Slow player problem

[stroodle]

You didn't say what your average frame time was? No point in rushing round the table, missing everything so the other gets to play at his rhythm and win all the time.

I used to be pretty slow in matches to pile a bit of pressure on the quick players but we've all got our own rhythm which we play better in.

This summer I've been running round the table in practice and potting well and my safety's suffered! Somewhere in the middle for me is the right game and that's for me, no-one else!

I used to play golf with a guy that was rushing everyone all the time to play to his speed until I advised him to find someone else that wanted to finish a round in two and a half hours.

Selby took an hour over a few frames in the world's but that's what he needed to win the frames, wasn't fun to watch but he could have played quicker and lost to please the crowd?

Hi Shokerz,

I guess the average frames times that I play vary from time to time but I can say that I rarely play quicker than 20 mins a frame, usually about half hour or more.

Having said this I had a casual knock around and I was pleased with the way I played, a lot more 'fluent' than usual. We had about eight frames at 20 mins or so per frame comfortably.

However, I played in a competition a few days ago and played eight frames with not a break over 20, very disappointing I tried to bring my 'fluent' casual game i plied a few days prior but in hindsight I think I would have made a better fist of the game if I stuck with my original pace of play.

[stroodle]

What breaks are you knocking in against opponents in practice mate?

Hi tedisbill,

I had a casual knock around and I was pleased with the way I played, a lot more 'fluent' than usual. I had a 45, a few 30+, and a string of 20+ breaks. There was no real 'pressure' here as I felt I was playing at a pace comfortable enough for my opponent to watch and it felt as though I looked like I was 'getting on with it'.

However, I played in a competition a few days ago and played eight frames with not a break over 20, very disappointing I tried to bring my 'fluent' casual game i plied a few days prior but in hindsight I think I would have made a better fist of the game if I stuck with my original pace of play.

[stroodle]

When you're at the table your opponents thoughts and opinions should be the furthest thing away from your mind. If he doesn't like the way you play he shouldn't have missed and let you on the table, it's his problem, not yours.

Thnaks, jonny. I will try to remember this if I get bogged down with negative thoughts. Easier said than done but I suppose it gets easier with practice in match play situations.

[stroodle]

We have one guy in our club who takes 20+ feathers every single time and thinks long and hard between shots. Takes frequent smoke and toilet breaks too. One time after he lost he said something very funny, and I quote: "I was going for too much and I was rushing shots !".
A lot of guys who take many feathers change their line of aim while down on the shot many times. That I think is inevitable and can't be good.
There are very very few slow players in the world who play very well. I'd stay away from that.

Hi ace man,

Thank you for your input.

Perhaps I should have mentioned already but I do not feather many times before I strike the white ball. In fact I think I make a relatively few feathers, about three smooth slow feathers, before a slow smooth backswing then delivery. I think its this slow cue action that rattles a lot of players because i play the same way for every shot.

[itsnoteasy]

I play a lad who's not quick between shots but he's very good and can knock in centuries , for some reason it doesn't feel slow playing him, but when I watch him he's not quick in the slightest.

[ace man]

...
Perhaps I should have mentioned already but I do not feather many times before I strike the white ball. In fact I think I make a relatively few feathers, about three smooth slow feathers, before a slow smooth backswing then delivery. I think its this slow cue action that rattles a lot of players because i play the same way for every shot.

In that case you are definitely not slow and players you play against aren't very fair with their comments.

[Big Splash!]

Slow players aren't a problem per se, but your 16 breakers who play slowly then tuck you up and grind grind grind for 40 minutes. Those frames are the worst. I've given up practising with someone because of that. It makes the game unenjoyable and no-one improves with that amount of antisnooker.

[ghost121]

Slow players aren't a problem per se, but your 16 breakers who play slowly then tuck you up and grind grind grind for 40 minutes. Those frames are the worst. I've given up practising with someone because of that. It makes the game unenjoyable and no-one improves with that amount of antisnooker.

That's why I refuse to play league snooker anymore. One frame nightmares where the balls get messed up within a dozen shots.

[pottr]

I find the easiest way to rattle slow players is to refuse almost every opportunity you are presented unless it's a 100% nailed on chance...

Make 8 and run away, 16... whatever...

When you play safe, make sure they're tucked behind colours, tight on the cushion with no clear escape...

You'll soon find that you don't care how long your opponent takes when you can see that you're rinsing their confindence everytime they come to the table...

That's when the snooke sadist in me comes out a bit and it makes me smile... Just like when someone plays on needing 3/4 snookers with no hope of getting them... I instantly refuse all pots and play nothing but safeties... Highlights the absurdity of grinding out to oblivion.

[Big Splash!]

I find the easiest way to rattle slow players is to refuse almost every opportunity you are presented unless it's a 100% nailed on chance...

Make 8 and run away, 16... whatever...

When you play safe, make sure they're tucked behind colours, tight on the cushion with no clear escape...

You'll soon find that you don't care how long your opponent takes when you can see that you're rinsing their confindence everytime they come to the table...

That's when the snooke sadist in me comes out a bit and it makes me smile... Just like when someone plays on needing 3/4 snookers with no hope of getting them... I instantly refuse all pots and play nothing but safeties... Highlights the absurdity of grinding out to oblivion.

Good post. I used to do that with said player. He looked quite forlorn after he'd lost 5-0 (he insisted on a start as well) which took 3hrs! But it didn't give me a lot of satisfaction except a grin that said, see how that feels up ya! Finding players who are good and play the game straight, want to get on with it, don't do the ice drink rattle and phone messages/calls and can play regularly; gold-dust these days in my neck of the woods.

@ghost, I totally feel what you've said. It may have to be once a month comps instead this year. League is debilitating. Who in their right mind would want to play one frame of snooker for the cost of 5hrs? That's four hours of snooker lost for me.

[ghost121]

I might just give that a try if only for personal entertainment...

[ghost121]

Good post. I used to do that with said player. He looked quite forlorn after he'd lost 5-0 which took 3hrs! But it didn't give me a lot of satisfaction except a grin that said, see how that feels up ya! Finding players who are good and play the game straight, want to get on with it, don't do the ice drink rattle and phone messages/calls and can play regularly; gold-dust these days in my neck of the woods.

My playing partner is exactly like that, so I am very lucky. He is a good few blacks better than me, although just about beatable if I play at the top of my game and put pressure on him. And I am on the comeback trail after a decade plus absence. My advantage is that I can practise every day whereas he can't, so I hope to level the playing field in the next year.

[stroodle]

@ghost, I totally feel what you've said. It may have to be once a month comps instead this year. League is debilitating. Who in their right mind would want to play one frame of snooker for the cost of 5hrs? That's four hours of snooker lost for me.

I think not all league players are necessarily there purely for the enjoyment of snooker. They seem to care more about the social side of it, having a drink and banter, which I have no problem with at all. My problem is actually playing these sort of players, perhaps its because they are casual and this seems to make me think they think I'm too serious about the game with my orthodox technique and mannerisms around the snooker table.of course, their thoughts are probably far from what I think they are and its probably just my lack of concentration on my part which is letting my game down.

[jonny66]

I think casual players who are there for a drink and a laugh, should play pool. Although I do meet up with friends to play snooks and have a drink and a laugh, but after three or four we hit the pool table, drunken snooker is too difficult, one of the reasons I have so much respect for Alex Higgins.

[Big Splash!]

I think not all league players are necessarily there purely for the enjoyment of snooker. They seem to care more about the social side of it, having a drink and banter, which I have no problem with at all. My problem is actually playing these sort of players, perhaps its because they are casual and this seems to make me think they think I'm too serious about the game with my orthodox technique and mannerisms around the snooker table.of course, their thoughts are probably far from what I think they are and its probably just my lack of concentration on my part which is letting my game down.

You're right, what the f&f are up to can be overheard every frame. Who's round is it and where to order the kebabs from takes precedent. But gossip is the no.1 reason for going. Lose a few frames of snooker, nevermind, always next season and a better handicap will be nice. No point practising, winning too many frames and having your handicap cut. Be sane, play one frame a week. Who's round is it?