Some people play the table and do not worry about who they are playing. Some people play the game and the table. And the rest play their opponent! What do you do?
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
When you play a match, do you play the pool game, the table, or your opponent?
- Thread starter Lock N Load
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Destrachan
New member
Hey guys...been a lurker here for a good while and decided to make an account and get in on some of these conversations.
As for me, I only have the opportunity right now to play in a small town bar league. So it depends on how well I know how the other person shoots, if I know what their strengths/weaknesses are, how "good" they are, etc.
If I'm up against one of the better shooters in the league, I'll try (remembering to doesn't always occur...lol) to play more safe.
If it's someone that I don't know, I'll slough off/sandbag the first game a bit to feel him/her out and then attempt to adjust accordingly.
If it's someone that their knowledge/skill is limited to knowing how to hold the cue, then caution is pretty much thrown out the window.
As for me, I only have the opportunity right now to play in a small town bar league. So it depends on how well I know how the other person shoots, if I know what their strengths/weaknesses are, how "good" they are, etc.
If I'm up against one of the better shooters in the league, I'll try (remembering to doesn't always occur...lol) to play more safe.
If it's someone that I don't know, I'll slough off/sandbag the first game a bit to feel him/her out and then attempt to adjust accordingly.
If it's someone that their knowledge/skill is limited to knowing how to hold the cue, then caution is pretty much thrown out the window.
All three.
But mainly I try to size up my opponents strengths and weaknesses and try to tailor my game to them.
For instance there is a guy here in Denver that banks better then Chase Manhattan Bank so if I have a choice when i play a safe or push out I'm leaving this guy a long tough shot rather then any kind of bank.
Hey Lock-I know you get some heat for coming up with all the questions you post. But I like most of them. They make us think.And it shows you have a deep understanding of the game.
But mainly I try to size up my opponents strengths and weaknesses and try to tailor my game to them.
For instance there is a guy here in Denver that banks better then Chase Manhattan Bank so if I have a choice when i play a safe or push out I'm leaving this guy a long tough shot rather then any kind of bank.
Hey Lock-I know you get some heat for coming up with all the questions you post. But I like most of them. They make us think.And it shows you have a deep understanding of the game.
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You're already matched up against your opponent, and the game is set, so my feelings are that you play the table. Grady used to say, "Take what the table has to offer you." :smile:
I play all three. You can't afford to ignore the table (the speed, the pockets, etc. all affect the choices you make and how you play certain shots); and not making note of your opponent's strengths, weaknesses and tendencies can cost you.
A case in point is a session I played against Josh Degler in Orlando some years ago. He beat me the first night we played, and I started to notice that he trusted a bit too much in his shot-making ability. So the next night I played him, I made it a point to push out to shots that were just makeable, but would give trouble in terms of making position on the next ball. It worked like a charm and not only did I make a little score, but he called me "Champ" every time I passed through Orlando for a couple years after that.
I haven't heard anything about him for a number of years now. Does anyone know how he's doing these days?
A case in point is a session I played against Josh Degler in Orlando some years ago. He beat me the first night we played, and I started to notice that he trusted a bit too much in his shot-making ability. So the next night I played him, I made it a point to push out to shots that were just makeable, but would give trouble in terms of making position on the next ball. It worked like a charm and not only did I make a little score, but he called me "Champ" every time I passed through Orlando for a couple years after that.
I haven't heard anything about him for a number of years now. Does anyone know how he's doing these days?
The Table
John
John
I play only the table.My opponent doesn't matter
when he's sitting in his chair.
I have full control when I'm at the table and it shouldn't matter of
the level of competition across from me.I might play a horrible safety
against a lesser opponent and get away with it, but in my heart
I still know my shot was garbage and bugs me even if I still win.
This game to me is about achieving and conquering self doubt,
strategy,and bringing forth the belief in yourself that this is more
than a game,its a part of your personality best shown with a
stick in your hand!
play the table about 90 % of the time.
play your opponent on some shots like if
i was playing efren i might go for a shot
where if i was playing an opponent that i was
a big fav over i might play a safe.
Good question which comes up very often.
If we take here the *bit more expirienced player*, who already is playing competition, then you would tend to *call all 3*.
I say, that you first have to find out, what kind of player you have in front of you- is he an extravert or an intravert player? If you found out which type of human/player he is, just then you can help him to workout personalised routines for him.
And then finally you could answer also this question
So at least you could response here with every option you gave us Lock
I m seriously if i say, that this a great topic- but this goes very far deeper into the mental part, than some would imagine,
lg
Ingo
If we take here the *bit more expirienced player*, who already is playing competition, then you would tend to *call all 3*.
I say, that you first have to find out, what kind of player you have in front of you- is he an extravert or an intravert player? If you found out which type of human/player he is, just then you can help him to workout personalised routines for him.
And then finally you could answer also this question
So at least you could response here with every option you gave us Lock
I m seriously if i say, that this a great topic- but this goes very far deeper into the mental part, than some would imagine,
lg
Ingo
Good question which comes up very often.
If we take here the *bit more expirienced player*, who already is playing competition, then you would tend to *call all 3*.
I say, that you first have to find out, what kind of player you have in front of you- is he an extravert or an intravert player? If you found out which type of human/player he is, just then you can help him to workout personalised routines for him.
And then finally you could answer also this question
So at least you could response here with every option you gave us Lock
I m seriously if i say, that this a great topic- but this goes very far deeper into the mental part, than some would imagine,
lg
Ingo
Good post. You are correct about the mental part too. Thanks for your input!
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
A mixture of all the above.
You have to play what the table has to offer, and not try and play shots that the table can't perform.
You also have to play the balls the break gives you.
You also have to play your opponent, and this is where it gets fun! If you can (to use a poker term) put your opponent on tilt by taking advantage of their weaknesses, it will be harder to lose the game than win it. Anyone remember Reyes vs Strickland (I can't remember the tournament or year) where Efren pissed Earl off by simply just out playing him? Earl when he got a chance just got up from his chair and took no thought about the shot he was playing and just slammed balls around the table pretty much. Efren would have really struggled to lose that match.
So yeah, you have to take all 3 into consideration I think.
You have to play what the table has to offer, and not try and play shots that the table can't perform.
You also have to play the balls the break gives you.
You also have to play your opponent, and this is where it gets fun! If you can (to use a poker term) put your opponent on tilt by taking advantage of their weaknesses, it will be harder to lose the game than win it. Anyone remember Reyes vs Strickland (I can't remember the tournament or year) where Efren pissed Earl off by simply just out playing him? Earl when he got a chance just got up from his chair and took no thought about the shot he was playing and just slammed balls around the table pretty much. Efren would have really struggled to lose that match.
So yeah, you have to take all 3 into consideration I think.
Everything has to be calculated and evaluated.
The game and the table are usually pretty consistent and no matter what you may think, they are the same for both players."
Opponents are the only inconsistency in pool. Especially in tournament play. If you are playing someone you are familiar with, you better know their strengths and weaknesses. If you are playing someone for the first time, you better learn them quickly. The match could be over, before you know it.
__________________________________________
http://tommcgonaglerightoncue.com
The game and the table are usually pretty consistent and no matter what you may think, they are the same for both players."
Opponents are the only inconsistency in pool. Especially in tournament play. If you are playing someone you are familiar with, you better know their strengths and weaknesses. If you are playing someone for the first time, you better learn them quickly. The match could be over, before you know it.
__________________________________________
http://tommcgonaglerightoncue.com
Only one factor determines winning strategy, if you miss more than your opponent you will lose, which means you need to know how to shoot all 4000 possibilities of shots or at least 98% of them, as far as luck both will always be lucky.
To have an edge above your opponent, i'd say:
1st and for most at your pool hall if possible, this forces you to perform well in front of your fans
2nd at your favorite table,
3rd as far as one pocket game, watch out, experience do matter