Best items you can purchase to increase your game? Consistant wise, any aspect wise

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Destrukkt

9 ball/8 ball New Player
Silver Member
What would they be?

So far I bought a Lucasi Hybrid but I read a lot and see the predator shafts seem to be much better shafts then the shaft that comes on the hybrid.


so I am guessing the best item I could purchase right now (other then the obvious answer everyone will say which is lessons, which I am getting as well) is the predator 2 shaft.

Would you agree? I am learning english well and draw, follow etc.. I think my lucasi some what low deflection shaft makes it easier a bit but the medium tip sucks on it, compared to my adams bushka with a hard tip which does good on english. So I am thinking a predator 2 shaft with a hard tip would be the next best thing to improve my game , as it would help me give the ball english with more ease (which i need).






What are some of your opinions? What are some objects/items I could purchase that would improve my game?
 
yep, table time and if possible, lessons.

as for buying a game with cues, technology, etc....well, Mosconi ran over 500 balls without low deflection shafts etc. And a pro of today, say like SVB would still whip the living crap outta you even if you had a $20K cue with the "best" shaft money can buy (and he could do it with a warped house cue). Once you figure out why - you'll know what you really need!!
 
A few things I learned, watch good players play often (probably get yourself some DVDs of matches and etc or if you have a pro that goes to your hall, watch them)

Yes, lessons is obvious, but the thing is, spend it with someone who knows what they are doing, and not someone that just pimp their name out

If you want an LD shaft, I'd personally go with an OB product, but each to their own, try it before you buy it.

If you don't have a break cue,m get one, If you can break good with a house cue, a break cue can improve it, not to mention, if you are breaking with the same cue, it helps consistency. And no, I don't recommend a J&J or Kaiser, if you are going to invest, I'd save up to get something of better quality.

Blue Diamond chalk

Good layered tips, your personal choice really.

I personally say a softer tip puts english on better, but also another personal opinion. Kamuis are definitely nice.

and of course, joint protectors help your game lol :D
 
If you can already pocket balls well, then "Racking Secrets" by Joe Tucker will give you a big edge on the break. In 9-ball that's over 50% of the game. With top pros probably 90%. Johnnyt
 
1.) Lessons from a very good instructor/teacher to get good fundamentals- if u have good fundamentals.....then

2.) drills/training/ then

3.) sleeping sometimes

4.) drills/training.....and so on *:p*

and always learn from watching other guys/pros. and if u ve had a very good instructor he will even so taught u how to practice the right way and the right drills :-)

to find a good cue is somethin that just you can decide:) a pro plays well with almost any cue:) jsut a question of personal feeling

hf+gl

Ingo
 
Without looking I would put them in order as follows:

- Table time - Without that why bother
- Lessons - It is well worth the money to have someone who knows what to look for see what you cannot see
- Videos - Instructional videos can get you to see things in a different light which can change your play for the better
- Tickets to a pro tournament - If you focus on their play you can pick up on things you may have never considered
- A pool table - With this you don't need to worry about table time. Unfortunately you need a decent amount of open space.
- A new tip - Replace that old clunker and you will see a difference.
- A LD shaft - It takes a little getting used to, but you will surprised as to what kind of difference it can make
- A new cue - Sometimes you need a change of scenery and sometimes you need something that you can't wait to get out of the bag....something to get you excited about playing with and that is a new cue.

If I were to go through these I would actually go through them in order. If you went through these in order over the course of say 2 years you would be non-stop excited to play. Then again I didn't go through those in order and I still think about what I am going to do at the table all week long.
 
Oh and on a lesser note if you would like a tip on a hard tip that can put action on the ball I would go with a Kamui Black medium or hard depending on how hard you like.
 
Destrukkt said:
What would they be?

So far I bought a Lucasi Hybrid but I read a lot and see the predator shafts seem to be much better shafts then the shaft that comes on the hybrid.


so I am guessing the best item I could purchase right now (other then the obvious answer everyone will say which is lessons, which I am getting as well) is the predator 2 shaft.

Would you agree? I am learning english well and draw, follow etc.. I think my lucasi some what low deflection shaft makes it easier a bit but the medium tip sucks on it, compared to my adams bushka with a hard tip which does good on english. So I am thinking a predator 2 shaft with a hard tip would be the next best thing to improve my game , as it would help me give the ball english with more ease (which i need).






What are some of your opinions? What are some objects/items I could purchase that would improve my game?
Click to expand...


What game do you play? And on what size table?

I love to read and you'll find new and older books by professional players and instructors. Pay attention to the details from the old timers about shaft selection. There is none LOL. They may talk about shaping a tip but I seldom remember them telling what brand.


Some people prefer DVD's. I like them for watching two players compete. Also watching in person is a great learning tool. Get on the rail with someone who knows the game and have a polite quiet discussion.

Can you afford a table at home? Don't buy junk. Buy the best you can afford and practice.

If you can attend the Hopkins Expo in Valley Forge PA (March 2010) you will find every pool aid available to you. Try out the LD shafts. Ask them what tip is on the shaft.

Lessons will definitely help but consider if you'll have time to practice the lessons. If you don't then what you learn will soon be forgotten. Remember there are many good players (I don't use the term good lightly) who never took a lesson, read a book, fretted over tip hardness, etc. etc.
They play good because of natural talent and the desire to improve. The desire to improve motivates them to practice.

I wish you luck in your quest to improve. Your not doing anything wrong or asking anything that hasn't been asked here before.

About me. I own a 9' GCIII (Simonis 860), one custom cue with two 314 shafts, a break cue, a jump cue (whcih I believe should be outlawed), a decent vinyl case to protect the cues while travelling. I've used the following tips: Talisman (M and H), LePro, Triangle.
I have about 30 instuctional books, 9 ball, 1 pocket and general ones. Some I read regularly and others only occasionally. A few 1 pocket DVD's and Willie Joplings One pocket DVD. I would NOT refer to myself as a good player but I've had session were I played good and have beaten good players

I wish you the best of luck...........Paul

Here's a link to some old pictures of my pool room
http://sports.webshots.com/album/199940479ONGPtC
 
Destrukkt said:
What are some of your opinions? What are some objects/items I could purchase that would improve my game?
Click to expand...

Destrukkt

"Years of Experience" But I am not sure which Store you can purchase them. You might try and Google "Years Of Experience". Check E bay they might have some used "Years of Experience". But don't bid too high, they might not be the exact "Years of Experience" you are looking for.
 
Besides my cue the things that have made the most difference have been things by Joe Tucker. In particular the laser aiming device helped straighten out my shot. This made a major difference on long shots, and helped me win my first 16 player tourney.
 
I think you knew the answer before you posted the question. There are a few training aids that can help with specific issues. I use elephant training balls, and the ghost ball aim trainer as well as a few other items when I am working with students, but buying a new cue is NOT going to improve your game. If you don't have a good stroke, and the knowledge of what to do with it, your game will not improve, no matter what you are shooting with.
Lessons, practice (practicing the right things the right way), and time are the best investment you can make if you really want to get better.
Steve
 
I have been shooting lights out since I got my new pool shoes.

The pool glasses helped too, but not as much as the sequined pool glove I got to smooth out my stroke.....


:cool:
 
If I recall, you said in another post that you were going to take lessons with Ray Martin. Have you done that? That's your best investment.

If the Adam feels better to you, why not use that cue?
 
Yep guess I knew the answer already.

I think ill get the pred shaft and hope it helps a bit.

I can pocket balls just my cueball control is lacking. Ill just keep practicing, not expecting any miracle just wondering if the pred shaft would help me apply english
 
Destrukkt said:
Yep guess I knew the answer already.

I think ill get the pred shaft and hope it helps a bit.

I can pocket balls just my cueball control is lacking. Ill just keep practicing, not expecting any miracle just wondering if the pred shaft would help me apply english
Click to expand...

Destrukkt

It seems to me you are spending a lot of money to try and learn what most of us old timers learned with a House cue and Ten Cent a rack. IMHO It is time to STOP BUYING and just play the game. All the fancy stuff in the world won't help your game. It is time to stop blaming the equipment and learn to play. Pick ONE Playing Cue and stick with it.
 
Thanks but I have money to spend, and this is an activity I like doing so I'll buy stuff to make it more enjoyable.

I am practicing everyday and have access to one of the best instructors, so now I am going to gear up and make sure I have the newer technology in my cue so I learn with the best.

Did I ever once blame the equipment? No.. I don't expect to even notice a increase in a predator shaft right away, I actually expect to play worse, but in the long run from the information I have gathered this is a good decision.

Why would I pick one cue when I can own 5 and enjoy all of them?

Good job ball banger, keep trying to stop the flow of money from new players into the Pool economy, then later when you post a thread "THIS IS WHY POOL IS DEAD" think back to this post of yours.

anyways after paying what I did for my table I am not worried much about the cost of a $200 shaft and $200 ball set and some other stuff that I may want to purchase with my money.
 
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