Something You Would Never Say Out Loud

[lfigueroa]

So here's my question: do you base any of your play on something so crazy, so out there -- but that works for you -- that you hesitate saying it out loud for fear of being laughed out of the pool hall.

I mean even like Tin Cup, Bull Durham stuff.

You don't have to reveal, just wondering.

Lou Figueroa

 

[kollegedave]

Not me. Although, the range of stuff I might say out loud is expanding as I age.

kollegedave

 

[Flakeandrun]

So here's my question: do you base any of your play on something so crazy, so out there -- but that works for you -- that you hesitate saying it out loud for fear of being laughed out of the pool hall.

I mean even like Tin Cup, Bull Durham stuff.

You don't have to reveal, just wondering.

Lou Figueroa

Before every break, I slide the cueball into the cushion, place the ball, wipe my hand on the rail, wipe my hand on trouser leg, get into position. I won't feel comfortable to break until I do this. This is more OCD than PSR, and serves no purpose whatsoever. I consider it quite embarrassing and ridiculous. But then I also have previous history of OCD behavior that was quite a pain in the ass in my life, and that I worked hard to shake. Probably why I find it so ridiculous and embarrassing.

 

[Fatboy]

I talk to the balls.

 

[Kentucky Rack Man]

So here's my question: do you base any of your play on something so crazy, so out there -- but that works for you -- that you hesitate saying it out loud for fear of being laughed out of the pool hall.

I mean even like Tin Cup, Bull Durham stuff.

You don't have to reveal, just wondering.

Lou Figueroa

Absolutely, just dont ask. Works for me is all that matters. lol. Actually strange you mention Tin Cup and Bull Durham. We can let their imagination wander

 

[Flakeandrun]

I talk to the balls.

GO HOME BALL. YOU TOO GOOD FOR YOUR HOME NOW BALL?

 

[maha]

yea, used to play a guy that ran a donut shop. he was the worst player and loved playing mostly just me. he never won once in years.
always close games. i learned to hold my bridge sloppy like his and stand like him and shoot the slow speed he used for shots. still do for the most part.
few ever quit me once i get them down. its embarrassing how bad i sometimes play.
my mom asked me if i was going to get a job. she said you could work in a bank or an office or something. i said "mom i make more then the president of the bank".

 

[kollegedave]

So here's my question: do you base any of your play on something so crazy, so out there -- but that works for you -- that you hesitate saying it out loud for fear of being laughed out of the pool hall.

I mean even like Tin Cup, Bull Durham stuff.

You don't have to reveal, just wondering.

Lou Figueroa

On second thought...I do have what I call The Iron Rule...for a particular situation in one pocket.

Of course you only break the Iron Rule, if you hate winning. At times, a few innings after a game starts, occasionally, a down table stalement will develop. No one has a ball very close to their hole, but the stack is still together. In this situation, The Iron Rule States: the first player to accept an up-table game and freeze the cue ball on the short rail has an advantage. In the last few years, I have never broken The Iron Rule. When faced with this situation, I immediately try and freeze my opponent on the short rail, and I prepare my mind for an up-table game.

kollegedave

 

[markjames]

i was down on this long difficult
cut shot with truth be told very, very
little chance of making it

and i started laughing and said
i named this shot
gordon says what’s it called
i say this shot is the amelia earhart
gordon says the amelia earhart
yea, you’re never gonna find her

 

[Maniac]

Sometimes before a difficult shot I'll mumble to myself "come on you stupid son-of-a-bitch, keep your head still and remember your fundamentals."

After the shot I'll say out loud to myself "you dumb f*ck!"

 

[FairladyZ]

I talk to the balls.

Ok, now I feel a little more sane knowing I'm not the only one that does this.

 

[alphadog]

I wonder why Lou is being so personable? Oh did I say that out loud?

 

[SmoothStroke]

I get out of the chair and pull my underwear and pants out of my asscrack.
You have to really dig in to release them or your stroke suffers. With a name like SmoothStroke I must lead by example.

I yell in my head “FIRE IN THE HOLE”
I fire it in and draw 6 rails.
I was going to put 3 diagrams of 6 rail draw shots in the Harold Worst thread but they would never believe “ Fire in the hole”

I stole fire in the hole from another player. One night we were playing scotch doubles.
He called it and Fired it in at 100mph.
I only use it when I have to power up big.

 

[jasonlaus]

I always thought playing with a longer cue, say closer to 70" would improve your game but was afraid the cue builder or players would think I'm crazy.

Then along comes Earl and finally somebody else that's not crazy thinks the same way.

 

[garczar]

" I shoulda buried her deeper"

 

[lfigueroa]

On second thought...I do have what I call The Iron Rule...for a particular situation in one pocket.

Of course you only break the Iron Rule, if you hate winning. At times, a few innings after a game starts, occasionally, a down table statement will develop. No one has a ball very close to their hole, but the stack is still together. In this situation, The Iron Rule States: the first player to accept an up-table game and freeze the cue ball on the short rail has an advantage. In the last few years, I have never broken The Iron Rule. When faced with this situation, I immediately try and freeze my opponent on the short rail, and I prepare my mind for an up-table game.

kollegedave

hmmm, never heard that one, it's an interesting thought.

There's one guy I play that just loves an up table game. It's easy to see by his face and demeanor that he is like a pig in ca-ca when he can merrily bunt balls upstairs. I try and go out of my way to cut him off at the knees and keep the balls down table : -)

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

i was down on this long difficult
cut shot with truth be told very, very
little chance of making it

and i started laughing and said
i named this shot
gordon says what’s it called
i say this shot is the amelia earhart
gordon says the amelia earhart
yea, you’re never gonna find her

lol. good one.

I will often have the same interior conversation on the long difficult ones saying to myself, "Self, are we men or are we mice?" Then I goferit.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

I wonder why Lou is being so personable? Oh did I say that out loud?

Ha!

Lou Figueroa
OK, it was funny

 

[kollegedave]

hmmm, never heard that one, it's an interesting thought.

There's one guy I play that just loves an up table game. It's easy to see by his face and demeanor that he is like a pig in ca-ca when he can merrily bunt balls upstairs. I try and go out of my way to cut him off at the knees and keep the balls down table : -)

Lou Figueroa

Just to be clear. I don't prefer an up-table game. However, if winning is the goal, I think it's unwise to fight against it...if the balls are laying in such a way as to encourage it.

This is easier to do with better players. Broadly speaking, once the balls start going up-table with good players it takes a few innings to get them all up there. However, once they are there, the balls have to come back down, and good players find ways to get balls to their hole.

The problem, of course, is the weirdo who enjoys bunting the balls around and never shooting. Or worse, they enjoy thinking about bunting the balls around before they bunt the balls aimlessly.

kollegedave

 

[gregcantrall]

So here's my question: do you base any of your play on something so crazy, so out there -- but that works for you -- that you hesitate saying it out loud for fear of being laughed out of the pool hall.

I mean even like Tin Cup, Bull Durham stuff.

You don't have to reveal, just wondering.

Lou Figueroa

Well it only meets the "works for you" required. No fear in looking like a clown. Rodeo Clowns are my heros . Oh wait a minute it was Tin Cup that I borrowed.
My self to self was, "don't worry about looking ridiculous. I have done that. Down 6-2 going to 7. How about if I/We just don't hand him another. "
It worked I would never want to play that, "just One time" poker wish.....again.