You are on your own

Straightpool_99

I see dead balls
Silver Member
Once you reach a certain level in this game you are on your own. People that have gone before you are usually reluctant or unable to teach you the good stuff. Beware of snake oil salesmen that only want your money. Watch more and listen less.

I watched someone get really bad advice today and needed to vent.
 
Rather true, at least to an extent.

Did you see the post I made regarding what a student said about his lifelong lessons compared to just 3 with CJ Wiley?

If not, here it is:

Last night I played some of the best pool of my life. I can honestly say with all my training, lessons, and coaching with some of the best professional pool players in the world throughout the last 20+ years. CJ Wiley has taught me the real secrets of this game and gave me everything I need to know to bring my game to a level I only dreamed about..(with the right practice of course). Most pro's have tried to give little pieces here and there to drag out lessons and make more money. Within 3 lessons I've learned more REAL tips, techniques, and how to really play this game than all of my lessons combined. That may seem a little farfetched but after every lesson I went and studied matches of all the top pro's currently playing and every single one of them are using every single thing he taught me.

Best 2 Ya,
Rick
 
Last edited:
Once you reach a certain level in this game you are on your own. People that have gone before you are usually reluctant or unable to teach you the good stuff. Beware of snake oil salesmen that only want your money. Watch more and listen less.

I watched someone get really bad advice today and needed to vent.

I know what you're trying to say but honestly this advice should be given to those at all level of play, imo esp those just starting out because they truly dont know any better - eg : CTE or insert any other " system " , without the proper guidance - and no I def am not talking about lessons or coaching. I'm talking about someone they can actually call a friend at local pool hall, someone that may take them under the wing if they are lucky enough
 
Rather true, at least to an extent.

Did you see the post a made regarding what a student said about his lifelong lessons compared to just 3 with CJ Wiley?

If not, here it is:

Last night I played some of the best pool of my life. I can honestly say with all my training, lessons, and coaching with some of the best professional pool players in the world throughout the last 20+ years. CJ Wiley has taught me the real secrets of this game and gave me everything I need to know to bring my game to a level I only dreamed about..(with the right practice of course). Most pro's have tried to give little pieces here and there to drag out lessons and make more money. Within 3 lessons I've learned more REAL tips, techniques, and how to really play this game than all of my lessons combined. That may seem a little farfetched but after every lesson I went and studied matches of all the top pro's currently playing and every single one of them are using every single thing he taught me.

Best 2 Ya,
Rick[/QUOT

X1000. This goes back to the poll I made recently, and more so to my overall ideology ( that often takes ridecule and whatever ya may call it - but sure enough the nay Sayers WILL NOT STEP UP, AMD PUT THEIR MONEY UP TO PROVE US WRONG ) Anyway, I feel ya bro
 
Rather true, at least to an extent.

Did you see the post a made regarding what a student said about his lifelong lessons compared to just 3 with CJ Wiley?

If not, here it is:

Last night I played some of the best pool of my life. I can honestly say with all my training, lessons, and coaching with some of the best professional pool players in the world throughout the last 20+ years. CJ Wiley has taught me the real secrets of this game and gave me everything I need to know to bring my game to a level I only dreamed about..(with the right practice of course). Most pro's have tried to give little pieces here and there to drag out lessons and make more money. Within 3 lessons I've learned more REAL tips, techniques, and how to really play this game than all of my lessons combined. That may seem a little farfetched but after every lesson I went and studied matches of all the top pro's currently playing and every single one of them are using every single thing he taught me.

Best 2 Ya,
Rick[/QUOT

X1000. This goes back to the poll I made recently, and more so to my overall ideology ( that often takes ridecule and whatever ya may call it - but sure enough the nay Sayers WILL NOT STEP UP, AMD PUT THEIR MONEY UP TO PROVE US WRONG ) Anyway, I feel ya bro

Just to be clear... That was a quote from one of CJ's students & not me saying that.
 
Its not hard to understand..,

Rather true, at least to an extent.

Did you see the post a made regarding what a student said about his lifelong lessons compared to just 3 with CJ Wiley?

If not, here it is:

Last night I played some of the best pool of my life. I can honestly say with all my training, lessons, and coaching with some of the best professional pool players in the world throughout the last 20+ years. CJ Wiley has taught me the real secrets of this game and gave me everything I need to know to bring my game to a level I only dreamed about..(with the right practice of course). Most pro's have tried to give little pieces here and there to drag out lessons and make more money. Within 3 lessons I've learned more REAL tips, techniques, and how to really play this game than all of my lessons combined. That may seem a little farfetched but after every lesson I went and studied matches of all the top pro's currently playing and every single one of them are using every single thing he taught me.

Best 2 Ya,
Rick[/QUOT

X1000. This goes back to the poll I made recently, and more so to my overall ideology ( that often takes ridecule and whatever ya may call it - but sure enough the nay Sayers WILL NOT STEP UP, AMD PUT THEIR MONEY UP TO PROVE US WRONG ) Anyway, I feel ya bro

If you find someone who plays at a high level and they can explain to you how and why they play at a high level..., and if you can duplicate what their doing, then its great advise. If you cant then someone else who you can emulate is probroly better for you.
I know guys that play strong and they all swear by one system or another. I have heard every AMING SYSTEM works, body realignment, grip, shafts, tips.. you name it, theres someone doing it and making it work!
 
If anyone could give examples of the "good stuff", I'd really like to hear it. I think secrecy is just keeping the already dwindling number of new generation players from carrying on the legacy.
 
Also I feel like the "everyone is a unique special snowflake" and "do what works best for you" mentality is also hurtful in some ways.
 
If you find someone who plays at a high level and they can explain to you how and why they play at a high level..., and if you can duplicate what their doing, then its great advise. If you cant then someone else who you can emulate is probroly better for you.
I know guys that play strong and they all swear by one system or another. I have heard every AMING SYSTEM works, body realignment, grip, shafts, tips.. you name it, theres someone doing it and making it work!

With all due respect, I think you missed the point of what the gentlemen was saying. For 20+ years of lessons from a host of individuals he basically got nothing but useless bits & pieces. Then with CJ Wiley, in three(3) lessons he got 'the secrets', the true stuff that when he watched, every pro player is doing. He got real value from CJ & CJ did not try to milk him with BS.

Best 2 Ya,
Rick
 
Last edited:
Also I feel like the "everyone is a unique special snowflake" and "do what works best for you" mentality is also hurtful in some ways.

The one's that say there is only one way & my way & what I'm telling you is it are the one's that should be avoided IMO.

There are those like CJ that will tell you what they actually do & there are reasons that they do what they do, but they will not tell you that IT is the only way. They might tell you that i their opinion it's the best way, at least for them.

Yes, there is common ground but at a point each becomes individual to the person.

You as an individual have to 'find' or figure out YOUR variation on the theme.

If you think you can do exactly what another does & are looking for that magic pill, I think you will be looking for it your whole life.

One needs to take what another does & then make it theirs. It can & probably will be very similar, but t will be & must be 'what works for you'.

We ARE individuals & not robots. Our minds & bodies ARE unique regardless of how alike they are.

Best Wishes for You & Yours,
Rick
 
Once you reach a certain level in this game you are on your own. People that have gone before you are usually reluctant or unable to teach you the good stuff. Beware of snake oil salesmen that only want your money. Watch more and listen less.

I watched someone get really bad advice today and needed to vent.

1) what certain level is that ?

2) I agree you have to know who to listen to (and who not to) but I don't agree there are no people out there willing to give honest help. Even at the higher levels.

3) I agree you're on your own in that a person always has to know how to "filter" advice, best to get more than one opinion on anything, from playing pool to hanging drywall.
 
1) what certain level is that ?

2) I agree you have to know who to listen to (and who not to) but I don't agree there are no people out there willing to give honest help. Even at the higher levels.

3) I agree you're on your own in that a person always has to know how to "filter" advice, best to get more than one opinion on anything, from playing pool to hanging drywall.

I'd like to add that IMO shotmaking talent will overcome the lack of a lot of specialized knowledge. But here are my answers to your questions.

1. The level where you are a threat to beat them or their protègè. I'd say A level and upwards?

2. Yes, there are people that are willing to help, but they cannot always do so. There are also people who will hold out on you. I have a friend for instance, who is brilliant at a certain shot that everyone is bad at. I've been hounding him for years for his "secret", and I know he would never intentionally hold out on me. He just can't explain what he's doing. I've also asked a great player for his advice on a certain shot that he does very well, and he flat out told me that he won't teach that to anyone. Yes, I did offer him money for the lesson. It's ok, I totally get it. It would be way worse if he did what someone else might, actually lie about what he's doing.

3. Agreed. I'd also like to add that what people are actually doing may be different from what they think they are doing, which is why I added the "watch more, listen less". Sometimes, though, it's hard to see what they do because they are so quick.
 
Once you reach a certain level in this game you are on your own. People that have gone before you are usually reluctant or unable to teach you the good stuff. Beware of snake oil salesmen that only want your money. Watch more and listen less.

I watched someone get really bad advice today and needed to vent.

What was the bad advice that person got?
 
There are tons of players playing for many years and still can't make medium-hard % shots more than 60% of the time in a game. These are the same ones that jump from aiming system to aiming system...whatever the flavor of the month is. Instead of picking a known way to aim, like ghost ball, contact point to contact point and many others and spend the time to practice and refine that way to aim/ pocket balls for you. You will NEVER get good if you can't KNOW you're going to make every shot. When you can feel you will make almost everything, the rest of the game will get so much easier. It's like the same guys betting Greyhounds and horses that play the favorite 90% of the time, race after race, year after year. Why even buy the racing forms? Johnnyt
 
Freddy the Beard once said about Efren Reyes (when he was just learning One Pocket) that he would openly applaud Efren's more foolish shots that most one hole players would never dare to take. He had hoped that it would trick him in to thinking it was the right move so Reyes would sell out more often. Problem is, Bata could pull off those shots!
 
I'd like to add that IMO shotmaking talent will overcome the lack of a lot of specialized knowledge. But here are my answers to your questions.

1. The level where you are a threat to beat them or their protègè. I'd say A level and upwards?

2. Yes, there are people that are willing to help, but they cannot always do so. There are also people who will hold out on you. I have a friend for instance, who is brilliant at a certain shot that everyone is bad at. I've been hounding him for years for his "secret", and I know he would never intentionally hold out on me. He just can't explain what he's doing. I've also asked a great player for his advice on a certain shot that he does very well, and he flat out told me that he won't teach that to anyone. Yes, I did offer him money for the lesson. It's ok, I totally get it. It would be way worse if he did what someone else might, actually lie about what he's doing.

3. Agreed. I'd also like to add that what people are actually doing may be different from what they think they are doing, which is why I added the "watch more, listen less". Sometimes, though, it's hard to see what they do because they are so quick.

What is the one shot that you will pay money to learn?


Post it here so we can see please.
 
Back
Top