Pros and the rest of us

This weekend just gone (28th/29th August) was the Doublefinish.com Open. Not a huge field but alot of quality there; Deta Hedman, Dennis Smith, Steve Bunting, Peter Wright, Kevin Simms to name a few who were in attendance. There were 2 tournaments that weekend and I got tough draws in both; Deta Hedman on the Saturday and Dennis Smith on the Sunday - both first round draws. Lost 4-2 to Deta and 4-1 to Dennis. Felt I played as well as I have done in competition for a while. My finishing against Deta was a particular highlight for me (2 darts, 2 doubles - 80 c/o and 92 c/o and I also hit a 180) It was great playing against players of this caliber and I was just happy not to have disgraced myself.

But this brings up the differing mentality of players and their respective standards. Deta and Dennis, whilst would not have taken the game lightly, would have been thinking they would win. Me, whilst not out to lose, has to have some perspective. I could give them a good game (and I felt I did) but would have had to go some to beat them. Am I beat before I even throw a dart? Definitely not. One thing that got said to me by a player seemed very counter intuitive but does make sense on one level. I'd lost a game but played well and enjoyed it. He asked me if I enjoyed the game, I replied "Yes, despite the fact I lost I enjoyed it" He said to me;

"That's where you're going wrong. You didn't enjoy it despite you lost, you enjoyed it because you lost"

It's taken me a long time to get my head round this and I'm still struggling a little with it. I think it's about just enjoying the game regardless. I have had alot of first round exits recently but I'm enjoying just playing the game. Do I want to get past the first round? Of course I do. Is it getting to me? A little though I've played some excellent players and I feel I'm definitely improving. Whilst I am not there to lose, I'm there to enjoy the game. So how does this differ from the professionals?

I think it boils down to standards and knowledge of those standards. When Dennis and Deta played, they both knew it would be a tough game because they know they other is a very good player and their achievements but they also know how they can play. Despite that though, they both play because they enjoy it. To me, there seems to be a fine line between just playing to enjoy it and going into match thinking you will win. Thinking you will win can add additional pressure. But some will argue semantics. What is the difference between knowledge and belief in this context?

Some would say if I went into the game believing I would win is arrogance and delusion given the opposition but is taken as a standard mentality for pro's or those regarded as top quality. Is this what makes the likes of Taylor, Whitlock, King, Wade so immense? Is it just quality that stops the likes of Bunting, Simms, Wright, et al from pushing into the elite and getting that elusive World Title? How good do you actually have to be before believing you will win is accepted?