I can't remember a time where the level of play has been any higher than it is right now in these big tournaments the play has been rediculasly good and the fields never stronger
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Is the level of play at a all time high
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With the international numbers and "world" tournaments that are not just 100 americans and 15 others I could not agree more. Instructional materials widely available for little to nothing thanks to the internet its only going to get better hopefully.
i was only able to sweat the last match and was ignorant as to the table specs. it's possible my criticism is unjust
The break
Now, most players of great caliber have learned to have a break where they make a designated ball and somewhat position on the one ball so it seems like the caliber of play is better, but the guys in my generation played just as well as now, disregarding the break shot.
Now, most players of great caliber have learned to have a break where they make a designated ball and somewhat position on the one ball so it seems like the caliber of play is better, but the guys in my generation played just as well as now, disregarding the break shot.
I think the break knowledge has a lot to do with it players today like Shane are rack masters , back in the day I'm dating myself you put the balls in the rack and hit it with everything you had , hardly the case today
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The break improvement is a given, but were there any players back then who could do everything as well as today's players? I know there were guys who could kick well, like Efren, but he couldn't jump like today's players. Buddy played great position but his kicking game wasn't as sharp as today's players was it?
It seems to me like today's top guys have a total game that is almost flawless. Pocketing on very tight tables, position, safety games are tight, kicking not just to hit but to get safe, jumps while playing position also. Today's game is tight!
You are 100% correct. The level of play today is amazing!
Its not even close to the same as the "old" days.
It's arguable.
Today's players are certainly the best breakers ever, but rack your own and pattern racking are part of the reason. Then again, as reported on this forum, both Jeff DeLuna and Mike Dechaine have broken at 38+ MPH, and nobody in past generations of players broke that hard.
Today's players are the best ball pocketers ever for sure. The number of straight shooters has never been greater, and even the best pocketer of the golden age, Luther Lassiter, shot no straighter than the best of today's crop.
I wouldn't say today's players the best pattern players ever, as Buddy Hall and Ralf Souquet remain, in my view, the best pattern players ever. The jump shot has made the run-out comparison near impossible, as players of yesteryear paid a greater price for position errors than those of today. The jump cue and the cue extension have also complicated the comparison.
Defensively, today's players are no better than those of twenty five years ago, and Reyes and Varner remain , in my mind, the two greatest defensive players ever. Pagulayan isn't far behind those two, however.
I think today's players are the best overall tacticians ever, with the Filippinos well ahead of the rest of today's crop in the use of multi-purpose shots.
Today's players are definitely better kickers than the players of yesteryear, although the kicking portion of the game was less important in the "shootout" version played in the days of old.
Guess the players today are the best ever, but not in all aspects fo the game.
Today's players are certainly the best breakers ever, but rack your own and pattern racking are part of the reason. Then again, as reported on this forum, both Jeff DeLuna and Mike Dechaine have broken at 38+ MPH, and nobody in past generations of players broke that hard.
Today's players are the best ball pocketers ever for sure. The number of straight shooters has never been greater, and even the best pocketer of the golden age, Luther Lassiter, shot no straighter than the best of today's crop.
I wouldn't say today's players the best pattern players ever, as Buddy Hall and Ralf Souquet remain, in my view, the best pattern players ever. The jump shot has made the run-out comparison near impossible, as players of yesteryear paid a greater price for position errors than those of today. The jump cue and the cue extension have also complicated the comparison.
Defensively, today's players are no better than those of twenty five years ago, and Reyes and Varner remain , in my mind, the two greatest defensive players ever. Pagulayan isn't far behind those two, however.
I think today's players are the best overall tacticians ever, with the Filippinos well ahead of the rest of today's crop in the use of multi-purpose shots.
Today's players are definitely better kickers than the players of yesteryear, although the kicking portion of the game was less important in the "shootout" version played in the days of old.
Guess the players today are the best ever, but not in all aspects fo the game.
I've watched a lot of classic pool, and I'm not sure I've ever seen a defensive play like this one.
https://youtu.be/BWoGcHKvn4w?t=19m43s
https://youtu.be/BWoGcHKvn4w?t=19m43s
When I saw the position, that's the first shot I thought of but then I play a lot of one pocket. He got a little lucky to get behind the two balls.
As for a comment above about jumping, for some of the top players using jump sticks, it's like the blocker isn't even in the way. Scary. Back in the day some players jumped but it was with the playing cue. I wouldn't mind a return to that part of the game.
(Note my use of extensive quotes)
I respectfully disagree, Jason...
If you look closely, equipment is much "truer" today than back in the "old days:"
Cloth is much faster, tables play more accurate, balls are more "polished,"
lighting is much better, chalk is of a better quality, cues are better balanced,
rails are more efficient, jump cues have allowed more "fascinating shots," etc., etc., etc.
Further, today's players have a much cleaner (and healthier) environment.
Yes, today's players appear to play much better,
but not because they necessarily have better shot-making skills, concentration, and/or eye-hand coordination.
It's because the pool milieu is conducive to a more "polished" player.
To say players today are better than those of yore, is like saying children are smarter today than those before them.
Children appear smarter only because they have access to technology (a.k.a. information).
Children's still must possess the innate skills in order to take advantage of that technology so as to rise to the top.
Allow for Ralph Greenleaf to acclimate himself into today's pool scene and I bet you all my last two bits, he would
be near the top. The guy had amazing innate pool skills.
Yes, "nature" is crucial to success, but "nurture" is just as important a component to that end.
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The best tournaments are deeper now with great players, but the best players of, say, thirty years ago I think played as well as the best players of today.
I just have to disagree. Tables didnt roll off and the rails IMHO played better( goldcrown) . Todays TOP players do everything better.
Isnt there another thread talking about the pros played with bushkas and its the greatest cue ever made? Dont see any pros playing with one today.
The chalk isnt any better.....unless you believe marketing BS. It almost hard to believe they ever made a ball before $30 chalk
I walked into a poolroom 3 years ago(grew up playing there) and broke and ran the first 5 racks - same lighting thats been there since they opened in the 70's.
I HEAR lots of excuses, but cant SEE any difference, except the cloth. BUT the pockets are tighter.
Jason
When I saw the position, that's the first shot I thought of but then I play a lot of one pocket. He got a little lucky to get behind the two balls.
As for a comment above about jumping, for some of the top players using jump sticks, it's like the blocker isn't even in the way. Scary. Back in the day some players jumped but it was with the playing cue. I wouldn't mind a return to that part of the game.
Same thing I was thinking, and I don't play one pocket. To me, banking it with a two way chance at a safe was the obvious choice there. Using inside gives you a good chance to get behind the two balls for a three way shot. Making the ball, leaving a long bank, leaving a hook.
As far as the players go, I believe they were just as good back in the day at running out as today. I'ts just that today there are a whole lot more great players than in the past. Lassiter used to state that if he saw someone miss more than once an hour, he knew he could beat them.
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