DAM sarcasm.

[JB Cases]

"I have invented an amazing and new aiming system called DAM that will revolutionize pool playing all around the world. You won't find DAM in any books, because it has just been recently invented. But rest assured ... all future pool books will present DAM in its full glory. DAM is the best and most complete aiming system, that also contributes to correct body alignment, that has ever been devised. Most of the pros use it, especially the Filipino players ... that's why they are so good. DAM works on every shot, regardless of the distance between the balls, or the angle and distance to the pocket. The best thing about DAM is you don't even need to know or see where the pocket is. Just align and pivot, and the ball goes in the hole. When a good player uses the system, it is impossible to tell ... it will just look like they are naturally pocketing balls. That's when you know they are using DAM!

Try to prove that DAM doesn't work ... you can't, because it does work. If you can't make it work, it is either because you really don't understand it or you don't have an open mind. If you ask a pro if he or she uses DAM, and he or she says he or she doesn't, it is because he or she doesn't want you to know his or her secrets. The DAM system will radically improve the shot-making abilities of those who spend the time to learn it. DAM will eventually become the "aiming standard" and will significantly accelerate your learning curve. There are those who will eventually learn the system, and there are those who will not, and be beaten by those who do. If you don't think DAM works, it is because you haven't had personalized lessons with somebody who truly understands it. I make almost every shot with this system ... I rarely miss. Isn't that proof of how good it is? Don't you want to be as good as me? If you want to master the DAM system, you must visit me in person and pay outrageous sums of money to learn all of the required intricacies.

It only takes two days to learn DAM, and if you practice it for two months, you will start winning tournaments. If you can't make it work, it is because you don't have enough "visual intelligence," in which case you are hopeless. Don't ask me to describe the system in words or with diagrams, because this can't be done; although, I do have lots of fancy words and phrases to describe various parts of the system ... aren't you impressed? If you don't believe in my system or if you doubt the validity of my approach, you will be banished by all of my followers.

Probably the most amazing fact about DAM is that it works for all types of shots, not just cut shots. It also gives you the correct line of aim for combos, caroms, and banks. And you don't need to adjust for speed, sidespin, throw, or spin-transfer effects. All of the adjustment happen automatically with DAM.

If you want to learn the magic of DAM, I am currently offering exclusive private lessons. I know this might sound ridiculous, but I must be clear on this matter: My students are not allowed to share with anybody anything they learn. They are required to sign a special nondisclosure agreement that binds them for life. People are willing to openly discuss and share everything they learn from my BU, VEPS, and VEPP series; but if and when I ever release a DAM DVD, the information must not be disclosed by any viewers; otherwise, they risk exposing themselves to extreme wrath and persecution." - Dave Alciatore from his site here http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/aiming.html#DAM

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Dr. Dave instead of "satirizing" why don't you provide the actual quotes?

You're a university professor, an author and an engineer.

Shouldn't you be the one who backs this stuff up with actual proof? Don't you see that this is actually a big part of the problem.

You speak out of both sides of your mouth. You seem to expect a reader to read this and then read you "benefits" and think to themselves that they should try these methods you mock. I believe most readers who aren't already students of CTE (which seems to be the one you are really mocking) would come away thinking that they shouldn't mess with it because of your "credentials" and attitude.

Today is moving day. Later I will pick apart your "satire" line by line.

In the mean time if you or anyone else wants to provide any actual proof of these claimed "claims" please provide them, with links and direct quotes.

 

[JB Cases]

"I have invented an amazing and new aiming system called DAM that will revolutionize pool playing all around the world. You won't find DAM in any books, because it has just been recently invented. But rest assured ... all future pool books will present DAM in its full glory.

Where is your supporting evidence for this?


DAM is the best and most complete aiming system, that also contributes to correct body alignment, that has ever been devised.

Where is the quote you got this from. And even if you have one how do you know it's not true?

Most of the pros use it, especially the Filipino players ... that's why they are so good.

No one has ever said that most of the pros use any particular aiming system. What has been said is that the professional approach is very similar to what some aiming system use produces.


DAM works on every shot, regardless of the distance between the balls, or the angle and distance to the pocket. The best thing about DAM is you don't even need to know or see where the pocket is.

For some of the aiming methods this is 100% true except for knowing where the target pocket is. You don't have to see it, just know which one you want to aim for. Have you disproved it?



Just align and pivot, and the ball goes in the hole.

You forgot, stroke straight. Align and pivot and stroke straight. Yes, done correctly that's what happens or a very near miss at worst. As opposed to missing by a diamond using feel methods.


When a good player uses the system, it is impossible to tell ... it will just look like they are naturally pocketing balls. That's when you know they are using DAM!

Again this is a nasty thing to say. What has been said and which is 100% true is that when a player is using just about any method to aim that they have practiced diligently then it does become a natural part of their game to the point that you CANNOT tell what they are using to aim with.

Try to prove that DAM doesn't work ... you can't, because it does work.

Well, you would need to first prove you know the steps and can apply them before you can show where they don't work. Since you haven't done that then your point is not really valid. A real scientist would have figured out how to get the leading proponents in a room with a camera to document all the steps and then analyze them along with that person to figure it out. Not simply chosen the path of mockery.



If you can't make it work, it is either because you really don't understand it or you don't have an open mind.

Those would be two of the main reasons why you could not make anything work. The third is that it doesn't work, which you haven't proven.


If you ask a pro if he or she uses DAM, and he or she says he or she doesn't, it is because he or she doesn't want you to know his or her secrets.

I guess you don't really know your history when it comes to pros. They don't like to divulge the things that they think are advantages to them. Until such time as they start teaching. Then of course they are more than willing to share.



The DAM system will radically improve the shot-making abilities of those who spend the time to learn it.

Some aiming methods do promise that and they deliver. On your own tests the highest scoring participants are mostly aiming system users. Users of the very aiming systems you mock.


DAM will eventually become the "aiming standard"

Hopefully. But not until you stop using your bully pulpit to mock it. Instead it COULD become a great method that is supported by you with no mocking tone IF you would take the time to study it like the scientist your degree says you are.


and will significantly accelerate your learning curve.

This is 100% true because learning to aim properly with a method that is accurate frees you up to invest more time in the many other aspects of the game that also need to be mastered.


There are those who will eventually learn the system, and there are those who will not, and be beaten by those who do.

This probably was said in the heat of the battle by someone but no one has ever said or maintained that using any aiming system will make you unbeatable or a champion, which is your inference.



If you don't think DAM works, it is because you haven't had personalized lessons with somebody who truly understands it. I make almost every shot with this system ... I rarely miss. Isn't that proof of how good it is? Don't you want to be as good as me? If you want to master the DAM system, you must visit me in person and pay outrageous sums of money to learn all of the required intricacies.

This is pure nonsense Dave. I think you can't find a single quote that is anywhere close to this.


It only takes two days to learn DAM, and if you practice it for two months, you will start winning tournaments.

Again you have no proof that anyone said this or anything close. What you DO have proof of are plenty of testimonials from system users who reported that they are winning more, finishing higher in their leagues and improving their personal best runs. Some of them even show video proof. As well they finish highest on all shotmaking tests and on your Billiard University tests.



If you can't make it work, it is because you don't have enough "visual intelligence," in which case you are hopeless.

This is just plain mean spirited. No one has said anything of the sort, especially not your target here.



Don't ask me to describe the system in words or with diagrams, because this can't be done; although, I do have lots of fancy words and phrases to describe various parts of the system ... aren't you impressed? If you don't believe in my system or if you doubt the validity of my approach, you will be banished by all of my followers.

Instead you got TWO videos. With diagrams, props, and explanations. So what's your problem here? In fact system users have made plenty of diagrams but it seems as if they don't have the academic credentials you respect enough to discuss their diagrams. Instead you make your own and when they are disputed you insist you are right if you condescend to respond at all.

Probably the most amazing fact about DAM is that it works for all types of shots, not just cut shots. It also gives you the correct line of aim for combos, caroms, and banks. And you don't need to adjust for speed, sidespin, throw, or spin-transfer effects. All of the adjustment happen automatically with DAM.

None of which has been said by anyone. What was said and which has been demonstrated adequately is that for just about all shots to a pocket and for one, two, and three rail banks some of the systems work just as described.

I would sponsor a shot making contest between You/Bob Jewett/ any other player you want who is anti-aiming system and Stan Shuffett any day of the week for $1000 per shot. I promise you that you will lose. I guarantee that there are very few bank shots Stan can't figure out using ONLY the keys in his system within three shots and own that shot after that.

Would you be willing to do that? You get three tries to figure out the aim and then you have to shoot it ten times to determine who is more consistent? How about just you and Stan?

By now you should know everything there is to know about how to figure out a shot. So, ten bank shots picked by each side, a mix of one, two and three railers. Whoever is more consistent donates the winnings to their charity of choice.

Here is your chance to prove the mocking statement above wrong. You get to pick the shots and see if Stan can't solve them quickly and own them after that.

If you want to learn the magic of DAM, I am currently offering exclusive private lessons. I know this might sound ridiculous, but I must be clear on this matter: My students are not allowed to share with anybody anything they learn. They are required to sign a special nondisclosure agreement that binds them for life. People are willing to openly discuss and share everything they learn from my BU, VEPS, and VEPP series; but if and when I ever release a DAM DVD, the information must not be disclosed by any viewers; otherwise, they risk exposing themselves to extreme wrath and persecution."

Again this is just mean and wrong. No one ever said any such thing. Hal Houle for example asked that his methods be passed on personally as much as possible. He himself never took a dime for lessons that I know of.

But since you say it's ok to disclose and share your published information I can take this as a copyright release and post all your stuff to www.youku.com and all other video hosting platforms? As well I can compile and distribute for free a book containing all the shots and lessons from your series?

Is that the real takeaway here?

If so please confirm that I can begin sharing all the information you have compiled in your commercially available DVDs.

Dave, I sincerely think you should remove this mockery from your site. I do think you have somewhere some good intentions but this doesn't show them.