crempfer said:

If you can’t spend a lot of money on private lessons but still want to establish good fundamentals, I’m a big advocate of this instructional workbook by Tanner Pruess.
Pool Confidence-it has drills, aiming/stroke technique, strong emphasis on pre shot routine, mental game. Also comes with a nice fabric target for doing drills. It’s around $75

POOL CONFIDENCE

Tanner Pruess is a Top Amateur and Pool Instructor based in Rapid City, SD

www.tannerpruess.com

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Much appreciated for the recommendation!

My grandpa never kept me and my cousins from having at it on his gold crown. He encouraged us to play and it didn't matter if he was in the room or not. I remember many nights watching grandpa, dad and uncles play and it is no doubt where I developed my love for the game. When they were done playing though, you can bet your azz that we were on the tables banging balls all night long with zero supervision.

I've now raised 5 boys of my own and our house has always been the hangout spot. I've always let them play on my Diamond and have had no real issues. Couple nicks in the cloth that couldn't be explained and minor things over the years, but i wouldn't change a thing. That said, they are not touching my Joss or a few other select cues lol

No, I sold it in one day for the full $1200 asking price

mick hodapp said:

If I am not mistaken Allison Fisher has won a US Open 9-ball Championship multiple times.

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Oh, I was not thinking of the Ladies. I never really followed the Ladies either, but I believe that Allison Fisher may have won more championships then any other lady ever. I am just not sure how many she has won since the end of the 90's though. She was my favorite player as a kid, back in the 90's. She was really amazing. I understand that she is still competing, but not sure how well she has done, compared to a lot of the Asian female Pros, in recent years, who seem to have really dominated Woman's pool over the last 20+ years.

I wouldn't. Dad is allowed his own private space.
To each their own.

gregcantrall said:

Perhaps an opportunity to do a little bonding.

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And and uh what if her friends actually like her Dad. Eek

You know your own child, so use your best judgement. Assuming they're a good kid and will attempt to take reasonable care of things, then absolutely yes, but I'd have a chat with them ahead of time. Explain the importance of keeping things nice, clean, no food/drinks on the table, etc. And let them know they're responsible for it all. If the cloth gets torn, guess what, they get to work off the price of new cloth either through chores or by getting a job (maybe a little young for a job these days still).

My philosophy would be to give them access but make them responsible for it all and how their friends treat it. They can then decide if they want that responsibility or not.

I also don't have kids....so don't listen to me.

TTT

Tough to give parenting advice. Heard a story once about someone worrying about their lawn when the kids played on it. The question was asked, “Are you raising boys or grass?” IMO you also want to be the house that teenagers go to. Our older one is the social chairman type. I always liked having to step over snoring high school football players in the basement the morning after a game or on a Sunday. My kid was at a house I trusted that way. Is it always perfect? No.

I would set a few rules, no food or drinks, explain a few things not to do to the table. That kind of thing. You will also have to restrain yourself when they inevitably do something that will make you cringe. Don’t discourage them from trying pool. Exposing them to the sport is great. More important is the raising the daughter part. We had it easier with boys. But in the next several years your daughter will have to make responsible choices in things way more important than keeping a table nice. IMO.

And Diamond tables have survived worse in the pool halls and bars throughout the USA and world.

I'd think 14 is old enough to understand just how profoundly her father would be disappointed if they damaged his favorite things. Literally, what's the worst that could happen? Some kid spills a coke on the cloth and you're out some cash. On the other hand, the bond of trust that the moment might create... that could last a lifetime.

Clear expectations and trust. I think that's worth it.

Black-Balled said:

...and remove nice sticks from the room.

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Well My stick isn't loaned, There's 2 sticks in the loaner rack. Mine is in it's case and secured, just like All my guns. While handy they are secured. Just like hunter safety training all participants need to be trained. Perhaps an opportunity to do a little bonding.

Mensabum said:

Not in this lifetime.

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Seriously though, you might have to give up the 6 out to some players? Even if you were just a really strong B player, for example. It just should not be in a race to 2 game tournament. Not even a race to 3, in my opinion. Going to at least 5 games should be minimum, if the players must give or get ball spots. If they are very short races, like to 3 games, then there really should not be any handicaps, unless some of the players are not even good enough to run 3 or 4 balls. In that case, I think Game spots are the way to go. Make the better player go to 4, or 5 games, and the weak player go to 2 games.