Been digesting this a bit more Mr white, I must say now that the gamblers are back in the cave) I like your priority list real well but I question your 'obey' theory that could be a power trip deal from yer end of the table. You cannot obey an in-atomate object. If the player knows the rules he or she are in charge of their own decision and execution - not the table or balls. The obey is kinda a "they live" deal and is frankly a little creepy. I don't need the dark sunglasses to see the aliens. I don't warship statues or pool tables, I control the game. It used to control me (gambling and always needing to be in action) but not anymore. Some of the so called 'rules' are beyond bogus anyhue). In true art if you make an accident it can manifest into purity. In war when there's often a bad egg trying to provoke others and making it look like an accident - this just results in casualties. Stick to your priority list and forget the rules. forget about the "they live" big brother 'stuff' that's just filler - although it is a good motion picture. The table plays the same for everyone, the only difference is some players move better than others.I really like your mental approach to playing straight pool, Danny. Of course I'm nowhere near your level of play, but I always had the idea that if you obey the rules that the balls and table want you to obey, then they will reward you. It's like having a mutual understanding. Respect the table and it will return the favor. Maybe that's too Zen or whatever, but I've learned through reading and practice on my own that there are rules to obey. Obvious ones:
1. Have a plan before you start into a new rack,
2. Don't go into clusters without a safety ball,
3. Nudge and separate clusters, don't "break" them,
4. Don't fight the table. Take what it gives you and play safe rather than try to force things.
and so on.
I also really like your take on competition vs practice, and especially ego, which I hadn't really thought about so much. Straight pool is about pocketing balls while competition is about competition. They are two different things.
Thanks for the posts!
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