Staying serious in "should win" situations?

[ScottW]

Lately I've been having trouble keeping my game face on, I guess is one way to put it, when facing an opponent that I should be stomping on.

I play league a couple of nights a week, and small local tournaments a couple or three of the other nights. Some of these tournaments have some decent shooters in'em - and I tend to play pretty well in those. Like this week, took 2nd in the two tougher-field tournaments I played in.

But then there's a couple of bar tournaments, mainly local locals, that I go to - few decent shooters in the mix. I mainly go for the crowd; I like the people; but the payouts aren't bad. And lately, I just *cannot* shoot worth half a damn in these tournaments! I've gone out early the past four of these, with small fields even. And I'm 100% positive it's because I'm doing it to myself, mentally - going down that "Oh I've got this guy easy" mental road.

What do you guys do to keep your focus in these sorts of situations?

 

[Gregg]

Maybe you're underestimating the ability of the shooters in the bar league?

 

[Snapshot9]

I know

Lately I've been having trouble keeping my game face on, I guess is one way to put it, when facing an opponent that I should be stomping on.

I play league a couple of nights a week, and small local tournaments a couple or three of the other nights. Some of these tournaments have some decent shooters in'em - and I tend to play pretty well in those. Like this week, took 2nd in the two tougher-field tournaments I played in.

But then there's a couple of bar tournaments, mainly local locals, that I go to - few decent shooters in the mix. I mainly go for the crowd; I like the people; but the payouts aren't bad. And lately, I just *cannot* shoot worth half a damn in these tournaments! I've gone out early the past four of these, with small fields even. And I'm 100% positive it's because I'm doing it to myself, mentally - going down that "Oh I've got this guy easy" mental road.

What do you guys do to keep your focus in these sorts of situations?

what you mean. It is because you expect to get 'extra' turns with easy players, so you play in 'fast and loose' mode instead of competitive mode, and a scratch here, an accidental good break there, and before you know it, they are on the hill, while you still need 4 games. Many times playing lower level players in a handicapped tournament, you think you do not need to play safeties, and they get a roll here or there, and oops, you're in doo-doo.

It is because you consider their skill level, and sluff off the handicap difference. When you play someone your speed or better, you know 1 mistake can lose the game for you, so you 'gear up' for the match.

 

[ScottW]

Maybe you're underestimating the ability of the shooters in the bar league?

It's not that so much, I think, as I just don't take MY time at the table as serious. I miss easy shots, I pooch up simple run-outs. I don't stand there and look at the table long enough, figuring up what I need to do. I *devolve* skill-wise.

One thing I meant to mention in the original post and forgot about - these little local tournaments I'm having issues in - they're race-to-1 matches. There's no "Oh I lost this one, I can make it up next game" situations here.

 

[tigerallenyim]

This actually happened recently, however I did win the match. I believe the reason for me winning was due to focusing on securing the lead and to ensure little possibility of losing.

The mental part is not too difficult, my team relies on me most of time to either: secure the lead, or when faced with a tie-breaker, im best at pressure.

When it comes to: "Hey, I can beat this person"... I've stopped that. It's so ego, and so stolen. I rather play my best to beat the person and display to the other opponent that hey, first... it's a game, and secondly, I will do my best to beat ya (with of course, good sportsmanship).

There is a book out there, that I have not had the honor of reading it yet that develops the mental part of the game.
AZ'ers, can u offer help in reminding me the title of the book?

Thanks.

 

[tigerallenyim]

It's not that so much, I think, as I just don't take MY time at the table as serious. I miss easy shots, I pooch up simple run-outs. I don't stand there and look at the table long enough, figuring up what I need to do. I *devolve* skill-wise.

One thing I meant to mention in the original post and forgot about - these little local tournaments I'm having issues in - they're race-to-1 matches. There's no "Oh I lost this one, I can make it up next game" situations here.

Ahhh! A race-to-one matches... they're awesome! At first, I did not find an appeal to them, but now I think a bit differently. It will test my ability on how focus is drawn. If the focus has been maintained through the rack, and the next opponent, and the next.... kewl. If not, then I may have to re-approach the method of focusing... depending on the severity of the error.
Hey.... sometimes we have bad rolls u know!

 

[seymore15074]

You have to play the table, like you are playing the ghost. Don't watch your opponent shoot and analyse how terrible it is when he is shooting, sit down and work on breathing and then step up refreshed and relaxed and play the ghost again. If you miss a ball, you should EXPECT to lose; you have to play like this all of the time--No matter what.

To practice this, play some sets with someone and give them the 7-OUT...put a small bet on the sets so that you want to win. You will have to work your @$$ off, just like you should ANY game.