u/junbun2

Wondering what everyone is using atm.

My current:
Hybrid/Power Vapor Power 2 - 4 grams from the middle to the throat on each side 8.4 oz total. 23.5 cm balance pt 118 SW

Some counters / blocks will go out if i'm late to it. I'd like a little less power but the hexgrit is working really well.

We met at the pickleball court, I didn't play with her before we started dating. We tried playing together a few times and the games didn't go well. We couldn't join my usual group because of skill level, so we went to open play. Most of the players in open play target her relentlessly when we partner up. I'm pretty bored since I'm only hitting 1 - 4 shots per game besides the serve and return. I can see she is also kind of frustrated getting targeted and what she assumes as 'failing' but I couldn't care less if we win these games.

Yesterday I suggested we could go together and try playing separate games. She threw a fit and didn't want to go anymore. AITA?

---Update---
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, we're gonna try to find some games somewhere else and with people we know instead of open play at the current courts.

AI / Tech is pretty much my specialty because of my job but, I want to diversify.

I've held VOO, Brk.b but that's about it.

Whenever I go into other sectors I feel i'm just randomly guessing. And usually bad things happen for me.

I've considered costco, novo nordisk, eli lily, byd (tesla competitor).

Novo nordisk was an interesting one because my doc recommended i try ozempic for diabetes and i start losing weight and I thought a lot of americans would get this prescribed. What i didn't expect was that Medicare was going to enforce a maximum payout for the prescription and tank the stock. Kind of dodged a bullet there.

Is any industry growing besides AI / tech?

There is a lot you can do to your current paddle to test out if you might like a different shape.
If you don't have lead or tungsten tape. You can just tape some coins to the paddle instead
Reference:
Penny = 3grams
Nickle = 5grams
dime = 2.2grams
1overgrip = 7grams

Test Widebody: We can move the balance point lower and add some twist weight to test how a widebody can give additional forgiveness on off center hits. What we won't be able to do is lower the swing weight which most widebody's are. However lowing the balance point usually gives the feel of quicker hands.

If your current paddle is an elongated:
Add 3 grams to each side of the paddle right before the throat tapers.
If hybrid: add 2g

Test Elongated:
We can move the balance point higher moving the center of teh sweetspot up. increasing the SW gives us more power on drives. We won't be able to lower the twist weight of the paddle so note actual elongated will be less foregiving. Most people add weight to the sides of elongated to compensate so the only thing you're really giving up in this test is the paddle is slightly shorter.

Widebody to Elongated: add 5 grams to the tip of the paddle.
Hybrid to elongated: add 3 grams to the tip of the paddle.

Test Hybrid:
Do the same conversion with the widebody / elongated, just add 2/3 the amount of weight.

My paddle is too light: Some paddles are super light. The standard paddle these days come in at 8.0 - 8.2 ounces. If you want to match that i would add half the weight around the paddle and the other half as an undergrip or a coin at the buttcap. So if your current paddle is 7.5 ounces. you'll want to .3oz(8.5g) to the paddle and .3oz to the handle.

My paddle is too heavy: Not much we can do here. Add a nickle to the butt of your handle if you have an elongated to decrease BP, it usually helps with some swings. If you have a widebody, you'll make the balance too low usually.

I know of two ways. let's take SOXL 3X for example.

1. Buy in the money puts that are 30% below current price. The likelyhood that the options will expire with 0 value is low. when the stock goes up these contracts grow exponentially with the price.
2. Consolidate with the reverse exchange. There is a SOXS which is 3X bear. I assume on a daily basis those who buy into one is essentially taking a reverse position on the other so the transactions can consolidate.

?Swaps - i guess this term was made popular in the big short movie. Does it actually happen like this with leveraged stocks?

I think AIS makes a little more sense over DRAM if you want to get into memory atm. AIS is actively managed for the same expense ratio of .75% and also has exposure to memory stock outside of US exchanges. Recently, they got out of Samsung, probably because of the strike news which DRAM can't get out of because of the ETF investment thesis. I'm not always aware of the latest news going on and rather have an etf that can actively manage around these situations. Same with SOXX they hold an overall ratio of stocks and aren't able to adjust quickly enough to the market. Obviously, there are downsides as AIS doesn't hold overthing in Semiconductor like SOXX. I guess it comes down to would you bet on the market as a whole or a dedicated fund manager investing in the market.

It's been a crazy month. Did well on my general portfolio which was mostly bluechip tech and AI. Then read too much news and had FOMO and started trading options on memory and smaller semiconductor companies. I haven't exited all my positions yet, and had to do some options rollups to close positions but thinking with NVDA being one of the last companys to report Q1 earnings the momentum is probably going to slow down and i'll just keep my portfolio in long term position stocks again Mix of blue chip tech, financial, and BRK.B

If you could create a paddle out of the various components out there what would it be?

Mine would be.
Core: 11SIX24 Alpha Pro Power
Face: FCC - Hexgrit
Shape: Pkkl Vantage 16.3 x 7.7
Handle: Head TK82 4 1/8"
Weight 8.1oz + .25oz for the overgrip

Reason: Durablegrit and great spin with a core that isn't too powerful but can put enough pressure on counters. I like slightly wider shapes to help with the stability on off center hits. The TK82 grip is more of a rectangle which was originally for the eastern grip, it allows you to be at the kitchen and cover forehand and backhand without changing grips.

Roughly 8.3 - 8.4 is my sweet spot of weight before i notice hand speed issues.

Have seen a lot of people who come with a new paddle every month, hoping it would improve their game, but I think that's probably the least in need of improvement.

One thing i've noticed is people who improve quicker have more intentional and active footwork. Over time it develops into better consistency of shots, shot selection by getting there early, and defense.

What other things are less obvious to others that's helped your game?