It’s all in the wrist!
Rack ‘em up!
Years ago, playing at Tip Top Lounge, I met a guy who claimed to be a “road player.” He had a Brunswick cue with a balance bubble built into the buttend of the cue. While stroking the cue for a strike on the cue ball, you could see the cue stick level from end to end and any sideto-side roll during your stroke. The cue design was to help you to use a level cue and not roll your wrist during your stroke. He explained another idea to me, “I use a 16.5 oz cue for most shots, but use a 22 oz cue for a long, straight play. The added weight gives a more accurate stroke for those shots.” I was captured by the idea of using a heavier cue for a long and straight play, but honestly, I never tried for long enough to actually decide if it works. If you have experience with this method or any other method for cueing accuracy, let it be known to the rest of us.
FOR TUESDAY, 5/10/2022 » TEAM POSITIONS: ANGELIA’S
GRILL AND BAR TEAM # 1 » 7 wins; Angelina’s Grill and Bar Team # 2: 7 wins; Golden West Saloon Team # 1: 8 wins; Golden West Saloon Team # 2: 2 wins; Milano Hotel and Bar Team # 1: 14 wins; Milano Hotel and Bar Team # 2: 2 wins; Tip Top Lounge Team # 1: 14 wins; Tip Top Lounge Team # 2: 8 wins; Welcome Inn Team # 1: 10 wins; Welcome Inn Team # 2: 3 wins.
TOP PLAYERS OF THEIR
TEAMS: ANGELINA’S GRILLE & BAR TEAM # 1 » Hugh Miller; Angelina’s Grille & Bar Team # 2: Rosendo Padilla and Thomas Venegas are tied; Golden West Saloon Team # 1: Luke Pedersen; Golden West Team # 2: Mikael Haye; Milano Hotel and Bar Team # 1: Flaco Pat; Milano Hotel and Bar Team # 2: Mark Wright; Tip Top Lounge Team # 1: Dan Casteel; Tip Top Lounge team # 2: Randy Gibson; Welcome Inn Team # 1: Sam Banker; Welcome Inn Team # 2: Schelagh Fredson and Linda Long are tied.
TOP PLAYERS OF LEAGUE
» Dan Casteel 25 wins 5 losses; Luke Pedersen 24 wins 6 losses; Sam Banker and Flaco Pat with 21 wins. Gabe Medina and Victor Munoz with 20 wins. Mike Bohanon, Randy Gibson, Bruce Silveria, and Joel Vidal with 19 wins. Congratulations to all.
Visit the following Fort Bragg Pool League sponsors: Angelina’s Grille & Bar, Golden West Saloon, Milano Hotel and Bar, Tip Top Lounge, or Welcome Inn: all maintain a schedule of Fort Bragg Pool League players and teams. Look to the list for someone you know and find where they are playing. You might join a team, make new friends, or just watch 8-ball games as they unfold. The League plays Tuesday at 7 pm ending before 10 pm. Tournaments, if held, are after League play, or as likely on a different night. Tournament schedules are usually posted on bulletin boards near pool tables and anyone can enter to play.
TOURNAMENT RESULTS »
9-ball; John Borba won; Schelagh Fredson 2nd and Shaleen Chorley 3rd. Now, who had the biggest win? That would be Shaleen. Simply put, John and Schelagh have won 9-ball before, but Shaleen, a new player, with her first big win, finished in the top 3 of the 9-ball Tournament. Hoo-Rah!
If visiting Fort Bragg, test your game against local players! Enjoy the good company, food, music, and full-service bars. We have shuffleboard, dice, dart, and corn-hole in addition to billiards for your entertainment. Angelina’s Grill and Bar features Karaoke Friday evenings. If you like being outside, try Milano Hotel and Bar, with a patio and tables for enjoying the fresh air. Come, and spend some time in Fort Bragg.
CUE TIP: YOU MIGHT THINK MAKING BALLS WOULD BE THE PRIORITY IN POOL. THERE ARE MANY PLAYERS THAT ARE GREAT “SHOT MAKERS,” THAT ARE NOT WINNING PLAYERS. THEIR FUNDAMENTALS ARE FLAWED, AND THEY PROGRESS, ONLY INCREMENTALLY.
STANCE IS FUNDAMENTAL » With your feet spread apart, you might use your shoulder width for a reference to start with, but spaced enough to give you a rock-steady stance. Your left foot is a bit forward if you cue stroke with your right hand, knees slightly bent and facing forward. Stroke is fundamental: Try holding your cue over a rail diamond blocking it from view, keep the diamond hidden during your stroke. You will learn not to twist your wrist while keeping your cue level and straight. Now you are better prepared to learn aim, speed control, and most importantly, cue ball control. Contact me at mcbohanon@gmail. com.