how do I improve a little

[MitchAlsup]

I am also 57, and have only been playing for 3.5 years (except that 35 years ago I was pretty good and then did not play a single game for 35 years <a story for another time>).

9-ball is about the finishing* of a run, not abut the balls leading up to the conclusion. The practice game of ghost is a good one. It teaches you to finish runs, and get successively harder position as the number of balls comes down.

Start with 3 balls and throw them out on the table. Give yourself BIH and run the position 10 times in a row. If you do run 10 times in a row, then up the anty to 4 balls,... Every time you make 10 boards in a row, add another ball to the mix. Any time you do not make 10 boards in a row, subtract a ball fom the mix.

Since you are playing (or targeting) 9-ball, you must play ghost in rotational order.

I have found this is a pretty good measure of your/my actual play skills.

Like a couple other indicated, this is a game/practice about getting a position where you can get the next position. It is also a practice about not screwing up easy shots.

(*) and so are many games.

 

[bobroberts]

Unfortunately i am at that age also. My problem is in trying to get position i miss some shots. I also lose concentration after awhile. My eyes are not as good.
My back and legs start to hurt. Other then that its all good.You have to practice ,practice,and more practice and some instruction wont be bad either.:wink:

 

[kevpull]

Rob

Hi. my advice for missing when it comes down to the last three balls, just practice throwing the 7,8 and 9 on the table and take ball in hand then start running out now when your in competition it will be just like practicing.

What's up Rob? Where you hidin at these days?

 

[JesseAllred]

I am 57 years old been playing regular for about 4 years play on 9 ball league if table is laying open I uslay run most of the rack but uslay mess up on the last two or three balls been thinking about going to a instructor will never be a world beater but would like to improve a little but at my age not sure looking for sugestions

The fastest improvement you can make is by following four simple rules.

1. never bank a ball past the 6 ball, play safe and leave them a long bank.
2. don't run the early balls if the last few are tied up (cause problems or let them do the work for you)
3. if down on a tough shot past the 6 and you have any indecision about making it, play safe! period. (taking into account your skill level)
4. if they start calling you a coward and laughing openly at your decision to play safe you are on the right track!

note: this is a tactic against equal players. forget about it against someone much better than you. the reason it works is all mathematical. if your chances of making a tough 7 ball and running out is 30% then you are losing 70% of the time year after year. If you play safe, leave them a long bank and they hang the ball, leaving you an easy runout 70% of the time you have put the odds in your favor. I have won our monthly tournament 8 months in a row using my new cowardly tactic on tight tables. some of my safety decisions are so ridiculous great players are starting to think I've lost my mind. It works, period. you can't argue with math. (well, you can argue, that's always fun)

 

[JoeyA]

To improve a little, all you have to do is to take one of your weaknesses and make it your greatest strength. It may turn out to be a major improvement.

If you don't know what your weaknesses are, or how to fix them, you may need some outside involvement like a competent instructor, certified or not.

Professional pool players like Jeremy Jones and many others are giving pool lessons and you can always learn from someone like Jeremy.

When prospective students approach Stevie Moore, he recommends that they see Stan Shuffett.

 

[pooltchr]

When prospective students approach Stevie Moore, he recommends that they see Stan Shuffett.

Stevie is a very smart man.

Steve

 

[ridinda9]

this technique will lose you way more games than you will ever win. the only time you should ever shoot a combo shot is when its dead. you never set up for combos, kisses, or caroms unless thats the option you have.

that's been the 'prevailing' advice for years .Never set up for combos ! (shiver) you might actually have to have the skill to make one . . . . .
seen a lot of players lose a lot of games only because they didn't kiss out when they had the opportunity - because someone told them never to play combos , kisses , caroms & banks .
"... unless that's the option you have" ? do you mean unless that's the onlyoption you have? cuz real position players make their own options.

Do you ever play the cue ball off the rail for position ? cuz in the ancient days of straights , top players said that the cue ball should never touch the rail . That was their style of play . That was THEIR prevailing advice for years . . .
and your from Fort Worth - ya know , they call it 'Texas Express" cuz it can end early , among other reasons

 

[cuesmith]

When prospective students approach Stevie Moore, he recommends that they see Stan Shuffett.

I agree 100%. They don't get any better than Stan! Danny DiLiberto is also great especially if you want to learn the finer points of one-pocket or 14.1 and they are both reasonable.

 

[oldzilla]

Hi. my advice for missing when it comes down to the last three balls, just practice throwing the 7,8 and 9 on the table and take ball in hand then start running out now when your in competition it will be just like practicing.

Good advice Robb.

Then when it gets comfortable with 3 balls, add a ball and work on getting comfortable with running 4 balls !

Before you know it you will be seeing the patterns better and a whole rack will not intimidate you.

 

[skip]

Patrica was asked what makes pros so good. They don't miss easy shots. I fell this is something we mortals can get a hold of to improve our game. Pay strick attention to easy shots.

 

[Scott Lee]

skip...Which is exactly why it's SO important to develop an accurate, repeatable and sustainable setup and delivery process! :thumbup: Competent instructors know how to help someone develop one that works for them...everybody's will be a little different.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Patrica was asked what makes pros so good. They don't miss easy shots. I fell this is something we mortals can get a hold of to improve our game. Pay strick attention to easy shots.

 

[Brian in VA]

My advice on how to get a "little" better is:

Take a lesson or Pool School from Randy G or Scott Lee (trust me, these guys are worth every penny) and then practice, a lot. You will get a little better. If you stick with it, you'll get a lot better. Your age doesn't matter in the least as long as you're physically able to make a stroke and can practice efficiently.

It's worked for me. 2 years after pool school, I finished in the money in Va State 9 Ball Champs for the first time. I'm 53.

Brian in VA