Giving a new game a try... thanks!

[chin0]

How are you all doing? Hope everyone is giving their opponents a run for their money...

Though I might be in a splint with two pins sticking out of my pinky. (Yea, I know.... narly!) but I guess the pool bug still bites! So as I sit here right now stuffing my face with spaghetti with meatballs, or as the late great Sigmund Freud would call it "oral" fixating myself...here is my piece


Last night over at my friends house, I am sitting there staring into the screen of my laptop as I am doing now. I stare at the screen, one screen watching Efren do his thing with his magic wand and the other I am playing a billiard computer game. Let me tell you, computer pool games is very very unpleasant

So as more billiard happenings are going through my mind, while the 8-ball fly was buzzing and weezing in the air, I decide, the heck with it, I'm going out to my friends garage where I keep my Fischer 8ft table and I am going to shoot some!

As I approach the garage, many of your voices were echoing through my mind saying... "14.1! Straight Pool!" :smile:

I say to myself, let's do it! I don't have any knowledge on the game other than call the pockets and make the ball, other than that, I don't know the rules and how exactly I am suppose to play this game. So I gave it a try, and I must say, I am in love! I am no good at it, especially with the splint on my shooting hand, but I was pretty proud at myself at the 5-ball run I got to do once lol. (I am working towards the 100s, please don't judge me :embarrassed2. I really like it and think that I am going to switch over from 8-ball to straight pool from now on, it is very challenging and I like it!

Also, with the handicap in my hand, I am more concentrated when I shoot, more calm and relaxed, and I have discovered more about how to shoot better and what suit myself better in this past 2 weeks while I am wearing this splint than the past 4 months. I only started shooting pool this past December, so bare with me

Thanks everyone for always steering me in the right direction and are very willing to help and give advice when I needed them. A million thanks!!!!! :thumbup:

Always, happy shooting!

Chino

 

[TX Poolnut]

I started playing 14.1 by myself, giving myself a BIH breakshot to start, and love it. I'm still working on my first 100, but I'm getting closer.

 

[NYTechGuy]

Good luck to you Chino! I need to learn that game a lot better, too. Feel better soon, man. Love to read your posts - Best, John

 

[jcommie]

I'm about 1/5 of the way there.
Long way to go.

I absolutely LOVE 14.1. I started out on 9 ball, and kept getting my ass handed to me by people who would just continuously play safes on me. It's refreshing to have a change of pace where there are so many options to choose from when shooting. It's no longer that one ball that you must pocket, which I really do like.

 

[The Prodigy]

Hey Chino

I started messing with 14.1 not to long ago. It is pretty fun, and challenging too. You would think with all of these balls to shoot, it would just be a breeze. Well its not, and my highest run to date is 13! My goal is to break 20. Leaving a ball decent for a break shot is killing me. When I visit in the summer we will have to play some!

 

[gunzby]

Ooooh you've been bitten by the straight pool bug!!!!!!!

You will never ever be the same. For myself straight pool is by far the most challenging game I have played. I've run multiple racks of 8 ball and 9 ball, but have as of yet to run one single rack of straight pool.

I have a high run of 10 racks of 9 ball. Keep in mind that the person I played I either broke and ran, or broke dry, they missed and I ran out, but it was still a complete run out for 10 straight racks, but I have still as of yet to run one single rack of straight pool. Damn that sentence had a lot of commas......wonder if it was grammatically correct.

I shoot a few racks of it any time I practice. I also think it is the best game to practice for 9 ball, 8 ball and one pocket. It involves short shots, long shots, banks, combos, caroms, safes and more than anything position play.

 

[jcommie]

Ooooh you've been bitten by the straight pool bug!!!!!!!

You will never ever be the same. For myself straight pool is by far the most challenging game I have played. I've run multiple racks of 8 ball and 9 ball, but have as of yet to run one single rack of straight pool.

I have a high run of 10 racks of 9 ball. Keep in mind that the person I played I either broke and ran, or broke dry, they missed and I ran out, but it was still a complete run out for 10 straight racks, but I have still as of yet to run one single rack of straight pool. Damn that sentence had a lot of commas......wonder if it was grammatically correct.

I shoot a few racks of it any time I practice. I also think it is the best game to practice for 9 ball, 8 ball and one pocket. It involves short shots, long shots, banks, combos, caroms, safes and more than anything position play.

Seriously?!?! We're like opposites! My high run of straight pool is 23, but I have yet to run more than 1 rack of 9 ball!

For me, it's a lot easier to play position when there's no 1 ball that you absolutely HAVE to hit in.

As for the break ball, what I've picked up is that you want to leave a break ball that is relatively close to the rack area, but still make-able in the corner pocket. Then on your last shot before re-rack, position the cueball to the outside of that ball, so when you hammer that ball into the side pocket, the cb breaks open the 2nd rack.

 

[gunzby]

While playing straight pool you might wanna try playing one hole as well.

The only other thing I can think of is to toss 9 balls on the table and play or to play safes and counter safes against yourself. It is a very tedious game, but you will be amazed at what you will learn when you put your mind to it.

 

[TX Poolnut]

While playing straight pool you might wanna try playing one hole as well.

The only other thing I can think of is to toss 9 balls on the table and play or to play safes and counter safes against yourself. It is a very tedious game, but you will be amazed at what you will learn when you put your mind to it.

I'm gonna try that.

 

[gunzby]

I'm gonna try that.

It is a very tedious game, but a great one at that. I would rack em and break em. The point would not be to make a ball, but to play safe against yourself. If I didn't make a good safe (I could actually hit the ball straight on) I would try another safe. The only time I would actually make a ball would be by kicking it in. If the ball is sitting in the pocket you have to kick it in.

This game will help you will safes and kicks. I started this game over 16 years ago when I first started playing.

 

[chin0]

I started playing 14.1 by myself, giving myself a BIH breakshot to start, and love it. I'm still working on my first 100, but I'm getting closer.

Haha, I am nowhere close to it and just thinking of the high 500 mosconi run just clarifies that he indeed is a legend.

Good luck to you Chino! I need to learn that game a lot better, too. Feel better soon, man. Love to read your posts - Best, John

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the wishes man.

I'm about 1/5 of the way there.
Long way to go.

I absolutely LOVE 14.1. I started out on 9 ball, and kept getting my ass handed to me by people who would just continuously play safes on me. It's refreshing to have a change of pace where there are so many options to choose from when shooting. It's no longer that one ball that you must pocket, which I really do like.

To me, I find this game very relative to Snooker, and I really like the idea of it. call shots and pockets make you feel pretty good. I banked the 4 ball in the opposite pocket and called it, and I felt just super cool at that moment lol.

Hey Chino

I started messing with 14.1 not to long ago. It is pretty fun, and challenging too. You would think with all of these balls to shoot, it would just be a breeze. Well its not, and my highest run to date is 13! My goal is to break 20. Leaving a ball decent for a break shot is killing me. When I visit in the summer we will have to play some!

Sounds like a plan man! I'm looking forward to that definitely, and of course, the belly dance :embarrassed2:

Ooooh you've been bitten by the straight pool bug!!!!!!!

You will never ever be the same. For myself straight pool is by far the most challenging game I have played. I've run multiple racks of 8 ball and 9 ball, but have as of yet to run one single rack of straight pool.

I have a high run of 10 racks of 9 ball. Keep in mind that the person I played I either broke and ran, or broke dry, they missed and I ran out, but it was still a complete run out for 10 straight racks, but I have still as of yet to run one single rack of straight pool. Damn that sentence had a lot of commas......wonder if it was grammatically correct.

I shoot a few racks of it any time I practice. I also think it is the best game to practice for 9 ball, 8 ball and one pocket. It involves short shots, long shots, banks, combos, caroms, safes and more than anything position play.

The straight pool bug bites hard, deep and has lock jaws! I never have ran any racks as of yet, but I am working on it with almost any spare time I have. It seems to me almost like, now that I dedicate my time to shooting pool and start ignoring the girls, that is when they decide to throw themselves at me Guess this game attract the ladies lol.

I am decent at combos, and I think 14.1 has a major part of it being combos or even carom shots. So far, my deflection line is unpredictable. I have never been able to hit a ball and have it just go straight to the left or right.

It is a very tedious game, but a great one at that. I would rack em and break em. The point would not be to make a ball, but to play safe against yourself. If I didn't make a good safe (I could actually hit the ball straight on) I would try another safe. The only time I would actually make a ball would be by kicking it in. If the ball is sitting in the pocket you have to kick it in.

This game will help you will safes and kicks. I started this game over 16 years ago when I first started playing.

That is an awesome idea, playing one pocket with straight pool. Make it extra challenging. When you can over come a challenge, you have just stepped it up a little notch!

 

[Jesse]

Also, with the handicap in my hand, I am more concentrated when I shoot, more calm and relaxed, and I have discovered more about how to shoot better and what suit myself better in this past 2 weeks while I am wearing this splint than the past 4 months. I only started shooting pool this past December, so bare with me

I used to play a bit of basketball, and I was always a jump-shooter. My "form" was ingrained from when I was a kid, and I had to use my left thumb for a little extra oomph to get the ball to the basket. That's bad form once you grow up, but I couldn't kick it.

Then one day some jackass winged a basketball at my leg, which I tried to block with my thumb and it got jammed in such a way that I couldn't touch it for weeks without excruciating pain.

So I couldn't help push the ball with it anymore. My jumpshot's form was fixed instantly, and my shot gained elevation (over defense) and my accuracy increased 10% or so.

Blessing in disguise, as is yours.

 

[Gerry]

I was "forced" into learning 14.1 by my teacher years ago.....I went in kicking and screaming but learning to play it DRAMATICALLY helped all my other games!

running balls can become overwhelming at times with all the choices. Try these things to make the game easier.

in no particular order....

>remove balls to open the lanes to the pockets.

>open up the clusters.

>remove balls on the rails early.

>with about 5 or 6 balls left, create your break pattern in your head, and work the pattern backwards to the ball your shooting next.

....I know the last one is confusing, but you will get it after playing 14.1 for a while.

I have over simplified what I think about here, but for a new player to 14.1 it needs to be kept simple so you don't get "analysis paralysis" when you aren't sure what to do, go back to the list.

as you play you will interchange your own thoughts in for these, but its a good start.



have fun with it,

G.

 

[Pushout]

I was "forced" into learning 14.1 by my teacher years ago.....I went in kicking and screaming but learning to play it DRAMATICALLY helped all my other games!

running balls can become overwhelming at times with all the choices. Try these things to make the game easier.

in no particular order....

>remove balls to open the lanes to the pockets.

>open up the clusters.

>remove balls on the rails early.

>with about 5 or 6 balls left, create your break pattern in your head, and work the pattern backwards to the ball your shooting next.

....I know the last one is confusing, but you will get it after playing 14.1 for a while.

I have over simplified what I think about here, but for a new player to 14.1 it needs to be kept simple so you don't get "analysis paralysis" when you aren't sure what to do, go back to the list.

as you play you will interchange your own thoughts in for these, but its a good start.



have fun with it,

G.

Very good advice, here. About kicking, though, if you have to kick in Straight Pool, you'll wind up getting your a** handed to you.

 

[chin0]

I used to play a bit of basketball, and I was always a jump-shooter. My "form" was ingrained from when I was a kid, and I had to use my left thumb for a little extra oomph to get the ball to the basket. That's bad form once you grow up, but I couldn't kick it.

Then one day some jackass winged a basketball at my leg, which I tried to block with my thumb and it got jammed in such a way that I couldn't touch it for weeks without excruciating pain.

So I couldn't help push the ball with it anymore. My jumpshot's form was fixed instantly, and my shot gained elevation (over defense) and my accuracy increased 10% or so.

Blessing in disguise, as is yours.

I don't know if it was a blessing, but there were definately a few lessons to be learned from it! lol

I was "forced" into learning 14.1 by my teacher years ago.....I went in kicking and screaming but learning to play it DRAMATICALLY helped all my other games!

running balls can become overwhelming at times with all the choices. Try these things to make the game easier.

in no particular order....

>remove balls to open the lanes to the pockets.

>open up the clusters.

>remove balls on the rails early.

>with about 5 or 6 balls left, create your break pattern in your head, and work the pattern backwards to the ball your shooting next.

....I know the last one is confusing, but you will get it after playing 14.1 for a while.

I have over simplified what I think about here, but for a new player to 14.1 it needs to be kept simple so you don't get "analysis paralysis" when you aren't sure what to do, go back to the list.

as you play you will interchange your own thoughts in for these, but its a good start.



have fun with it,

G.

That is great advice, I will definately keep it in mind when I play some more. I notice that my break from the previous CB and last OB position is hard to position, I definately would apply what you said and try it out. I do notice many players prefer to keep the last OB closer to the foot end of the table. I tried with no luck lol. Thanks G!

 

[jcommie]

If you're good at billiarding balls, use the carom on ur 2nd to last shot to knock the last ball into a good break position. Otherwise just leave one ball that's already in a good break position alone, and shoot all the other ones.

Oh, and stop shots and soft draws are your friends in 14.1

As for 9 ball practice, that's how I've always done it!

I'd break the rack, and then play safeties against myself. It's the only reason I got halfway decent at banks and kicks

If I wanted to work on position play, I'd be practicing 14.1 instead!


And I absolutely LOVE 1 pocket

 

[chin0]

If you're good at billiarding balls, use the carom on ur 2nd to last shot to knock the last ball into a good break position. Otherwise just leave one ball that's already in a good break position alone, and shoot all the other ones.

Oh, and stop shots and soft draws are your friends in 14.1

As for 9 ball practice, that's how I've always done it!

I'd break the rack, and then play safeties against myself. It's the only reason I got halfway decent at banks and kicks

If I wanted to work on position play, I'd be practicing 14.1 instead!


And I absolutely LOVE 1 pocket

I learned a lot from just a few games. All the points you mentioned were noticed. As for carom balls, I have zero talent in it lol. Soft draw, soft follow, and stun shots were all incorporated in just this game. I first thought, if I get to shoot any ball, that should be easy, and I proved myself wrong :embarrassed2:

But the challenging part plus the feeling of running a few balls made me a little more understanding and confident. :smile:

 

[jcommie]

I learned a lot from just a few games. All the points you mentioned were noticed. As for carom balls, I have zero talent in it lol. Soft draw, soft follow, and stun shots were all incorporated in just this game. I first thought, if I get to shoot any ball, that should be easy, and I proved myself wrong :embarrassed2:

But the challenging part plus the feeling of running a few balls made me a little more understanding and confident. :smile:

As far as draw goes, depends on how fast your table is. I play on a slow- ass 9 foot gold crown, so whenever I draw at an angle, the CB invariable ends up frozen on a rail.

 

[poolfire]

i know

you play at raytown,,,, you should get in danny harrimans 14.1 league on monday nights.......

 

[chin0]

you play at raytown,,,, you should get in danny harrimans 14.1 league on monday nights.......

I have been thinking about it, just never got the chance to actually go down there. I am definately going to join it, just a matter of time. I might go down there tomorrow and just watch people play since the handicap situation I have lol