Luck

[Snookclops]

Howdy

On the subject of flukes and luck....

I have worked hard to refine my mental approach to the game. I use deep breathing and always try to keep my focus on my own game.

That sinking feeling when things run against you is the enemy and I have beaten myself as opposed to being beaten many times. I have this in check much better today.

One thing I cannot understand: one opponent has, consistently, over a long period, had vastly more luck and breaks in our matches. He acknowledges this to a fair extent and uses it a little to put me off in matches....chuckling when yet another fluke comes off.

This generally is missing pots and getting rebounds. Tonight he had a red double off the middle pocket, followed by a missed blue going to baulk and flicking in off green. That break then went to 20 pretty quickly.

Then, next break a good long red, straight black then a missed pot smashing reds, one goes over the pocket another goes in..black free, easy extra 16 points I could have scored with my eyes shut.

Over and over this happens, every 2 frames roughly 3 flukes. Also, he seems to get the run of freak snookers but I do get these too....

My only explaination is I use less cue power - he likes playing round the angles and hits the ball unnecessarily hard. Perhaps I need to do so too.

Anyone have this with certain players? It's demoralising - I can take luck and deal with it but it's factually and statistically true - he flukes rebounding pots in far greater numbers - last 5 frames he has had 8 of these and I've had 0.

[itsnoteasy]

Play the game correctly, you will get better ,he will always be at the standard he is now.

[Shockerz]

Play the game correctly, you will get better ,he will always be at the standard he is now.

Have to agree that you should try and play the game the way it should be played and with effort you will get better.

My practice partner is top of the league stats and I was second last year. He consistently hits the ball with a lot of power and move the ball with lots of action. As he hits it harder he gets more flukes and many times he will clear up the remaining balls and win the frame (only once yesterday but on average he will win the frame from a fluke on 2 to 3 frames on our first to 6.

I'm certainly mentally stronger as I've dealt with it in my mind and accept I need to concentrate on what I can do.

There is another guy in our club that is a good player and is renowned for for consistently winning on flukes and has done for the last 30 years; just gotta concentrate on your own game.

Personally I wouldn't hit the ball harder in the search for flukes as overall it's not in most peoples timing.

[throtts]

I just tend to focus more on my opportunities, then they can fluke all they want.

[jono*]

Neither player has any control over a fluke so you need to let it go and focus on your opportunities when they come

[markz]

Flukes are part of the game, I can't understand players that moan about flukes or bad run. Nothing either player can do about it so just focus on your next shot. Game is hard enough without worrying about things you can't control.

[Snookclops]

But....it's not faaaaaiiiiir!

[markz]

But....it's not faaaaaiiiiir!

Try stamping your feet and throwing a tantrum. Won't help but might make you feel better lol

[itsnoteasy]

Try stamping your feet and throwing a tantrum. Won't help but might make you feel better lol

Trouble is, it will make your opponent feel even better lol.

[barrywhite]

Are practicing with Judd Trump? lol

I got a mate like that, a fluke every frame. He even flukes em off back breaks which I utterly dislike.

[Phil C]

I posted a thread about this a while ago.

It totally wrecks my head. I play a lad regularly, he's a stun shot player. So power shots mostly everywhere. Insane flukes which you couldn't recreate if you tried 100 times over.

I'm learning to deal with it, but he's the type of player that doesn't need luck. He knocks in regular 40s at least so one fluke can practically put one of his hands on the frame. Two flukes it's his lol

I feel like I earn my breaks as I plan them carefully and I'm a soft stun/screw player. So practically no chance for me to fluke (usually)

[Ramon]

it's frustrating , agree with that part .
But You do lose the match cuz you do'nt play well . NOT cuz of fluks.

[Phil C]

it's frustrating , agree with that part .
But You do lose the match cuz you do'nt play well . NOT cuz of fluks.

I agree but not totally, sometimes we play really well and still lose!

[Shockerz]

Flukes are part of the game, I can't understand players that moan about flukes or bad run. Nothing either player can do about it so just focus on your next shot. Game is hard enough without worrying about things you can't control.

I get where you're coming from buddy and I am a very positive guy generally but although neither player can do anything about it, it certainly makes a difference if it's regular.

Played a pretty decent player in a match a few weeks ago and lost on the pink in the 11th frame, we both played well.

He only fluked 3 balls but he cleared the colours in each and in one frame the last 2 reds and all the colours. When the only real difference was flukes it's a real choker. I don't have outbursts and didn't moan at the time as it's bad sportsmanship but Jesus it hurts at times and after all the effort it's a .

But, we all have to pick ourselves up and crack on as that's what you do.

I agree it's hard enough without worrying about things you can't control but a real pain when it comes in droves. Crack on......

[markz]

I get where you're coming from buddy and I am a very positive guy generally but although neither player can do anything about it, it certainly makes a difference if it's regular.

Played a pretty decent player in a match a few weeks ago and lost on the pink in the 11th frame, we both played well.

He only fluked 3 balls but he cleared the colours in each and in one frame the last 2 reds and all the colours. When the only real difference was flukes it's a real choker. I don't have outbursts and didn't moan at the time as it's bad sportsmanship but Jesus it hurts at times and after all the effort it's a .

But, we all have to pick ourselves up and crack on as that's what you do.

I agree it's hard enough without worrying about things you can't control but a real pain when it comes in droves. Crack on......

I agree Shockerz, I just think we all get them and over a longer period it's bound to balance out. Like you say, best to crack on and forget about it.