Running 100 in straight pool

Skippy9Baller

Skippy9Baller

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
With the very limitted amount of playing time I get nowadays, I'm really focusing on improving my straight pool game. I've never really played that much straight pool. I've always played 9-ball and a little 8-ball in my younger days.

Anyhow, I wanted to get some opinions on my chances of running 100 balls without getting "seasoning" playing straight pool in competition (tournaments or matching up). Can I learn what I need to know without playing with someone that can teach me more about the game?

My current high run is around 35. I believe I have it in me to run 100, but I'm not sure I can learn all the tricks and skills that get me to the next level. Also, competition helps push me to focus longer than I might in practice (I'm working on this one), but finding people to play is tough.

I hope I'm getting my question across clearly.

I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks.
 
Skippy, I don't know anything about straight pool, BUT how did you change the text under your name. Like where mine says opie underneath Opie. How do you change that? Good luck with the 14.1 and sorry I couldn't help.
 
Opie said:
Skippy, I don't know anything about straight pool, BUT how did you change the text under your name. Like where mine says opie underneath Opie. How do you change that? Good luck with the 14.1 and sorry I couldn't help.
Click to expand...

Go to the User Control Panel "User CP"
Click on "Edit Profile"
Enter a new "Custom User Titel"

I hope that helps.
 
Aside from being able to pocket 100 balls without missing, reading and following the lessons in Phil Capelle's "Play Your best 14.1" will help. After reading it, I ran in the 70's twice. My previous high run was 56. Good luck.
 
Skippy9Baller said:
With the very limitted amount of playing time I get nowadays, I'm really focusing on improving my straight pool game. I've never really played that much straight pool. I've always played 9-ball and a little 8-ball in my younger days.

Anyhow, I wanted to get some opinions on my chances of running 100 balls without getting "seasoning" playing straight pool in competition (tournaments or matching up). Can I learn what I need to know without playing with someone that can teach me more about the game?

My current high run is around 35. I believe I have it in me to run 100, but I'm not sure I can learn all the tricks and skills that get me to the next level. Also, competition helps push me to focus longer than I might in practice (I'm working on this one), but finding people to play is tough.

I hope I'm getting my question across clearly.

I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Your high run is 35 now ? Hmm. I think you'd get quite easily to 60-70 mark, but getting over 100 is difficult. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to discourage you. I don't even know your background. But as for me I can say that within 1-2 year after I started playing I ran 40 in straight pool. And now, 13 years later my record is 85. Though, haven't been much straight pool lately. I think if you keep on playing it and read a few books and watch some Mizerak/Varner/Sigel/Rempe straight pool -matches, I think you can first break the 50 barrier, then the 80 barrier and finally the 100 barrier. Those barriers were real mental barriers for me at least.

Hmm, I have a friend who has ran over a 100, but his second best break is somewhere around 60. So if you land on dead stroke, you just might be able to wade through those balls to reach the 100.

Good luck !
 
Roll-Off said:
Aside from being able to pocket 100 balls without missing, reading and following the lessons in Phil Capelle's "Play Your best 14.1" will help. After reading it, I ran in the 70's twice. My previous high run was 56. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Excellent suggestion ! Excellent book ! One of the best billiard books ever, IMHO.
 
whitewolf said:
Accustats sells a tape: "How to Run a 100 Balls in Straight Pool" with Rimpe doing the shooting and the talking about strategy. He makes it look so easy, but it is not.

I could be wrong here but I believe that your chances of success will be slim because you will never get the chance to watch straight pool played like it should be. Look at Cole Dixon, one of the straightest shooters and best 9 ballers. Someone mentioned that he only ran eighty some balls in a straight pool tournament once. I don't know his high run however.

Good luck. WW from Champions Billiards, Frederick. Welcome to AZBilliards BTW.
Click to expand...

That's what I was concerned about WW. I know that my 9ball skills were greatly enhanced from watching hundreds of matches by very good players and world-class players (not to mention the accu-stats commentators). I have watched several accu-stats 14.1 matches, but I will probably need to watch them again and many more, since I'm actually wanting to play more 14.1.
Regardless of whether its possible, I'm going for it with the attitude that its possible.

BTW...I've never played at champions, though it looks like a nice place.

Cheers!
 
Roll-Off said:
Aside from being able to pocket 100 balls without missing, reading and following the lessons in Phil Capelle's "Play Your best 14.1" will help. After reading it, I ran in the 70's twice. My previous high run was 56. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I think I'll pick up that book. Thanks for the tip.

Cheers!
 
100

My personal pool goal is to run 100. In fact, I have a website that monitors my progress.

It is extremely difficult. I haven't played Straight for six months or so, but at that time my high was 47. I felt this was the correct high for my ability (I had one other 40+ and 15 30+). I know I have improved over the last 3-4 months, and I feel if I played a lot of Straight, I now have the ability to get to 50 or 60.

Getting 100 I am told is much tougher. Someone I met at Comet Billiards, NJ took two years from breaking 50 to breaking 100, and he worked in a pool hall and played 4-6 hours every day.

Any comments from 100 ball runners? How long did it take you to break through Steve (Lipsky) ?
 
mjantti said:
Your high run is 35 now ? Hmm. I think you'd get quite easily to 60-70 mark, but getting over 100 is difficult. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to discourage you. I don't even know your background. But as for me I can say that within 1-2 year after I started playing I ran 40 in straight pool. And now, 13 years later my record is 85. Though, haven't been much straight pool lately. I think if you keep on playing it and read a few books and watch some Mizerak/Varner/Sigel/Rempe straight pool -matches, I think you can first break the 50 barrier, then the 80 barrier and finally the 100 barrier. Those barriers were real mental barriers for me at least.

Hmm, I have a friend who has ran over a 100, but his second best break is somewhere around 60. So if you land on dead stroke, you just might be able to wade through those balls to reach the 100.

Good luck !
Click to expand...

Don't worry, I won't get discouraged. I appreciate the honest feedback. I guess 50,80 & 100 ball runs are good goals to shoot for. I plan on watching as many videos as I can get my hands on. I have about 5 or 6 right now.
Thanks!
 
Running 100 balls is OVER 7 CONSECUTIVE racks. That means you're going to have to leave your last OB and CB at a perfect angle everytime for 7 racks, and you'll have to know what type of english to use coming off of the break shot in order not to get stuck in the pack, or run yourself too far down table.
You'll also need to learn how to read patterns properly and pick your spots well in advance to further break the rack open. Do you know the best ways?

Do you know what to do and how to break up the balls from behind the rack or both sides with a variety of angles facing you? Do you know how to throw 2 and 3 ball combination shots into a hole? Do you know all of the tricks to carom balls when it looks like you have NOTHING under the sun? Can you pocket a ball and then jump the CB over an obstacle ball to get free and clear for the rest of the rack? Can you make the corner ball on a full rack with a one rail bank in the side when you're dead behind the rack?

Can you run over 7 straight racks of balls in the Q-Skills Challenge game without missing a ball?

If you can't run 7 straight racks in the Q-Skills Challenge game or don't know what I'm talking about in the other areas...your chances are slim and none, and slim just left town!

But the most important question is...why on Earth would you be opposed to seeking personal help or learning from someone that CAN regularly run 100 balls. It makes no sense.
 
Hi skippy9baller,

I will share my journey of runnning a hundred in straight pool.


In 1977 (I believe it was) I attended a U.S. Open qualifier at The Rack and Cue in Owensboro, Ky. I watched Nick Varner, Mike Carrella, Bob Vanover, Bob Dickerson, Dick Lane and others play that wonderful game for the first time. I left Owensboro that day vowing to myself to one day run one-hundred balls.


That event led me to an afternoon lesson with Nick and later a trip north to spend a day with Mark Beilfuss. My first significant text on the subject was written by Johnny Holiday and later George Fel's book proved to be very helpful. I wore both books out, mostly to no avail at running a hundred. Sixty to seventy balls seemed to be my top end. I started to believe that I would never do it. I just felt I needed to be around straight pool players. So I backed off.


Well, as many of you know, Accustats came along and put the game right in front of us.... I decided that I would not go to my grave without running the century. I will borrow Dick Lane's word from one of his tapes. Resolve.......I totally resolved myself to achieve my goal.


I set a goal of running one-thousand plus 30 runs. This would be on a pro-cut 9 ft. diamond. After time on and time off and going through that cycle a few times I started to question whether I would ever nail a hundred.


Then came the Rempe tapes. I watched them several times and they ultimately became the icing on the cake.


As I look at my journal I reached my goal of 108 on July 24, 1998. I played 195 racks that week. On Sunday I ran a 35,30,30.. Mon.45,69,38,35..Tues.38,65..Wed 30,33,54..Thurs. 65,34,12,40,and a 16 with only 5 misses. Fri...38,33 and my 108!!..Sat..42 and 65. (It took 415 30 plus runs.)


Shortly after that I had two 99s. I am glad I ran the 100 first. Those 99s were tough. Now that I am retired I will resume my March toward 1000 30 plus runs. I am currently at 721 having reached the 100 mark only twice. I would like to run 125 and even a 150 but I do not have too.


And some news... there will be a straight pool tournament at Derby City this year in the Chapel. I learned that today from Chad at Diamond.


Skippy9baller, You just gotta do it out of resolve. Ray Martin once said, "The balls won't let you run a hundred." He meant that you have to get a break or two or three and control the white ball. It's a worthwhile goal and I did it without being around a hotbed for straight pool. Good luck in your journey!!!!


Stan Shuffett
 
Skippy9Baller said:
Anyhow, I wanted to get some opinions on my chances of running 100 balls without getting "seasoning" playing straight pool in competition (tournaments or matching up). Can I learn what I need to know without playing with someone that can teach me more about the game?
Click to expand...

Not likely, that is, without getting seasoned. However I am a believer that if you learn from, and understand your mistakes a huge improvment will follow.

When your new to the game a big mistake is splattering balls all over the table. Learn and practice break shots that separate each rack, then pick the rack apart. Strategy is learned from mistakes and repeated practice. Watching a good 14-1 player (or tapes and books) is a good way to help minimize your frustration. LOL


I watched several of the greats play, with that, and my little red Mosconi book, (not to mention tournaments and competition) I'd knock off a hundred and change once in a while. I only played 14-1 heavy for a tad over three years. Don't play it anymore which is mostly due to poor equipment. I hate playing on sub standard equipment. Well that and I'm lazy now. :D

Rod
 
hobokenapa said:
How long did it take you to break through Steve (Lipsky) ?
Click to expand...

Hi Hoboken. I ran my first hundred when I was 22, and I had been playing since I was maybe 14 or so. For me it was weird, though, as for the first five or six years of my "career", I was not exposed to top-level play at all. It is very difficult to learn the game that way.

There was a very solid-playing houseman at my local room (Bobby C, if you're out there, thanks for everything!) who guided me through the run a bit. I remember two shots in particular he persuaded me to play differently than I wanted. Anyway, this was on a summer morning in I guess '95, and I can remember walking on air for at least a week. My previous high run was 80, and that day I was fortunate enough to run 120. I had a long, straight in shot (cue close to pocket, object ball dead center of table), and I missed by quite a bit, I believe. To be honest, I couldn't wait to sit down, smoke a cigarette, and reflect on what I had just done... what nobody could ever take away from me for the rest of my life.

The funny thing was that I thought once I did it, I'd start to do it more regularly. I think I waited about 18 months before it happened again, which was brutal. I remember it as a very frustrating time.

Then I moved to NYC when I was 24, and being exposed to Danny, Tony, Ginky, and Jon Smith, my game jumped a few levels. I ran my current high, 177, four years ago today actually (I remember the date well because two days later, pool became, rightly, totally meaningless).

Anyway, I will be disappointed in myself if I never run 200, so I guess I have to keep plugging away.

- Steve
 
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My 2 cents worth...

- first accomplish running 10 racks of 15 balls randomly thrown out on the table (no balls touching). Although some would say that this is mindless...it helps you with the mental discipline of not missing for 150 balls.

- throw 3,4, or 5 balls balls out randomly, and with ball in hand shoot them in playing around a break ball. Rack the balls and try a break shot. Repeat until you are VERY comfortable getting to the break shot.

- Practice various break shots over and over again.

- practice on a forgiving table. Single shimmed if possible. Nice cloth.

- Log your results. Don't give too much thought to how many you are running, just go about you're business. With practice you will begin to run 30's consistantly. Followed by the occasional 50. When everything is clicking you will run 60 something someday. At that point 100 is in range.

Best of luck.

Regards,

Doug
 
Straight Pool runs?

Hi every Straight Pool players!

I noticed that the runs mentioned earlier in this thread, were lower than I have been thinking. In fact I haven't dared to mention my runs to other players here in Finland. My backround as a player is in early 90s and at that time I played only Snooker which was raising its head in Finland.

I started to play Pool on last November: I first played only in local tournaments.

We have now bought a few tables with our friends and trained a few months more by my self too.

I have played straight pool approximately 40 runs and got 4 times over 40. My highest run is 48. I have never played competition match in Straight Pool.

What I would like to know is that, how to break the first rack in tournaments and what kind of different break ball places you all recommend to leave during the runs.

T: Obelix
 
Obelix said:
Hi every Straight Pool players!

I noticed that the runs mentioned earlier in this thread, were lower than I have been thinking. In fact I haven't dared to mention my runs to other players here in Finland. My backround as a player is in early 90s and at that time I played only Snooker which was raising its head in Finland.

I started to play Pool on last November: I first played only in local tournaments.

We have now bought a few tables with our friends and trained a few months more by my self too.

I have played straight pool approximately 40 runs and got 4 times over 40. My highest run is 48. I have never played competition match in Straight Pool.

What I would like to know is that, how to break the first rack in tournaments and what kind of different break ball places you all recommend to leave during the runs.

T: Obelix
Click to expand...

In which part of Finland are you located ? If near Helsinki, I can help you.
 
mjantti said:
In which part of Finland are you located ? If near Helsinki, I can help you.
Click to expand...


Asun Ruskolla aivan Turun kupeessa. Asuin siellä päin (Vantaalla) heti lyhyen Snooker uran jälkeen nelisen vuotta.

Tosin olen siellä päin useinkin työn puolesta päiväsaikaan. Usein voisin jäädä sinne päin pelailemaankin muutamaksi tunniksi. Kaikki apu on tässä vaiheessa on tarpeen ja tuottaa korkoa tulevaisuudessa.

Turun alueella ei Straight'iä juuri pelata.

For Every others. My humble apologize for everyone using my motherlanguage, finnish. I just wanted to write this one as quickly as possible.
My little son is boring and needs a friend for the other games.


Regards
Terveisin

Obelix
Kimmo Lamminen
 
Obelix said:
Asun Ruskolla aivan Turun kupeessa. Asuin siellä päin (Vantaalla) heti lyhyen Snooker uran jälkeen nelisen vuotta.

Tosin olen siellä päin useinkin työn puolesta päiväsaikaan. Usein voisin jäädä sinne päin pelailemaankin muutamaksi tunniksi. Kaikki apu on tässä vaiheessa on tarpeen ja tuottaa korkoa tulevaisuudessa.

Turun alueella ei Straight'iä juuri pelata.

For Every others. My humble apologize for everyone using my motherlanguage, finnish. I just wanted to write this one as quickly as possible.
My little son is boring and needs a friend for the other games.


Regards
Terveisin

Obelix
Kimmo Lamminen
Click to expand...


Do you think you could post some of the worst swear words in Finnish that I could use for future flame wars? :D
 
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