Position Play and the amazing Ceulemans

[Ed Wiggins]

In 1986, Carl Conlon wrote a series of articles on 3-cushion in the National Billiard News.
In this excerpt he emphasizes position play and describes an amazing performance by Ceulemans.

Conlon was a real character. He told me that he was able to live on Social Security and travel the world using bargain air fares and the hospitality of his 3-cushion friends.

EW

 

[Bob Jewett]

In 1986, Carl Conlon wrote a series of articles on 3-cushion in the National Billiard News.
In this excerpt he emphasizes position play and describes an amazing performance by Ceulemans.

Conlon was a real character. He told me that he was able to live on Social Security and travel the world using bargain air fares and the hospitality of his 3-cushion friends.

EW

I think a very hard part is to land on ball 3 (the second object ball) so that you have a reasonable way to cue the shot -- neither too close to the cushion nor over the object ball.

This is the longest repeated pattern I've heard of in actual play although Jake Schaefer (Jr?) is said to have made 36 or so reverse-the-corner shots from a set-up position.

 

[mr3cushion]

In 1986, Carl Conlon wrote a series of articles on 3-cushion in the National Billiard News.
In this excerpt he emphasizes position play and describes an amazing performance by Ceulemans.

Conlon was a real character. He told me that he was able to live on Social Security and travel the world using bargain air fares and the hospitality of his 3-cushion friends.

EW

Ed; These types of shots are referenced in Chapter 1, "Big Ball Position Shots" of my book/DVD set. "The Concise Book of Position Play"

These are the first position shots, (beginner-intermediate) players should try an attempt! Because of the LARGE scoring area, (the corners).

Bill Smith "Mr3Cushion"

 

[mbvl]

I have heard an unattributed quote: "The difference between Ceulemans and the rest of the great players [of his day] is about three or four inches." The point being that in driving the first object ball into the sympathetic zone he always left it just the right distance from the long cushion.

 

[sightline]

Sorry People but I need to throw this one out,

The cuetip seems to steer off the aiming line when shooting. What can one do to keep it straight???

Thx...

 

[iralee]

I think a very hard part is to land on ball 3 (the second object ball) so that you have a reasonable way to cue the shot -- neither too close to the cushion nor over the object ball.

This is the longest repeated pattern I've heard of in actual play although Jake Schaefer (Jr?) is said to have made 36 or so reverse-the-corner shots from a set-up position.

The repeat position from the placement described is not entirely uncommon and we've all (many times) witnessed or even produced a series of 3 or 4 such ideal positions... but 22 out of 23? 19 like-positions in a row would constitute what we could properly term a "3-cushion nurse"! Highly doubtful, IMO.

Note that I am, in no way, attempting to discount Ceulemans' skill whatsoever: any run of 23 must be recognized as an historic achievement and Ceulemans is, undeniably, the master's master. I just have to state that I simply don't believe Conlon's testimony: that a run of 23 and out literally included 22 around-the-table repeat-position shots (19 consecutively, a 'snag', and then 3 more).

Not a single 5-railer? Not one end-rail position, short angle or cross-table shot? Really? Seems like Conlon was exaggerating the facts to illustrate Ceulemans' legendary degree of control to, perhaps, a layman. Such a stretch is just not credible for 3-cushion players.

-Ira

 

[3kushn]

I have heard an unattributed quote: "The difference between Ceulemans and the rest of the great players [of his day] is about three or four inches." The point being that in driving the first object ball into the sympathetic zone he always left it just the right distance from the long cushion.

The differnce between European players and US players is understanding and controlling 3rd rail English.

Was that in Walt Harris's books somewhere?