Lefties

LWD said:
I still haven't given up on this idea.

Yesterday I was attending the finals of the Diamond Pool Tour event here in Tucson (won by Scott Frost--no surprise). I happened to notice that 5 of the 16 finalists were left-handed players. This equates to 31% and since the percent of left handers in the population is only 10%, this means that lefties were more than three times their expected percentage.

Now I realize:
A) This is a very small sample, and
B) If it proves anything it might be that lefties are better than right-handed players on average. (There were 64 players in the event but I did not attend the first day so I didn't have a chance to sample the larger group.)

Maybe somebody who plays in a large league could take a larger sample. I still (seriously) think there might be something to this.
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If you must be appeased...

Left-handers are using their right side of their brain when using their left hand. The right side controls or at least is responsible for spatial relations. Is that an advantage? Probably.

Left-handers also play against more right-handers compared to right-handers playing against left-handers. If you subscribe to the theory that a righty will play to the "right side of the table," and lefties do the other side, then there's going to be that small percentage of misses and leaves that suddenly are more difficult for the opposite-handed player. Since lefties see more righty leaves/misses, then they're more "used to" seeing that side of the opposing table.

Goofy reasonings, IMO, but I suppose if you're looking for an advantage, there are two, minute as they may be.

Freddie <~~~ disadvantaged
 
I do everything right handed except play pool. The reason is that when I first picked up a cue, I knew absolutely nothing about the sport and instinctively put my right hand forward as the bridge hand. This seemed logical as a right handed person.

I unwittingly programmed my game as a leftie.

Perhaps there are many others who have done the same and that's whey there are so many lefties.
 
ShakesSea said:
There is a disproportionate number of lefties in sports in general. I've read that lefties tend to go toward the extremes in performance, either being well above or below average in comparison to righties. If that's true, it makes sense that there are a disproportionate number of well performing lefties in pool.
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Not sure I agree with this. The usual myth is that lefties are more creative. The right side of the brain does hold the vision center. With a smaller sample it may be that the "extremes" stand out more.
 
Slim Limpy said:
Lack of left handed cues also explains why I, as a leftie, have to shoot upside down with my feet on the ceiling so that when I shoot the cuemakers engraving (when it is applied horizontally on the cue) appears right-side up to people who are watching me shoot.

I had my nickname engraved on one of my first cues and the manufacturer of course engraved it from the rear towards the front of the cue and so it is upside down to anyone looking at it when I shoot left-handed. So now I shoot upside down when I use that cue. Otherwise people start calling me "ypmiL milS".
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They'd be wondering if you're related to Donny... :wink:

I received a custom cue from Jeff Olney in 2006 that had his signature between the points going the other way, from front to back. I called him and told him that he should play the percentages that most players are right handed and so he should sign from back to front.

He took the suggestion. :thumbup:

best,
brian kc
 
Jimi Hendrix played pretty sporty with a right handed cue. But he always got the 6 and didn't mind.
 
Cornerman said:
If you must be appeased...

Goofy reasonings, IMO, but I suppose if you're looking for an advantage, there are two, minute as they may be.
Click to expand...

Lefties also tend to be more ambidextrous than righties, since they live in a right-handed world. This could make off-hand shots a bit easier, giving them a slight advantage.

Thank you kindly.
 
rrick33 said:
I do everything right handed except play pool. The reason is that when I first picked up a cue, I knew absolutely nothing about the sport and instinctively put my right hand forward as the bridge hand. This seemed logical as a right handed person.

I unwittingly programmed my game as a leftie.

Perhaps there are many others who have done the same and that's whey there are so many lefties.
Click to expand...

same with me. how old were you when this happened?

i can remember being 7 years old, getting my first skateboard, and the more controlled foot went forward.

and also seeing the table stick carom game at that point and going lefty for the same reason, and that i was naturally going to turn sideways and look forward with my right foot. i know i got my first baseball glove at 8.

if i were to fire a rifle, i'd go righty. but if i were to try archery, i'm not sure which side i'd opt for.
 
I am a righty. I am horrible lefty at throwing a ball or trying to write. When I was a kid and first picked up a cue I held it lefty. Never had any clue as to why until I came to this forum. I found a thread on here about being left or right eye dominant and it all clicked. My right eye is awful but my left is much better. Turns out the brain is pretty damn smart and told me to use the good eye over the cue. Must of been tired of watching the balls bang into the rails...
 
The neural pathway between the hemispheres, called the corpus callosum, is usually larger in lefties. Their brains really are wired differently. Many functions that are usually "lateralized" or specific to one side of the brain can be found in either or both hemispheres with left handed people. This can possibly lead to some different abilities, but can definitely can lead to a higher prevalence of some neurological ailments.
 
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