Tips for playing on crap tables

[Gregg]

Nice solid advice.

I really feel like the crappy table takes away some of the skills acquired by the better shooter. I love to be able to slow roll a ball a few feet. It really helps control the cue ball.

 

[Williebetmore]

Ahh, you've come to the right place, as all players on St. Thomas are experts on this matter. !

VIP,
I will certainly defer to your expertise in this matter.

I find it interesting that your advice (and very sound advice at that) is JUST as applicable when playing on a super-nice table; giving creedence to the poster who observed that crappy equipment is more of a challenge to the superior player than good equipment.

The one slight amendment I would make to your "rules" is the slow-rolling part. Even on the best equipment, you MUST check the rolls on a table and adapt. The slow-rolling expert Danny D. states that in one-pocket and straight pool you sometimes must still slow-roll, even if the table has a roll-off. Check the table and learn to adjust; then slow-roll when you must. It is a GREAT weapon to have, even on crappy equipment (and perhaps especially on crappy equipment where you can sometimes "slow-curve" the object ball around obstructions).

Certainly slow-rolling on unlevel equipment is a bad idea UNLESS you have no other option; or unless it allows you to do something otherwise impossible.

 

[VIProfessor]

VIP,
I will certainly defer to your expertise in this matter.

I find it interesting that your advice (and very sound advice at that) is JUST as applicable when playing on a super-nice table; giving creedence to the poster who observed that crappy equipment is more of a challenge to the superior player than good equipment.

The one slight amendment I would make to your "rules" is the slow-rolling part. Even on the best equipment, you MUST check the rolls on a table and adapt. The slow-rolling expert Danny D. states that in one-pocket and straight pool you sometimes must still slow-roll, even if the table has a roll-off. Check the table and learn to adjust; then slow-roll when you must. It is a GREAT weapon to have, even on crappy equipment (and perhaps especially on crappy equipment where you can sometimes "slow-curve" the object ball around obstructions).

Certainly slow-rolling on unlevel equipment is a bad idea UNLESS you have no other option; or unless it allows you to do something otherwise impossible.

No argument here at all! Without question, there are times when you have to suck it up, remember that the table rolls off by a ball and a half, and lag it downtable. The only thing that I try to avoid more, however, is having to pay table time.

 

[Williebetmore]

The only thing that I try to avoid more, however, is having to pay table time.

VIP,
No table time is ever charged in Betmore's Basement - I hope you will drop by if ever in the neighborhood.

 

[VIProfessor]

VIP,
No table time is ever charged in Betmore's Basement - I hope you will drop by if ever in the neighborhood.

When time and finances allow, I plan to make a pilgrimage to Hoosier country with entry to the famous BB as a primary objective. The word on the street is that only when you have played 14.1 in Betmore's Basement can you be truly said to have arrived in the world of pool!

Edit: From what I've heard, however, I will have to make some significant adjustments to the playing conditions. How does one compensate for zero roll-off?

 

[Williebetmore]

Edit: From what I've heard, however, I will have to make some significant adjustments to the playing conditions. How does one compensate for zero roll-off?

VIP,
To compensate, you must find something else to blame; excuses that have been used effectively in the past are "the sun was in my eyes", "I wasn't really trying to pocket that ball", "it must have hit some chalk under the cloth", "I felt a small earth tremor just as I was shooting", "hell, I only shoot well when there's money on the line", and the ever-popular "hey, that ball skidded on me" (I just used this one yesterday in a fierce match-up with "elvicash"....I think it really did skid, but I polish the balls before every competition).

 

[VIProfessor]

VIP,
To compensate, you must find something else to blame; excuses that have been used effectively in the past are "the sun was in my eyes", "I wasn't really trying to pocket that ball", "it must have hit some chalk under the cloth", "I felt a small earth tremor just as I was shooting", "hell, I only shoot well when there's money on the line", and the ever-popular "hey, that ball skidded on me."

I like what Danny D calles "the backer move". You don't have to say anything, just take a long accusatory look at your tip!