Why CTE is silly

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Here's a interesting little shot. You are shooting the ten ball on a 9 ft table.

CueTable Help



There is no direct path for the 10 to the corner. To make this shot the 10 has to go rail first then carom off the 1 to go in the corner.

Also, the 10 and CB placement is such that you have to use a bridge, or stand to the side of the table and lean over to stroke. The "standard" stance will not work here.The 5 ball really doesn't help for bridge placement either.

Since is has been stated that CTE is a center pocket system, it is useless on this shot.

I'd rather use a method that allows me to put any ball anywhere on the table. CTE does not do this. Notice I said on the table cause there are times there is no pocket and a safety is all you got.

Everything I read about CTE is always about putting a ball in the pocket and not being able to put any ball anywhere on the table. Major weakness.
Have you tried it?
 
Once you are experienced enough with cte this shot is easily made with an adjustment. I have come across this situation many times. Now, just because someone knows the cte system, does not mean they have to use it on every shot! When i am playing a lot of pool and shooting decent, my cte shots in a game will go down. I will use the cte on harder cut shots or long shots and on any shot i decide may be a lower percentage shot.

There seems to be a few different versions of this cte system i have now noticed since being away from this site for a while. I guess spidy and stan have figured out the best version?

Again i will say this that the system works, it can be taught without to much difficulty. But if you want to know why it works, you will have to talk too some serious math guys!!

The real debate here is why it works! which no buddy can answer.

Dr dave has seen the vids and if i was able to figure out how to do this i know he has also! Dr dave just cant figure out why it works also is my bet?

Spider or stan in this upcoming dvd do you explain on it, why this sytem works?
 
Dr dave has seen the vids and if i was able to figure out how to do this i know he has also! Dr dave just cant figure out why it works also is my bet?
I think I know how and why CTE "works," per the illustrations and explanations on my CTE resource page concerning "effective pivot length." However, the CTE proponents don't seem to agree with me. Once I have a clear and complete description of an "accepted" version of CTE, I will be happy to create and post a video that shows how and why it works. For more info, see my previous post on this topic.

Regards,
Dave
 
we will use your CTE Version 1 which is what i use. If im shooting two shots lets say one is 5 degrees and the other is 20 degrees to the left corner pocket. The set up,pivot,stroke will be same on both shots, right.



Both shots will be made using the C on the cue ball and lining up with E on the object ball and pivoting back to B on the cueball

Can you tell me why both balls will be made with the identical set up,pivot,stroke?

aimingpoints.jpg
 
Okay, after reading this statement I am left to ask where is the "magic" or what is the "secret sauce" of CTE if you are regularly getting spanked by people using Ghost Ball?

I'm starting to begin a slow gradual lean toward the side of CTE detractors if CTE users can't do any better than this. I will still remain neutral though, because I don't care what ANYONE on this thread says, if somebody is using a "system" that they believe works for them, then it WILL work for them, one way or another (mentally or physically).

It is beginning to sound as if no "system" for aiming is any better than any other. It all depends on the user of any "system" to be able to EXECUTE what he/she is trying to accomplish with whatever method of their choosing happens to be.

These are my opinions. You may have your own (I certainly hope so anyway :)). Keep in mind people, an opinion CANNOT be right nor wrong.

Maniac

Well, the opinion: "if somebody is using a "system" that they believe works for them, then it WILL work for them" can be, and is, wrong. One very sad and awful example: there are millions of cancer sufferers who "believe" their cancer will be cured (because....they prayed, or because "it can't happen to them," or because they have "a great doctor," or because their brother-in-law survived cancer); and they believe it up to the day they die of it. I remember a good friend of mine telling me (mostly in a morphine induced frenzy), when she weighed about 90 lbs--half of which, it seemed, was made up of the tumor in her abdomen--that she was sure she was going to get better. She was dead about a week later.

I'm sorry to have to tell you but, "belief" on its own has SEVERE limitations. It's true that it can sometimes brush away doubt and confusion (usually to be replaced by a delusion), but beliefs can NEVER change reality. (apparently only a relatively small proportion of the population actually understands that!) CTE doesn't AIM at anything, yet it's users believe it "tells them where to aim." I'm afraid, in a bind (like in a match-winning/losing situation), on a difficult shot, when their mind has gone blank, and they're left only with the specific RULES of CTE to follow....it will let them down MISERABLY.
 
Until we agree on a clear, complete, and consistent definition of CTE, it is meaningless to argue about, or even discuss, CTE.

And I have to keep disagreeing with that. Throughout it all, and from the very beginning, it seems that ALL CTE systems mentioned have stated (or implied) that it's not necessary to include the exact position of the pocket in relation to the OB, in the methodological CTE setup. If that is true then balls will very often be missed by strictly following CTE methods to make shots.

That can be confidently asserted even without knowing the full details about anyone's "CTE method." Using ONLY the relative positions of CB and OB--and at best a rough approximation of the angle of the OB-pocket line in relation to the CB-OB line--seems to be a PERMANENT part of anything called "CTE."

Now, I'm sure that you know as well as I do, that users who in fact POCKET balls while using "CTE" are in fact subconsciously aiming at the OB in a way needed to pocket the OB--by noticing the required relationships/angles. BUT THAT IS NOT PART OF THE CTE SYSTEM.

I doubt VERY MUCH that a CTE methodology will ever state something like:

1) Line up the CB with the OB in such and such a manner.
2) Pivot the cue until it points is such a direction.
3) Then adjust all that by your INSTINCTS until you're lined up correctly to pocket the ball!

That would be ridiculous (because the player could just go straight to step 3 on his own, and ignore the CTE mumbo-jumbo listed in steps 1 and 2), yet only those specifications would include the necessary ingredient to be able to claim that "subconscious alignment, or instinct" was PART of CTE--at which point, btw, it would be obvious that it's not a PART of CTE, but the WHOLE THING!
 
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i will try and make a lil video tonite lol

Just be sure, champ, that you talk about EXACTLY what you're doing and what you're pointing at in each step. A video that just shows somebody pocketing balls doesn't explain anything.

An excellent alternative would be to make the video using SOMEONE ELSE to shoot the balls--in response to you telling him exactly how to line up and pivot.
 
we will use your CTE Version 1 which is what i use. If im shooting two shots lets say one is 5 degrees and the other is 20 degrees to the left corner pocket. The set up,pivot,stroke will be same on both shots, right.



Both shots will be made using the C on the cue ball and lining up with E on the object ball and pivoting back to B on the cueball

Can you tell me why both balls will be made with the identical set up,pivot,stroke?

aimingpoints.jpg


C - E - Pivot to B??
Hope this isn't another method.

Just kidding. Remember CTE.
 
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C - E - Pivot to B??
Hope this isn't another method.

Just kidding. Remember CTE.

Those small circles with the ABCDE in them represents the tip of my cue and are my aim points, A is one tip left of center on the cue ball, C is one tip right of center of the cue ball. Do you get it now?
 
Have you tried it?


Tried what? This shot. Yepper and many more even harder. Every shot I post has come from either practice or during a match. I practice these so when they come up in a match, I know what to do cause I practiced what to do.

Tried CTE, nope and never will. Why, I pocket balls real good with how I use GB, thank you very much.

The weakest link in my game is between the ears. not what method I use to make shots.

Oh and about this "I won a tourney thing" that was mentioned......well just to help keep things going.........There is a little bar close to me that has a weekly tourny also on 7' table and bucket pockets. Oh and there are some real good players also.......but only on that table.

To this day, none of the winners of this tourney will play me on a 9 ft table with tight pockets. How tight, 2 centinniel balls will not fit in the jaws of the corner pocket. But they sure can say they are tourney winners.

Anyone ever close by, I'll be glad to show ya how I use GB and a free lesson will be included.
 
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Just be sure, champ, that you talk about EXACTLY what you're doing and what you're pointing at in each step. A video that just shows somebody pocketing balls doesn't explain anything.

An excellent alternative would be to make the video using SOMEONE ELSE to shoot the balls--in response to you telling him exactly how to line up and pivot.

I will try an do my best.
 
Here's a interesting little shot. You are shooting the ten ball on a 9 ft table.

CueTable Help



There is no direct path for the 10 to the corner. To make this shot the 10 has to go rail first then carom off the 1 to go in the corner.

Also, the 10 and CB placement is such that you have to use a bridge, or stand to the side of the table and lean over to stroke. The "standard" stance will not work here.The 5 ball really doesn't help for bridge placement either.

Since is has been stated that CTE is a center pocket system, it is useless on this shot.

I'd rather use a method that allows me to put any ball anywhere on the table. CTE does not do this. Notice I said on the table cause there are times there is no pocket and a safety is all you got.

Everything I read about CTE is always about putting a ball in the pocket and not being able to put any ball anywhere on the table. Major weakness.

Lets see. It goes in the bottom left, bottom right, and banks in the upper right corner with CTE.
 
The system is a center pocket system. Which leaves a margin of error
on either side of the center of the pocket. It could be a visual error or a stroke error.
It gives you room for a little human error. Not a system error
Thanks Petey

Petey:

Nice try, but no. What you just described is a common marketing technique known as obfuscation -- directly address the shortfalls of something by outright stating it can do "x" but blame failures to do so on something else.

I can do that with ghostball, too -- "Ghostball is a center pocket system. Just align and stroke the cue ball to contact the object ball at the point that sends it to the center of the pocket [a point easily diagrammed], and voila! It's a 'center pocket' system." No, you won't hear ghostball advocates doing that, even though it's TECHNICALLY CORRECT.

"Center-pocketing" is more the Indian, and not the arrow (CTE or any aiming system, for that matter).

And besides, what's with all this "center pocket" hub-bub with CTE anyway? What's the useful purpose of advocating "center pocket" in a game like pool where one of the key strategies is to cheat the pocket for position play (something that John Barton alluded to with Efren caressing the rail two diamonds up from the actual pocket with the object ball)? "Center pocket" would ring more bells with snooker players, since they rarely leverage (nor can they, oftentimes) the minimal size difference between the pocket and the ball. But even then, saying "center pocket" to a snooker player would likely get you a "So?" shoulder-shrugging response.

In the game of One Pocket, I'm often shooting at partial pockets -- if not to pocket the ball in (or locate a ball near) my pocket, then to clear/bat a ball away from my opponent's pocket. But I don't call my "aiming system" a "fractional pocket" system. It's the Indian using the arrow, not the arrow itself.

And besides, "center pocket plus/minus the width of an entire object ball on either side of center" pretty much eliminates the salesy "wow" effect one would expect. Isn't that "margin of error" just about the entire aperture of the pocket itself? A more accurate description would be the simple description, "pocketing system." None of this fence-sitting/wavering "center pocket, plus or minus the pocket aperture itself" evasive/escapist salesmanship.

Come on guys, let's dispense with the rah-rah cheerleading marketing, and get down to the nitty-gritty of discussing the HOWs and WHYs of CTE. I'm certainly all eyes and ears for that!

-Sean
 
Well, let's see- on the one side we have Stan, Randy, Scott, Steve, David, Tom. (just to name a few) All well known instructors and for at least half of these, it is their main source of income.


Sooooo, basically you're saying the guys we should believe are the guys selling and making money off it? Not that there's anything wrong with selling stuff and making money off it.

Just for the record, the only guy I've ever paid for lessons was Steve "Cookie Monster" Cook. Even after several hours, CTE never came up...

Lou Figueroa
 
it seems that ALL CTE systems mentioned have stated (or implied) that it's not necessary to include the exact position of the pocket in relation to the OB, in the methodological CTE setup. If that is true then balls will very often be missed by strictly following CTE methods to make shots.
For the CTE versions provided so far, I agree with you that they cannot be used to pocket a wide range of shots with varying distances and cut angles if the instructions are followed precisely. However, it seems that judgment (even if only subconscious) comes into play concerning both the exact initial "alignment" and the "pivot." With the right "adjustments," any shot can be made; and as you practice more, your judgment should improve.

Now, I'm sure that you know as well as I do, that users who in fact POCKET balls while using "CTE" are in fact subconsciously aiming at the OB in a way needed to pocket the OB--by noticing the required relationships/angles. BUT THAT IS NOT PART OF THE CTE SYSTEM.
I certainly believe this is true for the good shotmakers like Spidey who can pocket nearly any shot, regardless of whether or not they are using any formal "system."

I doubt VERY MUCH that a CTE methodology will ever state something like:

1) Line up the CB with the OB in such and such a manner.
2) Pivot the cue until it points is such a direction.
3) Then adjust all that by your INSTINCTS until you're lined up correctly to pocket the ball!

That would be ridiculous (because the player could just go straight to step 3 on his own, and ignore the CTE mumbo-jumbo listed in steps 1 and 2), yet only those specifications would include the necessary ingredient to be able to claim that "subconscious alignment, or instinct" was PART of CTE--at which point, btw, it would be obvious that it's not a PART of CTE, but the WHOLE THING!
You make some good points. However, some of the CTE proponents claim there are still some inaccuracies and/or missing information in the currently available versions of CTE, so the jury might still be out on the complete and official version of CTE, whatever that might be.

Regards,
Dave
 
Petey:

Nice try, but no. What you just described is a common marketing technique known as obfuscation -- directly address the shortfalls of something by outright stating it can do "x" but blame failures to do so on something else.

I can do that with ghostball, too -- "Ghostball is a center pocket system. Just align and stroke the cue ball to contact the object ball at the point that sends it to the center of the pocket [a point easily diagrammed], and voila! It's a 'center pocket' system." No, you won't hear ghostball advocates doing that, even though it's TECHNICALLY CORRECT.

"Center-pocketing" is more the Indian, and not the arrow (CTE or any aiming system, for that matter).

And besides, what's with all this "center pocket" hub-bub with CTE anyway? What's the useful purpose of advocating "center pocket" in a game like pool where one of the key strategies is to cheat the pocket for position play (something that John Barton alluded to with Efren caressing the rail two diamonds up from the actual pocket with the object ball)? "Center pocket" would ring more bells with snooker players, since they rarely leverage (nor can they, oftentimes) the minimal size difference between the pocket and the ball. But even then, saying "center pocket" to a snooker player would likely get you a "So?" shoulder-shrugging response.

In the game of One Pocket, I'm often shooting at partial pockets -- if not to pocket the ball in (or locate a ball near) my pocket, then to clear/bat a ball away from my opponent's pocket. But I don't call my "aiming system" a "fractional pocket" system. It's the Indian using the arrow, not the arrow itself.

And besides, "center pocket plus/minus the width of an entire object ball on either side of center" pretty much eliminates the salesy "wow" effect one would expect. Isn't that "margin of error" just about the entire aperture of the pocket itself? A more accurate description would be the simple description, "pocketing system." None of this fence-sitting/wavering "center pocket, plus or minus the pocket aperture itself" evasive/escapist salesmanship.

Come on guys, let's dispense with the rah-rah cheerleading marketing, and get down to the nitty-gritty of discussing the HOWs and WHYs of CTE. I'm certainly all eyes and ears for that!

-Sean

I am putting down my sword. The system will stand on its own.
You can get the dvd if you care to learn it. If not I can not see defending anything that you have no intention of trying, From our many az conversations, I know you are a GB player and intend on staying that way. I have no intention of claiming or saying anything about cte to
someone that will not put effort in learning it. This is a bad thread anyway.
We can talk about something else in a different thread
Later Buddy
Petey
 
Those small circles with the ABCDE in them represents the tip of my cue and are my aim points, A is one tip left of center on the cue ball, C is one tip right of center of the cue ball. Do you get it now?

Are you going to try and replicate what eeezbank did on you tube ?
I think they have seen that version . If you look like the Avatar then please
film us something
Petey
 
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