Question for skilled banks players

Thomas McKane

Thomas McKane

Lifelong student of one p
Silver Member
In 9-ball banks, is it equivalent when playing the ghost to break, take ball in-hand, and run out 5 like in 9-ball? I'm practicing bank pool for the Derby and I don't have anything to gage a certain skill level or progress. Does a highly skilled bank pool player beat the ghost most of the time? Half?

Also, is there a better way to practice banks?

Thanks for any info.
 
Thomas McKane said:
In 9-ball banks, is it equivalent when playing the ghost to break, take ball in-hand, and run out 5 like in 9-ball? I'm practicing bank pool for the Derby and I don't have anything to gage a certain skill level or progress. Does a highly skilled bank pool player beat the ghost most of the time? Half?

Also, is there a better way to practice banks?

Thanks for any info.
Click to expand...

There was a thread or a mention of the short rack banks ghost over on 1p.org. From what I remember, better players would work their way down. For example, I'd stumble my way through playing even(5 balls vs 5 misses) with no BiH. Others would play 5 to 4 or 5 to 3, etc.

Best way to practice banks? Make them. A lot. Don't scratch. Set up the tricky shots, the end-game shots, etc.

I don't get the solo playing time that I used to, so I haven't tried the ghost in a while.
 
Thomas McKane said:
In 9-ball banks, is it equivalent when playing the ghost to break, take ball in-hand, and run out 5 like in 9-ball? I'm practicing bank pool for the Derby and I don't have anything to gage a certain skill level or progress. Does a highly skilled bank pool player beat the ghost most of the time? Half?

Also, is there a better way to practice banks?

Thanks for any info.
Click to expand...
Playing the Ghost is not structured practice.

Try this; Put up 6 or 7 balls like this and take BIH and start with the 1 ball cross-side. Then, reach out and grab the cueball and put it in place for the 2 and so on until you make all the balls cross-side. Then go to the other side of the table and bank the balls to your left.

This is an excellent practice routine and if I'm not mistaken even John Brumback recommends it on his DVD.

You can also move the balls down and practice your cross-corners in the same way.

Straight-backs require a routine also.

ONB


bank practice.jpg
 
I've watched quite a few of the best bankers at DCC play and I don't recall any of them running 5 and out. There is one thing I noticed specifically that separates the top bank pool players from the wannabes. The top bank pool players are really good at playing two way shots. They shoot a bank and give it a reasonable chance to go while leaving the cue ball on or very close to the end rail. You won't see Brumback leave his opponent an easy shot unless he happened to miss a shot he probably felt 90% plus confidence in making. Near end game, these top bankers seem to even play more defensive.

I see a lot of guys that can routinely drill easier bank shots and pot a reasonably high percentage of the really tough bank shots. Not many of them play the "whole" game like Brumback. To be fair, what they play at DCC is more wide open than when you watch full rack bank.
 
nobcitypool said:
I've watched quite a few of the best bankers at DCC play and I don't recall any of them running 5 and out. There is one thing I noticed specifically that separates the top bank pool players from the wannabes. The top bank pool players are really good at playing two way shots. They shoot a bank and give it a reasonable chance to go while leaving the cue ball on or very close to the end rail. You won't see Brumback leave his opponent an easy shot unless he happened to miss a shot he probably felt 90% plus confidence in making. Near end game, these top bankers seem to even play more defensive.

I see a lot of guys that can routinely drill easier bank shots and pot a reasonably high percentage of the really tough bank shots. Not many of them play the "whole" game like Brumback. To be fair, what they play at DCC is more wide open than when you watch full rack bank.
Click to expand...

Did you see last years BANK Ring Game invitational finals between Skyler and Busty? A multitude of back to back 6 packs... Practice Up!!

R
 
rhatten said:
Did you see last years BANK Ring Game invitational finals between Skyler and Busty? A multitude of back to back 6 packs... Practice Up!!

R
Click to expand...

That would have been difficult since Dennis Orcullo was the 2014 DCC Banks Champion. I assume you mean the ring game? Or are you referring to something other than DCC? To answer your question, no I didn't. I didn't say it couldn't or doesn't happen, I simply said I didn't recall seeing it when I was watching at DCC.
 
rhatten said:
Did you see last years BANK Ring Game invitational finals between Skyler and Busty? A multitude of back to back 6 packs... Practice Up!!

R
Click to expand...

nobcitypool said:
That would have been difficult since Dennis Orcullo was the 2014 DCC Banks Champion. I assume you mean the ring game? Or are you referring to something other than DCC? To answer your question, no I didn't. I didn't say it couldn't or doesn't happen, I simply said I didn't recall seeing it when I was watching at DCC.
Click to expand...

He did write Ring Game.

ONB
 
Thomas McKane said:
In 9-ball banks, is it equivalent when playing the ghost to break, take ball in-hand, and run out 5 like in 9-ball? I'm practicing bank pool for the Derby and I don't have anything to gage a certain skill level or progress. Does a highly skilled bank pool player beat the ghost most of the time? Half?

Also, is there a better way to practice banks?

Thanks for any info.
Click to expand...

If you are banking 5 balls consistently how much money do you need to get to the Derby?
 
I don't practice the ghost cause I hate racking.I just throw em out there and bank and bank and bank,and it also helps if you can play with someone who has played some bankpool so you can see and find the right shots to shoot.IMO that is what makes a top bank player. My high runs at the DCC were in 2010 I think.My first match,I ran a 12 then my second match I finished it off with a 13.It's a hard game but you don't have to run alot of balls to win,that's one of the big reasons it's my fav game. Good luck,John B.
 
John Brumback said:
I don't practice the ghost cause I hate racking.I just throw em out there and bank and bank and bank,and it also helps if you can play with someone who has played some bankpool so you can see and find the right shots to shoot.IMO that is what makes a top bank player. My high runs at the DCC were in 2010 I think.My first match,I ran a 12 then my second match I finished it off with a 13.It's a hard game but you don't have to run alot of balls to win,that's one of the big reasons it's my fav game. Good luck,John B.
Click to expand...

Thanks John, much appreciated advice!
 
one way is to throw out all 15 balls. then use ball in hand on every shot. you should make at least 12 each time with three left that are hard banks that you may not make. if you cant do that stay home.
 
maha said:
one way is to throw out all 15 balls. then use ball in hand on every shot. you should make at least 12 each time with three left that are hard banks that you may not make. if you cant do that stay home.
Click to expand...

That's a damn good way to measure progress, thank you.
 
Get the Beard's banking secrets DVD it will improve your banks by a ball or two lots of great info
 
To the OP, not sure where you're from in Alabama but John Brumback does give lessons out of his home in North Central Kentucky. I believe the 9 foot Diamond he has was one of the tables from DCC a few years ago. If you haven't already got them, you definitely want to buy his DVD's.
 
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