Thanks RandyG, I Quit a Month Ago

[NewStroke]

playing against friends and leisure play. Now every game I play as if it's the rubber match of a championship. I have seen my game improve in another aspect of the game. I envy the guys that can turn it on and off, but now I play full steam and my game is reaping the benefits. Thanks for the advice Randy!

 

[NewStroke]

Does anyone else refrain from playing leisurely?

 

[Spimp13]

Nope...I would have less friends, but more money in pocket if I was on full speed all the time. Hurts the game for sure, but so be it...the price to pay for hanging out and socializing with friends.

 

[dardusm]

Growing up there was a local guy that was the top tournament player in my state. Very solid, winning several nice tournaments over the years. I would practice with him sometimes for ice water. He played just the same playing for ice water as he would for the finals of a tournament. He said if you play all out all of the time then it's the only way you know how to play. Made sense to me.

 

[Pushout]

I sure as hell try to. I've found that I can seldom play full speed against friends, though it doesn't seem to bother them too much. Casual play just doesn't make me want to play all out. It's affected my tournament play over the years also. I've gotten better at tournament play but haven't bet anything in quit a while, so overall I'd say I don't know if I'm capable of playing full speed against anyone at the moment. I haven't competed at all in several years and may not have the stamina any more to do so. No more six hour sessions, that's for sure.

 

[poolhustler]

I understand the thought process and how that would definately help your game.

But I just play for fun. Don't play as much nowadays and only play to hve fun.

My job, GF, daughter and other interests have ruined my pool game!!

 

[mikeyfrost]

I drink too much for all that shit.

 

[justadub]

I drink too much for all that shit.

:rotflmao1:

 

[Doug]

Fun vs serious

Depends on your goal. If you want to win tournaments, gambling, or turning professional, no question you should focus only on winning regardless of the situation. If your purpose is recreational and socializing with your buddies it is counterproductive because how you win most in this situation is by being aware everyone wants to have fun.

 

[bobroberts]

I sometimes play with a former pro who told me that when he plays against me he is really playing against himself and he goes full out without any thought to who he is playing.
According to him pool is about playing yourself everytime you get to the table. It is about making shots and position, not about your opponent.
Of course with safeties he has to play against the opposing player.

 

[Masayoshi]

I think its good to do both. Its important to keep things fun.

 

[JoeyA]

Does anyone else refrain from playing leisurely?

If you mean leisurely like hitting balls around and not caring whether they go in and not caring if you win or lose, then YES.

I would rather sit around and talk to friends rather than play a leisurely game of pool with them. Now if they have "the sickness", then that's a different story.

I'm ill and I don't wanna get well.

 

[JoeyA]

I think its good to do both. Its important to keep things fun.

I guess I'm just different. I actually think playing pool like your life is on the line is fun.

 

[shinobi]

I guess I'm just different. I actually think playing pool like your life is on the line is fun.

There are other ways to play socially while keeping the challenge...

1) Difficult handicaps for yourself
2) Go for a difficult offensive shot when you might otherwise take an easy safety
3) other?

 

[Needo]

I have to agree with Joey on this one. It just isn't any fun if I'm not playing the best that I can. I like getting so focused on what is happening at the table that the rest of the world disappears. Before getting married, I remember playing for 6 to 10 hours straight. It was always a downer when I had to leave the table.

 

[ShootingArts]

competition isn't exactly fun for me

Competition is something I love. I enjoy competing and there are very few things I would rather do. But in one way it is business and business isn't fun. Over and over when I start competing at something I forget that I started doing it for fun.

Once in awhile I play with basically nonplaying friends or family and I sometimes have a beginner want to hit a few balls with me. As rotten as I am now if I don't kick things out of overdrive it isn't going to be fun for them or for me.

The same is true of a handful of other pursuits. I start casually and then somebody mentions a match. "Match, did you say match??" My eyes start to glare and my hands twitch a bit. Soon every time I get a chance I am practicing for the next match instead of relaxing at a pursuit that was once a simple pleasure. Some pursuits I am able to move back and forth between fun and serious play like pool, some things will never really be fun again.

I'm getting too close to my second childhood to not try to keep some fun in things.

Hu

 

[Masayoshi]

If you mean leisurely like hitting balls around and not caring whether they go in and not caring if you win or lose, then YES.

I would rather sit around and talk to friends rather than play a leisurely game of pool with them. Now if they have "the sickness", then that's a different story.

I'm ill and I don't wanna get well.

Both are fun, but a different kind of fun. Playing with friends, chatting, maybe drinking is a social type of fun. Competing seriously in gambling and tournaments is more of a personal type of fun. I think both are important to keep the game fresh and interesting.

 

[Maniac]

Sorry, but even when I'm playin' for fun, I play balls-to-the-wall :sorry:. All out, trying to win each and every game.

Heck, if you put your grandmother up against me, I'm gonna try to kick her old, wrinkled ass !!!

What's the point of pickin' up a cue if you're not going to take pocketing balls seriously???

Maniac

 

[Pushout]

"If you are playing your grandmother a fifty point game, try to beat her fifty to nothing. Or if you have her forty nine to three, try to keep her from getting four."

Danny McGoorty

 

[pwd72s]

There are other ways to play socially while keeping the challenge...

1) Difficult handicaps for yourself
2) Go for a difficult offensive shot when you might otherwise take an easy safety
3) other?

Maybe play opposite handed? That way you could still be serious, but would also be improving your opposite handed play...