gregcantrall said:

And oh yeah learning to write left handed too. Which brings a story. But true. A Dear family friend could take pencil in each hand and write mirror image in beautiful script. She played the piano and organ without a script. Played by ear and oh so beautiful. Mrs Kenny.

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I had a friend that wrote the same way if I understand you correctly. He wrote left handed and backwards at the same time as writing right handed. The left hand text was at least equal to the right hand other than being backwards. I would be stretching things to describe writing from either hand as beautiful! One thing I checked, his right hand writing didn't degrade when writing with the left hand at the same time.

I think the original purpose of the thread has been covered. Long distance review can go a long ways, as can reviewing video yourself. Often reveals issues a person would swear they didn't have! However, nothing beats real time instruction by a well qualified instructor.

There is an old saying that a doctor that diagnoses his own health issues has a fool for a patient. A bit harsh and I wouldn't go that far but the basic thought is sound. You can't diagnose your own issues as well as a good instructor can and the camera only gives one view.

Blackjack on here used to give video analysis. He would have people shoot the same shot ten times then reposition the camera and shoot the same ten shots again. I think he used three angles, maybe more. I lost touch with him long ago, I don't know if he still does this. David Sapolis if I didn't butcher the spelling. Good guy and very sharp pool player. Back when he was active on here he would have been my first choice. Not sure if he is still available. Then again, a friend is a local instructor. Never paid him but we spent many hours together on a table playing with things. Scott Lee and I played around together on a table a few times too. Never had a paid lesson but that is only because by the time I was aware of instructors I was also aware my time for pool greatness was past! In my seventies, maybe I'll come out smoking if somebody starts a super senile league!(grin)

Sometimes one sentence is pure gold. It will take someone else to say that sentence.

Hu

ShootingArts said:

Lou, the first three sentences are mine, the rest his. The qualifier, "if you produce the same impulse" makes his statement true. if you produce the same impulse is the catch. What he has said is if two impulses are exactly the same they will give the same result. True enough, but the different strokes aren't going to give the same impulse the vast majority of the time.

One definition of "impulse" from physics: a force acting briefly on a body and producing a finite change of momentum:

If I give exactly the same impulse to a cue ball with a feather or a freight train I will get the same result! His statement as written can be defended as true. On the other hand, try to deliver the same impulse with a half inch stroke and an eighteen inch stroke! He is playing word games.

Hu

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It would be word games if it wasn't the original question and the reason I made this thread in the first place. Many people believe that it's not only harder but flat out impossible to perform certain shots without a smooth/well-timed stroke. E.g. two balls on opposite spots, drawing with side into corner pocket such that the CB never touches the end rail. Very delicate shot, not possible on certain cloth/tables/rails, typically requires cheating the pocket so pocket size helps. Easier with a good stroke 100%, but many people, including some good players, insist on the smoothness of the stroke being the "magic ingredient" that somehow turns it from impossible to possible. Literally, not just increasing the percent of success.

The fact that the thread is 80% about the benefits of good timing in general (ignoring the premise of the thread) is very expected. And I appreciate the discussion either way. It's a closely related topic, although one that almost everyone agree with. Highly doubt anyone in this thread questions that good timing helps in consistency. But natarddrho's answer was definitely not word games, he simply answered the original question precisely.

I started playing pool in Los Angeles 58 years ago and some things were better then and some things are better now.

The Billiard Palace in Bellflower, a little Southwest of LA, is where some of the best players played, I watched Billy Johnson aka Wade Crane play Richie Florence for three days straight. The first set was for $8,000, The second set was for almost $8,000 and the last set was for Richie's cue, his new Cadillac and cash.

Richie lost all three sets.

The room was also famous for the PayBall game played on the 5 x 10 snooker table. PayBall is a 6 Ball ring game where you would win money for each ball pocketed and double the amount when you make the six ball.

Typically the game started for $10 - $20 but it would quickly go up from there.

I watched a game when just before Cole Dickson broke the rack while playing for $100 - $200 asked, "Make it $1000 for a break and run out?" Everyone said yes. No one did while I was watching.

The one thing that was absolutely better was it was easier to play for money, I started for .50 cents a game.

I didn't lose much because I didn't have much money and while it is what some players will tell you, you have to play for something if you want to get better, it's true.

I am not recommending anyone to play for money but in my case I wanted to beat a guy I didn't like and I improved my game until I could beat him.

Beating him for fun was not as good as beating him for the few dollars I won.

The best thing about pool today for me is I can watch the best players in the world sitting in front of my computer.

Only if you're thoroughly versed in CPG/CBL.

SSP said:

Your opponent can do all the assessing he wants when it's his turn......

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Totally agree with you. Staring at the ball after your shot doesn't change anything, simply makes you an irritating nob

It would be helpful to say where it was sold/stolen and about what timeframe.

Flakeandrun said:

When players look down the line of the ball to check a safety, or snooker, when the next player is getting ready to, or is assessing the table, or even getting down on the shot. Some players run, dance and crouch over a safety played, or a ball that's hooked, when they should just sit the F down... It's annoying enough in casual games, or games for petty cash. But when the shot clock is on, it's literally using someone's time, of which is limited.

I personally dislike it, though I cannot say there is not the odd time where I have done this myself. Should it be ok to have a look? Is it sharking? Should your opponent sit the F down? The table isn't changing because they have a look... but the tempo of the game, the psychology of the opponent/situation could change as a result.

I am curious on others thoughts.

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Your opponent can do all the assessing he wants when it's his turn......

Lowell said:

I thought "custom" meant built to your specifications, these are just cues that are exclusive to their website

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Like a lot of production makers, you can probably contact Joss and have them change out woods, stains, etc. on production cues to meet what you want. Hell, McDermott will do it. I don't remember for sure, but I bet Joss would be willing to make you a 1/1 cue if you asked/paid for it.

Daves custom cues said:

They have a custom cue line on their web page with some pretty nice offerings. Pricing $600. - $1300 and there abouts.

Custom cue Archives - Joss Cues https://share.google/WhLJ2guGYDPIJvPgy

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I thought "custom" meant built to your specifications, these are just cues that are exclusive to their website