Just can't play bullet at all!

I seem literally unable to play a 1|0 game - regardless how fast I try to move, I just keep timing out while my opponent has 20s left. Even if I stop trying to think of good moves, I still time out.

My internet connection is good and I'm not physically or mentally disabled, so there's no excuse available!

Is my expereince normal - do most chess players struggle so hard when first playing? Is it fundamentally very difficult?

It seems 5|0 is the point I can actually play chess... anything below that even 3|0 I just run out of time or blunder horrendously. Look at my ratings online/standard VS blitz/bullet...

Based on your current ratings, I'd recommend not playing any 1/0 at all for the time being, and instead work on improving your skills with longer time controls. Even many gms don't like blitz because it leads to sloppy play. With longer time controls you're putting more thought into your games, so they're much better for improving your game.

Also, once you do start playing 1/0 (or if you still want to play 1/0 now), you'll want to get aquainted with the premove function. Just look up "premove" in the forums.

I know the pre-move but it doesn't really help, I can rarely think quickly enough to know my next move unless it's something really trivial. I'm sure it helps, but it won't make the difference between me being a good player or not!

All my chess prior to chess.com was OTB with no time controls at all, so I'm probably going too fast(!) trying to suddenly start playing bullet at all.

Don't play bullet at all if you are serious about improving.

dont worry, bullet is totally useless. I suck at it too but its no problem as long as you improve your normal chess skills. cheers :)

Work on getting your regular chess skills up first before worrying about bullet ... 1/0 is pretty random and I don't recommend it. 

Thing is I like the concept, 2|1 or 3|0 anyway - 1|0 I can't even follow the bullet brawls when I'm not having to play.

Maybe I'll stick to 5|0 or 5|5, seems a nice compromise of being fast-paced but not stupid.

Yes 5 minute is good. I also experienced that it indeed is possible to improve your long game chess skills just by playing blitz. 

Bullet is an entirely new game. Most of the thinking of normal chess is replaced by instinctive intuition. If you want to get better I'd recommend standard. If you don't like bullet, don't force yourself.

what is a blur? :s

Blur is a British rock band. 

I am trying but still can not play bullet well as blitz (:. Blitz rating max 2440 bullet 2140 any suggestion ?