Playing much better players

[Skywalker345]

Hi all,


Is it beneficial to play far better players, or is it just a demoralizing event? I'm quite new to Snooker (only 2 months on and off) but not quite sure if I should be playing new players to gain confidence, or getting slaughtered over and over.

Last week I played someone who has been playing for 7 years, gets very regular coaching etc. It's clearly a big part of his life. It was annoying, but felt more boring to be honest, just sat down. The worst part though, was him saying how rubbish he was after missing shots he normally gets, and repeating "you should see me when I play properly". Is it just me, or is there nothing worse than a bad winner..? I wouldn't dream of degrading someone that I was already beating.

[Cue crafty]

I know it's a "game" but When you're just starting out, there's no point worrying about winning or losing. If that guy had coaching etc, you should have been watching how he gets down on the line of the shot, how he cues up to the ball. How many feathers he uses, does he draw the cue back slowly and pause slightly before delivery of the stroke etc etc.... this is where you could learn something useful and maybe incorporate some of it when practicing solo.

If he was decent he should be giving you a start and probably sharing a few things that have helped him improve. That's the only time it's useful to play better players. If they just want to batter you and use you to take the balls out of the pockets then all you can do is try and observe what they do. As you improve it's worth noting where they strike the white to gain position on balls too.

[Skywalker345]

I know it's a "game" but When you're just starting out, there's no point worrying about winning or losing. If that guy had coaching etc, you should have been watching how he gets down on the line of the shot, how he cues up to the ball. How many feathers he uses, does he draw the cue back slowly and pause slightly before delivery of the stroke etc etc.... this is where you could learn something useful and maybe incorporate some of it when practicing solo.

If he was decent he should be giving you a start and probably sharing a few things that have helped him improve. That's the only time it's useful to play better players. If they just want to batter you and use you to take the balls out of the pockets then all you can do is try and observe what they do. As you improve it's worth noting where they strike the white to gain position on balls too.

Cheers for the quick reply. He did offer me a handicap/start but to be honest, I just personally see that as cheating and wouldn't see it as any kind of victory if I did manage to win. It would also make me hesitate to play as it would feel even worse losing then.

I'm happy to lose close games, but don't feel any kind of satisfaction just spotting balls and watching, so I think I'll just try find similar players and keep solo practicing as that's where I find enjoyment in this game, at least at the moment.

[Nifty50]

Try and get a regular game with someone who is only slightly better than you. Maybe best of five once a week. Carry on till you can beat him or at least get close. You still have to put in some hours of solo practice though.

[Skywalker345]

Try and get a regular game with someone who is only slightly better than you. Maybe best of five once a week. Carry on till you can beat him or at least get close. You still have to put in some hours of solo practice though.

Thanks, that seems like a better idea to be honest, it's just hard finding that. Are you in agreement that playing someone a lot more advanced, isn't going to help? I just found it extremely boring and aggravating to be honest.

The solo practice I love, I can play for 3-5 hours no problem. I'm also trying to record it so that I can extract the good breaks and highlight them. I've managed a 41 break in a random ball throw, and a couple of low 30s.

[Nifty50]

Thanks, that seems like a better idea to be honest, it's just hard finding that. Are you in agreement that playing someone a lot more advanced, isn't going to help? I just found it extremely boring and aggravating to be honest.
The solo practice I love, I can play for 3-5 hours no problem. I'm also trying to record it so that I can extract the good breaks and highlight them. I've managed a 41 break in a random ball throw, and a couple of low 30s.

Yes, for the average player getting humped all the time doesn’t help imo although if you have aspirations of going far in the game playing really good players will bring benefits. Most of the top pros will tell you stories of picking balls out for a far better player. Higgins used to get beat by Hendry all the time.
Normal club players want to win a few frames from time to time.

[itsnoteasy]

Chances like this aren't about winning, its about learning . You wont learn how to improve unless you play players much better than you. You wouldnt go to a coach who is on the same level or just a bit better than you, you go to a top coach and thats what you're getting, if you know how to treat it, free coaching, from a much better player.
I would bite your hand off to be practicing with a pro again .