Why do I always miss the money shot?!

Either, you don't like money or maybe, just maybe you overthink it. Happens all the time. Players pot 5 or so excellent balls on a run then are on the money ball and halt their rhythm, chalk that extra bit, walk around table looking at the contact point, pick up invisible bits of lint from the table. On the money ball try playing position for one of your opponents balls if its 8 ball and you carry on as if the run isn't ended. If its 9 ball or what ever play position for an imaginary ball frozen to the easiest rail to get to and try get straight in. Again you carry on in your natural rhythm and if you miss but get position the opponent is glued to the rail with a tough shot. Works for me.
 
jackpot said:
A very good player told me that on the money ball he would shoot it
and play position on an imaginary ball. He said when he was learning
to play he would do what you said, run up to the money ball and dog it.
So he thought the only thing different is I'm not playing position on the
money ball so I'll start doing that. Not like anything hard but just some
easy position that he liked to shoot. That way all shots were the same.
Worked for him.
jack
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I try to leave the cue ball up against a rail. Even if I dog it, he's still shooting off a rail. Great advice.
 
I think you either have a fear of losing or a fear of winning.

If its a fear of losing you need to identify it so you can nip it in the bud. Why are you overly concerned with losing?

There are also some confidence building activities you can do to become more confident on the moneyball. For example, you can take a closer look at how often you actually do miss the moneyball. Chances are you have blown the percentages out of proportion in your mind and this exageration has caused you to worry about it much more than you would with an accurate perception. The worry alone increases the chance it will happen. A clear view of your performance will allow you to remember that you make the moneyballs more often than you thought. If you really are missing 80% then set a goal to only miss 70%, then 60% and so on.
 
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Maybe ur getting excited about running the rack out and rushing the last few shots slow down take breath then shoot I know when I first started I would get excited and rush the money ball and sometimes miss it or hook my self on last couple just thought now I don't miss a ball Ever lol jk :thumbup:
 
Great advice guys,
I think that I am over-thinking it or as someone else poster I am thinking 'whoohoo break and run!' and dog the last ball.
As far as calling it a moneyball, maybe that was a poor choice of words.
I have never made money playing pool, I play for the love of the game. So for me winning a tournament and being number 1 is more important than cash price.

I like the advice of treating it like a normal shot and leaving a position in center of table. Gonna have to try that.
Thanks.
 
curacao2 said:
I play in some weekly tournaments. I start out great, I make some good shots and leaves, but about 80% of the time if the last ball (8, 9 or 10 depending on the game) is not in a super easy position I dog it.
WTF? does this happen to you, and if so how do I stop it.
Thanks.
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Try holding the cue with your thumb and index finger only. You need to practice this a little before you fire at your next money ball. Try keeping the cue Above the 2nd knuckle toward your fingertips.youll find it takes a little pressure to hold the cue but it keeps your wrist out of the shot. Any little tension you feel will cause your grip to tighten hence throwing off the stroke....... This takes that out of the equation
 
I have a new theory: it is just balance,
I win all the time, guess it only makes sense that someone else gots to lose all the time.
:eek:
 
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