Weaker Player Syndrome

R

recoveryjones

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In my last two (handicap) 9 ball tournaments I won 3 straight matches on the A side beating an A+ and four A players while playing relaxed and shooting some really good pool.I play as an (A) myself.

In both tourneys I'm one match away from the A final and I meet a C+ and a B player both who I never see run 3 balls in a row.In each case I hang money balls and both fluke a nine in a race to four.

Tonight I was relaxed until I met the inferior player. A fluke (9) and a money ball hang and I'm feelin tight.I'm wondering why is it that I play so good against strong players and have been folding like a cheap Walmart tent against weak players? Can anyone relate?LOL,RJ
 
RJ,

I think it's because you know you're supposed to beat them putting more pressure on you when you play them. When you play the better players, you lose and it's no big deal because you weren't supposed to win anyway. Try not to play the player but play yourself and then it doesn't matter who you play. Easily said but very hard to do. Good luck!
 
recoveryjones said:
In my last two (handicap) 9 ball tournaments I won 3 straight matches on the A side beating an A+ and four A players while playing relaxed and shooting some really good pool.I play as an (A) myself.

In both tourneys I'm one match away from the A final and I meet a C+ and a B player both who I never see run 3 balls in a row.In each case I hang money balls and both fluke a nine in a race to four.

Tonight I was relaxed until I met the inferior player. A fluke (9) and a money ball hang and I'm feelin tight.I'm wondering why is it that I play so good against strong players and have been folding like a cheap Walmart tent against weak players? Can anyone relate?LOL,RJ
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rj,
i find the easiest way to play is to play the table and not worry or think about who your playing.
 
Hey, recoveryjones !
You have to realize, that even though some players are inferior with skills, that doesn't mean they can't whoop your butt (especially in 9-ball). If you are facing a player which you think you'll win 90% of the time, you'll still lose every 10th match against him. Meaning that someone isn't as skillful as you doesn't mean you should be declared as a winner before the match. Concentrate on every shot at hand and don't play "loose ones". With an inferior player against you, I think you should play more safety and let less chance for an error to occur. I know that you are thinking that "he will the luck the balls in if I play safe." But, if he lucks the balls in, let it be. You'll eventually be happy to play the right shots with good percentages.

I always concentrate more on inferior opponents and try to play as "tightly" as possible without any errors. With superior opponents you are sometimes required to take risks to prevent your opponent getting to the table. With inferior opponents take as few chances as possible and play one lay-out at a time. Rely on your skill to chew your opponent gradually down, don't think the score should go your way because you're more skilled. And if you're playing badly, just face it, don't deny it. With inferior opponents your game seems to be worse because you have more visits to the table to make bad shots. With better opponents you have less chances and you appear to be playing better in your head than you really are playing...

Trust me, been there, done that :D
 
Thanks everyone for their most excellent answers,much appreciated.

Rick was bang on.There's no embarrasment for me to lose to an A or A+ player so I don't feel any pressure.Or the pressure that I do feel is a healthy pressure and can bring good pool out for me. It's a mental thing(pride) with the weak players and I also seem to take them for granted.

I like Mjantti's post a lot.My friend (a fellow A player) is patient and uses this strategy when playing weak players.He lets them run part of the rack and then PATIENTLY waits for the garbage. Against the weaker players the garbage more than likely will eventually come.

I will try your suggested strategy Mjantti and consider my friends as well next time I play a weaker ranked player.I do tend to get a little IMPATIENT and runout happy.It was a sick feeling losing( handing them both the match on a platter...Merry Christmas..LOL) to two weaker players and missing to A finals back to back.

Having said all of this, it's all an experience and one to be learned from. I shall move on. Thanks, RJ
 
Vancover

recoveryjones said:
Thanks everyone for their most excellent answers,much appreciated.

Rick was bang on.There's no embarrasment for me to lose to an A or A+ player so I don't feel any pressure.Or the pressure that I do feel is a healthy pressure and can bring good pool out for me. It's a mental thing(pride) with the weak players and I also seem to take them for granted.

I like Mjantti's post a lot.My friend (a fellow A player) is patient and uses this strategy when playing weak players.He lets them run part of the rack and then PATIENTLY waits for the garbage. Against the weaker players the garbage more than likely will eventually come.

I will try your suggested strategy Mjantti and consider my friends as well next time I play a weaker ranked player.I do tend to get a little IMPATIENT and runout happy.It was a sick feeling losing( handing them both the match on a platter...Merry Christmas..LOL) to two weaker players and missing to A finals back to back.

Having said all of this, it's all an experience and one to be learned from. I shall move on. Thanks, RJ
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Recovery i will be in Vancover,convention thurs to sun,is there good place to play near west georgia,downtown?I assume seymore billiards is long gone.
 
When it comes to quality pool rooms, Vancouver is definitly lacking.The Commodore on Granville (near Robson St) is the closest to you. The best (front four) tables are reserved for members.Challenge a member and your in. There are a lot of A players and a few pros and A+'s who play there.If competition is what you want, go to the Commodore.There's a really competitive 9 ball tourney every Sunday from approx. 1:30-6:30 if you've got the time.

Guys and Dolls is a $7 cab ride from there or a 20 minute bus ride on the number 3 Main Street bus.It's is located at Main St at Broadway.It has the best (about 10 Gold Crown) tables and some good competition.Those are the best two pool halls in your area. RJ

ps. Seymour Billiards was a Snooker room which died when 9 ball became populiar in Canada.All of those oldtime Snooker sharks are now pool sharks.
 
unfortunately, if you are a non-smoker the commodore is going to really get to you after a couple hours.
 
telkwa said:
unfortunately, if you are a non-smoker the commodore is going to really get to you after a couple hours.
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No Kidding.It's supposed to be illegal, however, the owners and staff are the main abusers, so everyone else has followed suit.

I used to practice there, however, the smoking eventually made me move on.RJ
 
recoveryjones said:
In my last two (handicap) 9 ball tournaments I won 3 straight matches on the A side beating an A+ and four A players while playing relaxed and shooting some really good pool.I play as an (A) myself.

In both tourneys I'm one match away from the A final and I meet a C+ and a B player both who I never see run 3 balls in a row.In each case I hang money balls and both fluke a nine in a race to four.

Tonight I was relaxed until I met the inferior player. A fluke (9) and a money ball hang and I'm feelin tight.I'm wondering why is it that I play so good against strong players and have been folding like a cheap Walmart tent against weak players? Can anyone relate?LOL,RJ
Click to expand...

Yup, totally. It's you against the table, not you against your opponent.
 
recoveryjones

I feel your pain all the time. I have won multiple times against the best my room has to offer but there are several below average players that I have yet to win against. One inperticular especially p!sses me off, guy can't run 4 balls against the rest of my BCA 8ball(on 9ftr) team but almost always runs both racks against me. I haven't figured it out, he lights it up everytime he sees me. I know that Im twice the player he is but he just has my number. In the 8 or so games that I've played him I've only mustered one win, pathetic. I think mjantti nailed it though. Good rolls to you all.
 
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