I've been uploading some old articles out of National Billiard News and came across this opinion piece, credited to Myron Zownir. I thought it belonged here...
What makes a “Pool Game,” whichever one is played, exciting and interesting to watch or to play? Without the input and output of the knowledge and skill of the combatants, the balls on the table would remain as a still life on a field of green.
I’ve heard them say that straight-pool is boring to watch, but not to the players that love the game. If the watchers are just watching the balls go into the pockets, then they are watching the game in the “wrong” way. The balls are supposed to go into the pockets, whatever the game. The ball to watch is the cue-ball (whitey), and the way it moves subtly around and into the other balls, to get to the desired spot for the correct angle for the next shot and the next.
The only way to derive any pleasure and knowledge by watching, is to play the game mentally with the player at the table. No one knows what the player is thinking, but we can learn by observing the purpose and the
reason for the movement of the cue-ball. Try watching the next game you see with this in mind, and you will see that it is not as boring as they say it is.
In the game of 9-ball, the numbers on the balls dictate how you have to play the rack to win the game. If the numbers travel to the right places, you have a chance to run-out. But, we know that is not always the case. You should “read” the table each time when it is your turn to shoot. If you cannot get to the third ball easily — 1-2-3, 2-3-4, 3-4-5, 6-7-8-9, then you have to think of snookering your opponent, any time in the game, to get the cue-ball in hand.
Fancy kicking and jump shots look exciting, but how many are successful — 10%? If you are going to depend on luck, then don’t complain if it doesn’t come your way. In your position play, don’t get too close to the next shot. Don’t bump into other balls. Stay out in the open and in the correct position to get to the next shot. Two feet is the desired spot for maneuverability of the cue-ball. Watch the top players, Sigel, Strickland and Varner, and you’ll see what I mean. Don’t depend on luck, but if it comes your way, accept it.
Now, when we look at Straight pool — that’s a horse of a different color! In 14.1, no two players will play the rack the same way. Your knowledge, skill and playing principles will prevail. Knowing what to do, and when to do it, is the key to success. Good pool playing is in avoiding the necessity of making hard shots. So, your position has to be more precise and closer to the object ball. You have to always play the angles, the patterns, the breaking of small and large clusters, and the use of key-balls as back-up shots.
Respect your equipment, especially your cue-tip. Keep it shaped and scuffed. It is attention to detail that makes all the difference that separates the winners from the losers.
If your opponent hits you with a run of 50, 70, 100 or more, you have to follow that “act” and get back into the game without the next three innings, without him increasing his lead, or the chance of winning is nil. That is why straight pool (mentally) is the toughest game that was ever devised by mortal man. It commands complete dedication and concentration.
In baseball, you could be considered a great player and be put into the Hall of Fame, even though you “failed 65% of the time,” with an average of .350. In no way can you survive in the open games with that average. Eighty to 99% is possible in a match, and nobody stays at those percentages very long.
I met Al Gassner (the Silver Fox), after he came back to the game after a 15 year retirement. He became my mentor in 14.1. Besides being the nicest person that I have ever met in the pool game, he was the best position player that I have ever seen then, and up until now. He had “whitey” under his control. We played for about two years, and I think I was instrumental in getting him back into shape and stroke. In no time, he was running 100 balls almost every night, on any table. In the 1964 World’s Pocket Billiards Championships, he defeated top four finishers, Lassiter, Crane, McGown and Eufemia.
We’ve all heard of those high-runs of 625, 526, 309 and 278, but they were all fantastic accidents that happened. None of those players knew that those runs were going to be accomplished before they started. Don’t get me wrong — they were great players and those runs were terrific. But the most amazing run I ever witnessed was just a rack of balls, yes, just 15 balls, because Al Gassner told me what he was going to do, before he started. On a table that we never played on before, and after he made the break shot, some of the balls (about six) remained in a close cluster (not frozen) near the foot spot, a few against the rails, and the others sprinkled around. He studied the layout for a few seconds and then told me he would run the rack without touching another ball at any time, pocketing one ball at a time, no combinations, and get to the break shot which he designated at the start. I thought it would be impossible because a few balls were very close to each other. But, he did it — his position play was perfect. Now, that’s pool played with complete control, which I never expect to see again. He “read” that table right, and his skill and confidence prevailed. Try that sometime and see how difficult it is.
Straight Pool — boring! Not if you know how to watch it or to play it.
What makes a “Pool Game,” whichever one is played, exciting and interesting to watch or to play? Without the input and output of the knowledge and skill of the combatants, the balls on the table would remain as a still life on a field of green.
I’ve heard them say that straight-pool is boring to watch, but not to the players that love the game. If the watchers are just watching the balls go into the pockets, then they are watching the game in the “wrong” way. The balls are supposed to go into the pockets, whatever the game. The ball to watch is the cue-ball (whitey), and the way it moves subtly around and into the other balls, to get to the desired spot for the correct angle for the next shot and the next.
The only way to derive any pleasure and knowledge by watching, is to play the game mentally with the player at the table. No one knows what the player is thinking, but we can learn by observing the purpose and the
reason for the movement of the cue-ball. Try watching the next game you see with this in mind, and you will see that it is not as boring as they say it is.
In the game of 9-ball, the numbers on the balls dictate how you have to play the rack to win the game. If the numbers travel to the right places, you have a chance to run-out. But, we know that is not always the case. You should “read” the table each time when it is your turn to shoot. If you cannot get to the third ball easily — 1-2-3, 2-3-4, 3-4-5, 6-7-8-9, then you have to think of snookering your opponent, any time in the game, to get the cue-ball in hand.
Fancy kicking and jump shots look exciting, but how many are successful — 10%? If you are going to depend on luck, then don’t complain if it doesn’t come your way. In your position play, don’t get too close to the next shot. Don’t bump into other balls. Stay out in the open and in the correct position to get to the next shot. Two feet is the desired spot for maneuverability of the cue-ball. Watch the top players, Sigel, Strickland and Varner, and you’ll see what I mean. Don’t depend on luck, but if it comes your way, accept it.
Now, when we look at Straight pool — that’s a horse of a different color! In 14.1, no two players will play the rack the same way. Your knowledge, skill and playing principles will prevail. Knowing what to do, and when to do it, is the key to success. Good pool playing is in avoiding the necessity of making hard shots. So, your position has to be more precise and closer to the object ball. You have to always play the angles, the patterns, the breaking of small and large clusters, and the use of key-balls as back-up shots.
Respect your equipment, especially your cue-tip. Keep it shaped and scuffed. It is attention to detail that makes all the difference that separates the winners from the losers.
If your opponent hits you with a run of 50, 70, 100 or more, you have to follow that “act” and get back into the game without the next three innings, without him increasing his lead, or the chance of winning is nil. That is why straight pool (mentally) is the toughest game that was ever devised by mortal man. It commands complete dedication and concentration.
In baseball, you could be considered a great player and be put into the Hall of Fame, even though you “failed 65% of the time,” with an average of .350. In no way can you survive in the open games with that average. Eighty to 99% is possible in a match, and nobody stays at those percentages very long.
I met Al Gassner (the Silver Fox), after he came back to the game after a 15 year retirement. He became my mentor in 14.1. Besides being the nicest person that I have ever met in the pool game, he was the best position player that I have ever seen then, and up until now. He had “whitey” under his control. We played for about two years, and I think I was instrumental in getting him back into shape and stroke. In no time, he was running 100 balls almost every night, on any table. In the 1964 World’s Pocket Billiards Championships, he defeated top four finishers, Lassiter, Crane, McGown and Eufemia.
We’ve all heard of those high-runs of 625, 526, 309 and 278, but they were all fantastic accidents that happened. None of those players knew that those runs were going to be accomplished before they started. Don’t get me wrong — they were great players and those runs were terrific. But the most amazing run I ever witnessed was just a rack of balls, yes, just 15 balls, because Al Gassner told me what he was going to do, before he started. On a table that we never played on before, and after he made the break shot, some of the balls (about six) remained in a close cluster (not frozen) near the foot spot, a few against the rails, and the others sprinkled around. He studied the layout for a few seconds and then told me he would run the rack without touching another ball at any time, pocketing one ball at a time, no combinations, and get to the break shot which he designated at the start. I thought it would be impossible because a few balls were very close to each other. But, he did it — his position play was perfect. Now, that’s pool played with complete control, which I never expect to see again. He “read” that table right, and his skill and confidence prevailed. Try that sometime and see how difficult it is.
Straight Pool — boring! Not if you know how to watch it or to play it.