One pocket woes...

[1pRoscoe]

I pride myself as being a great one pocket player. I have beat a lot of people in my area at this game, many being highly talented players. There are a handful as well that give me a serious run for my money. Point is, this is my game of choice. With that being said, here is my problem...

I played a guy last night that is a very good player as well. He asked if I wanted to play for anything, I said, "sure, how about $20 a game?" Deal accepted.

We played for about 3 hrs total. The first 4 games I beat him 8-1, 8-0, 8-3, 8-6. Of course, I was pretty mentally tired after this, as it was a pretty fierce game. On the next few games, I got REALLY sloppy. Not intentionally, but I just seemed to have a problem missing safes, simple banks, etc. I wouldn't say I completely sold out on every shot, but I left him more than I should have. The next 3 games he beat me 8-6, 8-7, 8-7. The last two, we were down to one ball.

How can you increase your stamina (mentally) for this game? It seems that once I get some great competition, I shoot PERFECT the first 5-6 games, then it all goes downhill. This never used to happen to me up until about a year ago. I have played 9 ball for 14 hours straight and no worries, but when it comes to the "chess game" it kills me after a few hours, only when playing very talented people.

Any advice?

[Lunchmoney]

I have exactly the same problem, against weaker players I start out sloppy and get stronger as the games go on, against talented players I start out just like yourself, winning several games in a row and then falling apart after a few hours. Myself, I think that I am subconciously (sp) letting up, thinking that I can beat the guy no problem. I think that I get stronger against the weaker players because I know that I am supposed to beat them and start playing smarter. If you can get some good advice on how to avoid that mental let up I sure would like to hear it. I've tried slowing my game down and really concentrating but it only seems to last for a few turns at the table. I've tried taking breaks but that didn't help much either. It has been a source of frustration for some time now. You are not alone with your woes.

Lunchmoney

[yobagua]

I think this is the real difference between a pro and an amateur. The pro doesnt let up. He plays against himself not only his opponent. A big percentage of the shots we all know. Extraordinary shots come once in a while. Its the consistency and focus. Keeping it simple but disciplined. Not getting sloppy. Parica once told me he would take 5 or 6 intentional fouls rather than shoot some crazy shot.
Also a correct analysis of ones game I think is lacking in one pocket especially. The game is so deep and has many facets. We might excel in one area but dont in others. And because of that the mental factor works its way in. Many people because they have run 8 and out a couple of times think they are "great" one pocket players. But the defense might be weak or your long banks, getting out of the break, strategy, etc. Get a correct analysis. Good players might be finding out your weaknesses in the first couple of games that you win and exploit them in the latter games.
These are the things that I try to tell myself but somehow I never listen.

[Lunchmoney]

I think this is the real difference between a pro and an amateur. The pro doesnt let up. He plays against himself not only his opponent. A big percentage of the shots we all know. Extraordinary shots come once in a while. Its the consistency and focus. Keeping it simple but disciplined. Not getting sloppy. Parica once told me he would take 5 or 6 intentional fouls rather than shoot some crazy shot.
Also a correct analysis of ones game I think is lacking in one pocket especially. The game is so deep and has many facets. We might excel in one area but dont in others. And because of that the mental factor works its way in. Many people because they have run 8 and out a couple of times think they are "great" one pocket players. But the defense might be weak or your long banks, getting out of the break, strategy, etc. Get a correct analysis. Good players might be finding out your weaknesses in the first couple of games that you win and exploit them in the latter games.
These are the things that I try to tell myself but somehow I never listen.

Your 2 cents goes a long way, Well said. I never listen either by the way.

Lunchmoney

[jrhendy]

I feel like I'm reading someone describing my own game when I read these posts. I've played on the West Coast for 45+ years, and I have played better at the end against weaker players I was giving weight to, & lost $$ and tournaments to good players when I had them on the ropes & then got a little weak and couldn't put them away. The weaker players don't get fired up like the good ones do when you stumble & let them back in. I don't play much anymore, but when I did I usually matched up pretty tough. I always worked and was there to play, not wait around for the nuts. Of course everyone knew this and they usually outwaited me & got themselves a good game. My rationalization was I was always in action instead of sitting on the bench. I could have made more $$ being patient, but playing & being in action was more important. I played one of the young guns in Sacramento a couple weeks ago for $50 a game. He gave me 9 to 7 & the break & pulled up after I won the 1st two games. He had a chance to win in both of them, so I couldn't change the game, but he didn't let me play long enough to start getting weak. He was probably short $$ because we matched up a few times a few years back when I was playing more and he was good action. Action is tough in CA & one of the reasons I only play in a few tournaments. You can't win the $$ back if you lose it. I tell people I have turned into the kind of guy I used to go looking for - have a little $$, will bet a little & think I can still play. It's bad enough to take a little the worst of it, but your giving them odds on the $$ too. Just rambling on a little, but if I ever do figure out what makes us get weak I think I'll keep it to myself.

[hemicudas]

I feel like I'm reading someone describing my own game when I read these posts. I've played on the West Coast for 45+ years, and I have played better at the end against weaker players I was giving weight to, & lost $$ and tournaments to good players when I had them on the ropes & then got a little weak and couldn't put them away. The weaker players don't get fired up like the good ones do when you stumble & let them back in. I don't play much anymore, but when I did I usually matched up pretty tough. I always worked and was there to play, not wait around for the nuts. Of course everyone knew this and they usually outwaited me & got themselves a good game. My rationalization was I was always in action instead of sitting on the bench. I could have made more $$ being patient, but playing & being in action was more important. I played one of the young guns in Sacramento a couple weeks ago for $50 a game. He gave me 9 to 7 & the break & pulled up after I won the 1st two games. He had a chance to win in both of them, so I couldn't change the game, but he didn't let me play long enough to start getting weak. He was probably short $$ because we matched up a few times a few years back when I was playing more and he was good action. Action is tough in CA & one of the reasons I only play in a few tournaments. You can't win the $$ back if you lose it. I tell people I have turned into the kind of guy I used to go looking for - have a little $$, will bet a little & think I can still play. It's bad enough to take a little the worst of it, but your giving them odds on the $$ too. Just rambling on a little, but if I ever do figure out what makes us get weak I think I'll keep it to myself.
I think I might know the young gun of which you speak, John. Keep it to yourself? Hell no, Write a book. I would be first in line to buy it. I have allways been a slow starter but I use to be able to snap out of it and eventually get in stroke. Now? Fagetaboutit. I can't play long enough to get in stroke. That's why I mostly watch these days. Funny how many shots I see that the shooter passes on that I know would be a better choice. I'm talking about some players that play much better than I did but just don't have the ability to see a safe shot that will also lag a ball to your hole. Another pet pieve of mine is a good player that won't even look for a dead ball. Efren may shoot straighter than Ronnie but no one on the planet ever saw as many dead balls in the stack as Ronnie Allen. Amazing ability.

[vagabond]

Howdy,
There are many factors involved in the problem u described
Some but not all are:
(1) Advancing Age
(2)Health problems -arthritis,digestive tract problems,Vitamin deficiencies,side effects from the prescribed medications
(3) Girl friend problems-expecting u to come home soon.This will play lot of tricks on mind
(4)Feelings attached to the mony

Good Luck
Vagabond
PS: I can play hours and my game does not go down.LOL

[One Pocket Ghost]

I've been in the pool halls for a lot of years playing one pocket at a pretty strong speed and here is how I see it...Regarding the physical side of the game, at some point (a different length of time for different players), after many hours of play, if you're human, you're going to get fatigued and you're game will go down - that's just physical reality.....But as for mental focus, it's about wanting it more, or it's about $$$....An experienced, strong one pocket player plays at a very high level, where he understands and mentally calculates every possible option available to him every inning that he is at the table, and then he has to carefully and with great skill execute his choice perfectly, all of this requires total focus and concentration that can never stop/let up for a second - after playing for many hours against a strong opponent this can be extremely exhausting....That said, in my opinion there are two ways to achieve keeping this kind of focus and concentration....The first way is by having the kind of personality that has ultimate killer instinct, ultimate will to win, usually a huge ego, and can not accept losing - many champions in many sports have this - here's an example of what I mean : there's a guy in my pool room who totally has this - if he's ahead of you 7 games after five hours, and he's got you 7 balls to 1 ball in the current game, he'll concentrate totally on a 3 inch non-important safety like it was a hill-hill shot in a tournament final game - this guy is brutal --- The second way to keep your focus and concentration is to bet high enough to make winning the games very important to you from a financial standpoint - this amount will vary from person to person.....And as for me - Unfortunately, I don't have enough killer instinct, so to keep myself totally focused, I'll just have to keep on betting more $$$ than I can afford to bet ^_^

[SactownTom]

I played one of the young guns in Sacramento a couple weeks ago for $50 a game. He gave me 9 to 7 & the break & pulled up after I won the 1st two games. He had a chance to win in both of them, so I couldn't change the game, but he didn't let me play long enough to start getting weak.

JR,

I wish I could say it take a lot of mental strength to play one-pocket, but there are too many expamples of players that just know how to 'get out' from tons of experiences (matching up or tournaments) at the table.

I see these young guns (not sure I like this description), that play 1pkt like it was a 9 ball game, and don't show much more 'mental strength' of a rail banger. They just pocket the ball or play safe. But, at the same time, I have to admit, their 'cue ball' control is 'pin-point' accurate.

I watch Billy Palmer play and I see an entirely different game of 1pkt than those 'young guns' play. Billy has all the same level of talent as those 'young guns' but also has wisdom beyond description at the table. He also is capable of bunting balls for 'weeks'.

Me, I have to be able to have time and feel ready to play a full "session" when I commit to matching up. A couple of game in an hour or two is more like a practice session than any real matching up.