Shoot to lose?

B

Bellhemen

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I was invited out tonight by some co-workers to a hole in the wall to play some pool. I won about 10 racks in a row. My co-workers were average bar players. I offered them ball in hand, balls down, the break whatever they wanted but they wouldn't take anything. They wanted to win "fair and square". What do you guys do when your playing with friends that just can't compete with your game? I'm a pretty competative person, hard to imagine shooting to miss on purpose. Its one thing being king of the table playing with a bunch of people you don't know. Its another thing playing with people you work with, family, friends etc. Its supposed to be a fun evening out, but its not fun for these guys to lose every game.

The only thing I can think of is to play harder position shots. But I think that is easily recognized and your not shooting to win, and then its not "fair and square".
 
I prefer not to play in those situations.

Just hang out, let them play and have fun!!

You won't have fun "Losing" and they won't have fun getting their azz' handed to them game after game.
 
Bellhemen said:
I was invited out tonight by some co-workers to a hole in the wall to play some pool. I won about 10 racks in a row. My co-workers were average bar players. I offered them ball in hand, balls down, the break whatever they wanted but they wouldn't take anything. They wanted to win "fair and square". What do you guys do when your playing with friends that just can't compete with your game? I'm a pretty competative person, hard to imagine shooting to miss on purpose. Its one thing being king of the table playing with a bunch of people you don't know. Its another thing playing with people you work with, family, friends etc. Its supposed to be a fun evening out, but its not fun for these guys to lose every game.

The only thing I can think of is to play harder position shots. But I think that is easily recognized and your not shooting to win, and then its not "fair and square".
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that's a tough one I've been there..

I just start playing cowboy... no defense at all... take on the tough shot...

or try banking or kicking everything... expand your range...

some people get offended by that some just love to see you "go for it"

throw smart pool out the window.. in these types of games...

take the risky shots.. push to far... expand your limits while giving them chances at the table..

test your alignment...one stroke every shot.. drop and fire..

there are lots of ways to push yourself while also giving them chances..

they WILL NOT notice if you alter your pre shot routine LOL
 
Bellhemen said:
I was invited out tonight by some co-workers to a hole in the wall to play some pool. I won about 10 racks in a row. My co-workers were average bar players. I offered them ball in hand, balls down, the break whatever they wanted but they wouldn't take anything. They wanted to win "fair and square". What do you guys do when your playing with friends that just can't compete with your game? I'm a pretty competative person, hard to imagine shooting to miss on purpose. Its one thing being king of the table playing with a bunch of people you don't know. Its another thing playing with people you work with, family, friends etc. Its supposed to be a fun evening out, but its not fun for these guys to lose every game.

The only thing I can think of is to play harder position shots. But I think that is easily recognized and your not shooting to win, and then its not "fair and square".
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It depends whether or not they are actually enjoying it or not. If they don't mind losing and enjoy trying to win, then I say win as much as you can.

My friends typically understand that I don't take it very seriously when I'm out for a few beers. That said I don't let them win anything.
 
Don't play winner holds the table.

Everyone only plays one game and then sits out, win or lose.

Mix up the players so that everyone plays different people each time.
 
This only happens to me in my own pool room, because I am not an A player by any stretch of the imagination. I'll play through the rotation a couple times and then come up with an excuse to give the table up. I let my friends and family go at it for a while and then gat back into the mix.

:cool:
 
I was at a managers meeting one time, and it was a dinner, and night in a sports bar kind of thing. I was the newest station manager in the district, and this was my first time meeting the district director.
After dinner, we wandered over to the other side of the place, and a few of us managed to find our way to the pool tables. I asked the director if he played pool, and he said yes. So I asked him if he wanted to play some partners and take on all comers.
We held the table for the better part of the night!
If my golf game were as strong as my pool game, I think I could have gone far with that company!!!
:grin:
Steve
 
Bellhemen said:
. Its supposed to be a fun evening out, but its not fun for these guys to lose every game.

The only thing I can think of is to play harder position shots. But I think that is easily recognized and your not shooting to win, and then its not "fair and square".
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Classic social pool syndrome for a serious player. That's why most serious players stay away from that situation.

However, I have a pretty good time doing scotch doubles with random partners.

Fred
 
What they said, take on hard shots, banks, kicks, spins etc. I practice. I don't think they will notice what you are doing.

I remember playing against guys in a bar for beer (I took $2.50 don't drink). I ran 3 tables and they paid. Another guy got up and did a 3 rail kick and made ball. All they talked about was the kick.
 
What I think you should do is alternate breaks and if you still win then so be it.If you are playing with multiple people then if you win then you break.What ever you do I would not miss on purpose.If they are serious they will try to bring their level up to you,If there not then most will enjoy watching you make shots.I am not saying you have to be super serious about the game but think of it as an oppertunity to try some things you would not playing better players.Alot of the guys I play with(most) beat me just about every game,but I learn something every time.I think most social players dont care if they win or lose as long as there is some good conversation.
 
Shoot all your ducks and leave the tied up balls alone. Then when you get back to the table play to go for the win as you would normally. If you are still killing them and you get an open ball will other balls tied up, repeat the process. In other words shoot all the open balls and easy balls first. This is what your buddies are doing..........
 
Cornerman said:
Classic social pool syndrome for a serious player. That's why most serious players stay away from that situation.

However, I have a pretty good time doing scotch doubles with random partners.

Fred
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FRED: If you are having random partners make sure you use "protection".....:-)
 
Good idea, Fred. I usually like to partner with the weakest player in the group, just to try to make things a little more even. And that player suddenly starts having fun too!

Steve
 
I have a very simple answer: Play off handed

This gives your friends a chance to win and gives you practice playing off handed (which you need now and then playing). It won't bother your friends either since you tell them you play pool seriously and you need to practice off handed anyway. This way you also are playing hard to win and not stalling or missing balls on purpose.
 
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on the hammer hard or not

I always had two speeds of pool, really three. There was social pool, don't make an ass out of friends or my date, gambling pool where I was stalling and hiding it, and flat out I'm playing an equal that knows the score pool.

Social pool I am not bearing down on the shots and I aim at a point now and then. I also focus on playing shape and often the shape I am shooting for is to hook myself. I occasionally go for the tough scratch on the cue ball too.

Gambling pool is a lot like social pool except I win a higher percentage of games and flat out needs no explanation.

A few years back soon after Katrina Mike Massey and Charlie Darling put on an exhibition to benefit Katrina victims. The tables were eight foot Olhousen home tables that Olhousen donated to the cause. One thing that they were doing was letting people play Mike or Charlie eight ball for a ten dollar donation. Winners got a signed ball from Mike or Charlie.

I was very suspicious when Mike hooked himself on the eight the first game I watched. By the third time in a row I saw him run out to the eight and hook himself there was no doubt. In a couple hours time I only saw Mike miss or hook himself before the eight twice, he hooked himself on the eight every game! These were of course bucket tables but I had little doubt that Mike can still play a decent game of pool. I played him back a hundred years ago on a bar table when he was winning some big tournaments and he was a tough serious pool player back then.

Hu
 
IMO there is no need to run out or play your best. You are in a social situation so be social.

Many times we will play 2 and out. Each player plays 2 games and then sits. During this I often tell someone that I am going to sit out an extra game or two. Just make up a reason or head to the restroom at that time.

Social situation are just that...social
 
Just play for beers but make the rule that the winner has to finish the beer before the rack is over and it will even out soon enough :thud:
 
The one time I was in that situation I started by shooting left handed. I don't know if any of you rightys have tried this but I found it one of the hardest things I've ever done! The opponents saw what a difficult time I was having so the agreed that I shoot left handed but with a bridge which was 100% better!

Greg
 
In social pool practice the art of dumping or play with your non-dominant hand or play partners with the weakest player. Remember to have fun!
 
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