One year since I purchased a table..

RoryHunt

RoryHunt

The King of "so close."
Silver Member
When I first got the table, I was horrible. Never played in a league, always played the game drunk at a bar. We got a house and had room for a table or another TV and furniture, so we went with the table. In the last year, I have gone from horrible to a C+/B- player using the 9 ball scoring system where you play 10 games against the ghost with ball in hand, you are done when you miss, yadda yadda. More C+ than B- I should add.

I don't have a pool hall in town, and action at the bar is non existant, but at this current level or pace, how long does it take to get to B+ or even A-? I know everybody is different. I guess I am asking how long did it take any of you B+ to A- or A players out there to get to different levels. The last couple of months have seemed to slow down quite a bit as far as increasing my ability. I am sure that is normal, but I would hate to be this good forever.

Any feedback would be great and appreciated.
 
Congrats on getting a table and making the huge improvements in such short time.

In my opinion, and I'm sure many will disagree, but I think a B player is the best a player could get with just practice alone. The things that will take you to the next levels are pressure packed competition. You need to have all eyes on you, hill/hill to get some of that good "seasoning" that will take a player to the A range.

Ian
 
xianmacx said:
Congrats on getting a table and making the huge improvements in such short time.

In my opinion, and I'm sure many will disagree, but I think a B player is the best a player could get with just practice alone. The things that will take you to the next levels are pressure packed competition. You need to have all eyes on you, hill/hill to get some of that good "seasoning" that will take a player to the A range.

Ian
Click to expand...

That's what I figured. I am gonna have to go and hunt down some better players. I know they are out there. My neighbor and I are getting bored playing each other.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
You'll also need more knowledge. Playing in tournaments and leagues and against better players, you'll learn more about the game, and then your game will eventually get better. You could also read books and watch DVDs on pool, etc. You can only teach yourself so much without actually gaining more knowledge. Good luck!
 
Rory, Pool is a life long game. It is fun at every level from beginner to advanced. You have to be able to make the shots of course, but as your game advances so does you approach to the layout of the table. I suggest playing straight pool when you practice and get used to pocketing balls. It will also help you with your position play. Start paying attention to the cue ball. What the cue ball wants to do with natural shape. You will find the game getting easier when you don't move the cue ball so much. Enjoy your journey.
 
Slickstick9 said:
Rory, Pool is a life long game. It is fun at every level from beginner to advanced. You have to be able to make the shots of course, but as your game advances so does you approach to the layout of the table. I suggest playing straight pool when you practice and get used to pocketing balls. It will also help you with your position play. Start paying attention to the cue ball. What the cue ball wants to do with natural shape. You will find the game getting easier when you don't move the cue ball so much. Enjoy your journey.
Click to expand...

Very good advice there. Johnnyt
 
Seek instruction from an instructor recognized by the BCA. Most instructors travel a lot, and I'm sure someone would be willing to meet you in your home, or you could travel somewhere where an instructor is giving group lessons for a day or two. In my opinion, this is the best thing you can do to further your game. You can only learn so much on your own, after that, it's time to hand yourself over to a teacher.
 
im sorry i disagree with mark...i have never had a coach or an actual teacher anymore than anybody else would just learning from people giving you pointers and tips...what i do agree on is playing tournaments and cheap gambling to get better to get that pressure and learn to handle it...because if your goals are to reach an A level you better be ready to step it up when it counts. and anything above an A such as AA or AAA you have to accept the fact that you either run out...play a great safe or lose so the pressure is always there
 
I didn't reach B level (not B+) until 10 years, but I feel I could easily have done it in half that time with good instruction and a commitment to avoid bad habits. I spent years twisting in balls for no reason and only around the 7-8 year mark did I force myself to learn differently. I still fight the bad habits and that's a terrible waste of time.

So I think half the trick is to just get lucky enough to be taught well early and avoid wasting time grooving in bad habits. If someone can get to B in 5 years, I can't imagine they never reach A at some point over the next 10 or 20.
 
Rory, notice that these guys are talking YEARS. Stay with it though. It's a challenge at all the levels.
 
I started playing in 1991, stopped in 1998 and started up again in Feb. 2009. I bought first Brunswick Gold Crown 9' table in Jan. 2010. I just got it setup 2 weeks ago.

Below are my scores for both the Dr. Dave's 9 ball rating system and the Black Belt billiards rating system:

Dr. Dave's
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81 - 9 rating or A level player

Black Belt Billiards
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1450 - (falls within the Semi-Pro range)

Note: I don't think I shoot that consistently all the time. Plus, I'm doing it in the comfort of my own home without distraction. I would consider myself an upper B level player. I've also received some formal instruction from some pros.
 
I would have to agree with those that tell you that you need to get out and about and play others. Believe it or not, you can learn from not only players that play above your level, but as well as those that don't play at your level.
There are so many little things about pool and what happens between those little balls that can't be described or illustrated in a book. You have to see it for yourself, attempt to do it, and FEEL AND REMEMBER it when you sucessfully do it yourself.
dave
 
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