Using snooker to improve pool game

[hobokenapa]

I'm in the UK right now, and just had only my second game of snooker in 15 years (the last one was last month). I was never a snooker player, and just banged balls around in frustration once a month or so with my college buddies. We never got anywhere near a 30 break.

Now, I've been playing pool a lot the last two years in NYC, and am a competent B+ player. I was very interested to see how I would do. I played three frames with my brother (that's all we had time for) and my high was 22 (red, brown, red, black, red, black, red). I think if I'd been playing on my own for a few hours, I could have gotten into the 30s but no more than that.

What I felt though is that it was an excellent way to improve my stroke. I'm thinking a regular game of snooker would really cement a smooth straight cue action. Just shooting a bunch of long blues would reveal all the flaws in your stroke. So my question is would this really help my pool game, or would playing snooker mess it up?

 

[Cornerman]

What I felt though is that it was an excellent way to improve my stroke. I'm thinking a regular game of snooker would really cement a smooth straight cue action. Just shooting a bunch of long blues would reveal all the flaws in your stroke. So my question is would this really help my pool game, or would playing snooker mess it up?

Here's my own experience. Take it for what it's worth. My home pool hall had a 12' snooker table with tight pockets and fast cloth. Unfortunately, nobody played on it. I had discussions with the owner that the pockets were tighter than normal snooker tables, and that the cloth was too fast. Oh well.

So, once in a while, we'd play general pocket billiards, first to score 8. We didn't use the colors much. After a few minutes, we'd be able to start making balls and a decent rate. My stance would automatically get lower, and my stroke would get straighter and more mechanical.

Then, we'd switch to the 9' pool tables. The pocket would immediately look huge, but so did the balls. Making balls in the pockets using center ball became easy. But position play was completely lost. That fluid speed control feel was gone. For the first few minutes. After a little while, the stance changed to a more upright stance, and the stroke loosened to a more pool-like rhythm. Making the ball in the center of the pocket wasn't so important, and the focus once again was position play.

That's my experience. For whatever it's worth. There is a distinct focus of each game, and it takes a little getting used to, whichever direction you go.

Fred

 

[BillyKoda]

I agree with cornerman. I grew up on a 10' snooker table, every other table was a piece of cake to play on. Snooker sharpens your angles and enhances your concentration. I started playing again in June (20 year absence) of this year and really miss the table I grew up on, my game would be much sharper if I had that table in my house right now.

BK

 

[TheOne]

Hi Hob, welcome to the UK, its bloody cold right now!

Jon Wimms, a very good 9 ball player recently won the Oceana Championships in New Zealand, this win gives him two things:

a) A spot in next years world championships
b) A spot in next years challenge of champions

The reason I mention this is because Jon told me that because Sydney(where he lives) doesn't really have many 9 ball tables he spent the month leading up to it playing snooker everyday. In NZ apart from one early match nobody really got close to him as he won all his matches by big margins. You question is about stroke and there are some excellent drills on a snooker table that can improve your stroke (try potting the pink in the middle and screwing back in the corner 10 times in a row, good drill). But on a more general note, my point is if your good enough you can switch between games with ease.

 

[Colin Colenso]

Hi Hob, welcome to the UK, its bloody cold right now!

Jon Wimms, a very good 9 ball player recently won the Oceana Championships in New Zealand, this win gives him two things:

a) A spot in next years world championships
b) A spot in next years challenge of champions

The reason I mention this is because Jon told me that because Sydney(where he lives) doesn't really have many 9 ball tables he spent the month leading up to it playing snooker everyday. In NZ apart from one early match nobody really got close to him as he won all his matches by big margins. You question is about stroke and there are some excellent drills on a snooker table that can improve your stroke (try potting the pink in the middle and screwing back in the corner 10 times in a row, good drill). But on a more general note, my point is if your good enough you can switch between games with ease.

Hi Craig,
I believe John Wimms pops into AZ on occasion. I received a PM from him once. He has been selected for the IPT also, another lucky SOB ;-)

I must say, I agree with Fred here somewhat. I think for all the angle shots, judging spin for kiss outs (bumping as I call it), reading the patterns, there's nothing like time on the proper tables with the right balls. It probably makes a difference of 20% or so that often seperates the winners from the losers.

Though of course, snooker can develop a high degree of accuracy, particularly on longer shots that can provide many benefits. For example, the confidence to take on patterns that require some tougher long pot shots that can rule out the risk of being hooked.

Ideally one could develop all apsects to a high degree. The only problem then is worrying about how you coud possibly stuff up