Things I've learned here and know to be true.

[danquixote]

I have been stumbling around various pool halls, dedicated pool forums, and such for better than 45 yrs. My game hasn't improved much....but my knowledge base has grown enormously. I'm gonna attempt to share a few "truths" with y'all. Some already know them, newer inexperienced players my find them helpful.

1. There is no "BEST" anything, be it cue, tip, shaft,or footwear. You will search these posts and pick some of the best minds in pool with your questions. The answer to most of them can come only from you. No one can tell you what is right for you. You MUST try various cues, tips, etc. for yourself. You might be able to narrow it down a mite with suggestions from others, but the ultimate decision should be based upon your own experience.

2. There is no device, aid, tool, or book that will improve your game more than simple practise. Time spent at the table with other knowledgeable players is going to give the best results, if you can afford private instruction.....even better.

3. Hustling doesn't make you cool, in most cases it is little more than stealing, and no one likes a thief. Gambling is just fine and adds enjoyment to the game for some, but picking the pocket of a weaker opponent doesn't allow a good man to carry his head very high.

4. Most professional players are paid to use whatever equipment they have in the bag. You will not achieve the lofty heights of an SVB, Earl, or Efren simply by using what they use. Earl when he is 80 will still be able to beat most of us with a broom handle.

5. Alcohol does not make you sexier, looser, more composed, or give you better vision. Have seen some that say they play better with a few drinks......maybe so for a select few, but most folks just get worse with each drink.

Thats it.....not much I know......but simple truths are......well......simple.

 

[Johnny Rosato]

I have been stumbling around various pool halls, dedicated pool forums, and such for better than 45 yrs. My game hasn't improved much....but my knowledge base has grown enormously. I'm gonna attempt to share a few "truths" with y'all. Some already know them, newer inexperienced players my find them helpful.

1. There is no "BEST" anything, be it cue, tip, shaft,or footwear. You will search these posts and pick some of the best minds in pool with your questions. The answer to most of them can come only from you. No one can tell you what is right for you. You MUST try various cues, tips, etc. for yourself. You might be able to narrow it down a mite with suggestions from others, but the ultimate decision should be based upon your own experience.

2. There is no device, aid, tool, or book that will improve your game more than simple practise. Time spent at the table with other knowledgeable players is going to give the best results, if you can afford private instruction.....even better.

3. Hustling doesn't make you cool, in most cases it is little more than stealing, and no one likes a thief. Gambling is just fine and adds enjoyment to the game for some, but picking the pocket of a weaker opponent doesn't allow a good man to carry his head very high.

4. Most professional players are paid to use whatever equipment they have in the bag. You will not achieve the lofty heights of an SVB, Earl, or Efren simply by using what they use. Earl when he is 80 will still be able to beat most of us with a broom handle.

5. Alcohol does not make you sexier, looser, more composed, or give you better vision. Have seen some that say they play better with a few drinks......maybe so for a select few, but most folks just get worse with each drink.

Thats it.....not much I know......but simple truths are......well......simple.

You said a mouthful of truths there, thanks for airing it !!!

 

[Ched]

I have been stumbling around various pool halls, dedicated pool forums, and such for better than 45 yrs. My game hasn't improved much....but my knowledge base has grown enormously. I'm gonna attempt to share a few "truths" with y'all. Some already know them, newer inexperienced players my find them helpful.

1. There is no "BEST" anything, be it cue, tip, shaft,or footwear. You will search these posts and pick some of the best minds in pool with your questions. The answer to most of them can come only from you. No one can tell you what is right for you. You MUST try various cues, tips, etc. for yourself. You might be able to narrow it down a mite with suggestions from others, but the ultimate decision should be based upon your own experience.

2. There is no device, aid, tool, or book that will improve your game more than simple practise. Time spent at the table with other knowledgeable players is going to give the best results, if you can afford private instruction.....even better.

3. Hustling doesn't make you cool, in most cases it is little more than stealing, and no one likes a thief. Gambling is just fine and adds enjoyment to the game for some, but picking the pocket of a weaker opponent doesn't allow a good man to carry his head very high.

4. Most professional players are paid to use whatever equipment they have in the bag. You will not achieve the lofty heights of an SVB, Earl, or Efren simply by using what they use. Earl when he is 80 will still be able to beat most of us with a broom handle.

5. Alcohol does not make you sexier, looser, more composed, or give you better vision. Have seen some that say they play better with a few drinks......maybe so for a select few, but most folks just get worse with each drink.

Thats it.....not much I know......but simple truths are......well......simple.

yup - what ^^he^^ said.

 

[lorider]

Yea.....what the others said....a lot of truth on your post. Especially about your game not improving much. :grin-square:

Haven't seen you around in a while. You still.hustling suckers down at that midtown bar ? Oh wait...it closed didn't it ?

 

[Chopdoc]

Have seen some that say they play better with a few drinks......maybe so for a select few, but most folks just get worse with each drink.

Those are the alcoholics. The alcohol stops their shakes so they can play. It does not actually improve their game so much as the shakes degrade their game.

That's all.

 

[ceebee]

There is some good philosophy in those statements. Thanks for the posts....

 

[jackpot]

how do you know

I






4. Most professional players are paid to use whatever equipment they have in the bag. You will not achieve the lofty heights of an SVB, Earl, or Efren simply by using what they use. Earl when he is 80 will still be able to beat most of us with a broom handle.



Thats it.....not much I know......but simple truths are......well......simple.

A lot of the Asian players use South West, not paid. Could you name
the men pro's that are paid to play a certain cue, I would like to know.
jack

 

[trob]

A lot of the Asian players use South West, not paid. Could you name
the men pro's that are paid to play a certain cue, I would like to know.
jack

Oh yeah another I feel special because I got ripped off by south west post lol

I always laugh at the posts saying so in so shoots with that so i will. Who cares ...no ones game is the same. Find what works right for you.

 

[Scott Lee]

danquixote...You and I are completely on the same page! Nice post!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

I have been stumbling around various pool halls, dedicated pool forums, and such for better than 45 yrs. My game hasn't improved much....but my knowledge base has grown enormously. I'm gonna attempt to share a few "truths" with y'all. Some already know them, newer inexperienced players my find them helpful.

1. There is no "BEST" anything, be it cue, tip, shaft,or footwear. You will search these posts and pick some of the best minds in pool with your questions. The answer to most of them can come only from you. No one can tell you what is right for you. You MUST try various cues, tips, etc. for yourself. You might be able to narrow it down a mite with suggestions from others, but the ultimate decision should be based upon your own experience.

2. There is no device, aid, tool, or book that will improve your game more than simple practise. Time spent at the table with other knowledgeable players is going to give the best results, if you can afford private instruction.....even better.

3. Hustling doesn't make you cool, in most cases it is little more than stealing, and no one likes a thief. Gambling is just fine and adds enjoyment to the game for some, but picking the pocket of a weaker opponent doesn't allow a good man to carry his head very high.

4. Most professional players are paid to use whatever equipment they have in the bag. You will not achieve the lofty heights of an SVB, Earl, or Efren simply by using what they use. Earl when he is 80 will still be able to beat most of us with a broom handle.

5. Alcohol does not make you sexier, looser, more composed, or give you better vision. Have seen some that say they play better with a few drinks......maybe so for a select few, but most folks just get worse with each drink.

Thats it.....not much I know......but simple truths are......well......simple.

 

[lorider]

danquixote...You and I are completely on the same page! Nice post!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Dan and I happened to take an all.day lesson from Randy g at my house a few years ago. I used to run into Dan once in a while at a bar we both frequented from time to.time.. He was mostly hanging out....listening to the band....amd I was playing league out of that place..

Hey Dan ...in case. You did not.know .....old Whitten moved over to Kirby a few blocks down from bumpus Harley.

They have a Sunday afternoon 8 ball tournament . I never play in it as i have masters at that time.

 

[trob]

A lot of the Asian players use South West, not paid. Could you name
the men pro's that are paid to play a certain cue, I would like to know.
jack

Svb uses a cuetec for years without getting paid ...I guess that means I should buy. But oh yea.. I think they play like shit and I don't have svb skills so it doesn't matter lol

 

[Pushout]

Those are the alcoholics. The alcohol stops their shakes so they can play. It does not actually improve their game so much as the shakes degrade their game.

That's all.

Sorry, no. I am an alcoholic, recovering. 39 years sober. I never shook and I played when I drank and vise versa. In the course of my recovery, which is still ongoing, I've met thousands of alcoholics. Comparing the ones who DID shake versus the ones who DIDN'T, the ones who did shook in the morning only and had to drink to get started. I've known a good many drunks who play pool over the years and met very, very few, if any who had to drink because of shakes before they played.

 

[jackpot]

what I mean

Svb uses a cuetec for years without getting paid ...I guess that means I should buy. But oh yea.. I think they play like shit and I don't have svb skills so it doesn't matter lol

I am saying that I read here all the time by all in the know experts
that the pro's get paid all this money to play with a certain cue. The
only one they can name is Shane. But they all know that they get paid
huge amounts. It's a mystery how they know, but they do. The pro.s
change quite often so the cue makers don't get much for all this money
and cues they are giving them, but they just keep doing it. Maybe that's
the reason cues cost so much and take so long to get. Or maybe, just
maybe all the in the know experts are full of s---. they are just repeating
that same old line "they play with who ever pays them the most" BS

jack

 

[pwd72s]

Good truths as far as I'm concerned. But what do I know? I'm just an old guy who knocks balls around for fun.

I have no regrets about the $$$ I paid for my Josey cue, Not that I'll declare it the best out there. It does feel good to me while making me decide to stop looking for that magic cue. If you're lucky enough to find a cue that feels good to you, hang on to it. Then invest in table time and practice if you wish to improve.

 

[Get_A_Grip]

I have been stumbling around various pool halls, dedicated pool forums, and such for better than 45 yrs. My game hasn't improved much....but my knowledge base has grown enormously. I'm gonna attempt to share a few "truths" with y'all. Some already know them, newer inexperienced players my find them helpful.

1. There is no "BEST" anything, be it cue, tip, shaft,or footwear. You will search these posts and pick some of the best minds in pool with your questions. The answer to most of them can come only from you. No one can tell you what is right for you. You MUST try various cues, tips, etc. for yourself. You might be able to narrow it down a mite with suggestions from others, but the ultimate decision should be based upon your own experience.

Agreed. For certain types of equipment, I think that there is such a thing as a "best" for that particular person. For example, the best tip for me is a soft tip, such as an Elkmaster (or milkdud), determined over many years by trying different tips.

2. There is no device, aid, tool, or book that will improve your game more than simple practice. Time spent at the table with other knowledgeable players is going to give the best results, if you can afford private instruction.....even better.

This is true to some extent. You can practice all that you want, but there are many tricks and tips that someone won't likely stumble upon during there own practice in the way that will be extremely clear, proven, and accurate. Buying a video or reading a book about these things can significantly improve your game, once you reach a certain level (30°and 90°rules, banking systems, caroming frozen balls, etc.).

3. Hustling doesn't make you cool, in most cases it is little more than stealing, and no one likes a thief. Gambling is just fine and adds enjoyment to the game for some, but picking the pocket of a weaker opponent doesn't allow a good man to carry his head very high.

Agreed. But people get accused of "hustling" way too many times, just because they are much better than someone else and they take their money. Some lesser players like to gamble away their money to get a sense of belonging. Very few people that I have ever watched play, purposely tried to hide their speed. Especially on a bar table, any player can lose a game or two no matter how good they are.

4. Most professional players are paid to use whatever equipment they have in the bag. You will not achieve the lofty heights of an SVB, Earl, or Efren simply by using what they use. Earl when he is 80 will still be able to beat most of us with a broom handle.

Agreed. But by the same token, playing with what your favorite player uses probably won't significantly degrade your game either.

5. Alcohol does not make you sexier, looser, more composed, or give you better vision. Have seen some that say they play better with a few drinks......maybe so for a select few, but most folks just get worse with each drink.

Many people are excessively nervous or anxious. Two or three beers definitely relaxes me and helps my game (if I'm stressed). Also, there are quite a few players that can still run out tables after drinking a lot. Back when I was drinking regularly, I could still play run out pool at up to 10 drinks. I definitely noticed that after 10 drinks, my game fell off dramatically. I'm sure that there are other guys that can drink significantly more than that and still run out like water.

I realize that you were highlighting things that appear to be true for the majority of people, but I felt like mentioning some of the exceptions that I'm aware of.

 

[Chopdoc]

Sorry, no. I am an alcoholic, recovering. 39 years sober. I never shook and I played when I drank and vise versa. In the course of my recovery, which is still ongoing, I've met thousands of alcoholics. Comparing the ones who DID shake versus the ones who DIDN'T, the ones who did shook in the morning only and had to drink to get started. I've known a good many drunks who play pool over the years and met very, very few, if any who had to drink because of shakes before they played.

Sorry, yes.

I can explain it more detail but what you are saying does not contradict it.

It is only my oversimplification that seems to cause an issue for you.

Unless you are actually saying alcohol is performance enhancing.

.



.

 

[Pushout]

Sorry, yes.

I can explain it more detail but what you are saying does not contradict it.

It is only my oversimplification that seems to cause an issue for you.

Unless you are actually saying alcohol is performance enhancing.

.



.

I wasn't clear, I guess. I drank in bars and didn't have the shakes nor did I need to drink before I played. I just drank, period. I couldn't drink in commercial billiard rooms because it was illegal in NYS at that time. My whole point was about the shakes, you seem to have gone in another direction?

 

[Ched]

Who are you referring to as alcoholics? Your post was actually quite vague. But in a nutshell, yes my post contradicts what you said, in my experience.

I can't speak for Doc, but here's my take. There are a TON of folks who are functioning alcoholics - they get up every morning, go to work, pay their bills, and at the end of the day sit down with some beer or whatever. You see this a lot in "bar players" - work all day, and relax by having a few drinks and shooting some pool. Many of the amateur leagues are filled with such players. It's nature and habit for them to have a few drinks while they're shooting.

If you take away be booze - it takes them out of their element, and induces a discomfort zone. The tension increases, and they don't play as well.

Other folks don't really care for the booze, and would rather concentrate on the game itself.

Neither is wrong or right - it's just life. For myself, I fit somewhere in the middle. On league night - I don't drink until after my match - then I have a few with the folks. Same with any tournaments I get into. I'm not a good player by any means, but I keep trying to get better.

Some folks tense up at the word "alcoholic" - it's been given a stigma by society. They get defensive, when really there's no need to. Congrats to you for you long history of sobriety .. it's indeed something to be proud of (especially if drinking is something you crave.)

I don't think Doc intended to "refer" to anyone as an alcoholic, but was just making a general observation from a medical standpoint. .... but I'm just guessing on that part.

 

[danquixote]

Here we go.....Get a Grip.....you seem to enjoy playing the devils advocate on this forum.
Your first ad lib......about the "best".....you say that the milk dud is best for you, you know that by your personal experience. That is precisely what I stated......best for you by discovery......not "BEST"...but best for you.
Your second critique dealt with a statement that said there was no substitute for practice. You will note that I stipulated " with other knowledgeable players" or private instruction. Most novices will not benefit from a book nearly as much as from an experienced player by their side. I will agree that once a certain level is attained, instructional videos, books and the like can improve the learning curve, but not nearly as well as dedicated practise with an overseer.
Third critique seems more a matter of semantics than anything else.....Hustling is manipulation of a lesser skilled opponent into a game he has no chance to win, or manipulation of the equipment, surroundings, etc. to significantly reduce his chances. Key word here is "Manipulation".
And your final critique is not worthy of discussion.....A drunk, regardless of his years on the job and his ability to consume.....is not welcome at most tables.

 

[JoeyInCali]

I am saying that I read here all the time by all in the know experts
that the pro's get paid all this money to play with a certain cue. The
only one they can name is Shane. But they all know that they get paid
huge amounts. It's a mystery how they know, but they do. The pro.s
change quite often so the cue makers don't get much for all this money
and cues they are giving them, but they just keep doing it. Maybe that's
the reason cues cost so much and take so long to get. Or maybe, just
maybe all the in the know experts are full of s---. they are just repeating
that same old line "they play with who ever pays them the most" BS

jack

How many are paid by Longoni ?
http://www.longonicues.com/pros
Dennis Orcullo is sponsored by Tiger.
Corey and Max Eberle are now sponsored by Meucci.


They don't really get paid huge amounts outside of Shane .
But, for the most parts, pros need all the help they can get .