Pool balls that have been polished are not allowed in professional pool tournaments. The BCA rules strictly prohibit polishing pool balls in a tournament. I realize the presumption is aren’t brand new pool balls polished? I suppose that’s logical to presume but pool balls that have been cleaned and polished are verboten under the equipment specs. Dr. Dave produced a segment about polished pool balls and how cling is affected but local tournaments do as they please since the pool balls are used daily for commercial play. Some rooms don’t even clean their balls daily which is likely due to employee laziness.

Somewhere in your pre-shot thought process, "deja vu" needs to come to mind.

If you can't recall several times of SUCCESSFULLY accomplishing what you are attempting to do, maybe you need to try something else. Especially if you are in a meaningful match.

I think your PSR has to be burnt in so it's not something you're thinking about as you get into shooting position.

As to what's going on in my brain, as I'm shooting I giving myself small coaching cues like: use more spin than draw off the rail on this one; it's impossible to hit this shot too hard; level out your cue a bit; favor this side of the OB for position; hit this a touch higher on the CB; punch this one; and small stuff like that.

BTW, not everyone has an "inner voice" or the same level of interaction with an inner voice.


Lou Figueroa
inner voice talks too much
(who you talkin' about?)

jay helfert said:

I based my opinion on the overall look of the cue. I seriously doubt Billy ever let anything like that out of his shop. The phoney logo is very telling too.

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I’m pretty sure the logo/buttcap is from a repair. It has definitely been refinished. Whatever it is, it hits great, feels more refined than my old palmers, closer to an old Dale Patten and early an Schon I had years ago.

Hunting dog for sale.


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iusedtoberich said:

Are there any differences with this lot of 100 compared to the pass-around units?

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No, there is no difference. I haven’t needed to make any design improvements or bug fixes since the passaround, which is a good sign.

The only thing new I’ve worked on since then are app updates, and also a new app released on Amazon Store that allows you to use the DigiBall on a TV with the Fire TV Stick Max (or equivalent).

I’ve also opened the API since I know a lot of software people want to develop with it and fold it into their systems. I released a dedicated radio dongle. I am also working on a WiFi bridge, which allows access to the DigiBall from a network, just in case it is needed for streaming computers far away from the table.

I also made a shot clock display but I don’t know how popular that will be until I try selling a polished version.

fastone371 said:

So before we have a real shot at getting one we have to wait for them to make them, sell them, get feedback, then finally they start making more available? I think getting one of the first 100 will be about the same odds as winning the lottery. Even though they are not available yet I'm sure a number of those first 100 are already spoken for.

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I do not control the distribution so no names are assigned to any of them right now. I will ask if we can create a reservation list, but the sales side is handled not by me.

dquarasr said:

So, my questions, in particular directed to the more highly accomplished AZBers here:
1a. From the time you get down on your shot and perform pre-strokes, until you address the cue ball the final time, what do YOU think about?
1b. Same question, but what would you recommend *I* (or any player to whom you are giving advice) think about?

2a. When you at final cue ball address, and you are starting your backstroke, then through your forward stroke, what do YOU think about?
2b. What would you recommend *I* think about?

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I'm not highly accomplished, but:

1a. Seeing/feeling that I am hitting the target exactly where I want to (and had already decided before addressing the shot) aka mind already made up and just executing the shot I decided, be it correct, incorrect, or unknown (carefully observe what happens). AKA does it look/feel correct. When it does I simply shoot.
1b. Less thinking, simply does it look correct or not? If the answer is not then get back up and try again until it looks right. This method, like anything else takes practice. You might have to diagnose how you see shots at the practice table. Keep your head on a level plane and it is easier to avoid optical illusions.

2a. Ideally, nothing. Just awaiting the sweet feel and sound of the hit. At this point, thinking for me is self sabotage. Best to not think, just focus on your other senses, like sight, sound, feel. If I think about anything it's "sweet hit."
2b. Nothing. Focus on your senses and not your thoughts. Easier said than done, might take practice. Just feel and anticipate the feel and sound of a sweetly hit ball. The rest will take care of itself. If the rest doesn't take care of itself, remember or make a quick note of that shot and spend some time working on it during practice.

dquarasr said:

I have tried that. Doesn’t work. My mind is ALWAYS active. I can’t turn it off. I am hoping to redirect it instead.

Thanks for responding.

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Me too. Focusing and thinking are different things. I find if I focus on the feel/sound my "thinking" isn't so forward in my mind. I have ADD so the tricks I have to do to keep focus may not work for everyone. Alan Watts had some line about constant thinking to the point of it being chatter in the skull is not useful. Maybe focus on your breathing.

Basically if I don't FOCUS on something, my brain is chattering away, and sometimes in life's endeavors that's helpful but sometimes it self sabotages.

I highly recommend adding something to your PSR while up and deciding. Like decide what to do, then say to yourself, is this correct? If you answer yes, just think "yes, correct" and then just focus on feel. Don't address the ball/get into stance until you say "yes, correct." The thinking is done and you confirmed it was correct. Don't be afraid to walk around the table for a different look or just to burn off some energy if you get to thinking. It's annoying but if your brain learns that thinking only gets it a trip around the table, eventually it will decide it's easier to shut up while you focus on feel/sound of a good hit.

These are outstanding carbon fiber shafts!