Straight pool
 

The game of champions. I've set a goal of a run of 30 balls by September 1st. My previous (witnessed) high run was 17. I've just started playing regulary again after a 1-1/2 years off. I've had a 14 ball run in each of my last two games.

Anyone else play them some straights? Or one-pocket?

Re: Straight pool
 

It's makes for a great drinking game.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
The game of champions. I've set a goal of a run of 30 balls by September 1st. My previous (witnessed) high run was 17. I've just started playing regulary again after a 1-1/2 years off. I've had a 14 ball run in each of my last two games.

Anyone else play them some straights? Or one-pocket?

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah, the good old buck-a-ball days before everyone wanted to play p*ker instead...

As soon as I get around to buying a house, I guarantee I will buy a nice pool table before a single other piece of furniture. I miss playing.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
I guarantee I will buy a nice pool table before a single other piece of furniture.

[/ QUOTE ]
Before a sex chair, even?

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
The game of champions. I've set a goal of a run of 30 balls by September 1st. My previous (witnessed) high run was 17. I've just started playing regulary again after a 1-1/2 years off. I've had a 14 ball run in each of my last two games.

Anyone else play them some straights? Or one-pocket?

[/ QUOTE ]

I know we've talked about one-pocket before, and I'd still say you could kick my ass at it [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] I've got a friend that would give you some action if you're ever in VA tho...

I'm no good at straight, but definitely enjoy it. I can never seem to leave a good breakout though...its definitely a great game...

How about billiards? I had an old timer show me the break the other day, and after he tried it 4 or 5 times, i took a try and hit it on my second attempt. I think I could really get into that game...

Unfortuantely there aren't many billiards tables in the area...and the one place that has them is kinda shady...although i WAS gambling there at 5:00am one morning in a typical white guy pants/button down combo, and i lived...so who knows [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I guarantee I will buy a nice pool table before a single other piece of furniture.

[/ QUOTE ]
Before a sex chair, even?

[/ QUOTE ]

Before a sex chair, even...

Re: Straight pool
 

Pool is a brotherhood, kinda like poker. No one cares what you wear, or what color you are when you play, or even what stick you shoot with (unless you're an insufferable nit), as long as the money in your pocket is green.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
The game of champions. I've set a goal of a run of 30 balls by September 1st. My previous (witnessed) high run was 17. I've just started playing regulary again after a 1-1/2 years off. I've had a 14 ball run in each of my last two games.

Anyone else play them some straights? Or one-pocket?

[/ QUOTE ]

I love straight. my high run is something in the thirties I think, not forty I don't think--I hvae my good days but I'm not good because they're not frequent enough, and even then I'm not all that good. but running through two breaks, that's when you've tasted what it really means to play pool. I need to get a table. or find someplace to play in New Orleans. there seems to be a place on tchoupitoulas but I haven't looked to see if it's good.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
It's makes for a great drinking game.

[/ QUOTE ]

why? it's such a difficult game, and slow...

Re: Straight pool
 

How about billiards? I had an old timer show me the break the other day, and after he tried it 4 or 5 times, i took a try and hit it on my second attempt. I think I could really get into that game...

Billiards is an incredible game.
Finding someone willing to play against you is difficult.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
Pool is a brotherhood, kinda like poker. No one cares what you wear, or what color you are when you play, or even what stick you shoot with (unless you're an insufferable nit), as long as the money in your pocket is green.

[/ QUOTE ]

very true...i wish i could play with better skilled players more often, but the league i play in now is mostly for fun...and i'm tired of the seriousness of APA...although we ARE going to vegas in a few weeks for nationals on their tab [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]

How about billiards? I had an old timer show me the break the other day, and after he tried it 4 or 5 times, i took a try and hit it on my second attempt. I think I could really get into that game...


[/ QUOTE ]

I fooled around on a billiards table at hollywood on market in SF a few times. it was fun. it's not quite as hard as you expect, but it's still damned hard. but to make it more enjoyable at first, you can play 1 cushion instead of 3 cushion, or even straight rail (no cushion necessary). if you actually get good, straight rail becomes a very different game, where you learn to "nurse" the balls, never having them move more than a fraction of an inch and making huge runs. but if you're curious about billiards I highly recommend two videos from accustats: semih sayginer's artisitic billiards exhibition (3-cush trick shots with masse's and various incredible astounding things) and blomdahl v. ceulemans 1996 which is considered the greatest 3-cushion performance (avg 4/inning) ever (unless probably blomdahl's topped himself...).

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

How about billiards? I had an old timer show me the break the other day, and after he tried it 4 or 5 times, i took a try and hit it on my second attempt. I think I could really get into that game...


[/ QUOTE ]

I fooled around on a billiards table at hollywood on market in SF a few times. it was fun. it's not quite as hard as you expect, but it's still damned hard. but to make it more enjoyable at first, you can play 1 cushion instead of 3 cushion, or even straight rail (no cushion necessary). if you actually get good, straight rail becomes a very different game, where you learn to "nurse" the balls, never having them move more than a fraction of an inch and making huge runs. but if you're curious about billiards I highly recommend two videos from accustats: semi sayginers artisitic billiards exhibition (3-cush trick shots with masse's and various incredible astounding things) and blomdahl v. ceulemans 1996 which is considered the greatest 3-cushion performance (avg 4/inning) ever (unless probably blomdahl's topped himself...).

[/ QUOTE ]

semih is ridiculous...i saw a clip on the web...the masse which bounces back and forth in the corner about 8 times? crazy....i might have see some of blomdahl's match as well, i definitely know both names....if it was more accessible i'd certainly try it out....

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
How about billiards? I had an old timer show me the break the other day, and after he tried it 4 or 5 times, i took a try and hit it on my second attempt. I think I could really get into that game...

Billiards is an incredible game.
Finding someone willing to play against you is difficult.

[/ QUOTE ]
I used to love me some 3 cushion at Chris's Billiards in Chicago. Lots of old timers willing to teach you the ropes for table time. Some of the best 3 cushion talent in the world used to come through there. I miss Chicago...

High run 3 cushion - 7
High run straight - 52

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It's makes for a great drinking game.

[/ QUOTE ]

why? it's such a difficult game, and slow...

[/ QUOTE ]
Volume

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
very true...i wish i could play with better skilled players more often, but the league i play in now is mostly for fun...and i'm tired of the cheating & sandbagging of APA...although we ARE going to vegas in a few weeks for nationals on their tab [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I almost never do this, but.... FYP [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Straight pool
 

You know Pat Johnson of r.s.b. fame?

Re: Straight pool
 

I like billiards, but my wife has so much natural talent at it, I basically give up. A 3-point run is not uncommon for her.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
very true...i wish i could play with better skilled players more often, but the league i play in now is mostly for fun...and i'm tired of the cheating & sandbagging of APA...although we ARE going to vegas in a few weeks for nationals on their tab [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I almost never do this, but.... FYP [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

very well done....fwiw, my team hasn't sandbagged at all....so, we're going to get destroyed [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] more time for po--um....other things.... [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]

semih is ridiculous...i saw a clip on the web...the masse which bounces back and forth in the corner about 8 times? crazy....i might have see some of blomdahl's match as well, i definitely know both names....if it was more accessible i'd certainly try it out....

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm going to put the tape in today. it's been a few years. the most astounding to me were the whipping stroke shots where he can hit with full power with the balls a quarter inch or less apart (without double hitting NB).

Re: Straight pool
 

Yeah, LOL. I'm a 2 in APA 9-ball. A... Two...

I'm an excellent safety player and kicker (thanks, one-pocket), but never have had a defensive shot marked down. I quit after four 8-ball seasons and 1 9-ball. And my league wasn't that bad when it came to sandbagging - I couldn't imagine how bad it can get.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

semih is ridiculous...i saw a clip on the web...the masse which bounces back and forth in the corner about 8 times? crazy....i might have see some of blomdahl's match as well, i definitely know both names....if it was more accessible i'd certainly try it out....

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm going to put the tape in today. it's been a few years. the most astounding to me were the whipping stroke shots where he can hit with full power with the balls a quarter inch or less apart (without double hitting NB).

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah, the english and draw he gets is amazing. the balls going off one cushion, then another, thennnnnnnnnnnnnn back this way....i'd pay to see that in person anyday...


random aside: i did a trick shot with mike massey once...nicest guy and the shot involved us both shooting and making 6 balls, on one barbox table, all pockets used...we got it first try [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Straight pool
 

Yeah, like straight pool and billiards. Don't get to play billiards around here. I think the threshold in straight pool is 42 - 3 racks. I can't do it. I am trying to just be able to pick through one rack better and can do that more often than in the past. 30 measly balls is my high run on a gold crown. Next Derby City they are having an all offense straight pool competition. Break ball in hand, cue ball in hand, 3 chances for 50 in the prelims. 42 will get you like 1 chance in the final. 160 will get 3 or 4. Only your high run gets you chances. High run gets a prize. Will be interesting to see what the modern guys can do. Hohmann has run 400, so has schmidt. Somebody may uncork a ridiculous run even on the diamond tables. I hope accu-stats gets something good on video.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
Yeah, LOL. I'm a 2 in APA 9-ball. A... Two...

I'm an excellent safety player and kicker (thanks, one-pocket), but never have had a defensive shot marked down. I quit after four 8-ball seasons and 1 9-ball. And my league wasn't that bad when it came to sandbagging - I couldn't imagine how bad it can get.

[/ QUOTE ]

lmao, a 2?? how many do you normally run after a break? 9 balls not my game and i just recently started getting close to having break and run outs achievable....

Re: Straight pool
 

I'm a 4-6 ball runner, on average. If my break is on, and they're spread nicely, I'm better than even money to get out. My problem is long cuts requireing fancy position. I'm not a big fan of 9-ball, but ring games are the nuts, and it's a good warm up.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm a 4-6 ball runner, on average. If my break is on, and they're spread nicely, I'm better than even money to get out. My problem is long cuts requireing fancy position. I'm not a big fan of 9-ball, but ring games are the nuts, and it's a good warm up.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, I'd guess i'm around the same....that's ridiculous to have that skill as a 2, hahahaha....

btw, i don't know if i've asked this before, but i don't suppose there's a digital copy of winning one pocket floating around? [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I don't really want to drop $200 on it, but might eventually if that's my only option....

Re: Straight pool
 

this worked for me

but I also had a coach at one time.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
this worked for me

but I also had a coach at one time.

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah, i've got it [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I've also got robin's second book, Shots, Moves, and Strategies...I'd just really like to get my hands on the first volume and check it out...

Re: Straight pool
 

that sounds like fun. I used to play straight with an older guy in berkeley. he won the Illinois state college championship in the late 50s or early 60s. that got him an exhibition game against mosconi. he broke. mosconi ran 50 or 100, whatever it was, and out. then went into a trick shot exhibition. never said a word to him. my friend had nerve problems when I knew him so he usually couldn't run many. but he taught me some great tricks, like caroming the object ball off a full rack into the corner. but everyone else in the room played 9 or one-pocket (one pocket esp some old persian gamblers). I liked one-pocket okay, but I like to make shots, lots of them. gets frustrating.

Re: Straight pool
 

I'm not much of a one pocket player but do have the upscale 1P book. Not bad. You guys need to get the new "Banking with the Beard" book by freddie bentivegna if you don't have it. Pretty good IMO. I have not worked my way through it and may have caught an error or two in the book, but my banking improved immediately after working on a couple of the things in there. He has some bank pool specfic stuff and some one pocket stuff. One diagram of a Bugs Rucker 1 pocket run out was sick.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not much of a one pocket player but do have the upscale 1P book. Not bad. You guys need to get the new "Banking with the Beard" book by freddie bentivegna if you don't have it. Pretty good IMO. I have not worked my way through it and may have caught an error or two in the book, but my banking improved immediately after working on a couple of the things in there. He has some bank pool specfic stuff and some one pocket stuff. One diagram of a Bugs Rucker 1 pocket run out was sick.

[/ QUOTE ]

i've heard of that book actually...they're advertising it on onepocket.org i believe....

ah bugs....i can only imagine...the guy was amazing....

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
You know Pat Johnson of r.s.b. fame?

[/ QUOTE ]
Nope - haven't been to rsb for years. I used to knock 'em around once in a while with a guy name Gino who used to post a lot there (and got into a lot of flame wars). I met him back in the early 90s when he about 16 and he was Tommy Karabotsos's protege. Gino was a brilliant billiards player with lots of attitude.

Re: Straight pool
 

Anyone have book or website suggestions for a complete n00b starting out? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: Straight pool
 

"Play your best pool" by Phil Capelle

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
You guys need to get the new "Banking with the Beard" book by freddie bentivegna if you don't have it.

[/ QUOTE ] I will definitely have to pick that up. I used to love to sweat Freddie giving up monster weight to the young turks at the old Chicago Billiard Cafe. He was a character and a half. I never saw him play straight pool, but his 9 ball, bank game and one pocket were mighty fine.

As far as I'm concerned the old Cafe was the center of the pool & billiard universe in the 80s and early 90s.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone have book or website suggestions for a complete n00b starting out? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

robert byrne standard book of billiards. then buy his others. he's the top. (incidentally, anyone else besides me sense a certain resemblence between byrne and ray zee??).

Re: Straight pool
 

This thread is bringing back some memories for me. I started in pool and 3-cushion billirads when I was 13 years old. I was lucky enough to have a good teacher who was top dog in our area for about 30 years or so. Although his skills had declined some by time he started teaching me (he was in his mid fifties) he was extremely knowledgeable about the game. He died earlier this year and is missed by quite a few people.

I rarely had a summer job in my mid-teens since I could make enough to get by on shooting pool.

There weren't many straight pool shooters around but a group of us would occasionally pool some money and we would get three chances at the table, highest run would take all. Best I ever did was four straight racks, missing my break on the fifth rack.

I ended up being more of a 3-cushion billiard player as time passed with my two highest runs being 12 once and 10 twice. I only play a dozen times or so a year now but have managed a few runs of 9 recently.

Re: Straight pool
 

...I'm not worthy....

The poolroom has a greater collection of colorful characters than the card room - discuss.

Re: Straight pool
 

[ QUOTE ]
...I'm not worthy....

The poolroom has a greater collection of colorful characters than the card room - discuss.

[/ QUOTE ]

i think that might deserve its own thread....i'm sure some will weigh in there that have skipped this one...

but if not, at first i said "easily"...thinking about it though, and reading some of doyle's old stories, i don't think its that easy. I think pool offers you a chance to do more...ie, play someone without your tip, play one handed, etc....and we've got Bucktooth [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Straight pool
 

My best at straight pool is 12. I've yet to run a 9-ball rack out though (ie no 9ball combos count). That pisses me off.