Do you think that playing 14.1 / Straight Pool can help a players game out at all? At least with Consistency?

[vintagecollectibles831]

I love it. You learn so much. Only game you can play by yourself and you have a way to show you are improving; the higher the run, or even better your average run, the better you are getting. You can establish goals, like run 25 and then run 50 and maybe eventually 100, etc. Those goals kept me very motivated, until I ran 100. I still want to run my 3rd 100 ball run, but not the same as the first. There are so many people who do not know throw shots or carom shots. They just don't come up that much, but they do all the time in straight pool.

Wow, I want no part of anyone who can run a 100 in 14.1, let alone 50. Very impressive. All those break out shots, and good shape for a break out on the last ball. Not easy.

I played for about an hour today. I ran a few racks, but non of them were one after another. The break outs really had me frustrated. It is not an easy game.

 

[straightline]

Ok. More serious, doing pool,,,, is a system. If you understand the state of your system and have clues to where the problems and solutions lie, then 14.1 can provide an all in one RnD project.

I used to tell myself, "Where you are is more important than where you wanna be."
So, find square one and make sure it's square.

 

[Mensabum]

Playing 14.1 by yourself is the best pool game you can use for overall practicing.

It tells you whether you are playing better, plateaued or struggling. The more racks
you play lets you use a variety of shots and even playing the ghost by practicing
defensive shots to try hooking yourself. Straight pool has always been the best
measure of your pool abilities. If you’ve never run a couple of racks in straight pool,
you have no idea how frustrating it is to miss a shot or to have to surrender the table
using defense hoping your opponent misses. Jawing the 8, 9, or 10 ball to lose the
game is horrible and aggravating. I know that feeling and it is absolutely awful.

But after running 25 to 35 balls and missing, which for me typically would occur on a
relatively easier shot then the others,the feeling of deflation is like an elevator drop.

A physical feeling comes up from your crotch and lower abdomen and starts to feel
like a a wicked hook punch that causes you to wince and you tighten your abs and
start squeezing your stomach muscles exhaling while bending over to only recover
and resume standing with yout shoulders slumped like you missed the last train home.

I can’t explain it other than the mental effort and concentration it takes to totally control
table for 20 mins to then miss a shot is so more deflating than running what a rack in 8,
9 or 10 ball and missing the last ball. Now I realize that can be mean losing a match which
amplifies your frustration enormously which is something very different than what I’m referring
to. I’m just saying 14.1, when it is played well and you can run more than just a solitary rack,
the mental focus becimes more intense. It is an excellent way to practice. Here’s an easy way.

Scatter 15 balls on the table, take cue ball in hand and see how many you can run. If you miss,
you keep playing BIH until the last few balls. Pick a number, say 3-4. If you miss, play those balls
BIH frim the kitchen. Your intention is to pick a break shot for the start of practicing 14.1. You got
to test your stroke, play position and get ready for a break shot which is the most exciting shot I
can think of in any pool game. If you don’t have a break shot because of the shape you failed to get,
then play defense with yourself until you or the ghost get a chance to bust the rack open.

Remember that 14.1 has always been the best measure of a player’s skills in pocket billiards, although
IMO, snooker played on a 12’ table is insanely difficult. I’m only 5’8” and have to use an extension or a
bridge on so many shots it wasn’t fun. On a 10’ table, it’s harder than straight pool because of the pockets
but 14.1 on a 10’ with 4.25” CP can be pretty daunting. Straight pool is not a game suited for ball bangers.

I'm fortunate in that I learned how to play this game by playing straight pool.
My mentor was a fanatic and I picked his brain.
9 ball and other games came after I had an actual stroke, wobbly as it was, and still is, I might add.
For me, 14:1 seems to encompass every aspect of this game we call pool.

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy turning the horses loose on some 9 rock now and then.

 

[Bavafongoul]

I tend to use a slower stroke speed for the majority of shots since I am playing position on all the balls.

It involves mapping the table and clearing out zones where balls are scattered. There’s a lot less cue ball
movement because of overall shot selection flexibility instead of chasing the next number ball or pursuing
shape on stripes and solids scattered around the table. And you’re also playing more precise position so
the cue ball has a break shot on the last ball. So when I play 14.1, I navigate the cue ball a little differently.

 

[GoldCrown]

I also believe in the power of playing 14.1 for practice , as it teaches you how to see combination shots and how to break out problem balls as well as working on cue ball speed and control .
I feel its got way more positives than negatives to help improve your game .

That and mapping out for the break shot. Playing safes.

 

[VarmintKong]

Do you think that playing 14.1 / Straight Pool can help a players game out at all? At least with Consistency?

Do you think that just practicing 14.1 would be helpful, or would drills be better? Doing any kind of drills were always so boring to me though…

I think you know the answer.

Can you consistently find where you lose your focus and recognize the transitions where you break down.

If you don’t like to do drills, pick a transition where you’re an underdog. Now set up an end pattern where that transition is shot #1. Play it until you can succeed 80%. Then create another variation that attacks another weakness early.

 

[lfigueroa]

Do you think that playing 14.1 / Straight Pool can help a players game out at all? At least with Consistency?

For example, if the player has not played in a long time, and wants to get back into playing, and hopefully get their old A game back?

I always hated doing drills. Never had a Pre Shot routine, that I know of. Other then what came natural, after playing for hours, every single day, for many years.

Do you think that just practicing 14.1 would be helpful, or would drills be better? Doing any kind of drills were always so boring to me though, but I understand that is probably why I never improved past a certain level.

Thinking back, I feel that I was never anything but just a Banger. Always really loved the game though. I guess not nearly enough though.

I have not really played any in around a year, and really wanting to get back into playing again. I really miss the game.

I know that I am going to be really rusty though.

Thanks for any thoughts.

I regularly practice 14.1 but compete at 1pocket.

And what I've found is 14.1 has a dramatic effect on your ability to run balls at 1pocket. However, what I've also found is that, while you become adept at running balls around the bottom half of the table, you also need to cross-train and play rotation games because most often you need to be able to stab in a long shot/cut from an up table position to get rolling -- shots you would be less inclined to shoot/practice playing 14.1.

As far as helping with consistency, sure. The game has a built in accelerometer based on the number of balls you can regularly run so you can always tell if you're moving forward (or back) with your game. The trick is to pay attention and becoming adept at accurately diagnosing exactly what's going on with your game.

There are a lot of rabbit holes you can go down, lol.

Lou Figueroa

 

[gregcantrall]

Skills built playing straight pool transfer to 8 ball nicely.
I recall watching Ray Martin playing in the Reno 9 ball pro event. His choices of paths to gain shape shouted Straight Pool. Choosing short distance with precision cueball over going around the table for 3 rail shape. He could do the around the table for shape, but just tended to keep the cueball movement to a minimum. Precision angles to keep each shot basic. Not flashy but efficient.

 

[gregcantrall]

Competition is hard to simulate in solo practice.
In practice I simulate Competition by playing one hand against the other. Teaching the second hand can be humorous at first. Makes the practice fun.
With my Left hand starting out at helpless it was my goal to at least build a solid foundation and developing a consistent stroke. Lefty requirements leaned to minimal moving parts in the beginning. .Solving the problems the other hand was encountering also helped me solidify my Right handed play.
Try it, you might like it. Besides it's solo practice so no need to tell anyone. Plus the funny shots can be very educational. I recall Efren speaking of watching novice players and noting the strange and unusual results. Then going to his practice table and perfecting the Goofy shots that provided good results.

 

[Zerksies]

One game helps another. 14.1 would be good for cluster mangement in 8b, 3C can help 9b routes etc.

 

[Biloxi Boy]

No doubt.

 

[Railbird-2026]

Do you think that playing 14.1 / Straight Pool can help a players game out at all? At least with Consistency?

For example, if the player has not played in a long time, and wants to get back into playing, and hopefully get their old A game back?

I always hated doing drills. Never had a Pre Shot routine, that I know of. Other then what came natural, after playing for hours, every single day, for many years.

Do you think that just practicing 14.1 would be helpful, or would drills be better? Doing any kind of drills were always so boring to me though, but I understand that is probably why I never improved past a certain level.

Thinking back, I feel that I was never anything but just a Banger. Always really loved the game though. I guess not nearly enough though.

I have not really played any in around a year, and really wanting to get back into playing again. I really miss the game.

I know that I am going to be really rusty though.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Great for practice, pocketing balls and fun.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

I've just started putting 14.1 back into my practice routine. I play 1-2 hrs of straight, then go to nine. I'm much better playing nine after a straight pool session.

Straight pool will teach you almost every skill needed, especially extended and deeper focus.

 

[batmmann5]

Wow, I want no part of anyone who can run a 100 in 14.1, let alone 50. Very impressive. All those break out shots, and good shape for a break out on the last ball. Not easy.

I played for about an hour today. I ran a few racks, but non of them were one after another. The break outs really had me frustrated. It is not an easy game.

That is the great thing about the game though. Set goals. Go for 25, then go for 50, etc. And, if you are shooting mostly easy shots, very doable. My advice is to watch straight pool, especially old school, and see how they nudge balls. Don't try to blast the balls.

 

[GorstyBoy]

I learned of a new game recently, but it looks very difficult. I think they call it K Ball. It is 15 Ball Rotation Pool, where every ball is 1 point, and you race to a certain amount of points. Playing defense is pointless, because if you miss, your opponent gets ball in hand. So, in a way, it is like playing the ghost. Offensive shots only. I think it is too advanced for me though.

I wondered when someone on here would mention K-Ball... fun concept

 

[Chicagoplayer]

Do you think that playing 14.1 / Straight Pool can help a players game out at all? At least with Consistency?

YES YES YES YES YES YES!!

For example, if the player has not played in a long time, and wants to get back into playing, and hopefully get their old A game back?

I always hated doing drills. Never had a Pre Shot routine, that I know of. Other then what came natural, after playing for hours, every single day, for many years.

Do you think that just practicing 14.1 would be helpful,

Try it and tell us!
If 14.1 isn’t in your repertoire, make it so

or would drills be better? Doing any kind of drills were always so boring to me though, but I understand that is probably why I never improved past a certain level.

Thinking back, I feel that I was never anything but just a Banger. Always really loved the game though. I guess not nearly enough though.

I have not really played any in around a year, and really wanting to get back into playing again. I really miss the game.

I know that I am going to be really rusty though.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Do not hesitate to take up 14.1! Every American player would improve exponentially by adding Straight Pool to their skill set!

 

[driz86]

To a point, yes. It can keep you sharp and also trying to break your high run can create a pressure situation that might not be present in drills. I think you'll eventually identify some weak areas however which is where some specific drills could be helpful in improving further.

 

[gregcantrall]

I wondered when someone on here would mention K-Ball... fun concept

15 Ball Rotation Pool was Efren's strong suit. It was The money game in the Philippines. He dominated to the extent that he had to go to billiards to get action.
In the practice room before the Reno 9 ball Efren was playing rotation. A player started woofiing to play Straight pool. Efren ran 2 racks in rotation and inquired, "are you shure you want to play Straight pool?"

 

[3kushn]

You can practice consistency with any game.
If you want consistency you have to Practice being Consistent.

Of course you need to know what consistency means.

Hint: Its not consistently pocketing balls.
It's consistently delivering the cue tip where you intend it to land on your CB.

If you want to improve, forget about pocketing balls.

Focus on delivering the cue tip to the CB Target.

The question isn't "Did I make the shot"

The question is, Did I hit my CB correctly/as planned.

Forget about making a ball or not.

Focus only on your cue tip delivery.

 

[vintagecollectibles831]

You can practice consistency with any game.
If you want consistency you have to Practice being Consistent.

Of course you need to know what consistency means.

Hint: Its not consistently pocketing balls.
It's consistently delivering the cue tip where you intend it to land on your CB.

If you want to improve, forget about pocketing balls.

Focus on delivering the cue tip to the CB Target.

The question isn't "Did I make the shot"

The question is, Did I hit my CB correctly/as planned.

Forget about making a ball or not.

Focus only on your cue tip delivery.

Thanks. That makes sense. My mechanics are not consistent. That is for sure. When I played for hours every day, as a kid, I believe that my mechanics were surely very consistent though, but maybe not even then. I never knew, because I never had a pro instructor evaluate my mechanics, or anything. If I am uncomfortable while down on my shot, then I know something is not right though, and that has been the case a lot, over the years. Long after I was playing like all of the time, every day.