What's most important when playing someone way better than you?

What's most important when playing someone way better than you?

  • It doesn't matter if I play good or bad, as long as I win

    Votes: 12 10.3%

  • It doesn't matter if I lose, as long as I play well

    Votes: 67 57.8%

  • It doesn't matter if I lose and play bad, as long as I learn something

    Votes: 31 26.7%

  • It doesn't matter how I play, as long as I can watch 'American Idol'

    Votes: 6 5.2%
  • Total voters
    116
Peer

Peer

Norwegian in California
Silver Member
Last night, as I was playing someone way better than I (lets call him "Robert Blewit"), I was thinking how I'm such a non-competitive person -- win or lose -- yet, it's always fun to play my arch enemy Bobby, one the most knowable players of our time.

Hence, I'm curious how other people feel when not playing your best while being up against a tours de force.

-- peer
 
good question! a few times a week for about 3 years I played a world beater. I NEVER asked for weight, didn't care what game...mostly 14.1, I just kept playing and getting my head bashed in. I went through a progression during the time we played like this.....

>first I was in awe because I had no chance of doing what he was doing on the table.

>next I was a sponge learning everything I could, and still never could win.

>after a year the awe wears off, I'm learning a ton! and I'm able to relax and shoot MY game, but I still have no shot.

>at 2 years I'm PISSED! I'm sick of losing, and I have more confidence. I'm running 40's/60's everyday and all I gotta do is put 2 together to win.

>around 3 years I win a race to 7 now n then, maybe 1 out of 4. I ran my first 100 in there somewhere, and I'm almost a player;)

>this was about the time I made my biggest jump as a player. I could go anywhere, and play whomever because I have seen the best play EVERYDAY and no one scares me anymore. THAT is the one thing that freed me from worrying about playing great players.
 
I want to win everytime, no matter how I feel, no matter who I play.

Sometimes I can be satisfied if I play good but have lost, but I will be more satisfied if I win even if I play bad.
 
One thing I noticed playing against these strong A class runout like a machine shortstop near pro players (call them what you like) or pro players is that you absolutely must make sure you play your push out shot correctly. If they take the shot you have given them, the rack is basically over. You have to push out to a jump or a kick. Then they usually give you the shot back thinking you'll mess up...sometimes they're wrong...:D
In 9ball normal set length a very small chance is actually there, but 14.1...literally zero chance of success.

I love playing these guys because you learn something new every time.
 
What's most important when playing someone way better than you?

Having fun!

Have a good attitude and everything else will fall into place. :D
 
Peer said:
Last night, as I was playing someone way better than I (lets call him "Robert Blewit"), I was thinking how I'm such a non-competitive person -- win or lose -- yet, it's always fun to play my arch enemy Bobby, one the most knowable players of our time.

Hence, I'm curious how other people feel when not playing your best while being up against a tours de force.

-- peer
Click to expand...

The most important thing is to be a good sport regardless of the outcome.

Chris
 
I picked "as long as I play well." I wanted to say "as long as I learn something" but that would have been dishonest. I don't really feel that way.;-)

But, I think when I have played people way better than me, I have learned a lot in the times that I played well.

For example, I played Shin Park once. I won 4 games (race to 9, but I had a 1 game handicap). I was happy with the result, because--to the extent of my abilities--I didn't give the match away. The four games I won, I got out realy nicely. I had one really difficult runout that I made it through. It's one of the few runouts I've ever made, that I can actually remember clearly.

There were two games where I missed the 8 ball. Makeable shots, but not hangers. If I made those, the score might have been 6-7, and from there who knows? (maybe I would have scratched on the next break, and he would have run out the set...)

Anyways, I learned that I don't have to be nervous when playing such giants. I have a chance, even if it is a small one, to win. At least I can get my licks in. So, for me, my experience is that if I play well in these situations, I will probably learn something along the way.
 
when playing someone better than you,you have to win the first game you have a chance to win.if you dog the first one.your done.this does not mean you will win the set,however you will fight hard.if you choke,the first chance you have to win, it will eat at you and you have no,zero,nothing chance.
 
I'd say the most important thing is not to beat yourself. Make them do it.

Speed kills speed, so even if someone is a good player, they don't always play their best against a better opponent. I don't know how many times I have heard, "I had that great player beat, and I dogged a shot", or "I dogged position", or "I had him 5-2 in a race to 9 and let him come back and beat me".

Ultimately, all of these defeats had alot to do with beating ones self.

Mike
 
Two most importants things
1) Believe in myself .. I can beat this person
2) Remind myself that a great defense is sometimes better than a great shot (sometimes we want to impress the better player with our ability and overlook a defense)
 
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I don't care if I lose as long as I played well. I always try to learn things when playing against better players.
 
I would add, it doesn't matter how I play as long as I am competitive.

If you play a player better than yourself, let say in a weekly tournament, if you are competitive and almost beat him, than he will have respect for you the next time, which in turn might cause him to have more errors.
 
In my exp the most important thing when playing a better player is to not try to outshoot them. Play a defense oriented game. Don't get me wrong, if you see a run out go for it. If the run out looks difficult force them to kick at the ball and pray for good position or a ball in hand.
 
My answer ...

Was as long as I learn something that is most important to me I'm always walking away from the table asking myself where I could of done better what I did wrong ... Don't get me wrong I want to win too that is important and I want to play my best ... But I can't always do that ... I can learn something every time though ...
 
Peer said:
Last night, as I was playing someone way better than I (lets call him "Robert Blewit"), I was thinking how I'm such a non-competitive person -- win or lose -- yet, it's always fun to play my arch enemy Bobby, one the most knowable players of our time.

Hence, I'm curious how other people feel when not playing your best while being up against a tours de force.

-- peer
Click to expand...
I want to play your buddy "Bumpypickle" some head up DRAW THE BALL!
I will be in the bay area this coming week. Put up or shut up.

Dick

PS. My minimum wager is $500,000 dollars!
 
Run out when you can, play smart when it's there and don't worry, is the way I try to look at it. If you're getting a reasonable handicap, you may win. If not, hopefully you make a decent showing, and if the crazy chance comes, you win then, too.

Other nite I was in a spot I usually fold. Playing an A-category player in front of the railbirds, but getting the 6, because I yam what I yam. I was down 2-0 in about 30 secs, but things turned when I made a decent runout. Pressure shifted and next thing you know, I won 7-3.

Any way, whatever the score, I hope I learn something! Could be about me, could be about the game.
 
Playing that particular guy, learn whatever you can. He probably isn't charging you much.

Give respect where it is deserved...
 
Roy Steffensen said:
I want to win everytime, no matter how I feel, no matter who I play.

Sometimes I can be satisfied if I play good but have lost, but I will be more satisfied if I win even if I play bad.
Click to expand...

I have to side with you Roy. I'd rather win no matter what. :o

A loss is more tolerable if I played well but it is still a loss and I don't like losing. A win with mediocre play is better than above average play and a loss. Now just let me play a perfect game and still lose and you'll think I'm imitating a steam engine. :D
JoeyA
 
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