I used to play pool alot when I was in college. I was and still am very good. My friends and the entire campus viewed me as "the pool guy". When I entered the pool room, others in line would sigh and know once my turn came up that would be the last game they played - since it was winner stays on the table. I have a trophy case filled with first and second place trophies. Ok, enough stroking of my own ego here, I just wanted to give that as an introduction to my next points.
On weekends I used to go out with my friends to bars and hustle for money and beers with people who didn't know me. I would let my opponents win a few games, double the stakes and then take all there money. Is this killer instinct - to some maybe. Is this cheating - no. Maybe morally wrong to some. Some may consider this an example of killer instinct - I don't because of the huge "luck factor".
Like poker there is alot of "luck" in pool. In pool the balls can roll all sorts of different ways uncontrollably. But my skill keeps the luck factor from having a huge influence on the game. Just like poker, there is enough luck to consider poker as an "anyone can win" kind of game - a level playing field. But it's those who have enough skill to keep the luck in line who come out ahead in the long run - not those with killer instinct.
Skill will always dictate the winners vs losers. Killer instinct can be part of that and manipulated, alot like hustling pool. One may befriend a fellow poker player at the table so he does not reraise you every hand - is this skill, yes if done intentionally. If you in turn do not raise him back all the time to keep on good terms with him - is this not having killer instinct - no....It's skill.
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killer Instinct, skill and the "luck factor"
Date: 2005-07-22 14:27 (UTC)On weekends I used to go out with my friends to bars and hustle for money and beers with people who didn't know me. I would let my opponents win a few games, double the stakes and then take all there money. Is this killer instinct - to some maybe. Is this cheating - no. Maybe morally wrong to some. Some may consider this an example of killer instinct - I don't because of the huge "luck factor".
Like poker there is alot of "luck" in pool. In pool the balls can roll all sorts of different ways uncontrollably. But my skill keeps the luck factor from having a huge influence on the game. Just like poker, there is enough luck to consider poker as an "anyone can win" kind of game - a level playing field. But it's those who have enough skill to keep the luck in line who come out ahead in the long run - not those with killer instinct.
Skill will always dictate the winners vs losers. Killer instinct can be part of that and manipulated, alot like hustling pool. One may befriend a fellow poker player at the table so he does not reraise you every hand - is this skill, yes if done intentionally. If you in turn do not raise him back all the time to keep on good terms with him - is this not having killer instinct - no....It's skill.