I had a conversation with someone recently who mentioned that the professional pool players will tell you many things that will help your game but that there are some "secrets" that you will never pry from their minds.
This is obviously true and it has been my personal experience as well. I once asked Ralf Souquet what his technique was for maintaining composure and he said he would only reveal that only after his days of competition are over. I can understand that and I'm sure many of you can as well.
There are other things (secrets) that top players know that some of us don't know but I suspect that some secrets are idiosyncratic and may not be as valuable to others as they are for the person who thinks it is "the secret" to their success.
I think we all learn particular things which help our game but that they are relative to us as individuals. Sure, those unique things that we do to help us pocket balls might help others but not always. I haven't tested my theory out on any of the professional players but I would almost bet that they do unusual things to help them pocket balls but may be too embarassed to tell others how they perceive or execute the shots because it isn't in the books.
We all know that if it isn't in the books, then it can't be right.
Ahh, you want secrets? Okay, i'll give you a dam secret! :thumbup:
Everyone is talking about how to do this, and how to hit that, squirt, center, left, deflection, blah blah blah blah blah! You all keep debating about that until your peas pop, i'll offer up exactly how to get them little "gems" you seek! I wont give you one, not even a half of one. I will tell you how you get them!
Maybe one young person here will put down the dam mouse, switch off the computer, and go do it, that person will be a real player, not some internet trained, mushroom.........after a few years of this.
18 yrs old, been playing from 14. town knows everything about you, even when you take a pee! Yuk! Unless you like all the attention! Then your a show off! So what too do? Small town, no one wants to play you anymore, too good. Pool sucks, people just wont fall for my pitch anymore, heartless they are! No heart, that's it. Or maybe, your still clueless? Maybe you know everything about running balls, but you have no clue about people!
Here it is, sounds simple, but how many young players do it? VERY VERY few!
Work a job in your home town, work nights, so you can practice 3 hours before work, in a quite room!
Only work Mon-Thursday.
On Thursday, come on too AZ and read about different parts of the country, the action, the pool halls, the people. Find the pools halls within 6 hours in all directions. Pick one to go play in all weekend.
Go alone!
Get off your butt, and start the car and drive.
Maybe plan to play a tournament sat or Sun in that location.
Why would you do this?
Because, you already know that there is a old timer there, that knows the things you want to learn. So you go, sit with this guy, buy him a drink or coffee, maybe even food, and pick his brain like a shrink! Tell him you'll pay table time,go play ask questions! Hang there all weekend, listening to the old timer, as he sees you more, and if you don't act like a total spoiled punk jackass, he will offer you more and more. If he really has some gem's you just go back every weekend for a time and learn. It cost you gas, a cheap room, a entry into a tournament, and some food and table time.
You want gem's, and are younger, find old timers, act right, and learn what many, even very good players, never learn, because they cant shut up and listen when they are young! And don't know that the old timers will always hold those gem's!
You do this for 3 years, you have my word, you will learn allot more about pool then just mechanics! And that is were all the beauty hides, cant learn those gems until you put in the blood sweat and tears......And your lazy ass sure cant buy it, its not for sell, those gems are earned!
My first lesson ever, was aiming, cost me a hotdog and a beer.....
he didnt ask for it i offered, after he ate that hotdog and drank the beer....then i said....Btw how the hell do you aim?
He is in the hall of fame.......Get it?
Question you ask:
What was it like playing pool in the 50-60-70s
What was the best trick you ever were shown to improve.........(what you want to learn)
My old fav'
i will Play you race to 11 for 50
after you improve my game a ball, and you just cant lose!
This is clever, beyond normal! and you'll never know why, unless you go and learn why.
When you do this, you learn the aiming secrets, you learn the banking gems, you learn table conditions, you learn how to deal with every pool jerk that ever held a cue, you learn how to make games, you learn to tell someones speed, you learn to hide your speed, its really unreal how much info you can learn from a old timer! If you just are
passionate, genuine, and willing to shut up and listen, then go ask a question-shut mouth-listen-ask more questions........then more will be reveled! Once you get this, it wont matter how good your game is anymore, and you can just sit back with a big smile, and watch the masses miss the whole point of begin a true player.
Good luck!
If you never get ripe' you'll never fall off the tree!
