By no means is this story about bragging. I just wanted to share a totally unexpected yet very cool experience tonight.
Not owning a pool table of my own and posting today in another thread about how to get the CB down table when in close proximity (behind) the 8ball, I had to get to the hall and try this shot and a few others out. The other shot that was mentioned in a different thread which I wanted to try was when you have 2 balls back to back on the racking spot, CB in the kitchen and with draw english, you make the first ball on the spot go in the corner pocket.
So I walk in and it was an old timers convention. All the local road dogs and serious players are in there. Roughly dozen old timers. Couple of the names that might ring a bell here are Darwin or "Charlie Darwin" (short bald guy with long gray beard) as he was known and another guy that goes by Roofo (looks like Einstein). Both used to travel with the likes of Billy Stover and Mark Maryo (forgive my bad spelling of names).
I get a table next to the action and practicing my two shots when Darwin comes over and starts watching. My close proximity shot, I am making and ask him to tell me if it's a double hit. He says it was not until I got within a quarter inch of the 8ball then he suggested I get a ref to observe the hit as an opponent would call the double hit even though it does not look it. I asked him how he would get down table on this shot and when within 1/2 to 1/4 inch of the 8ball, he suggested the snap shot or actually striking down on the top of CB with almost a masse type stroke/bridge forcing the CB forward w/o a double kiss. Learned yet another way shot this shot.
He also helped with understanding the two balls (back to back) on the spot shot while showing me different variations. How to bank the second ball (of the two balls) one rail and up in right corner or two rails and back down in the corner-for 1pocket game per say. 3 different shots, none of which are high % shots yet, but I understand and can make them
Now the fun started. He was basically bored with all the other old men and asked me what games I play. Explaining I play all games, he proceeded to test my skills on various banks, throws, carooms, billiards and stroke shots that got more challenging as time went on. He would set up a shot, tell me what should happen. Ask me how I would shoot it and the majority of the time, I was dead on. After 45 minutes or so if this testing/learning he asked me if there is anything I wanted to know and he would show me. We talked about bar table shots, regular table shots, billiard table type shots. I was showing him shots and variations on his own shots which he was taking note of as well. Man, I felt good earning this guys respect AND in front of all the other old timers since they were watching. I grew up watching these guys play and to go toe to toe with one of them like tonight in a skills type session, it made me feel good. After 2 hours, he said I had a hell of a stroke along with a great depth and understanding of how balls/shots unfold. It was best $13.00 I spent sharing knowledge with one of the most respected players around these parts.
Sorry for long post, just had to share the good story. It's rare when one of the old and very well respected players who is still around will spend time with you in this manner.
ez
Not owning a pool table of my own and posting today in another thread about how to get the CB down table when in close proximity (behind) the 8ball, I had to get to the hall and try this shot and a few others out. The other shot that was mentioned in a different thread which I wanted to try was when you have 2 balls back to back on the racking spot, CB in the kitchen and with draw english, you make the first ball on the spot go in the corner pocket.
So I walk in and it was an old timers convention. All the local road dogs and serious players are in there. Roughly dozen old timers. Couple of the names that might ring a bell here are Darwin or "Charlie Darwin" (short bald guy with long gray beard) as he was known and another guy that goes by Roofo (looks like Einstein). Both used to travel with the likes of Billy Stover and Mark Maryo (forgive my bad spelling of names).
I get a table next to the action and practicing my two shots when Darwin comes over and starts watching. My close proximity shot, I am making and ask him to tell me if it's a double hit. He says it was not until I got within a quarter inch of the 8ball then he suggested I get a ref to observe the hit as an opponent would call the double hit even though it does not look it. I asked him how he would get down table on this shot and when within 1/2 to 1/4 inch of the 8ball, he suggested the snap shot or actually striking down on the top of CB with almost a masse type stroke/bridge forcing the CB forward w/o a double kiss. Learned yet another way shot this shot.
He also helped with understanding the two balls (back to back) on the spot shot while showing me different variations. How to bank the second ball (of the two balls) one rail and up in right corner or two rails and back down in the corner-for 1pocket game per say. 3 different shots, none of which are high % shots yet, but I understand and can make them
Now the fun started. He was basically bored with all the other old men and asked me what games I play. Explaining I play all games, he proceeded to test my skills on various banks, throws, carooms, billiards and stroke shots that got more challenging as time went on. He would set up a shot, tell me what should happen. Ask me how I would shoot it and the majority of the time, I was dead on. After 45 minutes or so if this testing/learning he asked me if there is anything I wanted to know and he would show me. We talked about bar table shots, regular table shots, billiard table type shots. I was showing him shots and variations on his own shots which he was taking note of as well. Man, I felt good earning this guys respect AND in front of all the other old timers since they were watching. I grew up watching these guys play and to go toe to toe with one of them like tonight in a skills type session, it made me feel good. After 2 hours, he said I had a hell of a stroke along with a great depth and understanding of how balls/shots unfold. It was best $13.00 I spent sharing knowledge with one of the most respected players around these parts.
Sorry for long post, just had to share the good story. It's rare when one of the old and very well respected players who is still around will spend time with you in this manner.
ez
