The opponent?

Question

Do you believe that it's better to completely ignore your opponent as if they don't exist and only play the table, or to be aware of your opponent and use them as motivation? I tend to lean towards the latter because I believe it goes against human nature to ignore your opponent. I believe that your opponent most definitely does factor into your game. M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Good answers all. Some good points were made. I'd like to make a distinction between being "aware" of the opponent and letting them "get in your head". There's really a big difference. Worrying about them and making excuses based on them would be examples of the latter. Strategy based on your knowledge of the opponent would be the former. Like Matt says, leaving shots that you know your opponent has trouble with is good strategy. I agree that for 90+% of the time, it best to just play the table as it lies, but for those times when you can't run out, I really believe that your opponent should factor into your defensive strategy. I believe Lea made that point, which I agree with.

Answer 1

I think there can be a lot of benefit to playing to your opponent's weaknesses, especially if you're not playing top flight players all the time. If you know your opponent can't play kick shots, banks, long shots, or shots that require a lot of draw, you can make sure if you have to leave the table that you put them into those situations. Most of the time you can simply play your best game, but knowledge can be an effective weapon if used properly.

Answer 2

I think it's important to play the table when running out; I think the only time I might make decisions based on my opponent is safety play...For example, a certain kind of safety may work on someone who's going to kick at that particular ball but may not work on someone who's skilled at jumping. In that case, come up with something else.

I think it's fine and good to use your opponent as motivation, but I sometimes use an opponent as an excuse. For example, if my opponent dogs a nine-ball, and then I do the same, I might think to myself, "Well, I shouldn't have had that shot in the first place." Sounds terrible, huh? I really need to be positive. I'm not sure if I'll be able to, though ;)

--Lea

Answer 3

I watch my opponent. Number 1 I tend to concentrate on every shot, not just my shots but every single shot in the match. I believe this keeps my energy up and also closes off the entire world except for the match. The other reason is because most of my matches (that really count) are close, I'm known and blown no easy pickins. So any little thing I can pick on I will, Can't make tough cuts with inside? Guess where I D to! The final reason for being aware is selfish and vain. I feel I been there done that more than the next guy and when someone tries to shark me (never until) I just believe I can give it out a little better than they can.
Luck
K

Answer 4

Like my buddy Mike says , there is no opponent. You go to the table and play the best you can. If you start thinking about your opponents skill level then your thinking wrong , don't do it. Just do your best to keep him off the table or make sure he has to work hard if he does get there. Your not going to win every match you play , nobody does. But if you let somebody get into your head then you probably don't deserve to win anyway.

Answer 5

I am very aware of my opponent's skill but it is not on my mind when I play .I just get on my game to start with and stay there.In Houston local Talent is Jeremy Jones-Franco-"Hillbilly" Charlie Bryant -Bobby P.-So you get a pretty good work out it is never in your mind OH Well Ill get 5 more shots like Banging around the bar.Your last shot may be just that and you sit for 4 more racks

But during the match no I just shoot my "Game" and hope its good enough

Answer 6

If this was basketball....I would go up to you...slap you on the chest and tell you that you are mine and you are not going to score "caca" tonight....can't really do that in pool, although there are some guys that will do that.....I get in my little cubicle and just watch the table and lay out the run and watch and wait and try to be ready when it is my turn.....however, depending on the quality of the opponent, I will shoot out sometimes while with others always looking to "safe" if I can;t run out....so I guess a little of both is my answer!

Answer 7

You can look at your opponent, and see what he's got,
watch his game, but as far as it goes, I would shut him out, not meaning that I won't be friendly towards him before, and after the game!. When you're shooting good pool, you don't even hear anything, when You shoot!.
I know that when I would hear things, or the other player, I was not on!. You can't pay attention to anyone else.
It just means total concentration!