Recent content by FranCrimi

I get where you're coming from, but when you play against another player, particularly in a rotation game, you don't always get left in a position to use center or near center ball. In addition, there are many instances when spin is a better option than force on certain shots. Also, everyone...

If you're worried about not being able to compensate for squirt when using more than a half tip off center, then pool isn't the game for you. The pros use as much side spin as needed. The late great Buddy Hall told me, "You have to be able to play all over the cue ball." Does that sound like no...

Your thread just reminded me of a story. I was often hired to shoot shots for TV shows and films. Once when I was hired for a daytime drama, the director wanted me to just barely miss shots. The script called for the character to miss several shots, but almost make them. I tried, but kept making...

I think mainly their adjustments are to the point of contact on the ob. It's more palatable to go through their normal aiming process to pocket the ball and then make an adjustment to the contact point rather than aim for a miss or near miss. But there's nothing wrong with aiming for a miss or...

I recall one 9 ball match playing Ewa on tour. She broke, made a ball and then missed. I thought it was the 1 ball that she made on the break and I zeroed right in on the 2 when I got to the table. I was wrong. The 1 was in plain sight of the cb, about 2 feet away, and I was still looking at the...

Yes, unfortunately, there is no solution that's good for the opponent when the ref makes a mistake like that. Shane apparently opted to accept Ed's error in order to stay in his head and not get into a long discussion and controversy, distracting himself. It's a shame he even had to make a...

The problem with alerting your opponent, regardless of the level of the event, is that it makes those who play by the rules and don't alert their opponent look like they're bad people. Rules are meant to protect the players and prevent controversies. If no one helped their opponent by alerting...

I think in the absence of a ref the opponent still can't alert his opponent because in the absence of a ref, the players are required to referee their match. A referee can't warn a player that he's shooting the wrong ball, therefore, his opponent, acting as a referee at that point, also can't...

Well, first, I would stop the match and notify the tournament director. I would also request that the ref be replaced. As to what to do with the match, it will be up to the TD. If I were the TD, I'd flip a coin to see who shoots, or reset the table and have them lag. Keep the score.

Ah, okay. I was thinking pool. Thanks for the clarification. I gave my answer above.

What rotation game is 50 points? Putting that aside for a moment, the answer to your question is no. First, if it's a World Championship Final, then there is a referee presiding at the table. Would the referee tell the player they're shooting the wrong ball? Of course not. It's unethical for a...

Low end set. Table sellers would include the set with the purchase of a home table. I've come across many of these sets when giving pool lessons to people on their home tables. They play lighter than regulation balls and I think may even be a little smaller in size. Yes, the cue ball that came...

Ray told me that his inspiration for Schuler cues came from his admiration for Herman Rambow, particularly his joint style. It was rare to have a discussion about cue-making with Ray without Rambow's name entering into the conversation.

Of course Ray didn't make every cue that came out of his shop. But he did inspect each one thoroughly, because his signature went on each one. To my knowledge, no one's name but Ray's appeared on any of Ray's cues when he was the sole owner of his business.

Bon Jovi, It's My Life.