Beginners and 9-ball
- Thread starter Cameron Smith
- Start date
For practice, I think beginners are better off playing rotation games instead of games like 8-ball or straight pool, where in many situations they have alot of shots and thus don't feel a need to try to learn position. Once they get the general idea of position play from rotation games, then I think it is better to focus on straight pool so they can fine tune their position and pattern play for other games. 9-ball is a fairly linear game while straight pool can be very confusing and much more frustrating for a beginner. Just my opinion.
seiyaryu55 said:
Im always happy to just be on the table, I don't care much who I'm playing. I'm still jealous
sjm said:
I agree. I progressed quickly but never like that. Good on you.
regards
sjm said:
Thats true. The pros do make it look very easy and very cool. And because 9ball is all you see on tv people get the idea that 9ball is the "pro game", which isn't entirely true.
Everytime the World Pool Championships are on tv I see lots of asians taking up the game, which is cool. Often they tell me they get inspired by watching guys like Kuo, Wu and Pei Wei. On that note actually I hope we see another Alex Pagaulyan vs Pei Wei Chang match in the near future, because the last one was phenomenal.
regards
As mentioned TV has a major influnce on what is being played today by beginners. From my perspective I think its better to experience all games not just 14-1. Every game has a different stratagie and ways to win. What you learn from one can be carried over to another including snooker/golf. Thats what I did, not that it's right but in the long run your a well rounded player.
If I only played one game, what a boring thought. You can easily see that in any pool room. Someone will play 9 ball or whatever, other than that he's not playing. That really defines your limitations. I suppose its ok for the average person but if you really want to learn the game, I say experience all games.
Short story, A friend of mine who is a 7 rated player went out one day to do just that, play all the games.
We played Snooker, Golf, 3C, 14-1, 1P, Banks, Rotation, including a little 8 and nine ball at the end. He didn't fair very well which wasn't a supprise to me, it's what I expected. An area where he was totally lost was 3C and 1P and to a large extent 14-1. Those three games alone would help anyone become a much better player. For what it's worth he did learn several new tricks that day but he still only plays 8 or 9 ball. But such is life, you dance to your own fiddle.
Rod
If I only played one game, what a boring thought. You can easily see that in any pool room. Someone will play 9 ball or whatever, other than that he's not playing. That really defines your limitations. I suppose its ok for the average person but if you really want to learn the game, I say experience all games.
Short story, A friend of mine who is a 7 rated player went out one day to do just that, play all the games.
We played Snooker, Golf, 3C, 14-1, 1P, Banks, Rotation, including a little 8 and nine ball at the end. He didn't fair very well which wasn't a supprise to me, it's what I expected. An area where he was totally lost was 3C and 1P and to a large extent 14-1. Those three games alone would help anyone become a much better player. For what it's worth he did learn several new tricks that day but he still only plays 8 or 9 ball. But such is life, you dance to your own fiddle.
Rod
seiyaryu55 said:
beginners are like that in my area too, i think 9 ball to them equates to a purely luck game because it allows slop and they have no comprehension of shape. although it seems a lot of the once-a-weekers play 9 ball even though it takes them 10+ innings to get out.
I find that odd, most people here (beginners) are usually banging around 8 ball. Every beginner and other here that wants to learn plays 9 ball, but that are trying to play it the right way, rather then just going for the 9 ball every shot and playing stupid banks, they try to get the correct shape on the next ball.
That is one way we seperate the pool players from the bangers here, what game they are playing. If they are playing 9 ball, they are a pool player or working there way to become one.
I hardly see any beginners play 9 ball here unless they are trying to get good the correct way.
That is one way we seperate the pool players from the bangers here, what game they are playing. If they are playing 9 ball, they are a pool player or working there way to become one.
I hardly see any beginners play 9 ball here unless they are trying to get good the correct way.
Icon of Sin said:
Maybe it has something to do with the sub-culture of the pool hall. By that I mean the players who frequent the room. In the place I go to there aren't many inspiring players. We have the house pro (who's really just a AAA player) and maybe two other very good consistent rack runners. After those guys I'm probably the next best player but I generally keep to myself when I'm at the pool hall, unless I feel like a game. If there aren't many players to inspire the beginners to really learn how to play, than perhaps thats how some people get stuck in mediocrity. Nobody learns entirely on their own there is generally someone who puts them on the right path, or at least directs them to the path. For me it was the house pro who got me started. I would come in with my buddy every friday and bang balls (pool balls) all night. Though I would take breaks and watch Billy (the pro). After a while he taught me certain basics, like stand back from the table when you aim, chin on the cue and firm bridge. Later he told me what spin can do for you.
This is just a quick undeveloped theory but its a thought.
Even amongst beginners there is a pecking order. A 10 or 15 ball advantage in straight pool can be insurmountable so the lesser player is not going to be interested in that game if playing a better "beginner."
Even in 8-ball it can be frustrating to watch your opponent knocking in the 8 and you still have 4 or 5 of your balls on the table, game after game. In 9-ball you're both shooting the same balls in the same order and even the lesser player has a chance if the better player doesn't get out. Even amongst better players, how may times have you seen someone rattle the 7, 8 or 9 and let a lesser player finish the rack?
Even in 8-ball it can be frustrating to watch your opponent knocking in the 8 and you still have 4 or 5 of your balls on the table, game after game. In 9-ball you're both shooting the same balls in the same order and even the lesser player has a chance if the better player doesn't get out. Even amongst better players, how may times have you seen someone rattle the 7, 8 or 9 and let a lesser player finish the rack?