driz86 said:

I generally agree. I don't even think it makes sense to make a fuss about it since it's typical human behavior. Aside from that, how would that kind of thing be enforced? I don't see a reasonable way ...

Click to expand...

A persistent problem person can be forced to leave the arena.

I think that it's the unexpected that is the real shark. League night might be chaotic, but none of that is unusual, so it isn't distracting.

A major tournament is not league night.

I don't recall seeing any official rule about equipment malfunctions.

cardit said:

Hi, if a shooting player is interfered by a player on an adjoining table and causes the shooter to miss, scratch, hit the opponent's ball, etc., is it a foul or is there a remedy available to the shooter? League play, no referee.

Thx,

Mike

Click to expand...

I think in most situations it will be restore the position and shoot again. If somehow the position can't be restored, go back to the break shot.

dquarasr said:

As soon as Steven A Smith appears (if I have tuned in by accident) on the screen, the channel is changed as quickly as I can get my hands on the remote. (His initials SAS are in the wrong order.)

Click to expand...

I quite like SAS but know where you are coming from. It seems that the role of everyone on his show First Take is to worship him, and that's a shame because some of his regular guests are pretty darn good as sports analysts. A good example is NBA analyst Brian Windhorst, who is consistently outstanding, and College Football analyst Paul Finebaum is also superb.

I think it's a case of wasted potential, because SAS is a workaholic who is always well-prepared for his job. The format of his show, unfortunately, makes it a free-for-all circus drenched with silliness and, too often, more than a few holier-than-thou moments.

Still, all these points aside, I still find a way to enjoy SAS.

ChrisinNC said:

I wish him the best in his comeback, but at 63 and a quarter century since his last significant wins is too long. He may do well in regional events but has no chance against top level competition. For him to even be able to compete with Johnny, Earl or CJ would be a stretch.

Click to expand...

I didn't get the feeling that he had any intention of playing outside of the region.

I believe that we’re all old guys sitting around thinking.
Good question though.
In my opinion until we start using AI refs, then any human ref would let the player change shafts.

As far as gluing a new tip on, no.

Personally I would no doubt glue my thumb and my finger to the tip and a fair bit of the ferrule.
Most of my shots after that would have to be made with the side of the shaft.

Therein lies the problem.

Interestingly, at snooker if the tip comes off, the player can take a break to have a new tip put on. I believe that if the tip is merely damaged, the player must play on. Of course in snooker a player almost never has a second cue (most professionals use a one piece cue).

At pool, players are expected to have a second shaft. I’d be curious if the referee has a discretion to pause the shot clock if the player needs to change shafts in that situation, or if the player just has to use his break cue until he has time to change shafts.

GideonF said:

I don’t know if this has been tested, but my belief is that sudden movement or sound in a quiet and still environment is way more distracting than a lot of constant movement and sound. So if I wanted to distract a basketball player shooting a free throw, I would have everyone sit still and then have one fan suddenly move and shout as they are shooting.

That accords with my own experience in the pool hall. A bunch of people walking in the distance is easier to fade than sudden movement in a still environment as I’m shooting.

Click to expand...

In the context of trying to distraction basketball players while shooting free throws, there are some studies and I think they do apply to taking a shot in pool. One of the better-known discussions around this involved neuroscience writer Daniel Engber. The basic finding was that sudden synchronized movement by fans appeared to work better than continuous chaos. Duke fans used one technique called the "silent scream."

The “silent scream” specifically was the idea that:

• fans stay eerily still and quiet while the shooter sets up,
• then all make a sudden synchronized motion or loud noise/scream at the same time, just before the release of the ball

The theory was that the brain habituates to constant noise, but a novel, abrupt change grabs attention at exactly the wrong moment. That lines up with broader sports-psychology findings that unexpected auditory or visual stimuli can disrupt attentional control and reaction timing.

So, yes, we all shoot pool in bars and loud environments. But in a silent environment, like a tournament, an unexpected noise just before or during the final stroke can cause a miss because the body twitches in reaction. And the level of professionalism of the player won't help.

mikeyd88 said:

Are they for sale?

Click to expand...

They will be, 'mikey'. It'll prolly be another month/two...

Patrick Johnson said:

View attachment 909485

Click to expand...

And you want self submitted pool from this target? Gimme a break.

lfigueroa said:

Can you even set up a break ball and run one rack?

Lou Figueroa

Click to expand...

What my word is good?

Incidentally WrldPro is trying sprout good ole pool in this patch.

but

Can you even set up a break ball and run one rack?

Lou Figueroa

JohnnyOzone said:

In an IDEAL world, I think you are absolutely correct. I watch a fair amount of snooker and Chinese 8 ball, and almost all of those guys (the straightest shooters on the planet) lock on to the OB and their eyes NEVER leave it.
I say "ideal world" bcz how many of us have the eyesight to be able to do this. I sure as hell don't, so I have had to adapt and (somewhat) overcome. When I am 5 or more feet from the OB, I can't help but see double if I stare at the OB. Therefore, on long shots (and when CB is on the rail - for different reasons) I look at CB while delivering the stroke. It helps me make a straighter stroke, hit the CB where I intend to, be less anxious about "result" , and stay down on the shot.
When I am able to lock in on the OB the whole time, I think I shoot a little straighter.
just my 2 cents

Click to expand...

QTF. Had not considered the vision thing but absolutely that as well.

I would add, it's a holographic existence of at least 4 dimensions. Obvious?
Take your average, over prepared, high dollar snooker/heyball etc... player.
It's reality for them. Their egos easily encompass "being the center of the universe". Aiming and shooting is easily a given in their world. The errors, well hem haw, can't be helped, part of the sport, Ronnie and Judd have the excellence cornered yada yada...

No, yes, no. Lol