What is the best game for practice?

[Mikjary]

I found that straight pool helped my 9ball and 10 ball games. If I played just 9 or 10 ball, I didn't see any noticeable improvement.

My friends have mentioned this to me, too, over the years. I think it's the continued focus and the idea of running more than just a rack or two. The tight position play could be a factor, also. Not to mention that it helped to smooth out my stroke.

Is there a better game? Drills are tough. I like to play a game... in competition or not.

Best,
Mike

 

[dr9ball]

I found that straight pool helped my 9ball and 10 ball games. If I played just 9 or 10 ball, I didn't see any noticeable improvement.

My friends have mentioned this to me, too, over the years. I think it's the continued focus and the idea of running more than just a rack or two. The tight position play could be a factor, also. Not to mention that it helped to smooth out my stroke.

Is there a better game? Drills are tough. I like to play a game... in competition or not.

Best,
Mike

Straight pool is a great game for practice play. I also like full rack banks and the one hole ghost.

 

[catpool9]

Best game to sharpen up your ball pocketing skills!

Straight pool is a great game for practice play. I also like full rack banks and the one hole ghost.

All the old timers like U.J. Puckett and others always told me that straight pool was the game to sharpen up your skills for 9-Ball and Banks, so I tend to agree with you .


David Harcrow

 

[bdorman]

Straight pool is a great game for practice play. I also like full rack banks and the one hole ghost.

I always lose track of which pocket is being shot at (i.e. who's turn it is).

 

[3andstop]

I always lose track of which pocket is being shot at (i.e. who's turn it is).

And there ya go ... perfect practice for the mental part of the game. :thumbup:

 

[gerard soriano]

I think 14.1 makes all your other games better. Every shot comes up banks, combos,throw ,caroms you name it best game ever IMHO

 

[bbb]

straight pool doesnt require you to travel large distance or use multi rail patterns for shape very often
dont see how that helps 9 ball or 10 ball
maybe someone could explain that for me

 

[jay helfert]

Straight Pool helps you gain good cue ball control, which is essential to all other pool games.

 

[Luxury]

Shane practices 10 ball runouts and his break. Rinse and repeat, up and comers.

Straight pool = too much time practicing easy shots IMO.

 

[Baxter]

I played straight pool for a little bit a few years ago, never ran through the break shot. Didn't play it for about 2 years, played mostly 10 ball. Decided a couple weeks ago I was going to play some more straight pool. Ran into the 20s my first attempt. I've been playing quite a bit of straight pool lately, and now I feel like my 9 and 10 ball games have improved.

I feel as though running balls playing 10 ball helped my cue ball control enough to play straight pool more consistently. Now I feel I'm playing 10 ball better because straight pool helped me approach problems better, like breaking out balls.

I think all games tie into each other. There are aspects of every game that will help you improve in an area of a different game. Don't look for the perfect practice game, practice all games.

 

[Chicken_Blood]

Straight pool or 15 ball rotation.

 

[DetroitLarry]

I think all games tie into each other. There are aspects of every game that will help you improve in an area of a different game. Don't look for the perfect practice game, practice all games.

^^ What he said!

Cheers,
Larry

 

[bbb]

.

I think all games tie into each other. There are aspects of every game that will help you improve in an area of a different game. Don't look for the perfect practice game, practice all games.

like another poster said
i agree with this

yes straight pool teaches cue ball control (in close spaces)
how to read clusters
etc
you dont bank much
you dont travel large distances
how many straight pool champions
became champions at 9 ball/banks/or one pocket???
how many champions in those other games could also run 100 balls??

just askin???

dont get me wrong
i beleive straight pool is a great game to learn and IS the foundation for all the other pocket biliard games
but being a great straight pool player will still leave you gaps in what you have to know to master the other games
jmho
icbw

 

[The Renfro]

Straight Pool is not usually zonal position game like 9 and 10ball so to play it properly you don't run whitey all over the table... What it will teach you tho are kisses and caroms and combos and reading the stack and learning to go into and out of the stack... It's way better for your one pocket than your 9 or 10ball in my estimation..

I never played 14.1 growing up and my combinations show it.. It amazes me how the guys with the 14.1 background shoot combos like they are dead even when they are not... Makes 8 and outs way easier......

I keep meaning to try Joe Tucker's American Rotation to see if it has enough aspects of the different games... I have played some 61(regular rotation) and it offers many combos and caroms in the early game which is why I felt I needed a dose of it.....

Chris

 

[Mikjary]

Shane practices 10 ball runouts and his break. Rinse and repeat, up and comers.

Straight pool = too much time practicing easy shots IMO.

You have to start somewhere! True, straights can be a slow death when you're running twos and threes, but it does help your focus. You learn to get precise position instead of area position. Tight quarters teaches you the difference between pos for the next shot with the right angle instead of being out of line or hooked. Playing area position isn't always the best choice.

Best,
Mike

 

[9Ballr]

Playing pool helps your game. Period.

 

[BeiberLvr]

like another poster said
i agree with this

yes straight pool teaches cue ball control (in close spaces)
how to read clusters
etc
you dont bank much
you dont travel large distances
how many straight pool champions
became champions at 9 ball/banks/or one pocket???
how many champions in those other games could also run 100 balls??

just askin???

dont get me wrong
i beleive straight pool is a great game to learn and IS the foundation for all the other pocket biliard games
but being a great straight pool player will still leave you gaps in what you have to know to master the other games
jmho
icbw

Schmidt is a straight pool champion, us open 9 ball champion, and derby city one pocket champion

Nobody says you have to make the cue ball travel to be good at 9 ball.

Plain and simple, if a player can consistently run 100s in straight pool, they're probably going to be really good at all games. Where as I've seen guys that are great one pocket players, but couldn't hold their own against a top player in 9 ball.

 

[14-1StraightMan]

Thumbs Up

Schmidt is a straight pool champion, us open 9 ball champion, and derby city one pocket champion

Nobody says you have to make the cue ball travel to be good at 9 ball.

Plain and simple, if a player can consistently run 100s in straight pool, they're probably going to be really good at all games. Where as I've seen guys that are great one pocket players, but couldn't hold their own against a top player in 9 ball.

Very good points. I totally agree. All those old time great players were straight pool players. Players like Lassiter who is said to be one of the best 9 ball players ever. You can go down a list of names.

 

[Luxury]

Here is a tip: if you think practicing straight pool is better than practicing 10 ball, which is the game that you can win tournaments/money at then I recommend starting all runs with a power break like you are playing 8 ball. Not starting with a 14.1 break shot.

Shane has proven how important a good controlled power break is to making six figures.

 

[SeankyKong]

I like to play 3 ball. Helps you learn to kill the cue ball in the center of the table on breaks and if there are a few dollars on the line position play will tighten up fast. I also like to play rotation without english, it helps me a lot with speed control and placement.