That horrible thing about pool!

[renard]

I'm the opposite; I normally play much better during competition.

I also have competed hundreds of times, outside of the pool hall, in other competitive sports.

You have to understand yourself when you compete, that you focus differently. You may start worrying about stuff that has no bearing on your game. Sometimes you worry about the outcome of the shot, instead of the process.


That shot you took in practice is not the same shot you took in competition, but it is.

Good point Gregg. I know several players who play terrible if something isn't on the line. They will beg to at least play for a buck without attempting to raise the wagger. Thier thought is an evil slump/poor play will enter thier game and will be hard to shake. They need to feed the motivation in thier game or thier game folds like a house of cards...