Hal Houle

[JB Cases]

Just remember that if you figure out how to use these systems and never miss again you can never discuss it like all the other top pros. Just ask Efren,Busta,Corey,Shane,Mika,etc. and they will tell you what systems they use. I think they use the one called muscle memory and massive amounts of repetition.

As a matter of I have asked a lot of top pros what they use and you would be surprised to hear the range of approaches that the pros use to aiming.

You are right that in the end it comes down to muscle memory and repetition.

But if you aren't lining up right in the beginning then you are repeating the wrong steps and forming bad habits.

The whole point with an aiming system or method is to try and get the player to the one single alignment point that is correct for pocketing the ball.

You can dissect it anyway you want but when done you will find that there is only one line, one approach to the object ball that will allow it to be pocketed in the intended pocket. How far off the absolute center line you can go is determined by the width of the pocket and the cut of the pocket openings and the speed at which the ball is struck. But if you are lined up outside that margin of error then you will miss more than you make.

I don't know how many of you here have had access to the pros. I was fortunate enough through my business to have contact with a lot of top pros through the years. And while I didn't bug them for information about playing pool I would ask them from time, when appropriate, about their aiming. Specifically because of the whole drama surrounding "Aiming Systems" in general.

As I said earlier, most people would be surprised to hear about the various methods that top pros choose to aim with. Many of them don't point to any specific thing and say that they use it exclusively. Many of them say that some system was the foundation of their game and now it's automatic.

I think that this is the important thing to remember about any method or system. It's merely a path to the goal of playing well. Playing well is about all of the aspects of pool coming together so that you are in a zone where you don't think about any part of the game singularly.

Now, when I play well, I don't think about Hal's aiming systems. My subconscious does the alignment for me as I approach the table and I can bend down on the correct line.

They say that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. That's pretty much how I feel about Hal's systems. They work. Knowing exactly HOW they work from an analytical viewpoint is irrelevant for me. For me it's important to know that with them I get to watch more balls disappear and get to break more often.

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

Next Time Hal Laughs, See If He's Drooling TOO

The 3-angle system isn't even Hal's system. It's not the system he teaches. He laughs when he reads that people think that's his system. He told that to someone as a way to get rid of them and he published it.

Wrong, boy wonder. Please re-read post #30.
Hal sent THAT e-mail and THAT system out (unsolicited) to many participants of RSB 10 years ago (he sent a copy to me). He may have backed away from it in recent times, but he (HAL) taught that system. He taught it to ME in person at Planet 9-Ball.
Btw, I laugh, when I read someone saying that HE (Hal) laughs at it.....now
Maybe he's laughing because he's getting senile and everything makes him laugh.
Doug

 

[Patrick Johnson]

The 3-angle system isn't even Hal's system.

It's his, alright - he's just outgrown it. He's apparently down to one angle now (I must have missed the two-angle phase), probably because two or three angles are just too much work to remember any more. Won't be long before he forgets that one too and you Houligans will finally have reached pool aiming nirvana: no angles, no problems.

pj
chgo

 

[kildegirl]

I've just learned a basics of it. It works, but it does take a bit of practice and mental disciplin. You must trust the system and be able to aim perfectly... I am not an expert, as I said ...just been introduced.

S.

YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MY AIMING SYSTEM IS SO WHERE COULD YOU LEARN IT.

HAL HOULE

 

[champ2107]

YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MY AIMING SYSTEM IS SO WHERE COULD YOU LEARN IT.

HAL HOULE

hmmmmmmm I know Hal likes to type in caps and that looks like a real response from hal also, you are the real Hal Houle arent you?

Pssst has a lil trouble with forum etiquette try an not take offence an try understand.

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

I'm Never Too Busy To Help Someone..... imo

kildegirl wrote: <snipped>

???? hmmmmmmm I know Hal likes to type in caps and that looks like a real response from hal also, is this the real Hal Houle?

You could have answered your own question by clicking on the poster's name 'kildegirl' and then "find all posts by kildegirl"...... here, I'll help you out: http://forums.azbilliards.com/search.php?searchid=1510166

Doug
( yes, kildegirl is HAL in all his CAPS glory )

 

[str8poolbanger]

Hal lives in Walnutport, PA now with his wife and dog Blackie. I was at his house about 3 weeks ago and learned alot and yet little (due to the fact I have habits that I've formed and can't let go). With that being said, I have found myself trying to implement what he taught me in those 4 hours every now and then while playing in league or at my house. I actually used his system playing in a TAP titleholder this past weekend. I made the 8, which my opponent told his team dont worry that tough for a 5 to make, Ill get to the table one more time. I used what Hal taught me and fired that 8 in to win. I will deffinately be going back to learn some more, as most who know him are correct in his health. He can't stand for any length of time and has a BEAUTIFUL 9 foot Diamond Pro in his house. His wife is also great and their dog is fun to be around and loves to play as well. With Hal you have to believe and want to learn. If he thinks you are jerking him, he will tell you to point blank...GET OUT!

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Wrong, boy wonder. Please re-read post #30.
Hal sent THAT e-mail and THAT system out (unsolicited) to many participants of RSB 10 years ago (he sent a copy to me). He may have backed away from it in recent times, but he (HAL) taught that system. He taught it to ME in person at Planet 9-Ball.
Btw, I laugh, when I read someone saying that HE (Hal) laughs at it.....now
Maybe he's laughing because he's getting senile and everything makes him laugh.
Doug

Dougy:

Just repeating what he told me in person. Like I said, it's not what he showed me. What he showed me was the atomic nuts of the galaxy.

- Boy Wonder

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

Say WHAT

Dougy:

Just repeating what he told me in person. Like I said, it's not what he showed me. What he showed me was the atomic nuts of the galaxy.

- Boy Wonder

Well, what are you going to believe, his e-mail or his lying mouth (face-to-face) or MY post ?
Take your time and don't jump to a quick decision.....what you say now may come back to haunt you in 10 years.
Doug
( I am joking about his lying mouth... imo )

 

[Patrick Johnson]

With Hal you have to believe

This is as close as we'll ever get to a description of Hal's "Too Few Angles" system.

pj
chgo

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

God Bless HAL'S Devotion To Helping Poolplayers

This is as close as we'll ever get to a description of Hal's "Too Few Angles" system.

pj
chgo

While that may be true, I like Hal and I would gladly give 10 years off the back end of my life if it would keep HAL with 'us' 10 years longer.
Doug
( and, I would give another three years to keep your sharp tongue & wit around longer, TOO )


*I know,I know, I'm a big spender of future years............I learned that from ActionHound.

 

[pdcue]

Dougy:

Just repeating what he told me in person. Like I said, it's not what he showed me. What he showed me was the atomic nuts of the galaxy.

- Boy Wonder

Can you play AT ALL?
Who have you ever won against?

Dale<out of patience but not prudence>

 

[ShootingArts]

dang, still can't give you any rep

While that may be true, I like Hal and I would gladly give 10 years off the back end of my life if it would keep HAL with 'us' 10 years longer.
Doug
( and, I would give another three years to keep your sharp tongue & wit around longer, TOO )


*I know,I know, I'm a big spender of future years............I learned that from ActionHound.

I still can't give you any rep but you made me laugh out loud twice with one post. I was laughing about how free and easy you were whacking years off of your life then the actionhound remark made me really laugh.

Reminds me of the story about God passing out how many years man and the animals would have to live but I have forgotten how it went.

Hu

 

[Patrick Johnson]

...I like Hal and I would gladly give 10 years off the back end of my life if it would keep HAL with 'us' 10 years longer.

Me too, but I don't think we have to worry - curmudgeons live forever (at least that's what I'm counting on).

( and, I would give another three years to keep your sharp tongue & wit around longer, TOO )

3/10 of what you'd give for Hal? I think you're overpaying for me.

pj
chgo

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

I Cannot Tell A Lie

Quote:
Originally Posted by Smorgass Bored
...I like Hal and I would gladly give 10 years off the back end of my life if it would keep HAL with 'us' 10 years longer.


Me too, but I don't think we have to worry - curmudgeons live forever (at least that's what I'm counting on).


Quote:
( and, I would give another three years to keep your sharp tongue & wit around longer, TOO )


3/10 of what you'd give for Hal? I think you're overpaying for me.

pj
chgo


LOL....as I learned from ActionHound, I mailed the years to you a week ago and if you call me out on it, I'm not going to mail them again.... OR EVER.
DougHound, son of Action

 

[housecue]

I'm starting to feel this whole Hal aiming system is some big AZ joke. If it is so, I'm impressed how many is involve to make Hal into Yoda.

 

[JB Cases]

I'm starting to feel this whole Hal aiming system is some big AZ joke. If it is so, I'm impressed how many is involve to make Hal into Yoda.

It's not a joke. And Hal's systems were around long before AZ..

The thing is that other people have aiming systems too and they don't get harassed about them the way Hal does.

Many of us who have learned from Hal are a bit overwhelmed. It's a little strange to go from being somewhat inconsistent to much better at pocketing balls within a few hours. Especially for players who are better than average. And not to understand immediately WHY a different method of approaching the ball makes that difference.

Everyone understands the Ghost Ball method of aiming. That is why so many people adopt it. It's easy to explain and easy to see. The only problem is that IF I am not able to imagine the ghost ball in the proper spot and remain focused on the specific contact point then I am likely to be off by more than the acceptable margin of error.

With Hal's methods you don't need to imagine a phantom object nor keep your eye on a point formed by that imaginary object and the real one you are trying to hit.

However perfect alignment can occur with both methods. Just that one is infinitely more consistent and accounts for deflection as well (another can of worms).

But, in an era where a lot of us have grown up in pool on "traditional" aiming methods like Ghost Ball something like Hal's methods, which were here in some form or another long before Byrne's Standard Book of Pool and a plethora of books and tapes espousing the Ghost Ball method, seem radical.

Now here is the part that is vexing to many. Hal has asked those he teaches to not attempt to publish the methods he teaches. Some folks have done so anyway, perhaps with Hal's permission. But the general aura of mystique that surrounds the dissection of how the systems work is what causes all the negativity.

In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance the author describes the classical vs. the analytical approach to understanding things. In the classical approach a person interacts with a thing and forms a judgment based on the thing's performance and the felling they get from it. In the analytical approach a person's judgement is formed by the ability to dissect and reassemble a thing so that they understand why it performs as it does.

Hal's Systems are the perfect example of the classical and analytical approaches to aiming. The classical player follows the instructions and pockets balls and doesn't ask why it works. The analytical player seeks to discover why it works so as to be able to define it's limitations.

The saddest part of the whole thing is that Hal Houle will indeed talk to anyone. In this day and age when a source is freely available for only the pitiful price of a phone call it is shameful to see that there are those that would put down what he offers before experiencing it for themselves.

If one makes the call and receives nothing of benefit then one has only lost a little time. However if the information elevates your enjoyment of the game by helping you become a better player then what you have gained is priceless.

 

[housecue]

Too bad I don't live by him, I would drop by and visit him. I don't think one can learn much over the phone at least for me, I need visual demonstrations.

 

[JB Cases]

Too bad I don't live by him, I would drop by and visit him. I don't think one can learn much over the phone at least for me, I need visual demonstrations.

I guess one doesn't know unless one tries. It is certain that you learn nothing at all when there is no communication at all.

Get an earpiece for your cellphone, charge the battery, make the call. If you live overseas then get one of those numbers where you can make international calls for 10cts a minute or so.

Or not. One less good pool player in the world is one more that I can beat

Just kidding!!!!

 

[DTL]

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