Question.

[cardiac kid]

From personal experience, the technical folks end up with
"paralysis by analysis". They need to know everything and
when a mistake occurs they have to reevaluate and re-analyze
everything they "know". Jmo, personal experiences may vary...

A friend practices "by the book". Setting up shots and repeating them ad nausium. He asked how I aim a certain shot. Told him after fifty years of playing, I just know. He said "no wonder you don't know how to play!" . Always stuck with me.

Learned the science early on. Practiced the physics on the table. Take a stance. Decide where I need the cue ball to be next. Aim the shot. Execute. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Lyn

 

[Rhino]

A friend practices "by the book". Setting up shots and repeating them ad nausium. He asked how I aim a certain shot. Told him after fifty years of playing, I just know. He said "no wonder you don't know how to play!" . Always stuck with me.

Learned the science early on. Practiced the physics on the table. Take a stance. Decide where I need the cue ball to be next. Aim the shot. Execute. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Lyn

Exactly. You have to learn the basic foundation and concepts of the balls, table, etc. Then you have to put that knowledge to use. Doing so will lead any semi-thoughtful person to question the results they get and make them seek more knowledge. I guess what I mean is that I myself feel like a "working knowledge " of the game is more important than knowing all the minutiae.

 

[Diamond69]

Here is my feedback. I haven't read all the posts, so not sure if it's duplicated.

Many players don't necessarily know the science to it. They just learned how to do a shot, it works, and they share with others.

So for me, I appreciate the tips and try to replicate it. Here is a perfect example for me...

I got a bank tip, don't remember if it was from JB or Freddy, but it talks about backhand English on certain banks. For the life of me, I can't figure out the science benefit of backhand English vs front hand English.

I'd like to know since I'm an analyst by nature, but I'm not going to NOT shoot the shot just because I don't understand it. It works, so I continue to use it.

 

[oldschool1478]

The science of pool is what attracted me to the game in the first place.
Understanding is the one true path to knowledge.

 

[cleary]

Can you do the latter without any knowledge of the first question....?

Absolutely. Over thinking it happens way too often. I would rather play that speed than be able to explain it.

 

[cleary]

Neil, tell me the truth. Have you ever played a big match without thinking?. Speaking for myself..I can hardly ever remember where I made my last ball or balls when playing a match of banks. I walk all around the table looking like an idiot tryin to find my balls. Could just be me tho. John B.

When I'm playing my best, I remember very little about the match. Autopilot takes over and you play off what your body knows how to do rather than over thinking. I really agree with this.

 

[Donny Lutz]

the "science" of draw

You have to understand that science doesn't compete with practice, it compliments it. It's not a one or the other thing. If I have to shoot a ball, and break out other balls, I'd rather know exactly how to get there, than just guess at it.

You make excellent points.

I once demonstrated a simple draw shot to someone unfamiliar with pool, and he was totally amazed.

"That seems impossible!" he told me.

Only when I explained the basic science of colliding objects, spin and traction did he understand. The mathematics and geometry of pool are also "science". Understanding how heat affects a pool table is science. Understanding why a cue becomes warped is science. Chalking your cue tip is based on scientific principle.

We all use basic science every day without realizing it. Science is understanding how things happen...it can only enhance one's perception, IMO.

 

[John Brumback]

You make excellent points.

I once demonstrated a simple draw shot to someone unfamiliar with pool, and he was totally amazed.

"That seems impossible!" he told me.

Only when I explained the basic science of colliding objects, spin and traction did he understand. The mathematics and geometry of pool are also "science". Understanding how heat affects a pool table is science. Understanding why a cue becomes warped is science. Chalking your cue tip is based on scientific principle.

We all use basic science every day without realizing it. Science is understanding how things happen...it can only enhance one's perception, IMO.

You make some good points. I guess when I'm trying to help players around here,I just figure they are past the beginners stage.( I don't mean to sound sarcastic) .

Let me touch on something you just said..about what heat does to a pool table. Yes I know that heat or lack there of will change how the table plays but I have no desire and no reason I can think of as to know why it changes it.( I really have no idea) I can feel it when I put my hand on the cloth and that's enough for me. With all do respect,Sir. John B.

 

[Island Drive]

Would you rather know all the science that is involved in a pool shot or would you just rather know how to play top speed pool? Yes or no would be fine. Thanks,John B.

............................................................

It ''never lies''....

 

[Mooneye]

I would much rather know how to play top speed pool (and I learned a LOT from your banking video!)

 

[ShootingArts]

my favoritest gaff table!

You make some good points. I guess when I'm trying to help players around here,I just figure they are past the beginners stage.( I don't mean to sound sarcastic) .

Let me touch on something you just said..about what heat does to a pool table. Yes I know that heat or lack there of will change how the table plays but I have no desire and no reason I can think of as to know why it changes it.( I really have no idea) I can feel it when I put my hand on the cloth and that's enough for me. With all do respect,Sir. John B.

Down at Buffalo Billiards the old AC system runs wide open nonstop all day long in the summer. There is a table sitting where the blast from the vents goes over one long rail but hits the other long rail squarely. The end rails are warm on one end cold on the other, one long rail is warm, the other at least ten or fifteen degrees cooler. Took me a little while to figure out why it was a beast to play one pocket on.

When a straight shooting stranger wants to play one pocket . . . .

Hu

 

[John Brumback]

Down at Buffalo Billiards the old AC system runs wide open nonstop all day long in the summer. There is a table sitting where the blast from the vents goes over one long rail but hits the other long rail squarely. The end rails are warm on one end cold on the other, one long rail is warm, the other at least ten or fifteen degrees cooler. Took me a little while to figure out why it was a beast to play one pocket on.

When a straight shooting stranger wants to play one pocket . . . .

Hu

Holly crap!!,lol I'll need to write all that down if I ever get to come and play on that box.John B.

PS: hope you don't catch too much flack from the locals for sharing that

 

[ShootingArts]

nine out of ten . . .

Holly crap!!,lol I'll need to write all that down if I ever get to come and play on that box.John B.

PS: hope you don't catch too much flack from the locals for sharing that

John,

Nine outa ten of the locals don't know why they play like crap on that table!

I pointed it out to my practice partner and a friend or two but no need to tell the world. Some people dodge that table because it plays "bad" but most don't have a clue why. Once you know why it doesn't play bad at all, just have to consider which rail you are hitting, it plays as good as any!

Once you know what you are looking for the table isn't hard to find but contact me privately if you head this way and I'll make sure you find it, not even the hard way!:thumbup:

Hu

 

[ENGLISH!]

Down at Buffalo Billiards the old AC system runs wide open nonstop all day long in the summer. There is a table sitting where the blast from the vents goes over one long rail but hits the other long rail squarely. The end rails are warm on one end cold on the other, one long rail is warm, the other at least ten or fifteen degrees cooler. Took me a little while to figure out why it was a beast to play one pocket on.

When a straight shooting stranger wants to play one pocket . . . .

Hu

Hu,

What table is that? I think I've been on it & it drove me nuts & I guess I never noticed nor considered such a temp. disparity given the constant running of the A/C.

Best 2 Y'a,
Rick

PS Just read your 2nd. post. PM me if you wish...or not, I'm sure I can find it now.

 

[John Brumback]

............................................................

It ''never lies''....

Neither does the cball or oball:thumbup: John B.

 

[row21097]

yes. i often refer to dr. dave's website.

 

[jburkm002]

So shouldn't a scientist with near perfect fundamentals play pro speed. Why is it that a 13 year old who knows no scientific info about pool runs racks? I don't know if knowing how to draw a cue ball is scientific or common sense. Kicking and banking changes from table to table. The same principles apply but are different due to equipment and atmospheric conditions. Don't believe there is a calculations for changes in either to apply a scientific formula.

 

[John Brumback]

So shouldn't a scientist with near perfect fundamentals play pro speed. Why is it that a 13 year old who knows no scientific info about pool runs racks? I don't know if knowing how to draw a cue ball is scientific or common sense. Kicking and banking changes from table to table. The same principles apply but are different due to equipment and atmospheric conditions. Don't believe there is a calculations for changes in either to apply a scientific formula.

And there you have it. It's knockin round balls in holes on a flat surface that has some kind of rubber stuck to the edges so the balls are not falling on the floor ( that rubber is kinda bouncy so you can use the rubber to play off of too). Pretty simple game when you think about it. John B.

Oh I forgot this part..and doing all this with a wooden club or stick I should say.

 

[jburkm002]

However, I guess in some aspect your are applying science on every shot. You might not know the formula or equation but you understand the basic physics being applied. To many variables to say A + B -C X D is going to work the same on every shot. However I do believe in your mind you are trying to apply A,B,C and D.

 

[ShootingArts]

back when I raced circle track . . .

When I first started racing cars I had an abundance of book learning on the subject. Some of those old fellows that had been racing twenty or thirty years had weight hung in the wrong places, steering and suspension all messed up, all kind of things wrong. I would have told them how messed up their cars were if they weren't kicking my butt every weekend!

Hu