JC51534 said:
Got to be Ralf Soquet.
Who is the most boring pro to watch
- Thread starter JC51534
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Got to be Ralf Soquet.
I don't find Basavich boring at all...it's pretty damn entertaining lol
Greg Fix
I will admit that Greg Fix has to be one of the hardest ever to watch. I am from the same town as him. He is absolutely terrible and has no personality to go with it if you are playing him.
I will admit that Greg Fix has to be one of the hardest ever to watch. I am from the same town as him. He is absolutely terrible and has no personality to go with it if you are playing him.
This was a different thread
Kind of a negative thread but interesting to see how many of my favorites end up on everybodys "worst" list. Yet it shows another reason why pool will never be a respected sport. More people are concerned with the "entertainment value" than the actual mechanics and success of a particular player. I heard so many people complain about Ralf Souquet down at Derby City (because of slow play and lack of theatrics)and I was fascinated by his precision, his routine, his professionalism. He is one of my favorites. Everyone likes different things I guess. Some players I watch because they are great players....some I watch because they are dramatic, pathetic whiners. They both have entertainment value to me.
Kind of a negative thread but interesting to see how many of my favorites end up on everybodys "worst" list. Yet it shows another reason why pool will never be a respected sport. More people are concerned with the "entertainment value" than the actual mechanics and success of a particular player. I heard so many people complain about Ralf Souquet down at Derby City (because of slow play and lack of theatrics)and I was fascinated by his precision, his routine, his professionalism. He is one of my favorites. Everyone likes different things I guess. Some players I watch because they are great players....some I watch because they are dramatic, pathetic whiners. They both have entertainment value to me.
> As many times as I've seen Charlie play,which is probably 20,I've never seen him do any of that. Maybe I'm just running into him at the wrong times,but he's always played fairly quickly when I saw him. His pre-shot routine may have changed/expanded since then,but he has always taken a lot of practice strokes,most of them quick-paced too. As far as Souquet,in my opinion he's very typical of European/Asian players,in that he may take a while to make a decision and commit to it,but one he's mentally set he moves pretty quick. I agree on Basavich 100%. Not only is he entirely too slow,even with his warm-up strokes,but his habits as far as standing up and wiping his hands or whatever is a completely intentional shark I think. Sure it may be natural to him,but with him being a "hustler" at heart,I'm quite sure someone told him a LONG time ago that slow play will definitely play on some peoples minds,and he uses this trick unconsciously. Another reason I can't watch him for long is his entire physical approach. If you had never seen or heard of him,can anyone here honestly tell me they would expect him to be anything more than a D player by looking at his stroke? It almost looks like he's trying to disguise his real stroke and look like a banger. Someone mentioned Howard Vickery and Greg Fix. I can watch Howard longer than I can Greg,but both are definitely slow,but since they play better than I do,I still watch. I wish I knew what is causing Archer to play so much slower than he did back in the 90's,he was great to watch back then,and still is,it just takes longer to watch the match. Tommy D.
Gonna have to say Johnny Archer. Dont get me wrong, the guy is an incredible shot and one of the best players out there, but watching him play is so boring. I watched his match with Corey Deuel at the superbilliards expo and we counted how many practice strokes he took for his break, it was 38!!! 38 practice strokes before breaking 8 ball from around the center of the table.
So I definately have to say Johnny Archer. One hell of a pool player and a great shot, but definately boring to watch IMO.
So I definately have to say Johnny Archer. One hell of a pool player and a great shot, but definately boring to watch IMO.
Well, here's my take on it! 
Ralf Souquet. Ralf does have the European style of play. He is the most sought-after player on the tournament trail by sponsors. And why is this? Because not only is he GOOD, but he's an ambassador to the sport, friendly to all. He does have a delibate style of play. Whether he makes a good shot or fumbles, his game face remains the same, much like Thorsten Hohmann, Mika Immonen, and other European players, with the glaring exception of one of my faves, Marcus "The Little Napolean" Chamat.
Johnny Archer. Hey, whatever Johnny is doing to rise to the top, which he does more times than not, if I were in his shoes, I'd keep it going. He's not only an EXCELLENT competitor, but Johnny in recent times has taken it upon himself to be a "big brother" to quite a few aspiring players on the tournament trail. He always makes himself available to the players, whether a veteran or a newbie. That's what separates Johnny from the rest of 'em. I kind of get a kick out of seeing him in the pit. He's intense!
Jeremy Jones. Yep, he's a slow one for sure. I know they used to fondly call Jeremy the "Sea Turtle," maybe because of his slower style of play. One thing to remember is that Jeremy's hands sweat profusely, and when you're competing on that TV table with the bright and HOT lights, it's tough when you suffer from this ailment. So he had to wipe his hands after each and every shot with a towel at the U.S. Open. You know what, if I were in his shoes and was playing in the finals of the U.S. Open, I'd do whatever it took to win that title, and Jeremy did just that. Yes, it was painful to watch in spots, but the end result is what is important. Jeremy Jones is a U.S. Open champion.
Charlie Williams. About 4 years ago, I remember seeing Charlie stroking his cue stick extensively before he pulled the trigger. Players do develop habits when they're in deep focus, and this may be something that Charlie used to do when he was contemplating his next move. Recently, though, Charlie Williams seems to have picked up his pace and shoots much faster. I also happen to like the way Charlie dresses at events, very stylish. He was sporting an absolutely GORGEOUS silk shit at the KOTH in Orlando.
Danny Basavich. Danny swings both ways in that he can play fast and slow. I kind of get a kick out of seeing him when he's doing his thing, concentrating, trying to put every ounce of his energy into the execution of the shot. I have seen Danny play very rapid at many events. He's a strong player, fast or slow, and he puts 100 percent of himself into his game, each and every time he competes. That's more than I can say about some other players I know.
Hey, I'd be doing whatever it takes to get that almighty win. The above-referenced players are all champions in my book. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it!
JAM
Ralf Souquet. Ralf does have the European style of play. He is the most sought-after player on the tournament trail by sponsors. And why is this? Because not only is he GOOD, but he's an ambassador to the sport, friendly to all. He does have a delibate style of play. Whether he makes a good shot or fumbles, his game face remains the same, much like Thorsten Hohmann, Mika Immonen, and other European players, with the glaring exception of one of my faves, Marcus "The Little Napolean" Chamat.
Johnny Archer. Hey, whatever Johnny is doing to rise to the top, which he does more times than not, if I were in his shoes, I'd keep it going. He's not only an EXCELLENT competitor, but Johnny in recent times has taken it upon himself to be a "big brother" to quite a few aspiring players on the tournament trail. He always makes himself available to the players, whether a veteran or a newbie. That's what separates Johnny from the rest of 'em. I kind of get a kick out of seeing him in the pit. He's intense!
Jeremy Jones. Yep, he's a slow one for sure. I know they used to fondly call Jeremy the "Sea Turtle," maybe because of his slower style of play. One thing to remember is that Jeremy's hands sweat profusely, and when you're competing on that TV table with the bright and HOT lights, it's tough when you suffer from this ailment. So he had to wipe his hands after each and every shot with a towel at the U.S. Open. You know what, if I were in his shoes and was playing in the finals of the U.S. Open, I'd do whatever it took to win that title, and Jeremy did just that. Yes, it was painful to watch in spots, but the end result is what is important. Jeremy Jones is a U.S. Open champion.
Charlie Williams. About 4 years ago, I remember seeing Charlie stroking his cue stick extensively before he pulled the trigger. Players do develop habits when they're in deep focus, and this may be something that Charlie used to do when he was contemplating his next move. Recently, though, Charlie Williams seems to have picked up his pace and shoots much faster. I also happen to like the way Charlie dresses at events, very stylish. He was sporting an absolutely GORGEOUS silk shit at the KOTH in Orlando.
Danny Basavich. Danny swings both ways in that he can play fast and slow. I kind of get a kick out of seeing him when he's doing his thing, concentrating, trying to put every ounce of his energy into the execution of the shot. I have seen Danny play very rapid at many events. He's a strong player, fast or slow, and he puts 100 percent of himself into his game, each and every time he competes. That's more than I can say about some other players I know.
Hey, I'd be doing whatever it takes to get that almighty win. The above-referenced players are all champions in my book. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it!
JAM
Slow Play equals Slow Progress
Interesting opinions so far.
I think you all have to agree that it's the spectators who make any sport grow. Pro Hockey had 6 teams until it was discovered by TV and it's massive amount of available spectators. When clutch and grab style of play slowed the game, the NHL changed the rules. When Sergio Garcia was regripping is club 50 times before hitting his shot, the PGA told him to hurry up and put him on the clock.
Point is:
Other sports change rules, fine players, etc for slow play which they obviously figured out it hurts the number of eyes watching.
It seems to be pretty easy to idenify the offenders, so I say put them on the clock everytime they show up to a tournament.
When Players start filling the Seats - They Start Filling Their Pockets - no matter the sport.
Players that empty seats deserve empty pockets.
Interesting opinions so far.
I think you all have to agree that it's the spectators who make any sport grow. Pro Hockey had 6 teams until it was discovered by TV and it's massive amount of available spectators. When clutch and grab style of play slowed the game, the NHL changed the rules. When Sergio Garcia was regripping is club 50 times before hitting his shot, the PGA told him to hurry up and put him on the clock.
Point is:
Other sports change rules, fine players, etc for slow play which they obviously figured out it hurts the number of eyes watching.
It seems to be pretty easy to idenify the offenders, so I say put them on the clock everytime they show up to a tournament.
When Players start filling the Seats - They Start Filling Their Pockets - no matter the sport.
Players that empty seats deserve empty pockets.
I was reading some of these comments about people making the game look easy and I started laughing. I was thinking about an incident about 7-8 years ago. I was going to one of the Florida tour events and a bunch of people from the poolhall were going to go watch. So I told them that if they want to see and learn how to play 9 ball the right way just watch Buddy Hall play, he plays the game perfect. Buddy ended up winning the tournament and the next week they same group of people were sitting around at the poolhall and I said did you guys see what I mean about Buddy? ( this is the best) One of the guys says " Buddy Hall didn't show me shiit, he never made a hard shot every ball he shot was 6 inches from the cueball I could of made them" To this day everytime I think of this I die laughing.
Double-Dave said:
Yes that is true. Someone told me that the medication he takes is the reason for the slow down, don't know.
Dan Louie used to be very painful to watch back in the 70's. I sweated a lot of his games and he probably averaged 40 warm up strokes per shot. Bill Cress told me that he had played Dan once and Bill's spot was if Dan took more than 7 strokes it was a foul. He said that Dan fouled a lot.
Lunchmoney
Lunchmoney
Dick Lane may have a reason for slow play...
If I remember correctly and am not mixing him up with someone else, Dick Lane has a twitch of some sort.
His right hand shakes and I recall watching him wait for it to stop before pulling the trigger.
Even taking this into consideration he may still be slow and/or boring to watch.
If I remember correctly and am not mixing him up with someone else, Dick Lane has a twitch of some sort.
His right hand shakes and I recall watching him wait for it to stop before pulling the trigger.
Even taking this into consideration he may still be slow and/or boring to watch.
1pRoscoe said:After all the mention of Double J shooting so slow, isn't it rather ironic that a few years (5ish?) that he and Johnny Archer were on "Ripley's Believe It or Not" to see who could run out two tables the fastest?
Yes, I do remember seeing that on TV a few years back. I was thinking the same thing when I saw it. It goes to show you that the pros can pick up the pace at will when required to do so.
However, if it were me in the pit, fighting for that almighty win, I still maintain that I'd do whatever it took to get me that coveted championship title.
Sometimes the rhythm shooters or FAST players just might benefit their game if they did, in fact, slow down a wee bit, IMHO!
JAM
Snapshot wrote - "When I think of slow, Dick Lane from Dallas comes to mind."
I saw Dick play Dallas West a few years ago in NY at a straight pool tourney and he had a shake in his hand holding the butt of the cue. When the shaking stopped, he shot. I think he ran 75 and none us were bored, impressed by his and Dallas' skill, but not bored. It may be different watching him play 9 ball.
I saw Dick play Dallas West a few years ago in NY at a straight pool tourney and he had a shake in his hand holding the butt of the cue. When the shaking stopped, he shot. I think he ran 75 and none us were bored, impressed by his and Dallas' skill, but not bored. It may be different watching him play 9 ball.
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Okumura!!
I've played him (lost) twice, and both times left the table pretty pissed. The guy has three times the game that I have, and he still had to shake his head in disbelief and re think his game plan every time he would come up 2 cm short or long. It was as if he was trying to stop his rock on a dime on every single shot, and when it didn't stop on the dime, his whole world falls apart.
I played Charlie Williams in an exhibition match while he was here in Japan. It was my first chance to play him, and/or to see him play. He literally ran around the table ala Salvas, so I came away from that match really impressed and thinking to myself that I wish I could play as quickly and smoothly as that!! Pretty suprised to hear that he normally plays pretty slowly. Must have been because it was only an exhibition match, and he was more interested in entertaining that winning.
I've played him (lost) twice, and both times left the table pretty pissed. The guy has three times the game that I have, and he still had to shake his head in disbelief and re think his game plan every time he would come up 2 cm short or long. It was as if he was trying to stop his rock on a dime on every single shot, and when it didn't stop on the dime, his whole world falls apart.
I played Charlie Williams in an exhibition match while he was here in Japan. It was my first chance to play him, and/or to see him play. He literally ran around the table ala Salvas, so I came away from that match really impressed and thinking to myself that I wish I could play as quickly and smoothly as that!! Pretty suprised to hear that he normally plays pretty slowly. Must have been because it was only an exhibition match, and he was more interested in entertaining that winning.