WU...How?

ARM9BALLER

ARM9BALLER

malakas
Silver Member
At 16 or 17 he is part of the elite poolplayers. Who knows when he first picked up a stick. It is mind boggling to me how a person at such a young age can have that level of concentration and skill to be amongst the pinnacle of poolplayers in the world.
 
A very general observation

This is a little out there, but I think it has a lot to do with the differences between Eastern and Western philosophy. Western philosophy is one of observation through the senses, with a heavy emphasis on the physical world. Eastern philosophy, on the other hand, seeks to find "God" through logic, not the senses. As a result, I think Easterners (very generally) have a greater understanding of themselves, and are able to control their minds to a much greater degree. My prediction is that Wu is just a taste of what's to come from Asian billiards.
 
He's one of the best because he has the desire but more importantly he has a road map.The kid has had some of the best instruction and a healthy environment to succeed.I know a pro that has played tournaments in Taiwan that they teach billiards in school.Kids are getting up to champion speed faster now because they don't have to beat their heads against the wall trying to figure out shots and the principles behind the game.All it takes is the will to learn and a strong instructional plan.
 
Yea one of my best buddies is from Taiwan.. Wu's country, and before i even heard of Wu, he was telling me how the best kid in taiwan is only 16, and his break is the most powerful around.

Coming from someone who has spent alot of time with chinese, and taiwanese pool players, i really can support the statement referring to their state of mind. Mentally, my taiwanese friend is absolutely flawless. He will never show one shread of emotion while playing pool. He said hes had 6 packs ran on him, hes had people run 150 in straight against him, and still you have to show no emotion and get to the table like its no big thing.

Ive learned alot from his ways of thinking, and have came along way from the days of getting on tilt over games, i now have much better control over my emotions during a game.

If you ever get a chance to shoot-the-breeze with a taiwanese pool player, do so, you will learn alot. In Taiwan, pool is just as big a sport, or bigger, than American football. He told me there are several players over there who are just waiting to go pro. This kid is really good IMO, and can run a 3 pack on any given day, just ran a 5 pack on the taiwan 1.5ball pocket tables recently. And he tells me that out of his whole college, he has no chance if he plays 9ball with the other pool players, they just destroy him.

Something to think about.
 
bigg7 said:
I know a pro that has played tournaments in Taiwan that they teach billiards in school..
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Your facts are wrong.

Pool/billiards is not taught in schools(at least as recently as 5 years ago). While there may be a college in Taiwan that offers it, it is not "some govenment program" or widespread national curriculum. Just like in the US, there are some schools that have a Pool team, but most do not, it's the same over there. It's just a popular game in Taiwan. It's similar to Basketball in the US and the kid that does nothing but shoot baskets after school. At that rate, he'll enter the NBA at 18 and be a dominant player.


Eric
 
They Just Have It

Back in 1968 when I was playing pretty much full time, I headed down to Key West for some work. I went into a little pool hall to hit some balls. There was this 10 year old kid in there that just didn't miss a ball. Kid was shooting lights out. Beat everybody in the place including me. I don't know where he came from or how he got that way, but it wasn't thru years of practice. He just had it, no question about it.
Purdman:rolleyes:

You can't win if you never get a chance to shoot!!!!
 
whitewolf said:
The reason WU is so good is partially due to his break. I would go so far to say that he has probably the best break in the world. He crushes the balls and the cue ball sits in the middle of the table every time.
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That is very true. The break is the most important shot in 9 ball and 8 ball and if you have that mastered it makes the game so much easier. How often do we hear "Wu was averaging 2-3 balls on the break". If he is doing that and squatting the rock, then he is playing six ball. Not that he isn't good, but I don't think he is as good as Hohmann or Pagualyan or Immonen etc. Now if he kicks the crap out of everyone in one pocket or 14.1 then I'll be convinced otherwise. Right now people are just too mesmorized by his age.
 
20DollarCue said:
This is a little out there, but I think it has a lot to do with the differences between Eastern and Western philosophy. Western philosophy is one of observation through the senses, with a heavy emphasis on the physical world. Eastern philosophy, on the other hand, seeks to find "God" through logic, not the senses. As a result, I think Easterners (very generally) have a greater understanding of themselves, and are able to control their minds to a much greater degree. My prediction is that Wu is just a taste of what's to come from Asian billiards.
Click to expand...


i agree.
and there is the by product improving their game for the art of the game. it is a goal that has infinite potential.
 
prolecat said:
Yea one of my best buddies is from Taiwan.. Wu's country, and before i even heard of Wu, he was telling me how the best kid in taiwan is only 16, and his break is the most powerful around.

Coming from someone who has spent alot of time with chinese, and taiwanese pool players, i really can support the statement referring to their state of mind. Mentally, my taiwanese friend is absolutely flawless. He will never show one shread of emotion while playing pool. He said hes had 6 packs ran on him, hes had people run 150 in straight against him, and still you have to show no emotion and get to the table like its no big thing.

Ive learned alot from his ways of thinking, and have came along way from the days of getting on tilt over games, i now have much better control over my emotions during a game.

If you ever get a chance to shoot-the-breeze with a taiwanese pool player, do so, you will learn alot. In Taiwan, pool is just as big a sport, or bigger, than American football. He told me there are several players over there who are just waiting to go pro. This kid is really good IMO, and can run a 3 pack on any given day, just ran a 5 pack on the taiwan 1.5ball pocket tables recently. And he tells me that out of his whole college, he has no chance if he plays 9ball with the other pool players, they just destroy him.

Something to think about.
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That's funny cause everytime I see you shoot, and you scratch, you give the cue ball the finger. HA ! Had to do it.
 
yea thats kidding around tho.. all in good fun.. i just noticed a big imposing middle finger tends to slow the cue ball as it rolls, it just scares little whitey.

PS i might be coming down this weekend.
 
prolecat said:
yea thats kidding around tho.. all in good fun.. i just noticed a big imposing middle finger tends to slow the cue ball as it rolls, it just scares little whitey.

PS i might be coming down this weekend.
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Cool, saw skippy and rj last night. They are doing good. Call me when you get into town.
 
Thanks for the replies everybody. I like to hear the "Theories" behind why great poolplayers are the way they are. I love the fact that all the greats and soon to be greats have different paths to get where they are or will be.
 
ARM9BALLER said:
That's funny cause everytime I see you shoot, and you scratch, you give the cue ball the finger. HA ! Had to do it.
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It used to be when something bad happened that i disliked i let it affect me mentally.. i would get on tilt.. like DB, and my abilities would greatly diminish due to my anger.

sure i may get frustrated about an unluckly roll, but thats where it stops with that middle finger.. it doesnt affect any part of my game, what happened happened, and thats that. Most of that is just personality, and me goofin off :D
 
Cameron Smith said:
That is very true. The break is the most important shot in 9 ball and 8 ball and if you have that mastered it makes the game so much easier. How often do we hear "Wu was averaging 2-3 balls on the break". If he is doing that and squatting the rock, then he is playing six ball. Not that he isn't good, but I don't think he is as good as Hohmann or Pagualyan or Immonen etc. Now if he kicks the crap out of everyone in one pocket or 14.1 then I'll be convinced otherwise. Right now people are just too mesmorized by his age.
Click to expand...

Thats funny, Its a big part, but not it. I will put my 9ball break up against almost anyone (except Hillbilly or Nevel), and yet, I still lose when I run down to the 8 or 9 and dog one of them, To me, the most important part of 9ball is the ability to put it away.
 
ARM9BALLER said:
At 16 or 17 he is part of the elite poolplayers. Who knows when he first picked up a stick. It is mind boggling to me how a person at such a young age can have that level of concentration and skill to be amongst the pinnacle of poolplayers in the world.
Click to expand...
A few reasons:

1, In Taiwan, pool has always been a popular sport among people. It has a clean image in the society. Some of the people even consider it as their national sport. Chao, Yang and Wu all got invited by Taiwanese president after their world victory. It's a sport that's suitable to people who don't have the genetic adavantage like those in other sports.

2, There are many real sponsors involved in all aspects of the sport. The world tournament last year was partly helped by the Kaosiong city government. It has a partially government funded organization running events through out the year. They have high school, college and open league and tournaments. In some international events, this organization had covered the airfare and travel cost to fly the top world players in to compete.

3, There are state of the art video equipments for capturing matches: mutilple overhead robotic cameras. And you can see pool on cable TV every night.

4, Most of the top players are clean cut with good manners for people to look up to. Big money game do happen but you have to be insider to get in.

5, It has high density of pool halls through out the small country. Someone mentioned to me that there is a pool hall with 200 tables. (at some point in US history, there are rooms with 4 floors of billiard tables near Grand Central Station in New York City. At that time, Billiards was way more popular than NBA.)

6, A few different people told me most of the tables there have 4 inch pockets. I have been told that Chin Min-Wei ran 400 on a table like that. Btw, for those who don't know, he is the unknown player with a punk hair style in 2000 Straight Pool Tournament at Rosebowl who played perfect textbook style straight pool and went all the way to the final undefeated (unfortunately he lost to Ralf in that match and took 2nd place) Even Wu is getting all the news, many still believe Yang is still the best.

Chin's 4 ball combo + carom at 2000 14.1 in NYC

http://azbilliards.com/thepros/2000showplayer2000.cfm?playernum=833
http://azbilliards.com/thepros/2000showplayer2005.cfm?playernum=1153

To sum it up in two words:

POOL HEVEAN

How can it possible for a place like this not to have champions?

Overall people there are just as friendly as nice Italians and they are adapting western cultures faster than most of other asian countries. If you have a few bucks I'd highly recommend taking a trip. There are many business oppotunities and potentials.

Colin, what's your opinion on this?

Cheers
Wei
 
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cuetable said:
A few reasons:

1, In Taiwan, pool has always been a popular sport among people. It has a clean image in the society. Some of the people even consider it as their national sport. Chao, Yang and Wu all got invited by Taiwanese president after their world victory. It's a sport that's suitable to people who don't have the genetic adavantage like those in other sports.

2, There are many real sponsors involved in all aspects of the sport. The world tournament last year was partly helped by the Kaosiong city government. It has a partially government funded organization running events through out the year. They have high school, college and open league and tournaments. In some international events, this organization had covered the airfare and travel cost to fly the top world players in to compete.

3, There are state of the art video equipments for capturing matches: mutilple overhead robotic cameras. And you can see pool on cable TV every night.

4, Most of the top players are clean cut with good manners for people to look up to. Big money game do happen but you have to be insider to get in.

5, It has high density of pool halls through out the small country. Someone mentioned to me that there is a pool hall with 200 tables.

6, A few different people told me most of the tables there have 4 inch pockets. I have been told that Chin Min-Wei ran 400 on a table like that. Btw, his the unknown player with a punk hair style in 2000 Straight Pool Tournament at Rosebowl who went all the way to the final undefeated (and lost to oliver) Even Wu is getting all the news, many still believe Yang is still the best.

To sum it up in two words:

POOL HEVEAN

How can it possible for a place like this not to have champions?

Overall people there are just as friendly as nice Italians and they are adapting western cultures faster than most of other asian countries. If you have a few bucks I'd highly recommend taking a trip. There are many business oppotunities and potentials.

Colin, what's your opinion on this?

Cheers
Wei
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Thanks, Wei. Based on my experience, that was my impression too. One other thing, the Taiwanese tend to be very dedicated and structured in their practice. It's a cultural thing. Rarely will you hear "I don't feel like practicing today."


Eric
 
1pRoscoe said:
Wheaties every day, man.... That's what it is...
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Sooo that's the secret! Here I have been sitting on my butt trying to motivate myself to practice, and all I had to do is eat wheaties, huh...! lol
 
Yea, about my before mentioned friend, i heard he used to wake up at 6-7am purposely to practice. I dont know any american players that do that.
 
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