How do you know you need an Aiming System?

[BC21]

I'll repeat; every shot into every pocket has a thick entry, middle and thin entry. Being able to alter one's aim in these minute adjustments will require quite an accurate aiming system and we have one.... it's called the brain. Let's say you've got a shot where you need to "throw" the ball into the cornet pocket with max English and stun for the maximum throw so you can hold the CB. Hitting thick on the pocket is an important ingredient in order to hold the CB is we're at the max.

I guess I started with some sort of ghostball. I'd place my tip behind the OB, on the shot line for the pocket. I'd place it on this line in a spot where I could see about an inch of cloth between my tip and the OB, assuming this would put my tip close to where the center of the CB should be. From there I would keep my tip planted and walk my cue over to the CB and see exactly where I should aim, not at this tip spot but directly on or near the object ball. I didn't know it then, but I suppose I was aiming at specific fractional aim points. Within a week or two of doing this I didn't need to hold cue out over the table anymore, and I didn't focus on any particular aim. I just saw the shots and shot them, adjustment here or there as needed, whatever amount felt right.

As far as playing right or left of center pocket for particular CB position, I only do this when the OB is within 2 or 3 feet of the pocket, and rarely do I need such manipulation. Settling for a slightly less-appealing leave is better than trying to play perfect shape, only to barely miss a ball by trying to pinpoint it's path into the pocket. Close-up (couple of diamonds or so) is no problem, but farther out is asking for a miss.

 

[cookie man]

I have no idea what kind of equipment you're playing on but most days I'm playing on a very unforgiving 9' Diamond -- same as many of the events I play in. And frankly, unless the OB is exceedingly close to the pocket, you have to strike the center of the pocket or the ball doesn't drop. You even look at the ball fuuny and it will flip you off and hang.

Lou Figueroa

Glad your knee is all good and you are playing regularly.

 

[8pack]

And I would like to be the first on the list for preorder. It'll be a very quick read at about a page and a half and should be fairly inexpensive.

You got it brother. There Wil be 2 versions..regular and the special edition. You get special. Has road stories in it. The best one is where I get had by some hookers.

And I actually thought they loved me. Life is full of lessons.

 

[Bobkitty]

So you are saying the key to playing well is the ability to cheat the pocket? I'm pretty sure there is more Robin has not told you yet.

Is that really what you've gleaned from my post? "All I've learned is to cheat the pocket". ha What about kicking, safeties, banking, breaking, shape, etc, etc. I sure hope he moves on from "cheating the pocket". ha

 

[Renegade_56]

Is that really what you've gleaned from my post? "All I've learned is to cheat the pocket". ha What about kicking, safeties, banking, breaking, shape, etc, etc. I sure hope he moves on from "cheating the pocket". ha

hmm, that's what being able to brush the pocket facings on the way in is, and so now if you are able to do it on kicks, and banks, then you may be on to something,,,,, so yeah that's about all there was to the original post.

 

[Bobkitty]

hmm, that's what being able to brush the pocket facings on the way in is, and so now if you are able to do it on kicks, and banks, then you may be on to something,,,,, so yeah that's about all there was to the original post.

I was trying to write that "if one can hit the pocket's three different portions" by cutting the ball from a medium angle, what ever aiming system he's using is just fine. The Thread is about "aiming" and that should allow all types of aiming systems and/or non aiming systems. Maybe after 20 years of fiercely having to defend something, it's natural to be defensive. I can not wait to see CTE demonstrated first hand. But, until I see it with my own eyes, I'll have to use my own.

 

[lfigueroa]

I have a 9' table with 4.5" pockets. My teacher's 9' table is has 4.75" corner pockets. All I meant to say in the last post was that in order to find the maximum that you can throw a ball and keep the CB on line, you need to hit the thickest part of the pocket. Hitting the middle or thinnest will not demonstrate your maximum throw. Hard to describe in words. And, I'm describing the way he plays, I've not achieved that level.

Yes, St. Louis.

And no, I do not play at C&C like One Pocket John -- I play at Teacher's but would still love to play some inexpensive 1pocket with you in August when you visit your son. Always interested in learning technique from others.

Lou Figueroa

 

[Bobkitty]

Yes, St. Louis.

And no, I do not play at C&C like One Pocket John -- I play at Teacher's but would still love to play some inexpensive 1pocket with you in August when you visit your son. Always interested in learning technique from others.

Lou Figueroa

Sorry, One pocket is another game I'm a novice at. I've only been back to pool about 2.5 years now after 50 year layoff except for the occasional 8-9 ball games in the military. Played a lot of snooker as a 16-18 year old and that's it. Now, my game is 9-10 ball. I love the way the CB moves around the table in those games.

 

[lfigueroa]

Sorry, One pocket is another game I'm a novice at. I've only been back to pool about 2.5 years now after 50 year layoff except for the occasional 8-9 ball games in the military. Played a lot of snooker as a 16-18 year old and that's it. Now, my game is 9-10 ball. I love the way the CB moves around the table in those games.

I also played in the military, USAF.

So OK, no 1pocket. (I'm guessing 14.1 is out too.) So, though I don't own a jump cue and will have to go searching through the closet and blow the dust off a break cue, we can play some 9ball or 10ball. I haven't played much of either of those games in years but we can knock them around cheap when you're in STL.

Let me know a week before you hit town so I can make sure to be available.

Lou Figueroa

 

[One Pocket John]

Cool Dennis. Now you have 2 players you can play, myself or my friend Lou.

I'm in for 8 ball (on a 4.5x9) at Teachers and Snooker or 3 Cushion at Cue and Cushion.

Like Lou, I'll need some notice when your in town.

Should be fun. See ya then.

John

 

[Bobkitty]

I also played in the military, USAF.

So OK, no 1pocket. (I'm guessing 14.1 is out too.) So, though I don't own a jump cue and will have to go searching through the closet and blow the dust off a break cue, we can play some 9ball or 10ball. I haven't played much of either of those games in years but we can knock them around cheap when you're in STL.

Let me know a week before you hit town so I can make sure to be available.

Lou Figueroa

I can play all games, just not good at any.

 

[lfigueroa]

I can play all games, just not good at any.

Does that mean you want to play some in August or not? I don't want to waste your time... or mine.

Lou Figueroa

 

[BC21]

I can play all games, just not good at any.

LMAO!

Reminds me of a rhythm guitar player that tried out for my band. We asked if he knew any Led Zeppelin tunes. He said, "I know 'em all, but can't play any of 'em."
We hired someone else. Lol.

 

[lfigueroa]

LMAO!

Reminds me of a rhythm guitar player that tried out for my band. We asked if he knew any Led Zeppelin tunes. He said, "I know 'em all, but can't play any of 'em."
We hired someone else. Lol.

lol, I think we all know this is going in the same direction.

Lou Figueroa

 

[BC21]

lol, I think we all know this is going in the same direction.

Lou Figueroa

I don't know.....I'm hearing classic hustlin lines here.

Lou: "I haven't played much of either of those games in years but we can knock them around cheap..."

Dennis: "I know all games, just not good at any."

 

[Renegade_56]

Sorry, One pocket is another game I'm a novice at. I've only been back to pool about 2.5 years now after 50 year layoff except for the occasional 8-9 ball games in the military. Played a lot of snooker as a 16-18 year old and that's it. Now, my game is 9-10 ball. I love the way the CB moves around the table in those games.

Wow, so if I recall, you are 71ish, started playing 2 and a half years ago after a 50 year layoff, but played snooker a couple of years as a teenager, and your game is 9 and 10 ball. So your goal is to go out and play with all those young eyes and play 12 or 15 game sets, and all while trying to learn how to hit 3 different parts of a pocket. My advise would be just make sure you hit the pocket and get shape to do it again, forget rotation pool, those young guys will wear you out. Find someone that'll give you a descent 10-5 spot or something playing one hole and learn to out think those young bucks, even some straight pool maybe. I'm sure you could learn a valuable lesson from Lou reasonably cheap. And as far as moving the cueball around the table, some of the most impressive cueball control I've ever seen was in one pocket and often the cueball never moved more than a few inches, allthough 3 or 4 rails is not uncommon.

 

[SpiderWebComm]

I can play all games, just not good at any.

So how did you get a ranking of an "A" player in your area? Are you going around to Assisted Living facilities and hustling the residents where rankings are based on a curve?

If one game of 9 ball takes 15-20 minutes you're an "A". 20-25 minutes a "B". 25-30 minutes a "C".

Dennis, you seem like a decent guy but 2 1/2 years of playing pool starting around age 68-69 is a beginner with age not being an ally for hand/eye coordination, vision, and the brain comprehending certain aspects of the game. You STARTED playing pool 2 1/2 years ago.

Anything you did 50+ years ago with snooker or a few times playing pool on leave while drinking is called fun and entertainment banging balls around.

The greatest players and hustlers who ever lived start declining in their late 40's, 50's and certainly 60's. Many just stop playing because it's too frustrating not to be able to play at the same standards they always have and get their asses kicked by some punk 19 year old.

When I was about 12 years old I learned how to jump on a pogo stick and walk on stilts. I could stay on both for long periods of time only stopping because I wanted to. I'm currently 40 but would end up in the hospital with all of my limbs hanging in the air wrapped in bandages like a mummy if I tried it now. There's no carry over like riding a bike. You never came close to really learning the game and becoming highly proficient in your youth so there's nothing to fall back on.

But good for you to have a table and enjoying the hell out of trying to learn and play different games. You're never too old to do that. Enjoy!

 

[Bobkitty]

Does that mean you want to play some in August or not? I don't want to waste your time... or mine.

Lou Figueroa

PM sent......

 

[lfigueroa]

I don't know.....I'm hearing classic hustlin lines here.

Lou: "I haven't played much of either of those games in years but we can knock them around cheap..."

Dennis: "I know all games, just not good at any."

lol.

Now that you mention it, it does all kind of sound suspicious.

Lou Figueroa

 

[BC21]

So how did you get a ranking of an "A" player in your area? Are you going around to Assisted Living facilities and hustling the residents where rankings are based on a curve?

If one game of 9 ball takes 15-20 minutes you're an "A". 20-25 minutes a "B". 25-30 minutes a "C".

Dennis, you seem like a decent guy but 2 1/2 years of playing pool starting around age 68-69 is a beginner with age not being an ally for hand/eye coordination, vision, and the brain comprehending certain aspects of the game. You STARTED playing pool 2 1/2 years ago.

Anything you did 50+ years ago with snooker or a few times playing pool on leave while drinking is called fun and entertainment banging balls around.

The greatest players and hustlers who ever lived start declining in their late 40's, 50's and certainly 60's. Many just stop playing because it's too frustrating not to be able to play at the same standards they always have and get their asses kicked by some punk 19 year old.

When I was about 12 years old I learned how to jump on a pogo stick and walk on stilts. I could stay on both for long periods of time only stopping because I wanted to. I'm currently 40 but would end up in the hospital with all of my limbs hanging in the air wrapped in bandages like a mummy if I tried it now. There's no carry over like riding a bike. You never came close to really learning the game and becoming highly proficient in your youth so there's nothing to fall back on.

But good for you to have a table and enjoying the hell out of trying to learn and play different games. You're never too old to do that. Enjoy!

I knew s guy in his 70's that started playing pool in his late 60's. He was damn good. Age is not a factor when you've taken care of your body. You assume Dennis "never came close to really learning the game and becoming highly proficient" back in his youth. So you knew his game back when he was 19? Let's see, you would've been.....not born yet.

The brain is incredibly complex and efficient when it comes to muscle memory and motor skill retention. Just because you haven't utilized a certain skill in years it doesn't mean you've lost it. That's not how it works. If you're body is broken down, naturally, it'll have trouble performing what your brain is telling it to do. From the clips I've seen, Dennis looks to be in excellent condition, so I'd say he's doing a fine job.