Thanks for the input

Williebetmore

Member, .25% Club
Silver Member
Melissa,
As a die-hard pool fanatic I just wanted to thank you for your input to the forum. It is extremely nice of you to respond to our questions. I will definitely try to see some of your matches if you are playing in Peoria this year.

I would be very interested in your pool influences and background. Were there really good players who taught you, or did you figure this out on your own (my current theory is that pool is totally impossible to master without some help from better players - actually it may be impossible for me even with help :) :) )?
 
Hi Willie,

Thanks for your kind words. I really enjoy reading everyones' posts and responding to things that I can. Honestly, it is nice to be able to share thoughts and ideas with other pool players from around the country and world.

I will definitely be in Peoria this year....and I can use all the support I can get! Having people root for you and cheer you on can really be an inspiration. Sometimes, when you travel to a new part of the country, it can be a little intimidating not having the home crowd behind you...so it's nice when the people from this forum come out and introduce themselves!

As for my influences and background...well, I started playing in order to develop a better relationship with my father when I was 19. He has always loved this game, and I realized that one way I could learn to relate to him was by spending time with him doing what he loved...playing pool. We quickly realized that I had a natural affinity for the game, and so I just played as much as I could. A little over 5 years ago, I met my boyfriend, who is also a decent player. He knows my game better than anyone, so he knows what I need to play well and acts as my coach. I have learned little tricks and tips from various players throughout the years...but have never had a real lesson from anyone.

Melissa
 
Melissa,
Thanks for the response. A buddy and I continually debate the "nature vs. nurture" issue in pool development. It sounds like you must have quite an aptitude for pool to come so far without lessons. This is of course extremely distressing to those of us who were hoping that you had some secret advantage that we did not (and thus explain our inability "to run 3 friggin' balls"). Good luck this year.
 
Williebetmore said:
Melissa,
Thanks for the response. A buddy and I continually debate the "nature vs. nurture" issue in pool development. It sounds like you must have quite an aptitude for pool to come so far without lessons. This is of course extremely distressing to those of us who were hoping that you had some secret advantage that we did not (and thus explain our inability "to run 3 friggin' balls"). Good luck this year.

No problem! As for the "nature vs. nurture" issue, I will have to take the "nature" side of the coin. There has to be natural talent for any person to truly excel in anything. Take Michael Jordan for example....he has something special that made him the best basketball player of his time. He wasn't a 2 feet taller than anyone else, but he and basketball were one entity...naturally. So, he had an innate ability for the game that was extraordinary. Of course, he had to nurture that ability....but he had just had that spark that made him a legend. There were probably other players that worked harder....but they just didn't have the natural skills and so they couldn't reach the same level that Michael did. Earl Strickland, Tiger Woods, the Williams sisters, Pete Sampras....it's the same for all of them. Of course they work hard....but they all have that unidentifiable "something" that makes them better at their respective sport than everyone else.

Luck of the draw I guess! I cannot dribble a basketball to save my life, but I can play pool a little.....LOL. So, I guess it's a good thing that it isn't my life dream to play in the WNBA!

Melissa
 
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