What makes you, better than others?

Ronoh said:
I've been very curious of this question.

I would like to know.

I understand actions are > words. Time > than all.

Other than time on table, what makes you better than anyone else?

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Doc, it has to my luck. My opponents constantly complain that I am one of the luckiest guys they have ever played, so it must be my luck.

JoeyA
 
ShootingArts said:
Time on the table and willingness to learn from books and other shooters definitely comes into play. However, if I have to describe one thing that gives me an edge when dollars are on the line it is a will to win. Most people will tell you they are competitors but when things are tough most people have at least a tiny bit of quit in them.

The real competitors often find a way to win when they are, or should be, outclassed on a given day. I can't say that I can beat anyone anywhere but at the same time I know that I have reached deep many times when I needed to and pulled out wins that weren't supposed to be possible.

It all boils down to heart and keeping playing wide open until the last ball drops. If you watch the televised matches you often see that a competitor has accepted a loss fairly early in a match. They have given up and it is obvious in their posture and in their play. Then they get real openings but manage them poorly. They are defeated more by themselves than the other player.

What separates the best is heart and determination.

Hu
Nothing more can be said as I see it....when the chips are down it all comes down to how bad do you want it....I've been in matches where my opponent is on the hill and I have 0....:eek: but I managed to plug away one game at a time and come back to win....:D ....my opponents usually all slouched in his chair all dejected....LOLz.....doesn't happen all the time either.....
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Ok Joey, I gotta know . . .

JoeyA said:
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Doc, it has to my luck. My opponents constantly complain that I am one of the luckiest guys they have ever played, so it must be my luck.

JoeyA

How do you practice "luck"? :D :D :D

Hu
 
If I may interpret the question posed to read, "What is the major difference between those who can play pretty well and those who can't?" I'd say....

The lesser player doesn't choose the right shot often enough, and even if you tell them the right shot, often they won't know how to execute it.

Hence, the better player is playing with a stacked deck of cards.

[edit-added]
Another factor which I consider to be of major importance is 'working harder at the table'. By working hard, I don't just mean pressuring oneself, I mean making a hard effort to remained focused on the myriad of problems that occur, as they occur, and making clear and calm decisions for each of them. Such as choice of shot, method of positioning, adjustment of aiming, speed of delivery stroke, placement of stance and bridge.

All of these things can go wrong, and usually there is some nagging doubt about one or more of these aspects on each shot. You needen't run a checklist, but be aware of these nagging doubts as they occur and decide how to deal with them. e.g. You may be stretching for a shot and considering using the bridge. Make the decision which one you will do and be satisfied with it. Don't be thinking during the shot that you'll be p*****d off if you miss because you should be using the bridge.

At the point of delivery, you should be satisfied with your shot decision and aim, comfortable to make the stroke, not clouded with nagging doubts. That takes a lot of work to do on every shot. More for some than others. But if you work more effectively in this regard than your opponent, the wins will come regularly.
 
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I've watched people play at this game for years and never change anything in their games even though they're not winning a lot. Some have some major problems with their fundamentals and yet they won't try to work on any of the fundamentals.

I, on the other hand, am willing to scrap anything and everything about my game if I think something will work better. When I practice, I work on my fundamentals.

Tom in Cincy watched me play and made a comment about my stroke and I worked on it and am still working on it - thanks Tom!

So, to sum it up, it is the willingness and desire to improve your game all the time.
 
well I considered a rabbit's foot

Billy_Bob said:
I know a guy who has a horseshoe ring, and keyring, also other lucky things he carries around or wears.

I considered a rabbit's foot but then I remembered that the rabbit had four!

Actually I was just teasing Joey a bit. I know just how much luck has to do with his game.

Hu
 
How do you practice "luck"?

ShootingArts said:
How do you practice "luck"? :D :D :D

Hu

Hu, you have to play pool against someone who has greater luck than yourself. While it may cost you a few jelly beans, the luck can sometimes rub off on you. :D

JoeyA
 
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Thanks )

Great replies!

Some made me laugh, and some helped me think deeper into myself. A lot where on the mark.
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Willingness to learn, keeping an open mind, and applying the knowledge gained.

Trying new techniques, accepting defeats along with wins, and being true to yourself.

Respect of people and property, recognizing everyone is the center of their own reality, and being productive to society.
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Those are my top reasons for thinking I'm better than anyone else.


Thanks for helping me see there is more to it than just those. I try every day to find at least 1 from each of those (a check list so to speak) to keep myself in check.

If you all think the thread is still worth posting to, please, keep posting your thoughts. It's helped me, it may help others.
 
I think what makes me better is that when i started playing pool, i didnt have the knowledge about position play and using english and stuff like that, so alot of times i was left in bad position, or hooked.

And from there i learned how to kick and bank, and shoot those tough cut shots and use wild english, or make a tough back cut shot and go 4 rails for position. Which sometimes still happens lol.

Also, practicing and gambling a bit helps too with the pressure situations, when your on your last leg and you fight back and win.

As a couple others mention'd too is when someone your playing is ahead and they get lazy and you start to claw back and end up winning on the hill, you can see them get pissed because they know, it slipped away.

dave
 
The true answer

All the greats have told me the same thing! They just didn't miss! I remember a great player telling me he rembered going for a week and not missing anything he shot to make!
Top that!!!!!!
Nick
 
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