Hi. I feel this thread and topic is something very personal to a couple of people. I had wanted to contribute since page one, but did not, as i sort of guess where it might head. Its almost like discussing religion. Each party can contribut only so much, but to convince the other party, is almost a miracle!
That being said, somehow, i did follow the thread, cos it is interesting, aside from the remarks and name-calling.
Before anything else..I'm impressed with the amount of effort and time Fred takes to stand his point. I do feel you are a very smart intellectual. Craig however, seems to be able to control his frustration over the matter more, and is in a position to just say his point with his experience in both snooker & pool, and also the fact that it is almost a laughing matter if snooker is considered an easy game!
then again, I see Fred's point. He agrees, but his stand would be that pool players can do well, if given enough time and dedication.
If I may, here is my opinion, having played snooker for over 10years, not competitively, as it is too hard to turn pro,with just a couple of century breaks in my life,(but plenty of 90+ breaks..dogged the crucial balls!)
Its also about technique, stance,etc. Top pool players have a "pool" style, be it aiming system, stroke, stance, or 'feel'....that gets you improving in pool over the years, and getting really efficient, but that would not work on a snooker table as well, even with long hours of training for years. For the snooker player, the basics and fundamentals are more sound, so the instant trasition can get them making balls and running out, which is enough to handle amateur top pool players, but to take on top pros, you still have to dedicate time and effort like Drago, and Davis.
Some snooker players play for years without being able to make a decent 60-70 break, not to mention a century break. While some 16 year old kids in UK, and Thailand are making centuries like almost on a daily basis. Thats just being gifted and talented, with a lot of desire and determination. Theres no luck factor there.
Kids like these, obviously look down on pool, as its like a child's play to make balls...only when they try to compete against top players, they realise there is so much more to learn.
Just like Craig, thats why snooker players like me, switch to pool, cos we can run 5racks of 9ball occasionally(if balls roll our way,on the break)..and we will learn so much more there is to offer in pool and its nuances. we may even stand a better chance to compete at a pro level..(and we both have matched up with them, and did respectfully). We can never do that in snooker. Ronnie,Hendry,Davis, White,etc..are all top cueists in the world of snooker.
well, this can become a long essay, so I'll end it by stating some of my personal experiences.
Before I switched to pool.
1st 8ball game I played against a decent player who can run out an open table with enough ease, I lost 4 out of 7 sets, for $50per set. (Damn! I lost $50!)then we played snooker, I beat him 10 sets(frames) to zero..(wow! I won $500)
During my snooker days, i like to drink, so in bars, i joined weekly 8ball tournaments,almost drunk, i have gotten to the finals,and had my fair share of 1st place.And aginst real pool players,...
I might not be very talented,(although i still am hoping i am in a way!),but because I was a decent snooker player, my basics and fundamentals gave me an edge, when compared to pool players.
No doubt now after 3years of pool, i learn so much that I realise its actually harder, cos its harder to win! every one can play so good.it has become a game of stronger mind and determination and some luck! But i LOVE it! I will keep playing pool and learning till my body can't take it with age anymore!
for 4 days last week, i finally took my snooker cue out to play some. I could barely make any long shots, and when i get close range shots, if i can ,make a break of 30, it was like a super achievement, cos it was just too bloddy hard! I guess I am a pool player now.
Lastly, some pool players with very good technique if they were to switch to snooker would have to be Souquet, Hohmann, Feijen (although the sighting might hinder his progress a bit),Yang,Orcullo..by the way Immonen was a snooker player who converted to pool.
sorry for the long post. couldnt help it.
daddypool
