I play mediocre straight pool ... but....

BigRigTom

BigRigTom

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I keep seeing you guys posting these, what you call "small runs" of less than a 100 balls and I am still trying to break my high run of 27!
It was starting to sort of get to me but then I had a little talk with myself and examined where I am with my game as a whole.
What I realized is that I love the challenge of straight pool but I really enjoy playing 9 ball.
I enjoy 9 ball more because of the fast pace and the need to move around the tables more and hit the balls harder and use all kinds of different strokes, speeds, spins and techniques to get shape on the next shot. Precisions cue ball positioning is not as critical in 9 ball as it is in 8 ball and straight pool.
In 9 ball if I run 9 balls I'm smiling and breaking a new rack while in straight pool if I run 9 balls I am barely half way thru a rack and usually by this time I am in trouble some where on the table. I then wind up missing a very simple basic shot because I am too mentally engaged in trying to make sure I will have a break ball scenario worked out at the end of the rack.
In the final analysis I have made some really nice improvements in my game over all. I see patterns in both 8 ball and 9 ball that I never saw before I started playing a lot of straight pool. I have cue ball control that is far beyond what it used to be a year ago. I think nothing of running out in 9 ball and I am able to sometimes play a killer safe in 8 ball the virtually guarantees me ball in hand. Breaking and running in 8 ball is not such a monumental task anymore. Shooting soft controlled follow shots is becoming a natural thing and stop shots are simple routine. Avoiding collisions with balls or intentionally nudging balls into a better position is becoming second nature.
In short I just wanted to let your guys know that I don't have to run a hundred to get a lot of satisfaction out of playing straight pool. Who knows some day I may be able to run a hundred too but for now I am happy just benefitting from trying to break that stupid 27 high run of mine!
Thanks for all your help everyone!
 
Hi Tommy :)
don t call yourself stupid just because of a *27*. Straight-Pool is just a discipline which affords tons of training. When i read your thread it is clear for me that you re a good shooter on the *fast* games. Me for example *don t like* 9-ball that much. I prefer 14.1,8-Ball and since 2 month also begun *to like* 10-ball more and more. I m also not a 100 balls runner, but it s my thing where i am satisfied- and everyone here saying also *dumbs high* for a 20, if someone is lucky about this.

No matter what level a players is- he plays the game with the same enthusiasm like a *pro* - so there s absolutley no reason to talk negative about a *lower* run. That would be anyway something i wouldn t like-i hate if ppl talking negative about other guys just because they think they re better....

Just have fun Tommy- and how Jimmy Reid used to say*No time for negative!"

lg from overseas,

Ingo
 
Thanks for posting I use to feel the same way. Straight Pool can be so boring at times you want to pull your hair out but it is a game of patience and precision. Keep playing it no matter what you numbers are and just enjoy the benefits the game will have on your nine ball game. I have been playing straight pool for the last year and it has boosted my nine ball game immensely.
 
See, everyone tells you that straight pool will help and improve all other games. if you run as many in 9 ball as you are in straight pool you might have more fun running 2 racks of 9 ball. but if you improve your straight pool and see that you run 20´s and then 30´s and so on on a regular basis you will definetly prefer straight pool. to me its the best game in the world, always was and always will be. my high run in 9 ball is 10 racks but i would trade that anytime for a run of 100 in 14.1

Also, most of the time 1 ball in straight pool is enough to create a run. thats up to your abilities but in 9 ball, how often do you get good position to run out after the break. I just want to say its easier to run 50 in 14.1 regularly then running 5 or more racks in 9 ball.
 
Sound Great

I like the way you wrote your feelings down.
There is nothing wrong with that type of an analysis of your skill level.
There are many great 9-ball players out there that can not play 14.1 well & there are many great 14.1 players that can not play 9-ball well. Including
myself. I can hold my own but that is all.
Practice & play your 9-ball and build up your skill level in that game b/c there are skill levels in that game as well. Go back to 14.1 once in a while.
You will see that as your level in 9-ball steps up in skill. Your practices with 14.1 will improve too. By the way, there is nothing wrong with 27. Many people are trying to get out of the first rack. Hang in there. I enjoy reading your post and they are always complimentary toward people.
 
Last edited:
Tom, I still struggle to get over 30 this year myself. Straight pool is very demanding game in terms of planning and aiming and position play. I don't have time to play as often as I wish now and when I do I miss an easy shot because I was at the same time thinking of bumping a cluster to create a break ball, or I ruin a simple end pattern - because I didn't finish straight on my key ball to key ball, or I finished on the wrong side of it. Just like last week I produced only 24 stopping 4 balls before the next rack, which were easy out and over 30 for sure.
It's very much different from 9-Ball where I can come out all guns shooting and play some 4-rails position and still get a next shot. But you are right, playing straight pool RIGHT (or trying to do so) at any level gonna lift one's game up. Like my friend who started playing 14.1 after about two years of me persuading him (it didn't fit his tempo and game perception) told me that after straight pool practice session he played a little 8-Ball gamble match and ran 2 packs back-to-back! No wonder, 8-Ball is like an open book after 14.1 ;)
We should all remember that those who are about to run a hundred (good luck to them!) started with modest numbers in majority, and should never lose hope.
 
Keep on truckin' friend. I'm also playing in the 20's at the local room but hope to slowly improve once my table is up and running. These guys make it look much easier than it really is, especially for a [14.1] beginner like me. I have played 8-Ball most my life but this game has me by the centennials. I think it's the allure of playing what to me is the classic game of pool. That and learning something new is always fun and challenging for me.

One thing I've decided on was getting some good coaching. I am hoping to get Mr. Goettlicher over to my house later this summer for a day long class for me and the kids. I want to get them started on the right foot and I really need someone to evaluate my game and and set a course for improvement. He's actually from here and will be in the area this summer. To say I'm looking forward to it is a gross understatement.

Keep on knocking out those 20's and rest assured, the 30's are right around the corner. Enjoy the journey and most of all have fun.

Cheers,
RG
 
BigRigTom said:
I keep seeing you guys posting these, what you call "small runs" of less than a 100 balls and I am still trying to break my high run of 27!
It was starting to sort of get to me but then I had a little talk with myself and examined where I am with my game as a whole.
What I realized is that I love the challenge of straight pool but I really enjoy playing 9 ball.
I enjoy 9 ball more because of the fast pace and the need to move around the tables more and hit the balls harder and use all kinds of different strokes, speeds, spins and techniques to get shape on the next shot. Precisions cue ball positioning is not as critical in 9 ball as it is in 8 ball and straight pool.
In 9 ball if I run 9 balls I'm smiling and breaking a new rack while in straight pool if I run 9 balls I am barely half way thru a rack and usually by this time I am in trouble some where on the table. I then wind up missing a very simple basic shot because I am too mentally engaged in trying to make sure I will have a break ball scenario worked out at the end of the rack.
In the final analysis I have made some really nice improvements in my game over all. I see patterns in both 8 ball and 9 ball that I never saw before I started playing a lot of straight pool. I have cue ball control that is far beyond what it used to be a year ago. I think nothing of running out in 9 ball and I am able to sometimes play a killer safe in 8 ball the virtually guarantees me ball in hand. Breaking and running in 8 ball is not such a monumental task anymore. Shooting soft controlled follow shots is becoming a natural thing and stop shots are simple routine. Avoiding collisions with balls or intentionally nudging balls into a better position is becoming second nature.
In short I just wanted to let your guys know that I don't have to run a hundred to get a lot of satisfaction out of playing straight pool. Who knows some day I may be able to run a hundred too but for now I am happy just benefitting from trying to break that stupid 27 high run of mine!
Thanks for all your help everyone!
Click to expand...

Tom: I know what you mean. Every day I hear from Bill that he doesn't have it cuz he missed at 54, or 65 or 84. I sure would like to be good enough to put up those numbers.

But, my numbers have gone up and I still enjoy attacking the racks and figuring out patterns and trying to break out balls and leave a safety shot and bumping and nudging break balls into position. Even if I miss, I still kind of like it if I got close.

Keep the faith. AS you can see, it has improved your overall play to where you almost take for granted a run out in 8 or 9 ball.
 
I almost quit playing pool for good, after getting so frustrated with 14.1. Now I have found a side pocket break shot that opens up the stack like a nice 8ball break! Still on my quest to break my high run of 29:embarrassed2:
 
Tom

For the short time you have been playing straight pool 27 a damn good run. Getting into the third rack of has not been accomplished by a lot of pool players and you are very close to doing it.

The bottom line is to have fun, if you have more fun practicing 9 ball than do it. If you want to play 14.1 don't put a lot of pressure on yourself to run a big number, just try to play the proper way and the runs will eventually get bigger and bigger.

John says I should play more nine ball to let my stroke out more often, the problem is a get bored after about 15 minutes and I don't have any fun. So for me its back to 14.1.

At the SBE I was watching one of John's 10 ball matches. After the match John said he looked over at me and I was asleep, lol. I have never fell asleep during one of his straight pool matches. I have a friend that is at all the major tournaments that I attend and he can't watch 14.1 for more than 10 minutes but he loves to watch 1 pocket. So do what ever makes you happy, that what pool is all about.

Bill
 
BigRigTom said:
I keep seeing you guys posting these, what you call "small runs" of less than a 100 balls and I am still trying to break my high run of 27!
It was starting to sort of get to me but then I had a little talk with myself and examined where I am with my game as a whole.
What I realized is that I love the challenge of straight pool but I really enjoy playing 9 ball.
I enjoy 9 ball more because of the fast pace and the need to move around the tables more and hit the balls harder and use all kinds of different strokes, speeds, spins and techniques to get shape on the next shot. Precisions cue ball positioning is not as critical in 9 ball as it is in 8 ball and straight pool.
In 9 ball if I run 9 balls I'm smiling and breaking a new rack while in straight pool if I run 9 balls I am barely half way thru a rack and usually by this time I am in trouble some where on the table. I then wind up missing a very simple basic shot because I am too mentally engaged in trying to make sure I will have a break ball scenario worked out at the end of the rack.
In the final analysis I have made some really nice improvements in my game over all. I see patterns in both 8 ball and 9 ball that I never saw before I started playing a lot of straight pool. I have cue ball control that is far beyond what it used to be a year ago. I think nothing of running out in 9 ball and I am able to sometimes play a killer safe in 8 ball the virtually guarantees me ball in hand. Breaking and running in 8 ball is not such a monumental task anymore. Shooting soft controlled follow shots is becoming a natural thing and stop shots are simple routine. Avoiding collisions with balls or intentionally nudging balls into a better position is becoming second nature.
In short I just wanted to let your guys know that I don't have to run a hundred to get a lot of satisfaction out of playing straight pool. Who knows some day I may be able to run a hundred too but for now I am happy just benefitting from trying to break that stupid 27 high run of mine!
Thanks for all your help everyone!
Click to expand...

Nothing stupid about running 27 balls. We all (and I mean ALL) had/have to start somewhere. I like your attitude about the game. Often times, we tend to focus on the negative, but in truth, it's the positive that keeps bringing us back to the game.

I recently had a similar experience where I switched back to 10 ball and was pleasantly surprised at my new level of confidence in it. I think your attitude is right on. It's not always about high runs (although it seems like this forum is starting to become a bit of a competition of high runs for a few players), but more about enjoying the game of 14.1, and as you have already witnessed, how it can improve your overall game.

Keep up the good work.

Ray
 
Last edited:
Im right there with you Tom. I prefer 9 ball and 10 ball to any other pool game. Its what I have grown up playing and is my forte. I am in a straight pool frenzy at the moment though, the more I learn the better I get, the better I am getting, the more I am trying to learn. Its kinda weird but my motivation is growing the more I learn. Also playing straight pool on my tough diamond has really forced me to stick to my preshot routine and also has forced me to use an almost perfect stroke now. I will warm up with ten ball and the brainwash drill and then play straight pool. I dont want to get so immersed in 14.1 that I lose anything in my rotation games.

Tom, 27 is not bad at all brother. Try to find your weaknesses and spend 15 to 20 minutes a day working on them. I guarantee you will improve that run.

I always enjoy your upbeat posts so don't let numbers get you down buddy.

Take care.
 
Right On

Marop said:
Tom

For the short time you have been playing straight pool 27 a damn good run. Getting into the third rack of has not been accomplished by a lot of pool players and you are very close to doing it.

The bottom line is to have fun, if you have more fun practicing 9 ball than do it. If you want to play 14.1 don't put a lot of pressure on yourself to run a big number, just try to play the proper way and the runs will eventually get bigger and bigger.

John says I should play more nine ball to let my stroke out more often, the problem is a get bored after about 15 minutes and I don't have any fun. So for me its back to 14.1.

At the SBE I was watching one of John's 10 ball matches. After the match John said he looked over at me and I was asleep, lol. I have never fell asleep during one of his straight pool matches. I have a friend that is at all the major tournaments that I attend and he can't watch 14.1 for more than 10 minutes but he loves to watch 1 pocket. So do what ever makes you happy, that what pool is all about.

Bill
Click to expand...



Bill,
"You hit the nail on the head"
I totally agree with your whole statement. I had touch on those points in my earlier comment above. He needs to play the game that gives him the most enjoyment but go back to the other games once in a while.
Tom, myself and I am sure the other guys are waiting for your reply after you read these comments of ours. I hope that we have all helped you & others that might feel the way that you do. Like I said in my last sentence of my comment above. I really do mean it.
 
Last edited:
sascha said:
my high run in 9 ball is 10 racks but i would trade that anytime for a run of 100 in 14.1
Click to expand...

I don't even see how that's possible. You have to shoot so straight to run 10 racks of 9b in a row. I figure 10 rack runners are also more than capable of 100 in 14.1.

I'm not so sure I'd make that trade, you can actually make some money with that kind of 9b firepower :o
 
CreeDo said:
I don't even see how that's possible. You have to shoot so straight to run 10 racks of 9b in a row. I figure 10 rack runners are also more than capable of 100 in 14.1.

I'm not so sure I'd make that trade, you can actually make some money with that kind of 9b firepower :o
Click to expand...

I was kinda thinking the same thing creedo. Sascha you need to go play on the Seminole Pro Tour!
 
It was on a 9ft table, ran 8 racks twice on it, too. why should it not be possible ??? I did not say that i ran 1-9 all the time, sometimes you have a golden break or a combo but i believe i ran 6 of the 10 out, 3 combos and a 9 on the break. There are guys that ran more then 10 on a 9 ft.

And yes, i ran over 100 in 14.1, 141 to be exact so far.....
 
center pocket said:
I was kinda thinking the same thing creedo. Sascha you need to go play on the Seminole Pro Tour!
Click to expand...


lol, i might play some events if i would be living in Florida (actually it´s my dream to live there) but as i am living in germany it´s not working for me to play there :wink:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top