Running 100 in straight pool
- Thread starter Skippy9Baller
- Start date
I've never run 100 or had that as a goal, so take this advice accordingly...
In my business, one of my mentors talked about "breaking the barrier." His business goal was 100 _____s (details not important here). He'd come close to 100 over and over but couldn't "break the barrier."
Then one day he decided to let the 100 goal go and reset his goal at 125. Within two weeks, he passed 100 (!!!) but then got stuck at just below 125. So, with a lesson learned, he reset his goal for 150 and guess what?...that's right, he passed right through 125 and got stuck in the 140's. He's now over 200, btw.
His lesson was to pick a goal BEYOND, in your case, 100, so that 100 was just another number, not some mystical, magical, insurmountable barrier.
Break the barrier.
Jeff Livingston
In my business, one of my mentors talked about "breaking the barrier." His business goal was 100 _____s (details not important here). He'd come close to 100 over and over but couldn't "break the barrier."
Then one day he decided to let the 100 goal go and reset his goal at 125. Within two weeks, he passed 100 (!!!) but then got stuck at just below 125. So, with a lesson learned, he reset his goal for 150 and guess what?...that's right, he passed right through 125 and got stuck in the 140's. He's now over 200, btw.
His lesson was to pick a goal BEYOND, in your case, 100, so that 100 was just another number, not some mystical, magical, insurmountable barrier.
Break the barrier.
Jeff Livingston
drivermaker
Banned
chefjeff said:
There is also a difference between a realistic goal and an unrealistic goal. For instance, YOU (or I) ain't EVER gonna break 10 seconds in the 100 meter dash even if you set your goal to 8 seconds.
And this boy ain't gonna run 100 without some great outside help from people that are really in the know about the game of straight pool. He can buy all of the books, tapes, or anything else out there, as well as practice 6 hours a day on his own. It ain't gonna happen THAT WAY.
drivermaker said:
I agree, DM dude, yet he won't be motivated to get help without first having a goal. I think his posting here is just part of the "getting help" process, with your wise words helping him to succeed.
btw, I ran the 100 YARD dash at a flashing 13.6 seconds, which is why I gave up track in 9th grade and now play pool. I can get around a 9 -footer in 13.5 seconds...HA!
Jeff Livingston
A lot of it will depend on his basic abilities.drivermaker said:
'The One', a great cueist showed that after a week or so of playng 14.1 he is very capable of making 100 balls. He had almost no knowledge from experts before making that attempt.
Learning from experts would help, but there are a lot of good cueists who could achieve 100 balls with little experience of the game with a few weeks practice.
drivermaker
Banned
Colin Colenso said:
There's a whole lotta distance between a good cueist and a great cueist. A "good" cueist isn't going to get it done on their own. There are also a high number of great cueists that NEVER ran 100 either, from lack of practice at the game, lack of knowledge, or sometimes just a lot of bad luck in the way a rack will break open. I'd say a whole bunch of the newer breed of young pro out there now has never even run 100. You pretty much have to give up 9 ball for a long while and focus entirely on straight, especially at his level.
There may be those on here that think the difference between 40 and 100 isn't that great of an obstacle to overcome. Bullshit...it's like the difference between throwing the shot 55' or 70'.
Here are some straight pool tips that I share from time to time. Hope this helps:
Straight Pool Lessons
1. You don't NEED a break ball, after all, you get more power and a better spread if you just break with the cueball into the pack as hard as you can.
2. When you keep score, for every point you make, add another here and there. It helps you win. For every point your opponent scores, remove a few here and there, this also helps you win.
3. Remember, straight pool is a BEGINNERS game. It doesn't require cueball control since you can shoot at any ball. Straight pool is NOTHING compared to the incredibly skillful games like 7-ball.
4. Always remember to multiply your actual high run x2 whenever someone asks you what your high run is.
5. Now for the more advanced parts: When you use sidespin, like left english, it will transfer right english to the object ball. This will make the object ball suddenly move right. So, say you have an impossible 90 degree cut to the side pocket. All you have to do is use the opposite spin to where the pocket is located, and the ball will magically go right in.
6. This also works for bottom and top spin. If you put top spin on the cueball, when you hit the object ball, you will transfer bottom to it. This will make the object ball suddenly come back towards you really fast, so watch out!
7. Never chalk your cue. Chalk is messy.
8. It is ok to use alot of talcum powder, however. Sometimes to add strategy to my game, I pour alot of talcum powder on the table, and pretend that im walking in a winter wonderland.
9. Well, I hope this has helped you. Take care and have fun!
Straight Pool Lessons
1. You don't NEED a break ball, after all, you get more power and a better spread if you just break with the cueball into the pack as hard as you can.
2. When you keep score, for every point you make, add another here and there. It helps you win. For every point your opponent scores, remove a few here and there, this also helps you win.
3. Remember, straight pool is a BEGINNERS game. It doesn't require cueball control since you can shoot at any ball. Straight pool is NOTHING compared to the incredibly skillful games like 7-ball.
4. Always remember to multiply your actual high run x2 whenever someone asks you what your high run is.
5. Now for the more advanced parts: When you use sidespin, like left english, it will transfer right english to the object ball. This will make the object ball suddenly move right. So, say you have an impossible 90 degree cut to the side pocket. All you have to do is use the opposite spin to where the pocket is located, and the ball will magically go right in.
6. This also works for bottom and top spin. If you put top spin on the cueball, when you hit the object ball, you will transfer bottom to it. This will make the object ball suddenly come back towards you really fast, so watch out!
7. Never chalk your cue. Chalk is messy.
8. It is ok to use alot of talcum powder, however. Sometimes to add strategy to my game, I pour alot of talcum powder on the table, and pretend that im walking in a winter wonderland.
9. Well, I hope this has helped you. Take care and have fun!
Skippy,
The best advice I can give you is to somehow find a way to make friends with, pay or blackmail a very good straight pool player to help you with the patterns that come up. I had natural talent for the game when I began but absolutely no clue what I was doing. With the help of 2 very good players (and taking some serious ass beating$) I picked up staight pool very quickly and have had some pretty good runs and alot of happiness with the game. Also, straight pool has built a very good foundation for all the games I play. Doggin'
The best advice I can give you is to somehow find a way to make friends with, pay or blackmail a very good straight pool player to help you with the patterns that come up. I had natural talent for the game when I began but absolutely no clue what I was doing. With the help of 2 very good players (and taking some serious ass beating$) I picked up staight pool very quickly and have had some pretty good runs and alot of happiness with the game. Also, straight pool has built a very good foundation for all the games I play. Doggin'
You want to hear something frustrating?
I was playing Bus Driver Ronnie here in DC. He is known as a great one pocket player but plays all games great. I asked to play some straight pool and he obliged. I ran in the 20's dogged it...and he steps up and runs around 105 balls and asks me if I "want him to keep going." He said that was the first time he played straight pool in 15 years.
Sheeshhh.....
Sometimes you either got it..or you don't. Keep practicing til' you get it. It CAN be done, but it'll take some work.
I was playing Bus Driver Ronnie here in DC. He is known as a great one pocket player but plays all games great. I asked to play some straight pool and he obliged. I ran in the 20's dogged it...and he steps up and runs around 105 balls and asks me if I "want him to keep going." He said that was the first time he played straight pool in 15 years.
Sheeshhh.....
Sometimes you either got it..or you don't. Keep practicing til' you get it. It CAN be done, but it'll take some work.
Matt_24 said:
Thanks Matt and thanks to EVERYONE that commented. I appreciate the support and I understand the "devil's-advocate" view as well. This thread has given me a higher appreciation of the 100 ball plateau, which makes me want to do it even more.
I know y'all don't know me or my game. and I'm not here to make any claims of my abilities or to try to prove this or that. I'm just gonna go out there and run some balls. Hopefully, I'll meet up with some folks that can shorten my learning curve.
I'll let ya know if I have any advances toward my goal.
Thanks!!
dogginda9 said:
Many of the older straight pool players that did not play nine ball have difficulty today in nine ball because they lack stroke. 14.1 requires excellence in pattern play, that's the strength. Also requires reading the pack and just knowing were balls will travel each time a cluster is separated. It seems it should be easy but reality is that it does require lots of work to be good.
Another note is running 20 to 40 balls regularly with top quality safeties is what it takes to be good. I know players that can run 100 balls at times that do not dominate against these other players.
Also I invite anyone who runs their first 100 balls to come down were I play. Much easier to run balls on standard pockets than it is on modified ones and the future for 14.1, if one exists, will be on these tables.
Excellent pattern play, position and good safety play make a 14.1 player.
TAP! TAP! TAP!LastTwo said:
I've printed that out for the next time I play!
My high run is...hmmm....what's 2 x 3 fookin' balls?
drivermaker said:
I agree with you on these points.
My point was that there is a different path. That players who have achieved high levels in other games can make the transition and work it out for themselves how to make 100 balls with a week or two's practice.
These same players, if they were better trained in the game probably have the ability to run 200+.
Therefore, when some says their best run is 30 but they've only played the game a few times, it cannot be assumed they couldn't reach 100 quite quickly, without knowing their actual level of skill attained in other games.
There is a difference in running 100 and running 100.
The player that taught me pool, Auther "Babe" Cranfield, was one of the greatest in the world. In his 100's run you would almost never see him play a difficult shot. Each last ball before position on the break was almost identical from rack to rack. Pattern play was none less than perfect.
There are few players that can attain this.
I have seen many bold runs by players who reach for shots to get back in line several times during the process of some run to 40,50, and 80. When I see runs like these I do not see quality of run and carries little weight because these are not the repeat performers. Running 100 does not make you a 100 ball runner unless you do it regularly.
A good performance check would be to run 30, 40, and 50 with quality patterns rather than a 100 with through chaos.
The player that taught me pool, Auther "Babe" Cranfield, was one of the greatest in the world. In his 100's run you would almost never see him play a difficult shot. Each last ball before position on the break was almost identical from rack to rack. Pattern play was none less than perfect.
There are few players that can attain this.
I have seen many bold runs by players who reach for shots to get back in line several times during the process of some run to 40,50, and 80. When I see runs like these I do not see quality of run and carries little weight because these are not the repeat performers. Running 100 does not make you a 100 ball runner unless you do it regularly.
A good performance check would be to run 30, 40, and 50 with quality patterns rather than a 100 with through chaos.
Can you run 100?
I have a friend who used to play a lot of pool. His playing partner when the opportunity presented itself was the late great "Willie Mosconi" When my friend first asked Willie if he thought he could run 100 balls, Willie said in response: "If you can run 30 balls, you can run 200 but only if you know the secrets. My friend was 13 years old at the time. Today he is 57 and though he doesn't play as often as he used to, he still hits them good and will bet anyone he can run 100 balls. After learning the secrets from Willie Mosconi, my friend had so many runs of 100 or more balls, that he can't remember them all. He once played a race to 150 and bet $1,000.00 against his opponent, a great straight pool player in the time. The opponent after a few safety exchanges, caught a gear and ran up to 112 when my friend asked for a coca cola break. He told his opponent to continue shooting and while at the bar getting his cola, a railbird said to my friend, "I got $500.00 bet on you" My friend said back, "well, I got a thousand bet on myself and if you are smart, you will get another $500.00 bet only at this point ask for two to one odds" The railbird did as my friend suggested and easily got another $500.00 of action at two to one odds. The guy continued without a miss until his 134th shot whereupon, he did miss and my friend took the table with an open shot before him. He ran 150 balls and collected the money. He told me that he knew if given the right start, he would run 150 balls because he knew the secrets. I hope that answers your question.
Good luck on your goal
Cross Side Larry
I have a friend who used to play a lot of pool. His playing partner when the opportunity presented itself was the late great "Willie Mosconi" When my friend first asked Willie if he thought he could run 100 balls, Willie said in response: "If you can run 30 balls, you can run 200 but only if you know the secrets. My friend was 13 years old at the time. Today he is 57 and though he doesn't play as often as he used to, he still hits them good and will bet anyone he can run 100 balls. After learning the secrets from Willie Mosconi, my friend had so many runs of 100 or more balls, that he can't remember them all. He once played a race to 150 and bet $1,000.00 against his opponent, a great straight pool player in the time. The opponent after a few safety exchanges, caught a gear and ran up to 112 when my friend asked for a coca cola break. He told his opponent to continue shooting and while at the bar getting his cola, a railbird said to my friend, "I got $500.00 bet on you" My friend said back, "well, I got a thousand bet on myself and if you are smart, you will get another $500.00 bet only at this point ask for two to one odds" The railbird did as my friend suggested and easily got another $500.00 of action at two to one odds. The guy continued without a miss until his 134th shot whereupon, he did miss and my friend took the table with an open shot before him. He ran 150 balls and collected the money. He told me that he knew if given the right start, he would run 150 balls because he knew the secrets. I hope that answers your question.
Good luck on your goal
Cross Side Larry
CrossSideLarry said:
The "Secrets", are just knowledge in how to improve your chances to run. This is what DM was talking about, most will not figure many of these things on their own because they are learned over time, handed down and shown by the experts.
Example, get to the balls up table as soon as possible, get balls off the rails as soon as possible, use middle or low cue ball when going into a mass or risk sticking to a cluster, patterns do not include long running cue balls, ....
Last edited:
drivermaker
Banned
Colin Colenso said:
OK Colin, I'll make you a deal. You have NOTHING to lose...everything to gain.
I take it that you're a good cueist, not great because TheOne kicked your butt.
So I'll give you ONE MONTH, not a week or two of practice. For your opener and all subsequent racks in a race to 100...you can set up your break ball and CB any where that you want it on the table alternating to these 4 positions: right side of rack; left side of rack; behind the rack; and in front of the rack shooting into the side pocket. Go ahead and set the balls and angle as perfect as you want it.
If you run 100 within that month, dinner...drinks...and a woman for the night will be on my tab. (unfortunately you'll have to get the air fare over here)
Steve Lipsky said:
Thanks for info Steve. I've taken a break from Straight Pool this summer and I've been concentrating on 9-ball the last 4-5 months as I believed my shotmaking was not quite what it needed to be, but I think I am there now. I rejoined the Amsterdam Straight Pool League this Fall to get back into the game. I'm also really keen on pool right now after I've made a jump of at least one skill level the last three months.
If you, Ginky, Tony or Jon Smith ever decide to shoot some Straight one evening at Amsterdam, I'd like to watch you guys play, and learn from your game.
drivermaker said:OK Colin, I'll make you a deal. You have NOTHING to lose...everything to gain.
I take it that you're a good cueist, not great because TheOne kicked your butt.
So I'll give you ONE MONTH, not a week or two of practice. For your opener and all subsequent racks in a race to 100...you can set up your break ball and CB any where that you want it on the table alternating to these 4 positions: right side of rack; left side of rack; behind the rack; and in front of the rack shooting into the side pocket. Go ahead and set the balls and angle as perfect as you want it.
If you run 100 within that month, dinner...drinks...and a woman for the night will be on my tab. (unfortunately you'll have to get the air fare over here)
I sure as heck wish I had enough spare time, and spare $$ to hang on a table 6 hours a day for a month to give that challenge a shot.
btw: The closest I've come to playing 14.1 was a 15 ball run out event on English style 7' table. I had to run 2 racks and did it first attempt, collecting $200 for my efforts. I went out partying after that and my cue got stolen out of the back seat of my car via a smashed window ...doh!