When you take a look inside pool games, you’ll find there are two main dynamics taking place. The first dynamic is the battle between Player 1 and Player 2: Which player will be victorious? The second dynamic is the battle between each player and his own psyche: Which player will execute to his maximum potential, or let his inner demons sabotage his efforts?

Most beginner pool players forget that these two dynamics must intertwine within each competitive pool game. They tend to focus on the first dynamic, obsess and worry about their competitor’s skill level (or lack of skill), and usually fail to pay any attention to the second dynamic. More often than not, this is a critical mistake that can lead to disastrous losses that might have otherwise been avoided. So let’s take a deeper look inside pool games and see if we can discern which aspects need closer scrutiny.

We’ll start with some 8 ball games between two friends, a typical 2 player pool game on a professional pool table size. Both players are still learning how to play pool, and they are both about the same skill level, yet Player 1 is constantly beset by troubles and bad luck and Player 2, knowing this, plays more confidently, and has frequently come out the victor in previous sessions.

If you were to analyze those previous games strictly from dynamic 1’s view of player vs. player, you might conclude that Player 2 must be the player with the most skill. But is that really the case? As I said, evaluated separately on base skill level, they really are about even…

OK, so what about dynamic 2 then? Well, on this particular day, Player 1 has arrived with a chip on his shoulder, and a good chunk of confidence to boot, because he’s been practicing some pool lessons during his lunch breaks all week. He is excited about testing his mettle tonight and finally getting the better of his friend. Player 2 is still as confident as ever, yet he is also feeling a bit reckless and cocky because he’s sure his opponent won’t be up to snuff again.

Through the course of the evening though, Player 1 has thrown a switch. More assured of his own skills (which haven’t actually improved that much), his execution of shots and strategy showed a lot more success than usual against his opponent. Instead of nervously botching easy shots, or dwelling on what would happen when he missed, he was able to clearly focus on his intentions and frequently got the job done.

Player 2, on the other hand, still shot well, up to his own speed. Yet he played a bit carelessly, choosing risky shots or fancy spin instead of playing to his own strengths. Not only did his recklessness cause him to choose, and miss, many shots he couldn’t normally make anyway, his disregard for his opponent’s skills left plenty of opportunities for Player 1 to rally a win each game.

As you grow and learn about how to play pool for beginners, you will be faced with a slew of players who are potentially better at the game than you are. But dynamic 1, the battle between your skills and your opponent’s skills, really only takes place for that small transition between one turn and the next, when whatever you have accomplished or failed to accomplish now directly affects the actions of your opponent during his turn. Yes, a better player has a good chance to beat you, BUT only if dynamic 2, the battle between each player and himself, is controlled properly.

Dynamic 2 plays a role that is, more often than not, more telling of the successes of each player. Dynamic 2 takes up more of the game. Your entire turn at the table is being weighed upon by dynamic 2. If you lose the battle with yourself, then it doesn’t matter how good your opponent is, or how bad. Lose the battle with yourself, and you can very easily rack up many losses against players much weaker than yourself.

I say all this with the voice of experience. I’ve been the guy full of surety and confidence who’s tackled the toughest of opponents, and I’ve also been the guy full of cocky recklessness who’s thrown away easy matches by trying to spin the cue ball 4 rails for position, just for the fun of it (and missed!). I’ve also seen many a decent amateur pool player in my pool league determined to lose their matches for the night, well before they’ve even begun to shoot pool, players just positive that they’re going to play terribly, and guess what, they do!

So take heed that there are TWO dynamics inside pool games, two forces that can influence the outcome of every shot, and every game. Don’t make the mistake of obsessing over dynamic 1, and letting dynamic 2 sabotage you from the shadows!

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