Winning made me worse!

mvp

mvp

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I recently won a bigger tournament in my area, I played well and it was a well deserved win against a fairly strong field. I would say in my mind going in I was not the favorite by far and surely an underdog. But after that win I had a new found confidence and the next tournament (same venue) I got blown out, then the next one last week I had opportunities but failed to capitalize on them and finished in the middle. My game is ok, (before/after) but my mental confidence has taken a beating!! My first beat down I can say I was cocky and took it for granted, the other one I was 2nd guessing my choices and had the dreaded "I'm gonna miss" thoughts! I put so much pressure on myself to win I couldn't play, I guess it's back to being a underdog !!!
 
mvp said:
I recently won a bigger tournament in my area, I played well and it was a well deserved win against a fairly strong field. I would say in my mind going in I was not the favorite by far and surely an underdog. But after that win I had a new found confidence and the next tournament (same venue) I got blown out, then the next one last week I had opportunities but failed to capitalize on them and finished in the middle. My game is ok, (before/after) but my mental confidence has taken a beating!! My first beat down I can say I was cocky and took it for granted, the other one I was 2nd guessing my choices and had the dreaded "I'm gonna miss" thoughts! I put so much pressure on myself to win I couldn't play, I guess it's back to being a underdog !!!
Click to expand...


Yes, but you had that moment the first tournament :-)

Enjoy.

Lou Figueroa
 
I think the more you do it - the more commonplace it will become. Hopefully then you won't have the valleys (but also hope you can keep the peaks) To paraphrase one of our esteemed members here "It's just some balls and a stick man"
 
Deep down inside your subconscious mind, you did not feel you really deserved to win.
You were used to being back in the pack somewhere...a place where, in your subconscious mind, you were comfortable
Being a winner like that took you out of your comfort zone.
Therefore, your subconscious mind returned you right back to the place where you've always been.
This isn't any superstitious mystic nonsense. It's called being afraid of success.
Becoming a winner is brutally tough....STAYING a winner is even tougher. All top competitors in any endeavor (not just athletes or pool shooters) will say that.
'Bert Gordon's' lectures about that stuff to 'Fast Eddie' in that old movie are true.
We all have to deal with it.
Extensive training , subliminal programming, and meditation helps.
Best to you.
 
Last edited:
Not so, for me.

I feel like I only want to play in the final few rounds.

I see the early rounds leading to hours of waiting for minutes of playing. I sit there and conclude I would pay to not play...but then I have already paid to play.

Low500 said:
Deep down inside your subconscious mind, you did not feel you really deserved to win.
You were used to being back in the pack somewhere...a place where, in your subconscious mind, you were comfortable
Being a winner like that took you out of your comfort zone.
Therefore, your subconscious mind returned you right back to the place where you've always been.
This isn't any superstitious mystic nonsense. It's called being afraid of success.
Becoming a winner is brutally tough....STAYING a winner is even tougher. All top competitors in any endeavor (not just athletes or pool shooters) will say that.
'Bert Gordon's' lectures about that stuff to 'Fast Eddie' in that old movie are true.
We all have to deal with it.
Extensive training , subliminal programming, and meditation helps.
Best to you.
Click to expand...
 
mvp said:
I recently won a bigger tournament in my area, I played well and it was a well deserved win against a fairly strong field. I would say in my mind going in I was not the favorite by far and surely an underdog. But after that win I had a new found confidence and the next tournament (same venue) I got blown out, then the next one last week I had opportunities but failed to capitalize on them and finished in the middle. My game is ok, (before/after) but my mental confidence has taken a beating!! My first beat down I can say I was cocky and took it for granted, the other one I was 2nd guessing my choices and had the dreaded "I'm gonna miss" thoughts! I put so much pressure on myself to win I couldn't play, I guess it's back to being a underdog !!!
Click to expand...

Best way to play is to be supersized when the game is over. Best times I played is when I sunk the game winning ball and thought I had more to shoot, just focusing on playing smooth with good position and you win before you know it.

I played someone this week that missed most of his 8 balls in a 9 ball tournament. 100% nerves or thinking "hey, I'm about to win this game". He would run 3-4-5 balls, then get to the 8 and miss it by an inch.
 
mvp said:
I recently won a bigger tournament in my area, I played well and it was a well deserved win against a fairly strong field. I would say in my mind going in I was not the favorite by far and surely an underdog. But after that win I had a new found confidence and the next tournament (same venue) I got blown out, then the next one last week I had opportunities but failed to capitalize on them and finished in the middle. My game is ok, (before/after) but my mental confidence has taken a beating!! My first beat down I can say I was cocky and took it for granted, the other one I was 2nd guessing my choices and had the dreaded "I'm gonna miss" thoughts! I put so much pressure on myself to win I couldn't play, I guess it's back to being a underdog !!!
Click to expand...

<whisper> Remember.... thou art mortal.

Lesh
 
mvp said:
I recently won a bigger tournament in my area, I played well and it was a well deserved win against a fairly strong field. I would say in my mind going in I was not the favorite by far and surely an underdog. But after that win I had a new found confidence and the next tournament (same venue) I got blown out, then the next one last week I had opportunities but failed to capitalize on them and finished in the middle. My game is ok, (before/after) but my mental confidence has taken a beating!! My first beat down I can say I was cocky and took it for granted, the other one I was 2nd guessing my choices and had the dreaded "I'm gonna miss" thoughts! I put so much pressure on myself to win I couldn't play, I guess it's back to being a underdog !!!
Click to expand...
When you won you were just playing. Now that you have won you're dwelling on the outcome(another win). TOTALLY different thought processes: outcome/goal vs. process thinking. Just play brotha' and let it happen.
 
I'm kind of in a unique situation in regard to this thread. Due to weekend job and only so much vacation plus family ( whom I want to use majority of vac to do something with them) I end up playing maybe one or two tournaments every year or two. If I have a bad showing there is no " I'll get them next time " as next time may be in another year. Feel immense pressure to do well the one chance I get. Tough to fade.
 
Low500 said:
Deep down inside your subconscious mind, you did not feel you really deserved to win.
You were used to being back in the pack somewhere...a place where, in your subconscious mind, you were comfortable
Being a winner like that took you out of your comfort zone.
Therefore, your subconscious mind returned you right back to the place where you've always been.
This isn't any superstitious mystic nonsense. It's called being afraid of success.
Becoming a winner is brutally tough....STAYING a winner is even tougher. All top competitors in any endeavor (not just athletes or pool shooters) will say that.
'Bert Gordon's' lectures about that stuff to 'Fast Eddie' in that old movie are true.
We all have to deal with it.
Extensive training , subliminal programming, and meditation helps.
Best to you.
Click to expand...

As I've heard it said: You can't outperform your self image.


Jeff Livingston
 
Black-Balled said:
To me. I was #1 in a kind of big tournament... sucked every event there after, to date.
Click to expand...

garczar said:
When you won you were just playing. Now that you have won you're dwelling on the outcome(another win). TOTALLY different thought processes: outcome/goal vs. process thinking. Just play brotha' and let it happen.
Click to expand...

For the OP also.
Some players think a big win begets others...and lose their humility...
...maybe don't try as hard.
Well, the game has no memory...you gotta give it every thing you got all the time.

I've had friends in this spot...got good...think they can coast...I tell 'em...
"Phelps may be the best swimmer, but if he stops strokin', he's gonna drown....
...just like the rest of us."
 
mvp said:
I recently won a bigger tournament in my area, I played well and it was a well deserved win against a fairly strong field.
Click to expand...

Just wanted to stop and take a moment to acknowledge your first sentence. Great job and congratulations!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: mvp
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top