Best pool advice given?

M

mohrt

Student of the Game
Silver Member
There is a thread going about the worst advice in pool you have been given. How about the best? What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

I can think of several, and many of them have turned into blog posts on my pool blog. But one that comes to mind is not thinking while down on your shot. Do all the thinking when standing up, and when down on the shot only execute what you've already decided.
 
220 Sandpaper is all the tip tool you will ever need. It is great for shaping, and scuffing up a CUE TIP.

Don;'t play Pool for MO$EY WITH STRANGERS.[/COLOR ]
 
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Most people think learning new shots will take them to that next level....But, for most, decreasing the mistakes that they make will make the biggest difference. Whether that be missing easy balls, taking shots which you really shouldn't be taking (taking into account your personal skill level)
 
The best pool advice ever given to me was to play against the better players. :grin:

To the bangers/beginners/newbies/rookies out there, if you seriously want to improve your game, seek out a very good player who will take the time to teach you.​
 
Get set in your shot... dont move anything but your forearm and stay solid, still and DOWN on your shot. Still working on that 14 years later :lol::lol::lol:
 
Playing 14/1, " ya got to get into the next rack! ", "If you can't get shapes on the break ball take it away", " Always leave them long when you play a safety".
Playing 8 ball, " Don't kill all your solders if you can't run out."
 
My favorite advice came from my first boss.
I started working in a pro shop ( golf ) when I was 12 years old.

He said " Do your practicing on the practice field, not on the course."

..that's what I like about Earl's game, he is a ferocious competitor.

Leave your theories on the practice table and fight for your life when
you play a match.
 
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mohrt said:
But one that comes to mind is not thinking while down on your shot. Do all the thinking when standing up, and when down on the shot only execute what you've already decided.
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Ditto! Think then shoot! Don't think while shooting!

RunoutJJ said:
Get set in your shot... dont move anything but your forearm and stay solid, still and DOWN on your shot. Still working on that 14 years later :lol::lol::lol:
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Double ditto!!! :thumbup:
 
I grew up in my father' pool room in Chicago. And I was shooting at a young age, and got to see a lot of great players locally, and those that travelled to Chicago for action.

So, the best piece of pool advice I got was from my mother when I was 15..... she told me to NEVER grow up to be a pool player. I took her words to heart, and decided there were other things for me to do.

I'm not knocking anyone's decisions in life, but it was good for me. Seeing the pool landscape today, pool halls closing, still not any real "tour" for men, and the unusually small amount of payouts for even the top players is not very encouraging to say the least.

Heck, I love my "pool hobby" though...... .but pro pool player, with.no retirement, no 401K, no medical or dental, no xmas bounus, just a tough way to make a living ihmo.. Kudos to those that did it and could make a living..... just mom's advice was right for me......
RIP Mom....
 
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ChicagoRJ said:
I grew up in my father' pool room in Chicago. And I was shooting at a young age, and got to see a lot of great players locally, and those that travelled to Chicago for action.

So, the best piece of pool advice I got was from my mother when I was 15..... she told me to NEVER grow up to be a pool player. I took her words to heart, and decided there were other things for me to do.

I'm not knocking anyone's decisions in life, but it was good for me. Seeing the pool landscape today, pool halls closing, still not any real "tour" for men, and the unusually small amount of payouts for even the top players is not very encouraging to say the least.

Heck, I love my "pool hobby" though...... .but pro pool player, with.no retirement, no 401K, no medical or dental, no xmas bounus, just a tough way to make a living ihmo.. Kudos to those that did it and could make a living..... just mom's advice was right for me......
RIP Mom....
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This sounds similar to advice I was given when playing poker. I used to play a lot of poker in the local casinos and online. I made my fair share of money, and was even sent to the WSOP main event. While in Vegas I was talking to a card room manager from Cali. He told me, he never knew a single poker player that was happy. That thought ran with me for quite some time. Even the best players are not truly happy. Most players keep upping the stakes until they swing themselves out of a bankroll and have to start over. So I eventually gave it all up, and I don't really miss it. I would not try to play pool as a profession either, it is more of an obsessive hobby :) However I can talk poker and pool strategy all day long, I never get tired of it.

I'm going to take a guess that this carries over to pool too. Are there any truly happy pool players? I'm talking about players that do this for a living. Like poker, it's a hard way to make an easy living. The stress and downswings would get to ya.
 
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mohrt said:
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

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I'm too busy (i.e., too lazy) to pull out the pool related advice, so here goes my usual "best tips list."

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Tips:

  • Floss.
  • Keep your money in your front pocket.
  • Forget about lamb-skin condoms.
  • Little girls aren't any easier to raise than little boys.
  • Homemade pies are better simply because they're baked with love.
  • Don't throw stones at a man holding a machine gun.
  • When someone yells "fore" don't stand up to see where he's hit it.
  • When faced with an offensive shot and a defensive shot with equal risk/reward, go for the offensive.
  • Don't believe for one second that German beer is all that. (Though some are)
  • Treat her like a lady.
  • "Staying near the center" is sure to deter your progress.
  • Bad caramel icing is still good.
  • Good okra still sux ass
  • If you need help, ask for it.
  • Bar table pool is different than Friday night pool at the bar.
  • Write a will.
  • Soda water helps to remove mustard stains.
  • Kirby vacuum cleaners are over-priced.
  • When aiming banks, don't forget about collision-induced throw.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Learn how to sew.
  • Read Google Groups.
  • Do not drive with the Sun Shade in place.
  • Call your mother once in a while.
  • Play tournaments.
  • There are no stupid questions, just stupid people who ask them.
  • Given the limited choice, buy two types of glasses: one for red wine, one for white wine.
  • People have reported being able to see better with contacts.
  • The gas pedal is the one on the right
  • Read to your children.
  • If you lose, don't lose the lesson.
  • If a guy moves into the passing lane to allow you to enter the highway, have the decency to let him pass you.
  • Buy a BCA rulebook. It's a cheap investment.
  • Buy a meat thermometer. It's a cheap investment.
  • Buy your wife some flowers. It's a cheap investment.
  • Learn to drive a stick shift.
  • Clean your shaft with a clean damp cloth once a week. Don't forget to dry and burnish.
  • If you haven't yet, try the Magic Eraser.
  • Plastic disposable cups are not dishwasher safe.
  • Buy some Accustats tapes.
  • While you're at it, buy some TAR DVD's.
  • After a bit of study, get a tattoo.
  • Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.
  • Dunkin' Donuts coffee is hot. Really hot.
  • Names *can* hurt you.
  • 8-ball and 9-ball are different games with a different focus. Stop comparing them.
  • Tip your wait staff.
  • Wal-Mart is not the devil's playground.
  • Singing Karaoke won't kill you.
  • If you don't know how to use aluminum foil in a microwave oven, then don't try it.
  • When things get really rough, sometimes a McDonald's Cheeseburger is the only option.
  • Go to the dentist every 6 months.
  • Get your hands on InsidePOOL Magazine.
  • If the shoe fits, buy them.
  • If you're going to get a fake watch from China, get a Patek Phillippe.
  • Don't sweat the small stuff.
  • It's possible to balance the grindstone with the dance floor.
  • Marilyn Chambers' videos can be found on Ebay.
  • Smile. It breaks down walls; it opens doors.
  • For my money, I'd buy a Toyota.
  • Make sure your kid isn't the stinky one.
  • If it ain't funny, it ain't much.

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Hope that helps,

Freddie <~~~ have tips, will travel
 
Know the difference between quality Play & quality Practice. Then value them both.

randyg
 
Live by it

Don't gamble for more than you have and make sure to pay the bar tab before you go bust.:grin:
 
You need to play 3 types of players to get better

1. Weaker players to gain confidence.
2. Equal opponents for good competition and heart checks.
3. Better players to learn.

Sage advice IMHO.
 
Practice hard on things that are hard...shape is more important than the shot...if you don't have confidence in that line of reasoning try another sport
 
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