Able to play one game well, but not others?

D-Sub

D-Sub

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Not sure how to word this but it's something that really gets me.

I'm a terminal intermediate in "pool." I have flashes of near-brilliance here and there. I run occasional racks in 9 ball, more in 8 ball, high of 39 in 14.1, and have several 8 and outs in one pocket.

Simply put, I am much, much better at one pocket!

When I am "on" in one-hole I play the game at a pretty high level. Not world class...I am not bragging here, but I am good at it.

Most of the time when I play 9 ball I SUCK. Well, not suck, but I get out of line, dog the 7, 8, or 9...

I make 5 rail banks in one-hole and miss straight in shots in 9-ball. Break and run 8 ball and can't get past the 5 in 9.

I will postulate that part of this has to do with level of interest. One-pocket just engages me differently, with straight pool being next in line. I often say "if I never played another rack of 9 ball I wouldn't care" but when I do say it I know it's because I'm not good at it!

one of the tournament directors at my local room the other night was giving me shit when we were playing one-hole. He was saying there was no way I should be rated what I am in 9-ball the way I can shoot in one-hole. He actually moved me up based on that and I proceeded to bust out 2nd or third round in the very next 9 ball tournament!

I'm rambling now...but I think I made my point?
 
I find the same thing.

In rotation games like 9-ball and 10-ball i'm simply not as strong, but in banks and one hole I'm quite a bit better.

Basically I find that I play full rack games about 30-40% better than 9-ball. Its just the skills you have developed over time whereas with 9-ball delicate position etc are skills you just need to work on.

As strange as this is...recently I played some 9-ball and was doing terrible so I switched to my other shaft, which is about about .6mm smaller (12.1mm) and I was able to work the ball around a lot more and stroke things in a little easier. Whether or not its psychological I'm not sure, but it did make a difference.
 
I'm the same way but have changed for some reason lately. I used to be at best when I played 8-ball. Since I've played league I've gotten better in 9-ball. I only lost 2 or 3 matches in 10 games at league and this is my first year in one. The losses were to lesser opponents (go figure) and all my wins were against better competition.

My one pocket comes and goes, and my straight pool high is only 18.
 
maxeypad2007 said:
delicate position etc are skills you just need to work on.
Click to expand...

one pocket isn't delicate?

thanks for the responses...not quite there yet. There's more to it, I think.
 
for those that struggle with 9-ball and 10-ball more, don't forget they are probably tougher games in many ways.

you need a better stroke for starters than in eight ball, and definitely one pocket too. obviously you need to be strong in other areas to be good at those games, but you defnitely need to be a decent shotmaker and 9/10-ball.
 
worriedbeef said:
for those that struggle with 9-ball and 10-ball more, don't forget they are probably tougher games in many ways.

you need a better stroke for starters than in eight ball, and definitely one pocket too. obviously you need to be strong in other areas to be good at those games, but you defnitely need to be a decent shotmaker and 9/10-ball.
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Like he said. Each game is hard in it own way and take its own set of skills. If you like one pocket you probably play alot of it and therefore have honed the skill it requires whereas the other games you play less and let those areas get rusty. Me im not any good at 1 hole, 8 is my game but i play alot of 9 cause most tourneys are 9. :)
 
worriedbeef said:
for those that struggle with 9-ball and 10-ball more, don't forget they are probably tougher games in many ways.

you need a better stroke for starters than in eight ball, and definitely one pocket too. obviously you need to be strong in other areas to be good at those games, but you defnitely need to be a decent shotmaker and 9/10-ball.
Click to expand...

I've thought of this, although I wouldn't say 9 or 10 are "harder" than one-hole or 14.1.

BUT...I do have a pretty good stroke. Not excellent, but I can work the ball pretty damn well, and I have displayed prowess at both 9 and 10.

I've run a rack in both, but never more than one. Wait...I think I ran 2 racks of 10 ball in a ring game once (everyone quit! hilarious!) but that's the best.

I've considered getting lessons, but the people I know around here who give lessons charge too much and it ends up turning into an ego-stroke for them (they belittle, berate, and show off) so f that.

I am, however, completely self-taught. Watched quite a few vids when I first started playing, but nothing since. Maybe that's the problem!
 
D-Sub said:
one pocket isn't delicate?

thanks for the responses...not quite there yet. There's more to it, I think.
Click to expand...


For me there is playing, there is focus and there is FOCUS!

Partially it depends on who I am playing and what the game is about but the game also matters. I have played very little straight pool but since the whole rack is one continuous effort focusing on carving the rack up properly for the last few balls to work out I tend to focus well.

One-pocket I want precise control of the cue ball and the object ball, actually a little less on the object ball if I am pocketing it. Otherwise speed and direction both balls travel is very critical. This requires maximum focus.

Eight, nine, and ten I normally don't maintain as high a level of focus for the entire rack. I am usually pocketing an object ball where speed control of the object ball is of only minor importance or I am playing a safety where I am only trying for pinpoint control of either the cue ball or object ball. Granted sometimes I need pinpoint control of both but that isn't the norm for me.

I suspect I would be a better player of the other games if I brought the same focus to bear but I rarely do unless something outside of the game itself causes it. Just thinking about a money game with someone, when it is a grudge match with ill feelings also, will vastly crank up the intensity of my practice.

My answer, right or wrong, is while there are differences in the games the degree of focus and the time I can maintain it in each game probably has the most influence on my play.

Hu
 
Klopek said:
Stroke has nothing to do with it, it's patterns and position play that separate every game.
Click to expand...

to a certain extent, but generally shots in eight ball for example are easier and require less of a stroke than say in ten ball. you just need to play your pattern well and you can run an eight ball rack with seven stop shots. 9 and 10 ball you need to work the cue ball more, and shots are generally longer.
 
ShootingArts said:
while there are differences in the games the degree of focus and the time I can maintain it in each game probably has the most influence on my play.
Click to expand...

THAT's hitting on something there! I get this...I call it a "click" in my brain when I'm playin one hole...like something locks into place and it's on

rarely feel that in rotation type games.

interesting.
 
Klopek said:
Stroke has nothing to do with it, it's patterns and position play that separate every game.
Click to expand...

I was so surprised when I read this, I couldn't respond right away. When I began playing seriously in the early '70s, I was told that the stroke was the most important thing. And, that speed of stroke was the most important thing. The stroke is what delivers the cue, which, in turn, delivers the cue ball to the object ball. Stroke can make you miss, lose position, miscue, etc. if not delivered properly. Scott Lee, one of the most respected instructors who posts here, often says a repeatable stroke is the most important thing, or words to that effect. I don't care what game you are playing, your stroke will make or break you in the long run.
I started playing seriously when Straight pool was still the game to learn but I think it applies to all other games, too. Patterns and position play are essential, yes. But your stroke is the basis for everything.
 
In rotation games where your moving the cue ball around you have to have good control of whitey while letting out your stroke.Some people let it out too much and turn the cue ball loose and lose the ball and others have a stroke that is just not suitable for those games and have trouble moving the ball.In one pocket and straights you arent letting your stroke out as much and usually shooting shorter shots one one end of the table.
 
Well, here's a piece of advice.

Want to force yourself to bring ALL your skills up?

Start spotting people balls in one pocket. Trust me.. if you have to spot someone 10-6, and you get an open shot, you better get ALL THE WAY out when you get a shot. Force yourself into uncomfortable situations where you have to move the CB a long distance to a precise position zone (like in 9 ball) to pick up that last ball or two in your run out.

And more than anything else, I think what governs whether or not you will develop into a good all around player is your DESIRE TO WIN. If you absolutely HATE to lose to anyone (like I do), then go and find a 9 ball player that shoots a ball ro so above you, and play them even for small money.

That will give you the motivation to both practice 9 ball position patterns, AND to BEAR DOWN on those crucial shots in 9 ball and 10 ball.

:D :D :D

Russ
 
I forgot to ask something.

How is your break? Because, the break is the main (IMHO) factor in whether you will string racks in rotation.

If your are not dropping a ball consistently and squatting the rock, then that would be a big reason why you rarely run overr a rack.

Hitler: What the F**K!! Shane drops THREE BALLS EVERY TIME!! How is Corey's SPECIAL RACK going to defend against THAT!?!?!?!?! :D :D :D

Russ
 
Russ Chewning said:
Well, here's a piece of advice.

Want to force yourself to bring ALL your skills up?

Start spotting people balls in one pocket. Trust me.. if you have to spot someone 10-6, and you get an open shot, you better get ALL THE WAY out when you get a shot. Force yourself into uncomfortable situations where you have to move the CB a long distance to a precise position zone (like in 9 ball) to pick up that last ball or two in your run out.

And more than anything else, I think what governs whether or not you will develop into a good all around player is your DESIRE TO WIN. If you absolutely HATE to lose to anyone (like I do), then go and find a 9 ball player that shoots a ball ro so above you, and play them even for small money.

:D :D :D

Russ
Click to expand...
Well put Russ! I think you nailed it. Good advice. Philw
 
D-Sub said:
Not sure how to word this but it's something that really gets me.

I'm a terminal intermediate in "pool." I have flashes of near-brilliance here and there. I run occasional racks in 9 ball, more in 8 ball, high of 39 in 14.1, and have several 8 and outs in one pocket.

Simply put, I am much, much better at one pocket!

When I am "on" in one-hole I play the game at a pretty high level. Not world class...I am not bragging here, but I am good at it.

Most of the time when I play 9 ball I SUCK. Well, not suck, but I get out of line, dog the 7, 8, or 9...

I make 5 rail banks in one-hole and miss straight in shots in 9-ball. Break and run 8 ball and can't get past the 5 in 9.

I will postulate that part of this has to do with level of interest. One-pocket just engages me differently, with straight pool being next in line. I often say "if I never played another rack of 9 ball I wouldn't care" but when I do say it I know it's because I'm not good at it!

one of the tournament directors at my local room the other night was giving me shit when we were playing one-hole. He was saying there was no way I should be rated what I am in 9-ball the way I can shoot in one-hole. He actually moved me up based on that and I proceeded to bust out 2nd or third round in the very next 9 ball tournament!

I'm rambling now...but I think I made my point?
Click to expand...


First off, knowledge of the right move and shot in a variety of situations that don't come up at any other game, is a huge factor at 1pocket. Perhaps more so than at 8ball and certainly 9ball. So if you've studied the game, right there you have a huge advantage.

Then there is the matter of your opponent. Who are you playing? If your standard opponent is not a 1pocket player, once again, right off the bat, you have a huge advantage.

Of course there is also the issue of matching up. If you know your business, you can match up in a fashion that most often gives you an edge, even though your opponent may think otherwise.

Lastly, every game has its standard shots. If you've spent time on: killing the cue ball: gently caroming the cue ball to a precise position: banking balls at pocket speed: and can run a few balls, you can be pretty deadly at 1pocket, especially if you factor in the other elements I've mentioned above.

At 1pocket, you don't have to be a champion to win. Just an innocent looking little bunt shot at the right time can win the game. Running four balls and then playing a strong safety can put the game out of the reach of your opponent. Just knowing a simple looking shot, like a rail first takeout, can win you games.

It's not fair, but that's the way it is :-)

Lou Figueroa
 
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