Snapping your Cue - “I’m done!”

Here is the advice I give to anyone who, after staying with the game consistently for at least a year, starts to get so frustrated that they want to quit- FORGET everything else about the game and DO THIS: set up one object ball two diamond up and two diamonds out out from the bottom rail and set up the cue ball two diamonds down and two diamonds out from the top rail - NOW spend as many days and as much time as needed to figure out how YOU can aim and make this shot EVERY TIME. Now apply that method to EVERY other shot you ever see on a table- these are the elements needed to be as consistent as humanly possible: the sighting of the shot while still standing, how you enter your stance, your grip, the bridge, the stroke, and MOST IMPORTANT- your focus points while down on the shot and STAYING there AT THE MOMENT of cue release. Figure this out first before you even think about any other aspect of the game - the rest- speed control, potion play, pattern play, strategy, etc. ALL will come with experience, observation, and education. The object of great play in this game is to feel in your mind- EVERY time you see any shot that is physically possible- that you can execute that shot- that is the confidence level to strive to reach - it won't happen 100% - we are human- but you need to have that confidence 100% on every shot you attempt- everything else falls into place from there.

If you are NOT willing to put yourself through the ordeal of working on the basics of ball pocketing to the point that you are close to the 100% confidence factor on each shot- then you don't have what it takes to be a great player. Yes, some have a more "natural" gift for this- those that don't can make up for that with determination and will to win.

As the last poster stated so well- winners find a way to narrow the distance between great play and mediocre play- that do that by developing consistency for what works on their greatest days and believing in themselves.

Got a lesson from a top pro and has been reading, watching, and studying

Sounds like he just got another lesson in a pool hall.

Guys who didn't get lessons from a pro, read, watch or study...

Earl Strickland - dropped out of school to go on the road gambling in pool halls and bars.

Efren Reyes - lived in a pool hall as a kid. Slept on the pool tables.

Shane Van Boening - picked on at school because of his hearing problem and took solace at a pool hall.

Sounds like your buddy is looking for a shortcut. If you aren't willing to put in the time then you either accept the fact you are not going to be a good player or you break your cue and quit.

alstl said:

Got a lesson from a top pro and has been reading, watching, and studying

Sounds like he just got another lesson in a pool hall.

Guys who didn't get lessons from a pro, read, watch or study...

Earl Strickland - dropped out of school to go on the road gambling in pool halls and bars.

Efren Reyes - lived in a pool hall as a kid. Slept on the pool tables.

Shane Van Boening - picked on at school because of his hearing problem and took solace at a pool hall.

Sounds like your buddy is looking for a shortcut. If you aren't willing to put in the time then you either accept the fact you are not going to be a good player or you break your cue and quit.

Click to expand...

Tough love in the pool hall.... those lessons tend to stick with you though!

Mkbtank said:

Got this text from a buddy yesterday.

He has been trying to play more seriously for about a year. Got a lesson from a top pro and has been reading, watching, and studying. Making progress. Played great the other day and yesterday “Couldn’t make a ball”. Got so frustrated he snapped (The cue lol).

I told him we’ve all been there.


What would you tell him??? (I will later show him to this thread).

Thanks!

Click to expand...

The game is so much more enjoyable when you lower your personal expectations. Don't overrate yourself. Don't be ashamed to ask for more weight. If he's a grown man getting "back" into pool, I hate to break the news, but you're not going to be a world champion so HAVE FUN. If it's not fun, don't do it. If you're passionate about it, you'll keep going through the wins and losses, just because you love the game.

Buckzapper said:

Before you can become a real top player, you must join a league and learn to twirl your cue like an airplane propeller. You have to own a couple jump cues and a 25 ounce break stick. Get a black cue case with skulls on it and a long tail coat that will hold all your league patches.

Click to expand...

And don't forget the glove and the fade haircut. Bonus points if you rock
a polo shirt with all the brand names on it.

For the vast majority of people, I don't care how serious that you think that you are taking the game, you will never play at a 700 Fargo Rating or above.

I am guessing that your friend thought that taking lessons from a pro and practicing a lot, would very soon bring him to a pro-level of play.

I used to think that if I didn't have to work, I could get to a pro level with no trouble at all. Well, after not having to work for the last 5 years and having all day to practice if I wish, it's just not that easy! I think that pool needs to become the biggest part of your life to get that good, and even then you might fail.

I’d tell him to take up fishing. If his anger happens frequently I’d tell him to grow up.

Have a ex friend that behaves like a child when playing pool, so just quit talking to him altogether.

The butts still good, buy a new $50 shaft and keep playing.

The standard pool hall response when a player is frustrated:

"Take two weeks off, and then quit."

Get_A_Grip said:

For the vast majority of people, I don't care how serious that you think that you are taking the game, you will never play at a 700 Fargo Rating or above.

I am guessing that your friend thought that taking lessons from a pro and practicing a lot, would very soon bring him to a pro-level of play.

I used to think that if I didn't have to work, I could get to a pro level with no trouble at all. Well, after not having to work for the last 5 years and having all day to practice if I wish, it's just not that easy! I think that pool needs to become the biggest part of your life to get that good, and even then you might fail.

Click to expand...

You WILL fail, unless you have the genetics to begin with. Otherwise, we would all be A players, be able to beat the 9 ball ghost in an ahead set at will, and have a high run of 100 balls or more in straight pool.

I'd tell him that the only way out of a slump is to shoot your way out of it....and that's hard to do with a broken cue.

Maniac (always shooting out of a slump)

Runner said:

And don't forget the glove

Click to expand...

Really??? Yet another condescending reference to a glove when a LOT of the pros are now using one?

Some people just can't let go......:scratchhead:

Maniac

tell him about all the women and money that comes with being a good pool player :wink:

Maniac said:

Really??? Yet another condescending reference to a glove when a LOT of the pros are now using one?

Some people just can't let go......:scratchhead:

Maniac

Click to expand...

All power to the ones who like and use them...that being said, few things look as wildly out of place, as a glove on a bad player .
(or a $2000 cue that they don’t know how to use)

Of course, if my cues matched my level, I would have a pool-noodle, but that’s another story!

Great advice from everyone, only thing is....all of you are missing the fact that he clearly has anger issues, and they have nothing to do with playing pool, it just happens to be the outlet at the moment. What is this guy like behind the wheel of a car in rush hour traffic???

Suicide is a desperate attempt to improve your situation.....
...it doesn’t work
Breaking your cue is suicide by proxy....
...it doesn’t work either

Guys ... Break Wind.... not cues.

gogg said:

All power to the ones who like and use them...that being said, few things look as wildly out of place, as a glove on a bad player .

Click to expand...

But, how bad would that player play without the glove?

Pro players use them because they feel it gives them a better advantage by having a consistent feeling with their bridge.

Is it unreasonable to suggest that even a not-so-good player have that same feeling?

I just don't get the criticism of any product a player, good or bad, chooses to use.

Remember....at one time or another you probably were a not-so-good player yourself.

Maniac

This is really funny...

Anger and temper tantrum out bursts!!

Several years ago a customer playing Blackjack at the Riverside Casino in Tukwilla, WA lost a big bet to the dealer, and in doing so jumped up from the table and accused the dealer of cheating!!!! Security told him to go cool off outside the casino, so they walked him out. 30 minutes later, he came back, told the front door security people he'd cooled off, and was ready to go back to playing cards again, so they let him back in. He walked right up to the same Blackjack table, pulled out a .357 magnum revolver and put 3 slugs into the dealer, killing him where he sat before security could subdue him....it was later found out he'd lost his home mortgage payment, and was behind in his payments as it was.

What advice would all of you given him....don't gamble if you can't afford to lose????? It was found out later he had a history of temper problems and had been in and out of jail because of it!!!!