Casual (fun) vs. serious play?

Question

Johnny said something that got me thinking. How many of you out there think that having "fun" and taking the game "seriously" are two opposing forces? How many of you believe that the game becomes more fun if you take it more seriously? I ask this because it seems that a lot of people think that pool excellence has to be a joyless pursuit. It also seems that there's a belief out there that so-called "better" players look down on those who don't take the game as seriously as they do. There have been a lot of questions lately about rules and like Johnny, I happen to be a purist. I like the idea of getting everybody on the same page, from the top down. This is why we take the rules (and the game) seriously. The more that the rules vary from place to place, the more it really becomes apples and oranges, in some cases almost a completely different game. For instance, if you don't get ball in hand after a foul, it completely negates safety play. M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 1

This question is right on the bulls eye on my present situation. I had recently joined the Loyal Order of Moose and was quickly approached to join their team after I had whooped a few of them mercilessly. I agreed and then found myself in with a bunch that’s Quote just having fun. I was informed of this after a couple weeks playing with these guys and they had no clue what team effort was all about. I approached them on an off day hoping I could open their eyes as to strategies that should be applied in order to take the win team wise, it was then they came right out and told me “we don’t take this so seriously, we just wanna get together, drink some beers and have fun. I was speechless, what do you say? Here I am a “blood and guts” competitor trying to compete within a group of guys that just don’t care if they win as long as the beers cold. I am adjusting and accepting it is what it is and doing the best with it but honestly my hearts not in it  now. It works out ok though because I just turn it to suit myself and now view the matches as practice for me, which is great I can try risky shots and quiet often make them if I don’t so what, their just having fun anyway. Meantime I get approached regularly by other teams with offers to join them if I ever decide to change so it is giving me a opportunity to see who has the competitive spirit throughout their team that is better matched with my own. To sum it up no I’m not having nearly as much fun as I would if I was in the mist of players such as myself the believes winning isn’t everything BUT LOSING SU*KS!

Answer 2

Pool is a fun game, regardless if ur winning or getting ur a** whomped on...it's all a learning experience..you either learn you're a d**n good player, you learn that it's funny when ppl get all aggrivated when they lose(that's fun), and you learn that it's fun to lose...now, if you're losing game after game after game, then yea, i can see how it seems un-fun..but it makes me learn more after a loss..i know what and what not to do...the ppl who get all offended, calling pool not fun, and saying you have to be serious to play good or be a good player have no business being on the table in the first place...Look at Bata..he's all smiles, laughing, cheery person..he don't act all serious like Earl, yet, he's still on top :)..if ur a good player, you gotta show ppl ur a good person, otherwise nobody'll wanna play you..sure, you gotta take the game seriously every time you play, but don't get all bent and be a "rooster" *you know the real term* about it..show that it's all about personality :)....DreO

Answer 3

I personally can have fun playing casually or seriously. Hanging out, having a few drinks with my friends, and knocking balls around can be fun. But I also love the competition of tournament play, and would be dissatisfied as a player if I never got to play with something on the line. My desire for competition also makes practicing alone and improving my game an enjoyable experience.

However, I know more than a few players who will never step to the table with nothing on the line. They crave the competition so badly, they would rather not play than play for nothing.

Are there players who look down on people who don't take the game seriously? Most definitely. But if you've ever taken another sports seriously, you probably know that this is not exclusive to pool. Scratch golfers make fun of duffers, 200 average bowlers make fun of the people who can't break 100, and don't even try to step on a community basketball court if you didn't play on your varsity high school team in some areas.

I have an issue with standard table, tournament or money players who thumb their nose at league players. There's really no reason to talk down to league players because they play on bar tables, or use their league's rules instead of BCA rules. If it helps this player to think 'bar table pool' is a different game than 'real' pool, then so be it, but I don't think it's right to degrade league players just because you think BCA rules on a 9' table is the only way to play.

As far as players that use 'bar rules,' I don't think you should look down on them, but I'd never play in a tournament or money game using them. I understand that a lot of people simply do not know the correct rules, and I do not fault them for that. If they ask for the ruling on something, I'll say that bar rules are dumb in general, but I won't force BCA rules down their throat if they do not ask how to play correctly. I do not think it's that hard to avoid bar rules if you don't want to use them though, and if you are the type of guy who can't play for 'fun,' then I don't know why you'd be putting your quarters on the table at a bar anyway.

Answer 4

Most people enjoy winning, be it at pool or anything else. I don't mind losing too much if my opponent plays lights out, but  if it is due to me playing poorly, I hate it. The only way I play well, and win for that matter, is if I play seriously.

Just banging balls around can be enjoyable once in a while as a stress reliever, however when it comes to actually playing, I think the more serious the game, the more fun it is.

If someone has no plan of ever being more than a recreational player, I have no problem with that. The only thing that bugs me about some people is if they say they want to improve, and they never take a serious approach to the game. I suppose its like anything else in life, you get out of it  what you put in.  

The people I enjoy playing the most, are serious enough to give every shot the respect it deserves, but also know how to have fun and joke around between innings or games.

Answer 5

I always enjoy pool, whether I'm winning or losing, playing great or having an off day. For me, there are so many sides of the game, so many factors that make it fun, and it doesn't necessarily have to do with the game itself. For example, I have a great time on league nights whether I play or not, because I love hanging out with other pool players and cheering on my team. When I do play league, I enjoy the pressure of the match, and if I lose, I hate it, but it's the losing I hate. I enjoyed the pool. If I win, I love it, because I love winning-- winning at pool and anything else.

When I'm having an off day, I never think the solution is to just give up and try the next day. I always look at each shot as a fresh start, and I try very hard to turn my off day around. Each shot for me is like a second chance to prove to myself that I always can play good pool. Being off may affect my mood, but still, I'm enjoying playing. I may not look like I'm having a good time, but pool for me is therapeutic (even if the cause of my problem is pool itself!).

In fact, I'm always the one that wants to play just one more game, or one more set. I'm never the person who says, "Let's make this last game." If I get knocked out of a tournament early, I want to stick around and practice. If I win, I'm not ready to go home. I want to practice more.

I think the people who think you can't have fun when you take the game seriously are losers at heart. It's a harsh term, but an accurate one. I've seen it in other sports besides pool; I've seen it in just about any other discipline that takes work and practice. When people are encouraged to work to improve themselves, they'll say, "No, I'm just trying to have fun," because if they admit that they want to get better, but then they work at it and it turns out they're the best they'll ever be, well, they've shown the world exactly what they are. But if they never try, they can always hold on to the idea that if they'd taken the game seriously, they'd be up there with the pros.

A note about the rules...I don't answer very often, but I browse the category about every day. There seems to be a lot of animosity on this site about bar rules and APA rules, and some people seem to think that APA rules are just as worthless and undefined as the majority of bar rules. The APA website has the rules, and every APA member gets a copy of the rule booklet in the mail (every two years, I think, when a new book is printed). As a serious league and tournament player, I find it offensive that people lump APA together with BRBS (as Johnny H puts it). Just wanted you guys to know.

Answer 6

I was hoping you would get more answers to this?

To me a "Fun player" in a "serious players " tourn is like a dune buggy in the Daytona 500 it is just out classed and no one will enjoy it

a"serious player in a"fun player" tourn is like a 30 yr old man arm wrestling a group of 4th graders it just spoils it for them ie..Well I guess we know the winner already  kind of thing

I dont think they mix very well-on their own they both enjoy it I guess A comaraderie of peers would be as good as anything to call it.

Now come on guys-& gals  how about some more answers  Later Johnny

Good question Straight

Answer 7

Good Morning,

For me, its all about respect. You need to respect the game and rules, the table and the Equipment. Don't put your drink or your butt on the rail....ever. Most of us got into the game in a party setting so.... have fun!!! Laugh, yell enjoy your self, but don't bump into someone when they are trying to shoot. Don't come to the table for any reason with a cig.

If your much better than the other player.....take the harder shoots, IE multiple banks, carem shots etc.

If you want to get better...Johnny Archer, one of the best ever , said in a interview, when asked how to make a million dollars a year playing pool, Practice Practice Practice. He plays about 8 hours a day, every day. Its a job for him.....10 million a year job. Check out instructional DVDs from the library, or buy some, I have not been able to find any free downloads ( if you do e-mail me )

Anyway, play and have fun....but remember....Respect the other players, the equipment, the rules, and the house.

Peace out

Answer 8

I relay love the game of pool all games 10 or 20 a game is real serious to me but I also love to play on the leagues and have friends over to the house just to play for fun to me it is relay relaxing just to go meet new people and just hit a few ball around  and relax but I also love to gamble some to it just depends on what a person want,s out of the game that why ask I all the some times dumb questions I relay love the game

Answer 9

I'm WAAAAAAY outclassed by you guysas a player but I'm gonna throw my two cents in anyway.  

I think the main thing is that everyone who's playing at the time is on the same page.  If you're playing "bar rules" and everybody knows the rules, all well and good.  On the other hand if you're playing for competition, then EVERYBODY should be playing at that level.

I enjoy playing a game against really good players because it brings out the best in me, and there are a few around who'll patiently give me a game.  What they get out of it is a chance to practice some off-the-wall shots they might not try in a "real" game.  But I understand they don't want to play against me all evening.  

I guess what I'm saying is that "fun" and "serious" are not the REAL dividing lines as much as skill levels.

Answer 10

It makes it more interesting when people it take it seriously what is the piont of playing when you dont care if you lose usually a small bet will make it a lot more interesting