I wonder if it's the angle he's leaving. He seems to leave bigger angles on the break ball than the previous runners.
Eagle Eye Takes Aim at 14.1 High Runs
- Thread starter lfigueroa
- Start date
I wonder if it's the angle he's leaving. He seems to leave bigger angles on the break ball than the previous runners.
He did the exact same thing the next rack. He left the stripe on the left side of the picture as the break ball, rather than the stripe on the right side of the picture (sorry I'm colorblind). Even though the stripe on the right had a better key ball. He definitely prefers the break ball to be lower in the rack.
Not necessarily more seasoned but the multiple break ball positions just offer themselves occasionally — but most experienced players will avail themselves of that option when they present.
You can’t always get what you want.
Lou Figueroa
with apologies to
The Stones
Eagle Eye is in good company....that’s the one Mosconi would’ve chosen.
Yeah the balls iytbr has pointed out seem a ball widths high to me. So I'd choose the lower ones too. Not that I play 14.1 much but my ideal break ball is right in between the two options that have been pointed out. I may need to try more lower ones.
In the 70s, straight pool players started playing for the higher break ball...and not hitting it as hard.
Willie wasn’t afraid of the back cut....more cue ball speed without whacking it.
I believe the Eagle Eye isn’t afraid of anything.
So far in Day 3.....
Jayson is averaging 69 BPI, well below the 92 BPI he had on Day 1, but above the 52 BPI he had on Day 2.
Another scoring error in Inning 15, where the counter was incremented, the balls were racked, then the counter was incremented three more times. So that inning was a 182, not a 224.
So far today he had a 220 and 211, as well as a 182 and 140.
Jayson is averaging 69 BPI, well below the 92 BPI he had on Day 1, but above the 52 BPI he had on Day 2.
Another scoring error in Inning 15, where the counter was incremented, the balls were racked, then the counter was incremented three more times. So that inning was a 182, not a 224.
So far today he had a 220 and 211, as well as a 182 and 140.
Most high-level 14.1 players are playing for exact positioning on a single ball. I distinctly remember that from a lesson I had with Ray Martin.
Yes, 14.1 is "spot " position as opposed to 9 ball "area" position. However, being aware of other balls available in case one does not obtain that "spot" position ( which is usually needed to gain an angle to break up clusters, or create a break ball) - allows one to use "a ball to get to a ball to gain a desired angle" - to "get back in line" as the old timers always said.
I think that the best 14.1 play involves incorporating as many "don'ts" as well as the things one should "do". One of the primary "don'ts" is not to ignore options- and one of the primary"dos" is to be aware of all the options on the table.
From a mere mortal’s perspective, it’s frustrating watching him ignore other potential break balls in order to play a potentially risky shot that will promote another ball into his preferred 1/4 cut break shot.
The frustrating part is that he often plays those shots, that most people would put a little more care and attention into, with as much care and attention as when he pots a ball hanging over the bag, and it has many times gone wrong.
Just my “nowhere near Jayson’s level” 2 cents.
Lot of older 14.1 guys would advise to choose the break ball option that was the easiest to get onto from available key balls. They always wanted to make the game as risk free as possible- Danny D would say that multiple times whenever he commentated a 14.1 match.
They liked simplicity and playing the percentages when it came to 14.1. even though admitting there were usually multiple ways to get through a rack.
Europeans opened up the game much more in terms of break shot speeds and shot selections. this style can have its advantages in higher runs at times, but with more risk.
I think that the 9 ball super shot makers do achieve some high runs on the strength of their shotmaking ability, but you just have to control that cue ball to stay out of trouble for 400 or more balls - at some point in 14.1 CB control overtakes shotmaking in importance.
And not just on the break shot, but when moving other balls around the table. I’ve seen Jayson play so many cannons with very little care and attention and even without insurance balls, just because he could. And it doesn’t matter how big the pockets are if you’re smothered with zero shots available. I can’t see that kind of carelessness continuing for 600 points.
Mizerak always advocated: "Play position on two balls whenever possible. More often than not -- you'll be glad that you did."
And on another note, Schmidt has said several times: "When I see the other guy always leaving himself a shallow angle on his break ball, I know I'm gonna beat him." Like Jayson, (and Mosconi) John is admirably fearless about back-cuts on breakshots.
Grady once told me players at that level aren't even aiming, their arm just knows where the cut is on the OB.
Playing at our best, we've all experienced that. Some lucky days you just get down and for hours -- you're automatically out of your own way. So pleasurable, and commonly too rare. Oddly it often happens to me when I'm physically extremely tired, and I later admire how smart my subconscious decades of pool repetitions are, when they take over with no conscious censor. Sort of the very definition of being "in the zone".
Arnaldo ~ Willie was in the zone 24/7 for at least 20 years.
And on another note, Schmidt has said several times: "When I see the other guy always leaving himself a shallow angle on his break ball, I know I'm gonna beat him." Like Jayson, (and Mosconi) John is admirably fearless about back-cuts on breakshots.
Grady once told me players at that level aren't even aiming, their arm just knows where the cut is on the OB.
Playing at our best, we've all experienced that. Some lucky days you just get down and for hours -- you're automatically out of your own way. So pleasurable, and commonly too rare. Oddly it often happens to me when I'm physically extremely tired, and I later admire how smart my subconscious decades of pool repetitions are, when they take over with no conscious censor. Sort of the very definition of being "in the zone".
Arnaldo ~ Willie was in the zone 24/7 for at least 20 years.
211/220/224 today are his high runs.
I wonder if the cloth breaking in could be the reason Shaw's runs have come down each of his 3 day?