Matt_24
12-31-2008, 09:24 AM
Well, I had a good holiday season - and I know that is due to some of the knowledge I've acquired here on OnePocket.org.
I had a nice amount of time off from work over the Christmas break (two weeks) which gave me several days to get back in stroke and do a considerable amount of wagering. I played mostly one pocket and some 9 ball (my main game) and booked 100% winners. I think it would be rude to go into numbers, but I won enough to pay for all of my home Christmas Decor (tree, etc) and all of the presents I bought for my wife and daughter. What a nice little holiday bonus, eh?
I started off playing one pocket against a guy who I thought played even with me. Psychologically, when I'm going out with the intent to wager I like to have a nice chunk of money in my pocket. It gives me a lot more confidence - so I knew I would be gambling...and came prepared with a pocket full of confidence....not with the intent to "go off" - but simply to have on me as a psychological advantage (purely though...psyching myself up, I never flash money or do any of that BS which I see so often). I know guys who love to flash a $10,000 knot and then play cheap $50 sets (yes...truly). I won't "flash" anything...I just like having a nice amount on me --- I just post.
So, the guy asks me to play one pocket and I ask him what he wants to do. He says best two out of three in one pocket for a nice amount. Now, I've always played 9 ball, and 8 ball...but not a whole lot of one pocket although I like it, I've tried it, and really...mostly lost at it. I agree...and beat him the first two sets quickly and easily. He "shoots" as well as I do, but had zero patience or moving ability. I'm no great mover, nor the king of patience...but I had more than him and it instantly showed me what an advantage that alone is (thus I've learned something for next time when I play someone tougher). This guy reminded me of myself when I "first" started playing one pocket, ever. So, I offer him 8-7 to keep him playing and beat him three more sets easily, and he quit.
The next night he wants to play even 9 ball so we play races to 5. Again, he shoots real straight---but his knowledge isn't there yet...so I just play smart and beat him 5 sets in a row, and he quit...but pays up like a gentleman.
Another night during vacation I played a guy who I had played about a year ago. A year ago we played 4 games of one pocket and he beat me every game but I didn't know what I was doing. After that I asked him to play 9 ball for an amount equivalent to two of the games of one pocket we were wagering for. He asks for weight...which I didn't think he needed, but gave it to him. I played good and beat him easily at 9 ball. He then quit me winner..LOL. So, I see him and he asks to play one pocket again. I reminded him of that beating he gave me and asked for weight, but he acted as if he didn't remember. I heard later he loves to steal, more than gamble, but that is ok. Whatever. I finally told him he had action. It was his break, and the first game last an hour and a half. I was doing my best to use the theories I've learned on here...but I was struggling a bit. It kept going back and forth. He would be up 7-6....then I would be up 7-6...very tight...but he finally had me 7-6 but made a bad error and I got the last two balls. I then beat him the next three games in like 35 minutes, very easily. I figured out what his strengths and weaknesses were during that first game and kept him from using his strengths. He couldn't make long shots, but if he was in the top side of the table he could run out very easily. He could also bank much better than me...so I just tried to leave him NO shot, or long shots with him stuck on the bottom rail. So after those games it was over.
Lastly, one night two Filipino guys who I didn't know came in while I was practicing with a good friend who I sometimes back against other players or partner up with against other players. One is playing a pretty good player and the other is watching. The one not playing comes up to me and asks if I want to play his brother in 9 ball. I say "sure"...and he says, "Well, he is playing - but he'll play you when he's done." I act like I'm not paying attention. Then he says, "But I'll play you some cheap while we're waiting." I agree and he goes to get his cue. I tell my buddy, "This guy wants to test me out so he can tell his brother how I play and know how to match up." I then realize he is playing a better player than me "even"....although losing badly.
So, the guy comes over and we play a cheap race to 5 for $20. I just screw around beat him 5-3..but don't show anything. He then asks, "Do you want to play my brother for "X" (much larger amount)." I tell him that his brother is playing...and I'm not going to wait around forever. He then tells me that his brother is almost done.
I wait a little longer and they finish. His brother says to me, "Ok, you ready?". I tell him sure but I'll need the 7 and the breaks. He's playing so-and-so even, who would give me that weight, so I'll try the same thing with him. He is thinking about it, and talking in tagalog to his brother, but doesn't like it. We go back and forth but he can't argue with my reasoning for wanting that spot. Finally his brother pipes up...well why don't you and I play again, a race to 5 for X amount. I felt like a Christmas gift was just being given to me...but I'm cautious. One thing, I hate races to 5 because a weaker player has a better chance of beating me. Secondly...if I play and his brother watches I've just asked for the break...so I can't break hard and run out a lot, because I still want to play his brother who is supposedly the better player. I'm also thinking that guy was laying down for the $20 (I mean, why not)...and was going to open up on me. I tell him, "No..let's race to 9 and double your proposed amount...four more games for double the money." He agreed and we begin.
I soft break and don't make a ball...but leave him nothing. He couldn't get out and I start winning. I'm soft breaking, never showing any strength on the break...but sometimes making a ball...and just playing jam up safes or making nice run outs. The one opportunity I give the guy he wins...but that was the only one I give him and I beat him 9-1. Another thing that was funny is his brother kept talking to him in filipino..I'm sure coaching him, but I didn't say anything or complain. I thought it was funny. I played good....but he also played worse in this set. They quit, and I tell him he can come back and I'll play his brother with that 7 and the break - but they haven't been back.
Finally I played another guy who can't play a lick, but is a nice guy. I asked him how he wold play me and he started asking me how I would play different people and I told him.....so he asks for a tough game (I thought initially) the seven and the breaks. I give them too him and just torture him for three sets and he quits. I mean, I barely had to pay attention to the game....he just couldn't get there. I felt like I could have given him the wild 6 and out and the breaks and beat him...the way he was playing. But a nice guy, and was willing to step up and try - but I know he won't take that game again. I thought he was like a strong C player.....but for gambling he was a D...and I would say I'm a low, low B player (in the grand scheme of pool).
So, for a guy who rarely gambles--I just tried to match up well, but also played pretty good...and won a nice little chunk.
What did I learn from this that works for me?
A. I definitely like to have a nice knot in my pocket regardless of what I'm playing for because it gives me confidence. I don't know why....but I couldn't play if I felt I only had one or two bullets to shoot - you know? Fortunately I didn't lose at all "these" times....but it still made me confident.
B. Always control the games I'm going to play. I did step up and play that one guy one pocket who beat me last year, but I knew that I had learned some over this year........I was fairly in stroke due to being off for a few weeks....and I could always quit him before he got too far ahead. I knew if it started going like last time it was time to quit, and also that he was not going to give me any weight. Fortunately my game had far surpassed his over this last year, and I think a lot of that was due to some of the things I've read on this forum. I also gambled playing that filipino guy...but I was in good stroke, had plenty of money on me...and we played on a tough table which I was more familiar with than him - so I tried it and loved it.
C. Always be thinking....and never rushing. Don't shoot at flyers, think ahead (critically in one pocket), and when I leave the table have the cue ball frozen to the rail "somewhere" (man, that is such a nice advantage not letting them see anything but the top of the ball) or snuggled up behind another ball. Essentially, those same principles work great at 9 ball too.
D. Get the money.
So, like I said. I'm no big gambler and just a working military guy who likes to play and wager on a small-time/friendly level (but not necessarily dirt cheap)....but using some principles I've learned on here, I definitely think they attributed to my successful scores over these previous weeks - so thanks to everyone, and keep sharing knowledge.
Matt_24
I had a nice amount of time off from work over the Christmas break (two weeks) which gave me several days to get back in stroke and do a considerable amount of wagering. I played mostly one pocket and some 9 ball (my main game) and booked 100% winners. I think it would be rude to go into numbers, but I won enough to pay for all of my home Christmas Decor (tree, etc) and all of the presents I bought for my wife and daughter. What a nice little holiday bonus, eh?
I started off playing one pocket against a guy who I thought played even with me. Psychologically, when I'm going out with the intent to wager I like to have a nice chunk of money in my pocket. It gives me a lot more confidence - so I knew I would be gambling...and came prepared with a pocket full of confidence....not with the intent to "go off" - but simply to have on me as a psychological advantage (purely though...psyching myself up, I never flash money or do any of that BS which I see so often). I know guys who love to flash a $10,000 knot and then play cheap $50 sets (yes...truly). I won't "flash" anything...I just like having a nice amount on me --- I just post.
So, the guy asks me to play one pocket and I ask him what he wants to do. He says best two out of three in one pocket for a nice amount. Now, I've always played 9 ball, and 8 ball...but not a whole lot of one pocket although I like it, I've tried it, and really...mostly lost at it. I agree...and beat him the first two sets quickly and easily. He "shoots" as well as I do, but had zero patience or moving ability. I'm no great mover, nor the king of patience...but I had more than him and it instantly showed me what an advantage that alone is (thus I've learned something for next time when I play someone tougher). This guy reminded me of myself when I "first" started playing one pocket, ever. So, I offer him 8-7 to keep him playing and beat him three more sets easily, and he quit.
The next night he wants to play even 9 ball so we play races to 5. Again, he shoots real straight---but his knowledge isn't there yet...so I just play smart and beat him 5 sets in a row, and he quit...but pays up like a gentleman.
Another night during vacation I played a guy who I had played about a year ago. A year ago we played 4 games of one pocket and he beat me every game but I didn't know what I was doing. After that I asked him to play 9 ball for an amount equivalent to two of the games of one pocket we were wagering for. He asks for weight...which I didn't think he needed, but gave it to him. I played good and beat him easily at 9 ball. He then quit me winner..LOL. So, I see him and he asks to play one pocket again. I reminded him of that beating he gave me and asked for weight, but he acted as if he didn't remember. I heard later he loves to steal, more than gamble, but that is ok. Whatever. I finally told him he had action. It was his break, and the first game last an hour and a half. I was doing my best to use the theories I've learned on here...but I was struggling a bit. It kept going back and forth. He would be up 7-6....then I would be up 7-6...very tight...but he finally had me 7-6 but made a bad error and I got the last two balls. I then beat him the next three games in like 35 minutes, very easily. I figured out what his strengths and weaknesses were during that first game and kept him from using his strengths. He couldn't make long shots, but if he was in the top side of the table he could run out very easily. He could also bank much better than me...so I just tried to leave him NO shot, or long shots with him stuck on the bottom rail. So after those games it was over.
Lastly, one night two Filipino guys who I didn't know came in while I was practicing with a good friend who I sometimes back against other players or partner up with against other players. One is playing a pretty good player and the other is watching. The one not playing comes up to me and asks if I want to play his brother in 9 ball. I say "sure"...and he says, "Well, he is playing - but he'll play you when he's done." I act like I'm not paying attention. Then he says, "But I'll play you some cheap while we're waiting." I agree and he goes to get his cue. I tell my buddy, "This guy wants to test me out so he can tell his brother how I play and know how to match up." I then realize he is playing a better player than me "even"....although losing badly.
So, the guy comes over and we play a cheap race to 5 for $20. I just screw around beat him 5-3..but don't show anything. He then asks, "Do you want to play my brother for "X" (much larger amount)." I tell him that his brother is playing...and I'm not going to wait around forever. He then tells me that his brother is almost done.
I wait a little longer and they finish. His brother says to me, "Ok, you ready?". I tell him sure but I'll need the 7 and the breaks. He's playing so-and-so even, who would give me that weight, so I'll try the same thing with him. He is thinking about it, and talking in tagalog to his brother, but doesn't like it. We go back and forth but he can't argue with my reasoning for wanting that spot. Finally his brother pipes up...well why don't you and I play again, a race to 5 for X amount. I felt like a Christmas gift was just being given to me...but I'm cautious. One thing, I hate races to 5 because a weaker player has a better chance of beating me. Secondly...if I play and his brother watches I've just asked for the break...so I can't break hard and run out a lot, because I still want to play his brother who is supposedly the better player. I'm also thinking that guy was laying down for the $20 (I mean, why not)...and was going to open up on me. I tell him, "No..let's race to 9 and double your proposed amount...four more games for double the money." He agreed and we begin.
I soft break and don't make a ball...but leave him nothing. He couldn't get out and I start winning. I'm soft breaking, never showing any strength on the break...but sometimes making a ball...and just playing jam up safes or making nice run outs. The one opportunity I give the guy he wins...but that was the only one I give him and I beat him 9-1. Another thing that was funny is his brother kept talking to him in filipino..I'm sure coaching him, but I didn't say anything or complain. I thought it was funny. I played good....but he also played worse in this set. They quit, and I tell him he can come back and I'll play his brother with that 7 and the break - but they haven't been back.
Finally I played another guy who can't play a lick, but is a nice guy. I asked him how he wold play me and he started asking me how I would play different people and I told him.....so he asks for a tough game (I thought initially) the seven and the breaks. I give them too him and just torture him for three sets and he quits. I mean, I barely had to pay attention to the game....he just couldn't get there. I felt like I could have given him the wild 6 and out and the breaks and beat him...the way he was playing. But a nice guy, and was willing to step up and try - but I know he won't take that game again. I thought he was like a strong C player.....but for gambling he was a D...and I would say I'm a low, low B player (in the grand scheme of pool).
So, for a guy who rarely gambles--I just tried to match up well, but also played pretty good...and won a nice little chunk.
What did I learn from this that works for me?
A. I definitely like to have a nice knot in my pocket regardless of what I'm playing for because it gives me confidence. I don't know why....but I couldn't play if I felt I only had one or two bullets to shoot - you know? Fortunately I didn't lose at all "these" times....but it still made me confident.
B. Always control the games I'm going to play. I did step up and play that one guy one pocket who beat me last year, but I knew that I had learned some over this year........I was fairly in stroke due to being off for a few weeks....and I could always quit him before he got too far ahead. I knew if it started going like last time it was time to quit, and also that he was not going to give me any weight. Fortunately my game had far surpassed his over this last year, and I think a lot of that was due to some of the things I've read on this forum. I also gambled playing that filipino guy...but I was in good stroke, had plenty of money on me...and we played on a tough table which I was more familiar with than him - so I tried it and loved it.
C. Always be thinking....and never rushing. Don't shoot at flyers, think ahead (critically in one pocket), and when I leave the table have the cue ball frozen to the rail "somewhere" (man, that is such a nice advantage not letting them see anything but the top of the ball) or snuggled up behind another ball. Essentially, those same principles work great at 9 ball too.
D. Get the money.
So, like I said. I'm no big gambler and just a working military guy who likes to play and wager on a small-time/friendly level (but not necessarily dirt cheap)....but using some principles I've learned on here, I definitely think they attributed to my successful scores over these previous weeks - so thanks to everyone, and keep sharing knowledge.
Matt_24