Practicing by playing 14.1

Kim Bye

Kim Bye

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've just started playing pool again after a 20 year hiatus.
I have always been a fan of straight pool and think its a great game to play by myself and at the same time improving my game.
Today i guy approached me and told be that 14.1 was a poor way to practice and that i should start with just 3 balls, then 4 etc.
I thought that sounded strange, but its been a longe time since i played pool, so he might be right?
What do you guys think?
 
Unsolicited information is usually worth what you pay for it.

If you played 14.1 20 some years ago, and were at the least an average player, keep practicing the way you enjoy playing.

If you want to play 9 ball, start by shooting rotation using 3-4-5 balls

14.1 is a great game to practice for non-rotation games; 14.1, 8 ball and One pocket
 
Thanks :smile:
I use 14.1 as a way to relive stress, but also to improve my stroke.
So often if i miss a ball, i will take a time out and practice that shot untill i comfortably can make the shot.
As with any pool hall it's quite commom that people come up to me and invite me to a game, then is mostly 8, 9 and 10 ball. So i get to practice those games too.
As for drills; i do the standard ones to loosen up before i start to play.
 
what do you think is best if you're an 8 ball player? practice 14.1? or something else?
 
Houstoer said:
what do you think is best if you're an 8 ball player? practice 14.1? or something else?
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As far as I am concerned, 14.1 is the answer. I couldn't stand drills so instead of just hitting balls with no real purpose, I would plays straight pool as my practice. I think it helped my 8 ball game tremendously. JMO
 
Playing 14.1 has done more to help my other games (9 ball, 8 ball) than most any other form of practice. It is great for teaching you position, touch, stop shots and finesse. I think it is a great way to practice.

John
 
It's good for every game including 9 ball. The most obvious benefits are improving your touch around the table and cluster management. But beyond that, it teaches you to make the easy shots every single time if for no other reason than it gets really friggin annoying having a potential high run stopped by a 3 foot 30 degree angle cut shot.

Many feel that they make these shots more often than they actually do. But even if you make 'em 9 out of 10 every times, that's only about 90 out of 100. Those 10 missed shots keep you from running out and keep your game down. Straight Pool will bring that average up to 99.8 out of 10 (everything can be missed).
 
I too quit pool for at least 30 years.

I have been playing straight pool now for several weeks.

Nothing will improve your one pocket, 8 ball or 9-10 ball faster.
It is the little subtleties in straight that teach you how to handle both the cue ball and the object balls.

Any player that does not know how to play straight pool well is only a one dimensional player.

Practice some banks and 9 or 10 ball as well.

Bill Stroud
 
Kim Bye said:
Thanks :smile:
I use 14.1 as a way to relive stress, but also to improve my stroke.
So often if i miss a ball, i will take a time out and practice that shot untill i comfortably can make the shot.
As with any pool hall it's quite commom that people come up to me and invite me to a game, then is mostly 8, 9 and 10 ball. So i get to practice those games too.
As for drills; i do the standard ones to loosen up before i start to play.
Click to expand...

Straight Pool is a game for ball pocketing. To improve your stroke you should do stroke drills.
randyg
 
Try using Allen Hopkins "Q-Skills" as a practice tool. It's a combination of straight pool skills along with rotation shooting and thinking. It also lends itself to montoring your improvement
 
Keep workin'...

If you are achieving noticable improvements with your practice of 14.1 then by all means continue because IMO it involves ALL aspects of shooting and increases your knowledge of colliding spherical objects! :thumbup:
If you are not getting positive results with your current practice routine then try another method.
Remember...EVERYTHING involved in the games requires a positive, repetitive and efficient stroke. Start there and progress with what you enjoy because if it doesn't make ya happy, why do it? :D
Glad to see you actually practicing in any manner! Best of luck with your game!
 
randyg said:
Straight Pool is a game for ball pocketing.
randyg
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oh Randy, come on! I disagree with that statement. And what about pinpoint position? Very often what would be good a mile in any other game, 9-ball especially, is absolutely not acceptable in 14.1. And Cameron already mentioned table and cluster management.

14.1 practice is good for any game. Good 14.1 player will play good 9-ball, vice versa is not true. Knowledge and execution is what one needs to play the game right.

Kim, another way to practice for player of ANY level, even a pro, is with 3 balls. Choose a game you want to practice, 8-ball or 9-ball, set up a triangle rack of three balls (one of them being 8 or 9 depending on the game type), break, cue ball in hand and try to run them. And again, and again. Once you feel you have mastered that so good you run out, say, 10 times in a row, add a ball.
 
Vahmurka said:
oh Randy, come on! I disagree with that statement. And what about pinpoint position? Very often what would be good a mile in any other game, 9-ball especially, is absolutely not acceptable in 14.1. And Cameron already mentioned table and cluster management.

14.1 practice is good for any game. Good 14.1 player will play good 9-ball, vice versa is not true. Knowledge and execution is what one needs to play the game right.

Kim, another way to practice for player of ANY level, even a pro, is with 3 balls. Choose a game you want to practice, 8-ball or 9-ball, set up a triangle rack of three balls (one of them being 8 or 9 depending on the game type), break, cue ball in hand and try to run them. And again, and again. Once you feel you have mastered that so good you run out, say, 10 times in a row, add a ball.
Click to expand...

I'm not going to chime in on any of the debates, but I will toss in a dozen free lessons for 14.1 - these are practice methods that I use on a daily basis.

Add-a-Ball Drill

Restricted to Half of the Table

End Pattern Drill 3 rows of 3 - Level 1

End Pattern Drills - 3 rows of 3 Level 2 - 3 rows of 5 Level 1

Common End Patterns: Layout #3

Finding The Key to the Key

Creative Key Ball to Break Ball Shots

Clusters - Lesson 4 - Know Where Each Ball is Going

Natural Break Ball Angle/ Closing the Distance

Connect The Dots

The Crucifix

Becoming a Smarter Player
 
14.1 is Best

Kim Bye said:
I've just started playing pool again after a 20 year hiatus.
I have always been a fan of straight pool and think its a great game to play by myself and at the same time improving my game.
Today i guy approached me and told be that 14.1 was a poor way to practice and that i should start with just 3 balls, then 4 etc.
I thought that sounded strange, but its been a longe time since i played pool, so he might be right?
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...


Kim: all videos by Blackjack above are excellent and a must see. Stick with 14.1, it never gets boring when practicing and it will help you in all other games.
Here is a Link to a video that I just recently did:
http://vimeo.com/26598377
Once you go to the site, there are other videos that might help you also.
Good Luck.
 
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