What aspect of your game are you most proud of?

arsenius

arsenius

Nothing ever registers...
Silver Member
Over the time I've played pool there have been a lot of skills that I have been proud of at one time or another. Usually these were skills that I concentrated on a lot, until they maybe advanced beyond my "overall" skill level. So I'm curious what you guys feel most proud of in your games. Regardless of skill level, there must be something about your game that you are really happy with. What is it?

I'd like this to be a positive thread. Comments like "Any decent player can do that" are not called for. Furthermore, this is not an advice thread, so nothing like "If you are doing it/thinking like that, you really need to work on this skill...". People are at different places in their games, so let them be happy with what they are happy with.:D

Myself, I'm proud of the way I kick. I think I can visualize kicks pretty well. I actually enjoy one, two, three or even (very rarely) four rail kicks. I try not to use my jump cue except for when I can't find a kick, or when I feel I'm a favorite to pocket the ball by jumping. It's easier to aim for the pocket with a jump cue, but there is also a chance I might not make it over the ball, or the cue ball will go off the table, etc... By kicking I normally feel at least secure that I won't be giving over ball in hand. I even manage to impress the three cushion players sometimes. Lately I've been "seeing" some one rail kicks, where I knew the OB was going to drop (not hangers). That's a nice feeling. I've had it for years with certain banks, but never kicks.
 
At my age, I'm most proud of the fact that I can STILL see the balls on the table and that I can still remember which end of the cue stick to grasp :D :D :D !!!

Seriously, I am proud of the fact that I am a gracious LOSER :eek: !!! Really, I do lose well. I always (even if it's not true) congratulate the opposing player for shooting well and wish them luck in their next match.

Sorry I couldn't come up with something better. I am what I am :o . But, I'm o.k. with it!!!

Maniac
 
I would say I am proud of being well rounded. I don't excel in any one area. I work hard on my whole game.

Perhaps,in hindsight, I would be most happy with how I teach. I like it. I know it isn't the question, but I find I enjoy pool more when I help others grow their games.

PS: After watching Joe Tuckers Racking Secrets I have a pretty good break now too!!!

Thanks Joe.
 
My ablity to keep learning!

I think I am most proud of the fact that I never stop learning. I am like a sponge and I look at every match and ask myself where I went wrong, or where I went right.

I reflect on the things I didn't do well, and try to become better at them.

The amazing thing is that I always seem to get better.

I think anything becomes dull when you quit learning. So I am proud to say that I have been constantly learning for 10 years, and I plan to keep learning.
 
You know, I...I would have to say the Seriousness of it. I'm Proud of Just Outright Playing, And every Aspect of my game. I think It's Because Thats what makes me......"Me".

I would like to thank you for starting this thread. It really makes me think of all the things I've been through, The Times I've had and The memories that I'll share. Through the Thick and Thin, I look back on It all now and it's Really been worth it, It's Been Great.
-Vincent
 
Blackjack said:
My table presence. Never underestimate that area of your game.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate? I'm pretty sure I understand what you are talking about, but Im interested to hear your thoughts on this.
 
I have really nice pool shoes.:)


If I had to pick one thing about my game that I am proud of it is the fact that when I am faced with a really tough shot for the cash I know that I am going to make it. It might not happen every time but you have to fully believe that you are going to knock the bottom of the pocket out. If you think about missing you probably will. Confidence in those situations is imperative to achieve the results you desire.
 
uwate said:
Can you elaborate? I'm pretty sure I understand what you are talking about, but Im interested to hear your thoughts on this.
Click to expand...

You have to own the table, own that area of the room. I was told a long time ago that you can either intimidate the situation, or have the situation intimidate you. It comes down to being condfident in your abilities and in yourself. When I was younger, I would marvel at the way guys like Cisero Murphy, Buddy Hall, Dave Bollman, and Steve Mizerak would stare down the balls. You always knew that they were in complete command of the table, the balls, the game, and their opponent. Players of today that get high marks for that are Ralf Souquet, Marlon Manalo, and Francisco Bustamante.

Example:
Francisco is about 5 foot tall, but for such a little guy he brings with him 7 feet of intimidation due to the size of his game. He always shows up with his game face on and he commands the table and the entire area to include the chair. Have you ever been intimidated by a guy that is sitting in the chair? I have and his name is Bustamante. lol

I don't think this can be taught, I believe that it develops over time along with your skills. It all comes down to your body language and your approach when stepping up to the table. When you have that presence, your opponents will see an inner strength that will be harder to conquer than your physical abilities.
 
Blackjack said:
You have to own the table, own that area of the room. I was told a long time ago that you can either intimidate the situation, or have the situation intimidate you. It comes down to being condfident in your abilities and in yourself. When I was younger, I would marvel at the way guys like Cisero Murphy, Buddy Hall, Dave Bollman, and Steve Mizerak would stare down the balls. You always knew that they were in complete command of the table, the balls, the game, and their opponent. Players of today that get high marks for that are Ralf Souquet, Marlon Manalo, and Francisco Bustamante.

Example:
Francisco is about 5 foot tall, but for such a little guy he brings with him 7 feet of intimidation due to the size of his game. He always shows up with his game face on and he commands the table and the entire area to include the chair. Have you ever been intimidated by a guy that is sitting in the chair? I have and his name is Bustamante. lol

I don't think this can be taught, I believe that it develops over time along with your skills. It all comes down to your body language and your approach when stepping up to the table. When you have that presence, your opponents will see an inner strength that will be harder to conquer than your physical abilities.
Click to expand...


Good stuff, thanks!
 
I'm proud of my ability to run 13 and dog an easy bank for the setup on the break ball :D

The other day I let my stroke out a little too much trying to draw and miscued the CB into the air (tip didn't touch the table though) for a couple feet, landed directly on the OB and went into the pocket a couple feet away, followed shortly by the OB. Proof that I was dead-center!!! I was so proud... but my teammates laughed at me.
 
I'm most proud of my strategy at the table. I often come up with unorthodox position patterns when I get myself into trouble or find my opponent put me in the stew. Seems like I can always find a way to get onto the next shot. Another thing I'm proud of is my safety play. I can get the cueball pretty much exactly where I want it most of the time, most of the time.:)

I have to admit, I'm not the greatest shotmaker, but I pull extra games when needed using the old brain matter.

Great thread by the way. Really liked Blackjacks explanation of table presence.
 
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A good accurate follow shot...

A good accurate follow shot, if only my draw was as accurate I have a much better run out %
 
I will not ever give up !!

I play no matter how good or bad I am hitting em . I quit playing when
I was 20 so I am now 37 and have been playing for about 2 years again.
Sometimes I see a really good player and think to myself "If I had just
stuck with it back then I would be that damn good " Even when that runs
through my head I do not give up .I guess I am just going through growing
pains playing in a couple of leauges, reading ,practice,practice and more practice. I keep at it that is what I am the most proud of :)
 
I can't pick just one hha. My break is quite a bit above most peoples. I am also an above average shot maker.............eh I dono.

Eric.
 
My ability to talk shit about how good I "used to play" and how good I will be in a few years when I start playing seriously again;):D

Ok, I am good at spot shots and do a progressive drill with them every time I play, usually as a warm up. Funny thing I have noticed over time is this: A ton of shots on the table are just spot shots located in a different place. That and I am a nice guy, win or lose:)
 
15 years ago I would have told you that I was most proud of my shot making ability and my ability to hit the really tough shot when it counted...

Then I quit for 9 years and I don't have nearly the shot making ability I once did.

So, now I believe the two strongest parts of my play are my game and match analysis and the fact that I will never give up.

By game and match analysis I mean that I am good at determining what needs to be done and how I can accomplish that. Like most non-professionals the execution of that flawless thinking is not always comparable to my plan. LOL

And I pride myself in my ability to come back from almost any deficit. And even if I don't win I will still be gunning at the end trying to find whatever it was that left me and let me get in that position in the first place.

I'll never forget watching Jeremy Jones play in a McDermott Tour tournament years ago. He was behind something like 8-4 in a race to 9 and he turned to me and said, "If that a**hole let's me back up I am going to run the set out on him." And he meant it.

I don't have quite the ability to dignify that kind of confidence, but that will always be my attitude nonetheless.
 
I am most proud of my ability and open-mindedness(not sure if that is a word) to learn new things to become better. It is not always the better players that you learn from.

BVal
 
The aspect I'm most proud of:

I would have to say, not letting my opponents put me on tilt. I really didn't think it was that big of a deal, until shooters I respect told me that being down 0 - whatever(2,3,4) and winning in a pressure situtation is a big deal.
 
For me it would probably be my stroke mechanics. I think my ability to stroke accurately and powerfully is well beyond what would normally be expected for my experience level.

But I'm also tempted to say my break-outs. I play mostly 8-ball, and in a rack of 8-ball with clusters, I can find ways to make my balls available for pocketing much better than almost anyone else in my league, including some creative shots that a lot of others don't seem to think of, or don't have the courage to attempt.

-Andrew
 
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