Like many of you, I really enjoy watching top pool. Youtube is outstanding with high definition matches from all of our favorite international stars, and facebook streams are exciting as they bring live action right into our living rooms. But something gets lost in translation. For those that haven't attended these types of events in person I want to share some of the interesting dynamics that can develop that make sitting in the bleachers a much more profound experience.
Take for example the match between SVB vs Archer for the hot seat in today's Turning Stone XXX. On a screen it would be straight forward; Shane is an 820 Fargorate, Johnny is around 775, ba-da-bing, both good players, SVB is the favorite but Johnny is more than capable, they'll both shoot good pool, let's see how it runs out. But in person I picked on something else. For some strange reason I felt like SVB was feeling pressured to impress Johnny. It's not that Archer doesn't know how SVB plays plenty well at this point, but nevertheless I got this really weird feeling like he was a kid trying to live up to his dad's expectations. It was almost like he wasn't competing against Johnny today, he was competing with how Johnny remembered playing 15-25 years ago. I know, that's a strange read, but it was almost tangible. I also think SVB is so strong it's hard for him to feel threatened, he knows he can play his B game and win, and even if he drops a set he knows he can likely beat Hunter and then it's the same one set finals either way. Meanwhile Johnny was clearly not feeling confident. On the one hand he knows he's Johnny Archer and is a champion. On the other hand he knows he is 50, and he's not dominant, and not at SVB's level. So he's Johnny Archer, but is he still Johnny Archer? On tough shots he has to contend with these doubts, like "I know when I was 30 I could've run out here, but can I do it today?" Combine that with the mental pressure of playing the king of the hill, combined with the physical challenge of not getting many opportunities, and he was really struggling to offer any resistance. Then, in turn, it was like SVB felt bad for Johnny. SVB was having a hard time to put him away, Johnny was helpless to turn things around, and it was almost sad to watch, but bearable because of the obvious mutual respect and camaraderie between them.
Meanwhile Hunter had just beaten Erik H in a set that was fairly easy. He had been playing amazing all tournament but it was a little patchy starting out. He got a few big rolls early like missing the entire ball going in on a 7 ball cut and then kicking it cross side by accident and winning the first game, etc. Erik made a few uncharacteristic turn overs. While Hunter clearly made some good shots and runs, he didn't play that well yet won without much challenge.
So then watching Johnny's next match with Hunter was very exciting. Hunter has to deal with the pressure of facing a champion that is higher rated (and one who beat him on the winner's side from down 8-6 earlier), being one set away from the finals of the event for the first time, and knowing that he had just stumbled through a set and was fortunate to have dodged an elimination that might have come if Erik had punished him. Meanwhile Johnny was wounded. Seriously wounded. In practicing between matches Johnny couldn't execute anything. Missing cut shots repeatedly, speed control off, rattling balls, missing banks, jerky and tight. His game had just completely collapsed so he was dealing with all of the doubts and fears about his game slipping. To have to get into the arena again in that state can be like being on stage without pants on. As it turned out they both played pretty well, and it was a very hard fought set. They both made some critical errors, but make no mistake they both found their game and played some very strong pool as well. In the end while there was only one winner, they both won in the sense that they overcame those mental challenges and delivered a great set overall.
To me this was one of the most interesting sets of the tournament. Watching SVB front run the finals was anticlimactic and the outcome was never truly in question after SVB ran a few racks to go up 6-1. So while there were some nice run outs from both players (and they both played much better than the hot seat match), it didn't have the same drama that the semi finals did.
While we can't read minds, being up close and personal some things come across so clearly it really allows a different picture to develop, like going from 2D to 3D. It's awesome to watch how these champions handle themselves in the face of the pressures that come from these situations, be it how they warm up, how they sit in the chair, how they engage the audience, etc. We all know that pool is a mental game at this level and that doesn't translate well to a screen.
I will continue to watch pool on Youtube and Facebook, but if you get the chance please take the opportunity to go watch these matches live. It's also a great treat for the players to have fans applauding and rooting them on, and you get to meet some amazing people along the way. If you're reading this maybe I'll bump into you, feel free to introduce yourself. I'll be the guy sporting the "Fargo Billiards" hat. :wink:
Take for example the match between SVB vs Archer for the hot seat in today's Turning Stone XXX. On a screen it would be straight forward; Shane is an 820 Fargorate, Johnny is around 775, ba-da-bing, both good players, SVB is the favorite but Johnny is more than capable, they'll both shoot good pool, let's see how it runs out. But in person I picked on something else. For some strange reason I felt like SVB was feeling pressured to impress Johnny. It's not that Archer doesn't know how SVB plays plenty well at this point, but nevertheless I got this really weird feeling like he was a kid trying to live up to his dad's expectations. It was almost like he wasn't competing against Johnny today, he was competing with how Johnny remembered playing 15-25 years ago. I know, that's a strange read, but it was almost tangible. I also think SVB is so strong it's hard for him to feel threatened, he knows he can play his B game and win, and even if he drops a set he knows he can likely beat Hunter and then it's the same one set finals either way. Meanwhile Johnny was clearly not feeling confident. On the one hand he knows he's Johnny Archer and is a champion. On the other hand he knows he is 50, and he's not dominant, and not at SVB's level. So he's Johnny Archer, but is he still Johnny Archer? On tough shots he has to contend with these doubts, like "I know when I was 30 I could've run out here, but can I do it today?" Combine that with the mental pressure of playing the king of the hill, combined with the physical challenge of not getting many opportunities, and he was really struggling to offer any resistance. Then, in turn, it was like SVB felt bad for Johnny. SVB was having a hard time to put him away, Johnny was helpless to turn things around, and it was almost sad to watch, but bearable because of the obvious mutual respect and camaraderie between them.
Meanwhile Hunter had just beaten Erik H in a set that was fairly easy. He had been playing amazing all tournament but it was a little patchy starting out. He got a few big rolls early like missing the entire ball going in on a 7 ball cut and then kicking it cross side by accident and winning the first game, etc. Erik made a few uncharacteristic turn overs. While Hunter clearly made some good shots and runs, he didn't play that well yet won without much challenge.
So then watching Johnny's next match with Hunter was very exciting. Hunter has to deal with the pressure of facing a champion that is higher rated (and one who beat him on the winner's side from down 8-6 earlier), being one set away from the finals of the event for the first time, and knowing that he had just stumbled through a set and was fortunate to have dodged an elimination that might have come if Erik had punished him. Meanwhile Johnny was wounded. Seriously wounded. In practicing between matches Johnny couldn't execute anything. Missing cut shots repeatedly, speed control off, rattling balls, missing banks, jerky and tight. His game had just completely collapsed so he was dealing with all of the doubts and fears about his game slipping. To have to get into the arena again in that state can be like being on stage without pants on. As it turned out they both played pretty well, and it was a very hard fought set. They both made some critical errors, but make no mistake they both found their game and played some very strong pool as well. In the end while there was only one winner, they both won in the sense that they overcame those mental challenges and delivered a great set overall.
To me this was one of the most interesting sets of the tournament. Watching SVB front run the finals was anticlimactic and the outcome was never truly in question after SVB ran a few racks to go up 6-1. So while there were some nice run outs from both players (and they both played much better than the hot seat match), it didn't have the same drama that the semi finals did.
While we can't read minds, being up close and personal some things come across so clearly it really allows a different picture to develop, like going from 2D to 3D. It's awesome to watch how these champions handle themselves in the face of the pressures that come from these situations, be it how they warm up, how they sit in the chair, how they engage the audience, etc. We all know that pool is a mental game at this level and that doesn't translate well to a screen.
I will continue to watch pool on Youtube and Facebook, but if you get the chance please take the opportunity to go watch these matches live. It's also a great treat for the players to have fans applauding and rooting them on, and you get to meet some amazing people along the way. If you're reading this maybe I'll bump into you, feel free to introduce yourself. I'll be the guy sporting the "Fargo Billiards" hat. :wink:
