Setting A High Run Goal

Today I played another league match. I won The score 100-7? I was spotted 15 balls and had a 3 foul 15 ball penalty. I made balls pretty well but never had a really good run nothing over 11 or 12. I never tied two racks together but I did make the break ball a few times and never got started well on the second rack.

I have some more knowledge coming this weekend I will let you know what I learn.
 
As crazy as it sounds. I found I ran more balls when I didn't keep the count while shooting. Not easy to do but if you can do it then count back after the run has ended it can free you up. I got some of my best results that way. It's simply not on your mind as a distraction while shooting. Also running in the 40's and 50's is not that hard to retrace your run to get an accurate count.

Good Luck to you!!!
 
I have not posted for a couple of weeks.

I have to report I had a lesson with Blackjack on Orlando and he gave me quite a few tips on table management.I really wished I lived closer so I could play him a game or two a month I think my game would go up quickly. I will be trying to to get back to FL. a time or two next year (flights are cheap).

I got back from my cruise and played a couple of makeup matches. I played a 0 and I am a 20 and I won that match by a good margin and it should have been even better but I fouled a ball when I was shooting with the score 95-57 I wound up winning by 100 to seventy something.

I then played a handicap 65 player so in that game is I start at 0 and she is at 45. About midway through the the 3rd rack we had basically been splitting the balls till then the score was was about 58 to 23 or something and I got much more focused and I got most of the next 3 plus racks and and then I wound up winning 100-86

I was supposed to play a strong local lady but she was too busy due to work and the Christmas season and she had to forfeit as the match had to be in prior to our positon round.

In this position round I am matched up to play our own Willie Betmore. I am concerned that he will put it on me as he has been having many strong runs lately and he just plays well all around. He has also been getting in alot of table time with a certain local lady champion hall of famer who has alot of straight pool knowledge and skills. I have my work cut out for me but I look forward to the challenge.

Overall runs to report is nothing great. I have had some high teen runs in the above matches. I will be taking in some straight pool at the Derby with the Bob Jewett straight pool challenge.

I expect a 25 to 30 run anytime. My pocketing is improving now I need to work on my shot selection. Lately I have been focused on throwing out 6 or 7 random balls and building paths to the break shot.

I think general knowledge of the game is my single largest holdback (I have been wont to drive the ball too much in the past ala 9 ball style) but I am finding new knowledge of the game in many places. I find the better players are much more forthcoming with knowledge on straight pool than the basic 9 ball gambler types are with their knowledge.
 
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Well, I can say that on Friday, I ran a 27 right off the bat coming in cold, which odly enough is my age, and I'm not going to try that goal again :), but I am going to aim to beat my high run of 104 unfinished, and I'm going to try and do it within the next 3/4 months, to allow myself to really get back into the swing of playing straight pool again, after playing 8Ball, 9Ball :)

"Straight pool is pool, this is like handball or cribbage or somethin" - Fast Eddie describing his thoughts on 9Ball, in TCOM.

Willie
 
Just back from the Derby

I saw alot of balls shot in the last 4 days including 2 days in the Straight Pool challenge room.

I am glad to say I think I learned alot.

Most Important - I need to have CLEANER equipment table and balls.

As always - I need to shoot softer

Last of all - I need to realize that 14.1 can humble any and all unless they have spent the appropriate amount of time needed to learn the game.

There were stone cold champions having some low runs but they got back on the horse and fired again. This is because 14.1 has been asleep for the better part of 10 or 15 years in 5 years most all American champs will have a straight pool game currently our supply is low compared to the Europeans. I think the 14.1 game is coming back. A major force of the rise in interest is due to Bob Jewett's adding money at the Derby. It is not playing 14.1 but it is running balls at 14.1.

THANKS Bob

I also want to thank John Schmidt for all of the knowledge he passed along the last couple of days. I will work to include that in my game.

Anyone reading this should plan to attend the Derby this year '08 or next year because it is an awesome gathering of worldwide talent.

I am out of here I need to hit some balls.

BTW -I will be playing in the straight pool challenge next year.

I hope to run 42 plus next year (my age)
 
Hi Guys,

I don't play a lot of starightpool but I found a guy that seems to only like it and I can match up with him on Fridays. In 8 ball I'm a faverite to run out in two or less inings if given the chance and I can beat the 5 ball ghost in races to seven. In 14.1 my high run is 16 :mad: but I run in the teens sometimes.

What I would like to know is what people think would be a good goal for this year?

Any input would be great. Thanks


Pete
 
Pete said:
Hi Guys,

I don't play a lot of starightpool but I found a guy that seems to only like it and I can match up with him on Fridays. In 8 ball I'm a faverite to run out in two or less inings if given the chance and I can beat the 5 ball ghost in races to seven. In 14.1 my high run is 16 :mad: but I run in the teens sometimes.

What I would like to know is what people think would be a good goal for this year?

Any input would be great. Thanks


Pete
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Pete, I would suggest not picking a number for a goal, instead make your goal to focus properly on every shot. Make sure you absolutely know what and where whitey is going to do on every single shot. Don't put numbers in your head, take it shot for shot and adjust your pace to get as perfect as you can on your next ball. If you can do this then you will be suprised in yourself after a few months.

Kev
 
elvicash said:
I am 41 years old.

My birthday is June 24.

My goal is to run my age before my next birthday.

In practice or competition, I do not care which.

I currently claim my hi run as 14.

I will revisit this thread as the year progresses.
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you should really check out Grady Mathews keyballs and break shots out. i got a copy and it's helped a lot. i just beat my old high run of 27 with a run of 56
 
selftaut said:
Pete, I would suggest not picking a number for a goal, instead make your goal to focus properly on every shot. Make sure you absolutely know what and where whitey is going to do on every single shot. Don't put numbers in your head, take it shot for shot and adjust your pace to get as perfect as you can on your next ball. If you can do this then you will be suprised in yourself after a few months.

Kev
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Excellent advice IMO.
 
I am pocketing the balls pretty well right now. I ran 22 earlier this week and an 18 tonight. Lots of 10 thru 14 ball runs lately. Just having problems tieing two racks together.

I was playing tonight at the Illinois Billiards Club with dmgwalsh nice guy and a great place to play. I had an excellent time. I played initially with Ed at the club and he gave me some more good ideas on ball speed and high/draw selection when seperating balls and hitting the rack. Thanks for the help.

I fully expect a 30 anytime now. I just need to play more. Thanks to every one who has been helping me out. The work I have been putting into my game is really paying off.
 
elvicash said:
he gave me some more good ideas on ball speed and high/draw selection when seperating balls and hitting the rack
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could you share (unless it is a powerful secret weapon you possess now and are obliged to take it to grave)?
 
Vahmurka said:
could you share (unless it is a powerful secret weapon you possess now and are obliged to take it to grave)?
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The ideas are not simple to explain without a table and balls, and I really did not get a class just a few tips. One item I was doing was when I was hitting the stack with high or draw my CB was not really that active with spin and I was using more velocity than spin. What he suggested I do was make sure the ball had more spin at times so it got itself through balls more than just smacking off of a cluster. Also to get this effect I needed to have my impact line be more full and not a glancing type of angle.

Also when he was taking his turn and he was breaking up a cluster he pointed out that first of all he had to decide to use high or low on the shot. He decided for that shot he was going to use high but with that given did he want a more normal amount of high so he hit the cluster and come off it going towards the side rail OR was he going to load it up more and force the ball with the extra high to get all of the way thru the cluster to the end rail. He could hit that specific shot either way.

I have watched a fair amount of straight pool this year and alot at the DCC, I definitly see this type of action on the better players cue balls when spreading clusters or the rack and did not think I had that stroke but I do and you can as well. The ball hits and starts to carom off due to the impact and then the spin on the ball takes affect and goes back in that direction again.

Ed also suggested hitting a specific ball when breaking up cluster or the break shot, this is the same as Blackjack's clean in and clean out.

I have to report my high run went up again last night Feb 8. I shot a 28 in practice starting from a breakshot. I ran out the 2 racks and did not miss to end my run. What happened to end the run was that as I was getting ready to rack the 3rd rack, a player asked to play some cheap 9 ball and I said OK, I might of had my 41 right there since my break ball was makeable.

I was not that concerend about this run ending as I was on the road traveling for work and the tables pockets were absolute buckets so I was making the balls real well. The table was a cheap Gandy commercial table and the felt was new but cheap heavy wool clumps needing to be brushed. The table was level and that helped alot. BTW - I won a few dollars playing 9 ball.

I am playing good on strange equipment shifting gears and getting the feel pretty quickly of the new equipment.

I will play some later today on my home table GCII the pockets are basically 2 balls plus a 1/4 inch, not tight but not quite buckets either. I like my home table and feel comfortable there, I need to get my light up (Diamond 4x8 with 4 8ft bulbs) I have had it for 6 weeks and finally got it home to my basement, It has been at my shop since the auction where I purchased the light. Also, I NEED a ball cleaner, if anybody has a commercial style for sale PM me. I know I could make one but I want a Ball Star quality or better. I know my cleaner is out there somewhere.

In the last 6 months I have had a ton of good solid input from 14.1 players. This attitude of positive interaction really adds to the experience. Thanks to everyone.
 
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thanks elvicash. I know the basics of breaking with draw or follow depending on the angle and the position of a break ball in relation to the stack - but still get confused pretty often. As a result my cueball gets buried behind the rack too often instead of traveling to either end rail or side rail. Even if the cueball doesn't stop frozen to the ball in the rack I usually don't have a shot at the balls in the open. Usually I'm afraid to go with high because of a possible scratch. I guess I should practice each and every break shot with both draw and follow and see which works best but would like to have an easy guideline at the same time. You know, like "if a, then b", and so on.
 
elvicash said:
I am pocketing the balls pretty well right now. I ran 22 earlier this week and an 18 tonight. Lots of 10 thru 14 ball runs lately. Just having problems tieing two racks together.

I was playing tonight at the Illinois Billiards Club with dmgwalsh nice guy and a great place to play. I had an excellent time. I played initially with Ed at the club and he gave me some more good ideas on ball speed and high/draw selection when seperating balls and hitting the rack. Thanks for the help.

I fully expect a 30 anytime now. I just need to play more. Thanks to every one who has been helping me out. The work I have been putting into my game is really paying off.
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E: Nice playing with you. I didn't realize you played that well.

He broke safe. I missed the first ball and he runs 18. Nice start. Every time I missed he cleared the table.

Beat me both matches handily.:(

See you at Red Shoes tonight. I'm playing a new guy who is maybe not dependable. If he no-shows, we can shoot. Otherwise, you can watch Ed or Fels or match you up with someone else.

D
 
elvicash said:
I have to report my high run went up again last night Feb 8. I shot a 28 in practice starting from a breakshot. I ran out the 2 racks and did not miss to end my run. What happened to end the run was that as I was getting ready to rack the 3rd rack, a player asked to play some cheap 9 ball and I said OK, I might of had my 41 right there since my break ball was makeable.
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Eeek :eek: CARDINAL SIN!!! Never EVER abandon a run where you may surpass your high run! You did the triple barrel Cardinal Sin! You quit a run where you set your new high run, had a prime opportunity to reach your set "age goal" and you quit to play 9-ball.. (shutters). I pray the pool gods will show mercy on your soul and wont damn you with bad karma :D

If it were me, I would have told the guy I would play but I just set my new 14.1 high run and would appreciate it if he could wait until I missed in the 14.1 game.
 
Scottster said:
Eeek :eek: CARDINAL SIN!!! Never EVER abandon a run where you may surpass your high run! You did the triple barrel Cardinal Sin! You quit a run where you set your new high run, had a prime opportunity to reach your set "age goal" and you quit to play 9-ball.. (shutters). I pray the pool gods will show mercy on your soul and wont damn you with bad karma :D

If it were me, I would have told the guy I would play but I just set my new 14.1 high run and would appreciate it if he could wait until I missed in the 14.1 game.
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The one true GOD is the also the god of pool. He is extremely forgiving. I will need alot forgiveness beyond walking away in the middle of a new high run.

I am happy to report the improvement continues. I played some more up in Chicago playing with Ted Lattimer again, he of course pointed out some items I could work on and I will.

Number 1 item he pointed out and I am very guilty of is using side english for direction of cue ball as it comes off of the initial contact with the object ball.

Ted says the use of side should be specific to a need and it is not to be setting the initial line of the cue ball. That line is totally and completely controlled by high and low english. Now before everyone comes in and talks about throw and changing the line of the object ball thus changing the line of the cue ball STOP before you start.

Ted's point was use all center english high to low with no side unless there is an actual reason to have side primarily to change the CB line after hitting a rail and or to spin it off secondary object balls.

His point was made by a perfect straight in shot and hitting dead center extreme right hand english. He fires the ball in and cue ball sits there spinning around axis with right hand english no forward motion.

I played straight pool in league tonight. I was a 15 I played a 40 so I gave him 25 going to 100. Half way through the game he had me 48 to my 42 this was after he 3 fouled for a 15 point penalty 2 racks prior. I wound up winning the match 100-68.

I had some 14 plus runs but nothing really big. My ball pocketing is getting better. I need to do more work and play more in competition. Oh yeah I already have a day job - Well I can hope. :D

Quick report on my concentration. I totally lost focus in this match tonight when I got to mid 20's in the match due to the next table being played by 3 non players and a girl. All of them were loud and acting out, like spinning cues, bouncing balls and hanging out more than playing. It was distracting and I lost momentum. I pulled out my secret weapon (iPod nano and turned it up) tried to relax and started playing better. I had to focus on breathing and playing the table when my oponent was shooting. This focus on the game helps me to tighten my concentration/focus. When my focus returned I started to run balls again and then I started to end my turn intentionaly by playing safe more rather than by dogging alot of balls. I find a distraction needs to be focused on to address it in my mind, then I can let it go.

My mental game and planning game can all be improved. I will let you know how it goes.
 
elvicash said:
The one true GOD is also the god of pool. He is extremely forgiving.
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Amen to that. The advice given to you is definately sound advice IMHO. I have come to an understanding that centerball, vertical axis, and the 90 degree rule is more dependable than spinning the cue ball on the majority of shots in 14.1.
 
Apology for mistake

I believe the gentlemen I have been playing with in Chicago is Ed Lattimer not Ted as I posted above. My mistake and I offer my apologies. DMG let me know if I am right on the last name.DMGWalsh thanks for introducing me to Ed. He definitely been a help after just playing for two sessions with some tips thrown in on top.

I have had some of the best pool experiences in the last year since I started on this straight pool adventure. The players as a whole are much more open and positive about the game.

Straight pool players enjoy playing the game. :)
 
I have also been guilty of not finishing my high run.I was playing an older gentlemen a quick race to 50 for cheap,him and his buddy are laughing as im down 48 to 23,it looks all over for me and they are enjoying it since i play stronger 9 ball,8ball and one hole then them.I go 27 and out and they look at me like im a freak of nature,it was a great feeling,im not a straight pool player,i dont know the game well but i did what i had to do and got out.I racked a few the other day and run 23 balls with ease before i botched a break out shot,my goal is to run 40 sometime this year but unfortunately not alot of people seem to play it here in AZ,its alot of 9 ball and 1 pocket. :cool:
 
Ed

elvicash said:
I believe the gentlemen I have been playing with in Chicago is Ed Lattimer not Ted as I posted above. My mistake and I offer my apologies. DMG let me know if I am right on the last name.DMGWalsh thanks for introducing me to Ed. He definitely been a help after just playing for two sessions with some tips thrown in on top.

I have had some of the best pool experiences in the last year since I started on this straight pool adventure. The players as a whole are much more open and positive about the game.

Straight pool players enjoy playing the game. :)
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ED is correct. Latimer with one "t".

He loves to instruct.

He showed up with a piece of paper with numbers on it. 1-39 with writing after most of them. I said "what is this"

He said "I watched your run".

Analysis of same.
 
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