300 point match last night

[Winston846]

I haven't played much 14.1 at all in the past few months, but last night I met up with RonF and we played some 14.1. 1st match was to 100 which he won, second match was to 150 which I won, so for the 3rd match we decided to go to 200. The match was going really well and we were both playing well with productive innings at the table (many runs in the 20s and 30s, and Ron had a 40-something), and very few times we left the table on a missed shot. We both agreed this was probably the best game we ever played and I know I didn't want it to end, so I was all for extending it another 100 points when he suggested it. To make a long story short I came out on the short end, but oh well. I was down 298-255 and at the table with one last ditch effort for a 45-and-out. With the way I was playing, I believed I could have done it as long as I didn't do anything stupid. I made it to about 25, when I broke the balls and the only real shot I had was a cut on the 10 - and wouldn't you know it, this was the run that would end on a miss, and with the table wide open, I conceded the last 2 balls. So it ended up around 300-280. But all in all it was a great matchup. Ron played as well as I ever seen him play, and I thought I made a pretty good showing considering how little I've played recently. Now I've got the bug to play more.

 

[Ron F]

Down 50

It was a good session. But I need to say Winston was playing great and had me down 105-55 when I hit him with a 43. And later in the match he made an equally impressive comeback. We extended the match from 200 to 300 when the score was 198-187. If we hadn't extended, the game would've ended with me running 13 and out for a 200-199 final score - can't get any closer than that! My play wasn't bad for taking a week off and having surgery.

 

[Salamander]

Great that you two are a comparable level. I'm no world beater, but it's tough to find someone that can actually play the game. :thumbup:

 

[dmgwalsh]

Wow! That sounds like 14.1 the way it is supposed to be played.

20s, 30s, and 40s from each guy. Rarely leaving the table on a miss.

It probably left both of you feeling pretty good. Like two heavyweight fighters slugging it out in the middle of the ring, each giving their best shot.

Something to aspire to.

 

[Winston846]

Wow! That sounds like 14.1 the way it is supposed to be played.

20s, 30s, and 40s from each guy. Rarely leaving the table on a miss.

It probably left both of you feeling pretty good. Like two heavyweight fighters slugging it out in the middle of the ring, each giving their best shot.

Something to aspire to.

And in the end I was the one laid out on the canvas.

But it could still get a lot better. The shot making was really good from both of us, but the cue ball control could have been better. Many runs ended by getting out of line, getting up against or behind a ball, or getting stuck in the pack - resulting in a safety or taking a scratch. Shot-makingwise, I felt like I could make 60-70 balls every time I got to the table. I've been keying on something that has really helped me with my shot-making, especially on longer shots. But my CB control still needs a lot of work, and so does my shot selection.

And the fact that we played with Ron's personal set of balls did help. I wasn't a believer at first - I always figured that if they were round and rolled, they were good enough for me. But the thing I noticed most is that they opened up a lot better than the "house" balls. I also like the blue-dot cue ball better.

 

[topcat1953]

14.1

Nice post.

Where is it that you guys play?

 

[dmgwalsh]

And in the end I was the one laid out on the canvas.

And the fact that we played with Ron's personal set of balls did help. I wasn't a believer at first - I always figured that if they were round and rolled, they were good enough for me. But the thing I noticed most is that they opened up a lot better than the "house" balls. I also like the blue-dot cue ball better.

I became a believer a few years back. John Schmidt during a seminar at Derby talked about wiping down the table and using clean balls. Then Bobby Hunter was in our IBC league soon afterwards and he reinforced the concept. I went out and bought a new set of Centennials for Bobby to use when he played his matches that session. After that, when he was no longer playing with us, I started bringing my Centennials with me. Others with whom I played noticed and since that time, many of the players in our advanced league have bought their own personal set and they bring them with them for league play.

It helped that the best players in the league, Latimer, Mohl, Shephard, and both Michalecs started doing the same. We have a ball star at the Club and some of us have ball cleaners at home. Helps a lot.


But great playing and keep us posted of your continued matches of the titans.

 

[Ron F]

Where

Nice post.

Where is it that you guys play?

That night we played on a GCII at Jack n Jill's Billiards in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

 

[Ron F]

Balls

I became a believer a few years back. John Schmidt during a seminar at Derby talked about wiping down the table and using clean balls. Then Bobby Hunter was in our IBC league soon afterwards and he reinforced the concept. I went out and bought a new set of Centennials for Bobby to use when he played his matches that session. After that, when he was no longer playing with us, I started bringing my Centennials with me. Others with whom I played noticed and since that time, many of the players in our advanced league have bought their own personal set and they bring them with them for league play.

It helped that the best players in the league, Latimer, Mohl, Shephard, and both Michalecs started doing the same. We have a ball star at the Club and some of us have ball cleaners at home. Helps a lot.


But great playing and keep us posted of your continued matches of the titans.

Dennis - very informative post, as usual. The room that I was doing much of my playing in last year only had old Centennials and no ball polisher. The CB had a red triangle on it (not sure of the brand) and seemed light. Especially going into the rack, it just seemed like the balls weren't spreading like they should.

So, I found the best price for a new set of Centennials online at Proficient Billiards (about $190) and bought them. I also picked up a custom hardwood carrying case from AZer HighTrucker. The difference is indisputable in playing with new, polished and clean balls over old, unpolished balls. The blue dot and the old red triangle cueballs were both weighed and there was a quarter ounce difference between them. So although draw may be slightly tougher with the blue dot CB, when it goes into the pack or a cluster it does more damage.

In comparison to a new set of Aramith Super Pros I'd say the Centennials are superior as well. Not sure of a weight difference, but the balls seem to spread easier and the finish on the Centennials is better. Also, with the black ring and arrows around the numbers, the Centennials offer more aiming points on the surface of the OB than the Aramith's.

I don't have a ball polisher at home, but I really don't need one. Several rooms in the area have ball polishers and have no problem with running mine through the polisher to keep them in top shape.

Ron F

 

[Ron F]

CB Control

And in the end I was the one laid out on the canvas.

But it could still get a lot better. The shot making was really good from both of us, but the cue ball control could have been better. Many runs ended by getting out of line, getting up against or behind a ball, or getting stuck in the pack - resulting in a safety or taking a scratch. Shot-makingwise, I felt like I could make 60-70 balls every time I got to the table. I've been keying on something that has really helped me with my shot-making, especially on longer shots. But my CB control still needs a lot of work, and so does my shot selection.

And the fact that we played with Ron's personal set of balls did help. I wasn't a believer at first - I always figured that if they were round and rolled, they were good enough for me. But the thing I noticed most is that they opened up a lot better than the "house" balls. I also like the blue-dot cue ball better.

I'd say our deficiencies in position play and CB control is the result of not playing regularly nor nearly enough. There is no substitute to hitting balls several times a week even if it's just for an hour or so each session. Without it your position play is off - which means a lot in competitive straight pool.

 

[dmgwalsh]

Dennis - very informative post, as usual. The room that I was doing much of my playing in last year only had old Centennials and no ball polisher. The CB had a red triangle on it (not sure of the brand) and seemed light. Especially going into the rack, it just seemed like the balls weren't spreading like they should.

So, I found the best price for a new set of Centennials online at Proficient Billiards (about $190) and bought them. I also picked up a custom hardwood carrying case from AZer HighTrucker. The difference is indisputable in playing with new, polished and clean balls over old, unpolished balls. The blue dot and the old red triangle cueballs were both weighed and there was a quarter ounce difference between them. So although draw may be slightly tougher with the blue dot CB, when it goes into the pack or a cluster it does more damage.

In comparison to a new set of Aramith Super Pros I'd say the Centennials are superior as well. Not sure of a weight difference, but the balls seem to spread easier and the finish on the Centennials is better. Also, with the black ring and arrows around the numbers, the Centennials offer more aiming points on the surface of the OB than the Aramith's.

I don't have a ball polisher at home, but I really don't need one. Several rooms in the area have ball polishers and have no problem with running mine through the polisher to keep them in top shape.

Ron F

Ron:

I just wanted to add that since my original Centennial purchase a few years back, I have purchased the new Aramith Tournament Balls, and I think they may open better than the centennials. Several people at the IBC have followed my lead and bought the tournament balls.

 

[stevekur1]

Ron:

I just wanted to add that since my original Centennial purchase a few years back, I have purchased the new Aramith Tournament Balls, and I think they may open better than the centennials. Several people at the IBC have followed my lead and bought the tournament balls.

Yes the Tournament set is Da Nutz !!! i picked up a set when they came out about a year ago, and they still play great. i throw they in the BallStar from time to time just to brink the shine back up !!

-Steve

 

[Ron F]

Aramith Tournament Balls

Ron:

I just wanted to add that since my original Centennial purchase a few years back, I have purchased the new Aramith Tournament Balls, and I think they may open better than the centennials. Several people at the IBC have followed my lead and bought the tournament balls.

Dennis - haven't had the opportunity to play with the new Aramith Tournament balls yet, but look forward to it. Do they also have the black circle around the numbers like Centennials?

Ron F

 

[dmgwalsh]

Dennis - haven't had the opportunity to play with the new Aramith Tournament balls yet, but look forward to it. Do they also have the black circle around the numbers like Centennials?

Ron F

Yes, they do. They are supposed to have a harder finish. They seem to keep clean longer and they may break up a little better, longer.

From their web site:
With the Duramith™ Technology, the Aramith resins
entered their 4th generation. With a totally overhauled
resin formulation with new hi-tech reticulation, crosslinking and curing technologies, the Aramith products now
set a new benchmark in quality, durability & longevity,
increasing their service life up to 50% during which :
& their through-hardened vitried surface and core holds
their glossy look
& their specications, rebound and playing consistency
throughout the set is maintained all along
& the cloth wear and white marks that so easily ruin the
look of the table are minimized
& their friction resistance minimizes burn spots as well