Video Encyclopedia of Pool Shots

[SpiderWebComm]

Hey Dr. Dave... I was checking out your clips.

Good info-


I only have one suggestion and please take this the right was as I promise I'm not being belligerent....but....

Ya gotta start talking with a little more voice inflection. You borderline sound like Ben Stein in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I think your videos would be a lot better if you weren't so monotone. I know the value of your videos are in the information... but for someone with A.D.D. like myself, I can only watch them in short spurts without going crazy.

Get excited one time and say a word that's either higher or lower than the 10 previous!

It's not easy to tell someone that without them thinking it's a dig - because I promise I'm not. Like I said... super info... but boring.

Bert Kinister - like the guy or hate the guy - he talks with emotion and that would draw in the listener. I remember one video when he hit dead stroke and his eyes were crazed and he said "I wanna feel this way for LIFE" and it made me laugh my ass off. Entertainment PLUS good info.

Anyways - you're doing a good job. Just liven it up a bit. You don't HAVE to sound like a professor, ya know?

 

[Paul Mon]

You just keepblowing me away with these.

Dave,
It's more of the same great instruction that the first DVD has. The squirt/swerve portion is something I've used for a while evaluating cues. One thing I learned was about BHE and the break. I don't use BHE and while understanding it always instinctively compensated and use a 314 shaft. But breaking is one of my weakest areas. Particularly hitting them flush. I break with a conventional cue and will now determine it's pivot length. Occasionally, to make it fair with guests I usea house cue. I will then use BHE and the pivot point is known.

All in all Two thumbs up again Dave. Actually,I believe I gave you 3 thumbs up on DVD #1. But I've grown accustomed to your excellent way of passing on information. Well done Dave and Tom.

I'm going back to look at them again.

regards...........Paul

 

[iusedtoberich]

Someone earlier mentioned DVD indexing. I'm not sure if this is what they meant or not...

Besides having a Table of Contents, like you linked to, included with the DVD, make a new chapter for each shot. This way one could easily go right to the shot they want to see, when they are practicing or reviewing material.

Along the same topic, it would be nice if the #of the shot was always on the screen, not just at the beginning of each shot. This also would make it easier to navigate through the dvd. It could be in a corner so as not to interfere with the view of the shot, once the shot is in progress.

 

[theUBC]

dvd

Hi Dr. Dave,
since ever I "detected" your free tips on your colestate web page I am a big fan of your pool advices. It helped me and many of my students. I watched all your free samples of the disc 1 and disc 2 and have to say that this stuff "is a must have" for players AND instructors!!! Congratulations to you and Tom Ross. I can imagine how many hours of work you both put into this. So your price is just WOW!
I will purchase the first two discs right now and I look forward to the next three! Congrats again for the very nicely structured material. This stuff will make you sort of immortal in the world of pool. In case you have not yet finished the disc with banks I offer you to make contact with me, so that I can send you a very good, easy and consistent banking system, that works on every table (tested it on brunswick, diamond, gabriels, gandy) even different cloth doesnt affect it much, due to the speed I use)

Perhaps you and Tom like it and if you like I will give you the permission to use it on your DVD.

Best regards from EKKES (Germany)
www.infinite-billiards.com
e-mail: info@infinite-billiards.com

 

[dr_dave]

I'm not sure if someone has already mentioned it yet, but for relatively shallow cut angles a player could use all four fingers of the hand: the index and middle fingers would define the cut angle, and then the player could spread the ring and pinky fingers so that the three Vs formed by the fingers are the same angle.

Spreading the fingers to create three equal angles might be tricky for some people; at very shallow angles I find it hard to keep my pinky still. For those of use with curvy or bent fingers it may be necessary to ignore the finger tip and instead sight from each knuckle to the first joint.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give this a try. I personally like the pivot of a single peace-sign, but with using the trisect system in reverse for aiming draw billiard shots (shot 150 on Disc I), your method might be helpful to some people.

I sometimes use the Vulcan peace sign (from Spock on Star Trek) for the 30-degree rule just to amuse my teammates. I think my Vulcan 30 degrees is actually more accurate than my peace-sign 30 degrees.

Another option--perhaps even weirder--would be to make two "peace sign" Vs by using both hands, then touching the hands together at the insides of the thumbs together, and then finally angling the hands away from each other until the V between the hands is the same angle as the V of each peace sign.

Again, I think the single peace-sign with a pivot is easier and faster (and maybe more accurate), and you don't need to put your cue down, but thanks again for the suggestion.

Either of these alternatives could prove clumsy in practice, but it could be helpful for some players to see the cut angle and the final cue ball direction at once.

Good point. I'll have to try out your ideas some.

This sounds fair to me. I've produced a DVD myself, so I have an understanding of the costs of production and editing as well as the cost of having a run of DVDs pressed, labeled, boxed, and wrapped.

I also think the price is fair and reasonable. Since I haven't heard too many complaints in either direction, I will assume most people agree.

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

As usual, the clips looked very good Dave.

Thanks Neil.

(still waiting on what you have for the kicks. )

I'm not sure you were joking or implying something or not by your comment (I can apparently be dense with this sort of thing at times); but if your comment is genuine, Tom and I are very excited about Disc IV, which contains lots of kick and bank stuff. Tom played 3-cushion billiards for many years, so he had a lot of knowledge and experience to contribute here.

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Wow. Great stuff.

Thanks.

I heard about the pivot point for BHE on here, but didn't want to mess up my "aim by feel" methods. But seeing it and how to find it is great. I can see using it on the break to be a big benefit.

FYI, if you want more info on this and related topics, I have a lot posted (from me and others) here:

http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/English.html#BHE​

I also really liked the position through the center of the table. I never heard that discussed before. Of course I always knew to play short when going 2 rails for position so you won't scratch, but using the center of the table as your guide is new to me.

I also learned a lot about this stuff from Tom. He came up with most of the center-of-the-table stuff. I agree that it is very useful to know. I've used it a couple of times during league matches already.

Is there any way to send payment for all the series, and then you would ship them automatically as they become available? Any special rate for ordering the whole series?

Tom and I decided to not take pre-orders for a package deal. We are a small-time operation and want to keep things as simple as possible. We will offer a discount package deal for the entire set after all of the DVDs are released, but the last disc probably won't be out until next April. It takes a long time to edit, narrate, illustrate, and produce the discs, especially when you have a "day job." Sorry about that.

Regards,
Dave

 

[Neil]

................

 

[dr_dave]

Hey Dr. Dave... I was checking out your clips.

Good info-

Thanks.

I only have one suggestion and please take this the right was as I promise I'm not being belligerent....but....

Ya gotta start talking with a little more voice inflection. You borderline sound like Ben Stein in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I think your videos would be a lot better if you weren't so monotone. I know the value of your videos are in the information... but for someone with A.D.D. like myself, I can only watch them in short spurts without going crazy.

Get excited one time and say a word that's either higher or lower than the 10 previous!

It's not easy to tell someone that without them thinking it's a dig - because I promise I'm not. Like I said... super info... but boring.

Anyways - you're doing a good job. Just liven it up a bit. You don't HAVE to sound like a professor, ya know?

I appreciate the candid suggestions. I certainly don't take it as a "dig." I will do my best to liven it up on Disc III (and maybe give you a little credit for the suggestion).

Maybe I should get a little liquored up before my next narration session. What do you think? But then the info might not be as good.

I'm glad you just dislike my voice, and not the info.

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Dave,
It's more of the same great instruction that the first DVD has. The squirt/swerve portion is something I've used for a while evaluating cues. One thing I learned was about BHE and the break. I don't use BHE and while understanding it always instinctively compensated and use a 314 shaft. But breaking is one of my weakest areas. Particularly hitting them flush. I break with a conventional cue and will now determine it's pivot length. Occasionally, to make it fair with guests I usea house cue. I will then use BHE and the pivot point is known.

Thanks Paul. I'm glad you like what you've seen so far.

All in all Two thumbs up again Dave. Actually,I believe I gave you 3 thumbs up on DVD #1. But I've grown accustomed to your excellent way of passing on information. Well done Dave and Tom.

I hope your number of thumbs doesn't continue to decrease. If it goes down by one after each disc, I won't be very happy. :frown:

I'm going back to look at them again.

regards...........Paul

Paul, thanks again for your feedback and and supportive words.

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Someone earlier mentioned DVD indexing. I'm not sure if this is what they meant or not...

Besides having a Table of Contents, like you linked to, included with the DVD, make a new chapter for each shot. This way one could easily go right to the shot they want to see, when they are practicing or reviewing material.

That's a great idea, and I wanted to do this; but, unfortunately, because of the way I am producing the chapters and discs (and because of the limited software I am using [Pinnacle Studio]), this would be extremely difficult (very time consuming). Luckily, it's not too difficult to use the DVD menu (where I have the shot numbers for each chapter), and just go to the desired section and fast-forward through the shots, looking at the shot numbers as they go by. But again, great idea!

Along the same topic, it would be nice if the #of the shot was always on the screen, not just at the beginning of each shot. This also would make it easier to navigate through the dvd. It could be in a corner so as not to interfere with the view of the shot, once the shot is in progress.

That's another great idea. I will consider this for Discs III-V.

If you have any other good ideas for how to improve things, please let me know.

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Hi Dr. Dave,
since ever I "detected" your free tips on your colestate web page I am a big fan of your pool advices. It helped me and many of my students. I watched all your free samples of the disc 1 and disc 2 and have to say that this stuff "is a must have" for players AND instructors!!!

I appreciate that. I hope you still feel this strong after viewing the entire DVDs.

Congratulations to you and Tom Ross. I can imagine how many hours of work you both put into this. So your price is just WOW!

It has definitely been a lot of work. It took us several months just to do all of the filming. The editing, illustration, narration, and production also require a lot of effort and time.

I will purchase the first two discs right now and I look forward to the next three! Congrats again for the very nicely structured material.

OK. I'll look for your orders.

This stuff will make you sort of immortal in the world of pool.

That is probably a bit of an exaggeration, but I appreciate the sentiment.

In case you have not yet finished the disc with banks I offer you to make contact with me, so that I can send you a very good, easy and consistent banking system, that works on every table (tested it on brunswick, diamond, gabriels, gandy) even different cloth doesnt affect it much, due to the speed I use)

Perhaps you and Tom like it and if you like I will give you the permission to use it on your DVD.

We are done with all of the filming, and we don't plan to add any additional content, but I appreciate the offer. Regardless, I would love to see your systems.

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

LOL! The only thing I'm implying is.......... git 'er done! Iyes be a waitin!:grin:

Thanks Neil. Believe me, my wife keeps implying the same thing ... in different words:

"When in the hell are you gonna be done with that pool video stuff?"
"And why do you spend so much time reading a posting messages on that silly pool forum?"
​

I still love her.

Regards,
Dave

 

[iusedtoberich]

Just placed the order for the 1st two. I look forward to receiving them.

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Thanks.

I appreciate the candid suggestions. I certainly don't take it as a "dig." I will do my best to liven it up on Disc III (and maybe give you a little credit for the suggestion).

Maybe I should get a little liquored up before my next narration session. What do you think? But then the info might not be as good.

I'm glad you just dislike my voice, and not the info.

Regards,
Dave

Don't get liquored up! Just be EXCITED to share the info with us. The inflection will come across naturally. Don't read from a script - maybe that'll help.

You have good info, like I said. Well done.

 

[dr_dave]

Just placed the order for the 1st two. I look forward to receiving them.

I hope you enjoy them, despite my apparent lack of enthusiasm during the narrations. :wink:

Please let me know what you think after you view them.

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Don't get liquored up! Just be EXCITED to share the info with us. The inflection will come across naturally.

OK. I'll stay away from the hard stuff. And I get the message ... be excited!!! I'm busting with excitement already just thinking about it. I can't wait to jump into Disc III. :happydance:

Don't read from a script - maybe that'll help.

I don't script any of the narrations. Sometimes I do multiple takes if I don't like what I said, or how I said it, but believe it or not, I do better by not scripting anything. Can you imagine that it could be even more boring for you ... if I were reading from a script? I know ... that's a scary thought.

You have good info, like I said. Well done.

Thanks again.

Regards,
Dave

 

[frankncali]

Dave

Very Nice job.
Watching the clips its tough to get a feel for how the lessons as a whole feel. IE- IS it boring? Is there enough explaination for a beginner and enough interesting for a Mid-to upper level guy?

I thought the visual aspects were very good using the lines and the ring for visual guides. Are there repeats of the shots or just the one shot on during the videos?

Are there any guides or layouts for watchers to go to a table and setup the same shots seen?

While I know your voice and who you are I just wonder if the monotoned
voice and delivery gives credibility to the information.

Overall from the little that I saw it appeared to be a very good series. I seem to like the shot and positioning lessons better than the fundamental stuff. Others may be the opposite way.


Nice job and it make me want to get off my butt and do something with an idea I have had for a while.

Nice job!!

 

[dr_dave]

Very Nice job.

Thanks.

Watching the clips its tough to get a feel for how the lessons as a whole feel.

The clips are very representative of the type of content and style of presentation throughout the discs. Although, there is a lot on each disc. You can judge by the lists of shots available on the website.

IE- IS it boring?

Spidey thinks so, but I have not heard this from anyone else. Now, the discs are long (Disc II is about 1 hour and 40 minutes), and they contain a lot of information. If you try to watch a disc straight through without taking a break or trying out some of the stuff, it might be difficult to maintain attention.

Is there enough explaination for a beginner and enough interesting for a Mid-to upper level guy?

The pace and amount of information might be a little difficult for a beginner to absorb, but I think the explanations, illustrations, and demonstrations make everything as clear as possible. We certainly have information that will be of interest and useful to all levels of player (beginner, intermediate, and expert). We have had many players at all levels (and several instructors) review the discs, and we have gotten lots of positive feedback from all of them.

I thought the visual aspects were very good using the lines and the ring for visual guides. Are there repeats of the shots or just the one shot on during the videos?

I'm not exactly sure what you mean here. You can view the entire lists of shots on the website. The shots aren't repeated, except when we show some of them in slow motion to help you see the action of the shot. If you want to repeat a shot, you can use the rewind key. I hope that answers your question.

Are there any guides or layouts for watchers to go to a table and setup the same shots seen?

This isn't currently available. I do have some nice table templates you can print if you want to takes notes from the video. They can be found here:

http://billiards.colostate.edu/resources/index.html#templates​

under "table diagrams." Usually, it is pretty clear in the video how each shot is set up.

While I know your voice and who you are I just wonder if the monotoned voice and delivery gives credibility to the information.

That's up to the viewers to decide. Most of our reviewers actually like the style and conciseness of the narration, but I know different people like different things.

Overall from the little that I saw it appeared to be a very good series. I seem to like the shot and positioning lessons better than the fundamental stuff. Others may be the opposite way.

Please let us know what you think if you view any of the DVDs.

Nice job!!

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[Beware_of_Dawg]

**** official mark thread for future comment & review **** (subcribed)