What massively improved your game?

[Tramp Steamer]

A good Plumber knows that payday is Friday, and shit runs downhill.
I applied that same pilosophy to my game of One Pocket, and now look at me.
I'm broke and I stink. :smile:

 

[mohrt]

CTE PRO ONE, by far and away the biggest game changer for me. Brumback bank DVD was an eye opener, the significance of half ball hit (see FargoBilliards vids), 30 degree rule for draw shots. Lots of stuff has brought the game to the next level

 

[Spimp13]

When I first started out at the age of 17ish I was horrible but liked to play. I got introduced to a few people who asked me to join APA for fun so of course I agreed. New players start as a 4. I lost my first match in like 40 innings to another 4 and dropped down to a 2 (Back when guys could be 2s in junior APA). I practiced and moved up to a 3 before the end of the session.

It was at about that time that one of my new buddies showed me how to do a proper bridge hand. Ironically enough that and gambling cheap races of 3 for $5 helped me move up from a 2 to a 6 in 8 ball in 4 total sessions. I scolded him asking why he didn't show me that right away to which (being in APA) he told me he didn't want me to get too good too quick the bastard lol.

 

[naji]

Learning EXACTNESS when addressing the cue ball

Understanding squirt, deflection and learning to use it to my advantage. Not fearing it.

Stop over thinking!

TOI

All that are pro TOI are making it sounds you will never miss, or aiming will be easy for all shots, this is not true on long shots, shots where CB near rail, slow shots for one pocket game, or some cues that is not compatible with TOI, in fact TOO which is 100% identical to TOI might be better option to spin the ball in pocket for tight pockets.

 

[Jaden]

every time i started playing precipitously better...

I was playing fifty plus hours a day...(edit...a week,a week, I wasn't slippinginto an alternate dimension and playing fifty hours a day).

Also, I was gaining as much knowledge as possible.

Jaden

 

[seven_7days]

9 & 10 Ball

I'm well known for my shot-making ability because I could basically fire in just about anything from anywhere...but still,would ALWAYS end up losing!
So, I was thinking to myself one day "Hmmm...maybe I should start pocketing these balls in numerical order like everyone else is doing."

I improved immediately.







Oh,and also learning to "Dechaine" a rack. :wink:

 

[eddie0776]

Gambling and playing under pressure with better players took me to the next level. Cost a good bit of money but nothing is free.

 

[Pete]

Now that I am back playing somewhat (since last August), might want to take some lessons again with you Tom. Also have really bailed myself out with the way you taught me to shoot the long cross corner shots...

Thanks Pete

Pete,

Your spelling of my name was right.

The more important thing was mentioning that I taught you a lot about the game. I pride myself in having the ability to teach the game of pool. I also like to share my knowledge with people that have the willingness to learn and get better.






__________________________________________

http://tommcgonaglerightoncue.com

 

[Maniac]

A good Plumber knows that payday is Friday, and shit runs downhill.
I applied that same pilosophy to my game of One Pocket, and now look at me.
I'm broke and I stink. :smile:

You need a second opinion???

You're ugly too!!!

Maniac (R.I.P. Rodney Daingerfield)

 

[cardiac kid]

Words of wisdom from my mentors:

Pat Howey - Stop being an a$$hole and shoot pool! Waste too much effort doing things that don't make your game better. Have a beer now and then!

Ron Casanzio - Stop complaining that your opponent got lucky on you. Admit you made mistakes. Start over every opportunity at the table. Just be honest with yourself.

Dave Grau - Without saying a word he helped my game. Watching his shot selection in 8 ball was mind expanding. If any one thing stands out, it's the word PATIENCE.

Greg Kuhl - To win the BCAPL Open singles you have to: Be patient (I was). Not miss a ball (I didn't). Choose the correct shots (I did). Don't scratch on the break (once). Be lucky (I sure was). Let your opponent make the mistakes (I did). Did I say be lucky? Came close.

ChrisBanks - Stop looking at the cover of a book. If the cover is just a paper sleeve over the real cover, you will never know which is real. Personal observation.

Lyn

 

[cardiac kid]

Maniac (R.I.P. Rodney Daingerfield)

Years ago, while in NYC, my friends and I decided to visit Dangerfield's. Took the long cab ride over. It was closed (dark)! Typical Rodney! We got no respect!

Lyn

 

[3andstop]

Sometimes the spoken word doesn't quite do justice to the importance of small things explained.

One thing that comes to mind is "finish" your stroke. Sounds like nothing special, but it may just be the most important piece of the puzzle.

 

[Quesports]

Gotta give credit where it's due and for me that was taking a weekend lesson with Randy G, Scott Lee, and Steve in Charlotte NC at one of Randy's Cuetech pool schools. The work we did on fundamentals was exactly what I needed at that time. I had never taken lessons prior to that and it helped me to comprehend the stroke in a whole new way.. Delivering the cue to the cueball in a consistent stroke and understanding why that is important was huge for me.

 

[Donny Lutz]

Agree with Creedo

Once I understood I had a bad habit of spinning in every ball with outside, I realized it was holding my game back. So I decided to fix it. But it's not like I spent two weeks on it, and then my game went up a ball. It's been an ongoing process for over ten years and I STILL fight the habit.

So, committing myself to playing 'by the book' without twisting or steering or spinning in balls. That was my biggest improvement. The pause taught by some instructors (at the end of my backswing) was a HUGE help in doing this. It forced me to understand what my stroke arm was doing and I recognized my tendency to steer the shot midstroke.

Again, this took a long time, you don't want to start looking for magic bullets. If you're lucky you can find something that improves your game 1%, over a few weeks of practicing it religiously.

Sounds like you channeled into my mind!

Those were also two critical lessons for me, too!

One that no one else has mentioned, but was a big step for me was:
Realizing that playing defense is not dirty pool!!

It took me immediately from being a fair player to being successful in competition.

 

[MOJOE]

All that are pro TOI are making it sounds you will never miss, or aiming will be easy for all shots, this is not true on long shots, shots where CB near rail, slow shots for one pocket game, or some cues that is not compatible with TOI, in fact TOO which is 100% identical to TOI might be better option to spin the ball in pocket for tight pockets.

Never miss with TOI, Really?? Not even close, that's just something that you have perceived, I certainly did not say that nor have I read it anywhere else.

Of course shot length makes a difference, you have to learn to adjust to your stroke, cue, speed etc. You need to calibrate just as you would with any system.

TOI is not an aiming system, I don't use one even though I've attempted to use a few, they were just too complicated for me. TOI is easy for me, maybe not so much for you. No big deal. Do what you like, I'll use what works for me. Not looking for an argument, TOI has improved MY game, so you don't want to use it, who cares? JMHO

 

[tom mcgonagle]

I had taken a long lay-off from pool, over five years.

I went to a tournament one day in Worcester, Ma.

My wife, girl friend at the time brought along her camera. Of course, I was pissed and figured I'd be distracted all day with her taking pictures.

It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Don't tell her that.

I looked at the pictures and I saw my head was two feet above my cue. I had played a lot of three cushion billiards, on slow equipment, and I was playing more upright, looking for more power in my stroke.

I came down, where I belong, and my game took off.

Thanks Barbara!

You never know where the answers might be. PICTURE YOURSELF! It might help.

__________________________________________

http://tommcgonaglerightoncue.com

 

[obclassicut]

Words of wisdom from my mentors:

Pat Howey - Stop being an a$$hole and shoot pool! Waste too much effort doing things that don't make your game better. Have a beer now and then!

Ron Casanzio - Stop complaining that your opponent got lucky on you. Admit you made mistakes. Start over every opportunity at the table. Just be honest with yourself.

Dave Grau - Without saying a word he helped my game. Watching his shot selection in 8 ball was mind expanding. If any one thing stands out, it's the word PATIENCE.

Greg Kuhl - To win the BCAPL Open singles you have to: Be patient (I was). Not miss a ball (I didn't). Choose the correct shots (I did). Don't scratch on the break (once). Be lucky (I sure was). Let your opponent make the mistakes (I did). Did I say be lucky? Came close.

ChrisBanks - Stop looking at the cover of a book. If the cover is just a paper sleeve over the real cover, you will never know which is real. Personal observation.

Lyn

Did dave grau end up winning that tourney in auburn? i talked to him for a bit, that dude can play!!

 

[cardiac kid]

Did dave grau end up winning that tourney in auburn? i talked to him for a bit, that dude can play!!

Dave and my team mate Mark Creamer won the Open Doubles. Other than that, I have no results. Haven't attended in several years. Might go this Saturday. Finally a day with nothing to do other than pool!

Lyn

 

[measureman]

I have played you and I realize you had a higher gear then most not long ago. I also had a higher gear but I was not in your league when you were in your prime. Having said that....I want a rematch soon. Maybe Saturday if the weather permits.:groucho:

I'll be there. Don't be a sissy and let a little snow stop you

 

[Lock N Load]

You need a second opinion???

You're ugly too!!!

Maniac (R.I.P. Rodney Daingerfield)

Hey maniac,
Now you went and hurt Tramps feelings! He was stinking and broke, but he did not know he was ugly because he broke all of his mirrors when he looked in them. Now you have let the cat out of the bag! Poor Tramp. I like you Tramp, even if I cannot get close to you because of the smell. And you are still my friend. We might have to play One Pocket on a ten foot table now!
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.