I’d heard of Houle several years ago on the Billiard Digest site but his technique was never really explained in the detail you see today via diagrams and videos.
No Aiming System?
- Thread starter nitekram
- Start date
I’d heard of Houle several years ago on the Billiard Digest site but his technique was never really explained in the detail you see today via diagrams and videos.
Hal Houle was on the road many years with Ralph Greenleaf in the 30's and 40's.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Greenleaf
http://untoldstoriesbilliardshistor.../poolsynergy-4-ralph-greenleaf-or-willie.html
He started posting on RSB (recsportbilliards) in 1997. Hal listed his home phone # on the forum and invited any one interested to give him a call for discussion and instruction of a few systems. He developed over 20 of them.
Hal was pounced on and attacked almost immediately by a few guys. A couple of them are still around doing the same thing on this forum. They were the originators. It's going on 21 years now. CTE, Hal, and those who use and promote it have taken over their lives and infected their brains to the point where they can't let it go. Hal always laughed heartily at it and at them. If he was still alive he'd be laughing even harder.
RIP HAL. WE ALL LOVE YOU AND WILL NEVER FORGET!!
Last edited:
Great post, Spider. If another man or woman covers balls from view and starts cutting 'em in blind, I'll want to hear THEIR systems, too!
Everyone learns differently. There are many methods of obtaining knowledge. Some people can't grasp information when presented in one manner, but another manner makes perfect sense.
This is likely part of the reason that many different aiming systems have been developed. Someone found a way that works for them, and wants to share it.
And you guys that say that you got there by hitting a million balls, well....you developed your own system. Subconsciously. But its there. Its the same method, the same approach, the same thought process, addressing the ball the same way, in a manner that works for you. So yes, Virginia, everyone uses a system, and has, all along...
This is likely part of the reason that many different aiming systems have been developed. Someone found a way that works for them, and wants to share it.
And you guys that say that you got there by hitting a million balls, well....you developed your own system. Subconsciously. But its there. Its the same method, the same approach, the same thought process, addressing the ball the same way, in a manner that works for you. So yes, Virginia, everyone uses a system, and has, all along...
It's not that hard to do even for an amateur (ever try it yourself?) and I'd be shocked if there were a professional player anywhere who could not do this feat with great accuracy. I will say that Stan does it very well, but IMO it is not verification for any particular aiming system.
Of course any long time pool player knows where the pockets are to at least a pretty close approximation. The rails point directly to them, but we even make back cuts where that isn’t so obvious. With some specific practice I’m sure you can get pretty good at it.
Has nothing to do with any aiming system (except maybe Poolology, which uses the diamonds to indicate fractional cuts).
pj
chgo
Maybe Lou will chime in. He has a funny story about finding the pockets in the dark.
I'll cover up the pockets and let you shoot back cuts all day. You might get lucky and make one every once in a while. A CTE user will have a much higher percentage of making them
Back in 2012 I took a lesson from Ray Martin at his house. The whole thing is here:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=267014
The story about finding pockets in the dark that Dan was alluding to is this part:
#####
So after some additional discussion on the matter of break shots, I was about to begin, and decided that being the good student I was, I’d start with a behind the stack break. And then the lights went out. No really -- all the lights went out. Right before there’d been a distant “pop” and Ray said, “A transformer has gone out.” The whole neighborhood was without power. Cathy, his companion, called the power company and we debated as to what to do and I opted to press on with just the light from a sliding glass door and one other window in the room. It actually wasn’t too bad and the only time I had a bit of trouble was when shooting directly towards the left side of the table with the sliding doors providing a strong backlight that made it difficult to see the rail on that side of the table. I remember getting up off one shot and then getting back into shooting position grousing, “It’s tough to see the side pocket,“ and Ray unforgivingly cracked, “It hasn’t moved -- it’s in the same spot it’s been for the last 100 years.” Blessedly, after about an hour, the power company paid a visit and the lights blazed back on.
#####
For the record, Ray was right -- I made the shot because the pocket was right where it was suppose to be.
Lou Figueroa
lol Sure he will.
And a shishkebob user will say shishkebob users will make the highest percentage. And a 90-90 user will say 90-90 users will make the highest percentage. And a parallel lines user will ... etc.
You like CTE; we get it already. Your constant hyperbolic advertisements for it only demonstrate that you don't know the difference between subjective (what you like) and objective (what's inherently better for everybody). No aiming system is inherently better for everybody.
pj
chgo
No it's not inherently better for everyone,never said it was.
But your constant fidgeting can't be best for everyone either.
I'll still make more back cuts though with the pocket blocked, because i have objective aim reference lines to zero in on. What will you be relying on?
PS your "close approximation will not get the job done"
lol
If you have to try to insult the skill of somebody you've never seen play, maybe you should rethink your "arguments".
pj
chgo
Or, you can shut everyone up as they watch in awe while you perform your magic at the pool table on a video. Anything your heart desires for at least 5 minutes.
I could be wrong, but to my knowledge you've never done anything and posted it.
If so, repost it or make a new one of your choice.
( I sense double talk, moonwalking, and tap dancing coming up along with insults to me)
Last edited:
-------------------------
Last edited:
Yeah, we can see how well that's worked for you.
pj
chgo
One of those slick Pat Johnson comebacks designed to take the focus off you and reverse it to someone else. You've been doing it for two decades.
Here's what you can do that I did along with others. Colin Colenso's potting test.
How's that?
Dan White and I have had our battles on here but I DO RESPECT him for showing his stuff on video with Colin's test. He proved he can make balls with good form.
Lou has posted a video of himself running 100 (or slightly more) in 14.1. I respect that.
You? Nothing but the mouth. Get out of your comfort zone and post yourself at the table. Like I said 5 minutes minimum or more.
You ARE an instructor or claim to be. This should be a simple task.
------------------
Last edited:
"WAITING" is OK. Just don't hold your breath while doing so or sip any alcoholic drinks. You'll end up getting blind drunk and still waiting or dead from not breathing.
One of these days I could be surprised but I doubt it. He's right around the corner from turning 71 years of age and since he's never done it from 50 on, it's not going to happen at this point.
You've posted several videos and not only haven't they made you any more credible to me, the fact that you think they should makes you less credible to me. So what would I be trying to accomplish?
Oh yeah, gaining your respect. Guess I'll have to suck it up and try to learn to live without that.
pj
chgo