Oh I do. I also hate it lol...tough game to master. Anyone with some skills can run racks in the usual games but 14.1 shows you where you’re at in the long run...31
I’ve been playing with 10 balls and just eliminating the last row lately. It’s a fun way to get some practice with the later stages of a rack and setting up a good break but I know sometime soon I’ll have to step up my game and go back to the full rack
Keys to 14.1:
I wouldn't practice breaking without the entire rack...vvvvv
By doing so, it will effect your abilities to understand how the cb goes into and comes off/out of the rack. A bad break shot can happen for "x" number of reasons cloth being dirty, ball are bad...not able to freeze etc...etc but, dont let the reason be because you used the wrong spin or no spin or to much spin or speed with stun and not using the entire rack will not afford you the experience you need to see exactly what your looking at while trying to pick those all to important key/break balls...and then, how to shoot them.
All balls are the same importance......vvvvvv
To many people look at 14.1 as if the break shot and key ball are more important. Well, that type of thinking will for sure cause you grief. It will almost, without fail, cause you to not play the game of inches and go back to 9ball mentality and before you know it....your out of line and have no out.
Insurance on EACH & EVERY SHOT.......unless there isn't one. Look at it like painting yourself into a corner. Pay attention early and leave yourself an out if at all possible.
The key balls....vvvvvv
Learn to spot them early but, dont let accidentally nudging it cause you to become mentally broke.....(being negative toward yourself)....if you have an "insurance to the key"....insurance is everything but, at some point in EVERY inning, you have to stay with and shoot "the balls" as its the only option left because at some point, it will be the only option.
EVERY INCH is extremely important.vvvvvvvvv
You dont shoot for a zone, you shoot for spot of "inches".....otherwise, even if your Efren or the like, your magic "shot making" abilities will fail you and end your run where playing shape so tight your within an inch will take you much further.
There are plenty of people that are far more knowledgeable and skilled at 14.1 (and other games as well) than I am. Have your purchased any 14.1 instruction materials on pattern play? If not, i HIGHLY recommend you to do so. There are several books, DVDs instructors that are more than worth their price.
Have a good one,
Jeff