The Mental Game

[Snapshot9]

Boils down to

How much self discipline you have? Through self discipline you learn to control your emotions. I learned a lot from martial arts forms. Exercise is another thing that helps. Through exercise comes self confidence, and when you are self confident, you can control your emotions better, and your mind is clearer.

I once had a player tell me that I was the most mentally tough player he had ever played. I took that as a compliment. He was on the hill several times, and I came back to beat him.... It takes grit and toughness to be able to do that.

I beat several players that are skilled, but as a human being they have defiencies that affects their game, and therefore gives me chances at the table that I would not have otherwise. I have seen several players that can not make a ball after they got mad about something.

 

[sfleinen]

Sean:

I again want to thank you for your contribution to this thread. It has been an invaluable resource of knowledge from your experience that myself and others are sure to benefit from. So in saying this, I hope you take my continued questions and challenges to be what they are: further expansion on your opinions from a sincere desire to learn more, not attacks.

Nah -- heck no. I don't take your pursuit with follow-on questions as an attack at all. In fact, quite the opposite. I'm just conjecturing here, but I'm thinking perhaps it's because this info "flies in the face" of your traditional knowledge, in that you always thought you needed to "maintain control," at every moment, with your conscious mind. Certainly, someone telling you that you need to just "let go," and let some unknown dark thing in the recesses of your mind take over is very foreign. The precision required by pool and other cue sports seems to almost scream at you that you need to maintain 100% conscious control at all times. But the fact is, it isn't, and doesn't. Pool and other cue sports are EXECUTION based. And reliable execution of a "consistently same" movement of stroking a cue is best done by the part of the mind programmed to muscle-memorize it -- the subconscious.

So here's my question: I have noticed that times when I go in to play without any practice when I am running late for league or a tourney I typically play better than the times I spend an hour or more to warm up. And from there it seems like my level of play in a tournament oscillates from match to match, not game to game or day to day. I feel like there is some connection of this with what you're saying about the subconscious, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Do you have a good explanation for this?

Yes, I do. I experience this as well, especially when I'm running late returning home from work, don't have time to stop by the house to get my cues, and just show up at the pool hall in my work clothes, pulling a cue off the wall to play with. I then get shuttled by my team captain right into a match, and I end up blowing the doors off my opponent. Yet, if I arrive early and practice, sometimes I find that I am guilty of the very thing that I espouse against -- and that's involvement of the conscious mind into my shot-making. The moment I do that, my game creaks and wobbles, ultimately falling apart, even though my stroke arm is fully warmed up. Not always does this happen, as I've had nights too where I warmed up with the same result.

I think the issue is state-of-mind -- when you're first walking in. If you have other things on your mind and are used to shooting from the subconscious, the conscious mind is occupied to the point where it won't interrupt what you're doing. However, on those days when there was nothing occupying my thoughts -- no problems, no issues -- those times are more likely where my conscious mind will want to intercede, sort of like it's asking, "hey, do you mind if I join you guys?" thing, followed by "step out of the way, let me show you how it's done." You'll feel "clear and lucid" -- but that's its own Achilles Heel. Your conscious mind is like the controlling neighbor, sticking his nose in business where it doesn't belong, and then bailing at the most inopportune time (e.g. something distracts your focus). Learning how to keep this nosy neighbor on his own side of the fence is a practiced skill. And admittedly, not all of us can do this reliably all the time. I have my trouble days, too, but not these sudden "I can't for the life of me make a ball" or "everything I do turns out to be the wrong thing!" catastrophic days.

-Sean

 

[elvicash]

I'm nowhere near your caliber and I have nowhere near the reaction you do to my poor play, but I'm very interested to hear other's thoughts on this.

I honestly feel like it's what's preventing me from taking the next step.

I dog the money ball constantly.

It's like my mind is telling my body that we don't need to win this. But why?

Why am I afraid to succeed?

U should read the inner game of tennis by galway. He has some real good thoughts and it could help you with dogging it for the cash

 

[fathomblue]

U should read the inner game of tennis by galway. He has some real good thoughts and it could help you with dogging it for the cash

I'm actually closing in on the last couple of chapters of this book as we speak. Great read!

I do hope it picks my game up. I'm also going to try to smack the money ball in a bit firmer. I'm very guilty of hitting it at slow pocket speeds, which leaves the door open for all kinds of things to happen.


To join in on the above post or 2.......I ALWAYS shoot better when I'm running late, in a hurry, etc.

Even my best friend has noticed that. I was in such a hurry one day that when I got to the tournament, I didn't even have time to warm up. I proceeded to jackhammer my opponents. And guess what? I didn't even remember it happening. The whole time I was wrapped up inside my head about why I was late and basically not even paying attention to the game.

That's happened a few times, but once or twice I played at pretty much my career best.

The mind is such a funny, interesting thing.

Who knows what humans would be capable of if we could unlock "the secret"?

The next time I play, I'm going to wrap my mind in a warm coccoon and just drift off into daydreaming and let the balls roll where they may. Just to see what happens.

 

[TheSneak]

Nah -- heck no. I don't take your pursuit with follow-on questions as an attack at all. In fact, quite the opposite. I'm just conjecturing here, but I'm thinking perhaps it's because this info "flies in the face" of your traditional knowledge, in that you always thought you needed to "maintain control," at every moment, with your conscious mind. Certainly, someone telling you that you need to just "let go," and let some unknown dark thing in the recesses of your mind take over is very foreign. The precision required by pool and other cue sports seems to almost scream at you that you need to maintain 100% conscious control at all times. But the fact is, it isn't, and doesn't. Pool and other cue sports are EXECUTION based. And reliable execution of a "consistently same" movement of stroking a cue is best done by the part of the mind programmed to muscle-memorize it -- the subconscious.
here it doesn't belong, and then bailing at the most inopportune time (e.g. something distracts your focus). Learning how to keep this nosy neighbor on his own side of the fence is a practiced skill. And admittedly, not all of us can do this reliably all the time. I have my trouble days, too, but not these sudden "I can't for the life of me make a ball" or "everything I do turns out to be the wrong thing!" catastrophic days.

-Sean

I have actually heard this before, but it was explained poorly so it didn't really sink in. People tell me "you're thinking too much", but that's not really it. It's important to consciously formulate a plan of attack, but I need to be sure to switch into the subconscious stage for execution. I think I always sort of knew that, but it always helps to understand why something works.

I tried all of these ideas last night during masters league, and I'm sad to say I lost pretty bad. Although I was down 5-0 after getting some terrible rolls, I never once got upset. I kept a level head, made a few great consecutive kick safes, changed the momentum of the game and ended up running out the next 4 racks. I couldn't quite get out the next two though, so I lost 7-4. But I chalk it up to trying to adjust too much in a single match. Even though I mostly played poorly, I'm proud of that match because I never once let my attitude turn into a give-up stroke. Not once.

Here's to improvement! Cheers!

 

[fathomblue]

I have actually heard this before, but it was explained poorly so it didn't really sink in. People tell me "you're thinking too much", but that's not really it. It's important to consciously formulate a plan of attack, but I need to be sure to switch into the subconscious stage for execution. I think I always sort of knew that, but it always helps to understand why something works.

I tried all of these ideas last night during masters league, and I'm sad to say I lost pretty bad. Although I was down 5-0 after getting some terrible rolls, I never once got upset. I kept a level head, made a few great consecutive kick safes, changed the momentum of the game and ended up running out the next 4 racks. I couldn't quite get out the next two though, so I lost 7-4. But I chalk it up to trying to adjust too much in a single match. Even though I mostly played poorly, I'm proud of that match because I never once let my attitude turn into a give-up stroke. Not once.

Here's to improvement! Cheers!

I'm proud of ya, man.

The thing is, if you were able to control it once, you'll be able to control it again. Pretty soon it will be second nature.

Sure, you might fall off the wagon here and there, but eventually if will BE your nature to be calm, cool and collected in a match.

And then you'll hear things like, "You can't rattle that guy. He's like ice. You're never going to beat him till you've beat him. He never quits."

:thumbup:

 

[bulletjr]

An older gentleman that doesn't shoot pool now.....has been involved with more champions than anyone...... gave me one tip that he noticed I did anyway...... "Forget your last miss".

It is the hardest thing for everyone to do, but not if your having fun and awaiting ever so eagerly to get to that table again so that you can run out.

Hope this helps.

Your practice eventually becomes your sub-con mind. When you stop and think about how to make a shot, you are playing with fire. Read about the u.s. womens softball team that trained with the navy seals. They blew all the other countries out of the water after this wise decision was made by their coach. Rest your mind and learn to relax your whole body on command...

 

[plfrg]

Sneak, very good thread.

I've also been working on this for several years now. I can say for certain that I'm far more patient at the table now and have improved my game significantly thru developing my mental skills set.

At one point I had a flash of anger while I was playing that came on so fast and unexpected that I was in the middle of breaking my shaft in half before I caught myself. It would have been a $250 mistake. It actually shocked me when it happened. I never really showed that much emotion during a match but when I practiced it became pretty bad. I vowed then to fix the issue.

I've read over a dozen books on this and I can say without hesitation that not one pool book on the mind or mental game has been worth very much. Also, books that tell you to be 'positive' are not helpful unless they tell you the steps to take to develop a positive attitude. Trying to describe all of the items I've used would be too much for a thread but I can recommend a few books below.

We often talk about how important mental skills are. Many state it's 90% mental or some variation of that. I don't agree with that but do agree that mental skills play a major role --- how much of your practice is dedicated to your mental skills set? If you're answer is zero, that's not good. None of us can expect to all of the sudden exhibit a solid mental game during a high pressure match when we've never practiced it during training. I practice my mental skills often now, both on and off the table.

So what techniques and processes should you use to start? Too long for a thread. PM me if you're interested in more with this but here are a few other books that I've found value in.

With Winning in Mind - Lanny Bassham. Good info on shot routine, goal setting, and a directive affirmation that may help with the anger. Not necessarily the best written book, however I think the good far outweighs the bad and I recommend it. The shot routine he provides needs a bit of adjustment for pool.

Mental keys to improve your golf - Michael Anthony. This one will help with your attitude. I don't do everything in this book but the concepts are there and he has some even more simple goal setting ideas that work along with similar type of affirmations that definitely have helped me develop a more positive attitude. I don't like the shot routine presented in this book. Lanny's is closer to what you should develop. I have one that is adapted to pool that I've been refining. update: he also sells an audio DVD. Don't buy it - it's not good. The book still has value and worth reading.

Miracle of Mindfulness - Thick Nhat Hanh. You may think this one is funny but many other books mention breathing techniques, when I read them I can usually tell they are getting their information from TNH or people like TNH. When others talk about being in the present, that's what this book is all about. I'm neither Buddhist nor religious (TNH is a Buddhist monk) but the information in this book is well presented and you get a first hand view of staying in the present and proper breathing exercises. Breathing techniques are probably the single most effective tool I've learned to stay calm under pressure.

Good luck with your game.

 

[Shaky1]

I fight the same fight! :embarrassed2:
Breaking cues gets expensive and it makes me look like an asshole.
I'm tired of it, and getting better at it. This game really doesen't matter that much in the big picture. Other things in your life will carry over and infest your game.
Those things need to be dealt with. When you do, the fun comes back. :smile:

 

[dkleather]

I have a problem. I consider myself to be an excellent player. At my best,

I'd say there's a part your problem right there.

You consider yourself to be an excellent player and at your best etc etc.

So many of us remember and focus on our BEST game that we consider it to be our usual game. Then when we don't produce it we get frustrated. Which seems to be what's happening to you.

If, at your best you can compete with the pros, and you produce your best three sessions in ten, then you might win against a pro two times in ten.

Which is good playing.

A good analogy is snooker, a player (player A) who in his lifetime had a dozen or so century breaks IS NOT a century break player. A century break player (player B) is one who has a century almost every time he plays.

If player A, who is clearly a good player, begins to get frustrated by not making centuries his performance will worsen and worsen. This despite perhaps only making one very two years or so.

This boils down to your perception of yourself, strive to improve, improvement is often about your B game, your A game is clearly fine. Lightening up will improve your B game.

Remember, you're allowed to miss, it's in the rules, it only means the other player gets a turn. He'll probably do better if he's laughing at you banging your cue while he's playing.

 

[sfleinen]

I'm proud of ya, man.

The thing is, if you were able to control it once, you'll be able to control it again. Pretty soon it will be second nature.

Sure, you might fall off the wagon here and there, but eventually if will BE your nature to be calm, cool and collected in a match.

And then you'll hear things like, "You can't rattle that guy. He's like ice. You're never going to beat him till you've beat him. He never quits."

:thumbup:

I 100% agree -- I'm proud of you, TheSneak! This one aspect -- that you didn't spiral out of control when you either missed shots or lost your match -- speaks volumes about the effectiveness of your different approach. Now that you have the "spiraling out of control" thing nailed, it's time to put it away for good.

Once you do *that*, then you can finally start enjoying the game itself. And once you're happier, your ability to let those parts of your mind do what they do best (i.e. conscious for analyzing the patterns / decide upon the shot, subconscious for execution of the shot) will soar. That "nosy neighbor" (conscious mind) will stay on his side of the fence once and for all.

Great job!
-Sean

 

[theeviltwin69]

I can not believe it has not been said! You must understand that the game of pool is the game of life! GROW UP get some more maturity or you will go no further in life/game.
Stretch

 

[TheSneak]

I'd say there's a part your problem right there.

You consider yourself to be an excellent player and at your best etc etc.

So many of us remember and focus on our BEST game that we consider it to be our usual game. Then when we don't produce it we get frustrated. Which seems to be what's happening to you.

If, at your best you can compete with the pros, and you produce your best three sessions in ten, then you might win against a pro two times in ten.

Which is good playing.

A good analogy is snooker, a player (player A) who in his lifetime had a dozen or so century breaks IS NOT a century break player. A century break player (player B) is one who has a century almost every time he plays.

If player A, who is clearly a good player, begins to get frustrated by not making centuries his performance will worsen and worsen. This despite perhaps only making one very two years or so.

This boils down to your perception of yourself, strive to improve, improvement is often about your B game, your A game is clearly fine. Lightening up will improve your B game.

Remember, you're allowed to miss, it's in the rules, it only means the other player gets a turn. He'll probably do better if he's laughing at you banging your cue while he's playing.

This is a very good point, but I don't think this is MY problem. I mainly said that stuff in the first paragraph to build an ethos and provide some background for others to give me advice. I never expect to play at my best, but it's nice when it happens. Like last night, for instance.

I used to expect to play near average just so I can prove to myself I have consistency, but now I look forward to playing below average so I can fight my way through the mental battle, a whole 'nother game entirely IMO.

I can not believe it has not been said! You must understand that the game of pool is the game of life! GROW UP get some more maturity or you will go no further in life/game.
Stretch

Yes, I understand it's just a game, but some of us take this game very seriously so we can improve. I take the seriousness overboard sometimes, but it's not a conscious decision on my part to blow up emotionally. I hope I have demonstrated some maturity by posting this on a forum to seek help and being politely responsive to others' suggestions.

I'm proud of ya, man.

The thing is, if you were able to control it once, you'll be able to control it again. Pretty soon it will be second nature.

Sure, you might fall off the wagon here and there, but eventually if will BE your nature to be calm, cool and collected in a match.

And then you'll hear things like, "You can't rattle that guy. He's like ice. You're never going to beat him till you've beat him. He never quits."

:thumbup:

I 100% agree -- I'm proud of you, TheSneak! This one aspect -- that you didn't spiral out of control when you either missed shots or lost your match -- speaks volumes about the effectiveness of your different approach. Now that you have the "spiraling out of control" thing nailed, it's time to put it away for good.

Once you do *that*, then you can finally start enjoying the game itself. And once you're happier, your ability to let those parts of your mind do what they do best (i.e. conscious for analyzing the patterns / decide upon the shot, subconscious for execution of the shot) will soar. That "nosy neighbor" (conscious mind) will stay on his side of the fence once and for all.

Great job!
-Sean

Thanks to both of you. Finally on the right path and it feels good! You guys have really helped my game. Thanks for your contributions.

 

[BasementDweller]

Wow. This is a great thread. Lots of good stuff in here. However, I am going to cut to the chase. This is how you opened your original post:

I have a problem. I consider myself to be an excellent player. At my best, I can run with the pros. I have won multiple tournaments, broke-and-run consecutive 9 ball racks on 9 ft diamond tables, am top ranked in all of the leagues I play in, won hundreds of dollars gambling, but I have an absolutely horrible mental game. It's my Achilles' Heel....

The bolded part had me sort of shaking my head. I'm guessing you really aren't as good as you think you are (I could be wrong). If I'm right, this may be the origin of most of your frustration. You mentioned breaking and running consecutive 9 ball racks. Running with the pros, would be more like breaking and running 6 or 7 racks of 9 ball on a 9 foot Diamond table. It doesn't take a lot of talent to run several 9 ball racks on a 9 footer. I run a few racks of 9 ball on a 9 footer quite often, BUT I'm a LONG, LONG way from being able to run with the pros - a ridiculously long way.

I used to get so frustrated with this game. Then I actually put my game under a microscope and discovered that I wasn't nearly as good as I thought I was. I figured out what my actual percentages were on certain tough shots and I didn't like what I discovered. I think we all have a tendency to erase the misses and only remember the makes. While this may be beneficial when it comes to building our confidence, it can be a real detriment when it comes to knowing what we need to work on.

So, how good are you really??? Can you really run with the pros? If so, my hat's off to you. But if not, you may have such unrealistic expectations for your game that you have essentially damned yourself into playing in a state of constant frustration.

I'm not trying to be too harsh here. I'm really just trying to help you out. Take it or leave it.

 

[TheSneak]

I'm guessing you really aren't as good as you think you are (I could be wrong). If I'm right, this may be the origin of most of your frustration. You mentioned breaking and running consecutive 9 ball racks. Running with the pros, would be more like breaking and running 6 or 7 racks of 9 ball on a 9 foot Diamond table. It doesn't take a lot of talent to run several 9 ball racks on a 9 footer. I run a few racks of 9 ball on a 9 footer quite often, BUT I'm a LONG, LONG way from being able to run with the pros - a ridiculously long way.

You're right. I over-exaggerated. I really meant "run with the semi-pros". If I'm playing my best I have the ability to place very high in local pro-am tournaments. If you look at my last response, I mentioned how I don't ever expect to play at my best. Obviously if I could do it with any consistency I'd be sponsored by now.

 

[fathomblue]

You're welcome.

And in return I'm going to need the wild 6 - out from you.

Oh, also the breaks.


:thumbup:

 

[ShootingArts]

You're right. I over-exaggerated. I really meant "run with the semi-pros". If I'm playing my best I have the ability to place very high in local pro-am tournaments. If you look at my last response, I mentioned how I don't ever expect to play at my best. Obviously if I could do it with any consistency I'd be sponsored by now.

You have to try to play your best every time. Low expectations lead to low performance. That is my problem with "The Pleasure of Small Motions". My copy is a later edition. It focuses too much on how to not play badly but it seems to forget about winning.

Nothing wrong with the goal of perfect play. The thing is not to believe that you are always going to play perfectly. When you convince yourself that you are going to play perfectly every time then you have problems dealing with failing. George Foreman is a huge example of that I believe. We will never know why he lost to Ali but once he did he couldn't deal with it because he had been brainwashed to believe he couldn't lose any fight. Took him many years to recover.

The easiest way to deal with a bad performance is to accept that it was a bad performance and forget about it, it wasn't the norm. We all have a few performances both a good bit better and a good bit worse than the vast majority of our play.

Galled me to admit it but my most frequent performance in a sixty shot pistol match was 59 maximum score shots and one shot that cost me a point or more. Those other fifty-nine shots weren't perfect, just good enough. Once in awhile I shot sixty maximum score shots, once in awhile I shot fifty-eight maximum score shots. Very rarely I blew three or more shots. I chased perfection every match. I realized that despite seeking perfection I would probably fail. Even failing I won a lot of matches wth less than perfect performance. One thing I didn't do was lose any sleep over two or even three bad shots. Two bad shots was a poor performance, three or more an absolute crash and burn. I know that all of these things are going to happen.

We are all human. When we start expecting superhuman performance from ourselves we set ourselves up for failure. If we convince ourselves we can give that superhuman performance we set ourselves up for really losing our cool when we aren't perfect. How many events have you gotten knocked out of not because of the mistake you made but your reaction to the mistake? On the other hand when we expect mediocre we get mediocre. You have to find the middle ground.

Hu

 

[CreeDo]

Hiding the antics is a skill that comes with practice.

A huge part of it is being completely honest with yourself about your own skill, the difficulty of the shot, and why you just missed. So many players refuse to acknowledge the difficulty of "missable" shots. Not the obviously impossble ones, but the ones you're supposed to make. There is a huge difference between a 95% makeable cut and an 80% cut. You get trapped into seeing it as a 100% shot just because you 'usually' make it.

The number one thing that helped me not show it is to remember that my opponent feeds off of it. I LOVE seeing my opponent lose it. I know they are mentally done. And after seeing it, some unscrupulous types might allow certain comments or expressions to come out that encourage a total meltdown.

When you hide your irritation and even laugh like it's no big deal, you are actually taking an active part in rattling your opponent. He's like... "doesn't he even take me seriously? He acted like that was minor, like he's so sure he'll get back to the table. Does this guy see me as a fish? AM I a fish compared to him?"

Playing as strong as you do, you have a huge weapon in your arsenal... your local reputation. It can really intimidate the other players who aren't at your level. You actively suck away their hope of winning just by existing. Don't give them hope back by showing them you're only human and can get rattled.

 

[TheSneak]

Hiding the antics is a skill that comes with practice.

A huge part of it is being completely honest with yourself about your own skill, the difficulty of the shot, and why you just missed. So many players refuse to acknowledge the difficulty of "missable" shots. Not the obviously impossble ones, but the ones you're supposed to make. There is a huge difference between a 95% makeable cut and an 80% cut. You get trapped into seeing it as a 100% shot just because you 'usually' make it.

The number one thing that helped me not show it is to remember that my opponent feeds off of it. I LOVE seeing my opponent lose it. I know they are mentally done. And after seeing it, some unscrupulous types might allow certain comments or expressions to come out that encourage a total meltdown.

When you hide your irritation and even laugh like it's no big deal, you are actually taking an active part in rattling your opponent. He's like... "doesn't he even take me seriously? He acted like that was minor, like he's so sure he'll get back to the table. Does this guy see me as a fish? AM I a fish compared to him?"

Playing as strong as you do, you have a huge weapon in your arsenal... your local reputation. It can really intimidate the other players who aren't at your level. You actively suck away their hope of winning just by existing. Don't give them hope back by showing them you're only human and can get rattled.

Great post. I agree. It's extremely disheartening when you miss a 90% shot that you set up and knock down 90/100 times in a practice drill, but it happens, and we have to look at it as a learning experience in itself. You can't recreate the pressures in an important match without it being an important match. Those matches shrink the pockets, question our confidence, and lower the shot percentage.

I've been told by a team captain that when I'm put up against their players they already mark it down as a loss mentally. You're right, that kind of reputation does wonders on my confidence, but alternatively I'm also guilty of taking certain matches for granted which can do me in.

There's a lot to consider in this fickle game, but as Ralf S. says, I don't think there's ever really an end to the improvements you can make on your game.

 

[nick serdula]

Two way shots?

I have a problem. I consider myself to be an excellent player. At my best, I can run with the pros. I have won multiple tournaments, broke-and-run consecutive 9 ball racks on 9 ft diamond tables, am top ranked in all of the leagues I play in, won hundreds of dollars gambling, but I have an absolutely horrible mental game. It's my Achilles' Heel.

When it comes to my teammates, I have great patience, but I have no patience for myself. I allow myself to miss occasionally, even the easy straight-in ones. Everybody makes stroke mistakes. But once I feel I am out of stroke during an important match, I lose it. Earl Strickland is a saint compared to me. I embarrass myself to the point of no end, throwing a childish tantrum and saying "this is a joke" and cursing. My cue stick sometimes even takes the brunt of it. This of course just makes my game worse and I am thrown into a pit of despair with no hopes of returning. By the time I lose, all I want to say is "I played terrible" or "Let's gamble" or "you're not that good" which are all awful things to say. Instead I usually do a flimsy handshake, grit my teeth and force out a "good game" or even "you played well" :angry:. I hate myself for all of this, but I don't know how to overcome it.

I am a huge fan of the game and have spent countless hours watching replays of matches from all of the top players. One of my favorite things to watch is when they aren't playing well and miss uncharacteristically. Instead of being beside themselves by a shot they couldn't POSSIBLY miss, they just sit down and don't let it bother them. Most of them, at least. My question is how do they do it? How can you put so much of your heart and soul into the game, be so incredibly focused, and then have it all go to naught in a shot or two and BRUSH IT OFF?

To get to the next level in my game, I really need to overcome this character flaw. I've talked to several people about it, I've read Capelle's A Mind for Pool, but I still can't quite extinguish my emotions at the table. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

If you play them it gets hard to give up the table. Seeing them is another thing. Play postion on your next shot but in the back of your mind think what if I miss. Especially on long cut shots and shots where the rock is on or very near the rail.
Shots that can win the game also can kill.
Nick