I hate this damn game!!!!

brandoncook26

brandoncook26

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I swear I suck at 14.1. I'm a good player in all other games, but mediocre at straight pool. I can run out in 9/10 ball and can beat the ghost. I am probably an A- player in one pocket and an above average bank pool player. But this stupid game has got me beat.

I am sure it is my patterns. I would be willing to bet that if I had John Schmidt telling me what balls to play and where to go I could put up some high numbers.

Just frustrated today. Couldn't get out of the third rack ever. My high run is only 47 so getting mid 20's isn't too bad. But I just know I can do more.

Sorry for the rant and sorry to anyone who has to read this, lol
 
brandoncook26 said:
I swear I suck at 14.1. I'm a good player in all other games, but mediocre at straight pool. I can run out in 9/10 ball and can beat the ghost. I am probably an A- player in one pocket and an above average bank pool player. But this stupid game has got me beat.

I am sure it is my patterns. I would be willing to bet that if I had John Schmidt telling me what balls to play and where to go I could put up some high numbers.

Just frustrated today. Couldn't get out of the third rack ever. My high run is only 47 so getting mid 20's isn't too bad. But I just know I can do more.

Sorry for the rant and sorry to anyone who has to read this, lol
Click to expand...

Brandon:

And that's why this game is known as the grandfather of all pool games. It is the foundation game that, if you get good at it, all of your other games will reap the benefits.

Good skills in other games doesn't translate to good skills in straight pool, as you've discovered. I'll bet you're right on in your synopsis that it's your patterns that are hurting you. I'll bet if a good 14.1 player spent a couple hours with you, tutoring you on how to take the rack apart and how to take the balls off the table, that you'd see things you'd never see on your own. It sometimes takes an event/effort like this to break through that plateau.

One thing I'd recommend, is to watch some 14.1 matches, and try to anticipate what shot the player is going to take next. Then, watch what shot the player DOES take, and then try to explain to yourself why the player took that shot. Or rather, ask yourself why, and try to answer the question. Often, you'll start seeing the logic of why a certain shot was taken over another.

Wish you were closer to me; I'd be delighted to spend some time and hit some with you, share/show how I clear balls off the table / do my patterns, etc.

Keep at it. Like I said, once you break through that plateau and start seeing your patterns differently, it'll be like someone turned the light on in a darkened room. Seriously.

Best,
-Sean
 
LOL! I feel your pain, it's a damn tough game! If you haven't seen them, I'd recommend Jim Rempe's How to Run a Rack in Straight Pool and How to Run a Hundred in Straight Pool DVDs. Also, Break Shot Patterns book and DVD combination by Phil Capelle. The last five balls are critical in getting to a good break shot. A lesson by a good 14.1 instructor would surely help also.
Good luck!
 
brandoncook26 said:
I swear I suck at 14.1. I'm a good player in all other games, but mediocre at straight pool. I can run out in 9/10 ball and can beat the ghost. I am probably an A- player in one pocket and an above average bank pool player. But this stupid game has got me beat.

I am sure it is my patterns. I would be willing to bet that if I had John Schmidt telling me what balls to play and where to go I could put up some high numbers.

Just frustrated today. Couldn't get out of the third rack ever. My high run is only 47 so getting mid 20's isn't too bad. But I just know I can do more.

Sorry for the rant and sorry to anyone who has to read this, lol
Click to expand...

I'll take 14.1 over one F'n pocket any day. That game wears me down.
 
brandoncook26 said:
I swear I suck at 14.1. I'm a good player in all other games, but mediocre at straight pool. I can run out in 9/10 ball and can beat the ghost. I am probably an A- player in one pocket and an above average bank pool player. But this stupid game has got me beat.

I am sure it is my patterns. I would be willing to bet that if I had John Schmidt telling me what balls to play and where to go I could put up some high numbers.

Just frustrated today. Couldn't get out of the third rack ever. My high run is only 47 so getting mid 20's isn't too bad. But I just know I can do more.

Sorry for the rant and sorry to anyone who has to read this, lol
Click to expand...

Do yourself a favor and Get John Schmidt.s How I Run the Hundreds it will get you to that next level .Its like he is there telling you what to shoot Great DVD IMHO
 
The game is by far the most frustrating of all at times. Its unique in terms of all other pool games are nothing like it. Decision making is what sets the Schmidts from us. Its true that 14.1 will improve all other games, but its weird how all other games don't necessarily improve 14.1. I've seen players run through the 15 ball ghost for fun, but can't run 2 racks in 14.1. Its easy when you know you have to go from 1 and the only position you can play is on the 2, then the 3 and so on. But when you have 10+ balls sitting there and you can go for any, but it can complicate things and trying to figure out a clearance can be challenging.

You may already have it but 99 critical shots is a great read and heavily favoured towards 14.1. Besides that you could arrange an hour or 2 lesson with a very good 14.1 player if you have on in the area. Watch as many matches as you can, that really helped me out. I would pause a match halfway through a rack and recreate it on my table then just look at my table and figure out how I'd get to the next rack. I didn't shoot a ball, then I'd watch the rest of the pro match rack and see how I compared in my thinking. If I was way off I'd shoot it my way then the pros way, and I always got further or it was easier the pros way. This alone changed my decision making and pattern play really quickly.

Keep at it buddy.
 
i also hate the game
i get where every shot snookers me
medium shots scare me

i thought with my table at home i would play by myself and get better
so my one pocket would improve

i think trying to play the ghost 9 ball is better for me,at least i get used to shots

my table is for sale if that gives you an idea how much fun straight pool is
 
14.1

Yes, 14.1 will help players play other games within our sport better. In my opinion what is hardest when it comes to 14.1 is the" mental game". In 9-ball, 8-ball etc. one is dealing with one rack. A few balls by the time one player steps up to the table (a light at the end of the tunnel). A player can mentally deal with getting through with clearing the table and beginning a new rack. In 14.1 the mental aspect deals with not only clearing the rack on the table but the thought of needing to get into another rack and than another. To build a lead or the worry of giving up the table and have one's opponent run racks. Learn to control one's thinking (the thinking that one is not aware of) and 14.1 will come into place. Best game in the Sport.
 
deanoc said:
i also hate the game
i get where every shot snookers me
medium shots scare me

i thought with my table at home i would play by myself and get better
so my one pocket would improve

i think trying to play the ghost 9 ball is better for me,at least i get used to shots

my table is for sale if that gives you an idea how much fun straight pool is
Click to expand...

Could you please,please post a picture of the table you have for sale?:grin-square::grin-square::wink:
 
deanoc said:
i also hate the game
i get where every shot snookers me
medium shots scare me

i thought with my table at home i would play by myself and get better
so my one pocket would improve

i think trying to play the ghost 9 ball is better for me,at least i get used to shots

my table is for sale if that gives you an idea how much fun straight pool is
Click to expand...

Want to trade tables? The shot at 16:30 would have gone if not for the pocket which is loose and the plastic sticks out. Every time you pocket a ball the pocket moves. A couple other pockets are almost as bad.

It started as equal offense and I decided to continue, if not for that it would have been a 50 ball run. You want to have fun try playing 14.1 on this table. :smile:

https://vimeo.com/home/myvideos
 
i never used to play 14.1 until about 2 years ago when my local pool hall had sessions. i signed up and been playing ever since, this has made my 8-9 ball and one pocket game improve like crazy. I love this game, especially when people tell me that my game and stroke has improved so much. i tell them i play alot of 14.1. Just give it time and you will see, this game does wonders and makes you think differently when your on the table.

best of luck
 
So much of what everyone says is spot on regarding 14.1. I can especially appreciate the "continuous" element of the game. I have been trained to take mental breaks between games. Can't do that in 14.1, which requires continued concentration between racks. Also agree that hangers in other games start to shark me in 14.1.

I hate, wait, no, love this game????

It would be nice if I knew of any decent straight pool player within a 100 mile radius of Brandon or I. But I draw a blank on that one. OK, maybe one, though he is more known for bank pool and I'll let him tell what his high run is if he wants to.

In any event, Brandon knows how I play as well as anyone. I've got my strengths, but 14.1 is not one of them.
 
Just ran 35, 28 & 28 back to back to back. Just can't connect the dots and turn it into something decent. Yaaarggghhh.....:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:frown:
 
Tried again today. Keep botching up the end rack sequence inexplicably. Best I could do was a 30. Was not getting as good layouts after the break as usual. Also playing with a new shaft which is very stiff compared to what I am used to. Spin shots react a bit differently. Starting to adjust, but its just one more thing to worry about.

Really love this game but I'm kind of frustrated that i can't find a sparring partner who knows the game. No of fence to Brandon, who I consider a bud and is a fine player,but its kinda like the blind leading the blind ha ha ha.
 
jalapus logan said:
...

It would be nice if I knew of any decent straight pool player within a 100 mile radius of Brandon or I. But I draw a blank on that one. OK, maybe one, though he is more known for bank pool and I'll let him tell what his high run is if he wants to.
...
Click to expand...

I think Stan and Landon are less then 40 / 50 miles from you. Both enjoy straight pool... Might even get some action on that 10 ftr.
:thumbup:

this is 105 on the 9 ftr http://vimeo.com/60926311

Also, I think DTL is around 40 / 50 miles.. here us his 219.. http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=330147

could be wrong on the distance but should be within 100 miles... good luck
 
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