Getting re-started

midnightpulp

midnightpulp

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I haven't played pool seriously in about 9 years. Just of and on when I go to the bar. Do pretty well on the bar-boxes, beating all the bangers pretty easily so I'm itching to pick the cue again and take my game to a level beyond where I once was.

Just cleaned off my 9 footer (haven't played more than a rack on a 9ft in probably 5 years) and my game is at an F- level. An APA-3 with a Dale Earnhart cue would skunk me right now. Makes you appreciate how much tougher a big table is than a bar table.

I played pool like a freak in my teen years, probably at a strong B level. Good offensively, but my safety and kick play left something to be desired.

Now with the evolution of the net, there's so much info available. Books are easy to order, advice is easy to get. Not so back then. Think my biggest flaw was that I didn't know how to practice.

I remember wanting to get Hal Mix's book so badly after reading a quote where he said, "Good players don't become great, because they don't know how to practice." Looked all over, never found his book.

So guys, I ask you. What books, drills, etc... do you recommend?

Even after all these years, I still don't know how to practice.
 
Let me pass along one piece of advice that Jose Parica once gave me. He said one must have a balance between, pocketing, position play, and speed control development. His opinion was that most players don't do enough to devlop superior speed control.
 
read 'the gambler' by fyodor dostoevsky. j/k

i'd quote sjm about speed control/position but also use the edge to be older and smarter at the table. redefine your offensive skills (banking with the beard) and concentrate on speed and learning defense (maybe 'play your best pool' by philip b. capelle).

cheers
 
Thanks guys.

Back in my hey day, my practice usually consisted of ball in hand 9 ball; 3 ball position exercises; Target pool; and just repeatedly practicing the shots I was uncomfortable with. Never practiced my break, safeties, or kicks. I was young, so I looked to hone my offensive game first, but soon after gave the game up since I got busy with other things in life. Have always regretted it. Was a solid player back then and I always wondered how far I could've gone.

So I'm starting over, anxious to take my game to level beyond where I was.

However, in this new era, I'm totally oblivious to new techiques, drills, etc. Keep reading about this SAM aiming system with a blank stare.

Is there any new stuff you guys can recommend?
 
Been there - muddled through.

This is the revised order

First: Go To a good instructor

Second: Buy Play Your Best Pool - Phil Capelle

Third: Wander the web to see if anything is available for free that is useful to you. For example:

Bob Jewett?s Articles
http://www.onthebreaknews.com/JewettIndex.htm

Lots of good stuff on this site, but you need to increase the text size to make it easy to read
http://www3.sympatico.ca/eric.perreault/defaulthtml.html

Back Issues of On The Break
http://www.onthebreaknews.com/index.html

Other stuff under Playing the game in the top menu
http://onepocket.org/getting_started.htm

Click on Article links
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/2000/
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/2001/
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/2002/
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/2003/
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/All_Tom_Ross.htm

http://www.tableskills.com/offensive.php

http://www.9ballpool.co.uk/practice_drills

http://www.trickshottim.com/shotindex.html

http://www.geocities.com/theblackjacktable_nl/Mastering_the_break.html

http://www.geocities.com/theblackjacktable_nl/Breaking_to_Win.html

http://www.jimloy.com/billiard/billiard.htm

http://www.onepocket.org/great_shots.htm

http://www.geocities.com/billybobnospam/basic_daily_practice.html

http://www.americanpool-network.co.uk/default.asp?p=coaching

http://www.artisticpoolplayers.com/shot_program/shot_program_current.php

http://web.ndak.net/~bolton/billiards2.html

http://web.ndak.net/~bolton/

http://web.ndak.net/~bolton/billiards.html

http://www.sfbilliards.com/misc.htm

http://www.fcsnooker.co.uk/basics/bridge_arm_and_cue_arm/bridge_arm_cue_arm.htm

http://billiardsdrills.com/

http://www.jimloy.com/billiard/kick1.htm

http://www.jimloy.com/billiard/kick3.htm

http://www.jimloy.com/billiard/kick.htm

http://www.poolroom.com/articles.asp?ID=4

http://www.8ball.org/blackjack.htm

http://www.snookergames.co.uk/practise.html

http://www.easypooltutor.com/
 
Scaramouche said:
Been there - muddled through.

This is the revised order

First: Go To a good instructor

Second: Buy Play Your Best Pool - Phil Capelle

Third: Wander the web to see if anything is available for free that is useful to you. For example:

Bob Jewett?s Articles
http://www.onthebreaknews.com/JewettIndex.htm

Lots of good stuff on this site, but you need to increase the text size to make it easy to read
http://www3.sympatico.ca/eric.perreault/defaulthtml.html

Back Issues of On The Break
http://www.onthebreaknews.com/index.html

Other stuff under Playing the game in the top menu
http://onepocket.org/getting_started.htm

Click on Article links
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/2000/
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/2001/
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/2002/
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/2003/
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/All_Tom_Ross.htm

http://www.tableskills.com/offensive.php

http://www.9ballpool.co.uk/practice_drills

http://www.trickshottim.com/shotindex.html

http://www.geocities.com/theblackjacktable_nl/Mastering_the_break.html

http://www.geocities.com/theblackjacktable_nl/Breaking_to_Win.html

http://www.jimloy.com/billiard/billiard.htm

http://www.onepocket.org/great_shots.htm

http://www.geocities.com/billybobnospam/basic_daily_practice.html

http://www.americanpool-network.co.uk/default.asp?p=coaching

http://www.artisticpoolplayers.com/shot_program/shot_program_current.php

http://web.ndak.net/~bolton/billiards2.html

http://web.ndak.net/~bolton/

http://web.ndak.net/~bolton/billiards.html

http://www.sfbilliards.com/misc.htm

http://www.fcsnooker.co.uk/basics/bridge_arm_and_cue_arm/bridge_arm_cue_arm.htm

http://billiardsdrills.com/

http://www.jimloy.com/billiard/kick1.htm

http://www.jimloy.com/billiard/kick3.htm

http://www.jimloy.com/billiard/kick.htm

http://www.poolroom.com/articles.asp?ID=4

http://www.8ball.org/blackjack.htm

http://www.snookergames.co.uk/practise.html

http://www.easypooltutor.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to post these links. Really appreciate it.
 
Jung J. aka blow fish is right. There is only so much reading you can do. I had the priviledge of playing in the room Hal Mix did in his later years. I could never afford his lessons but I listen to instruction well. I would always sit within earshot. He called me "Salem Slim". When he had an especially stubborn student frozen in old habits he would call me to the table explain the shot and execution. He lined me up told me where to shoot and lo and behold the object ball always went in. I still don't know how I did it. I went to his funeral shortly after he turned 90. He had just been in for lunch the day before he died in his sleep. As far as I know his widow has all unsold copies...which was quite a few. She lives in Philomath or Corvallis Oregon (541) Area code. I wish she would put them all on E-Bay so some player could at least be sure they go to enthusiests..I'm sure she doesn't know what she has. She was never interested in the game. I don't even know if she knew how important an instructer he was to the sport. Rest in peace Hal & good luck in getting a copy.
 
OOOO, oooo, ooooo, I forgot until now. One of the best players I know told me a good practise routine was just to play 8-ball against myself. No ball in hand, shoot to hit behind the line. You are always playing against your own skill level, If you miss you are punished with the leave you intended for your run out of the opposite color. If you can do the banks etc on the big table you can play on anything. Good Luck
 
Ltldebbie said:
Jung J. aka blow fish is right. There is only so much reading you can do. I had the priviledge of playing in the room Hal Mix did in his later years. I could never afford his lessons but I listen to instruction well. I would always sit within earshot. He called me "Salem Slim". When he had an especially stubborn student frozen in old habits he would call me to the table explain the shot and execution. He lined me up told me where to shoot and lo and behold the object ball always went in. I still don't know how I did it. I went to his funeral shortly after he turned 90. He had just been in for lunch the day before he died in his sleep. As far as I know his widow has all unsold copies...which was quite a few. She lives in Philomath or Corvallis Oregon (541) Area code. I wish she would put them all on E-Bay so some player could at least be sure they go to enthusiests..I'm sure she doesn't know what she has. She was never interested in the game. I don't even know if she knew how important an instructer he was to the sport. Rest in peace Hal & good luck in getting a copy.
Click to expand...

Got that right. Can not find a copy anywhere.

Even back then. A pool mag interviewed him and of course he plugged his book. There's was a number listed, (541) area code in fact, I called to order a copy and the number was disconnected

And I agree that there's only so much reading you can do. I believe pool is more about feel, experience, and just shooting until your arms falls off than theory. Basically, I'm looking for a book that provides some excellent practice drills, and the links provided by Scara are extremely helpful.
 
BlowFish said:
By the time he/she is done reading, it will be a good 3yrs. ;)

Good advice though.
Click to expand...

Good point. Perhaps a better option would be to spend 3 days with a good instructor, identify any problem areas, and get a practice routine designed specifically to address those areas. Cue Tech, Scott Lee, and several other options are out there if you really want to get your game on track. If all else fails, call me! ;)
Steve
 
Scaramouche said:
Been there - muddled through.

This is the revised order

First: Go To a good instructor

Second: Buy Play Your Best Pool - Phil Capelle

Third: Wander the web to see if anything is available for free that is useful to you. For example:

Bob Jewett?s Articles
http://www.onthebreaknews.com/JewettIndex.htm

Lots of good stuff on this site, but you need to increase the text size to make it easy to read
http://www3.sympatico.ca/eric.perreault/defaulthtml.html

Back Issues of On The Break
http://www.onthebreaknews.com/index.html

Other stuff under Playing the game in the top menu
http://onepocket.org/getting_started.htm

Click on Article links
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/2000/
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/2001/
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/2002/
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/2003/
http://www.cuetimes.com/Articles/Tom_Ross/All_Tom_Ross.htm

http://www.tableskills.com/offensive.php

http://www.9ballpool.co.uk/practice_drills

http://www.trickshottim.com/shotindex.html

http://www.geocities.com/theblackjacktable_nl/Mastering_the_break.html

http://www.geocities.com/theblackjacktable_nl/Breaking_to_Win.html

http://www.jimloy.com/billiard/billiard.htm

http://www.onepocket.org/great_shots.htm

http://www.geocities.com/billybobnospam/basic_daily_practice.html

http://www.americanpool-network.co.uk/default.asp?p=coaching

http://www.artisticpoolplayers.com/shot_program/shot_program_current.php

http://web.ndak.net/~bolton/billiards2.html

http://web.ndak.net/~bolton/

http://web.ndak.net/~bolton/billiards.html

http://www.sfbilliards.com/misc.htm

http://www.fcsnooker.co.uk/basics/bridge_arm_and_cue_arm/bridge_arm_cue_arm.htm

http://billiardsdrills.com/

http://www.jimloy.com/billiard/kick1.htm

http://www.jimloy.com/billiard/kick3.htm

http://www.jimloy.com/billiard/kick.htm

http://www.poolroom.com/articles.asp?ID=4

http://www.8ball.org/blackjack.htm

http://www.snookergames.co.uk/practise.html

http://www.easypooltutor.com/
Click to expand...
Thats a serious list there,but im sure after all this your game will be tip top.:)
 
Fast Lenny said:
Thats a serious list there,but im sure after all this your game will be tip top.:)
Click to expand...

Nope!!!

Long on theory - very very short on talent

Just trying to suck in the fools around here to take my advice:D :D :D

If I can't reduce others to my level I'll never have a chance of winning.
 
Sacaramouche- Thanks for the list. That will be a great help for all of us.

I'm in a somewhat similiar situation- just getting back into pool after a long layoff. Unlike you, I was never that good to start with. But I bought a table in December, and am practicing every single night.

You're right that reading (and also videos) can only do so much, and you burn out on them.

I would follow the advice of others and TAKE A LESSON OR TWO. I have taken two, and plan on taking around one a month or so. I can't even tell you how much I've gotten better from just two lessons. Having someone analyze your stance, stroke, etc, can really help clear up a few problems in a hurry.

Best of luck,

David
 
Ltldebbie said:
OOOO, oooo, ooooo, I forgot until now. One of the best players I know told me a good practise routine was just to play 8-ball against myself. No ball in hand, shoot to hit behind the line. You are always playing against your own skill level, If you miss you are punished with the leave you intended for your run out of the opposite color. If you can do the banks etc on the big table you can play on anything. Good Luck
Click to expand...

If you can play on a 9ft. table, play Straight Pool or a variation, like Fargo or Equal Offense. You'll learn a hell of a lot more than by playing 8 ball.

http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/RulesFargo.php
Only link I could find, Ed Mecier's original no longer works.

Equal Offense is in most BCA rule books, these days.
 
i took a 14 layoff from pool rooms, i couldnt tell you who was playing i never heard of any of the new champions etc until about a year ago, I did have a 9' table in my house and played on it some, now i'm back and not playing like I did before but i'm seeing improvment alot faster than the first time i learned to play, my mental game is better than ever, everything you'll ever need to learn short of playing and being in action is right here, just dig around and hang out you'll see what i'm talking about.
 
Fatboy said:
i took a 14 layoff from pool rooms, i couldnt tell you who was playing i never heard of any of the new champions etc until about a year ago, I did have a 9' table in my house and played on it some, now i'm back and not playing like I did before but i'm seeing improvment alot faster than the first time i learned to play, my mental game is better than ever, everything you'll ever need to learn short of playing and being in action is right here, just dig around and hang out you'll see what i'm talking about.
Click to expand...

Thanks Fatboy.

And you're right, when I was at top speed (about 17 years old), I was strong on the table, until I was faced with a pressure shot. Can't tell how how many easy 9 balls I missed when I was on the hill. Wanted so badly to win, I would over think the shot and blow it. Now, even tough my table game is much weaker, I don't feel that same pressure. I can intellectualize more effectively and execute better.

BTW, since lurking here about a week ago, you're one of my fave posters.

You cracked me up when you said you'll have Tooth playing 1-2 Holdem after you get through with him.
 
midnightpulp said:
Thanks Fatboy.

And you're right, when I was at top speed (about 17 years old), I was strong on the table, until I was faced with a pressure shot. Can't tell how how many easy 9 balls I missed when I was on the hill. Wanted so badly to win, I would over think the shot and blow it. Now, even tough my table game is much weaker, I don't feel that same pressure. I can intellectualize more effectively and execute better.

BTW, since lurking here about a week ago, you're one of my fave posters.

You cracked me up when you said you'll have Tooth playing 1-2 Holdem after you get through with him.
Click to expand...

thanks for the complement, yeah when I was 20-22 I was playing my best but wasnt winning like I should have, if strong player was watching me play I couldnt make a ball, if he walked out of the room I would start playing great,

moving foward, i'm 40 now and have played a few world champions and play better when I play them or if they are watching me, additionally i feel ZERO pressure when i'm in line and on the hill for any amout of $$$, I dont know why this is but I like it, additionally my mind had alot of "noise" when I was younger that caused difficultys now its "calm and quite" i'm not some incence burning zen guy either, hell i'm still the same guy, personality etc, i just got older and everything fell into place, so i'm playing great for not playing much, i did play 4 days this week and WOW if I had my health in a month, i would be able to give the old me from 20 years ago the 6.
 
I'm sure most of you have read B. Jack's article on breaking, but for those that haven't, I highly, highly recommend it.

Great stuff.
 
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