Using an iPOD while playing...

nineballman

nineballman

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
How many of you use an iPOD while playing your matches? Does it help/hurt your focusing abilities. I watched Larry Nevel play 10 ahead a while back and that iPOD ran all the time. I've tried it at home and really like it, but when I'm playing a match somewhere, it becomes distracting.
 
iPOD can be a distraction

I've had my iPod for about 5 years and I absolutely love listening to music while i play. However, I found that when I frequently play with my iPod, I have problems when I go to tournaments that don't allow me to wear it. With my iPod, I can listen to whatever I want...it's me and my music. In a tournament, I have to listen to whatever crap is being played, like it or not. I can also hear everything that is going on around me, something else that I am not used to, since I tend to blare my iPod to drown out additional sounds. I think that worn occassionally, it is not a bad thing, actually saves me money on the jukebox.:o All the time, it becomes too distracting when you have to play without it.
 
I know a couple of guys who always have earbuds in place when they're shooting. They're good shots, but I dunno if the music has any affect on their game.

I myself tried this route for a bit - picked up an iPod Shuffle (the little postage-stamp sized unit) and would fire it up during play. At first I thought it was helping, but realized later it really wasn't, so I quit using it while shooting. But that's me - everyone's different.
 
I was once involved in a discussion in another forum about using MP3 or similar devices while shooting pool. As far as I know, there's no hard and fast rule about using such devices. Personally I've used hearing devices before, the only set back for me is I can't hear the hit of my cue.
 
The only reason I ever wear my MP3 player is when I want to practice without being bothered. Cause I spend 10 minutes in my poolhall and people come from all over to shoot. Its not that I don't want to shoot with them its just that I need work on a lot of stuff and sometimes you gotta put your nose to the grindstone and take a break from playing.

Its good to zone in on my game for practice but if I was wearing it during a match and something wacky happened that would normally upset me, it would still upset me with the music.
 
You do know that you can hear double hits right? Listening to an iPod while you play is like blinking when somebody says "watch the hit."
 
I have nothing against playing by yourself with an ipod or mp3 player etc. However, I would consider it rude and generally distasteful for someone to wear one while playing against me. Just seems like bad manners.
 
mantis99 said:
I have nothing against playing by yourself with an ipod or mp3 player etc. However, I would consider it rude and generally distasteful for someone to wear one while playing against me. Just seems like bad manners.
Click to expand...

I agree, and a search will bring up a thread on this topic, or one like it, from some time ago.
 
IPOD for pool

I like to use mine while i'm practicing to help me stay in a good mood and stay focused and not get distracted by others in the pool room. You can listen to anything you want in case the pool room is playing music you don't care for which happens a lot where I play.
 
Should NOT be allowed...

nineballman said:
How many of you use an iPOD while playing your matches? Does it help/hurt your focusing abilities. I watched Larry Nevel play 10 ahead a while back and that iPOD ran all the time. I've tried it at home and really like it, but when I'm playing a match somewhere, it becomes distracting.
Click to expand...

If there is a shot that may be close, and I would like to know what you're gonna do. You should be able to hear me when i say ,"how are gonna play it? i may want someone to watch the shot." Private music, earplugs are not good . IMO ;)

Ray
 
I haven't played yet with an Ipod, I have thought about it but generally like to hear what is going on around me to some degree.

Flip side of the question though.
I have in the past played 8 and 9 ball while talking on my cell phone via wired ear piece and actually played very well. These were not serious calls, just chatting with family or friends. I wouldn't stop talking while shooting, my muscle memory would kick in and I could actually run out racks in either game. It's as if I wasn't thinking about the game but just shooting and shooting very well. A few people were bewildered by it because we talk so much about focus and preshot routines, etc. I was consistant in these area's, but it felt like talking on the phone actually got me into the zone faster.

I also think that when you actually don't hear your cue hit the cue ball when shooting, you are playing very well or close to the zone. It seems that if I don't hear the hit, it's a sign of my stroke being dead on and my stroke and mind working as one.
ez
 
mantis99 said:
I have nothing against playing by yourself with an ipod or mp3 player etc. However, I would consider it rude and generally distasteful for someone to wear one while playing against me. Just seems like bad manners.
Click to expand...
I agree. I was playing a guy in the bar the other day that was listening to music while we played. Everytime I needed to call a shot I would have to motion to him and he would have to pop out an earpiece everytime. It got very annoying.
 
I don’t like to listen to iPod while playing. I find the general poolroom noise (balls being smashed during breaks, balls clanking in the ball return etc.) helps get me get focused and in a zone. I like music in the background, mixed in with chatter and balls being pocketed.
 
I can fully understand the bad call thing. I like the iPOD so I don't have to hear the rap music (no offense to those who like it!) or the comments like "you feeling comfortable with your lead now....". I think as I use my iPOD more and more at home and I develop a better ability to focus, I will not use it in tourney/match play.
 
tried it for awhile and didnt really help but BJ Ussery uses one with some huge Bose headphones and it works for him. but then again, he probably gives me 6 out :-P
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top