The Joy of Losing

inside_english

inside_english

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The Joy of Losing

We’ve all heard the sayings, right? You know the ones:

Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.
Winners never quit, quitters never win.
It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.
If winning doesn’t matter, why keep score?
Show me someone who doesn’t mind losing and I’ll show you a loser.

OK, so there is NO joy in losing. Let’s face it. Losing sucks big time.
It makes you want to heave.
It makes you angry and frustrated.
It makes you hate your opponent.
It makes you hate yourself.
It makes you hate the game.

There is nothing positive about losing.
Oh sure, we can reflect on our losses and try to learn from them, but who wants to do that when winning is so much better?

I played in a tournament this past weekend, and I finished 9th – 12th in a field of 41. I won some money, and four matches, but I only remember the loss that finally knocked me out of the tournament.

So, what’s my point, you ask?

I have been wondering for quite some time what it all means, or what is the point of competing so hard? I analyze how I feel after a loss compared to a win, and I must say, whilst winning is better, it doesn’t feel all that great. Unless I really dislike my opponent, I don’t really enjoy bashing someone’s brains in. I do derive some satisfaction in how I played, making a great comeback or a clutch shot etc., but at the end of the day I pulverized someone else, and I know they are feeling as crappy as I would have felt if roles were reversed.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no intentions of stopping anytime soon, nor will I get a table for my home and only play against myself so as not to “hurt” others, that is not the case. I just can’t help but gauge how I feel after winning, and somehow it does not measure up to the hype, at least not for me.

Yes, I AM small-time, never won thousands gambling, never won a major event, so I don’t know the rush, or the sense of achievement, or accomplishment…so I don’t know anything about that.

I am just gauging how absolutely rotten I feel after losing in a tournament and how it overwhelms the good feelings of previous wins in the very same event. The act of self-consolation (Well, at least you got in the money) doesn’t seem adequate.

So, ever ask yourself why we put ourselves through the grinder to compete in pool?

I know life is set up so we are forced to compete to excel, or even survive. But given that life is hard enough for most, why do we feel the need to add that pressure?

Maybe the commentator on ABC’s Wild World of Sports said it best, “It’s the thrill of victory…
 
Its 10% Luck 20% Skill 15% Concentrated Power and Will 5% Pleasure 50% pain and 100% Reason to keep playing the game :cool:
 
RunoutJJ said:
Its 10% Luck 20% Skill 15% Concentrated Power and Will 5% Pleasure 50% pain and 100% Reason to keep playing the game :cool:
Click to expand...

I'm reading this just before I was about to sleep. I don't even know why it struck me as so funny. I'm laughing so much I think it'll be another good half hour before I'm actually sleepy again.
 
It depends. Playing a league match/tournament match and knowing I'm going into the match against a superior player makes losing less harsh. I always do my best to win, but losing is part of the game. Now, when I lose against someone I could have easily beaten... That's a different story.
 
inside_english said:
The Joy of Losing

We’ve all heard the sayings, right? You know the ones:

y…
Click to expand...

Hello Inside English, if you always loose to good pro players, you need to gain more knowledge, and dedicate most of your life to pool

If you loose to players have same skill level or lower, pray for luck to be on your side

If you have a 9-5 job your road is going to be hell to reach the top, if you ever lasted

If you have family and kids forget about wining big events

Best of Luck
 
Winning was created to show us how losing, truly sucks.
Crying was created to show others how we feel about losing.
Laughing was created to show others how stupid we look when we try to rationalize losing.
Alcohol was created to help cope with losing.
I could go on, but I need a drink. :smile:
 
bigshooter said:
Sadly enough I've heard my son play that enough I actually sang it in my head. :)
Click to expand...

Like this :lol::lol:


Yeah its a song from Fort Minor (Remember the name) but I changed name to game. Gets me pumped up and its very befitting if you ask me :)


For all of you that don't know what we are talking about you can check out the video here---------> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5YJfPBqPNE

The lead guy is from Linkin Park which I thought was pretty awesome :cool:
 
inside_english said:
The Joy of Losing

We’ve all heard the sayings, right? You know the ones:

Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.
Winners never quit, quitters never win.
It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.
If winning doesn’t matter, why keep score?
Show me someone who doesn’t mind losing and I’ll show you a loser.

OK, so there is NO joy in losing. Let’s face it. Losing sucks big time.
It makes you want to heave.
It makes you angry and frustrated.
It makes you hate your opponent.
It makes you hate yourself.
It makes you hate the game.

There is nothing positive about losing.
Oh sure, we can reflect on our losses and try to learn from them, but who wants to do that when winning is so much better?

I played in a tournament this past weekend, and I finished 9th – 12th in a field of 41. I won some money, and four matches, but I only remember the loss that finally knocked me out of the tournament.

So, what’s my point, you ask?

I have been wondering for quite some time what it all means, or what is the point of competing so hard? I analyze how I feel after a loss compared to a win, and I must say, whilst winning is better, it doesn’t feel all that great. Unless I really dislike my opponent, I don’t really enjoy bashing someone’s brains in. I do derive some satisfaction in how I played, making a great comeback or a clutch shot etc., but at the end of the day I pulverized someone else, and I know they are feeling as crappy as I would have felt if roles were reversed.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no intentions of stopping anytime soon, nor will I get a table for my home and only play against myself so as not to “hurt” others, that is not the case. I just can’t help but gauge how I feel after winning, and somehow it does not measure up to the hype, at least not for me.

Yes, I AM small-time, never won thousands gambling, never won a major event, so I don’t know the rush, or the sense of achievement, or accomplishment…so I don’t know anything about that.

I am just gauging how absolutely rotten I feel after losing in a tournament and how it overwhelms the good feelings of previous wins in the very same event. The act of self-consolation (Well, at least you got in the money) doesn’t seem adequate.

So, ever ask yourself why we put ourselves through the grinder to compete in pool?

I know life is set up so we are forced to compete to excel, or even survive. But given that life is hard enough for most, why do we feel the need to add that pressure?

Maybe the commentator on ABC’s Wild World of Sports said it best, “It’s the thrill of victory…
Click to expand...

Well Curtis from what I see you have been playing pretty well of late the agony of defeat lasts much longer than the thrill of victory and trust me it gets worse as you get older,

I was going to quit earlier this yr after a couple of punishing defeats but I was on a team that had a chance to qualify for vegas and they could not field a team without me ,,
I decided I was going to put everything I had into it even saw a sports shrink to boot, played good in a couple turnys and as luck would have it I came with the best pool I played in yrs went 7-1 in those qualifiers and we went to vegas finishing in the money

However I played in the next action tour lost to one of the top players 8-3
and then spit the bit to a D player walked away wondering if I should just quit before I go backwards again and have not hit a ball since,

For you ,I would stick with it you still have lots of good yrs left ,you have a great stroke and knollage of the game just keep at it


good luck


mark
 
Because

to achieve perfection in something where it becomes 'art' instead of 'science' is the ultimate goal,

and besides, in the end, there can be only 1 ... :grin:
 
It is most often difficult to tell exactly why you won. However, you can generally point to several weaknesses when you lose. Therefore, that is the positive you can take away from a loss, i.e., you can focus on those areas of weakness for improvement.

As far as handling or dealing with defeat? If your expectations are unrealistic and if what you're looking for out of the game are out of line, it will likely be very difficult and may eventually result in you giving the game up. That would be sad I think.

Perhaps you could take some time to consider what some realistic goals are for yourself. Then evaluate your game to determine what you are going to have to do to reach those goals. Finally, determine if what you need to do is realistic given your life priorities. If you decide you can make the sacrifices in time, expense, etc. to meet those goals, then formulate a realistic plan to get it done. Set some achievable milestones to work towards so the journey doesn't seem so long and difficult.

One other thing is to consider that your opponent is most often you and the table. Take your opponent out of the equation since after all, in most cases, you have limited control over how skilled they are and how they play against you. What you can control is your own game. Take joy from your improvement, the opportunity to compete, the camaraderie of playings against and meeting other people and just your love for the game. Get it into the proper perspective.

Good luck, I hope it works out for the best for you.
 
Good topic...My awnser would be because we love the game... So we will continue to touture ourselves :) unfortunately im sure this will happen again and u will still continue to play... I would jus try to have a diffrent attitude towards the gAme, im not gonna preach cause im sure u have heard it all.... Jus take it for what it is... Its a game.... Do the best u can based on your ability and try to enjoy it... Easier said then done but what other choice do u have? In all sports their is always a loser and a winner and we all share the pain of losing and the thrill of winning...
 
Yes....... there is a loser every match.

You can play the best game of your life and still lose.

Everyone thinks they are better than they are.

No one is as good as they want to be.

If you lose, don't get mad, get better.

Kim
 
At the heart of this discussion is personal motivation???

Type 1. Some play pool to put food on the table and it is work!!!
Type 2. Some play pool for honor and recognition!!!

It really is a very personal thing!!!

Type 1 people encounter Type 2 people and all things equal the guy who needs to eat is clearly BETTER motivated and usually wins!!!

Type 2 people encounter Type 2 people and if one has more to lose than the other they usually lose the little reputation they earned because lets face it they were suppose to win anyways!!! So, all they can do is lose what little honor and recognition they have by losing to a lesser player!!!

Type 1 players never play Type 1 players because lets face it sharks don't eat other sharks!!!! Plus, they both realize that neither has what the other needs monetarily!!!

KD
 
BillyKoda said:
If you never lose how would you ever enjoy winning?
Click to expand...

Exactly. And to bring up the age old question and answer it, when we take a "game" to a competitive level such that the thrill of victory is as important as the agony of defeat, then the game transcends. The game becomes a sport.

Freddie <~~~ always in agony
 
Kid Dynomite said:
Type 1 players never play Type 1 players because lets face it sharks don't eat other sharks!!!! Plus, they both realize that neither has what the other needs monetarily!!!

KD
Click to expand...


IMO when Type 1's match up it can lead to arguments about racking... unintentional fouls (most of us dont care but they do) the cloth the rails the pockets the lights and the little guy in the crowd coughing!! Not all the time but it does happen in higher frequency than with any other match ups.

If you're a Type 1 player and you spend 1000 dollars before you even hit ball I can understand. :sorry:
 
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I like to think of it this way.....somebody is going to win the match and it might as well be me. I know my opponent would blank me if I gave him the chance to so he/she does not deserve my pity or feeling guilty of destroying them in a match. After the last ball is shot I will buy them a beer and bs for a while but during a match no mercy. Sweep the leg! lol
 
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