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There's one place locally that handles the top players by making their handicap so large almost none of them gets past the third match. Something like 7 games to 2 games - against a B player. The pool hall should have a regular ring game with barrels, specifically for the top players, who are...

The only sport I can actually play and improve (regardless of age or physical strength). The only sport that gets more complex, the closer you look. The only sport that gets more and more simple, the more you know.

Haven't been there is years, but there always seemed to be a pool hall on every block. And gambling was available from peanuts on up. No problem on pick-up games. If you bulldoze the existing players, runners go out to notify the better neighborhood shooters. You'll also attract a lot of...

:) Assuming your neighborhood are not invaded by racoons, what's wrong with plastic bags?

The mention above about adding complexities to your stroke is extremely valuable. There is an amazing amount of Cue Ball control you can get just by staying on the vertical center line. Now given that, there are circumstances when side spin on the CB gets amazing results. The primary two...

An instructor has a responsibility to the student to begin by understanding the student's current abilities. From that, the instructor can help the student to improve. Basically, the instructor's shortcuts (tricks) help the student bypass the bane of learning (habits). Each instructor has a...

Use the time checking out any eye-candy. :D

This is one of the various sharking tricks to distract your focus. Use this as an opportunity to sit back in your chair with closed eyes. Force him to get your attention for your shot - then double-slow your shots. If he's going 40-60 seconds per shot, double that. Slow-shooters rarely have...

If you can't get to the lowest number ball on the table directly, you have to do it indirectly. This can involve kicking to any number of rails. If you want to get an idea of table patterns available with three standard shots (12:00, 10:30, 1:30) check out the Table Map Library. 1. Click...

How about using a "wild ball" idea? This is totally outside the box, but I throw it out for consideration. Wild ball - the lower skilled player makes it for the win. Rather than balls spotted or racks, has anyone tried using wild balls? For example: A against B player - wild ball is 7...

My only complaint among everything I've see is public responses on a thread that "chides" the poster. If those individuals feel they have must be a censor or educator, why reveal themselves to be a small-minded nitty-picker? Simply send a private message with their kind-hearted comments and...

And that is one of the many "easy" ways to win. :)

The local Elks Lodge janitor took an old (1950s) Brunswick table down (without consulting the regular players) and busted the center slate by letting it topple over. Some chips broke out along the diagonal crack. One of the lodge members bought the table for $200. When he set it up, he added...

Wow! Shiny! I'm going to try it with my sets of billiard balls.

At one place I lived, I didn't have room for my table (1938 10 foot Saunier & Wilhelm) to properly play, even with short sticks. I shoved the table into a corner (leaving about an 18" gap) just so that I could practice shots from the other two sides. Yeah - it got boring at times. I made games...

Last pocket 8 Ball is just standard 8 Ball with a One Pocket twist. If you are both down to the last ball, it's just a matter of either who gets lucky on a bank shot or who screws up last. Just make sure your last ball is not into the side pocket. A couple more tactical tricks. If your...

Big agreement. Exposing your frustrations with safeties to your opponent is a red flag to him to do more against you. The book, "Basic Defense and Safety Fundamentals", should help you get the right attitude about defensive shooting (how to set up and how to respond). When you get comfortable...

When the humidity is high and the balls roll slow, or when low and the balls roll fast - make mental notes on the adjustments you make to your game. Over your future pool playing lifetime, you will enter pool halls with those conditions. Knowing how to adjust your game accordingly, will...

A true labor of love. Congratulations. What's your next project?

I was in the USAF during the Vietnam War, first at Taiwan (supply base) and then Thailand (forward base for intelligence gathering), voluntarily extending my tours in both places. My prayers and thoughts go out to those who are actively serving our country, in spite of the current washington...