Getting in form for a scotch doubles tournament... alone

Autist

Autist

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello everyone!

In a few weeks, I will be participating in a scotch doubles tournament. The biggest doubles tournament of the year over here.

My partner is a friend I have played a lot together with. We know each others games pretty well.

But he lives more than 100 miles away now, so no really good way to practice together.

For the last year, I feel like all I have been doing is work and starting a life with with my GF together, so pool has fallen to the background. If I am lucky, I get to play 1 day per week, if that.

2 weeks before the tournament I will have my vacation, so I could possibly sneak in 2-3 days a week.

The real problem is that I've got literally no one to play with. 50K people town, but no one really wants to play pool regularly.

Can anyone suggest some good practice regimes for me? I have learned to play pool by gambling, I would think I would get a bit bored with just doing drill shots by myself. But maybe someone can suggest something exciting, to get in shape, by myself.

Thank you for the feedback, if anyone bothers to answer! ;)
 
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i dont really think its necessary to practice for scotch doubles, i mean you work on your game and get yourself shooting the best you possibly can. In the tourney if you know your partners game you know his strong and weak points, you shoot with those in mind and when in doubt you just ask him "hey, where do you want me to leave you for this shot".

i used to play some scotch doubles gambling with a buddy of mine, we never practiced for it but we just seemed to mesh when we played, we would run over everybody we played but it just rolled that way.
 
I'd just practice how I normally do. Playing the ghost.

If you've played together a lot, you will know what your buddy likes shooting and doesn't. Just practice leaving your buddy (or yourself in this case) the easiest shot to get to the next ball.

Not much more you can do really. Make sure you get in good shape before the tourney, and ask your buddy to do the same. If you are both playing good, that's all you can do.

Good luck for the tourney btw.
 
It don't make any sense to me to practice for "scotch" doubles, what matters most that you have a good understanding of your's teammate's game. When it actually comes to playing scotch doubles I think these points are important : -
1) the skill level that your teammate plays
2) is he / she left or right handed ? (you will have to play the shape accordingly)
3). what game is going to be played, what is your teammates forte (shotmaking, pattern play, safety play or sharking ) ?
4) be honest to yourself and think about who is a better player (more experienced, knowledgable) b/w you and your teammate WRT game bing played ?
5). And most importantly trust your teammate, throw your ego out of the window. And don't try to be "cute" with trying to get the "perfect" shape for your teammate.

Now, If you really want to practice for doubles then I will suggest only one thing, practice playing "natural shape", make it look easy.
 
ctyhntr said:
What is your level and what is your partner's skill level?
Click to expand...

Well, my partner is the better player.

My best is running out 4 racks out of 10 playing the ghost, but that's when I am playing really good. 9 ball.

Compared to the field we are going to play against, I am probably below average and he is average/slightly above average.

My real concern is that I have no one to play with. Does anyone know any good practice regimes? :p I've done the PAT tests and billiard university as practice, but I am looking for something a bit different.
 
ctyhntr said:
What is your level and what is your partner's skill level?
Click to expand...

Well, my partner is the better player.

My best is running out 4 racks out of 10 playing the ghost, but that's when I am playing really good. 9 ball.

Example of my average gameplay a year ago, me playing with the same friend, small money match:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZYJ2MRqS5E

Compared to the field we are going to play against, I am probably below average and he is average/slightly above average.

My real concern is that I have no one to play with. Does anyone know any good practice regimes? :p I've done the PAT tests and billiard university as practice, but I am looking for something a bit different.
 
Personally, I think straight pool is a great game to practice by yourself, and setting high run goals is great motivation. Other than that, playing different games for 30 min to an hour at a time beats the boredom and helps you work on different skills at the same time.
When there's no one around and I have a couple of hours, I'll do maybe 1 hour of straight pool, 30 min of 1 pocket, 15-20 min of bank pool (frustrating but very helpful), and then spend the rest of the time practicing breaking or my weak shots, and then playing rotation or the 10-ball ghost.
I find having a variety keeps me interested and gives me a chance to work or various areas of my game as well.
 
Autist said:
Can anyone suggest some good practice regimes for me? I have learned to play pool by gambling, I would think I would get a bit bored with just doing drill shots by myself. But maybe someone can suggest something exciting, to get in shape, by myself.

Thank you for the feedback, if anyone bothers to answer! ;)
Click to expand...

Consider the game your playing and practice that game. However, if you haven't been playing much, you've got other issues.

Scotch doubles is a beautiful game. If your partner is the better player, let him take charge. Prepare yourself for that mentally.

Freddie <~~~ scotch is my fourth middle name
 
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