Becaues anybody that has played it knows that it is a wonderful game and one of the purest tests of skill there is on any table with 6 pockets. Everybody that plays this game for the first time thinks "I can make any ball--easy" and then they actually play it and that is the last time easy enters their head. 9-ball is easy for anybody to pick up, play and have some fun regardless of their ability. Straight pool is not but it is so much the better game and so much worth the effort. Because of guys like Dave and John I am going to try to play as much straight pool as I can this year and I want my high run in straight pool to be highter than my high run in snookerq stick said:
3andstop said:
Thanks, 3andstop. 14.1 certainly takes sustained concentration, of a variety that several other games do not require. Maybe it's because you're at the table for extended periods of time and sometimes the patterns look sooo deceptively simple, lulling you into letting your guard down, dammit.
Lou Figueroa
In my eyes, the REAL pool games that should be for "Pro" level play are Straight Pool, One Pocket and Full Rack Banks 
All the short rack games like 9ball and 10Ball, are killing pool at the professional level and it's all because the billiard industry is allowing the TV networks to dictate to the players, what we should and shouldn't play, which in turn is making tournament directors and tour operators decide that we should all play what the TV networks want us to play.
It's about time that the industry and the "Pro" level of the game, stopped being so damn lazy and start playing a pool game that is meant to be difficult, that is meant to be challenging, that is meant to require the best of concentration, and that is meant to be about less pure ability and knowledge of the game, as well as all round ability
If players are worried about TV coverage and publicity, we got our own resources for that, we got the guys from TAR, Accu-Stats as well as OTBn, BCN and a few others, who are doing awesome job of videoing tournament and/or challenge match ups and any of these matches that are available can always be added at a later time to AZBTV, etc, which solves the problem of TV coverage, publicity
Promotion can be done by the players themselves by having their own website with links to and from various other billiard sites, as well as playing in exhibitions
Willie
All the short rack games like 9ball and 10Ball, are killing pool at the professional level and it's all because the billiard industry is allowing the TV networks to dictate to the players, what we should and shouldn't play, which in turn is making tournament directors and tour operators decide that we should all play what the TV networks want us to play.
It's about time that the industry and the "Pro" level of the game, stopped being so damn lazy and start playing a pool game that is meant to be difficult, that is meant to be challenging, that is meant to require the best of concentration, and that is meant to be about less pure ability and knowledge of the game, as well as all round ability
If players are worried about TV coverage and publicity, we got our own resources for that, we got the guys from TAR, Accu-Stats as well as OTBn, BCN and a few others, who are doing awesome job of videoing tournament and/or challenge match ups and any of these matches that are available can always be added at a later time to AZBTV, etc, which solves the problem of TV coverage, publicity
Promotion can be done by the players themselves by having their own website with links to and from various other billiard sites, as well as playing in exhibitions
Willie
I don't think most up and comers want to take the time to learn how to play 14.1. 8ball and 9ball are easy to learn, and also more social games. 14.1 is a players game, most new players are just looking for something to do- at least until a few of them get hooked by the pool bug. Room owners would do well to promote 14.1 since the longer you stay, typically the more money you spend. Unfortunately i think it's as much a sign of the times as anything else. If you're in a smaller town, it's harder to get it to catch on. Thats really too bad for the sport, and the players who enjoy it.
I play 14.1 because it's a challenge and I know that it is the game that will teach/get you in the game. I was a snooker/8-ball player about 20 years ago who took a break for various reasons and now I'm getting back into the "The Game". "Straight Pool" A.K.A. 14.1 is a tough, challenging, game for a multitude of reasons. I have had people call it a "Sissy's" game until I talk them into a few racks. I am very lucky to have a friend who is not only a good all around player but he plays straight pool with a vengeance and learned the theory as well as the physical part of the game 40 something years ago. He has become my "mentor" or "teacher" for the lack of a better description and has helped me improve my game in leaps and bounds. I grabbed several of Capelle's books on his word and they are a treasure trove of information and will be buying several more before its over. So what if it doesn't make ESPN, ABC or TNN, if it doesn't fly on TV I will still be playing it in my basement with two of my buddies bringing the beer (Price of admission) while watching Florida State and the NY Giants on the big screen TV.
I absolutely detest 9-ball. I only play it because it's the game that everybody likes to play.
The only time I play straight pool is by myself. Nobody at my pool hall plays it.
And when they see me playing it, they say it looks too easy or that it's a stupid game.
It sucks, because I'm always trying to introduce people to the game.
In the beginning they're all for it because you can make any ball in any pocket.
But then after a few racks, they realize how difficult it is. Then they don't want to play it anymore.
Then we go back to 9-ball.
The only time I play straight pool is by myself. Nobody at my pool hall plays it.
And when they see me playing it, they say it looks too easy or that it's a stupid game.
It sucks, because I'm always trying to introduce people to the game.
In the beginning they're all for it because you can make any ball in any pocket.
But then after a few racks, they realize how difficult it is. Then they don't want to play it anymore.
Then we go back to 9-ball.
N
Noncrookedpool
Guest
Don't knock what you can't understand
Anyone who who says they like to play pool and hates the game of Straight Pool is lost. You can emulate pressure while practicing 14.1 by yourself that is impossible to duplicate while hitting balls in any other practice game, ie if your high run is 45 balls and you are approaching that number in a practice session the pressure becomes intense. This is only if you have the true desire it takes to become a better player, when you DO get through that 4th rack and are able to calm your nerves your game has just jumped a level. The poster who made the running analogy about how 14.1 is a long distace runners game vs 9 ball being for sprinters is incorrect, and remember the word hate is the opposite of love. So anytime anyone says they hate someone or something around them I feel bad for cause they have to hate themselves to hate period.However if having geat cocentration for prolonged period of time is a bad quality then count me in. For all of you out there who thrive off of the thought that they are able to hide their true speed and focus most of their energy on deceiving their opponents so they can get the bet right remember I focus my energy on improving my game and my high run. Ohh and by the way these people might act like it does not bother them to ask for a spot but believe me if their any good at all deep down inside they hate it that you are better than them. Anyone who hates 14.1 I would play and safely say that their true speed would fall short while competing against me in any Pocket Billiard discipline.
Sincerely, Danny Harriman
Anyone who who says they like to play pool and hates the game of Straight Pool is lost. You can emulate pressure while practicing 14.1 by yourself that is impossible to duplicate while hitting balls in any other practice game, ie if your high run is 45 balls and you are approaching that number in a practice session the pressure becomes intense. This is only if you have the true desire it takes to become a better player, when you DO get through that 4th rack and are able to calm your nerves your game has just jumped a level. The poster who made the running analogy about how 14.1 is a long distace runners game vs 9 ball being for sprinters is incorrect, and remember the word hate is the opposite of love. So anytime anyone says they hate someone or something around them I feel bad for cause they have to hate themselves to hate period.However if having geat cocentration for prolonged period of time is a bad quality then count me in. For all of you out there who thrive off of the thought that they are able to hide their true speed and focus most of their energy on deceiving their opponents so they can get the bet right remember I focus my energy on improving my game and my high run. Ohh and by the way these people might act like it does not bother them to ask for a spot but believe me if their any good at all deep down inside they hate it that you are better than them. Anyone who hates 14.1 I would play and safely say that their true speed would fall short while competing against me in any Pocket Billiard discipline.
Sincerely, Danny Harriman