Played straight pool for the first time last night. high run 23! LOL

[Agent 99]

Unheard of is more like it.

I'm not sure where 'Unheard of' figures in here.

This is a player who has two years experience - and from what he says it has been a very active two years, nearly playing every day.

23 balls ... really? What's so hard to believe?

Run 14 balls, leave one key ball , make one break, and then pocket eight more balls.

I guess everyone has different learning curves, but I don't think there is any thing unrealistic about this.

So I will leave you this to digest ... at 16 years of age my 41.1 high run was at 73 after starting to play some 6 years prior. Much to my dismay, I was not the best player of my age at that time in New York.

Good rolls.

 

[Straightpool_99]

I was being tongue in cheek when I called you a prodigy. I"d have to see a non 14.1 player step up and just run 23. Sorry but it just seems a little far fetched to me. Good Shooting.

Not far fetched at all. If he is a good 10/9 ball player and plays one pocket as well, I'd not even be surprised at a run like that. I think the 30 mark is the first hurdle that separates the beginners from the slightly more experienced. Anybody can have a good break, run a rack and get decent on a break ball, but it gets more difficult when you have to run the rack from the breakshot you created. It's typical for people to break down in the second rack.

 

[Straightpool_99]

So I play a lot of one pocket, and have fun playing it.
Well I have had a few people from my pool hall try and get me to play straight pool to improve my game. Other than a couple of youtube videos and the small amount of ball running experience from one pocket, I have absolutely no idea wtf I'm doing lol.

I don't know what I'm doing playing rotation either often times either because my position play is still developing. Getting on the right side is becoming more of a reality but my speed still needs work.

I usually play on 9 ft tables but I run a 9 ball tournament on thursdays that it on 8 fts. As the tournament started progressing I had time to hop on an open 8 ft. After shooting a couple of stroke shots and banging balls my practice discipline voice kicked in the back of my head and said be productive and stop banging balls. So I lined a ball straight in the side, racked the rest and broke!

I scratched lol. Then tried again and used outside hitting the far head able lol. I ended up all the way done table -.-. Then I broke and ran a rack and a half for 23!

I had an blast. Even though I don't know much about the game it was a lot of fun and I'm going to start playing more often for sure.

Any direction or advice is greatly appreciated! Also resources, tips and tricks are too!

Congratulations on being bitten by the straight pool bug and with a good first run. When you learn this game it will help you with all your other games. It's also excellent for solo practice. There are many free resources online for straightpool, but I'd recommend anything where Blackjack is commenting or playing for learning purposes.

There are lots of videos on Accu-Stats as well. I personally recommend Mike Sigels 150 and out against Zuglan in the US open as the reference for how straight pool should be played, and with great commentary as well. If you are not familiar with the patterns and breakshots there is a good video by Grady Mathews on these topics.

 

[Cory in DC]

Not far fetched at all. If he is a good 10/9 ball player and plays one pocket as well, I'd not even be surprised at a run like that. I think the 30 mark is the first hurdle that separates the beginners from the slightly more experienced. Anybody can have a good break, run a rack and get decent on a break ball, but it gets more difficult when you have to run the rack from the breakshot you created. It's typical for people to break down in the second rack.

I'm with you.

Playing 4+ days a week with strong players and a bit of a knack is plenty to get up to strong B speed. He starts with a dead break shot, so the first 15 points are not all that hard. Then he makes firm enough contact with the next rack to run 9 balls (counting the break ball). Lucky and a bit unlikely? Sure. Implausible? Not at all.

 

[one stroke]

I'm with you.

Playing 4+ days a week with strong players and a bit of a knack is plenty to get up to strong B speed. He starts with a dead break shot, so the first 15 points are not all that hard. Then he makes firm enough contact with the next rack to run 9 balls (counting the break ball). Lucky and a bit unlikely? Sure. Implausible? Not at all.

Ya I agree although I would say it's not the norm , I've taught many to play pool and most even playing 4 days a week never hit strong B ,, I've had 3 that started under 14 by 16 they were consistent rack runners ,,
It's a much harder trick to pull if your older , strong B is pretty good pool ,, that's playing APA 7 level by the numbers that's about 10% of the players , A level would be about 5 pct , pro level I would say is about 2 pct if that

But I'll listen to the experts on that

1

 

[SilverCue]

I was being tongue in cheek when I called you a prodigy. I"d have to see a non 14.1 player step up and just run 23. Sorry but it just seems a little far fetched to me. Good Shooting.

This was from 1980 the 1st time I played in a 14.1 tourney.
I had 13 years of 8 ball and 9 ball experience.

Note, I not only ran 23 but won the tournament.

In 1987 I won a much larger 14.1 tournament with two runs over 50 in the final match.

That was the last time I played 14.1.

 

[Gotboost95]

Why is it lately on this forum that the first reaction is to pick someone's post apart and call bullshit. Or to talk down to someone else. It must be that the forum is full of so many masters, and pros that they have to turn their nose up at others....




I've played the game a couple of times. I Plan on playing it some more down the road. I'm about where your at but on a 9' table . I've hit 20 a couple of times. I'd have to agree the first rack is easy. But getting into the second rack hard enough to run it has been my nemesis.

Nice Shooting! Good luck in the future.

 

[Drop The Rock]

The basic advice always given is to first target balls that block the pockets, then break up clusters by identifying secondary break balls. Once the balls are spread out, try not to move them after that. Pick off the balls that open up your pattern. Leave potential break balls and identify the "key ball" - the ball that sets up your break shot. (Practice a wide variety of break shots. They more break shots you are confident with, the easier the game.)

Remember, there is a certain amount of luck involved with high runs and bad luck is just a roll away, so don't get frustrated or discouraged.

Thanks Tate. Good to hear from a long standing member! Awesome advice.

Congratulations on being bitten by the straight pool bug and with a good first run. When you learn this game it will help you with all your other games. It's also excellent for solo practice. There are many free resources online for straightpool, but I'd recommend anything where Blackjack is commenting or playing for learning purposes.

There are lots of videos on Accu-Stats as well. I personally recommend Mike Sigels 150 and out against Zuglan in the US open as the reference for how straight pool should be played, and with great commentary as well. If you are not familiar with the patterns and breakshots there is a good video by Grady Mathews on these topics.

Thanks man! I'll be pming you for advice!!

Why is it lately on this forum that the first reaction is to pick someone's post apart and call bullshit. Or to talk down to someone else. It must be that the forum is full of so many masters, and pros that they have to turn their nose up at others....




I've played the game a couple of times. I Plan on playing it some more down the road. I'm about where your at but on a 9' table . I've hit 20 a couple of times. I'd have to agree the first rack is easy. But getting into the second rack hard enough to run it has been my nemesis.

Nice Shooting! Good luck in the future.

Some truth to this!!

 

[jackpot]

safety valve

So I play a lot of one pocket, and have fun playing it.
Well I have had a few people from my pool hall try and get me to play straight pool to improve my game. Other than a couple of youtube videos and the small amount of ball running experience from one pocket, I have absolutely no idea wtf I'm doing lol.

I don't know what I'm doing playing rotation either often times either because my position play is still developing. Getting on the right side is becoming more of a reality but my speed still needs work.

I usually play on 9 ft tables but I run a 9 ball tournament on thursdays that it on 8 fts. As the tournament started progressing I had time to hop on an open 8 ft. After shooting a couple of stroke shots and banging balls my practice discipline voice kicked in the back of my head and said be productive and stop banging balls. So I lined a ball straight in the side, racked the rest and broke!

I scratched lol. Then tried again and used outside hitting the far head able lol. I ended up all the way done table -.-. Then I broke and ran a rack and a half for 23!

I had an blast. Even though I don't know much about the game it was a lot of fun and I'm going to start playing more often for sure.

Any direction or advice is greatly appreciated! Also resources, tips and tricks are too!

A lot of runs are stopped because all open balls are picked off but one
that is used to break up the remaining cluster. If at all possible do not
depend on the cluster for your next shot. Try to always have a ball left
that you can shoot if the cluster does not give you a shot. A safety valve.
many times on the secondary break the cue ball will open the balls up
but you are stuck against a ball with no shot, clusters are not tight like
racked balls so they break up different and can get you tied up . so try
to have a ball behind the cue ball that you can shoot if the cluster does
not give a shot. I used to play a lot with Dick Lane a tremendous straight
pool player and I learned a lot watching him, (you did a lot of watching
when you played Dick straight pool), and he controlled the balls on the
secondary break as good as anyone. He always seemed to have a shot
on secondary breaks. Many times he didn't have to shoot that safety
valve but it was almost always there. This one little thing that seems so
obvious now, will increase your runs plenty.
jack
Free SJD

 

[Cezar Morales]

Haters.com

For those who posted that it is hard or impossible running 23 in14.1 after op played for 2 years,
You need to re-evaulate your game or go seek help or even please just quit pool cuz ya wasting ur time.The op was just trying to share his joy and ya haters had to say same something.
oh i forgot, thats what haters do lol
Any decent snooker player who runs a 30 point break consistently can run 23 easily.

Mom always tell me if you have nothing nice to say, keep it in !

To op: good shooting, i know how you feel, i felt estatic when i ran my 1st 2 pack in 9ball after playing about a year , oh wait haters, i might be lying so don't take my word for it lol

Why can't everyone just learn to respect each other n make this forum a better place for learning pool

 

[easy-e]

I was being tongue in cheek when I called you a prodigy. I"d have to see a non 14.1 player step up and just run 23. Sorry but it just seems a little far fetched to me. Good Shooting.

If the guy has a basic idea of what a break ball looks like and can run some balls, then what is so hard about a 23?

 

[Drop The Rock]

For those who posted that it is hard or impossible running 23 in14.1 after op played for 2 years,
You need to re-evaulate your game or go seek help or even please just quit pool cuz ya wasting ur time.The op was just trying to share his joy and ya haters had to say same something.
oh i forgot, thats what haters do lol
Any decent snooker player who runs a 30 point break consistently can run 23 easily.

Mom always tell me if you have nothing nice to say, keep it in !

To op: good shooting, i know how you feel, i felt estatic when i ran my 1st 2 pack in 9ball after playing about a year , oh wait haters, i might be lying so don't take my word for it lol

Why can't everyone just learn to respect each other n make this forum a better place for learning pool

Pure gold here. Thanks man!

 

[Blackjack]

If you want to improve, play 14.1 every day. Straight pool is by far and away the game's best teacher. IMO, experience and expertise in 14.1 is the best foundation that you can have as a player. Your 14.1 knowledge will assist you in other games - and add a great deal of depth to your offensive and defensive strategy. If you need help with anything - feel free to get with me via my website (I'm hardly on here anymore) - or just check out some of my videos on Youtube. Best of luck, and congrats on the 23!

 

[Drop The Rock]

If you want to improve, play 14.1 every day. Straight pool is by far and away the game's best teacher. IMO, experience and expertise in 14.1 is the best foundation that you can have as a player. Your 14.1 knowledge will assist you in other games - and add a great deal of depth to your offensive and defensive strategy. If you need help with anything - feel free to get with me via my website (I'm hardly on here anymore) - or just check out some of my videos on Youtube. Best of luck, and congrats on the 23!

Thanks! I'll check it out. Apparently it has helped. I ran my first 2 pack last night!