[Big_Bad_Bern]

Why is pool fun?



What makes pool fun? Is it the joy of a well struck shot, watching the object ball plop into the pocket while the cue ball floats perfectly into positon for the next shot.

Does the fun of pool come from competition, challenging yourself under the heat and pressure, the excitement of battle, fighting tooth and nail against a good opponent, win or lose doesn't really matter the rush of the struggle is of the utmost importance.

Could the fun in pool come from the high of winning, of crushing your opponent and revelling in his despair, trying to beat him so badly he unscrews his cue and never plays again, the high of winning washing away any memory of defeat.

Is it self improvement that makes pool fun, pushing yourself to the limits of your skills to how good you are or could become, can you live with your findings?

Is it Money? Is the fun of pool for you grinding out money, watching stacks of bills being handed over to you, does feeling that big bankroll in your pocket make pool fun? Rushing home to count today's scores. Or is it just the gambling, the rush of adrenaline you get shooting that tough shot for all the money, the soaring feeling of being alive(it is fleeting).

Could it be the comraderie, hanging out at the poolhall swapping stories with the boys.

Learning what makes pool fun for you will help you determine your motivation for playing this great game, and what level of time and commitment you wish to dedicate to acheive your goal, because improving at pool is hard work and in order to successfully put that hard work in you need to know why you are doing it.

So why is pool fun for you?


Bern

[Pelican]

I enjoy the game win or lose. I think I play for the satisfaction of working the table and seeing the shot. I believe that is why I prefer one pocket over 9 ball. Every time I come to the table I will have options and I have to decide what is the best option for me to have a chance to win. It is not like I am just playing an opponent I am also challenging myself.

Good question Bern. Later, Pel

[HannibalChris]

I love the challenge pool gives me. Every layout of the table is something different. I like to test myself and push myself to improve. But most of all, every so often you hit that perfect shot and thats what keeps me coming back for more.

[Larry]

The challenge of making myself better. Playing stronger players and learning from them. And also spending time with my son passing on what if any skills I have to him. In younger years it was a group of us staying out all night going pool room to pool room and maybe going to another town to play. I also used to love to buy, sell and trade cues. I once left home on a five day trip with a 6 point schon with two shafts. I ended up back home five days and three trades later with a Southwest with two shafts. Those were fun times. And I cant forget the 9 ball tournaments a friend and I used to hit, everyone within a 300 mile radius.

[Pin]

When I relax and play in the zone, I feel so 'clean', and I come out and feel calm, serene and zen-like. My mind feels totally pure.

It never happened (at least nowhere near this kind of extent) when I started out, and it probably only happens maybe 20% of the time now, but it's an absolutely incredible feeling. I have limited experience of amateur meditation, and when I've been meditating (short sessions) daily for several days I can begin to approach such a state. But it's nothing like when I get there playing pool.


Other things I enjoy:

Spending time with friends
Playing under pressure and seeing how I hold up
Taking on awesome players and finding ways to beat them
Making shots that put me in awe of what I'm capable of doing. Consistently.
Impressing non/casual-playing friends with tough shots and trickshots.
Learning.

I think pool gives me a lot.

[lovilla]

i want to apologise before hand for what might seem like a negative post. for some, pool is an addiction of sorts. i have had to walk away from it a few times so i could lead a normal life and work and be responsible. anyway, i get into stints and all i want to do is hit balls for hours. when im at work, all i want to do is watch matches online. so my whole life has become all about pool. and hey, this is ok. i love it. odviously. BUT. pool does nothing to help us gather food, reproduce, shelter ourselves, keep us warm, have normal social experiences, or contribute to anything that allows us to survive. yet alot of people dedicate their whole life to this simple act of hitting balls with a peice of wood. its kinda like a rat that keeps pressing a button to get something. but what is that something. I think its all about sinking a ball. it feels good. is it that simple?? are the die hards a bunch of rats that get a good feeling everytime they sink a ball. there is a theory that humans (maybe every species) only do things if there is a payoff. what is the payoff with pool??? many players are pennyless, substance addicted, socially retarded (especially around the ladies because they dont spend enough time around them), gambeling addicts. where is the payoff? sinking balls!! its kinda crazy and kinda makes us all just a little CRAZY. i guess its maybe a little different now that the pros are taking better care of them selves. they are alot healtier looking then in the past. maybe because of kevin trudeau and all his silly health kick things and natural cures. LOL. but as healthy as they are, they are still hitting little balls with peices of wood. every day for hours and hours. so pool is as fun as hitting little balls with wooden sticks can be but it kinda defies rational logical ness. im one of the crazies. i dont ever want to stop playing this illogical game.