August PoolSynergy: 10 Things Pool- 10 Ways to Prepare for a Tournament

When Samm asked me if I would be interested in contributing to August's PoolSynergy- topic 10 Things Pool (http://www.pooltipjar.com/2011/08/10-things-ps-host/), I immediately said yes. Not only do I love writing stories, but this would be a great opportunity to contribute back to the sport that I love. I decided to let my readers and FB friends determine my topic. I posted 10 pool related subjects that I would be interested in writing about and then solicited their votes either by direct contact or through friends of friends :) I got some great feedback and met my target of 100+ votes for the story.

Every person is different and it is my hope that all my readers can gain insight into themselves, if not by following the advice that I have given, than through understanding their own approach to preparation. Enjoy.

10 Ways To Prepare For a Tournament

1) Pay your Entry Fees
Not all tournaments are created equal and the most critical step in preparing for any tournament is getting your entry fee in while they are still being taken. For some events the number of players is capped, while others are open enrollment. Either way, by getting your entry fee in early, you are ensured a spot on that board without incurring potential late fees and you can start preparing for participation.

2) Make Travel Arrangements
Depending on how close the tournament is to you, this may or may not be too much of an issue. When the event is local, it is essential that you know of any potential complications that may arise, e.g. road construction, parking restrictions, and general timing of traffic. I always make a mental note of anything that needs to be considered, including, but not limited to fueling my vehicle the night before (one less thing to do in the morning), making sure that my directions and route are clear, and planning my departure time accordingly. When the tournament is not local, there are many more factors to consider with travel arrangements. I love to travel for events, especially to places I have never been; however, this adds a layer of complexity that isn’t always as easy to plan for. If you know someone that lives near the room where the event will be held, make sure that you contact them to find out any issues that you might encounter with travel to and from where you are staying. I am a firm believer in booking airfare and hotel as far in advance as possible, to get the best fares and rates. When picking a hotel, make sure that it has the accomodations that you absolutely can’t do without, otherwise you will have one more thing to pack and worry about, and no one wants that, especially when you are trying to focus on what you need to do to win this thing. As far as airfare goes, it is always a good idea to locate the airport that is closest to the venue. It might cost a little bit more, but the benefit often outweighs the alternative (especially additional travel time and distance that can complicate your plans.) And these days, I would absolutely recommend getting GPS for your rental car unless you are totally familiar with the area or are staying with someone who is.

3) Dress for Success
Depending on the tournament, dress codes may or may not be enforced for the event. Planning to meet any and all dress code requirements is one thing that you can completely manage with relatively little effort. If you have questions, ask early and always err on the conservative side. If there is a formal dress code in place, don’t try and get away with things that may or may not be in code. Just eliminate the hassle of thinking about it, there are too many other things to think about during a tournament. On the same note, one absolutely critical piece of planning is shoes. And no, I am not just being a girl on this one. When playing in larger tournaments especially, you will be on your feet for many hours and if you aren’t wearing comfortable shoes you are going to suffer. Don’t try out new shoes for an event, break them in prior, because the last thing you want is a blister or other types of foot pain to distract you from your mission. For me finding comfortable shoes that met all dress code requirements ended up costing me more in the short term, but the benefits in the long run are immeasurable.

4) Play Sets of the Format
Most tournament advertisements include information regarding the format of play that will be used for the event. In general, a couple good things to know are: what rules will be played, if the tournament is double or single elimination, the lengths of the races, and whether it is a winner breaks or alternating breaks format. Once you know this information, you can prepare accordingly. Often times, if you are used to achieving a certain number of games, how you prepare mentally can be the key to your success. If the sets are a Race to 7 and you normally only play Races to 4, you might lose focus or have weaker stamina near the end of the set when you need it most. I like to hook up with a player that is stronger than me and have them bring the heat in the format that we will be playing.

5) Sleep
Being successful at tournaments requires not only skill, but also both physical and mental endurance. Depending on the number of entrants, winning a tournament generally requires you to defeat multiple opponents that as the tournament progresses generally get better and better. Often times as you move through the brackets, the players that are shooting well advance through the rounds bottlenecking at the hotseat match (winner of the winner’s bracket, or winner of the event in single elimination formats.) If you aren’t well rested in the days leading up to the event, it can definitely effect your performance. It is a great rule of thumb to not plan on sleeping more or less than you normally would to maintain your peak physical and mental acuity. Some events will allow for cat naps throughout the day, but if you are anything like me, down time during tournaments is filled with other activities so I rely heavily on getting a good nights' sleep. As a tournament nears its finale, both mental and physical exhaustion can hamper your efforts to play your best pool so make sure to get some sleep so you can bring your best game.

6) Eat
How you eat before and throughout an event absolutely plays a role in your ability to compete at tournaments. Food is fuel for both the body and mind, so if the tank is empty your ability to concentrate and perform at your highest level can be extremely difficult. I personally opt for ¼ to ½ tank status, primarily because a touch of hunger brings out my best competition. Eating foods heavy in starches and sugars throughout the day can weigh you down and make you lethargic, so opt for snacks high in protein to ensure optimum performance. I generally eat several smaller snacks throughout the day instead of big meals, but that is really a matter of personal preference. As I discussed previously, tournaments are test of both physical and mental endurance, so by eating the right balance of foods for your body you can make it through your matches with more energy in reserve.

7) Show up Early to Play on the Tables
Some people can just show up at a tournament and it doesn’t matter what size or shape of table they will be playing on, but for me I like to show up when the doors open and shoot a few racks to assess what conditions I am going to be playing in. How tight the pockets are, whether or not the tables allow for slow rolls, and how the tables break are just a couple of things I like to know before the tournament starts. The better prepared you are for knowing where and when you will need to make adjustments, the more likely you will be to have success. Knowing the tables can eliminate the compulsion for making excuses. Everyone is playing on the same tables so get in there and figure them out…

8) Know the Rules
Depending on the game you are going to play, there are subtle variations that are determined by the Tournament Directors. Even if most of the rules are similar, it is critical to understand what rules will be applied to your games and matches. It can make the difference between a good shot or a foul, a win or loss of game, and eventually a win or loss of a match.

9) Getting to Know the Venue
When playing in a pool room for the first time, there are several things to figure out that will help you be mentally prepared for a tournament at the location. Knowing the conditions in advance can prevent unnecessary dilemmas during the event when your concentration needs to be focused on play. 1) Some rooms have no windows and extremely dark lighting, which is ideal for serious pool players, but not necessarily so for casual players or customers coming in for other activities that the establishment might provide. There's not much you can do about the situation, but awareness can be helpful. 2) Location and number of bathrooms are fundamental bits of information for any person, but especially for a pool player during a tournament. If you are only allowed one 5-minute break during your match, you probably won't want to have to figure out the bathroom situation with that time. 3) Some pool rooms don’t offer a full food menu, but just light snacks. Knowing restaurants in the area can be helpful if you end up needing to leave the room for more substantial fair. 4) Table etiquette for the room, aka “House Rules” generally are adhered to for most venues. Some “House Rules” that have come up at tournaments that I have participated in: no phenolic tips, no jumping or masse allowed, break cloth, scratch pot, and no drinks at the table. In general, higher level tournaments will make exceptions for tournament play, but it is always good to know the venue’s table etiquette requirements prior to start of the event. 5) Will there be billiards supplies/cue repair onsite. Not all rooms have this amenity, so will definitely effect your preparation for a tournament. I personally have two shafts for my shooting cue for this reason. If something were to happen, I know that I have a backup plan. It is always a good idea to know where you can go if supplies and/or cue repair are not available onsite

10) Plan for a Long Day
Don’t schedule other activities for the same day as the tournament. This "just in case I am out" mentality will be your downfall. Although there are many factors that contribute to success at tournaments, a player’s full commitment to winning the event is absolutely essential in doing so. Take the pressure off yourself and be in this moment. You will have plenty of opportunities to do whatever else you might need to do on a different day, so on tournament days or weekends dedicate that time to the event. For traveling tournaments, make your travel arrangements for the day after play is concluded. Even if you don’t end up winning the tournament, it is extremely valuable to watch championship matches and show your support to other pool players.

Preparation for tournaments can improve your chances for success and I hope that one, if not all, of my suggestions on how to do so are helpful in your endeavors. From the amateur to professional ranks, players can find tournaments both near and far from home. Good luck, shoot well, and you may just put yourself in the position to Get Lucky ;).