Williebetmore said:
I also feel that runs should only be counted in competition for some type of stake (emotional or financial). Letting someone start with ball in hand is like giving them 14 balls - perhaps we should just subtract 14 from these high runs. In addition, if you are just trying to run up a number, you may take all sorts of crazy, and difficult shots to keep the run going when you get out of line - something you might never do in a competitive game. Competition puts a premium on staying in line, following the principles of 14.1 to MINIMIZE RISK, and also forces you to deal with external pressure as well as internal.
Willie, I disagree with this for a few reasons. The first is that most shooting innings in a competition game of straight pool quickly turn into "open" innings anyway. I think if you were to compare AVERAGE points-per-inning between games and practice, that is where you would have a legitimate point. Obviously average balls-per-inning will be higher (for the reason you mention) if you are always starting with an open inning.
The second and more important point I'd like to offer is that even top-tier straight pool players end their runs on misses a lot, and leave open tables when they do. It's a misconception that most innings end on safes. From my experience, players are much more aggressive in 14.1 than some might think. I have long held the contention that running 80 and missing is better than running 20 and playing safe - and from my years of playing, that has been my experience. If my opponent runs 20 and plays safe, I kind of look at that as a failed inning for him. Now I have a chance to beat him in a safety battle and regain control. If my opponent runs 80 and misses, I'm exactly where I would be if I'd beaten him in the safety battle, except now I have to run 80 just to catch up.
Finally, pressure from a match can work both ways. It is often difficult to focus completely when practicing,
because there is no external pressure. The extra focus one feels from a match can be a tremendous aid. I recently played in my first 14.1 event in a long time a few weeks ago, and I played better than I have in the last six months. I can attribute it to nothing but feeling that focus again.
And on a personal note, if I am practicing straight pool, I will not take a crazy shot to continue from a tough spot. That ruins the integrity of the run. I'd rather just start over.
My high run in competition is 142, done in the finals of an event in Pennsylvania. But if someone asks, I say my high run is 177 (done in "practice"), and I'm very proud of it.
- Steve