Are you going to Airway Billiards or Valley St. Billiards? I improved my game a lot at Airway.
Can you become a AA/world beater at the age of 40'sh....
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I have recently started going to Airway Billiards before my league matches. I enjoy playing as many games as I can for realitively nothing.. I mean 3$ an hr. wow that is a deal!
I am a League player, as I mentioned above, so I play on Mon / Tues nights, and that eliminates me from playing in their nine ball tourney or inhouse league. I also work nights on Wednesday / Sundays and Every other Fri/Sat. So this kind of hurts the tournament schedule..
I do go there now, even if its just to hit balls by myself.. I do so.. and I do it for hrs before league when I can get in there.
I have never been to Valley though.. I used to go to it when It was across the street from Carroll High School and called "Playtime Billiards", but back then.. I couldn't care about pool.. It was football and women. lol
1 in a million?
I played for fifteen years before I won my first singles tournament in 1970. I then began to take the game more seriously and had some success before retiring in '87 at age 45. I began playing again two years later and peaked in my 50s, 1992-95.
I've played guys in their 70s and 80s who played some very strong pool, and instructed several who began playing in their 60s and are doing rather well!
My own game dropped off dramatically in the past decade, largely because I got lazy and didn't stay in shape...
So, yes, if the desire and effort are there, you can do it!
Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
Gainesville. Fl
I played for fifteen years before I won my first singles tournament in 1970. I then began to take the game more seriously and had some success before retiring in '87 at age 45. I began playing again two years later and peaked in my 50s, 1992-95.
I've played guys in their 70s and 80s who played some very strong pool, and instructed several who began playing in their 60s and are doing rather well!
My own game dropped off dramatically in the past decade, largely because I got lazy and didn't stay in shape...
So, yes, if the desire and effort are there, you can do it!
Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
Gainesville. Fl
If only 4-6 hours of practice a day I'd say you need to go with regimented practice vs. playing other people at least for a couple hours of the day. Darren Appleton says practice drills can't be beat in the amount of time you put in vs the reward. I believe him.
I do a lot of drills to strengthen my weaknesses. I also change up my gear a lot and usually use a Z2 for practice because it's far less forgiving vs a larger diameter shaft. I also practice at home on a 9 ft table with slow ass cloth and tight pockets (at least compared to the pockets at poolhalls here).
This year I want to go to Steinways and take some lessons with Earl Strickland.
Are you used to failure or something?
That sounds so pessimistic. I'm not even someone who is moved by success stories but I'm a strong believer in "you get out of life what you put into it."
I can't really speak from experience as I've never been a champion pool player, or a champion anything. Pool doesn't require physical ability that is lost with age, if you've got a good stroke or the ability of developing one and good eyes I think you're still able to improve your game.
If he wants something bad enough and puts the time in there's no reason he can't preform. To beat a champion at the very least you're going to need to put in the time, I don't know how gifted someone is for playing pool, a lot of these guys play 12hours a day 7 days a week so if you're hoping to top that with 1/3 the practice, it's very unlikely. If you were to consume yourself with being a better pool player then I could see it happening.
I do a lot of drills to strengthen my weaknesses. I also change up my gear a lot and usually use a Z2 for practice because it's far less forgiving vs a larger diameter shaft. I also practice at home on a 9 ft table with slow ass cloth and tight pockets (at least compared to the pockets at poolhalls here).
This year I want to go to Steinways and take some lessons with Earl Strickland.
Are you used to failure or something?
That sounds so pessimistic. I'm not even someone who is moved by success stories but I'm a strong believer in "you get out of life what you put into it."
I can't really speak from experience as I've never been a champion pool player, or a champion anything. Pool doesn't require physical ability that is lost with age, if you've got a good stroke or the ability of developing one and good eyes I think you're still able to improve your game.
If he wants something bad enough and puts the time in there's no reason he can't preform. To beat a champion at the very least you're going to need to put in the time, I don't know how gifted someone is for playing pool, a lot of these guys play 12hours a day 7 days a week so if you're hoping to top that with 1/3 the practice, it's very unlikely. If you were to consume yourself with being a better pool player then I could see it happening.
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Find your weaknesses. Hit balls until you miss. Practice that shot repeatedly until you get it right every time. Set it up a hundred, two hundred times if necessary. Then shoot every variation of that shot. If you miss a shot during a game or match, memorize it [that's not hard for us pool players] & do the same thing. Banks, kicks, caroms, combos, throw shots, practice them all. Practice the impossibly hard shots [they are not impossible]. Throw out a tray of balls & play for position. Get the book 'The 99 Critical Shots in Pool' by Ray Martin & memorize every shot. Start a notebook with tips, diagrams & shots.
Good luck & age makes no difference!
Good luck & age makes no difference!
God bless! :thumbup:
Check out Mark Wilson's book. http://playgreatpool.com/InstructionBook.aspx
If I were trying to do what you are, I would sleep with it under my pillow.
If I were trying to do what you are, I would sleep with it under my pillow.
Or you could simply ask Earl Strickland, when you can stop competing. Last I heard he was still competing at the top level (including winning events and representing his country) and he's about a gazillion.
I'm 46 and I joined the international tour myself this year, having not picked up a cue in 6 years.
I'm 46 and I joined the international tour myself this year, having not picked up a cue in 6 years.
If you have time to practice, you should definitely get better in a short time.
I would fill my head with knowledge (books & dvds about playing & banking) and apply that knowledge when you practice.
Good Luck, let us know how you are coming along. Maybe you would be a good candidate for Tor Lowry..
I would fill my head with knowledge (books & dvds about playing & banking) and apply that knowledge when you practice.
Good Luck, let us know how you are coming along. Maybe you would be a good candidate for Tor Lowry..
'The Game (and the marketing) is the Teacher'
Mike Lebron and Buddy Hall both won the US OPEN in their early 50s.
Pool's greatest assets include being about to compete well into your 50's (Bob Vanover won major tournaments into his 60s) AND male and females can compete on a level playing field.
The pool industry's target market should be the baby boomer generation.....if they put together an aggressive marketing plan and implemented it millions of 50+ players could start playing pool regularly. 'The Game (and the marketing) is the Teacher'
Mike Lebron and Buddy Hall both won the US OPEN in their early 50s.
Pool's greatest assets include being about to compete well into your 50's (Bob Vanover won major tournaments into his 60s) AND male and females can compete on a level playing field.
The pool industry's target market should be the baby boomer generation.....if they put together an aggressive marketing plan and implemented it millions of 50+ players could start playing pool regularly. 'The Game (and the marketing) is the Teacher'
I'm not quite sure what an AA player is. Is it above an A player? First of all to reach A player level one needs to love the game first. Loving the game is the motivation needed to reach a high level. Some love the game and play hours on end but their abilites only let them reach a certain level. Others have the same motivation and can reach a higher level.
In respect to the OP on this thread he himself says that he has the time but not the motivation, then that tells me that he does not have the love of the game that is needed. When we're young we become obsessed with the game to the point that we want to spend all of our waking hours on the pool table. This the love that we can reserve for our game because we have the time to commit to it as opposed to later in life there are other commitments that keep us from putting the time on the table.
The Op admits to being aroung the game most of his life, that tells me that he has played enough to gain knowledge and experience but now wants to get deeper into the game. I believe he can get to the level to be competitive and be satisified with that. Beyond that, it may not be possible unless he has superior abilities and talent than most.
If one started playing at his age with no experience at all I believe one can get to the level of being competitive to A level. Expecting more than that would require him to have inborn excepional skills. At this age there are a lot of tools that are missing that are there when we're young. Not counting the mental parts like drive, desire, hunger for expermintation and the confidence to shoot the shot with no idea that something might go wrong. But the physicasl skills that the young posses like coordination, strength, sight, focus, stamina, and a host of other that are needed to reach a high level of play are not there at later ages.
If one could reach a very high level of play at 40 then why can't it be done starting at 60 or 70 years of age? Not happening. I've been playing for about 60 years and have experienced in the last 20 years the loss of some of my skills and for no other reason other than age. My desire is the same as always but the games is still fading.
My advise is to play as much as you can and be satisfied with what you have and enjoy the game.
In respect to the OP on this thread he himself says that he has the time but not the motivation, then that tells me that he does not have the love of the game that is needed. When we're young we become obsessed with the game to the point that we want to spend all of our waking hours on the pool table. This the love that we can reserve for our game because we have the time to commit to it as opposed to later in life there are other commitments that keep us from putting the time on the table.
The Op admits to being aroung the game most of his life, that tells me that he has played enough to gain knowledge and experience but now wants to get deeper into the game. I believe he can get to the level to be competitive and be satisified with that. Beyond that, it may not be possible unless he has superior abilities and talent than most.
If one started playing at his age with no experience at all I believe one can get to the level of being competitive to A level. Expecting more than that would require him to have inborn excepional skills. At this age there are a lot of tools that are missing that are there when we're young. Not counting the mental parts like drive, desire, hunger for expermintation and the confidence to shoot the shot with no idea that something might go wrong. But the physicasl skills that the young posses like coordination, strength, sight, focus, stamina, and a host of other that are needed to reach a high level of play are not there at later ages.
If one could reach a very high level of play at 40 then why can't it be done starting at 60 or 70 years of age? Not happening. I've been playing for about 60 years and have experienced in the last 20 years the loss of some of my skills and for no other reason other than age. My desire is the same as always but the games is still fading.
My advise is to play as much as you can and be satisfied with what you have and enjoy the game.
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play awesome? run racks? improve your game tremendously?
absolutely
getting anywhere close to world beater? no chance in hell
numerous studies on this beyond what you would find here, a prevalent theory that I agree with regards the ability of the mind to learn and retain to near limitless potential at very young ages with a drastic drop over time
absolutely
getting anywhere close to world beater? no chance in hell
numerous studies on this beyond what you would find here, a prevalent theory that I agree with regards the ability of the mind to learn and retain to near limitless potential at very young ages with a drastic drop over time
I agree. I am in my mid 50's and decided I wanted to take my game up a notch, from a semi beginner banger to something better. With just a little time each day ( I have a table available), much less than you have, and weekly lessons for a few months the improvement is very noticeable. I am doing things I had just read about before, breaking out problem balls, 9 foot shots, much better position, learning straight pool, etc. Still not doing these things perfectly, but the very definite progress gives me the inspiration to know that if I put the effort into it, there will be results.
You have a business and yet you have 4 to 6 hours a day to goof off ?
Unless there is some reason why you can't expand, that means you are content to get by {at some level} and not make any effort to make it an even better business.
If you aren't applying yourself for sure money, why would you do it for {almost assuredly nothing or a loss ?}
Unless there is some reason why you can't expand, that means you are content to get by {at some level} and not make any effort to make it an even better business.
If you aren't applying yourself for sure money, why would you do it for {almost assuredly nothing or a loss ?}
Giving your all is probably the best thing about pool. Anything less is a waste of time.
Many people, myself included come to the realization that they can improve but the improvements at my age come through incredible amounts of dedication and it will for you as well. Most don't have the competitive desire which means, not taking no for an answer.
NO, I won't ever be a world beater, but I will beat one playing one pocket every now and then and that is enough for me to continue trying to improve. I like scaring them too.
JoeyA