look forward to but a very hard game that never seems to end. Even for a champion who should probably figure to be the favorite, they know if they play anything but their best they will lose, he is a constant wolf at the door.

 

[takeitdown]

I gamble in 10 hour sessions at least weekly. Doing so for a decent wager changes your game for the better by testing you and creating rewards and consequences for performance. It has made me a much better player under pressure. ..really the trick is there isn't any. Playing sets for 100 to 1000 will make losing a tournament entry fee inconsequential.

In pool you go it alone. You are your own coach, backer and team of one. When you get tested it makes you stronger. Having to play a lock safe on your opponent is on the hill for the cash or make tough shots with money on the line is tough when you have been at it for hours.

Learning to execute when tired and perhaps not playing your best is essential. You can only learn it by doing it and putting in the hours.

 

[kollegedave]

Macguy and Takeitdown,

Thank you for the great posts. "Wolf at the Door"...that is gangster. I am calling dibs on changing my handle to that...I wish that was my name in life.

"Who is that?"

"Oh, that's the wolf at the door."

"Holy S$%T, run for your life!"

And Takeitdown, "backer and a team of one." Also great.

Just so you know. I am in a race to 50 this Saturday. We'll see how it goes. The bet is not much; I could not get people to play a long race of 10 ball.

I am going to give long sessions the "kollege" try.

kollegedave

I gamble in 10 hour sessions at least weekly. Doing so for a decent wager changes your game for the better by testing you and creating rewards and consequences for performance. It has made me a much better player under pressure. ..really the trick is there isn't any. Playing sets for 100 to 1000 will make losing a tournament entry fee inconsequential.

In pool you go it alone. You are your own coach, backer and team of one. When you get tested it makes you stronger. Having to play a lock safe on your opponent is on the hill for the cash or make tough shots with money on the line is tough when you have been at it for hours.

Learning to execute when tired and perhaps not playing your best is essential. You can only learn it by doing it and putting in the hours.

 

[naji]

I gamble in 10 hour sessions at least weekly. Doing so for a decent wager changes your game for the better by testing you and creating rewards and consequences for performance. It has made me a much better player under pressure. ..really the trick is there isn't any. Playing sets for 100 to 1000 will make losing a tournament entry fee inconsequential.

In pool you go it alone. You are your own coach, backer and team of one. When you get tested it makes you stronger. Having to play a lock safe on your opponent is on the hill for the cash or make tough shots with money on the line is tough when you have been at it for hours.

Learning to execute when tired and perhaps not playing your best is essential. You can only learn it by doing it and putting in the hours.

The only advantage of long sessions if you speed is not pro speed, is your luck might change and your opponent starts giving you easy outs! It does not improve your shooting skill a bit especially if you are not a consistent player.

 

[owll]

The only advantage of long sessions if you speed is not pro speed, is your luck might change and your opponent starts giving you easy outs! It does not improve your shooting skill a bit especially if you are not a consistent player.

Believe it or not, there are people who take drugs to deaden themselves (painkillers) so that they play better....playing extra long sessions, to get tired, and get past that to achieve that deadened feeling is the same thing (without the drugs).

Saying a person won't benefit long term, from gettin a view of shots with less anxiety (tired) and less body movement (tired)...well im not valuing your opinion, to be honest.

 

[Old Nine Baller]

Is there a correlation between the skill level of a player and their participation in extra long sessions of pool?

Or maybe another way to say it: Do you all think very long sessions are required or at least extremely helpful in moving from proficient amateur to a more accomplished level of play?

To those of you who are champs, former champs, "open" caliber players: to what extent do think really long pool sessions contributed to your improvement as a player.

Thanks in advance,

kollegedave

There is no correlation between the skill level of a player and playing long matches.

There is however much to be learned and gained from playing long matches. Once you get past the 10-12 hour mark you start relaxing and a strange calm comes over you. Obviously if you are playing for that length of time you are in a very close, even game and little things start becoming more apparent.

Once you get past the 16-20 hour point you learn to conserve your energy by not talking, not moving around when it's not your shot, eating proper food during the match, and a few other things.

When you reach the 24 hour mark you won't even notice it, all depending on your age and the condition you are in. You will notice your opponent more and the little things he does to cope with your game also. There will come times when you reach a "wall" and play bad for a few games but then you'll get past that feeling and regain your game. The same thing will happen to your opponent so don't worry about it when it happens.

Playing a long session is a tremendous way to learn much about yourself, your opponent (if you're observant) and the game itself. You will only improve when you play long sessions.

Good luck.

ONB

 

[trinacria]

after about six to eight hours your stroke is fluid and even, and thats when you really pay attention to speed, touch and finesse to your shots. its what ive noticed happens to me. long sessions are beneficial in some ways. your back and pocket might disagree in the morning.

 

[DTL]

........................

 

[naji]

Believe it or not, there are people who take drugs to deaden themselves (painkillers) so that they play better....playing extra long sessions, to get tired, and get past that to achieve that deadened feeling is the same thing (without the drugs).

Saying a person won't benefit long term, from gettin a view of shots with less anxiety (tired) and less body movement (tired)...well im not valuing your opinion, to be honest.

The OP asked "Is there a correlation between the skill level of a player and their participation in extra long sessions of pool"

There is no doubt that the longer you shoot with someone gambling the more getting used to the loss and win and might get to a less pressure situation (if both player at same speed, or handicapped). But will not gain shooting skill doing it, all forgotten next day; unless it is your only practice, and trying out every shot possible, making too many mistakes, you opponent will highly appreciate! The alternative play the way you know, and scared to put that left or right english, or shoot hard, or......
The ideal is you learn pool, practice, know why you miss, long practice sessions , go out to the field and try it out, if it works great, if it does not back to practice until both speed at practice and match are equal then a player reaches a high level.
I would't just advise a B player just go out bet your money for 12 hour sessions, you will get better?

 

[dardusm]

If you have flaws in basic fundamentals you'll likely not improve. Playing/practicing with these flaws for long periods of time only means you'll get good at doing it wrong.

I think that players that practice strong fundamentals have a higher ceiling than those that just fly by the seat of their pants. But, I also think that the number 1 trait of any great player is desire. That can even trump good fundamentals. There are many top players that aren't fundamentally sound but with desire and time they have become a great. Maybe they would have been even better with the good fundamentals but the desire to put in the time and effort made the most difference.

 

[naji]

If you have flaws in basic fundamentals you'll likely not improve. Playing/practicing with these flaws for long periods of time only means you'll get good at doing it wrong.

Thank you. Exactly right.

 

[Old Nine Baller]

Is there a correlation between the skill level of a player and their participation in extra long sessions of pool?

Or maybe another way to say it: Do you all think very long sessions are required or at least extremely helpful in moving from proficient amateur to a more accomplished level of play?

To those of you who are champs, former champs, "open" caliber players: to what extent do think really long pool sessions contributed to your improvement as a player.

Thanks in advance,

kollegedave

If you have flaws in basic fundamentals you'll likely not improve. Playing/practicing with these flaws for long periods of time only means you'll get good at doing it wrong.

Thank you. Exactly right.

The original poster never said he had "flaws in basic fundamentals" so why act as if he had?

Naji, you've played with a crooked stroke for 35 years so you think you know it all? All you know is that you never bothered to learn the game. Why do you continuously advise newer players when you can't play yourself?

ONB