Will you, Have you, achieved your Pool potential?

[midnightpulp]

Yeap, that would do the trick, but there's just not enough money in the sport to make it a sensible bet.

I felt my best was about 12 years before the IPT, when I had a good run of 2nd, 4th, 3rd and 5th in 200+ player big tournaments in 2 Shot pool. I probably averaged 6 hours per day practice for about a year preceding that, and played in competitions pretty regularly in the years leading up.

The IPT was an attempt at a come back, and I felt like I was just getting a grasp of the big ball game by the World Champs where I broke and ran 5 of 15 breaks. Unfortunately, that didn't get me through the first round, losing a close one to Jayson Shaw, where they actually upped the score from 4-5 to 5-6 due to, believe it or not, slow play... a couple of games had nasty clusters that neither of us wanted to touch. An 8-0 smashing by Karl Boyes finished me off.... would have been nice to have gotten a decent shot once :wink:

Well, back to the point, I felt I needed a couple of months at least, playing good players regularly in match type conditions to get into that 'give me a chance and I'll take it zone', rather than, 'I should win from here, but hope I don't fudge it.'

I'm hoping to play some streamed challenge matches, as way of inspiration to get myself back to my best, and hopefully beyond, using some of what I've learned over the last 10 years. It will likely be a multi-rail format, which suits my skill set.

Billiard players probably thought 3 cushion an odd experiment, but it's the only form of the carom games with a heart beat now. When games become too easy, they need to evolve I think. 8 and 9 ball are all but dead imho and big tables with tight pockets ain't gonna save them. 10 ball is on life support. Chuck 14.1 in the coffin too while we're at it. These games present far too many easy shots. Who would want to watch the world's best sprinters have jogging competitions, patiently awaiting the odd burst of speed?

Colin

I'm with you on bringing the power stroke back into the game. And I think your multi-rail idea can be seamlessly integrated into the rotation games (i.e., position on the money ball needs to be 3 or more rails). If we're going multi-rail, I think it'd best flourish on a 10 footer where you have a lot of space to let your stroke out. And no heating the table, of course.

 

[(((Satori)))]

To see progression makes the effort worthwhile. It's a good sentiment. But at some stage, we will all realize our best is behind us. Perhaps some who are at that stage can share their thoughts?

This is a perishable skill

This is an interesting topic and I too look forward to seeing some answers.

I have lived life with the philosophy of making effort to be better each day than you were the last. But I know that the truth is pool is not the only perishable skill and that is scary to think about.

I have given this some thought. Here is my conclusion.

6 Steps to dealing with getting older and the effect it has on you.
or
How to reach your full potential​

1) Remain an optimist- Your true potential always rests somewhere beyond your limiting beliefs and every negative thought, such as "I cant do this", only holds you back from reaching your true potential. So quit replaying the negative thoughts in your mind that are only holding you back.

"You can't direct the wind but you can adjust the sail!"

2) Set your goals- Without goals you have no direction.

"The more you dream the further you get"

3) Get yourself a role model- Model yourself after them, learn from them. If you don't you will pick up bad habits from all of the wrong people.

"Ron Swanson is a man of dignity, honor, and courage... and that is the man I am going to be."

4) Be grateful- Be grateful for your opportunities. Be grateful for right now! Being grateful invites even better things to come into your life.

"What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it? Would you be likely to giver them another? Life is the same way. In order to attract more of the blessings that life has to offer you must truly appreciate what you already have."

5) Become a life long learner- You don’t have to be in school to learn new things. Commit to learning something new everyday. Have an open mind and become a sponge. Grow!

"All of the information you need to succeed already exists, the only problem is you are not exposing yourself to it."

And Finally
6) Embrace change- It’s impossible to reach your full potential if you’re not willing to change. Become dynamic, adaptive, evolving! Realize that change is good…change is exciting!

"One does not discover new lands without losing sight of the shore"

So there you have it. The six steps to reaching your full potential all summed up in one post.

 

[Ron Swanson]

I have given this some thought. Here is my conclusion.

6 Steps to dealing with getting older and the effect it has on you.
or
How to reach your full potential​

1) Remain an optimist- You true potential always rests somewhere outside of your limiting beliefs and every negative thought, such as "I cant do this", only holds you back from reaching your true potential. So quit replaying the negative thoughts in your mind that are only holding you back.

"You can't direct the wind but you can adjust the sail!"

2) Set your goals- Without goals you have no direction.

"The more you dream the further you get"

3) Get yourself a role model- Model yourself after them, learn from them. If you don't you will pick up bad habits from all of the wrong people.

"Ron Swanson is a man of dignity, honor, and courage... and that is the man I am going to be."

4) Be grateful- Be grateful for your opportunities. Be grateful for right now! Being grateful invites even better things to come into your life.

"What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it? Would you be likely to giver them another? Life is the same way. In order to attract more of the blessings that life has to offer you must truly appreciate what you already have."

5) Become a life long learner- You don’t have to be in school to learn new things. Commit to learning something new everyday. Have an open mind and become a sponge. Grow!

"All of the information you need to succeed already exists, the only problem is you are not exposing yourself to it."

And Finally
6) Embrace change- It’s impossible to reach your full potential if you’re not willing to change. Become dynamic, adaptive, evolving! Realize that change is good…change is exciting!

"One does not discover new lands without losing sight of the shore"

So there you have it. The six steps to reaching your full potential all summed up in one post.

How about a 7th, being ready?

https://youtu.be/1R7VVdtYFP4

 

[Ron Swanson]

Yeap, that would do the trick, but there's just not enough money in the sport to make it a sensible bet.

I felt my best was about 12 years before the IPT, when I had a good run of 2nd, 4th, 3rd and 5th in 200+ player big tournaments in 2 Shot pool. I probably averaged 6 hours per day practice for about a year preceding that, and played in competitions pretty regularly in the years leading up.

The IPT was an attempt at a come back, and I felt like I was just getting a grasp of the big ball game by the World Champs where I broke and ran 5 of 15 breaks. Unfortunately, that didn't get me through the first round, losing a close one to Jayson Shaw, where they actually upped the score from 4-5 to 5-6 due to, believe it or not, slow play... a couple of games had nasty clusters that neither of us wanted to touch. An 8-0 smashing by Karl Boyes finished me off.... would have been nice to have gotten a decent shot once :wink:

Well, back to the point, I felt I needed a couple of months at least, playing good players regularly in match type conditions to get into that 'give me a chance and I'll take it zone', rather than, 'I should win from here, but hope I don't fudge it.'

I'm hoping to play some streamed challenge matches, as way of inspiration to get myself back to my best, and hopefully beyond, using some of what I've learned over the last 10 years. It will likely be a multi-rail format, which suits my skill set.

Billiard players probably thought 3 cushion an odd experiment, but it's the only form of the carom games with a heart beat now. When games become too easy, they need to evolve I think. 8 and 9 ball are all but dead imho and big tables with tight pockets ain't gonna save them. 10 ball is on life support. Chuck 14.1 in the coffin too while we're at it. These games present far too many easy shots. Who would want to watch the world's best sprinters have jogging competitions, patiently awaiting the odd burst of speed?

Colin

Lol.


........

 

[(((Satori)))]

How about a 7th, being ready?

https://youtu.be/1R7VVdtYFP4

LOL, you are quick.

 

[Colin Colenso]

I'm with you on bringing the power stroke back into the game. And I think your multi-rail idea can be seamlessly integrated into the rotation games (i.e., position on the money ball needs to be 3 or more rails). If we're going multi-rail, I think it'd best flourish on a 10 footer where you have a lot of space to let your stroke out. And no heating the table, of course.

I thought that too, and have played various versions of multi-rail on US 9-footers and 12 foot snooker tables. Both are fun but the snooker table version is a killer if you can't pot something close to Judd Trump level. I get a great deal of satisfaction playing it on a UK 7 foot table, which is reasonably slow, compared to US tables. These tables also demand more extractions and banking, as power shots down rails are low percentage shots.

You should try some snooker hitting 1 rail minimum to continue, BIH to opponent once a break ends. On a not too slick table, some straightish shots almost require a run up and use of considerable side english is often required. It tends to take a player up and down the table a lot more, as getting from red to black off a rail doesn't present itself as a good option often unless one is a genius positional player when getting on the reds, or they're lucky.

 

[Colin Colenso]

How about a 7th, being ready?

https://youtu.be/1R7VVdtYFP4

And I thought that was your real name. LOL

 

[Colonel]

To really reach your potential in this game requires a level of dedication that many that play can't or won't commit to.

There has to be a period of YEARS where you don't do anything but breathe, eat & sleep pool. Even when reached it requires constant perseverance to maintain. I recall a conversation between my Pop and Vernon Elliot where it was stated that to play top level rotation pool you have to play everyday or you're only playing at 60%.

 

[ElCorazonFrio]

When I was 13, I bought a pool table. I loved the game. At the time I only had a goal of 'getting good' and having fun. I reached that potential, I had more fun on that barbox than I have had with anything else that money could buy (Well...turns out that money could buy my third girlfriend and I had a lot of fun with her).

When I was 22 I had learned how to play and was pretty great, I believed I had the potential, but not desire, to become pro. I did not reach that potential...and I'm okay with it.

I eventually took several years off of playing pool, but came back. When I came back it was because of an APA league where I saw many enthusiastic bad pool players. I believed I had the potential to teach them a lot of things. I met that potential and it was very rewarding.

Now I play good pool. In some ways better than I played at 22 when I was at my best in some ways. I play now for stress relief and to be with friends. That said, I have been winning every weekly I have entered for some time now. Oddly I don't really care about winning, I want to know that I played okay or better, I want to have fun and I want it to be an enjoyable experience for my opponents. I think I succeed on all fronts.

I know I didn't answer the question that was asked, but I'm kind of drunk for the first time after three years of sobriety and this question made me question: What is potential? Is it possible that while you define potential in pool as great play and success, I might define it as 'happiness'?

Because right now pool brings me happiness. It tames the dragon instead of feeding it.

 

[Poolmanis]

I am quite satisfied the level my play nowadays. Not full potential but okay for circumstances.

I come small town from northern Finland and started playing around 1990 and first years we had only crappy 8-footers at youths place with no decent cues even. Then there opened billiard bar and I started visit there and got little better and decent cues at least.
Nobody could play there back then. Only Finnish Kaisa players had some knowledge or skill but that was almost nonexistent.

I got really hooked and ordered books from U.S and billiard hall keeper ordered some pool magazines too. Also whenever I could see pool at Television or got any instructional videos i get em. Also I watched a ton of Snooker from Eurosport.
So basically I had to learn all by myself and that is hard if you are best player after 6 months or so.
I did do quite well and started competing but after 2000 my back got rheumatism and I had to quit around 2008.

I came back maybe 2012 or 2013 after I got my rheumatism better. It does not give me play as much i want.

Now i play just for fun and competing sometimes if I have time and money to invest. All competitions are just southern Finland and its expensive and time consuming to go always 500-600 km for competing. Even i did it 12 years.

I dunno, I think i would still own my old myself before quitting.
So I think if I wanted reach my full potential I should not get rheumatism and should move southern Finland for better opponents and more competing. But i did not want to.

 

[Colin Colenso]

When I was 13, I bought a pool table. I loved the game. At the time I only had a goal of 'getting good' and having fun. I reached that potential, I had more fun on that barbox than I have had with anything else that money could buy (Well...turns out that money could buy my third girlfriend and I had a lot of fun with her).

When I was 22 I had learned how to play and was pretty great, I believed I had the potential, but not desire, to become pro. I did not reach that potential...and I'm okay with it.

I eventually took several years off of playing pool, but came back. When I came back it was because of an APA league where I saw many enthusiastic bad pool players. I believed I had the potential to teach them a lot of things. I met that potential and it was very rewarding.

Now I play good pool. In some ways better than I played at 22 when I was at my best in some ways. I play now for stress relief and to be with friends. That said, I have been winning every weekly I have entered for some time now. Oddly I don't really care about winning, I want to know that I played okay or better, I want to have fun and I want it to be an enjoyable experience for my opponents. I think I succeed on all fronts.

I know I didn't answer the question that was asked, but I'm kind of drunk for the first time after three years of sobriety and this question made me question: What is potential? Is it possible that while you define potential in pool as great play and success, I might define it as 'happiness'?

Because right now pool brings me happiness. It tames the dragon instead of feeding it.

I'm glad you posted your experiences and insights... it's certainly part of what I hoped readers would share. And I like your thoughts on making the experience enjoyable for the opponent as well as yourself!

Colin

 

[Colin Colenso]

To really reach your potential in this game requires a level of dedication that many that play can't or won't commit to.

There has to be a period of YEARS where you don't do anything but breathe, eat & sleep pool. Even when reached it requires constant perseverance to maintain. I recall a conversation between my Pop and Vernon Elliot where it was stated that to play top level rotation pool you have to play everyday or you're only playing at 60%.

Well said! Pool perfection is not our purpose in life, just a pleasurable part of it. Few have the opportunity or inclination to pursue playing it as their career path, such that near 24/7 dedication to the sport is beneficial to meeting the demands of life.