What's most important when playing someone way better than you?
- Thread starter Peer
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)- after a couple of rounds, things start to even up.
Played a guy last night at a local bar. I broke the 1st game , got zip, he ran it. Then he broke and ran the table.So after 4 games of this he misses and had a bad leave. q and 8 and his 1 in a close pack. I was thinking of some kind of safety. However he surprisingly coached me into a shot I thought I could not do. Tried the english to the right off a rail to make a ball in the corner. made it.Then gave me a guide to win the game. I did it , but would not have without his guidance of the 1st shot.
I still lost other games , but learned something for the 50c lessons.
I even managed a break and run. We made it alternate break to stop the break and run, but I did it. Very happy with the essentially free lessons.
Neil
I still lost other games , but learned something for the 50c lessons.
I even managed a break and run. We made it alternate break to stop the break and run, but I did it. Very happy with the essentially free lessons.
Neil
Always but the better player dinner.
Nothing will make you feel better than buying the guy that is nice enough to play with a player such as yourself a nice fat dinner. Sizzler, Round Table, Outback, etc,. The better palyer also gets to keep the leftovers. bumpypickle.Peer said:
Nice thread. In my view, the most important things when you play a stronger player:
Play within yourself and stick to the percentages
This sounds simple but is actually quite difficult. Don't let a stronger player cause you to abandon your game plan. Rather than trying to be someone you are not, try to maximize your execution of what you know and what you are good at. Stick to the game plan
Pay attention: don't reduce your concentration when opponent shoots, or you squander some chances to learn
Be as attentive as possible when opponent is shooting, studying both opponent's conceptualization and execution.
Dare to ask the occasional question of the stronger player and invite critique. You'd be surprised just how willing better players are to help. Questions like these pay great dividends in the learning process:
a) Would you be kind enough to mention it if I do anything that you feel is ill-advised?
b) Did I play the right shot/stroke/speed there? If not, what other choices were available?
c) How did you choose between the shot/pattern/sequence you just played and some of the other available choices?
Stay Composed and Dignified
and, as Tate noted "The most important thing is to be a good sport regardless of the outcome."
That's how I see it.
Play within yourself and stick to the percentages
This sounds simple but is actually quite difficult. Don't let a stronger player cause you to abandon your game plan. Rather than trying to be someone you are not, try to maximize your execution of what you know and what you are good at. Stick to the game plan
Pay attention: don't reduce your concentration when opponent shoots, or you squander some chances to learn
Be as attentive as possible when opponent is shooting, studying both opponent's conceptualization and execution.
Dare to ask the occasional question of the stronger player and invite critique. You'd be surprised just how willing better players are to help. Questions like these pay great dividends in the learning process:
a) Would you be kind enough to mention it if I do anything that you feel is ill-advised?
b) Did I play the right shot/stroke/speed there? If not, what other choices were available?
c) How did you choose between the shot/pattern/sequence you just played and some of the other available choices?
Stay Composed and Dignified
and, as Tate noted "The most important thing is to be a good sport regardless of the outcome."
That's how I see it.
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Superior opponent
Don't make their mistakes.
Don't make their mistakes.
Clearly, what's most important when playing someone way better than you is to lie, cheat, and steal. And then, if you are accused of doing any of the aforementioned, remember this: deny, deny, indignation. 
Playing a better player
Don't think about how well they play.
Try not to make silly mistakes.
Take advantage of every shot you get and make the most of it.
If all of that still isn't enough make sure you can say that you did your best and try harder next time.
James
Don't think about how well they play.
Try not to make silly mistakes.
Take advantage of every shot you get and make the most of it.
If all of that still isn't enough make sure you can say that you did your best and try harder next time.
James
One of the reason why Pool has not have some luck to be officially included as main Olympics sport, is the nature of the game. Unless you are playing players like Darrel Peach, pool is usually you against the layout of the table. You never actually go toe-to-toe with your opponent. So it doesn't really matter much the skill of the player you are playing against. Every game is a test of your own skill.
A few ways to look at this...
Don't play a better player for money.
If you are playing better players in tournaments just try your best to win the matches. If you win it's a feather in your cap. If you lose just hope you gave it your best shot...if not work on that...and maybe next time you'll do better...don't give up and keep trying. It's no shame to play your best and lose to a better player. Work on cutting down your unforced errors.
If you have the opportunity to play a better player for no stakes...play as much as he/she will allow and learn from what you see...and ask questions...most players will explain things that might be routine for them but new to you. Work and practice on those new concepts. Just take advantage of a great opportunity to sharpen your game because playing tough players will make you tough.
Mike
Don't play a better player for money.
If you are playing better players in tournaments just try your best to win the matches. If you win it's a feather in your cap. If you lose just hope you gave it your best shot...if not work on that...and maybe next time you'll do better...don't give up and keep trying. It's no shame to play your best and lose to a better player. Work on cutting down your unforced errors.
If you have the opportunity to play a better player for no stakes...play as much as he/she will allow and learn from what you see...and ask questions...most players will explain things that might be routine for them but new to you. Work and practice on those new concepts. Just take advantage of a great opportunity to sharpen your game because playing tough players will make you tough.
Mike
crosseyedjoe said:
So then, why is it that quite a few other Olympic sports, like archery, shooting, equestrian, diving, are even less "toe-to-toe with your opponent"..? Actually, with its defensive safety-play, pool is more like slow tennis than any of the sports listed above, and hence, in pool it DOES really matter who you are playing against.
-- peer
Crackers Or Bread With Catsup........yum-yum eat 'em up
" What's most important when playing someone way better than you? "
Hide some money in your shoe or safety-pin some inside your drawers..... or sleep in the street.
And, unless you're hustling from bar to bar and need the quarters, always fill all your car ashtrays (and any other crook & nanny) with pocket change. It gets hungry learning to WIN... imo
Doug
" What's most important when playing someone way better than you? "
Hide some money in your shoe or safety-pin some inside your drawers..... or sleep in the street.
And, unless you're hustling from bar to bar and need the quarters, always fill all your car ashtrays (and any other crook & nanny) with pocket change. It gets hungry learning to WIN... imo
Doug