Do you offer or try to help other pool players to improve their pool game?

[ENGLISH!]

Mr. Lock,

Yes indeed.

Just last night, in my individual money league, I explained why my opponent missed a bank shot & a shot where the CB & OB were close together.

Like you say, it's very rewarding to see someone smile when they learn something that was confusing to them before.

Best Regards to You &

 

[The Renfro]

Mr. Lock,

Yes indeed.

Just last night, in my individual money league, I explained why my opponent missed a bank shot & a shot where the CB & OB were close together.

Like you say, it's very rewarding to see someone smile when they learn something that was confusing to them before.

Best Regards to You &

I have to ask just because..... Did your opponent ask? Or did you do the "Hey you know why you missed that/those shot/shots?"

Sorry just had to yank your chain.... Don't want to go around thinking you are one of "those" guys... Not that there is anything wrong with that...

Chris

 

[Tronpocket]

As a full time "House Man", i work with all kinds of players on all sorts of things usually on a daily basis .
Some of them are better players then I am but its another point of view or take on a certain shot or position route we look to hash out.
As far as free / unsolicited advice i do stop occasionally to help the players who come in regularly to improve their game by themselves or with a friend(s).
its usually just a little tid bit on a shot i saw them shoot or choice in strategy or position. No one has ever said , "no thanks " to my offer to show them something they dont already know.
But i dont waste my time with recreational "bangers".
As well as that i run a straight pool league and my good players are always kind enough to help a novice/weaker player,after a match, to improve something they saw in their game.
I feel its my job to keep people interested in pool and and if possible help improve their game, and its good for business to make them feel that when they come in they can always ask me a question or opinion on anything without any B.S or attitude some house guys/players will give you thinking its a waste of their time.

 

[Lock N Load]

I enjoy teaching people fundamentals when they ask. Sometimes I offer to help even if they don't. I always find when I help someone I end up learning something myself. I play at Champions Billiards in Frederick, Maryland. Even top pro's enjoy helping folks. Mike Sigel is the house pro there and is there often. Last weekend a friend of mine and I were playing one pocket...race to 3. Mike watched the entire set. He remembered 3 shots (AKA mistakes) I made and spent close to half an hour showing me and my friend what I should have done and he executed it perfectly. Mike didn't have to do that...he loves the game...and so much knowledge in that mans head!!! I'm sure other pool players get a lot of joy helping others!

Wedge Lock

PS: Helping other players is one of the key goals of the Lock Society!!!

What you just said, Wedge Lock,
Thanks for the positive, good input.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[vapoolplayer]

He gives lessons at roughly $100 per hour. When he helps people out for free that is out of love of the game...not his job as house pro.

Wedge Lock

Actually its two things as a house pro.

1: he goes around and helps people, which in turn gives the house a good reputation.

2: he gives you a sample of his lessons which makes you come back and pay 100/hr for real lessons.

Of course he loves the game and loves teaching people, but if you think for a minute its not his job to give out tid bits here and there, you're mistaken.

Before he became a house pro, how often did you hear stories of him sitting around in a room offering up free advice? (this isn't a personal thing with mike, i'd say the same thing about any house pro, and there is nothing wrong with it, this is their job)

If he were just sitting around in a random pool hall in bumfuk nowhere giving out free advice, I'd agree with you. But saying the house pro somewhere is helping people ONLY out of the love for the game, when they clearly have other interests at hand is mistaken.

 

[vapoolplayer]

As a full time "House Man", i work with all kinds of players on all sorts of things usually on a daily basis .
Some of them are better players then I am but its another point of view or take on a certain shot or position route we look to hash out.
As far as free / unsolicited advice i do stop occasionally to help the players who come in regularly to improve their game by themselves or with a friend(s).
its usually just a little tid bit on a shot i saw them shoot or choice in strategy or position. No one has ever said , "no thanks " to my offer to show them something they dont already know.
But i dont waste my time with recreational "bangers".
As well as that i run a straight pool league and my good players are always kind enough to help a novice/weaker player,after a match, to improve something they saw in their game.
I feel its my job to keep people interested in pool and and if possible help improve their game, and its good for business to make them feel that when they come in they can always ask me a question or opinion on anything without any B.S or attitude some house guys/players will give you thinking its a waste of their time.

Quick question just out of sheer interest. If you weren't the house pro, do you think they would welcome your advice?

Basically, if you were just a frequent player there, would you still offer advice without someone specifically asking, and do you think it would be perceived in the same light?

 

[TheBook]

I will now only if they ask. When I use to see someone doing something wrong I would tell them feeling that I was helping. Most times they didn't appreciate it and basically said to F off.

.

 

[cool_hand_ljb]

hell ya

I help people all the time. I feel that if those around me get better it will in turn force me to get better to remain on top. If I find my self lacking I may learn from someone I have helped in the past.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

I did, a couple of nights ago.
I walked by a table where a guy was playing pool with his girlfriend, and noticed he was using an improper bridge. I pointed that fact out to him whereupon he immediately suggested I stick it (in his words), "Where the sun don't shine."
I didn't know if the guy was a psychic, or just being a wise ass, but everyone knows that the sun isn't out at ten o'clock in the evening. Some people. :smile:

 

[Runnintable]

Unsolicited

A few people have commented already on this, but I would have to reiterate that I try not to offer unsolicited advice. The probability of it not being received is quite high.

Teaching is a blast. Seeing the light bulb go off when the player grasps the concept and/or accomplishes the skill is definitely fulfilling. Over the years I have noticed the journey of teaching is truly getting that individual to cross the road on their own. Therefore, I feel the lesson is validated for that particular individual. In other words that person will own and remember the lesson more.

Anyway, that's my experience.

On a side note, when I first started playing competitively and started gaining respect for my game, other players began to ask me questions. When this first happened I truly never thought about the how and why and had no clue how to answer their questions. Ignorance is Bliss! Ha! But then the journey truly began!

 

[Harold Smith]

I will offer if someone ask. A guy ask me once about how to hold a good bridge and I showed him. Turn around to watch him and he was still using the old stupid bridge he was using before he ask me. He ask about something else and I said I can't help you, because its wasted time spent, mine and yours.---Smitty

 

[Quesports]

I have many times in the last few years with many different results. I lent a player a set of training DVD's they kept them for three weeks so Iasked for their return. The response was I haven't watched them yet. I replied too bad I need them in two days because I want to review some of it myself. They were returned unused and the person was kind of indignant. I felt like the Soup Nazi, NO MORE DVD'S 4U!! Then I lent the same set to another person for one week and the guy watched them three times and was so impressed that he ordered a set for himself. People are funny and I guess I will just lend things for a short, set period of time from now on.. I like to see people learn to play better it's good for them and it makes me feel good to help..

 

[Baxter]

Sometimes. It depends upon the person. There's one kid here who I've kinda taken under my wing so to speak. I don't give him lessons on his fundamentals or anything like that, but if I notice something I'll speak. He's always eager to hear what I have to say, and I know he takes it to heart. I mostly try to help with the non-mechanical side of the game. Pattern play, strategy, shot selection, pre-shot routine, etc. I'm nowhere near good enough myself to try and teach someone "proper" fundamentals, but I've come into pool with a background in upper level competitive golf, and a lot of the things I talk about translate over.

 

[ENGLISH!]

I have to ask just because..... Did your opponent ask? Or did you do the "Hey you know why you missed that/those shot/shots?"

Sorry just had to yank your chain.... Don't want to go around thinking you are one of "those" guys... Not that there is anything wrong with that...

Chris

Chris,

I waited til the match was over & it was a younger person that I had coached when they were in middle school.

Usually, I ask if they would mind if I show them something or if they would like my opinion as to why X.

I do not belittle anyone or look down upon anyone or try to make myself out to appear smarter than anyone. I'm just one that might just have a bit more know how because I have been playing longer & might have more experience.

No one has ever given any indication of ever being upset with me. Usually they ask more questions & thank me for the help.

Regards to You &

 

[Lock N Load]

I did, a couple of nights ago.
I walked by a table where a guy was playing pool with his girlfriend, and noticed he was using an improper bridge. I pointed that fact out to him whereupon he immediately suggested I stick it (in his words), "Where the sun don't shine."
I didn't know if the guy was a psychic, or just being a wise ass, but everyone knows that the sun isn't out at ten o'clock in the evening. Some people. :smile:

Tramp you are the Man! Period!
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[CJ Wiley]

straight pool it would be Mike Sigel, and one pocket would be Allen Hopkins.

I enjoy teaching people fundamentals when they ask. Sometimes I offer to help even if they don't. I always find when I help someone I end up learning something myself. I play at Champions Billiards in Frederick, Maryland. Even top pro's enjoy helping folks. Mike Sigel is the house pro there and is there often. Last weekend a friend of mine and I were playing one pocket...race to 3. Mike watched the entire set. He remembered 3 shots (AKA mistakes) I made and spent close to half an hour showing me and my friend what I should have done and he executed it perfectly. Mike didn't have to do that...he loves the game...and so much knowledge in that mans head!!! I'm sure other pool players get a lot of joy helping others!

Wedge Lock

PS: Helping other players is one of the key goals of the Lock Society!!!

Mike is certainly one of the most knowledgeable players I've ever talked to about the game its self. I think if I was going to work with one person on straight pool it would be Mike Sigel, and one pocket would be Allen Hopkins. imho

 

[TheBank]

Both Sigel and Hopkins were great all around players in their day.

 

[Montana Mike]

I have 4 people who I regularly work with and one who I help online since he is "detained" [but gets to play 3+ hours per day] and usually help an additional person or two a day with a shot or something else. Sometimes working with someone can really break up a dead evening so I like it.

Sometimes it is rough seeing people gives lessons and shoving "their" techniques down the throats of their students. I am a teacher already so I make it a point to watch how they do things and once I identify something that is limiting the shooter I try to come up with the questions that will help them discover that weakness and then we develop a plan to strengthen that area. More of a hands off, guide approach but it works and I limit it to one or two things at a time. That way it engages them into strengthening a weakness and continuing their development instead of trying to emulate someone else or becoming too dependent on others for assistance.

 

[Lock N Load]

I have 4 people who I regularly work with and one who I help online since he is "detained" [but gets to play 3+ hours per day] and usually help an additional person or two a day with a shot or something else. Sometimes working with someone can really break up a dead evening so I like it.

Sometimes it is rough seeing people gives lessons and shoving "their" techniques down the throats of their students. I am a teacher already so I make it a point to watch how they do things and once I identify something that is limiting the shooter I try to come up with the questions that will help them discover that weakness and then we develop a plan to strengthen that area. More of a hands off, guide approach but it works and I limit it to one or two things at a time. That way it engages them into strengthening a weakness and continuing their development instead of trying to emulate someone else or becoming too dependent on others for assistance.

Hello Mike,
I like what you do and say to help a pool player to improve their pool game. Best to you and your family.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[peppersauce]

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