Ted Brown
Willie and others.
I am holding in my hand a book by Ted G. Brown (undated). Wagon Wheel System: Secrets of fine position play.(38 pages). First edition published by Ted G. Brown, P.O. Box 418353, Sacramento, Ca 95841. I purchased circa 1992.
It also says: To order copies write, American Billiard Library, 1570 Seabright, Long Beach, CA 90813 telephone (213) 437 – 5413
There is no online site for ABL and I assume they are no longer in business. If someone knows they are out of business I can photocopy and make the text available.
Brown wrote,” I have no doubt that playing this game (One Pocket Points discussed later) lead me to find a more scientific way to play position and the ‘Wagon Wheel’ system.. … More accurately it could be called ‘A theory of caroms’ or better yet, ‘when in doubt grab a quick ninety.” (page 2).
On pages 22 and 23 he shows a variation on shot three.
My understanding of the diagrams on page 11 for the WWS is that the OB is placed one ball off dead center towards the center pocket. The cue ball is placed slightly over half the distance from the opposing pocket to dead center on the table. Apparently, Brown moved the CB and inch or two up and down table towards the head or foot of the table as he moved around the wagon wheel to make the shot as described in your post.
In my practice routines I find it more consistent to place the CB as indicated but ½ ball off of the OB towards the foot of the table for every shot. After this is mastered then the CB can be moved around. Initially it is best to learn to control the CB from one place (changing as few variables as possible)
According to Brown, control is learned by cue tip placement and the amount of energy required. You should not cheat the pocket.
Here is an interesting story by Brown, paraphrased from his book so as not to violate his copyright. It seems that Virgil Fillmore, from LA, taught him a game called “One Pocket Points.” Break a 15 ball rack in any way and pocket all balls in one designated pocket. When you miss, count the number of balls made and that is the score. Re-rack all balls for the next shooter. If you make all 15 you get a free rack. The first ball in the second rack counts as 16, etc. The score is limitless. If you scratch you lose one point.
If you make a ball in the wrong pocket on the break your score is limited to 14! You can’t get a free rack.
According to Brown it is / was not uncommon for some players to run five racks and it becomes an obsession to get into your next rack. Seems they have some serious shooters in Calif.
There are several other comments in this small mongraph that are quite helpful. For instance, do you think about what part of the cue tip hits the cue ball on various shots?
I forget who just now, maybe Blackjack, suggested throwing six balls on the table and playing in rotation. This is an interesting drill to find one’s weaknesses.
Willie and others.
I am holding in my hand a book by Ted G. Brown (undated). Wagon Wheel System: Secrets of fine position play.(38 pages). First edition published by Ted G. Brown, P.O. Box 418353, Sacramento, Ca 95841. I purchased circa 1992.
It also says: To order copies write, American Billiard Library, 1570 Seabright, Long Beach, CA 90813 telephone (213) 437 – 5413
There is no online site for ABL and I assume they are no longer in business. If someone knows they are out of business I can photocopy and make the text available.
Brown wrote,” I have no doubt that playing this game (One Pocket Points discussed later) lead me to find a more scientific way to play position and the ‘Wagon Wheel’ system.. … More accurately it could be called ‘A theory of caroms’ or better yet, ‘when in doubt grab a quick ninety.” (page 2).
On pages 22 and 23 he shows a variation on shot three.
My understanding of the diagrams on page 11 for the WWS is that the OB is placed one ball off dead center towards the center pocket. The cue ball is placed slightly over half the distance from the opposing pocket to dead center on the table. Apparently, Brown moved the CB and inch or two up and down table towards the head or foot of the table as he moved around the wagon wheel to make the shot as described in your post.
In my practice routines I find it more consistent to place the CB as indicated but ½ ball off of the OB towards the foot of the table for every shot. After this is mastered then the CB can be moved around. Initially it is best to learn to control the CB from one place (changing as few variables as possible)
According to Brown, control is learned by cue tip placement and the amount of energy required. You should not cheat the pocket.
Here is an interesting story by Brown, paraphrased from his book so as not to violate his copyright. It seems that Virgil Fillmore, from LA, taught him a game called “One Pocket Points.” Break a 15 ball rack in any way and pocket all balls in one designated pocket. When you miss, count the number of balls made and that is the score. Re-rack all balls for the next shooter. If you make all 15 you get a free rack. The first ball in the second rack counts as 16, etc. The score is limitless. If you scratch you lose one point.
If you make a ball in the wrong pocket on the break your score is limited to 14! You can’t get a free rack.
According to Brown it is / was not uncommon for some players to run five racks and it becomes an obsession to get into your next rack. Seems they have some serious shooters in Calif.
There are several other comments in this small mongraph that are quite helpful. For instance, do you think about what part of the cue tip hits the cue ball on various shots?
I forget who just now, maybe Blackjack, suggested throwing six balls on the table and playing in rotation. This is an interesting drill to find one’s weaknesses.
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