San Jose/San Francisco area 14.1 help/lesson(s)

[buzzmc]

Curious, I've always "played" this game, but recently got back into billiards and did a few searches, and long story short figured out that I never really played 14.1, I just played within the rules of the game but shot off all the easy balls and then suffered.

I'm interested in learning more, especially from anyone that knows/plays/teaches old school patterns, where you clear pockets, break out smaller clusters, and don't tend to use "9 ball shape" to get around and deal with problems.

I gotta say, the game has become immensely more interesting now that I have a lot more to look at and think about when I'm playing.... But I'd love to get some help/instruction, especially when I go off and decide to take a shot that's clearly not the right way to do something.

Pretty sure I'm making the game harder than it needs to be

 

[sfleinen]

Curious, I've always "played" this game, but recently got back into billiards and did a few searches, and long story short figured out that I never really played 14.1, I just played within the rules of the game but shot off all the easy balls and then suffered.

I'm interested in learning more, especially from anyone that knows/plays/teaches old school patterns, where you clear pockets, break out smaller clusters, and don't tend to use "9 ball shape" to get around and deal with problems.

I gotta say, the game has become immensely more interesting now that I have a lot more to look at and think about when I'm playing.... But I'd love to get some help/instruction, especially when I go off and decide to take a shot that's clearly not the right way to do something.

Pretty sure I'm making the game harder than it needs to be

buzzmc:

Although not technically an "old-schooler" (I'm in my late forties ), I do study any works about "classic" patterns I can get my grubby hands on. A couple of those works I can recommend:

Mastering Pool by George Fels. (Or, its follow-on revision, "Advanced Pool," which dropped some chapters on other games like one pocket, but the 14.1 information should remain intact.)

The Straight Pool Bible by Arthur "Babe" Cranfield

Break Shot Patterns: How to Close 14.1 Racks Like a Pro (Book and DVD) by Phil Capelle

That last one had (at one point) some sample excerpts out on YouTube, but I'm not sure if they were taken down or not (e.g. copyright violations).

The three above are probably the best that I've personally found, but this is the best place to ask this question, and you're sure to get some great feedback!

-Sean

 

[pdcue]

buzzmc:

Although not technically an "old-schooler" (I'm in my late forties ), I do study any works about "classic" patterns I can get my grubby hands on. A couple of those works I can recommend:

Mastering Pool by George Fels. (Or, its follow-on revision, "Advanced Pool," which dropped some chapters on other games like one pocket, but the 14.1 information should remain intact.)

The Straight Pool Bible by Arthur "Babe" Cranfield

Break Shot Patterns: How to Close 14.1 Racks Like a Pro (Book and DVD) by Phil Capelle

That last one had (at one point) some sample excerpts out on YouTube, but I'm not sure if they were taken down or not (e.g. copyright violations).

The three above are probably the best that I've personally found, but this is the best place to ask this question, and you're sure to get some great feedback!

-Sean

+1 on Fels "Mastering..." prolly the best single thing you could do
based on your description of how you are playing at this point.

"I'm sorry, but you are probably shooting too hard" - best advice ever for a beginer

Dale(quotation is aprox - from memory)

 

[Bob Jewett]

Curious, I've always "played" this game, but recently got back into billiards and did a few searches, and long story short figured out that I never really played 14.1, I just played within the rules of the game but shot off all the easy balls and then suffered.

I'm interested in learning more, especially from anyone that knows/plays/teaches old school patterns, where you clear pockets, break out smaller clusters, and don't tend to use "9 ball shape" to get around and deal with problems.

I gotta say, the game has become immensely more interesting now that I have a lot more to look at and think about when I'm playing.... But I'd love to get some help/instruction, especially when I go off and decide to take a shot that's clearly not the right way to do something.

Pretty sure I'm making the game harder than it needs to be

I might fit your requirements.

Also, if you want to try a 14.1 league, there are two in the area. One is in Sunnyvale on Tuesdays. The other is in San Ramon on Saturdays. I've played in both but mostly play in San Ramon now due to my schedule.

 

[DeadStick]

I might fit your requirements.



Also, if you want to try a 14.1 league, there are two in the area. One is in Sunnyvale on Tuesdays. The other is in San Ramon on Saturdays. I've played in both but mostly play in San Ramon now due to my schedule.

Bob's definitely your best choice for instructor in the Bay Area. I recently started playing in the Saturday 14.1 league in San Ramon, and coincidentally played Bob yesterday. Great guy, and I learned a lot watching him as he spanked me 100-63. A few weeks ago he ran something like 60 in competition.

Crown Billiards has top-notch equipment: 13 Gold Crown 9-footers with new Simonis 860, all setups done by Ernesto Dominguez, and good condition Centennial balls (although Bob brings his own balls). Oscar and Corey drop by to play from time to time. Russ and Kevin, the owners, really love pool and it shows. http://www.bayareacrownbilliards.com/

-Ron

 

[buzzmc]

If I were closer to San Ramon I'd definitely check that room out.

 

[NitPicker]

Hi all, I'm a new member and interested in the 14.1 league in San Ramon. I read on Crown's website that it's a drop-in format. Does this mean anyone can stop in on Saturday and play? I had no idea there were places that had straight pool leagues and I would love to participate. Thanks!

 

[Bob Jewett]

Hi all, I'm a new member and interested in the 14.1 league in San Ramon. I read on Crown's website that it's a drop-in format. Does this mean anyone can stop in on Saturday and play? I had no idea there were places that had straight pool leagues and I would love to participate. Thanks!

Yes, just show up and play. Matches are $10 each. If you just want to practice, table time on the weekends is $1/hour for recently recovered Gold Crowns. We are about half-way into the season, but if you worked at it you could probably qualify for the playoffs. Some people manage to play three matches per week. You need 14 matches or so, I think. There are cash prizes at the end of the season and as close as I can figure it is nearly 100% returned.

 

[NitPicker]

That's great, Bob, thank you for responding. I may have to give it a go this week. I look forward to meeting you and others. Thanks!

 

[poolmouse]

I might fit your requirements.

Also, if you want to try a 14.1 league, there are two in the area. One is in Sunnyvale on Tuesdays. The other is in San Ramon on Saturdays. I've played in both but mostly play in San Ramon now due to my schedule.

I flew to SF some years ago (Berkley, for Xinet training) and I had the opportunity to play Bob some straight pool. He was fun to play with. His speed seemed to pick up if he sensed you are stepping it up. Definitely will ping him on my next west coast visit.