I spent a very enjoyable day getting a pool lesson from John Brumback yesterday. What a treat it was!
I drove 2 1/2 hours from Indianapolis with my wife, on Thursday evening, to stay at the nearby Belterra Casino. A short 15 minute or so drive took me across the Ohio river on Friday morning and to John's back door. John met me at the end of his driveway and we chatted for several minutes before going in. I told John I was most interested in receiving help with my overall pool game, not just learning to secrets of bank pool.
John helped me with some fine tuning in the first half of the morning. He suggested a few subtle adjustments that helped me make draw shots much easier and more effectively. He also showed me how he uses English on cut shots to make them easier by minimizing or neutralizing skid and cut induced throw. When I asked John about aiming systems he looked at me like I had just landed from another planet. LOL
We spent the rest of the morning working on basic banking and spent some time on some of his more specialized bank shots from his DVD. I hit one of what I thought was an impossible bank shot on the second try after John showed me what I needed to do. John went through a lot of different scenarios explaining how his approach would allow a significantly great margin of error for making the bank shots.
Even though I thought I knew what the answer would be, I asked John about the mirror image system or what "aiming system" he used for calculating banks. Same deal as before. It is apparent John has spent thousands and thousands of hours practicing and is way past being concerned about knowing which diamond to aim through but instead, thinking of most appropriate speed and English to make pocketing the shot most probable. John isn't offering a quick, cheap fix but he is great at explaining a system that will obviously pay dividends if you're willing to put in the table time.
Spent an enjoyable hour or so eating lunch at some local country store with John sharing some pool stories from his earlier life. It was impressive to hear the list of well known professionals that John has worked given lessons to for bank pool A couple of things became apparent. Despite the very laid back and amiable demeanor, John is a fierce competitor and perfectionist with anything he takes on.
We then spent the afternoon playing 8 and 9 ball. It brings to mind the saying "he plays a game of which I am not familiar". LOL John patiently went through each and every shot, what his strategy was, what cue tip position he was going to use and why, etc.. There were a number of times when I'd get out of position and then ask John "How can I hit this shot and get back on this ball?" John would look and tell me that was a really, really tough shot but this would be the way it would have to be played to have a chance. He'd add that it would be a VERY difficult shot. I'd say "okay, you play it and show me then." He would ... and get near perfect position on the next ball. "Got a little lucky." LMAO Yeah, he got a little lucky every freaking time.
Before we wrapped up, John gave me 3 or 4 drills to work on that he thought would best help me get to the next level. We chatted for about a 1/2 hour and then I hit the road wishing him the best of luck in Tunica and already looking forward to the next time I could visit.
That evening, my wife and I ate at the 5 star steak house at Belterra. The rating is well earned, what an incredible meal I enjoyed! What a GREAT day.
I would add that John doesn't resemble the stereotype of what I suspect most people have of a professional pool player. Not in the least. I don't know if I've ever met someone so supremely confident in themselves and their ability while being so humble. There isn't even the slightest hint of arrogance with John, he is truly one of the nicest people I've ever met. The sport of Pool would benefit greatly by having more people like John Brumback represent them. Thanks for a memorable day John and best of luck in Tunica!
I drove 2 1/2 hours from Indianapolis with my wife, on Thursday evening, to stay at the nearby Belterra Casino. A short 15 minute or so drive took me across the Ohio river on Friday morning and to John's back door. John met me at the end of his driveway and we chatted for several minutes before going in. I told John I was most interested in receiving help with my overall pool game, not just learning to secrets of bank pool.
John helped me with some fine tuning in the first half of the morning. He suggested a few subtle adjustments that helped me make draw shots much easier and more effectively. He also showed me how he uses English on cut shots to make them easier by minimizing or neutralizing skid and cut induced throw. When I asked John about aiming systems he looked at me like I had just landed from another planet. LOL
We spent the rest of the morning working on basic banking and spent some time on some of his more specialized bank shots from his DVD. I hit one of what I thought was an impossible bank shot on the second try after John showed me what I needed to do. John went through a lot of different scenarios explaining how his approach would allow a significantly great margin of error for making the bank shots.
Even though I thought I knew what the answer would be, I asked John about the mirror image system or what "aiming system" he used for calculating banks. Same deal as before. It is apparent John has spent thousands and thousands of hours practicing and is way past being concerned about knowing which diamond to aim through but instead, thinking of most appropriate speed and English to make pocketing the shot most probable. John isn't offering a quick, cheap fix but he is great at explaining a system that will obviously pay dividends if you're willing to put in the table time.
Spent an enjoyable hour or so eating lunch at some local country store with John sharing some pool stories from his earlier life. It was impressive to hear the list of well known professionals that John has worked given lessons to for bank pool A couple of things became apparent. Despite the very laid back and amiable demeanor, John is a fierce competitor and perfectionist with anything he takes on.
We then spent the afternoon playing 8 and 9 ball. It brings to mind the saying "he plays a game of which I am not familiar". LOL John patiently went through each and every shot, what his strategy was, what cue tip position he was going to use and why, etc.. There were a number of times when I'd get out of position and then ask John "How can I hit this shot and get back on this ball?" John would look and tell me that was a really, really tough shot but this would be the way it would have to be played to have a chance. He'd add that it would be a VERY difficult shot. I'd say "okay, you play it and show me then." He would ... and get near perfect position on the next ball. "Got a little lucky." LMAO Yeah, he got a little lucky every freaking time.
Before we wrapped up, John gave me 3 or 4 drills to work on that he thought would best help me get to the next level. We chatted for about a 1/2 hour and then I hit the road wishing him the best of luck in Tunica and already looking forward to the next time I could visit.
That evening, my wife and I ate at the 5 star steak house at Belterra. The rating is well earned, what an incredible meal I enjoyed! What a GREAT day.
I would add that John doesn't resemble the stereotype of what I suspect most people have of a professional pool player. Not in the least. I don't know if I've ever met someone so supremely confident in themselves and their ability while being so humble. There isn't even the slightest hint of arrogance with John, he is truly one of the nicest people I've ever met. The sport of Pool would benefit greatly by having more people like John Brumback represent them. Thanks for a memorable day John and best of luck in Tunica!
JK