Does Billiards "hurt" your pool game?

P

puma122

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I play in a hall where there is little interest in the 3 cushion table. I am able to convince a few great pool players to play once in a blue moon, but do not have luck with many of the others. I hear them claim that it hurts the pool game...I don't get it...

I love billiards. It's probably my favorite game. I also love pool. (9\10 ball, 8 ball, 14.1, and trying to pick up 1 pocket) In my opinion, 3 cushion helps your game. It's given me a much better idea of getting around the table with confidence. It's also built on my knowledge of spin. Playing as many different games has always been my strategy. Variety of games seems to make you play different shots, and focus in on different strategies for success. I can see where the different size\weight of the ball MIGHT be a slight hindrance when going back to the pool table...I suppose sometimes my aiming\cutting is not as sharp on the pool table after 3 cushion..but I think the benefits FAR outweigh the potential negatives.

What is the consensus here?
 
First thought is that's non sense

It only teaches you where your cue ball will go, I mean no one playing pool could utilize that right?
Kick shot, OMG
Banks, all manner of getting shape on the next ball
Plus your eye sight is much better from playing on a huge table

Ive only heard that from the bangers who strictly play straight 8 no slops, with non existent rules
It's made me much better at pool, I crush bangers now
I love straight pool my self

I'm all about learning and improving anything I do


In the words of Donnie brasco
Fuh-git-abow-it
 
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beneath_the_sur said:
First thought is that's non sense

It only teaches you where your cue ball will go, I mean no one playing pool could utilize that right?
Kick shot, OMG
Banks, all manner of getting shape on the next ball
Plus your eye sight is much better from playing on a huge table

Ive only heard that from the bangers who strictly play straight 8 no slops, with non existent rules
It's made me much better at pool, I crush bangers now
I love straight pool my self

I'm all about learning and improving anything I do


In the words of Donnie brasco
Fuh-git-abow-it
Click to expand...

I agree with you, but some of the folks suggesting it is better to stay away from the big heavy balls of the billiard table are FAR from bangers. Thanks for the response!
 
I was playing my best pool when I was training with the Carom guys. I was using my standard 12.75mm pool cue and got along just fine and even bested one or another player.

Also once in a while I take out the big guns and do a full table 90 degree "draw" shot I've learned there (i.e. the CB moves 90 degrees to the left off of the first OB to hit another ball).
Mouths usually open but don't close for a while.

Balls size and weight are not a problem - if anything I will help to train your speed and adjusting to different conditions.
Also you learn to play more slowly which is a huge plus.

Biggest problem is: you get used to their flawless equipment (heated tables with great cloth) so quickly that you hate all pool tables :sorry:
You also don't need to play 3C, just Carom is enough :wink: Or play 5 ball which is great for beginners because there are more balls and you can match different skill levels:
http://www.saluc.com/html/billiard/index.php?idlien=47

Go play some and just have fun with it. The cling of their balls is marvelous, so much better than the Super Aramiths!

Cheers!
M
 
You can dismiss pool players that say that. But I don't think it is without reason. These sports require different strokes. Some players may not be able to adapt their stroke from one to another interchangeably well. Simplistically speaking in caroms the primary focus is on your cue ball first, then ball two. In pool the primary focus is the second ball then the cue ball. This is a nuance but a difference none the less. As you become more proficient that focus on primary/secondary become meshed. Those that have played both well for years can transition almost seamlessly.
 
another thing

If your game is straight rail, you HAVE to develop the oh so delicate stroke

Straight rail is a mastery of all the balls on the table, you guide them all where to go to continue scoring

a truly beautiful game
 
It helps your game. At least it helps mine. I have posted this before. I see triangles on a pool table. On a 3 cushion table it is all triangles. Playing 3 cushion actually helps my kicking game on a pool table because triangles are important in kicking.
 
To name just a few that played and play 3C very well
Ralph Greenleaf
Willie Mosconi
Charlie Peterson
Harold Worst
Irving Crane
Luther Lassiter
Dallas West
Boston Shorty
Mike Massey
Efren Reyes

and on the other side
Does Pool Hurt your Billiard game?
Torbjörn Blomdahl
 
how can learning to put the cue ball THERE
not over there somewhere
hurt your pool game?????:confused::confused::confused::confused:
 
3-cushion billiards will definitely help one's pool game, in terms of knowledge of the angles and effects of sidespin. The pool player who applies 3C techniques the most in his pool game is, not surprisingly, the greatest pool player who has ever lived--Efren Reyes. He is the best at using multiple rails for playing position, because he knows exactly the angle and the pace he needs to put the white where he wants it. What appears to be an inhuman kicking ability is simply a good and timely application of 3-cushion billiards principles.

Most people may not know that Efren was, and still is, a pretty good 3C player. Back when he was young and way before he went to the States, he switched to playing 3C because no one in his town wanted to play pool with him, as he was too good. The funny thing was that eventually he became too good with 3C that everyone refused to play him in that game too! Indeed, according to him his prime as a cueist was when he was in his late teens to early 20s. Quite simply, his pattern knowledge from playing 15-ball Rotation and a wide-range of experience in 3C is the reason he is the best pool player in history.

Here's an excellent match-winning safety shot lifted straight from the 3C textbook:

https://youtu.be/Gie5y4KioVo?t=4428

Here are some other 3C-inspired kick-shots by Efren:
https://youtu.be/sDMhbcOGSkk?t=91
https://youtu.be/aeuJMCMTY_c?t=130
 
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I guess I'm in the minority here but I do believe that playing three cushion can impact your pool game sometimes.

The main problem is that players get used to using a ton of english and the balls are much bigger in carom games. If you aren't careful, you can start shooting pool using too much english and the deflection will affect your shotmaking, even with a LD shaft.

Overall, carom games are a huge plus when it comes to position and kicking but I do think there is an adjustment when you go back to pool. When Nick Varner is wary of using inside english, your average player will have problems playing pool using a lot of it if they aren't careful.
 
The only way billiards hurts your pool game is if you don't play it.
I have no problem going from one to another at any time.
.
Some people find it easier to play pocket pool and then get on the billiard table. They say the transfer is easier for them going from the small balls to the big balls.
If you are a serious pool player and have access to a billiard table it would be foolish not to learn straight rail and 3 cushion.
Total control of the cue ball is the ultimate goal, pocketing balls is the easy part.
 
bud green said:
I guess I'm in the minority here but I do believe that playing three cushion can impact your pool game sometimes.

The main problem is that players get used to using a ton of english and the balls are much bigger in carom games. If you aren't careful, you can start shooting pool using too much english and the deflection will affect your shotmaking, even with a LD shaft.

Overall, carom games are a huge plus when it comes to position and kicking but I do think there is an adjustment when you go back to pool. When Nick Varner is wary of using inside english, your average player will have problems playing pool using a lot of it if they aren't careful.
Click to expand...


There are just as many shots to make with using very little and even no English than there are those shots where your using extreme English

Just an FYI,

if pool players are interested in carom they need to start with straight rail and not 3c,
For some of The reasons you listed

But hardly ever do because there's much less billiard players and tables and 3c is the most dominant played game, even much more uncommon to see is people playing straight rail
 
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Great replies. Again, I absolutely embrace all forms of pool. I jump back and forth, and do not feel problems with it. It ABSOLUTELY has helped my pocket games. I will continue trying to get the pool players over on the billiard table!!!
 
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