This Game Is So Frustating!!!!!!!

teedotaj

teedotaj

teedot oohhhhhh
Silver Member
Hello everyone!

First of, I'm a rookie in terms of this game. I just started playing by myself. I know the rules and that's about it. It's sooo frustrating! I can't even get through an entire rack! >.< I keep running out of balls to shoot lol. Or I keep nudging my intended break ball out of position and my entire plan is ruined lol.

I keep going back to playing 9 ball ghost whenever I get frustrated. lol

However, I try to play this because I believe (as many here mentioned) that it will improve my other games (mainly 9b and 8b). Like breaking clusters, finding patterns in 8 ball and a good end game...etc.
If I want to get better in these games I need to play more rotation or straight pool. I choose straight pool because I can practice by myself.

Anyways, I read here somewhere before about the triangle. It's a good concept. But I find myself just trying to clear the table and leaving the triangle in the end. Is that how it's done? Just set your keyball, set up ball and your break ball and just run out the rest of the rack first? Or Should I be doing several triangles? Like a triangle for a triangle pattern? Lol I don't know if that makes sense haha.

Anyways I love the thinking aspect of the game. You can play it by yourself and you think a lot too like 1P (I haven't really played that game yet though)
 
Last edited:
It's a tough game. There are patterns you see after playing it a while but until you have that experience, it's kind of bewildering.

I think your basic goal for now is to save a break ball, save a key ball that gets to it nicely, and just run the rest as simply as possible, moving the cue ball only a little and trying not to run into other balls (or only make controlled bumps that won't tie stuff up).

Make it a priority to get rid of balls on the rail, balls that block other balls from going, and break up clusters. If you happen to fall onto a ball that's kind of in a funny spot (like you have only a tiny window where it's shootable, or it only plays in a far corner, etc) then take it.

Always think 3 balls ahead and play position for areas where if you screw up, you are very likely to have another shot.

Don't get so stuck on the idea of running the balls in the 'correct' pattern that you take tough, missable shots when easier ones are available. This advice ("never shoot a missable ball") is one of the things I really liked in Jim Rempe's tape. My runs got a bit longer when I started listening to that.
 
planning ahead is a big part of it, and something i get lazy on time to time.

i suggest phil cappelle's book on straight pool.

also, try a no-rail drill. just spread out all balls on the table (not near rails) and run them out without hitting a rail. it helps me to get into the mindset of planning ahead and in stroke for a 14.1 game.
 
OneArmed said:
planning ahead is a big part of it, and something i get lazy on time to time.

i suggest phil cappelle's book on straight pool.

also, try a no-rail drill. just spread out all balls on the table (not near rails) and run them out without hitting a rail. it helps me to get into the mindset of planning ahead and in stroke for a 14.1 game.
Click to expand...

theres always the old rule just dont miss.some racks are hard others even harder.
 
As a newbie myself, i decided to shorten the rack to start. I only rack 10 balls when i practice, starting with a break ball. This takes out some of the congestion, and allows me to see some things on the table, and to see patterns easier. When i warm up a bit, i go to a full rack. It allows me to get in the groove, and not get frustrated from the beginning. Hope this helps....
 
What CreeDo said is sage advice: Don't over think it, especially in the beginning; and get rid of problem balls.

Some things to consider:

DO try to locate possible break balls early and key balls that let you get on the break shot.

Do take care of problem balls. These are balls along the rail; balls that only have one or two available pockets; balls that may interfere with the pocketing of other balls or avenues of position; clustered balls; balls up table that are not in front of a pocket (balls up table that are hanging can usually be left for later in the rack as they can act as a "plan B" when your position doesn't work out on your primary shot - a "get out of jail free card" if you will).

DO keep it simple. Avoid the 9-ball mentality of going up and down table to get position on shots. Little movement of the CB is golden.

DO have fun. Straight pool is a champion's game.

:thumbup:
 
Thanks for the responses everyone~!

DogsPlayingPool said:
What CreeDo said is sage advice:

DO keep it simple. Avoid the 9-ball mentality of going up and down table to get position on shots. Little movement of the CB is golden.

DO have fun. Straight pool is a champion's game.

:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Yea you hit this one right on the nail. I'm moving whitey around too much. I will keep this in mind. 9 ball and 14.1 are different games and require different mindsets.
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
What CreeDo said is sage advice: Don't over think it, especially in the beginning; and get rid of problem balls.

Some things to consider:

DO try to locate possible break balls early and key balls that let you get on the break shot.

Do take care of problem balls. These are balls along the rail; balls that only have one or two available pockets; balls that may interfere with the pocketing of other balls or avenues of position; clustered balls; balls up table that are not in front of a pocket (balls up table that are hanging can usually be left for later in the rack as they can act as a "plan B" when your position doesn't work out on your primary shot - a "get out of jail free card" if you will).

DO keep it simple. Avoid the 9-ball mentality of going up and down table to get position on shots. Little movement of the CB is golden.

DO have fun. Straight pool is a champion's game.

:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Well said!!
 
You're getting some very good advice. Your aggravation with the game will go away if you listen to it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top