So... I had a lesson with Rafael Martinez

[Str8PoolPlayer]

So, the rooms to stop and visit in Sacramento are Hard Times and the Jointed Cue? I'm going to be headed up that way in December if any tournaments are going on.

Chris

The Jointed Cue has weekly tournaments (Sept. - June) as follows:

Monday Night - "B" 9-Ball
Tuesday Night - Open 9-Ball


Hard Times Monthly Tournaments ( 1 Pocket & 9-Ball ) will be held on December 5th & 6th, with at least $300.00 Added to each tournament.

There are weekly tournaments at Hard Times:

Tuesday Night - Line 8-Ball
Weds. Night - "B" Tournament 9-Ball
Thursday Night - 10-Ball w/Break Pot
Sundays - Open 9-Ball

Come on up and see us whenever possible.

Regards, Howard

 

[jay helfert]

Rafael - Only one of the greatest shot makers of all time. I can't think of anyone who can come with bigger shots in pressure situations. Rafael can flat bring it! I've seen Rafael put some dipsy-do on the cue ball that even the top players just shake their head at. He has been wowing us for years with his amazing abilities.

 

[JoeyA]

Rafael - Only one of the greatest shot makers of all time. I can't think of anyone who can come with bigger shots in pressure situations. Rafael can flat bring it! I've seen Rafael put some dipsy-do on the cue ball that even the top players just shake their head at. He has been wowing us for years with his amazing abilities.

All right now. You're the second pool person I have heard using the term, "Dipsy-Do" referring to pool. I assume that Dipsy Do means to move the cue ball in a zig-zag manner, like when you are between Tipsy and Drunk. Since the other person was Keith McCready, I guess it's a California thing.

Do you know what "Float the Gypsy means"?

Please correct my definition of Dipsy Do if it is different than yours.

 

[jay helfert]

All right now. You're the second pool person I have heard using the term, "Dipsy-Do" referring to pool. I assume that Dipsy Do means to move the cue ball in a zig-zag manner, like when you are between Tipsy and Drunk. Since the other person was Keith McCready, I guess it's a California thing.

Do you know what "Float the Gypsy means"?

Please correct my definition of Dipsy Do if it is different than yours.

I don't know what "float the gypsy" means, and I'm not sure I care either.

Yes, Keith could put the old 'dipsy-do' on the cue ball too. I mean these two guys could make the cue ball do some unnatural things. Both Rafael and Keith could come with shots that most other players wouldn't even attempt. If you ever saw them do it, you wouldn't have to ask.

 

[Guerra Cues]

I haven't had a chance to respond to this thread but thanks for all the cool comments guys.
There is always room for improvement and all Rafael showed me was a couple of things that I was doing wron and I seriuslly need to change those things... Now is just a matter of practice

 

[OklaPony]

He came to what I think was the first Southwest 9-Ball Tour tourney that John held in the OKC metro area back in about 92 or 93. (Not the first SWNBT ever, just the first in this area) It attracted some pretty smooth players and I honestly can't remember who won but I distinctly remember marvelling at the way Martinez played. At the time he was playing with one of Wes Hunter's cues.

 

[TATE]

The Jointed Cue has weekly tournaments (Sept. - June) as follows:

Monday Night - "B" 9-Ball
Tuesday Night - Open 9-Ball


Hard Times Monthly Tournaments ( 1 Pocket & 9-Ball ) will be held on December 5th & 6th, with at least $300.00 Added to each tournament.

There are weekly tournaments at Hard Times:

Tuesday Night - Line 8-Ball
Weds. Night - "B" Tournament 9-Ball
Thursday Night - 10-Ball w/Break Pot
Sundays - Open 9-Ball

Come on up and see us whenever possible.

Regards, Howard

Thanks, Howard

Chris

(workin' on my "float the gypsy, dipsy-do shot" as we speak)

 

[Str8PoolPlayer]

Thanks, Howard

Chris

(workin' on my "float the gypsy, dipsy-do shot" as we speak)

Tony & I will be working on those also this coming week
with Rafael (assuming he opts to share such knowledge with
two unworthy "grasshoppers".)

 

[jay helfert]

Tony & I will be working on those also this coming week
with Rafael (assuming he opts to share such knowledge with
two unworthy "grasshoppers".)

Please remind Rafael about the One Pocket tourney at Hard Times (LA) July 3-4. $2,000 added, $75 entry fee. I'd love to see him come play since he's in the neighborhood.

 

[Bigtruck]

Please remind Rafael about the One Pocket tourney at Hard Times (LA) July 3-4. $2,000 added, $75 entry fee. I'd love to see him come play since he's in the neighborhood.

Scott Frost and I were doing commentary in Tulsa at the T-Town Classic when Rafael was playing. We were in awe at some of the shots he attempted and made!!

Good Stuff!

Rafael ended up runner up to young gun Sylver Ochoa. The finals was one race to 5 and Rafael jumped out of the gate 3-0 on Sylver! Awesome match!

Ray

 

[CJ Wiley]

I AGREE on Rafael

Rafael showed me a special little thing that he does with his wrist that helped me years ago....I always like to hear good things about Rafael, he was one of the MOST underrated players in the world...C J

Hey folks,
Yesterday, I had the pleasure to work with Rafael Martinez.
Not going into many details, but just wanted to say he noticed some flaws on my stroke that he corrected immediately as well we worked on some drills that will help me with what he found wrong with me.
It is incredible but I had lessons with a couple of Pro-Players and Rafael was the first person that I true feel that found what the hell was wrong with my game.
Now is up to me to practice and I was taught.
Rafael Martinez is not just an incredible player but an awesome person as well. And if you get his trust he will share a lot of cool stories with you.

 

[JAM]

All right now. You're the second pool person I have heard using the term, "Dipsy-Do" referring to pool. I assume that Dipsy Do means to move the cue ball in a zig-zag manner, like when you are between Tipsy and Drunk. Since the other person was Keith McCready, I guess it's a California thing.

In the early ‘80s, I was traveling down South, and word came to me about an upcoming big-paying 9-ball tournament in Columbia, South Carolina, and so off I went, full of hope and wondering what players would show up.

When I arrived at the poolroom, I surveyed the scene, and all the world-beaters were there. I survived the first four days of a really tough field and had a good chance to finally win one. On the final day, though, I woke up a little late and called the poolroom, letting them know I was on my way. I was hoping for an easy draw, but when the voice on the other end of the phone told me who my opponent was, it was the same old song: Jimmy Mataya, the guy who beat me 11 to nothing the last time we played.

I grabbed my cue and rushed over to the tournament site. It was one of those smoky poolrooms with very dim lighting. The only illumination came from the table lamps. After my eyes adjusted, in the distance I noticed this bright red-and-white blinking light, and I knew it could only be one person: Jimmy Mataya.

He was practicing, hitting balls with authority, feeling confident, making real manly shots, and he was wearing this blinding crimson-and-white flickering hat that looked like something out of a carnival. I barely had enough time to hit a few balls, which didn't boost my confidence much, but I really wanted to win this match.

When they announced our names, I grabbed my stick and moseyed on over to our designated table, and here was Jimmy chirping like a canary with those dazzling lights on his hat blinking red and white, red and white, red and white. I didn't want him to think I was sharked, so I let it go.

We lagged for the first break, and we were off and running racing to 11. Jimmy shot through me like Swiss cheese, and before I knew it, he was on the hill with a score of 10-zip. He broke the balls on the case game, and that hat was getting on my nerves as he was running out. I was benched and not liking it. Jimmy ran out to the 7 ball, got out of line, and missed the 8 ball, but he didn't look too worried because it was darn near impossible to pocket the ball at that angle in the corner pocket and get position on the 9 rock. I said, “Jimmy, I'm going to make a dipsy-do shot, and if I do, the hat is mine.”

This shot was in my bag of tricks. I practiced it consistently back home. It was my dipsy-do, also known as the inside kill shot. You must aim downward on the cue ball with follow-through and slide the cue ball over to the back rail with inside english, just shaving the object ball ever so crisply, so the cue ball will deaden off that back rail.

Learn the “feels” for this shot. If you hit the ball too full, it might be because your hand is too tight on the back end of the stick. Stroke downward using less pressure, with a longer stroke. If you over-cut it, it is because your grip is too loose on the butt end of the cue. You need to over-compensate for hitting the ball too full or over-cutting it. Try to lengthen your hand on the cue stick, making sure you don't pull or jerk it too much. I like to twirl my fingers around the butt to get a better “feel” for that longer stroke. This is an advanced shot, and most pros have difficulty in executing this shot. Practice with shorter distances, and make adjustments until you have mastered the “feels.”

Jimmy hadn't even sat down yet, and I was already addressing the ball. I took a very deep breath and made the dipsy-do successfully. The whole crowd became unglued, but I still had 10 more games to go. I assured myself that I wasn't out of it, and making this difficult inside kill shot gave me momentum. I ran four racks, played a safety, ran three more racks, played a safety, and I was steamrolling. The spectators were now on my side, applauding and cheering after every shot, and before I knew it, the score was 10-10. I made a good out in the eleventh game for the win. I could see that Jimmy didn't want to relinquish my prize, but, after a few chuckles and laughs, he presented this hideous hat to me, autographing it “Pretty Boy,” as he was wont to be called, and placed it on my head.

Competing in tournaments for any pool player is an uphill battle. If you practice difficult shots and conquer them, like the inside kill, with a lot of dedication and patience, you may find yourself in the winner’s circle more times than not, if you have your own bag of tricks.

If you wish to read the entire article from InsidePool Magazine, click here: November 19, 2003, The Dipsy-Do by Keith McCready

 

[Getnbzy]

In the early ‘80s, I was traveling down South, and word came to me about an upcoming big-paying 9-ball tournament in Columbia, South Carolina, and so off I went, full of hope and wondering what players would show up.

When I arrived at the poolroom, I surveyed the scene, and all the world-beaters were there. I survived the first four days of a really tough field and had a good chance to finally win one. On the final day, though, I woke up a little late and called the poolroom, letting them know I was on my way. I was hoping for an easy draw, but when the voice on the other end of the phone told me who my opponent was, it was the same old song: Jimmy Mataya, the guy who beat me 11 to nothing the last time we played.

I grabbed my cue and rushed over to the tournament site. It was one of those smoky poolrooms with very dim lighting. The only illumination came from the table lamps. After my eyes adjusted, in the distance I noticed this bright red-and-white blinking light, and I knew it could only be one person: Jimmy Mataya.

He was practicing, hitting balls with authority, feeling confident, making real manly shots, and he was wearing this blinding crimson-and-white flickering hat that looked like something out of a carnival. I barely had enough time to hit a few balls, which didn't boost my confidence much, but I really wanted to win this match.

When they announced our names, I grabbed my stick and moseyed on over to our designated table, and here was Jimmy chirping like a canary with those dazzling lights on his hat blinking red and white, red and white, red and white. I didn't want him to think I was sharked, so I let it go.

We lagged for the first break, and we were off and running racing to 11. Jimmy shot through me like Swiss cheese, and before I knew it, he was on the hill with a score of 10-zip. He broke the balls on the case game, and that hat was getting on my nerves as he was running out. I was benched and not liking it. Jimmy ran out to the 7 ball, got out of line, and missed the 8 ball, but he didn't look too worried because it was darn near impossible to pocket the ball at that angle in the corner pocket and get position on the 9 rock. I said, “Jimmy, I'm going to make a dipsy-do shot, and if I do, the hat is mine.”

This shot was in my bag of tricks. I practiced it consistently back home. It was my dipsy-do, also known as the inside kill shot. You must aim downward on the cue ball with follow-through and slide the cue ball over to the back rail with inside english, just shaving the object ball ever so crisply, so the cue ball will deaden off that back rail.

Learn the “feels” for this shot. If you hit the ball too full, it might be because your hand is too tight on the back end of the stick. Stroke downward using less pressure, with a longer stroke. If you over-cut it, it is because your grip is too loose on the butt end of the cue. You need to over-compensate for hitting the ball too full or over-cutting it. Try to lengthen your hand on the cue stick, making sure you don't pull or jerk it too much. I like to twirl my fingers around the butt to get a better “feel” for that longer stroke. This is an advanced shot, and most pros have difficulty in executing this shot. Practice with shorter distances, and make adjustments until you have mastered the “feels.”

Jimmy hadn't even sat down yet, and I was already addressing the ball. I took a very deep breath and made the dipsy-do successfully. The whole crowd became unglued, but I still had 10 more games to go. I assured myself that I wasn't out of it, and making this difficult inside kill shot gave me momentum. I ran four racks, played a safety, ran three more racks, played a safety, and I was steamrolling. The spectators were now on my side, applauding and cheering after every shot, and before I knew it, the score was 10-10. I made a good out in the eleventh game for the win. I could see that Jimmy didn't want to relinquish my prize, but, after a few chuckles and laughs, he presented this hideous hat to me, autographing it “Pretty Boy,” as he was wont to be called, and placed it on my head.

Competing in tournaments for any pool player is an uphill battle. If you practice difficult shots and conquer them, like the inside kill, with a lot of dedication and patience, you may find yourself in the winner’s circle more times than not, if you have your own bag of tricks.

If you wish to read the entire article from InsidePool Magazine, click here: November 19, 2003, The Dipsy-Do by Keith McCready

Great post . Nice to see you in here jennie. Don't be a stranger.