Rack ’em up!

The Daisy table exists now, not too bad, but not too great either. Let me explain.

Big Ed made her nearly perfectly flat. The table will also let you play a ball along the side rail a full table length on either side and in either direction. That means the side rails are lined up. Because your ball will not continue down the rail past a side pocket if they are not. The two side rails, on the rack end of the table, bank perfect, but they are the exception. The headrail, and both side rails, at that end bank short, so new bumpers are needed. But it is totally playable, and is fulfilling the need for a practice table.

I generally play my practice by placing a ball in the center of the table. I place the cue ball in a straight line one diamond from the corner pocket to the opposite end corner pocket, playing it as a straight-in shot. Because it is a full table shot, your stroke can be evaluated. The object is to make the ball at center table into the corner pocket, while the cue ball stops without spin at that same spot while your cue remains pointing straight. Then, practice letting it roll forward a little and then more, or draw it back a little and then more. You can practice cue ball control while playing a straight pool stroke shot.

Purple Rain was due to check Daisy out but ended up going out of town, a person near and dear broke their foot, allegedly by the behavior of a pesky skateboard. Tsk, tsk. What is next? Rogue mailboxes? So Daisy must wait for another day, and J.P. is doing fine now, and wishing no doubt, for a do- over.

Well, rumor is, a new “Deer Watch!” series, may be picked up by a network. The question is now, will Slim become the public face of the series or will he remain the humble pool player we all know him to be? I mean the fame though, I could see where he might become interested. Enough to pull him away from Hat’s place? I doubt it cuz, he keeps saying, he’s really had enough of being infamous with people.

Oakland Sam has been going through the lockdown like a soldier on a march and taking the safest approach with his loved ones. I know he is struggling though, it is with his gourmet side. He wants to play nine-ball, especially, if there are money stakes involved. There are such games being played, and he is regularly invited. But when invited, he declines. Invariably it is something about a souffle or Borscht, or maybe it was a Porsche, one of those kinda things, that he must finish preparing or cooking. I know lockdown is affecting us all, but gee Sam, why not make a baloney sandwich and have time for a game or two?

If you are interested in improving your banking percentages. Learn to kick before you bank. Try first playing with a single cue ball. If, for example, your cue ball is placed two diamonds from the side pocket on your side of the