Are We Gullible Sheep?

DRW said:
YES! We most certainly are.:)
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So...what's so baaaahd about that.:)

Actually I don't understand the hype about bowling lane wood...
..it may be well cured but they never put top-grade maple in them.
I remember a cue-maker in the 60's sending back a load of maple....
...calling it inferior bowling alley wood.

I have a lake-salvage shaft on a snooker cue...and it's mighty fine.
 
Good thread, Kickin.

Kickin' Chicken said:
Lake salvage and bowling alley wood shafts, apps for your phone that explain in real time how to perform a kick shot, $30 for a single cube of chalk, myriad systems on how to aim, tips soaked in milk, etc., etc., etc...

How did Crane, Lassiter, and Mosconi ever get by with out all of these things?

Are these things all gimmicks that can significantly reduce the need for good old fashioned practice?

Sometimes I think we are very lucky to have technological advances that can help us be better at pool.

However, more often than not I'm feeling like a target of marketing efforts that try to convince us that without these products we can not be the best we can be.

So tell me, could Willie have done better with a stroke-assist?

Are we gullible sheep?

Best,
Brian kc
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Pool players need a wake up call. The old players never had all of the gadgets of today. They still were champions!!! Point well taken. Thanks Kickin.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
Kickin' Chicken said:
Lake salvage and bowling alley wood shafts, apps for your phone that explain in real time how to perform a kick shot, $30 for a single cube of chalk, myriad systems on how to aim, tips soaked in milk, etc., etc., etc...

How did Crane, Lassiter, and Mosconi ever get by with out all of these things?

Are these things all gimmicks that can significantly reduce the need for good old fashioned practice?

Sometimes I think we are very lucky to have technological advances that can help us be better at pool.

However, more often than not I'm feeling like a target of marketing efforts that try to convince us that without these products we can not be the best we can be.

So tell me, could Willie have done better with a stroke-assist?

Are we gullible sheep?

Best,
Brian kc
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No. It is simply people inventing things to fill needs that they think need to be filled. If you go to Google patents and search on billards you will find plenty of odd gadgets and many familiar ones that have been patented over the past hundred years.

Humans excel at making things which is why we got to the point of talking about the amount of things we make. You are not human if you aren't always looking for the best tool for the job.

Problem is that everyone who makes things thinks that whatever they make is the best. And they then advertise it accordingly. So the regular guy has to choose and instead of choosing just one he often chooses many that promise better performance.

And in some cases it is as Adam said, people are looking for shortcuts. But why shouldn't they? Nothing wrong with shortcuts if they work. But you can spend a lot of time and effort looking for them when taking the longer but sure route would be faster.

But how are you going to know that unless you try, chicken meet egg.

www.jbcases.com
 
cardiac kid said:
RJ,

Understand TAP will be moving their National event to Pheasant Run Resort in 2013. Hope to meet you sooner but at the very least, at that event.

What's a "pro justable" bridge? Got a photo or a link? Been carrying a soft plastic bridge head in my case for years. Slide it on my break shaft. Never mind. CocoboloCowboy just offered one for sale on the "for sale" forum. Looks like the one my friend Larry from California invented several years ago. The BCAPL used them for a couple of years then he and the bridge disappeared!

Lyn
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Yep, he disappeared for awhile, but he is back. Actually, it is called a Pro justa-bridge invented by Larry Keller.... well worth the $30. Actually, mine cost $60 back when they were all aluminum, but he changed to plastic to reduce the cost. Just a great bridge that you can shoot over balls easily, and very simple to do long draws with this bridge......

Wow,,I"m gonna have to join a TAP league if it is coming here. I live one mile from Pheasant Run Resort..... great place... See ya in 2013 !!!
 
ChicagoRJ said:
Yep, he disappeared for awhile, but he is back. Actually, it is called a Pro justa-bridge invented by Larry Keller.... well worth the $30. Actually, mine cost $60 back when they were all aluminum, but he changed to plastic to reduce the cost. Just a great bridge that you can shoot over balls easily, and very simple to do long draws with this bridge......

Wow,,I"m gonna have to join a TAP league if it is coming here. I live one mile from Pheasant Run Resort..... great place... See ya in 2013 !!!
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Damn, I just might get one of them bridges....
..very impressive, RJ
..
http://www.google.ca/url?url=http:/...bridge&usg=AFQjCNEpLvTG3zpk-9-9sk3zpk8o1YZwRw
 
Sheeple. I like that word.

I keep the gizmos and doodads that I like and give the stuff I don't like away to unsuspecting players. They think they scored something for free and everyone is happy.

I won't be giving any Skamui chalk away because I won't be buying any.

I have a bridge that I call London, for sale cheap.
 
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I know that I have run through a good bit of money trying tips. The funny part is that I started with Sniper when I came back to pool and loved the tip, but thought I might like something else more. Each tip I tried I would rip off the same day and put a new Sniper on. I went through this spending over a hundred until I realized why change something I like.

I have also had lord knows how many tip tools. The only tip tool I have now is a Last4Ever. All the others have either been sold, included with cues I sold just as bonuses or given away.

It seems that whenever I make an order with an online billiard retailer (Seyberts or Pool Dawg) I usually try to order enough to get free shipping. It seems a little crazy that I might only want $10 worth of stuff, but order another $40 so I don't pay that extra $2 in shipping lol. Whenever I get ready to check out I find myself removing things when I ask myself if I really need this.

I'm drawing the line at Kamui chalk. I just can't bring myself to buy it. I won't see I will never buy it because if I see some for sale at a tournament and I am three sheets to the wind anything is possible.
 
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pt109 said:
Damn, I just might get one of them bridges....
..very impressive, RJ
..
http://www.google.ca/url?url=http:/...bridge&usg=AFQjCNEpLvTG3zpk-9-9sk3zpk8o1YZwRw
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You won't regret it. Thanks for the video, I never seen that before. OK, he was a little cocky in it, but in a good way, but geez, the thing does work.

It's not hard to carry either. It fits in my Instroke case, top or bottom pocket.... so I'm assuming most cases it should fit except maybe the real cheapo cases cause they have tiny pockets......

I'm usually a tough sell, but when I saw this thing about 7 years ago, I bought it ($60) everyone thought I was crazy, till they tried it..... at least now they are only $30 on the internet.

I'll take this over a $30 piece of chalk anyday of the week :)
 
Are you saying none of the equipment helps?

Wybrook said:
Yes, because everyone wants to be better, but most don't want to put the time in to actually do what it takes.... practice.

There is no magic bullet, no secret aiming system, no special cue.....

Put the time in and play better players than yourself, and soon you will improve. Some people take longer, and some never seem to get it, but its there.
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Are you saying none of the equipment helps?

I remember practicing jump shots with my shaft (I got pretty good at it)
Then they came out with the FROG a simple short stubby alum rod with about a 16 mm tip.
Well that just made a non-player up to speed with me with about 100 hrs of practice time just jumping.

Then I have practiced shooting with a closed bridge for hours upon hours.
Only because I have swetty hands so it was a little tough for me.

So then they came out with a special glove that fits over some fingers so it slides well.

So yes I would say some do help the special needs player. LOL
 
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now thats funny

:clapping: Now this is funny :-) I was cracking up at work reading this!

If I were to have practiced my singing over the past 50 years, I'm still fairly confident that my first album would still not have been released.


Best,
Brian kc
 
Lock N Load said:
Pool players need a wake up call. The old players never had all of the gadgets of today. They still were champions!!! Point well taken. Thanks Kickin.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
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true, but the real truth is it takes MUCH less time to become a top flight player today then it did in say 1950. The reason?....all the things listed in this thread.....DVD's, streaming, books, internet<<HUGE!, and a more willing crowd who will give out info.

The great champs years ago either were VERY lucky to play in an awsome pool room, had a pro mentor, or hit the road to find out what they were made of.

Today.....find access to a table and the internet and you need nothing else really. Just look at how many crazy good young players there are now.....and I mean under 18. They were considered wunderkind years back....now its the norm...

G.
 
I fancied myself a discerning customer before bringing home the Magic Rack -- $25 for the most useless piece of crap I've ever seen. Wish I could unload this white elephant.
 
9BallPaul said:
I fancied myself a discerning customer before bringing home the Magic Rack -- $25 for the most useless piece of crap I've ever seen. Wish I could unload this white elephant.
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Yeah, I saw it at a pool room, and never quite understood the reason why it was necessary. I didn't buy it but thought well, if it is good or bad, somebody will tell me about eventually. Which you just did !!
 
ChicagoRJ said:
Yeah, I saw it at a pool room, and never quite understood the reason why it was necessary. I didn't buy it but thought well, if it is good or bad, somebody will tell me about eventually. Which you just did !!
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RJ,

One of the guys in the room purchased one last year. Got to admit, it does cut down on the number of nine balls made on the break, Watched several of our "best" nine ball players break for hours and never made one nine. In fact, the nine rarely moved off its spot in the "rack". Might have some value in eight ball, one hole or 14.1. Gives you a really tight rack. Once the balls are broken, how do you get the "rack" off the table in those games? An inquiring mind wants an answer.

Lyn
 
9BallPaul said:
I fancied myself a discerning customer before bringing home the Magic Rack -- $25 for the most useless piece of crap I've ever seen. Wish I could unload this white elephant.
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Have you tried to sell it?

What's wrong with it? Gives you a perfect rack every time, at least mine does.

About the only thing I don't like about mine is that better players than me run out even more against me when we use it.
 
cardiac kid said:
RJ,

One of the guys in the room purchased one last year. Got to admit, it does cut down on the number of nine balls made on the break, Watched several of our "best" nine ball players break for hours and never made one nine. In fact, the nine rarely moved off its spot in the "rack". Might have some value in eight ball, one hole or 14.1. Gives you a really tight rack. Once the balls are broken, how do you get the "rack" off the table in those games? An inquiring mind wants an answer.

Lyn
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Hi Lyn;

First of all, I am guessing (but I may be wrong) that Paul was being tongue-in-cheek over the Magic Rack being a piece of crap. And fyi, they don't cost $25, usually they are around $8 - $10 each.

Seems to me that this gadget has become very popular and, IMO, with good reason. Tight rack every time.

Eliminates rack rigging and the 9 ball stays put unless another ball comes back at it.

I do not believe anyone uses these for 14.1 or 1p because, as you said, it would not be easy (possible) to remove after the break.

Best,
Brian kc
 
kinda

Its just like anything else. technology is improving and everyone wants to be the best. just like any sport players get better because of technology and knowledge. look at basketball and football players jumping higher and running faster because of training techniques and equipment.
 
I was thinking the same thing about the $30 buck chalk when I just saw it lol.

The bottom line is have a decent straight cue with a decent tip and the rest is up to you.

A yes the cue does matter, I was getting my car worked on, wen over to a local hall, for the life of me could not find a straight cue, actually one I swear was almost bananna shaped, and could not shoot striaght with it lol.
 
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