When playing/practicing with a lower skilled player - Do you change your strategy?

often over hear players in the sl4 range holding court and going on and on like they know better themselves. makes me chuckle and i carry on
 
yes. If its just friendly play and I know my opponent isnt having fun, ill goof and throw some balls to let them shoot some, or go for really ridiculous hard shots that i know are low percentage to give them opportunities at the table, otherwise they dont stay:LOL:. If they ask about a certain spin or position shot that they see me do, im happy to explain or re-set up the shot so they can try it, and will re do it several times until they manage it. I dont give unsolicited advice to strangers because many of them dont want it. Im by no means a pro, but i am a 7 in my league that mimics the apa system.
 
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"When playing/practicing with a lower skilled player - Do you change your strategy?"

No, my opponent does.... :confused:
 
Texas Carom Club said:
exactly i never give unsolicited advice anymore.
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Some people are receptive to advice and many more despise it. It really just depends on the personality of the person. I guess it just their egos that get in the way of self improvement when it really is counter productive. I do teach a lot and people ask my advice a lot as well. For those that are cocky and think they are the best on the pool table, I prefer just to torcher them and kill them with kindness. That really burns them up and makes them go on tilt. Kinda fun watching them implode. :)
 
my lady gets annoyed at having to kick over and over again so i generally just go all out offense with her. only time i can think of letting up. she actually beats me fairly often this way, she is a naturally talented player, but doesnt give a shit about pool. after a couple failed attempts to teach her the nuances of the game and the importance of safety play i stopped locking her up so we could have more fun just shootin at em. it is still a good time
 
I play frequently with a friend who is around APA SL 3 level. We usually play 8 ball on 9' tables. I generally play my normal game, maybe fewer safeties than normal, but I'll also coach him through his options when he's stuck and doesn't know what to do, even if it means putting me in a bad spot or helping him win the game.

It's funny because we used to be fiercely competitive with each other 7-8 years ago, and he even had a slight edge over me. Then I started taking pool much more seriously and he remained a casual player, and now I generally only drop games to him when I'm playing recklessly.

I have found that I get a false sense of confidence playing him because, while he CAN beat me if he's playing well or I give him too many chances, I know I've got a 95%+ chance of winning each individual game. So I play very loose and confident. Then I play someone who is close to my skill or even better and all of a sudden I start playing really tight (which is actually how I used to play against him when were close in skill level). It's always a shock to the system when you go from easy wins to an opponent who can fire right back at you.
 
I used to do "anything"; essentially whatever I felt like per whatever came up. Now I'm more disciplined about it. Weak players are an opportunity to practice stuff that's above your pay grade - difficult safeties, position etc... Casual observers see a fish and a slightly bigger fish...
 
I play to win as much as I can, but I do adjust sometimes. It depends on the situation too. Small tournaments or for real cheap or for fun, I will play more aggressively, sometimes playing 100% offense with no safes if I know the person I'm playing doesn't use them.
I have found being respectful and letting the other person have fun and laugh can pay off. I will help them with their game if they display interest in that as well. I have played a lot of money games with people that know they probably can't win because they enjoy playing me.
 
ChrisinNC said:
As the proprietor/manager of our Poolroom, when I can, I try to take the opportunity to play with our lesser skilled regulars that love the game, when they are playing by themselves.

Every opportunity to play I consider as a practice session for myself, so I try not to change my strategy, regardless of who I am playing. Whether playing 8-ball or 9-ball, just as if I was playing in a tournament or a $ session against a legitimate opponent, I will play defensive shots/safeties, if I feel that is the proper play.

In doing so, in addition to practicing those skills for my own benefit, I’m trying to teach my opponent the correct way to play to maximize their chances to win the game, as opposed to attempting low percentage shots when a defensive shot is obviously the better play.

When doing this, I usually try to explain to them as to why, so that hopefully they will understand the concept of doing everything they can to try to win, even though this is not how these lesser skilled recreational players ever consider playing when they are playing each other.

Just curious as to what others here do when they are playing / practicing against lesser skilled players in a non-tournament, non-gambling situation?
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If the lesser player is "Asking" for advice, I'll bring it on, but mindful.
They're not normally ready!!! ???
Your situation tells me your student doesn't need a fire hose presentation.
 
Gee Wizzz

This site doesnt allow me to make mistakes.
maybe not true but it really seems that way.
 
3kushn said:
If the lesser player is "Asking" for advice, I'll bring it on, but mindful.
They're not normally ready!!! ???
Your situation tells me your student doesn't need a fire hose presentation.
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I do agree that a number of these players just aren’t ready to even think about a defensive shot, not to mention that their cue ball control isn’t even good enough to execute one.

That is still not going to stop me from playing one myself on them if I have no reasonable shot. They might not like it, but hopefully they may learn that there are options other than trying to make an extremely tough shot.
 
I often miss shots to give players a better chance when not in competition. I play a lot on my friends' league nights at their practice tables. Pretty much every time I play them I try to play one shot to miss or play some silly position or low % shot, and while they are shooting I go through the shots with them to help pick the right angles and patterns.

There are some players that are really out to get better and with those I do try more or less to play my normal game so they can gauge their progress.
 
When I play with someone appreciably less skilled than myself, I don’t play any safeties.
Additionally, I play to run out but choose harder shots often passing up a much easier
shot. For example, I’d play a long backward cut shot over a easy SP cut or I’d play banks
more often than normally, even 3 rail kick shots. My objective is to let the other person
enjoy recreational pool but at the same time, I want to free wheel and I’d choose to play
much harder shots over easier ones. Rest assured, the pool would only be on a 9’ table.

Now if the other person wanted to challenge me thinking they could win, I’d spank them
as badly as possible even using nasty safety play to obtain ball in hand shots for myself.

On the other hand, if they wanted to get some advice or instruction, I’d explain how and why
I chose a particular shot versus others and the alternative ways of placing the shot for shape.
When they missed, I’d set the shot up again for them so they could successfully pocket it but
if they didn’t put the cue ball where they intended, I’d have them repeat it until they actually do.

My approach is to strive to play mainly with my equals or players with superior skills to mine. I
acknowledge they’d be stronger players than myself but they miss shots and I’m capable of
getting out regardless of how many balls are left but I also miss more shots than they do, Why?

Duh, because they are better than me besides being younger, steadier hands, keener eyesight,
less aches & pains to distract you and just have a better stroke. Nonetheless, I can still prevail
because if they miss a shot, I’m capable of finishing the rack. When I use excellent safety play,
I control the outcome of the game underway. I like playing stronger players than me because I
try harder and play smarter so I generally elevate my game. Practicing pool with lesser skilled
players tends to throw my game off because I become lackadaisical and don’t take it seriously
unless it’s a tournament. When that happens, I play for a shutout and strive to win every game.
 
I was on the receiving end of a beatdown the other day in a 9b race to 13. I dogged an 8ball to pull within 6-3 then got to enjoy watching the guy finish up for 7-2 and proceed to B&R the next 5 racks, eventually losing 13-2 after seeing nothing but kick shots in the last rack. It was quite a show tho and I enjoyed watching his elegant outs. Not all that many of the weaker players that play me share my attitude tho and usually if I start stringing racks together or torture them with safes so they don't see a real chance at the table for more than 5 racks, it doesn't go over too well. So ye, I mostly do what I said before and Bava stated above, which is play tactically weak pool with choices favoring more difficult outs with some flare (and practice of difficult shots for me) rather than a series of easier safes and textbook outs.
 
I tend to do the hardest thing at that moment. Any time that isn't must win time, is practice time.

Safe, swing hard, tight shape, etc... I'm indifferent to wins/loss. The random loses are ill gotten feathers in lesser player's caps. Good for them...
 
How much lesser speed?
How new to pool overall?

I don't want to do anything that will throw my own (limited :) ) game off.
But have done everything from giving a newbie BIH every shot, to even 2 shots on every turn, or maybe i have to bank everything, or at least the last ball/last 2 balls, or last pocket for me/any pocket for them, etc; to simply giving typical spots for a given game to someone who is already advancing.
Except for spots, this would only be for someone learning the games who actively wants some coaching.
Basically, i want them to get a lot of table time, but make me work when i'm at bat.
Also use the opportunity to work on more creative/difficult shots/safeties myself.
 
Ssonerai said:
How much lesser speed?
How new to pool overall?

I don't want to do anything that will throw my own (limited :) ) game off.
But have done everything from giving a newbie BIH every shot, to even 2 shots on every turn, or maybe i have to bank everything, or at least the last ball/last 2 balls, or last pocket for me/any pocket for them, etc; to simply giving typical spots for a given game to someone who is already advancing.
Except for spots, this would only be for someone learning the games who actively wants some coaching.
Basically, i want them to get a lot of table time, but make me work when i'm at bat.
Also use the opportunity to work on more creative/difficult shots/safeties myself.
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Ye I think OP meant more of when you are actually playing the same game. I'm on board with what you do too as when I play with my sis who is a cpl hundred fargo points below me, she always breaks the full rack and starts with BIH. She then gets to hit any ball on the table and I have to play rotation. First to 8balls made wins. Fun lil game that is adequately challenging for both of us.
 
For strictly social pool, not really caring about the outcome….You know…..kinda shits & giggles,
I let the other person shoot their missed shots (2 tries) but they can’t select a different OB for
their 2nd try. It has to be the same OB regardless whether it was in the jaws of the pocket or
frozen on the opposite end rail. On the last ball, they only get one attempt but when it becomes
my last ball, they get to call my pocket. Obviously I miss a lot but it’s fun to try playing billiards
with the last ball. But when you do make a 2 or 3 rail bank/ kick with it, golly, it really looks so cool.
 
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