[Philthepockets]

I don't think it's a coincidence that there are very few players with
"goofy" strokes make it to the top levels at snooker these days.
The game is all about accuracy & consistency and the players with the simplest method are the most consistent. The less moving parts or variables in the stance/stroke/sighting = consistent repeatable results it's that simple

[DangerousDave]

Originally Posted by Cameron Smith

I certainly agree, I consider the backswing to be one of the most over looked aspects of the stroke by amateurs. However thebrain was stating, as many people assume, that Wu and other pool players can't stroke in a straight line which is absolutely false.

The thing is that most pool players are self taught and pool admittedly doesn't punish players initially for less than accurate deliveries, not to the extent of snooker. As a result a lot of players just keep using a crooked stroke until they can repeatedly return it to the line of the shot.

Definitely. Some pool players might look like their cueing action is a little off, but they are consistently making the necessary compensation on the delivery or they wouldn't be making so many balls!

Jimmy White was one of the best potters of his era with his not-quite-textbook technique, and when everything's going well it can work flawlessly. The problems generally start when the pressure is on and then it becomes just another thing that can go wrong. People like Hendry were a lot more technically-minded and probably had a more dependable delivery when they were under it - less prone to a 'twitch'.

Another factor in snooker, more so than pool, is age. With declining coordination these little 'compensations' don't always work so well, which plays a big part in why Steve "Textbook" Davis has outlasted Alex Higgins and Jimmy White the way that he has. Higgins is probably the best example of how badly these little quirks will find you out in the end.

[SpinDoctor]

I think this thread has really derailed since the initial posts regarding snooker players being able to learn from pool players safety games.

That post was absolutely correct in that pool tables allow and, in a lot of cases, require that the shooter venture far further away from the center of the cueball in order to accomplish what is required. A simple ball obstruction safety on a pool table can leave the incoming shooter a favorite to get out(due to jump shots and pockets that accept balls more) whereas the same safety on a snooker table would leave the shooter with a problem. Distance and awkward cueing provide a lot of shelter for the cueball on a snooker table whereas a 9 ball table requires that you really "lock" a player up with your safety.

It's not that pool players are better, it's that they have seen far more alternatives for moving the cueball that a traditional snooker player would not have. Venturing well away from the center of the cueball on a regular basis is a recipe for disaster on a tight pocketed 12' table that is so heavily affected by the nap of the cloth but at times there are some very creative plays that can be made with excessive spin. A pure snooker player may have never ventured that far out on the cueball.

I grew up playing snooker and can honestly say that my game has improved by leaps and bounds over the years because of knowledge I've gained from multiple games, including 9 ball, 10 ball, straight pool, 1 pocket and banks.

[Rethunk]

Originally Posted by sneaky_russian

Hi guys
I've got a question for you:
I play pool all the time.If I switch it for snooker for a couple of months will I improve my pool technique?And do I have to get a snooker cue for that?
Thanks

So, sneaky_russian, are your questions being answered to your satisfaction?

[Philthepockets]

This discussion can't possibly be over as we haven't even discussed pool players trying to use the rest

[gromulan]

Originally Posted by Philthepockets

This discussion can't possibly be over as we haven't even discussed pool players trying to use the rest

Maybe you'd like to play Corey Deuel some even nine ball where he shoots every shot with the rest. I don't think you could bet enough money...







.

[Wity]

How about the rest anjd sitting down for every shot ?

I reckon the Mole would take some beating.

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfmRV...layer_embedded


btw the flexi rest aint as good as the video makes it out to be, ITS BETTER !
I've one on a normal short stick with a tele extension and it really is the dogs danglers.

[Cameron Smith]

There are a few that are quite comfortable with the rest, Corey and Alex being two of them. But there are still quite a few professionals that I have seen that avoid it like the plague. Pool players contort themselves in a variety of ways, learn to shoot behind the back in order to avoid the silly contraption.

Honestly all it takes to execute basic shots with the rest is a days practice and a good snooker instructional book. I got a great piece of advice not long ago that improved my rest play, it's led to better break building simply because I have more options available to me now.

What it takes to use the rest like Shaun Murphy? If only I knew. (he had session where he made 100% of his shots with it)

[Philthepockets]

That Shawn Murphy match was a classic example of the level of all round skill required to play Snooker at the pro level.

Cory Duel. lol too funny.

[gromulan]

Originally Posted by Philthepockets

Playing 3-4 cushions onto balls at the top end from balk and getting safe is no mean feat, neither are two cushion glances and returning to balk. No the safety game is equally as difficult just different.

Phil, I reviewed your posts, and obviously most of them are pretty ignorant, but this one in bold is actually more ignorant than most. You're talking about the 'two cushion glance' shot where the player kicks off two cushions and chips the edge of a red and walks the cue ball up table to balk. Obviously it's a pretty common shot these days, but did you know that until Cliff Thorburn went and played in the UK none of the top professionals had ever seen that shot before (Dennis Taylor himself said this on the air during the Grand Prix last month, but it's not the first time it's been mentioned)? I bet you didn't know that.

Now the interesting part is where Cliff learned that shot. Early in his career he moved from Vancouver to Toronto to learn the game from George Chenier, (read his book, it's in there) and he learned that shot, as well as dozens of others from Chenier during that period. Do you want to know where Chenier learned it? From Irving Crane, the straight pool player! Irv invented that shot in the early 50's as a straight pool safety, and Chenier was a well-known straight pool player and played in all of the big tournaments in the 50's and 60's and that's where he picked it up.

So since that shot began life as a pool shot, I tend to think most of the pool players could pull it off.

[Philthepockets]

I take offence to your referring to me as ignorant in the ways of snooker. I have been around the game for 35 years and spent quite a bit of time around pro players and often practiced with them so ignorant is not what I am.
I see from your posts that you seem to have a hate on for snooker players and make many statements based on heresay and rumour.
Your posts are filled with statements of opinion passed off as facts. You attempt to arrange challenge matches with players that I doubt you have any connection with and that would never happen anyway as the logistic arrangement would get in the way, very immature.
I personally think you have no clue either. You just can't take it that I don't believe or buy into anything you or anyone else claim when it comes to what pool players can or can't do compared to snooker players as I am not so gullible.

[SpinDoctor]

Your ignorance is astonishing Phil, when details are provided to substantiate a claim you simply say that you don't believe it or that whoever said it was lying. Having known and played with/against Gromulan for 20+ years I can assure you that everyone he claims to have interracted with is the truth, whether you choose to believe it or not.

If you only knew how many years we have spent playing snooker you'd be forced to retract your statements about him hating snooker. Very very few people in this country have followed snooker with as much passion as he has. He chooses to use every tool available to improve his game.(including 9/10 ball, one pocket, banks, 3 cushion and banks)

[Philthepockets]

lol that's rich coming from someone that thinks snooker players can't spin the ball. I think you guys need to move to a warmer climate.

[gromulan]

Originally Posted by Philthepockets

lol that's rich coming from someone that thinks snooker players can't spin the ball. I think you guys need to move to a warmer climate.

[ ] he said that
[x] ignorant as always

Originally Posted by Philthepockets

I take offence to your referring to me as ignorant in the ways of snooker. I have been around the game for 35 years and spent quite a bit of time around pro players and often practiced with them so ignorant is not what I am.

Practice?

[SpinDoctor]

Originally Posted by Philthepockets

lol that's rich coming from someone that thinks snooker players can't spin the ball. I think you guys need to move to a warmer climate.

You're obviously right, snooker players use excessive sidespin very regularly compared to 9 ball players. The snooker tables are very receptive to extreme sidespin played on long balls, what was I thinking?

Did I mention that I'm an expert at medicine because I associate with a doctor? Would you like a diagnosis of some sort? I think it's a serious case of head-in-ass disease.