What Do Your Prefer Most to Keep Your Game Sharp?

[TheConArtist]

i do all of it personally speaking. I like to practice but like to play in leagues and tournaments to see if practice is paying off. Love to gamble not really a high stakes player but i think it helps with pressure. When i first started playing i use to play all day and now when i practice i don't really go to hard bout ten mins then i get bored. Play leagues once a week, use to go to alot of tournaments but ain't really that much where i live, unless you drive really far.

 

[Hunter]

I chose option #5, as I play much better in my mind. World class...I pity the fool who has to play me!

 

[Fenwick]

I wanted to pick the first four. They all have their time and place. Had to settle for tournaments.

 

[RBC]

www.pool300.com

The best practice game ever!


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com

 

[TXsouthpaw]

Shouldve included an "all of the above" option

that would be my choice

 

[ARROWCRUSHER]

Nothing beats practice sessions, sometimes you just get burnt out and need alittle time away from the table. But for me the more I play the more consistant my game becomes. I had to learn all the mechanics of pool all over again, after health issues, and I have come back to being a run out player,I never thought I would get back to playing like this but I am about 80% back to the way I was before 2007 and I am happy with my progress, and my abilities. So when it comes down to it practice is the best thing you can do to improve your game<< ED

 

[sammi sam]

Play with better players is the best option, cause we will realise what option we been missed and what shot we have been lose angle, etc

My second option to let coach to advise us, cause the people watch ur games would more clearly to our faults.

cheers

sammi
Play cue: DP
Break cue: Falcon
Jump cue: Air Jump
Case: TAD 2/4
Collection: Bert scharger

 

[Myk]

I chose practice, but it's actually playing 14.1 with a buddy who is about my soeed on a tough Olhausen 9 footer. That seems to improve my barbox game a lot.

 

[sammi sam]

Indeed, 14/1 is the one most important game to get u on the track.

Little bit suggestion, try put 45 balls seperate on the table, only one white ball.

The rule is simple, one chance, order ball, order pocket, any fails-game over, rerack.

 

[Gatz]

Practice makes perfect :grin: You do anything enough, you will get good at it unless you completely fool around and arn't serious at it, but even then you're game will improve to some nature, it has to, it's just human nature. I have learned from other sports and video games (yes video games lol) that the better players are usually the ones that put in the most time to practice trying to improve, Shane Van Boening is a perfect example for the pool world.

I have only been playing since 2004 (since I signed up on this site) and what has really improved my game the most is watching the best players play. The whole reason I signed up to this site was to get the most information about this game as I could, such as game mechanics, pattern plays, stroke mechanics etc...

I have also watched as much pool as I can, including everything that is on Youtube and then some. I have a collection of over 150+ dvd's of pool from the World Pool Championships, to the US Open. You want to become the best, you have to watch and learn from the best. If I can't physically practice, I watch pool.

Tournament play and gambling are more of a way to improve your mental toughness, learn from mistakes and give you more experience. But it will never improve your game as much as pure table time by yourself and practicing certain shots, break shots, safeties, your mechanics etc...

Here is some of the things that I have learned, and keep me sharp over the years.
Watching DVDs has mostly taught me, and keeps me sharp at,
-Pattern plays
-Safeties
-When to play safe
-A bit about stroke mechanics
-Angles, what side of the ball to be on and why it's so important

AZBilliards has mostly taught me, and keeps me sharp at,
-Stoke mechanics, following through, stroke acceleration the scientific side of billiards, which I think is very important to becoming a better player and understanding why things happen (Dr.Dave and other usefull posters)
-General pool knowledge and getting to know the pool world, lots of great posters on here have great information such as what cues to buy, cases, stuff about tournaments etc...
-important people in the pool world.

Practice time on the table has taught me, and keeps me sharp at,
-Speed control, this is the most important thing in pool (atleast in 9ball/10ball) this can't be taught any other way than pure practice time. Potting balls becomes easy after a certain level everyone can do it, but speed control takes time and experience to master.
-Getting my mechanics right and proper putting them into motion.
-Delivering the cue straight
-Fine tone of my break. This can't be practiced in a tournament or gambling you have to experiment with what works for you and you can't do this when your playing for something.

Playing in tournaments has taught me, and keeps me sharp at,
-Always try to play the right shot, play the percentages
-Don't miss lol
-Don't bang yourself up mentally, always think positive
-When I first started playing tournaments I would always go 1, 2 out because of nerves. Now that I'm more eperienced in tournament play, I have learned how to control my nerves and now win matchs and even have won some tournaments.
-Take your time, analyse the table, never rush your pace.

 

[Milo]

It takes a combination of things. There isn't just one thing to keep you sharp.

All the practice in the world can't match the thrill of 2 hours of competition.
All the competition in the world, can't match the value of 15 minutes of perfect practice!

Steve

I have a very busy life outside of pool. I wish I could practice more.(and yes, with a little time management, I could probably get some in)
Along with my regular job and life with my hubby, I run and play in our weekly tournaments at Malarkeys.(3 weekly) Run the BCA in house at Malarkeys, go to 1 or 2 weekend tourneys a month,go to 3 or 4 regional events a year, and 1 national event a year. I feel the combination of my pool activities (and variety) keeps me sharp, but I could be sharper. Thats what I strive for.
My goal for the next year is to spend more time on the nine foot tables.

 

[Cuephoric]

Change cues as often as possible, make bad bets, shoot miserably in front of the camera at bigger tournaments!
Whatever pride you may have left somewhere deep inside will make you go practice and reprogram the stupidity right out of your system.:wink:
And by then you will have figured out which cue works the best for you, and stick with it!lol

 

[wolfcookie]

I FELL I LIKE PLAYING PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE A STEP ARE TWO AHEAD OF WHAT I PLAY IS THE BEST WAY TO GET BETTER. PRACTICE IS GREAT BUT I FOUND PLAYING DIFFERENT PEOPLE GIVES YOU OPTION YOU MIGHT NOT GET WHEN PLAYING THE SAME PERSON OVER AND OVER AGAIN. TOURNAMENTS YOU ARE PLAYING PLAYERS WHO WONT TO WIN..FORTUNELY I PLAY IN SOME THAT HAVE VERY GOOD PLAYER SUCH AS CHAN T.J.DAVIS JUST TO NAME A FEW..AFTER PLAYING 43 YRS. YOU;D THINK YOU WOULD KNOW IT ALL..HA HA HA AINT NO WAY:smile:

 

[genomachino]

Combination

I am curious as to what you guys prefer to keep your game sharp? Do you prefer practice, gambling, league play or tournament play?

Hi there Lenny,
Each one serves a purpose. You need to practice by yourself to try the things that you are having problems with or need to figure out.

League is good because of all the distractions and only getting to shoot one game here and one game there.

I like to play in all the little tournaments I can. The only time you can practice focusing in a tournament is when you are in one. The only time you can focus playing in a final match is when you are in a final match even if it is a small weekly tournament. This will prepare you for the bigger ones.

I like to play $100 or $200 sets with someone alot before any big tournament because it really makes you focus and try as hard as you can. Now you can practice keeping your focus for a long period of time. Just what you need when you are in a tournament.

All 4 serve a purpose and add some valuable tools to your game.

Example. When I had my night club in Wisconsin and a road player would come through all I had been doing for a month was league and small tournaments. The road player wants to bet big right away. What I would do is play my $200.00 sets with them for a day or 2 until I felt comfortable playing for the cash. Usually the third day was a charm for me. I sent many good road players home busted. Because Wisconsin was up in the middle of no where they thought nobody could play. The most common question asked was: Where in the hell did you come from. I'd tell them............ Right here.....

The main thing is you need to practice keeping your focus in all these situations. Have you ever heard someone say : Oh, he can't play for the cash. Well the poor guy probably only does it twice a year.

If I am in a final match with a player that I know has never been there before I play alot different than if it's with a known player that has won lots of tournaments. The player that has never been there will have trouble focusing. Give him a shot that could be made but kind of tough to test him out. If he dogs the shot or shape he just got all shook up. If he had some confidence before it is quickly melting. Once the focus has dwindled the match becomes fairly simple.

Good thread geno..............