What have I done?

justadub

justadub

Rattling corners nightly
Silver Member
Well, my best friend went and started teaching me 14.1 this weekend, that's what! Now I can suck at three different pool games... :p

I had a blast. It sure is a different game from 8 and 9 ball, and I think that's why I had so much fun. My buddy and I played sets of all three games last night, and again tonight.

The strategy is fun to watch and to try and execute.

I think I'm in trouble, cuz I'm already hooked on playing this, as much as the other two games. I'm looking forward to hopefully having some small success stories to share someday, and to reading all this good stuff you folks have hidden away in this part of the forum. :D

Although I'm new to 14.1, and still pretty new to pool in general, I think I can see how playing this is gonna help me in the other two games. Very cool stuff...
 
Dub, you have made a big mistake, adding a new pool addiction! :D

Seriously, welcome!

:welcome:
 
Well Dub if you get the chance to come down to Valley Forge stop by the 14.1 Challenge Booths. Would love to have you come and join us for some incredible 14.1.
 
ForumGhost516 said:
Well Dub if you get the chance to come down to Valley Forge stop by the 14.1 Challenge Booths. Would love to have you come and join us for some incredible 14.1.
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Haha, yeah, then you can see me try to run 5 balls! :D

(Hey, I did actually run 7 last night, whooo hooo! :p )

Oh how I would love to come to Valley Forge. I was talking about this subject with a couple of friends last week, actually. With proper planning and a bit of luck, maybe next year. I know it would be a great time.
 
justadub said:
Well, my best friend went and started teaching me 14.1 this weekend, that's what! Now I can suck at three different pool games... :p

I had a blast. It sure is a different game from 8 and 9 ball, and I think that's why I had so much fun. My buddy and I played sets of all three games last night, and again tonight.

The strategy is fun to watch and to try and execute.

I think I'm in trouble, cuz I'm already hooked on playing this, as much as the other two games. I'm looking forward to hopefully having some small success stories to share someday, and to reading all this good stuff you folks have hidden away in this part of the forum. :D

Although I'm new to 14.1, and still pretty new to pool in general, I think I can see how playing this is gonna help me in the other two games. Very cool stuff...
Click to expand...
'

Welcome aboard. :thumbup:

Take a look at this thread that mentions a lot of good resources to help learn the game. http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=257549&highlight=video

Also our own Mike Grosso did a few instructional videos where he ran a bunch of balls and talked through what he was trying to do:

http://vimeo.com/26411045

http://vimeo.com/26598377

http://vimeo.com/31125261

and of course there are many instructional threads and videos by BlackJack David Sapolis that bear watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29Co4nJ0erI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIOwVZ7V_xw&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bhSzSNhWxo&feature=related

there is plenty more, too. :wink:
 
michael4 said:
Dub, you have made a big mistake, adding a new pool addiction! :D

Seriously, welcome!

:welcome:
Click to expand...

Not just "a new" pool addiction, but *THE* pool addiction!

Bruce, welcome aboard. You are going to find this game addicting on many levels, not just the continual "try to best my last high run" thing. Patterns -- you get NONE of it in rotation pool (the pattern is dictated to you by the number printed on the balls), a good amount of it in 8-ball, but only 14.1 gives you the complete picture.

Put it this way:

  • In general, rotation games start out tough and get easier as you remove balls off the table. Getting a shot on the 1-ball (or whatever the lowest-numbered ball is after a successful break) is often the toughest shot.

  • Pattern games (like 8-ball, and its big brother, 14.1) start out easier (than rotation games), but get MORE DIFFICULT as you remove balls off of the table. 14.1, in fact, is the toughest, because when you get down to the "last five" (as they're called), it can be a real test of your pattern knowledge to end the pattern on a good break shot.
And you're learning something new every day. In fact, I dare say 14.1 and One Pocket are the only games where you'll see patterns and strategy talked about *so* much, that forums are dedicated to them (as in the case of our beloved 14.1), or entire websites (as in http://onepocket.org/). Try and find a forum like this, dedicated to rotation games. If they exist, they are extremely rare, because in essence with rotation, the game itself tells you what to do. Not so with pattern games!

Anyway, welcome aboard, and peruse around (there's some great threads here -- try ordering the sequence of threads here BACKWARDS, because some of the classic stuff was the older stuff). And stick around -- ask questions! Lots and lots of extremely helpful and studious players here!

-Sean
 
Straight pool is the venus fly trap of cuesports. One you're caught, there's no escape.
 
Oh, 'm beginning to see that addiction thing....

Last night was my 8-ball league night, and before the night was over, I kept looking to see if I could get on a table to at least play a little "straight" before I went home... :p

(Didn't happen, either, dammit! Nor tonite, sigh.)
 
sfleinen said:
Not just "a new" pool addiction, but *THE* pool addiction!

Bruce, welcome aboard. You are going to find this game addicting on many levels, not just the continual "try to best my last high run" thing. Patterns -- you get NONE of it in rotation pool (the pattern is dictated to you by the number printed on the balls), a good amount of it in 8-ball, but only 14.1 gives you the complete picture.

Put it this way:

  • In general, rotation games start out tough and get easier as you remove balls off the table. Getting a shot on the 1-ball (or whatever the lowest-numbered ball is after a successful break) is often the toughest shot.

  • Pattern games (like 8-ball, and its big brother, 14.1) start out easier (than rotation games), but get MORE DIFFICULT as you remove balls off of the table. 14.1, in fact, is the toughest, because when you get down to the "last five" (as they're called), it can be a real test of your pattern knowledge to end the pattern on a good break shot.
And you're learning something new every day. In fact, I dare say 14.1 and One Pocket are the only games where you'll see patterns and strategy talked about *so* much, that forums are dedicated to them (as in the case of our beloved 14.1), or entire websites (as in http://onepocket.org/). Try and find a forum like this, dedicated to rotation games. If they exist, they are extremely rare, because in essence with rotation, the game itself tells you what to do. Not so with pattern games!

Anyway, welcome aboard, and peruse around (there's some great threads here -- try ordering the sequence of threads here BACKWARDS, because some of the classic stuff was the older stuff). And stick around -- ask questions! Lots and lots of extremely helpful and studious players here!

-Sean
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Sean- I agree with everything you said-good post. I'm starting to think you know a little something about this game ! :thumbup:
This post should be required reading for all new players.
 
You've opened a door to advanced pool imo,,,,,next up, onepocket and banks,,,,though I can't put a numerical order on the 3 games,,,but they are all so much different than the standbye 8, 9, and 10 ball games.
 
Just remember, it's the last 7 balls that are the most important IMHO and many others.
If you can't get shapes on the break ball shoot it then pocket the 15th ball after the new rack and leave him long.
 
14.1

justadub said:
Haha, yeah, then you can see me try to run 5 balls! :D

(Hey, I did actually run 7 last night, whooo hooo! :p )

Oh how I would love to come to Valley Forge. I was talking about this subject with a couple of friends last week, actually. With proper planning and a bit of luck, maybe next year. I know it would be a great time.
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What a game! Good to see new young players get hooked & realize just how wonderful the game of 14.1 is. Great advise from all of the above comments.
Good Luck & keep us posted.
 
14-1StraightMan said:
What a game! Good to see new young players get hooked & realize just how wonderful the game of 14.1 is. Great advise from all of the above comments.
Good Luck & keep us posted.
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Thanks for calling me young :)

(Not AARP eligible yet, but they'll be sending me letters in a couple years. Actually, if I remember when my buddy started getting them, I should be seeing them in just over a year. Yikes, lol)

I am certainly an infant, pool-wise though... The more I play, the more I'm convinced that I'll never get to "good". And that's OK. I'm having a blast.
 
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justadub said:
Although I'm new to 14.1, and still pretty new to pool in general, I think I can see how playing this is gonna help me in the other two games.
Click to expand...

Or, it might backfire on you. If you really get hooked, you'll never play 8 or 9 ball again. :wink:
 
Dan White said:
Or, it might backfire on you. If you really get hooked, you'll never play 8 or 9 ball again. :wink:
Click to expand...

Ha, I suppose this is possible. Not likely anytime soon, but certainly possible. :p

There is a complete and utter lack of tournaments of any sort here locally, and what few there are will be either 8 or 9 ball. Same with leagues. So if I want to actively compete some, I'll be playing those games.

14.1 sure is enjoyable, though. So many new things to learn, it's great.
 
Keep on going...

justadub said:
Ha, I suppose this is possible. Not likely anytime soon, but certainly possible. :p

There is a complete and utter lack of tournaments of any sort here locally, and what few there are will be either 8 or 9 ball. Same with leagues. So if I want to actively compete some, I'll be playing those games.

14.1 sure is enjoyable, though. So many new things to learn, it's great.
Click to expand...


It is the same here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. No 14.1 tournaments only 8 ball & 9 ball tournaments & a lot of them. The leagues are the same way.
Keep practicing 14.1 b/c it will lead you to higher levels & your 8 ball & 9 ball games will improve greatly. It is so nice to step up to a table when playing 8 ball or 9 ball and see a easy straight pool pattern laying right out for you. Not only practice 14.1 but if you can find a few other players that enjoy it. Play matches among yourselves or just play one player once in a while. It will really help.
 
Dub, there is nothing so pure in the cue arts as a high run in straight pool. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Without question Mosconi's run is still by far the most talked about record in pool even though for decades 14.1 has been hardly played in professional competition relative to the rotation based games.

To put it simply, you're screwed. ;)

Welcome to the 14.1 forum.
 
I'm like the Jehovah witness of straight pool where I play, no offense to their faith. I think their nice people.
I've converted players like I gave them smack. No I don't do drugs either.
Sometimes it takes a few days or a few month but once I get them hooked they stay hooked. Shame on me. I've started playing 14/1 back in the early 60's.
 
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