I've gotten lucky plenty of times but a couple of weeks ago I just ran my first rack of 9 ball and meant it. By meant it I mean skillfully running out through position play versus lucking out on position. I've been playing pool since I was a teenager but the only serious pool I ever played was leauge for about 3 years, it's only in the last year or so that I've become a serious poolaholic and have become totally obsessed with the game.
It's kind of funny because a few years ago I wanted to get good at pool so I'd just go to the pool hall, knock around a few balls, play people way above my ability level but I never really learned anything.
Just in the last year I got a table at home, bought every book I could find on pool, started practicing seriously and my game has improved exponetially. It's no longer about who I play anymore, it's me versus the table, my pool routine now consists of me practicing about an hour to two hours a day at home and my one or two nights a week out are just a chance to apply what I've been practicing and to identify weak areas. When I'm out and I miss a certain type of shot or get the wrong shape on something I mentally note it and add it into the next weeks practice sessions.
Practicing at home initially started with me just working on fundamentals like my stroke, bridge, etc....then I moved on to problem shots for me like long green, cuts, etc and now I'm exclusively practicing position play setting up the same shots but primarily focusing on getting the cueball to stop on a handkerchief I move around the table. I am extremely pleased with the results I've been getting and many people have commented on how much better my game has gotten since they've met me. I don't go around talking about how much work I put into my game locally and it's really satisfying to run into players that took me out a few months ago and just explode on em.
edit: p.s. I do have a mentor as well, an older gentlemen at the poolhall who is extremely skilled, we only see each other about once a week but when we play he watches my play and makes suggestions, some of his advice has been extremely helpful.
