Old timers, whippersnappers.....

[matt674]

Do you know any ping-pong players to use as an example

I keep a track of the American PGA tour as its about the only sport left now that i still bet on, since discovering poker i have stopped all my other forms of betting like the horses and the dogs as i now get my "adrenilin rush" from playing poker. As golf last 4 days then at least i'm getting a proper run for my money and there can be some decent each way prices out there if your lucky (my best so far this season was Kirk Triplett to win in Tucson at 80/1 - and he duly obliged). I know its the wrong section but if anyone is interested Retief Goosen (12/1 WHills) and Sergio Garcia (33/1 S.James) are my each way tips for this weeks US Masters

[Sark79]

Nah, not really. But I do know that the world number 1 is called WANG. He is from China.   Maybe Mr F knows more than I do. He is a player.

OK, I will keep those tips for the Masters in mind   

[Royal Flush]

I am not sure I agree with this.....heart and instinct do provide for a natural talent in poker IMO albeit many many players can attain extremely high standards through technique and non instincitve abilities

What instincts are there in the game? What has 'heart' got to do with it! It's all enviroment and learning, i can't see anything else (maybe physical stamina, but that can be trained into you to a high enough level for poker)

This enviromental conditiong does however go back many years before we start playing, it's not however a 'natural talent'

...i think!

[The Baron]

Hmmmm... I'm not sure everyone who is naturally 'risk averse' can be "trained" to be 'risk loving'. Maybe one out of a few can, maybe even 4 out of every 5 can but not everyone can. (and lets be honest here, almost EVERY poker player who wins 1sts consistantly knows when it's time to just gamble in the 'risk loving' fashion)

Surely then an element of natural preference dictates how good you can become?

[Mr F]

Someone mentioned Table Tennis and I wasn't notified?!! outrageous behaviour.

[matt674]

Someone mentioned Table Tennis and I wasn't notified?!! outrageous behaviour.

No, we mentioned "ping-pong" and we know that you professional Table Tennis players hate it being referred to as this which is why we didnt want to alert you to it in case it upset you!!

[Mr F]

Thank you Matt, you really are a considerate monkey.

So what is the discussion? 

[TightEnd]

"Sliced backhand or driven forehand" Discuss

[matt674]

no problem squire - anytime

talking about whether age is a factor in sport and poker, i said that using golf as an example wasnt a good one as many of the winning golfers are over 40 years old, Sark claims next time we will talk about "ping-pong" as monkeys arent as clued up about that.

(which is true!)

[matt674]

"Sliced backhand or driven forehand" Discuss

I saw the "sliced ba..." and am now hungering for a sliced banana sandwich, mmmmmmmm.

<--------------- is popping into kitchen for 10 mins, will be back later

[Mr F]

Tightend, thanks for the invite but I have loads of work to do this afternoon and I think I've written enough drivel on this forum to keep everyone going.

As for the youth versus experience argument there are a few examples in the modern game you could look at.  The biggest one is the Legend that is Jan-Ove Waldner.  A household name in Sweden and a bigger name in China than Beckham is anywhere. 

He started his career in the early eighties and won consistently.  Won the Euro Juniors in 82 and Runner up in the Euro seniors of the same year.  Olympic gold in 92, silver in 2000 when people were writing him off and finally in 2004 astonished critics when he deservedly reached the semis but came fourth at a time in his life when he really had no right to.  A true legend. 

I saw him play against the Olympic Champion last year and he was still an amazing player. 

On a more local stage Alan Cooke has just retired for the second time at the age of 40 while English No1.  He came out of retirement about 2 years ago and has been on top of our rankings since. 

I think most top players reach their peak at about 28 and stay their until about 32 at which time the reflexes and speed start to wane.  Don't forget that the TT you see in youth clubs and sport centres locally is about 100 times slower and with less spin than on the TV so it can be quite a deceptive sport.

Our most promising player is Paul Drinkhall who at 16 was Cooke's Doubles partner in the Commonwealth Games.  But he still has a few years to go before he challenges on the world stage. 

He'd still make me look stupid though.

[Mr F]

So in conclusion age definitely is a factor on the technical side of the game.  It's just too quick once the years catch up with you.  But as with most sports experience is a very important factor.

Now back to Tighty's question because I can't resist.

To quote the Baron quoting El-Brownie on another thread, it depends it depends it depends.

My preferred tactic is to slice backhand deep to my opponents backhand forcing him to lift the ball right in to my forehand drive across the table.

But if I get to the final on Saturday and it's 11-10 to me I'm pushing baby.

[Colchester Kev]

Whatever happened to Desmond Douglas ??

[Mr F]

Ask any bloke between the age of 30-50 to name an english table tennis player and guess what answer you'd get.

Not sure mate but Carl Prean has just started playing British league again this season. 

[Colchester Kev]

Im sure the spread on answers would be pretty even between Douglas and Barnes, but we all know barnes went into horse racing ...