Some Of the Worst Advice Given On AZB

ChicagoRJ said:
"you must gamble to get better" is hands down, the silliest advice ever.

Granted, it might help shortstop speed players improve their nerves and such. Basically, the ability to play under pressure.

But for the rest of the world, it won't help at all. An APA 4 with a bad stroke, poor mechanics, poor PSR, and inconsistent strategy is NEVER going to suddenly improve all those flaws by playing races to 5 for $20 over a few weeks or even a few months or even a year.

Fix /improve that repeatable straight stroke before you ever gamble one thin dime ;)
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I agree that gambling will not make someone play better. But, I think what most people giving this advice need to clarify is, that while the gambling itself doesn't make you better...it is a great motivater to get better. The joy/pain of winning/losing can drive one to practice, gain knowledge, gain experience, and focus when they would otherwise play lazy.
 
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TATE said:
"Don't practice on tight pockets. It ruins your stroke."

A lot of people think that because they haven't practiced a lot on tight tables.
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Beginning and intermediate players who are still developing their skills and strokes should not spend a lot of time on tight pocket tables. Advanced players understand the temporary adjustments that have to be made on those tables. Inexperienced players don't, and will most likely make the wrong adjustments. Tight pockets can instill fear and cause inexperienced players to tighten up. They can begin short-stroking and poking and holding back their follow-through as a reaction.

Also, depending on the pocket tightness, many types of position shots can't be played on those tables, for example: certain spin shots along the rails or long spin shots where you need the margin of error of pocket size. Play on those tables enough and you'll get rusty on those shots.
 
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JoeyA said:
If you need to calm down and play better, take a shot of Wild Turkey and don't sip it, chug it. I even tried that, played even worse. :(

JoeyA
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Damn, I just bought a bottle of that. Can't chug that at 101 proof because I have to drive home. However, my friend, seeing where the table is at his house is going through it at a pretty good clip.
 
Hit a million balls HMB. I think I'm up to 999,940 with only 60 more to go I haven't seen any real difference.
 
that was bad !!

prewarhero said:
Wasn't there some guy on here selling dvds that purported that it was actually better to try and not hit center ball? That was bad.
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Yea you're right . My friends and I have spent years perfecting our games
using center only. This scam artist puts that crap out. We are all to the
point where if the guy we're playing makes six or seven mistakes it could
cost him the game. Some of my buddies have even thought about trying
this bunch of crap. He is lucky I don't live close to him or I would empty
is pockets in no time. If you're close go bust him for all us guys that really
know what we're doing.
jack
 
There is no BAD ADVICE!!!

Any advice that you give a chance will make you more rounded. Sure, it may be good or bad advice, but you try it and it works or it doesn't work. You give it your full 120 percent attempt and now you know whether it works for you! It becomes knowledge in the bank resting between your shoulders. You must learn from all of your experiences.

When you get down to it, this game boils down to your memory. Memories in you brain and muscle memory from repetition of performing shots over and over again.

Of course, the performance during a match is using those experiences and memories with your nerve (there is probably a better word for this----confidence, concentration, faith, attention, in the zone, etc.) to perform your best. Part of this you're born with. Another part you develop through repetition of merely competing (gambling, tournaments, leagues, challenges etc.).

You cannot only simply from all the good outcomes and be your best. You must also learn from failures. Sun Tzu (The Art of War) believes that mistakes do not equal defeat. You must learn from them and keep them small and to a minimum. A mistake is simply an outcome. You choose how to interpret victory or defeat. So you can choose defeat or you can learn from it and a future victory can be born.
 
FranCrimi said:
Beginning and intermediate players who are still developing their skills and strokes should not spend a lot of time on tight pocket tables. Advanced players understand the temporary adjustments that have to be made on those tables. Inexperienced players don't, and will most likely make the wrong adjustments. Tight pockets can instill fear and cause inexperienced players to tighten up. They can begin short-stroking and poking and holding back their follow-through as a reaction.

Also, depending on the pocket tightness, many types of position shots can't be played on those tables, for example: certain spin shots along the rails or long spin shots where you need the margin of error of pocket size. Play on those tables enough and you'll get rusty on those shots.
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I don't know what size pockets you practice on, but my thinking is for good players, practicing with big pockets (over 4.5") can breed a lot of bad habits. Sloppy pocketing, sloppy pattern play, lack of focus before pulling the trigger were examples, but excessively cheating the pocket was the most difficult single habit for me to break.

After practicing exclusively on a 5" table for many years, my game was so sloppy it was very difficult to adapt to the typical 4" - 4.5" table we have here on the West Coast. It sharpens up the game. Eventually I did and I was able to get rid of the bad habits I described.
 
TATE said:
I don't know what size pockets you practice on, but my thinking is for good players, practicing with big pockets (over 4.5") can breed a lot of bad habits. Sloppy pocketing, sloppy pattern play, lack of focus before pulling the trigger were examples, but excessively cheating the pocket was the most difficult single habit for me to break.

After practicing exclusively on a 5" table for many years, my game was so sloppy it was very difficult to adapt to the typical 4" - 4.5" table we have here on the West Coast. It sharpens up the game. Eventually I did and I was able to get rid of the bad habits I described.
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When it comes to large pockets, I agree that players can get sloppy. But going in the other extreme can also have its pitfalls. Moderation is the key, and it's not bad advice to warn players about playing on tight pockets, which is what I was addressing.
 
8 Ball Analyze: Rack #8

Sorry for the double post........big clumsy fingers is my excuse.
 
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From: 8 Ball Analyze: Rack #8

I had to chuckle when I read this in an Eight ball analyze thread.

"Since it appears that a stripe is down & the 10 is the only problem, I'd go stripes & move the 10 out on the last shot before the 8."

Sorry for the double post........big clumsy fingers is my excuse.
 
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With some of the big amateur tournaments not having table lights (just general overhead lighting) which really sucks btw. I thought of a "new tip".
Practice with your table light OFF sometimes. Just another light on in the room somewhere.
Not sure if this will help. haha won't know until October Harrah's tourn. :wink:
Why am I getting headaches now after practicing? hmmm
The TDTLRTSPS!
Turn down the lights realistic tournament setting practice SYSTEM!
 
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I think youre right

HawaiianEye said:
Ignoring that advice is probably bad advice, IMHO.

Aloha.
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I think you are right to the extent if one is using a lot of center ball, one has a tendency to not play correctly for the shot angle. It seems I play much better when I am playing outside to make the shots run straight and inside to make the position hold up. To me that is playing pool. Center Ball in certain situations is rife with problems.
 
i was told

by a builder that i could not make wood pin pool cues, because he had tryed and he could not do it so, it could not be done.
 
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