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I Owned the Whole Bar Tonight

7/16/2009 10:30:14 PM

I Owned the Whole Bar Tonight

So I played maybe, 15 games against the local bar folks tonite, first time I ever done this. Got lucky most were playing ball in hand / apa / bca. No call shot bs or anything. I took em all out. 1 got me later, when i was pretty lit up. But it was just nice to see there are good games to be had out there. By the end of the night most people wanted nothing to do with me. So I just played 9 ball by mydamnself and overheard some nice praises lol. Such as ( Don't play the guy with glove, he's really good) This almost felt better than winning in League. I used to think bar pool sucked, but I might have a different opinion now, I'll test the waters tomorrow night too, I guess. Maybe throw down a few bucks.

I Owned the Whole Bar Tonight

Replies & Comments
  1. JustanotherevolutionaryJustanotherevolutionary on 7/17/2009 12:57:59 PM

    Also wanted to add...and pretty much the whole point of this which I forgot to mention, is that how much being part of the league has noticabally helped my game develop. If anyone is toying with the idea of joining a league, I would definately recommend it now more than ever.

  2. Justanotherevolutionarybilliardsforum on 7/19/2009 7:20:43 AM

    Nice, love hearing stories like this. Do you think your improvement is due to you playing with people better than you? I find that's the single greatest thing that helps someone improve (as I've mentioned a zillion times before :) ).

  3. JustanotherevolutionaryJustanotherevolutionary on 7/20/2009 8:15:37 AM

    Oh yea, without a doubt. Because when I go up against these lesser opponents and see them take a few shots, typically I am not impressed. Confidence goes up, and a little attitude that says "OK bud, now I'm gonna show ya how to play some pool" kicks in. All in good fun of course, I don't get rude about it, just more determined to not lose. On league it can be very different when you step up against someone who is making shots all over the place and knows the game. Confidence can go down and nervousness sets in which typically leads to a loss for me.

    Playing a better player might be frustrating, but if I can just remind myself that I'm gaining priceless experience, it calms me down and puts more fight in me. Even if it results in a loss, I know it was good for me. If I can pull out a win, it can be a great boost of self esteem.

  4. JustanotherevolutionaryNursey1313 on 7/21/2009 2:04:50 AM

    Hey Mr. J. That's great. My record lately is around 11 games in a row in my local bar. Most of the players also play APA, so its great pratice for league. I get that too though, mostly with peeps I don't know, not wanting to play anymore cuz they can't beat me. LOL Its cool on one hand, but sucks kinda on the other. Keep up the good shots! What is your handicap by the way? Mine is a 4. Take care :)

  5. JustanotherevolutionaryJustanotherevolutionary on 7/21/2009 2:46:25 PM

    I'm a steady 5 in 8ball, just went back down to a 3 in 9ball. Which I hate cuz I prefer 9ball, but I'm better at 8ball. All I ever practice is 9ball strategy too.

    There is something about 9 ball that is just killing me and I can't figure it out. My shot making isn't bad, my position is as good as any, I can get out of trouble pretty well, too. It seems though, when I do miss, I set up my opponent large almost everytime, and when they miss, I'm (seriously) usually trapped with nothing but a kick shot, I $h!t you not like 75% of the time I am left with nothing, and they don't do it intentionally. Or this is what they tell me anyways. I don't disagree either, they are just trying to make a shot, not play a safety. It just happens for no apparent reason. I'm about to start crying now, so I'll shut up. =)

  6. JustanotherevolutionaryJustanotherevolutionary on 7/23/2009 7:25:46 PM

    You brought up the subject of playing against better opponents. Well I had a thought tonight after playing my cousin, the one who got me interested in pool and taught me many things. If you play against a better player, who you deeply respect, it's even better. We played some amazing pool tonight. 4 hours of straight playing, must have been about 30-45 games of 8 and 9. We shot equally well. Every shot was great. Testing each other to the max with safeties and shot making. And the best part is there was no frustration involved at any point because of a mutual respect for one another. If you find a mentor or highly skilled friend you enjoy to play with, stick with them and enjoy every second, this is truly great experience.

    I also just wanted to add. PRE SHOT ROUTINE. Absolutely crucial.

  7. Justanotherevolutionaryquickshot on 7/24/2009 7:55:05 AM

    8 ball and 9 ball. After reading your post about 9 ball and reading between the pros and cons lines it would appear to me that your opponents are playing much better defense. In my opinion 9 ball is all about defense. Maybe you should reevaluate your defensive play pattern. I watched Jeanette Lee playing once and I think there were more defensive shots made between them than pocket shots.

    If your opponents are aware that your defense is on the weak side they will exploit it in a heartbeat.

  8. JustanotherevolutionaryJustanotherevolutionary on 7/26/2009 9:23:00 AM

    Well the thing is quickshot, they don't play "safeties." They play offensive, and just miss and I end up snookered. Bad "luck?" I hate that word. But I'm getting mighty irritated lol. As for my defense, it is good, I just rarely use it. Sportsmanship thing I guess. Of course I know I have every right, and probably a bit of an obligation to my team, to use any legal means necessary to win. I have been going too offensive lately, too many pocket shots that are too difficult or unnecessary, that is a correct diagnosis. I will get a little more technical tonight and try to get to my opponent's nervous system with some good defense. See how it goes. I used to play a lot of defense, hopefully I'll still have the decision making I used to. And maybe lady "luck" will be on my side tonight.

  9. JustanotherevolutionaryFenwick on 7/26/2009 11:13:57 AM

    There is nothing IMHO unsportsmanlike about playing a safe. The people you're playing sound like their playing what we call a two way shot. I smart player again IMHO weighs the percentage of making a shot and shoots accordingly. If I'm on the 2 ball and it's a low percentage shot I'll play shapes on the three ball and hit the 2 so it can't be made from where the cue ball lays for the 2. Two ways; you're hooked if I miss and I have a shot if I pocket the ball.

  10. Justanotherevolutionaryquickshot on 7/26/2009 2:05:04 PM

    Defense is what wins games. Ask any pro. If your opponents does not play defense it's because they never took the time to learn how. As such, you should be able to beat them every time. Forget sportsmanship. That's ffor little league.not bar room pool.

  11. JustanotherevolutionaryFenwick on 7/26/2009 6:33:03 PM

    I must have been tired when I wrote my last post. Fishing weird hours on the Great Lakes this summer. We launch at 11:00 pm tonight and we will fish till 7 am tomorrow morning. I've been up since 4:30 am. "I smart player again IMHO weighs the percentage of making a shot and shoots accordingly." Should have read A smart player. I'll proof read better before I post again.

    Fenwick on Anne's Regret

  12. JustanotherevolutionaryJustanotherevolutionary on 7/26/2009 9:58:47 PM

    I just don't know anymore, I did it all tonight but make shots. I missed BIHs for God's sake. My pool game is actually getting worse now. I give up. Not the game. Just trying to figure it out, I give up on. I had plenty of good shots, no excuses. I've been practicing more and getting worse I think. .....

  13. JustanotherevolutionaryFenwick on 7/27/2009 8:30:32 AM

    Get help. There has to be a pool hall with a good instructor near you. All you need is a hour and not more then two things per lesson to work on. I'm extremely lucky. I have 3 good practice partners and 4 good instructors I can go to. It's amazing how far one tip can change your game. If I get a lesson on league night I forget about it until I can spend a few days working on it before it becomes ingrained. I'm guilty of not practicing for hours on end like I should. I do that during a friendly game or games. I play / practice somewhere around 30 to 40 hours a week More in the winter. It never gets old but it does get frustrating sometimes.

  14. Justanotherevolutionaryquickshot on 7/27/2009 8:34:44 AM

    Time to take break for a while. Like any athlete, you need a rest. Sounds like you are trying too hard and in haste making many mistakes. It's called over-confident which in turn effects your focus. Trying too hard to win is a sure formula for losing.

    You mentioned earlier you owned the whole bar......I think your first mortgage payment is due.

  15. JustanotherevolutionaryJustanotherevolutionary on 7/27/2009 12:49:18 PM

    lol quickshot. Apparently it's past due. And it really has gone back to that AGAIN. Over confident and not having fun. So that's why I'm saying I'm not going to care anymore, take it for what it is, accept that I'm no better than anyone else, and just have fun with it. Plus we only have 4 teams this session in our district which means we all go to playoffs, I guess it's better that I'm working out the kinks now rather than later. Hopefully I can come around again in a couple weeks for the playoffs.

    I agree 50/50 there Fenwick. I am this close...umm like { } that close, to getting some lessons. But I'm stubborn. I self tought myself in golf (aside from a whole bunch of golf channel) and it's going great. Was really hoping billiards would be the same and I'm sure it will pick up again. But swallowing my pride to take some lessons is always an option I'm open to. I'll give it til the end of this year, if I haven't improved to my expectations (I don't even know what those are anymore) I'll have to break down and get some hands on advice. I also partly attribute it to not watching billiards on ESPN anymore, I know that made me a better player. Watching the decision making and technique of the best in the world can't have negative effects.

    Oh well.

  16. JustanotherevolutionaryJustanotherevolutionary on 8/4/2009 6:53:43 PM

    I decided to take a week off league. And work has slowed again so I'm home this week. I've been watching billiards every morning and sure enough my play is picking up now. Good call Quickshot, I think I was seriously burnt out. I actually had a 9 ball break and run today. First one in months. Thanks a lot Quickshot, you diagnosed it perfectly. I have so much more patience and control now it's like I'm a whole new player, or at least that old player who actually enjoyed the game. Really appreciate it.

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I Owned the Whole Bar Tonight