I've been playing rotation and eight ball forever but I just recently joined a straight pool league with a bunch of old timers. I intuitively know the basics from watching straight pool matches and playing the other games but I'm sure there is a lot I can learn. As the saying goes, "you don't know, what you don't know". Does anyone have any recommendations for resources that teach straight pool skills/knowledge?
Straight Pool Advanced Skills
- Thread starter FeelDaShot
- Start date
Geoge Fels had a great book about pattern planning; lots of little diagrams that you could plan your run with, before looking at what he proposed as the correct way to run the rack. Really useful way to learn 14.1 IMO.
Also, I have two instructional videos - one from Jim Rempe and the other from Grady Matthews that had great advice not only about strategy and pattern play, but also how to pick your ideal breakshots based on what was available.
There's also the 14.1 Forum where you can pose this question and probably get some good advice from some of the regulars on here.
Also, I have two instructional videos - one from Jim Rempe and the other from Grady Matthews that had great advice not only about strategy and pattern play, but also how to pick your ideal breakshots based on what was available.
There's also the 14.1 Forum where you can pose this question and probably get some good advice from some of the regulars on here.
FeelDaShot, Howdy;
Agree with the Fels book. Also there's one by Babe Cranfield, another by Phil Capelle and
a new one that's been out about a year "A Shortstop On Straight Pool" has a usb included
with a ton of short videos that show you what he's talking about. All of'em good.
hank
Agree with the Fels book. Also there's one by Babe Cranfield, another by Phil Capelle and
a new one that's been out about a year "A Shortstop On Straight Pool" has a usb included
with a ton of short videos that show you what he's talking about. All of'em good.
hank
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FYI, the "Shortstop on Pool" has a YouTude channel. In a few of the videos, he commentates his runs.
One of the best I have seen is John Schmitt (How I run the 100s) also Accu-stats has a ton. I recommend any player review because IMHO you learn a lot more when you know why the player chose or chooses one ball over another
just my 2cents!
That's Bob Keller he is at Felt in Englewood, Colorado where I go on Saturdays.
Rarely plays anyone but does a lot of video recording.
Plays pretty good and a nice guy.
FeelDaShot, Howdy;
One thing to keep in mind the Fels & Cranfield books are geared to the "Old School"
style of 14.1 while the Keller & Capelle books get more into the more Modern style.
I'll not advocate one over the other. Rather I just say this BOTH styles work and work
very well.
hank
One thing to keep in mind the Fels & Cranfield books are geared to the "Old School"
style of 14.1 while the Keller & Capelle books get more into the more Modern style.
I'll not advocate one over the other. Rather I just say this BOTH styles work and work
very well.
hank
Very good point!
One of my favorite things is to observe the habits of some of the old schoolers (The Miz is my absolute favorite to watch at 14.1) versus the new schoolers (Schmidt being the best example). Maybe it's on Accu-Stats, but I remember a video of Schmidt from about 20 years ago (maybe vs. Sigel?) where the commentators were having a hard time trying to narrate the match because John was playing shots and patterns that they would never have thought of. It was quite amusing.
There's also a bit of a difference in how some of the Europeans approach the game as well, particularly with their break shots.
Such a great game though, and always interesting to see the different approaches to it!
-Brian
Watching John's runs on YouTube I've seen him do stuff that I think would have made Mosconi blanch! LOL!!
People I think forget Pool is like Chess, in that you have to think about more when making shot then ball you are trying to sink.
Also the Pro player because of skill level move fasts from shot to shot.
Think of them like a Chief Resident not their first time doing something. First year, First Day Interns. They make mistakes, kill, or hurt people. Because they have no experience.
Also the Pro player because of skill level move fasts from shot to shot.
Think of them like a Chief Resident not their first time doing something. First year, First Day Interns. They make mistakes, kill, or hurt people. Because they have no experience.
I think the videos where John Schmidt is commentating on his own runs are super fun to watch. He is really entertaining to listen to, and the runs obviously are picture perfect. I think there might be 5-10 of those videos scattered around the internet. I know he did a few with commentary when he was at Bill M's house 10 or so years ago. I don't know if he did others. He might have done commentary on one of the higher runs on his quest to 527 recently.
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gerard soriano said:
I recommend any player review because IMHO you learn a lot more when you know why the player chose or chooses one ball over another
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This is truly excellent advice for emerging Straight Pool players of any skill level.
You can't overestimate the importance of logical thinking and subconsciously building-up -- in a fund of memories -- a more-and-more instinctive rationale (an automatic self-justification from mind to arm) for virtually every shot in Straight Pool.
Hearing the player's voice-overed review has a beautiful (to me) almost spiritual quality of you and the player simultaneously discovering -- palpably
-- his personal mind-arm connection manifesting itself over and over.
Hearing and seeing the rationale-result process at work in top-level 14.1 players is a priceless key to a rising curve in the quality of your own rack-navigating performances -- that result in longer and longer runs.
Arnaldo
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I made also how to run balls in 14.1 video. I did run 103 on livestream 1st try and talk trough run while shooting. My emphasis on run is how to max margin of error and minimize luck factor.
run starts about 9:30 mark and i play it slow due i try explain things. I talk something about aiming too.
run starts about 9:30 mark and i play it slow due i try explain things. I talk something about aiming too.
Johnny Holiday has three great books on pattern play as well.