The fast and loose player vs the slow and controlled type of player.

I've watched some fast players mess up shots that seemed to me they would not if they spend a few more seconds on it.

Rodney Morris for one, I've seen him get out of line or hang a ball up quite a bit when he's rushing around.
 
it depends on the skill of the player. playing against a player that really can't play as happens in a league that is slow is a pain. They may stand there for a long time to figure out how to run the table and then miss on their first shot, or if by chance they have BIH they so the same thing, place the ball and then miss. if they do make the ball they dotn have the position that they wanted and then go thru the whole process again and miss.

🎱
 
Last finals of Turning Stone was exactly this. Shaw (Fast and Loose) vs Morra (Slow and Controlled). IMO both played great and that match could have went either way. Shaw prevailed but I prefer the slower and more methodical player to win more consistantly.
 
Slow Player Power!

justinb386 said:
I know a lot of very strong players that are the fast and loose type, and I have seen a lot of very strong players that are the slow and controlled type.

So I would just like some opinions about which is better.

I love the fast and loose style of play (think it works a lot better for 9 ball), so maybe it just depends on the game.

I never liked watching players (or playing against players) that have a very slow (or slow and controlled) type of stroke.

Players like Sylver Ochoa (he is very strong, but he is a very slow and controlled type of player, in my opinion, even though I know there are much slower players out there).

So which is the better style of play (in your opinion)?
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Im not slow but Im more deliberate these days. I had a friend that was slow compared to most and it was hard for me to play him but the guy made few mistakes so I did everything I could to not make so many myself hence keep the table under control. About that time I started playing One Pocket and that also made me concentrate on my decision making and I needed to know exactly how I did everything that I did which slowed my roll down.

All in all there is a lot to be learned from slow and deliberate play....but not slow playing people.

If you are of a normal playing speed it will not hurt your speed. If you are a fast player it will make you slow down some and become more deliberate and it will change your stroke some to one that is more deliberate.

I dont believe in mindlessly banging balls in any form and fast players might not be allowing enough time to properly process the lay of the table....at least in the amateur form. I have personally benefitted greatly from slowing my roll.
 
I don't know if it has been mentioned that there is a difference between playing tournament pool and gambling. Tournament play is sudden death, you can't afford a mistake.

I a tournament if you lose a match you can't just say '"Raise the bet " and keep playing. It is over and this changes the way a player will play.

You have to see a player gambling without a clock or time limit to see how they play their best over the long haul.
 
All I know is I am a very fast player and it annoys me to play a slow player. I usually get beat by a weaker slow player because I get so annoyed... Many time I want to yell at them "Hit the damn thing already!"
 
I really don't have a comment on pro players, but, with me being a non professional, I find myself at times being a little of both. If I am shooting a good pace and all is working, I'll keep a good pace. When I'm off a little, I will slow down a little and just make sure my basics are good and maybe throw in a safe or two just to get ball in hand instead of going for a break out. In my opinion, all players go up and down the feel good ladder. I don't try to over think when I am struggling, but, take a few moments to make sure my hand bridge is solid, remind myself to stay down and follow through and to take easier outs when my cue ball is not moving how I believe it should. Example, instead of moving a cue ball around two rails to shoot the next ball in the same pocket, maybe a stop shot and shoot the next ball in the other corner if it's open. The pro's worst day is still better than my best day.
 
I notice that fast players often mention how annoying it is playing a slow player but rarely is the opposite true - I can't remember a slow player getting aggravated because his opponent played too fast, LOL.

I used to get more irritated by slow play until Oscar Dominguez said something to me once after a tournament match of his I was watching. This match went 3 1/2 hours when most of the others went maybe 90 minutes! The next session had already begun on all the other tables. I was getting annoyed just watching how unbelievably slow his opponent was, but Oscar remained calm whenever he was sitting. I asked him how he maintained his composure and he said, "Simple really. I just accept the fact that the reason I'm stuck in my chair is because I missed."

Since that statement I've tried this and it's definitely helped. :grin-square: I also use my opponent's slow play to increase my own confidence. When I'm up against a guy who takes three minutes to look over the table on every shot even when he gets perfect on the next ball, I tell myself "This guy is not confident he can beat me."
 
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IMO Sylver Ochoa has a close to perfect pace aiming and delivering (form me, the most perfect I have seen is Raymund Faraon), the goal I try to reach. I used to be loose and fast, but it doesn't work for me if I have a bad day, I miss and I don't know why.
 
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