Straight Pool

Matt_24

Matt_24

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
How many of you out there enjoy playing straight pool?

I'm a big fan of the game, although I started out playing nine ball, as did many of my generation of pool player.

I've learned more about the game of straight pool, by watching and studying the way the pro's play patterns on many of the accu-stats matches than by playing people who don't really know the game. I've only played one extremely strong local player, where he broke, I ran 26 balls, and he ran 150 and asked if I wanted him to keep going or stop. That was the strongest straight pool player I've ever played IN person.

My high run right now in straight pool is only 47. I'll get in the zone and start running balls, and it's always missing the easiest shot that kills the run. Straight pool requires a tremendous amount of focus and concentration, and one little break in it, or rushed shot (like the easy ones players love to take for granted) can end a potentially strong run.

Does anyone have any advice on how to get to the next level of play in straight pool, or any good books they could recommend, or straight pool instructors? Also, if you have any shots, tips, strategies, or straight pool safes that you really like, please post them on here as well.
Thanks - :)
 
Phil Capelle's "play your best straight pool"
"The Straight Pool Bible" Larry Moy
George Fel's books

Safeties are pretty standard, playing 'one pocket' will help your safety game. And increase your patience.

Get Jim Rempe's "how to run 100 balls" video, its a good start
 
Hi Matt 24. I learned the game playing 14.1 in 1962.I only played pool casually (2X a month or so) until the mid 90's.I am now an avid participant(15 t0 20 hrs. weekly)I feel 14.1 is the defining game of all pool skills and like it best. Work on your rack to rack transitions(5 balls out) and you will see your runs of 30 plus increase dramatically.Making balls(shots) is easy if you practice sincerely, the transitions take skill & knowledge. P.S> You make the tough shots because you are concentrating , when you miss the bunny slap is because it looks easy and your mind wanders or goes numb! good luck,keep playing
 
Hi Matt 24. I learned the game playing 14.1 in 1962.I only played pool casually (2X a month or so) until the mid 90's.I am now an avid participant(15 t0 20 hrs. weekly)I feel 14.1 is the defining game of all pool skills and like it best. Work on your rack to rack transitions(5 balls out) and you will see your runs of 30 plus increase dramatically.Making balls(shots) is easy if you practice sincerely, the transitions take skill & knowledge. P.S> You make the tough shots because you are concentrating , when you miss the bunny slap is because it looks easy and your mind wanders or goes numb! good luck,keep playing
 
Thanks Tom. I'll check those out.

Billy, I make most of my mistakes when I'm trying to float around my key and break ball. I'll definitely have to start focusing harder on that portion of the run out. My practice time is limited to one hour per day (sometimes every other day) and maybe two to three hours on a weekend, due to work, college (at night) and family. Hopefully though, I will be able to make some progress. My goal is to run 50 balls consistently and have a high run of 75 balls by the end of this year. Hopefully it is achievable. Thanks for the advice! Take care-
 
Matt:

I too agree straight pool is the best game for all around skill. I actually run a straight pool league in your area. I run it on Monday nights at First Break Cafe in Sterling, VA. It is already past the cut off point for the current season but if you are interested let me know your e-mail address and I will keep you in the loop. It is a handicapped league with a weekly fee of $10 per match. The best book on straight pool is Mastering Pool by George Fels and the Rempe videos are also good. I also like the video by Grady called key balls and break shots, you might be especially interested in that one based on Fast's advice.

Thanks,

Paul
 
warrenpfunk said:
Matt:

I too agree straight pool is the best game for all around skill. I actually run a straight pool league in your area. I run it on Monday nights at First Break Cafe in Sterling, VA. It is already past the cut off point for the current season but if you are interested let me know your e-mail address and I will keep you in the loop. It is a handicapped league with a weekly fee of $10 per match. The best book on straight pool is Mastering Pool by George Fels and the Rempe videos are also good. I also like the video by Grady called key balls and break shots, you might be especially interested in that one based on Fast's advice.

Thanks,

Paul
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Oh that sounds like fun. I think that would really help me to get better. Can you put me on your list? When does the next session start?

Laura
 
i only play 14.1.....
9ball only when i feel lazy... 14.1's greatness is that you have no one to blame but yourself. it is chess where 9ball is checkers.
there are as many ways to approach a rack as there are players. 14.1 allows me to create from nothing. so the most important thing in 14.1 is to know yourself. it is a game where ego kills.

i am a C shooter( there are plenty of C players who would kick my arse in 9ball). but my high run is 81. i know what i can do, and i know what i can't. my patterns are built around my strengths and away from my weaknesses.

my patterns are the worst when i am pocketing well, because i then tend to shoot shots i shouldn't, just because i feel i can. my patterns are at their best when i am tentative in pocketing and i play a focused, simplified game. given options, i take the shot that gives me greatest control over the CB. so you see,,,it's all about knowing yourself. i like games where you learn about yourself.

i like fels' book, but his patterns were not for me. he spirals in, and there's too much CB movement and fewer options. i prefer playing from the inside, out. there's less CB movement, shorter shots, more options, and i can massage the balls better. my weakness, of course, is i miss too friggin' much :):):).

i used to play a friend and he always beat me around 100-55. so one day i decided to play him tough all the way. he won 100-88 or so, but afterwards my legs felt like rubber, and i dropped to the chair exhausted, like i just ran a marathon. it was a great feeling.
 
I too used to run a 14.1 league in Illinois. When I feel my 8/9-ball game dropping for unknown reasons, I play 14.1 for a week or so, only about 2 hours every other day to get my mind back into it. I've read Phil Capelle's "Play Your Best Straight Pool" book and it has really opened my mind and eyes. My high run is 54 balls! I too need to concentrate on the last 5 balls and the break out shot!
Good luck!
Zim
 
bruin70 said:
i used to play a friend and he always beat me around 100-55. so one day i decided to play him tough all the way. he won 100-88 or so, but afterwards my legs felt like rubber, and i dropped to the chair exhausted, like i just ran a marathon. it was a great feeling. [/B]
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"It's easy to have faith in yourself and have discipline when you're a winner, when you're number one. What you've got to have is faith and discipline when you're not yet a winner."

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle-victorious."

Quotes from Vince Lombardi...Bruin, it sounds like you're on your way.
 
bruin70 said:
reno,,,,it was only that once :):):)
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Bruin, what I have to say to that is, "bologna", don't sell yourself short.

Another Vince quote:

"Winning is not a sometime thing: it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do the right thing once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing."

He says winning is a habit, I say winning is an attitude. What I'm trying to say is that a lot of players fold under the excuse that, "oh, I'll never be as good as THAT guy." Horseshit!! Remember in the movie, The Hustler? George C. Scott tells Fast Eddie, "You've got the best excuse in the world for losing; no trouble losing when you got a good excuse. Winning. That can be heavy on your back too, like a monkey. You'll drop that load too when you got an excuse. All you gotta do is learn to feel sorry for yourself. One of the best indoor sports, feeling sorry for yourself. A sport enjoyed by all, especially the born losers." What I'm trying to say Bruin is don't be afraid to WIN.

I am in no way calling you a loser, please understand that. In contrast, I'm saying don't limit your ability by subconciously telling yourself that you can't do something. A lot of players, once they have someone on the ropes feel that they don't have the ability to win against this certain somebody. That is all in your mind!! Once you have them on the ropes, don't be afraid to go for the KO!!!!
 
Hey Fast, Reno here. Gosh damn, you're a trip! I'm guessing you're the kind of cat who, if I walked into a poolroom and started talking to you, I'd think you were hilarious. Sometimes you just rub people the wrong way, and I'm sure you're aware of that. In fact, I'm guessing you thrive on that shit. I guess that's what attracts REAL people to poolrooms...no fricken politically correct BS, just real life fricken hangin out. Like I said Fast, I put up with your shit for a couple of weeks before you drew a reply from me, so you've gotta understand that I like the banter. It's just the racist shit that crosses the line with me, and maybe I was wrong in labeling you as such. Or, maybe I was right on. Just because I wouldn't claim to be your acquaintence on a politically correct scene, sure as hell doesn't mean we couldn't have a blast in a poolroom. From all your BS though, I need at least the six out, even if you claim not to be a nine-baller!
 
oh, i wasn't selling myself short, reno. i'm proud of my 14.1 game.

what i meant by "it was only that once", was that that was the only time i have EVER played so intensely on EVERY single shot. totally wore me out.
 
I ran 179 on a uk 8 ball table with very tight pockets then missed a basic ball over the middle pocket due to the old concentration. Also had 120 once, missed carried on and got another 110 or something back to back, so I was 1 miss away from almost 250.

Having played on the US tables last year I am REAALY looking forward to playing straight pool when I get to the states, I reckon I can make 300-400 balls easy judging from my experience in vegas.

Straight pool, great game, wish it was still as big as it was?

Craig
 
Number1 said:
I ran 179 on a uk 8 ball table with very tight pockets then missed a basic ball over the middle pocket due to the old concentration. Also had 120 once, missed carried on and got another 110 or something back to back, so I was 1 miss away from almost 250.

Having played on the US tables last year I am REAALY looking forward to playing straight pool when I get to the states, I reckon I can make 300-400 balls easy judging from my experience in vegas.

Straight pool, great game, wish it was still as big as it was?

Craig
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HOLY GUACAMOLE!!!!,,,that's pro shooting, and 300-400 is TOP LEVEL pro shooting if you do it.

that's what i like about 14.1,,,,,there's ALWAYS something to shoot for. it is a very satisfying and rewarding game.
 
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Number1 said:
[I reckon I can make 300-400 balls easy judging from my experience in vegas.

Well Craig, my advise to you is to sell out everything you own i Australia, and go touring and gambling in the US. Very soon you will be the true Numero Uno :D
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I'm counting the days pool addict, but I don't think 300-400 balls make you a top 9 ball player, to many other things come into play. But yes I consider, position, break building and working my way around the balls my strong point.

Only the break, kickshots, new cushions/balls,rules etc to master! LOL

Unfortunately it looks like late next year but time will fly, I'm a commin! :-)
 
Actually does anyone know what the true world records are for straight pool? I couldn't find it on the Guiness site? (just lots on beer info LOL :-)
 
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