What have I become?

BazookaJoe

BazookaJoe

Destroyer of stickers
Silver Member
When I was younger, I would play for hours on a fuzzy-clothed 3.5 x 7 valley.
These times I spent in the local gamerooms and pool halls were the memories that brought me back years later to start playing again. I spend a great deal of money now to play on Gold Crowns and Diamonds with Simonis cloth and Aramith balls. My regular hangouts always have good chalk and a brushed table.

Well, last night I went to a Christmas get-together at a local sports bar which I have been to only once before. They have four coin-op bar tables, and some of my co-workers challenged me to step up and play nine ball.
I went to the truck for my cues because the house cues were...........uugh.......let's just not speak of the house cues. I broke a $5 at the bar for quarters and headed back over to the tables to find it was my turn to play. I shot 2 games and quit. The balls sucked, the rails sucked, the cloth sucked, and the competition sucked.

Have I become some kind of elitist?
I find I can't just enjoy bangin 'em around with my non pool playing friends anymore.
I absolutely can't take a date to play pool.
I can't enjoy playing, unless the equipment and adversaries score a passing grade.
I AM NOT like this with anything else.

Has anyone else experienced this?
Does it pass?
 
I'd like to tackle this one If I may :)

2 years after I started playing pool, I became too "involved" with the game. I would get a sickening feeling when playing people of a lower skill level.

My attitude was going to shit as my skill level increased.

I was only 19 at the time, but I got my wake-up call about 2 and half years into my so-called career.

It was a warm saturday afternoon, and we were playing a small 12-man 9-ball tourney.

I was playing against a good player, a great friend and the guy just happened to be my next door neighbor as well.

About half way through the set I was in the middle of a run when he mentioned something about having a drink together after the match.

I abruptly responded: "Don't talk to me when I'm shooting" and got back down and missed my shot. Can you guess what happened next?

I got so mad, that I refused to talk to him for the rest of the match.

After he finished cleaning my clock, I went to shake his head with the usual "good match" and he looked at me, turned his back and walked away.

He didn't talk to me for a whole month even tho I made several attempts to communicate with him.

I didn't even realize I had down anything wrong. Boy, was I ever foolish.

He comes up to me after another few days of silence and says: "Listen Rick, how are you feeling right now?"

Me: "I'm really sad and confused as to why you're not talking to me. You really look like you're mad at me all the time"

Friend: "You're right. I am mad at you. You acted like a little cocky s.o.b. when we played in that match and you responded with the wrong tone of voice. We are good friends, and I hope that my distance did get to you. You really upset me that day."

Well, I felt like total crap. I asked him to forgive me after I realized what I had done.

He said sure, no problem... we then sat down and had that drink.

All to say that I've never been serious to the point of alienating the people I know and love again when it comes to pool.

I'm one of the friendliest competitors you'll come across and if we do end up meeting in a match one day... hopefully we can get to know each other after it's done over a drink or two (pop will do for non-drinkers.)

Lesson learnt was: Don't piss off your friends. Be cool and relax.
 
BazookaJoe said:
When I was younger, I would play for hours on a fuzzy-clothed 3.5 x 7 valley.
These times I spent in the local gamerooms and pool halls were the memories that brought me back years later to start playing again. I spend a great deal of money now to play on Gold Crowns and Diamonds with Simonis cloth and Aramith balls. My regular hangouts always have good chalk and a brushed table.

Well, last night I went to a Christmas get-together at a local sports bar which I have been to only once before. They have four coin-op bar tables, and some of my co-workers challenged me to step up and play nine ball.
I went to the truck for my cues because the house cues were...........uugh.......let's just not speak of the house cues. I broke a $5 at the bar for quarters and headed back over to the tables to find it was my turn to play. I shot 2 games and quit. The balls sucked, the rails sucked, the cloth sucked, and the competition sucked.

Have I become some kind of elitist?
I find I can't just enjoy bangin 'em around with my non pool playing friends anymore.
I absolutely can't take a date to play pool.
I can't enjoy playing, unless the equipment and adversaries score a passing grade.
I AM NOT like this with anything else.

Has anyone else experienced this?
Does it pass?
Click to expand...


The only hope this game has is for people to insist on decent conditions and the other aspects of real pool. As the poster above mentioned, don't try to insult people, but when you have a chance to let people know that pool is not a few games on lousy bar tables. Maybe some like the game enough after being introduced to it in bars to make the jump to better pool. Most won't.

There is nothing wrong with not wanting to fool around with an activity you take seriously. A great musician probably doesn't want to spend a lot of time playing metal with a garage band. However, it is possible to play with people who don't know the game, but you must take it for what it is and fight the urge to let your ego run amok. Bang the balls around with them and have a beer. Or just watch and have a beer.
 
Would TIGER enjoy playing duffers on a Public Course?

BazookaJoe - You’re not an elitist - You’re just getting better.

As you progress in the game, you become more selective in the equipment that will allow you to perform at your peek level. THIS IS A GOOD THING.
Good & great pool is tough enough without contending against the equipment. If you’re looking for optimal results, you should also look for optimal equipment.
I played on "The Road" for over 24 years and HAD to learn to adapt to every equipment situation imaginable. I once played on an outside patio of a bar in Chattanooga for $300 a game. IT WAS RAINING! But I was winning, sooooooo. I HAD TO ADAPT!
Thank God, I didn't have to play anywhere near by best to Get The Cash.

As far as you saying that you don't enjoy playing casually anymore - That’s also a good thing. That only means that your attitude of the game has changed from just wanting to participate - to wanting to WIN & perform at your peek level at all times,
I hate it when I go over to my brother’s house for a family function and get asked to play with a relative who can't play a lick. That will get me out of stroke every time and I almost consider it to be disrespecting to the game.
I am a firm believer that - "If You Can't Run With The Big Dogs - Stay On The Porch! Meaning - Don't go to the Big Time Poolroom and expect a player to teach you. Go to a lesser poolroom and work (earn) your way up.

Now that I don't HAVE to play anymore but still love the game, I am VERY selective as to where, when and on what type of equipment I will use. This was the point I was trying to make about the Blue Circle vs. the Red Circle cue balls. I now own 10 new Blue Circles and as I show the difference to players, they are dumbfounded.

TY & GL
 
poolplayingtips said:
I'd like to tackle this one If I may :)

2 years after I started playing pool, I became too "involved" with the game. I would get a sickening feeling when playing people of a lower skill level.

My attitude was going to shit as my skill level increased.

I was only 19 at the time, but I got my wake-up call about 2 and half years into my so-called career.

It was a warm saturday afternoon, and we were playing a small 12-man 9-ball tourney.

I was playing against a good player, a great friend and the guy just happened to be my next door neighbor as well.

About half way through the set I was in the middle of a run when he mentioned something about having a drink together after the match.

I abruptly responded: "Don't talk to me when I'm shooting" and got back down and missed my shot. Can you guess what happened next?

I got so mad, that I refused to talk to him for the rest of the match.

After he finished cleaning my clock, I went to shake his head with the usual "good match" and he looked at me, turned his back and walked away.

He didn't talk to me for a whole month even tho I made several attempts to communicate with him.

I didn't even realize I had down anything wrong. Boy, was I ever foolish.

He comes up to me after another few days of silence and says: "Listen Rick, how are you feeling right now?"

Me: "I'm really sad and confused as to why you're not talking to me. You really look like you're mad at me all the time"

Friend: "You're right. I am mad at you. You acted like a little cocky s.o.b. when we played in that match and you responded with the wrong tone of voice. We are good friends, and I hope that my distance did get to you. You really upset me that day."

Well, I felt like total crap. I asked him to forgive me after I realized what I had done.

He said sure, no problem... we then sat down and had that drink.

All to say that I've never been serious to the point of alienating the people I know and love again when it comes to pool.

I'm one of the friendliest competitors you'll come across and if we do end up meeting in a match one day... hopefully we can get to know each other after it's done over a drink or two (pop will do for non-drinkers.)

Lesson learnt was: Don't piss off your friends. Be cool and relax.
Click to expand...

Richard, in my opinion, you're a great pool player.

Jeff Livingston
 
JPB said:
...There is nothing wrong with not wanting to fool around with an activity you take seriously...
Click to expand...

I would say the same- I have a friend who is a top-notch chef. Tells me he hasn't eaten at McDonalds in 15 years...

-pigi
 
Time & place

When Willie Mosconi was asked what he was thinking about his opponents when playing against them,he replied that he would like to beat them up.
Playing in tournaments is one thing and playing just to fool around is another.
JMHO
poolplayingtips said:
I'd like to tackle this one If I may :)

2 years after I started playing pool, I became too "involved" with the game. I would get a sickening feeling when playing people of a lower skill level.

My attitude was going to shit as my skill level increased.

I was only 19 at the time, but I got my wake-up call about 2 and half years into my so-called career.

It was a warm saturday afternoon, and we were playing a small 12-man 9-ball tourney.

I was playing against a good player, a great friend and the guy just happened to be my next door neighbor as well.

About half way through the set I was in the middle of a run when he mentioned something about having a drink together after the match.

I abruptly responded: "Don't talk to me when I'm shooting" and got back down and missed my shot. Can you guess what happened next?

I got so mad, that I refused to talk to him for the rest of the match.

After he finished cleaning my clock, I went to shake his head with the usual "good match" and he looked at me, turned his back and walked away.

He didn't talk to me for a whole month even tho I made several attempts to communicate with him.

I didn't even realize I had down anything wrong. Boy, was I ever foolish.

He comes up to me after another few days of silence and says: "Listen Rick, how are you feeling right now?"

Me: "I'm really sad and confused as to why you're not talking to me. You really look like you're mad at me all the time"

Friend: "You're right. I am mad at you. You acted like a little cocky s.o.b. when we played in that match and you responded with the wrong tone of voice. We are good friends, and I hope that my distance did get to you. You really upset me that day."

Well, I felt like total crap. I asked him to forgive me after I realized what I had done.

He said sure, no problem... we then sat down and had that drink.

All to say that I've never been serious to the point of alienating the people I know and love again when it comes to pool.

I'm one of the friendliest competitors you'll come across and if we do end up meeting in a match one day... hopefully we can get to know each other after it's done over a drink or two (pop will do for non-drinkers.)

Lesson learnt was: Don't piss off your friends. Be cool and relax.
Click to expand...
 
BazookaJoe said:
I shot 2 games and quit. The balls sucked, the rails sucked, the cloth sucked, and the competition sucked.

Have I become some kind of elitist?
Click to expand...


That having been said about the competition, did you get beat? :o LOL

I don't know what you've become, but I know what you've been here on AZ with me a number of times. Would you like me to say it?......
Even though you've been what you've been, ugh, Merry Christmas.
 
Red/Blue CIRCLE not DOT.

Freddie C. said:
OHB....what is the difference between red dot and blue dot cue balls?
Click to expand...

I was speaking of the major difference between a Blue Circle & Red Circle.
The Blue Circle is the same weight & size as the object balls & the red circle is smaller & lighter.
This will make a big difference in the way the object ball reacts to banks, english transfer, etc. It makes a big difference in the positioning of the cue ball also.
This is only important to someone who is concerned to two minor aspects of the game - Offence & Defense, no big deal.
All you have to do is put the cue ball between two object balls, on the rail. Now put a wooden rack edge on the top and press down a little to pull the 3 balls away from the rail. The Blue Circle moves away from the rail with the object balls - The Red Circle will stay behind (with your ca$h), when the same thing is tried.
TY & GL
 
OldHasBeen said:
I was speaking of the major difference between a Blue Circle & Red Circle.
The Blue Circle is the same weight & size as the object balls & the red circle is smaller & lighter.
This will make a big difference in the way the object ball reacts to banks, english transfer, etc. It makes a big difference in the positioning of the cue ball also.
This is only important to someone who is concerned to two minor aspects of the game - Offence & Defense, no big deal.
All you have to do is put the cue ball between two object balls, on the rail. Now put a wooden rack edge on the top and press down a little to pull the 3 balls away from the rail. The Blue Circle moves away from the rail with the object balls - The Red Circle will stay behind (with your ca$h), when the same thing is tried.
TY & GL
Click to expand...

have you tried this with more than a couple red circles? i've noticed that they are very inconsistant. sometimes they are the same size, sometimes they are not. i have noticed now that i've been playing 14:1 alot lately that i seem to have better luck attacking the rack with a blue circle.

thanks
 
drivermaker said:
That having been said about the competition, did you get beat? :o LOL

I don't know what you've become, but I know what you've been here on AZ with me a number of times. Would you like me to say it?......
Even though you've been what you've been, ugh, Merry Christmas.
Click to expand...

In reference to my win/loss record....that'd be a Nope

Say it...........Say it!!!!!!!! :p
WOW!
It's been a while since we've had a battle.
My apologies for past inflamatory remarks.

And a Merry Christmas to you too
And to all of you
 
I hate it when I go over to my brother’s house for a family function and get asked to play with a relative who can't play a lick. That will get me out of stroke every time and I almost consider it to be disrespecting to the game.
I am a firm believer that - "If You Can't Run With The Big Dogs - Stay On The Porch! Meaning - Don't go to the Big Time Poolroom and expect a player to teach you. Go to a lesser poolroom and work (earn) your way up.
TY & GL[/QUOTE]


Hmm...I love this thread and post and everything but I got to say...i dont think anyone, ANYONE, should hate playing lower level people....you once were there too and maybe people hated playing with you or something but you dont have to be like that. Dont by ANY means think I am insulting you or anything because im not, its just...I heard that Efren ( best player to ever live ) will play ANYONE for $1 a game...or race to 5 for $1...he has respect for the game so much that he will play anyone just to play for the love of the game and to teach people...also, how are you going to tell people not to go into good/great poolhalls...you can play better people to learn, or watch, but ANYONE can go into ANY pool hall...thank you.
P.S. Poolplayingtips, GREAT post
 
I have a friend that plays okay and often wants to go play pool after work. The trouble is, he always wants to play at the bar near his home which has close to the worst balls and tables in the entire area. I have pointed out to him several times how crappy the conditions are. I have invited him out to my house several times (he always declines), and after much cajoling, have convinced him to play at a couple of other bars that have better, but still not good, equipment. I even went so far as writing up a list of the pros and cons of playing in the bars or at my house (free dinner, pool, and beer were tops on the list, in my opinion), but still was unable to convince him. It's aggravating, but I put up with it for the friendship. I much prefer playing on good tables with good balls where you can hit a long, slow roller without fear of it curving off on the way. I also like being able to hit a hard bank without it coming straight off the rail when it should at least go a couple of inches up table. I guess part of the game is having to play in places where the owner(s) don't really care about the game or their patrons having a good experience playing on their equipment. This bar that we usually go to has a full house most of the time with a variety of skill levels and quite a few league teams. I can't understand why the regular customers put up with it, myself. The bar certainly makes enough money off the tables to cover them once a year and buy new balls every couple of years. I also can't understand the attraction for a player with a $300 cue case and $500 or more cue stick to play on a crappy table with near worthless balls. Maybe it has to do with the drinking and socializing more than the pool. If you're drinking while playing, you're probably not going to be playing your best game anyway, and if you're socializing with friends, then you're probably not concentrating that much on the game. I know I do have fun playing on league night and enjoy the feedback when I'm playing well. It's just more fun to compete at a higher level on good tables for me, but I have to admit, in this area it's harder to find people to play against at that higher level than at the bar. I've been playing snooker and pool at the pool hall fairly regularly for over a year now and have yet to have anyone ask to play and only had 1 play that I asked. I don't play at night in the pool hall which may make a difference, but on Saturdays, there's usually a pretty good flow of players in and out. There's no shortage of bar players, though. Bottom line, I don't think it's elitist to refuse to play inferior opponents on inferior equipment. You've worked hard to get where you are and you deserve the best so you can play your best game. For me, it's usually a crap shoot in the bar and a great experience at home or in the pool hall.
 
Well if the only problems you guys have is dirty tables, cue balls that weigh a gram too much, or is it too light, people who can't play to your great expectations, then you have a whole lot to be thankful for come the end of the year.

Be thankful you were not eating lunch when a rocket landed on you.

Be thankful you didn't receive a phone call from the police informing you a loved one was in the hospital.

Be thankful diabetes didn't take your leg, or kill you.

be thankful the doctor didn't tell you you have cancer.

Be thankful, well

Hey, have a Merry Christmas. And I really don't want to play pool with you guys either. All I do is rack.

LOL

Jake
 
Hear this argument..........

I do agree with what most of you are saying on this subject. I know the feeling of getting up there and banging the balls around with friends or people that really can't play. It's boring of course, and usually you don't try hard which just leads to you practicing bad habits, which will eventually come back to haunt you at a time you don't want, such as jumping up on balls, one strocking shots, etc.

It's funny that most of you are talking about going to bars and playing pool. In my experiences, bar owners or managers, usually have no clue about good pool equipment, so you really can't complain. It's like holding a basketball practice in someone's alley with a goal that hangs off the back of the garage. So, i guess i'm trying to say if you want good equipment, go to the local pool rooms and figure out where the best place to play is.

Now, for my argument.......although it is no fun playing on brutal equipment that has slow cloth, heavy cue balls, dead rails, and whatever else, these conditions will only season a good player and make them perform better when ever the next time is they play on good equipment. For instance, if you are playing on old, slow, dirty cloth, it's obviously alot tougher to draw your rock, or force the ball around the table. But, if you get to where you can draw that rock table length on that worn out cloth, then you are doing something, you are improving your stroke, thus making it easier for you when you get on the good equipment. If you talk to any good old time players, most of them all say the same thing, the sport is getting too easy they say. Nick Varner once told me that before simonis cloth came out he thinks he was a notch above the rest of his peers, but that the cloth just allows guys to do things with the cue ball that he had been able to do his whole career.

So, just remember that the next time you are somewhere and you can't draw the ball 2 in. and every rail on the table is dead. :)

Good Luck
 
Hustler08 said:
...I heard that Efren ( best player to ever live ) will play ANYONE for $1 a game...or race to 5 for $1...
Click to expand...

To Efren, $1 means $1,000. He might love the game, but he ain't in it for fun.

I've heard Parica quoted, "practice is for people who don't know what they are doing".

-pigi
 
piglit said:
To Efren, $1 means $1,000. He might love the game, but he ain't in it for fun.

I've heard Parica quoted, "practice is for people who don't know what they are doing".

-pigi
Click to expand...


Well of course he has to make a living....
 
Hustler08 - You didn't understand my badly worded statement!

Hustler08 - You said - "I got to say...i dont think anyone, ANYONE, should hate playing lower level people....you once were there too and maybe people hated playing with you or something but you dont have to be like that. Dont by ANY means think I am insulting you or anything because im not, its just...I heard that Efren ( best player to ever live ) will play ANYONE for $1 a game...or race to 5 for $1...he has respect for the game so much that he will play anyone just to play for the love of the game and to teach people...also, how are you going to tell people not to go into good/great poolhalls...you can play better people to learn, or watch, but ANYONE can go into ANY pool hall...thank you".

I said or meant - Don't go to the Big Time poolroom and expect the top players to teach you for nothing. If they give lessons (I don't & won't), Pay them. You are correct to say, Anyone can go into any poolroom - to watch.
What I meant to say is, Learn to play & pay your dues at a lesser poolroom before you go to the Big Time poolroom. You can't jump from novice to pro without taking ALL the steps between.
I NEVER SAID I WOULDN'T PLAY A NOVICE & TRY TO HELP THEM - I VERBALLY do it all the time when I see a young player doing something wrong. But if they want to play FOR NOTHING just to get the experience - NO THANKS.
If, If there is nothing else going on - I have & will play a novice very cheap sets. I will give up the weight that is necessary for them to win IF their game improves.
This benefits me as well because most of the time I am getting a rack boy but when it is their shot, I will tell them what they did wrong AFTER the shot.
I will & have played these types of sets for as little as a race to 5 for just $5.

The problem comes up sometimes because it may look like I'm just sitting around with nothing to do but I'm really either "clocking someone" or trying to engineer a conversation to my advantage.

When relatives ask me to play at family gatherings - I feel like I am being asked to perform and "Show Off" and that’s not in my nature. They want to see me play my best, but I can't, unless it is for cash.
TY & GL
 
I am glad to have sparked such an interest in this topic.
I am lucky enough to have a guy who took an interest in improving my game simply because, as he put it, I have a strong interest in the games and I'd like to improve.
My game has shown much improvement since he's been helping(at no charge), and Phil (my "coach") is well suited to the role as teacher.

I consider myself to still be very much a student, and I was thinking over why I was bored the other night. I believe it is mainly because I was learning nothing by playing these guys. I watch and learn everytime I step up to play a better, or equal player. This is my focus for now.

I am entering the 9 ball at Derby City this year. I am also trying to build up a respectable one pocket game. Perhaps some of you better players here would be willing to play a little. I'd love to get a cheap set with OHB, or possibly a bored pro.(Though bored pros will be highly unlikely in Louisville).
I ain't scared, but I aint rich. $20 sets or a beer a game would most likely be my limit on such an already expensive vacation.

To everyone here: Have a safe and Happy Holidays.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top