Too slow at 14.1

BigDeal52

BigDeal52

Don Pearce
Silver Member
I started playing in a 14.1 league about 8 months ago. I admit I am a slow player. When I try and play faster my win percentage really drops off. When I do well I play a lot of safeties; I am a pretty decent safety player so if I am faced with a marginally difficult shot I will usually go for a safety. I know I am a slow player because it seems, most of the time, the match I am in is usually the last one finishing up. Natually I would rather win than lose so I feel I am faced with either playing faster (more risk taking) or quiting the league. I should mention no one has told me I am playing to slow so this being a problem might be in my head.

I thought I would put this out for opinions because 14.1 is my favorite game and I would hate to give it up. I know a lot of you guys play league and have probably experienced players like me; does this bother you or do you expect to see more slow players in a game like 14.1. After all it might be expected since it is full of risk/reward situations. And typically a risk adverse strategy game.

To give you a sense of my pace of play, my last match was a race to 125 and it lasted 3 hours.

I appreciate your comments both positive and negative. Thanks in advance.
 
You might want to consider distance running. 3 hours isn't a bad time for a marathon.
 
What do you think is the main reason for the slow play? Is it mainly because your games feature an inordinate amount of safeties or is it that combined with you taking a lot of time between shots. What would be an average time for your matches?
If you're a C player or less then it's not that unusual for 125 pts. to take 2.5-3 hrs.
While of course everyone wants to win, most lower rated players might be better served by concentrating more on improving their game. You said you tend to play safe when faced with a marginally hard shot. Whether to shoot should be based on other factors in addition to the shot difficulty. Beginning or end of game, score, opponents skill level, etc.. If a guy needs 20 and can run that many and by missing you're going to leave an open rack then by all means, play safe. Otherwise, why not shoot? Some you'll make and continue your run, some you'll miss and he'll get some balls. It'll kind of even out over time.
But while doing so you'll be getting more comfortable shooting harder shots and your make percentage should improve. Another drawback to very slow play and games filled with safes is it prevents you from establishing any kind of rhythm which is pretty important.
The guys who make the shots (you pass up) on a consistent basis don't make them because they played safe earlier in their pool playing career. Something to think about.
 
If no one has said anything to you, you are probably fine.

Definately dont quit the league!!

You sound like a thinking man's player, nothing wrong with that.

take care.
 
You said your last match was 3 hours. How long is the "average" match mong the other players?

Our small and new handicapped league - the goal is a two hour match. We have some that play slower and the matches take awhile. I have played in a three hour match, but most of mine run 1'30" or 1'45" - some quicker.

We have handicaps ranging from 80 tp 140 balls right now.

I do agree with the post about shooting more! Shoot the shots you know you should to improve.
 
If you don't take harder shots, how will you get better You already know how to play safe, why not learn how to make balls? I've been in a league for 6 or 7 years and I can remember all 3 slow players. It's just a game, enjoy it.
 
best advice I could give is this, don't overthink. Shoot what you feel is right. for better or worse. If you miss sit down and wait for a shot. It sucks but it happens. don't ever think "This might be wrong" or "there are some really better players here"... whatever. No negative thoughts are required here.
All this can be done right now.
In the mean time,
study end of rack patterns. the last five or four balls. very important. You really gotta know exactly what the you are going to do here. Did I mention you gotta know how to play those last few balls? the clearer the picture the easier it is. that's a fact. jack.
and the one thing pros won't tell you, "Make everything you look at" In my humble opinion this is the number one most important skill. Don't miss, run a big number.
Meanwhile, don't worry about slow play, everybodys been there. As you gain the confidence you aren't going to miss anymore, and know what to do with those last few balls, well, they might be calling you lightning.
good luck
and practice a ton of breakshots.
steven
 
I'll share what Irving Crane used to say. To paraphrase:

Make a plan and as long as you stay within your plan, don't keep reevaluating the table. Only reevaluate when you go outside of your plan or something about the rack changes.

Those who advocate reevaluation of the table after every shot are, at least in part, responsible for the fact that 14.1 is played at such a slow pace. It's the worst possible advice, and yes, it leads to overthinking.
 
Too slow at 14.1 - not really

I have played in a 14.1 league for several seasons now. Your time is not uncommon at all.
I have seen and been in matches that easily last 4 or more hours... don't worry about it.
 
Pace

BigDeal52 said:
I started playing in a 14.1 league about 8 months ago. I admit I am a slow player. When I try and play faster my win percentage really drops off. When I do well I play a lot of safeties; I am a pretty decent safety player so if I am faced with a marginally difficult shot I will usually go for a safety. I know I am a slow player because it seems, most of the time, the match I am in is usually the last one finishing up. Natually I would rather win than lose so I feel I am faced with either playing faster (more risk taking) or quiting the league. I should mention no one has told me I am playing to slow so this being a problem might be in my head.

I thought I would put this out for opinions because 14.1 is my favorite game and I would hate to give it up. I know a lot of you guys play league and have probably experienced players like me; does this bother you or do you expect to see more slow players in a game like 14.1. After all it might be expected since it is full of risk/reward situations. And typically a risk adverse strategy game.

To give you a sense of my pace of play, my last match was a race to 125 and it lasted 3 hours.

I appreciate your comments both positive and negative. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Look at the three phases of the game, opening, middle, and end. The end game is where you will probly' want to slow down a bit - due to the fact that you'll need to think in reverse. For me this is usually the last five shots ( hopefully by then you have a break shot ) if not then it could be even slower. Do not be discouraged if the last five shots are not exactly as you planned - just stay the course and make sure you have plenty of angle for break shot - as you may know the end game is where the cue ball movement should be even more minimal and precise. Any hue that is my advice.
 
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Danny Harriman said:
Look at the three phases of the game, opening, middle, and end. The end game is where you will probly' want to slow down a bit - due to the fact that you'll need to think in reverse. For me this is usually the last five shots ( hopefully by then you have a break shot ) if not then it could be even slower. Do not be discouraged if the last five shots are not exactly as you planned - just stay the course and make sure you have plenty of angle for break shot - as you may know the end game is where the cue ball movement should be even more minimal and precise. Any hue that is my advice.
Click to expand...

Thanks Danny. I really appreciate advice from a guy like you.i'm going to do just like you say.
 
A lot of very good advice here. I would only add that as you play more, your pace should improve. Don't quit... just miss less... your time will be shorter. Good Luck!
 
BigDeal52 said:
I started playing in a 14.1 league about 8 months ago. I admit I am a slow player. When I try and play faster my win percentage really drops off. When I do well I play a lot of safeties; I am a pretty decent safety player so if I am faced with a marginally difficult shot I will usually go for a safety. I know I am a slow player because it seems, most of the time, the match I am in is usually the last one finishing up. Natually I would rather win than lose so I feel I am faced with either playing faster (more risk taking) or quiting the league. I should mention no one has told me I am playing to slow so this being a problem might be in my head.

I thought I would put this out for opinions because 14.1 is my favorite game and I would hate to give it up. I know a lot of you guys play league and have probably experienced players like me; does this bother you or do you expect to see more slow players in a game like 14.1. After all it might be expected since it is full of risk/reward situations. And typically a risk adverse strategy game.

To give you a sense of my pace of play, my last match was a race to 125 and it lasted 3 hours.

I appreciate your comments both positive and negative. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


Without really knowing your game i could imagine that you re kind of overthinking.
The quote from the great Irving Crane which was shown up also would fit to my theory about your game :-)

What often helps: Take your time when you get to the table/your inning. to watch here 1 or 2 minutes helps you to make your plan-- and then, like Danny Harriman said: Just follow your plan-and as long as you don t run *too much* out of line, just do your job! and your job is just to pocket your planned balls.
See
Think
and then just Do

And once you really run out of line....THEN you HAVE to overthink of course!

Divide the rack 3 groups 4-6 at the beginning, 3-4 in the middle - and then the final balls which will bring you hopefully to your perfect breakball.

It s easier to plan just *3 groups* and then just work down every single *group*. And the last group...well-this is almost like 8ball :-) you plan backwards from the breakball.

have a smooth stroke- and play the game! don t make yourself crazy!
 
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