Sry I don't know what you're specifically speaking about. There was 10 breaks. Which one are you refering to exactly...?
Rate my Game... 10b Ghost with commentary
- Thread starter The_JV
- Start date
I disagree with 90% of what Mark Wilson says so let's leave it at that LOL
, I might get bashed here because I am unknown and Mark Wilson is loved around here but that's fine. I just don't like his teaching and I also feel that he could destroy one's game rather than elevate it. Go ahead bash me, but that's how I see it.I even saw his clinic on youtube, that guy who he taught is doomed for life and will remain at the same level forever.
No worries here.I disagree with 90% of what Mark Wilson says so let's leave it at that LOL
I even saw his clinic on youtube, that guy who he taught is doomed for life and will remain at the same level forever.
It's nice to hear different ideas. My back suffers with a straight leg stance, so I bend both knees.lol nice... I'm sure you're being facetious
Honestly..., there's a ton of chatter on the forum, and I thought I'd throw an example out there of my game. (good and bad) Hopefully some may see that there's some practical insight to my comments.
I'm also total open to criticism as I think it's a great tool for expanding a player's horizons. That said, that doesn't mean I have to agree with every comment made....lol
Well I took another look at the video and it's pretty much what I remember. It wasn't exceptional or I would have said so when it was posted as I did with Sidepockets last 10 ball ghost video. On the other hand there wasn't much wrong with it either. Couple minor mistakes and one rather questionable decision that Stu pointed out but overall it was good shooting and not worth much discussion. It's about what I would expect from you.
Totally disagree with one comment about you just playing position on the next ball and then deciding what to do next. If you weren't planning all the way through the rack you wouldn't be running many 10 ball racks.
Both times I watched one thing thing that stuck out to me was the situation in the 3rd rack where the 4 was tied up by the side pocket. I think a little more thought and you may possibly have come up with a different solution. Of course whatever you did there was going to require a very precise angle. I know what I think I would have done there but without being at the table it's impossible to know for sure.
You're right about that camera distorting things. It's not too bad with the 10 ball but with the straight pool it's much harder to analyze. Sometimes hard to tell which balls pass or exact angles. Still find it amazing you ran 100 on that table especially with some questionable decisions.
Totally disagree with one comment about you just playing position on the next ball and then deciding what to do next. If you weren't planning all the way through the rack you wouldn't be running many 10 ball racks.
Both times I watched one thing thing that stuck out to me was the situation in the 3rd rack where the 4 was tied up by the side pocket. I think a little more thought and you may possibly have come up with a different solution. Of course whatever you did there was going to require a very precise angle. I know what I think I would have done there but without being at the table it's impossible to know for sure.
You're right about that camera distorting things. It's not too bad with the 10 ball but with the straight pool it's much harder to analyze. Sometimes hard to tell which balls pass or exact angles. Still find it amazing you ran 100 on that table especially with some questionable decisions.
He's froze to the rail, backcutting the 4 to play the 5 in the side. He's out of line there. That position error started 2 shots before...really 3. He shoukd have shot the 1 in the side with high english to roll at the 2 at the desired angle.
Wasn't frozen, and even if was it didn't effect my ability to manipulate the CB. One more time... that shape was the result of a horribly dead rail.
The two rails to the 5 looks like I attempting to recover but I could have gone one if I choose to. Two rails created the largest landing zone.
You asked for critique.
You aimed the 4 long enough that I know it wasn't anything you played for. It was a recovery shot that you pulled off, but by no means anything resembling good shape. That's the kind of dinky backcut that is missed.
Fix your table....
I did, and thank you for your input. However you willingness to comment doesn't change the facts surrounding the situation.
You claimed I was frozen, but in fact I wasn't. It could be argued that any shot following a lack of absolutely perfection is a recovery. In this instance, regardless of how you feel I should have played the ball, I was on the correct side for my pattern and I still played the 5 in the same pocket. The second rail was a simple means to control the CB and maximize a potential outcome.
If you happen to struggle with "dinky back cuts" then I suggest you play some 14.1. That game has made my feel for these shots second nature. Rolling through a ball with running english should be a weapon for players, not a potential pitfall.
So although you are completely correct that I was not originally intending to play the 4 from the spot I ended up on, it still played out the same way, and use natural angles and paths. The take away here isn't a focus on poor shape due to poor table conditions, but a shot erring on the side of greatest reward. If I choose you path from CB center table to the 4, I would have had to work the CB much harder and cross the shot line for the long pot of the 5 into the top/opposite corner. You choice is definitely one without a doubt. Something that I would ever do with natural angles presenting themselves...?..., probably not.
Thanks for your comments.
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Thanks for jumping in Sparkle,
You're completely right. There isn't anything special about this set. In fact I could have picked one to openly post that would shed me a kinder light. I don't dispute some of the comments that have been made, but honestly there hasn't been any that would cause me to rethink my approach. I've fallen victim to working the CB with draw more than enough to make it a secondary option for me.
I hit one real bad shot in the set (snooker). The other glaring error (sewer on the 2) was the result of a couple out of norm experiments, so I'm not beating myself up over those.
Watch for another entry in the Ghost Challenge thread tomorrow that may impress you slightly more
It will also have some more "pattern insight" commentary that may dispel the notion of my banger style table IQ.
I just watched a few racks. First of all you play pretty good imo. Just a couple of things I noticed. The rails appear to be inconsistent, bouncing off sometimes and not others (particularly by the side pocket). You might want to invest in some new rails to upgrade your table and make it better equipment for you to practice on. You do seem to be very comfortable with that table. How that translates to playing somewhere elss is another matter entirely. Why you are wearing a sweater I don't know. That can't help you play your best because it is more restrictive on your arm movements. Maybe you need a heater in there, I don't know.
I was surprised you banked that six ball in game one. Very few players would do that. You could have easily followed three rails around for good shape on the eight. All banks can be missed! I guess you just bank good because you have the confidence to shoot it that way, and that's a good thing. I would suggest you take a moment or two longer to get down in a solid set up. It looks to me that you just get down without thinking about it too much. That's okay, but your stance must be as solid as possible. Make sure you're down good before you pull the trigger. If you don't feel right get back up and start again. Do not move your body around while you are already down on the shot. Get back up and start over! That said, if you feel that comfortable when you are getting down so quickly after you see the shot, then that's okay too. Everyone has their own best pace of play and your's looks okay for you.
Remember this, it's easier and better to play position going forward then backward. If you can follow the ball rather than draw, do it that way most of the time. It's easier to control the speed of the cue ball following it. As far as that close wall is concerned, buy a 52" cue or cut off a house cue a few inches. You will be able to play those shots normally and you will still feel comfortable with a 52" cue. No need to shoot them jacked up. You need to practice with the bridge. You looked awkward on that one shot I saw. That punch stoke will get you broke!
Oh, one more thing. On that shot where you are trying to break the four out, you want to hit it harder and break everything up. Just control the cue ball out close to the middle of the table and more than likely you will have a shot on the four (or at least a good safety). It's got nowhere to go except out and off the rail somewhere (and it will be a short distance away!). No question you would have had a better look at it that way. A delicate shot there is "fraught with peril" as my old friend Grady used to say. Hope this helps.
P.S. My high run is 72 so you can ignore everything I said.
In my entire life I've played Straight Pool for money exactly once, and I've played 9-Ball, Eight Ball and One Pocket for money probably thousands of times! I did occasionally practice Straight Pool (it is a great practice game) and I would call myself a fifty ball runner, as I had many runs in the 40's and 50's and a few over 60.
One more thing. I like your commentary and how you handle yourself on this thread. I'd like to play Bank Pool with you but not on that table, lol.
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Good Morning Jay, thanks for commenting,I just watched a few racks. First of all you play pretty good imo. Just a couple of things I noticed. The rails appear to be inconsistent, bouncing off sometimes and not others (particularly by the side pocket). You might want to invest in some new rails to upgrade your table and make it better equipment for you to practice on. You do seem to be very comfortable with that table. How that translates to playing somewhere elss is another matter entirely. Why you are wearing a sweater I don't know. That can't help you play your best because it is more restrictive on your arm movements. Maybe you need a heater in there, I don't know.
I was surprised you banked that six ball in game one. Very few players would do that. You could have easily followed three rails around for good shape on the eight. All banks can be missed! I guess you just bank good because you have the confidence to shoot it that way, and that's a good thing. I would suggest you take a moment or two longer to get down in a solid set up. It looks to me that you just get down without thinking about it too much. That's okay, but your stance must be as solid as possible. Make sure you're down good before you pull the trigger. If you don't feel right get back up and start again. Do not move your body around while you are already down on the shot. Get back up and start over! That said, if you feel that comfortable when you are getting down so quickly after you see the shot, then that's okay too. Everyone has their own best pace of play and your's looks okay for you.
Remember this, it's easier and better to play position going forward then backward. If you can follow the ball rather than draw, do it that way most of the time. It's easier to control the speed of the cue ball following it. As far as that close wall is concerned, buy a 52" cue or cut off a house cue a few inches. You will be able to play those shots normally and you will still feel comfortable with a 52" cue. No need to shoot them jacked up. You need to practice with the bridge. You looked awkward on that one shot I saw. That punch stoke will get you broke!
Oh, one more thing. On that shot where you are trying to break the four out, you want to hit it harder and break everything up. Just control the cue ball out close to the middle of the table and more than likely you will have a shot on the four (or at least a good safety). It's got nowhere to go except out and off the rail somewhere (and it will be a short distance away!). No question you would have had a better look at it that way. A delicate shot there is "fraught with peril" as my old friend Grady used to say. Hope this helps.
P.S. My high run is 72 so you can ignore everything I said.
In my entire life I've played Straight Pool for money exactly once, and I've played 9-Ball, Eight Ball and One Pocket for money probably thousands of times! I did occasionally practice Straight Pool (it is a great practice game) and I would call myself a fifty ball runner, as I had many runs in the 40's and 50's and a few over 60.
One more thing. I like your commentary and how you handle yourself on this thread. I'd like to play Bank Pool with you but not on that table, lol.
First off, yes... The table is in dire need of a complete overhaul. There is a strong potential for it to find a different location within my home so I'm going to hold off on either the reconditioning or replacement for a short while. It's current condition does hurt me when I play elsewhere. I live in a "back split" home that has a rather chilly lower level (slightly below grade). That's why you see the sweater.
I completely agree on the early bank shot on the 6. I tend to avoid banks at all costs but like all necessary evils, I'm fiarly good at the easy ones...lol. In this case, it was the first 6 of the set and it offered a very easy way to remain in line for the 8. If that shot had anything riding on it, I most likely would have gone the 3 rail route you're suggesting.
That weird 4 ball was a thinker. If I did managed to get on the 3 as intended I think I could have pulled that one out. The 4 did travel out of there the way I thought it would and it was clean to the bottom corner. Swinging hard and hoping is of course an option, but I thought I could navigate that situation with some touch. Ending up on the opposite side of that ball which forced the rest sucked. Wouldn't have taken less than a half rotation and I would have had a gteat look at that 5.
Thank you about the commentary comment...lol. Out of all of this, it was the one aspect that I felt most uncomfortable about...lol. If you're going to ask for criticism you better be able to handle some off side comments. No body's opinion is wrong when your asking for it.
Bank pool is not my game. I think I'd need home field advantage to stand a chance.
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Anytime the cueball isn't where you intended...to the point you are on the wrong side of the shot, it's a recovery shot.
He wasn't on the wrong side of the ball. If I had BIH on the 4 I would have placed the CB on the exact same angle only closer. It's a nice easy shot with a naturally rolling ball going 2 rails into the position zone. Doesn't get much easier. If your above statement was correct then 90+% of pool players Would be shooting a "recovery shot" on more than half their shots.
He wasn't on the wrong side of the ball. If I had BIH on the 4 I would have placed the CB on the exact same angle only closer. It's a nice easy shot with a naturally rolling ball going 2 rails into the position zone. Doesn't get much easier. If your above statement was correct then 90+% of pool players Would be shooting a "recovery shot" on more than half their shots.
Thanks for pulling this comment out of the bad SBC quoting Sparkle. I hadn't realized SBC had actually made any statement.
You are of course correct, I wasn't on the bad side of that 4 ball. A slightly sharper cut angle then I would have perferred but still on the correct side for my style of rolling ball play. SBC is just assuming I'm bad because he plays patterns different then you and I.
Again, for those playing along. The take away isn't the slightly tougher cut angle on the 4 because of a bad roll. It's the fact that I erred on the side of the ball that still leaves my pattern intact. It's ok that this isn't immediately apparent to those that don't play in a similar manner. However, I'll boldly suggest that there is something to be learned here. A handful of people have suggested my CB control needs to tighten up. My counter point, is that my CB control methodology is merely different. I'm indifferent to shot length, and focus solely on angle. I also play into zones that will allow for multiple paths into the next zone. Sure "zone" is a 4 letter word, but when you play on various table conditions and reliable pin point accuracy is unlikely due to those conditions, then zones provide a cushion of acceptable play. If and when I play on only diamonds in pro tournament conditions, then I'll place more effort into tight placement.
My newest entry into the Ghost Challenge thread has commentary that puts real effort into explaining my thought process. Those that think that my CB control is suspect should note the spots I call out before the shot, vs where I end up.
Once again, I'll thank SBC for his input. Many ways to skin this cat.
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When you say the cueball wasn't where you want it....you don't have position. Sure you flopped position to something easy to recover from, but by your own admission it was by chance.
The difference between guys who runout from everywhere and make it look easy and guys who don't is cueball position.
Most guys under AA speed have no idea where ideal position really is. And most guys who are AA speed or better can't get position consistently anyway. Ones that do both are champions.
You want to get better...get better with the cueball.
The difference between guys who runout from everywhere and make it look easy and guys who don't is cueball position.
Most guys under AA speed have no idea where ideal position really is. And most guys who are AA speed or better can't get position consistently anyway. Ones that do both are champions.
You want to get better...get better with the cueball.
I wanted the back cut on the ball which I got. You are correct that the cut angle was sharper then I was playing for. While I can't claim I didn't know about the rail being dead. I can say I'm not sure I should be taking responsibility for the bad bounce that occured. In absolute terms you're 100% correct. That said, I don't know anyone that can place a donut on a table, move the CB over 6ft off two rails, and place it in the center of that target. I wish someday to have 25% of the accuracy you're judging my game by.
I don't recall saying anything about my position being on the correct side of ball happening by chance. Regardless thank you for continued contributions. I have learned from this exchange
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