STRAIGHT POOL Strategy and “Run Your Age” Challenge

dr_dave said:
Let's see a video. Then I can add you to the list.

Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...

I'm well past my prime and only play once a week.
The few times I've tried to run some balls lately I'm thrilled to get into the 3rd rack.
I play on Diamond tables and it would be a little easier on a Crown.
I'm still going to watch your videos I'm an old dog that can still learn new tricks.
 
I like your videos Dr Dave but after the break you had an open table with no balls tied up and on three of you first six shots you ran into balls and risked tying up balls that were already open.

I've found it is better to play position on balls once they are open and construct a pattern than blasting away and seeing what happens. More of a scalper than a cleaver.
 
alstl said:
I like your videos Dr Dave but after the break you had an open table with no balls tied up and on three of you first six shots you ran into balls and risked tying up balls that were already open.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I shake my head when I watch it also.

alstl said:
I've found it is better to play position on balls once they are open and construct a pattern than blasting away and seeing what happens. More of a scalper than a cleaver.
Click to expand...
I look forward to seeing your "Run Your Age" or "High Run" video.

Good luck,
Dave
 
Last edited:
This is awesome Dr. Dave. Your videos are great and this will be a tough one as my antique table has extended subrails and tight pockets. Not ideal for 14.1

I'm 57 and have only been in the 40s 3 times since restoring the table.

Will knock the dust off the GoPro and see what happens.
 
forabeer said:
This is awesome Dr. Dave. Your videos are great
Click to expand...
Thanks.

forabeer said:
this will be a tough one as my antique table has extended subrails and tight pockets. Not ideal for 14.1

I'm 57 and have only been in the 40s 3 times since restoring the table.

Will knock the dust off the GoPro and see what happens.
Click to expand...
I look forward to seeing your scores and videos. In the "Run 100 Minus Your Age" category, you only need to run 43!

Good luck,
Dave
 
Day 2: I put 3 hours in and came up with a 42, so didn't quite get there.

 
Thanks for this one.
I've dabled but never really dedicated to play this game. Also never had anyone give me basics / primer on playing. So this is really helpful and sparked a renewed interest in playing this some more.
 
j13smiley said:
Thanks for this one.
I've dabled but never really dedicated to play this game. Also never had anyone give me basics / primer on playing. So this is really helpful and sparked a renewed interest in playing this some more.
Click to expand...
I only started playing about 5 years ago, wish I had found it sooner. Best pool game there is in my opinion. I try to push it whenever I can, it's the only game that runs in my garage.

Challenge progress:
Put in another 2 hours today, didn't get into the third rack once. Garage is going into workshop mode so don't think I'll get another chance to try again for a week or two.
 
I only have access to my bar table in the garage. It plays tough- has only 4 inch pockets. 15 balls is too much on a 7 footer for straight pool. Anybody ever tried straight pool on a bar table? I would think 10 or 11 balls would be fair
 
westcoast said:
I only have access to my bar table in the garage. It plays tough- has only 4 inch pockets. 15 balls is too much on a 7 footer for straight pool. Anybody ever tried straight pool on a bar table? I would think 10 or 11 balls would be fair
Click to expand...
People have reported playing 9.1 (with a 10-ball rack). On the other hand, I've seen John Schmidt run 180 twice on a bar table. You need to be good at combinations and caroms. Break shots, if you can get on them, are duck soup.
 
dr_dave said:
FYI, I just posted a new video that presents a "Run Your Age" Challenge and offers advice on how to play straight pool effectively. Check it out:



Topics covered [with YouTube timestamp links] include:
- Intro [0:00]
- Opening Break [1:17]
- Break Ball [2:37]
- Pattern Play [3:41]
- Solving Problems [6:04]
- Break Shots [9:28]
- Example Run [10:46]
- Wrap-Up [13:31]

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests. And I hope some of you post scores and videos for the "Run Your Age," "Run 100 Minus Your Age," and "High Run" Challenges. Current results are available in the YouTube video description.

Enjoy,
Dave
Click to expand...
Here are the latest Challenge Results:

High Run (run score - name - video link):
140 - Jeroen van Spronsen
59 - Bob Keller
57 - Dr. Dave Alciatore
42 - Mick Enzie
41 - Dave Gross
25 - Matthew Kimbro
23 - Bharat Ramakrishna

Run Your Age (run score - name - age):
140 - Jeroen van Spronsen - 43
59 - Bob Keller - 58
57 - Dr. Dave Alciatore - 56

Run 100 Minus Your Age (run score - name - age):
140 - Jeroen van Spronsen - 43
59 - Bob Keller - 58
57 - Dr. Dave Alciatore - 56
41 - Dave Gross - 67
 
westcoast said:
I only have access to my bar table in the garage. It plays tough- has only 4 inch pockets. 15 balls is too much on a 7 footer for straight pool. Anybody ever tried straight pool on a bar table? I would think 10 or 11 balls would be fair
Click to expand...
I've put 2 videos in this thread. Valley with shimmed pockets. All we play on it is straight pool, probably 12+ hours/week, maybe more. Literally thousands of hours.

Crowding on it is worse than on a 9 foot, but shotmaking is easier. I keep detailed records (made easy by the app we use) and my averages are pretty identical playing on the 7' valley, or on a 9' brunswick.
 
My top run ever is 46 balls, run when I was about 20-22.
My recent top run is 36 made when I was (and still am) 67.

There is little hope I can ever run my age.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top