Cue Tips: Making some progress
We are finally making some much-anticipated progress toward playing pool games with other players. Quite a few of our league players are becoming vaccinated against CO
VID-19.
Recently, Bryan from Lake Mendocino showed up to play friends in Fort Bragg — everyone playing was vaccinated, and Bryan was thrilled to be playing pool again with new players. Playing at home with one friend Jack, twice a week, is just not enough for a guy working on his eighth decade of life.
“It doesn’t get better than this,” he pronounced when facing several players, it is one of his favorite sayings when faced with good pool table competition. I was glad to lose a few games to try and keep his enthusiasm going, but the truth was, his daily practice sessions had given him improvement in his game.
He was playing position for the cue ball by announcing “Paper plate,” right here! Having a distinct destination, after the shot for the cue ball, as in Bryan’s case, an area the size of a paper plate, gave him, and for you too, a leg-up in getting shape for the cue ball and the next play.
I know who the culprit is that has been schooling him about cue ball destination — it’s the Ripper. We need to set a date and get both of them back over here for some long race matches and find out what else they know. I mean, are these two players plotting against us?
Big Ed has been playing nearly every day since he put a pool table in the carport. The interesting part is that he only plays bank 8-ball. In fact, he has developed his banking skill to a high level. Most players will avoid a bank shot like the plague — and pro players call it a low percentage shot that they also avoid if possible — but Ed will most always opt for a multiple rail bank shot. Huh? Well, you would be forgiven for thinking that choosing a multiple rail bank shot would be unwise of Ed. In fact, he makes multiple 4 and 5 rail banks for the 8-ball to win several times a day.
His knowledge of where to hit the rail to travel around the table to a given spot has improved greatly, and to be honest, is a little intimidating. I have a plan though, I’m going to watch him and learn how. Have you heard, “what one person can do, another can do?” Well, I hope that is true.
Books about pool playing are an abundantly available source to learn techniques or strategies as well they will offer you insights into playing and suggestions for drills to improve your game. “The Science of Billiards” is a great book for anyone from a beginner to a good player. “Play your Best Pool” is another great book about pocket billiards. Oakland Sam brought me “Precision Pool,” which was complete by starting with beginner instruction up through being a good player. All of these publications were good, and there are many, many more that will help your pool game.
Like always it takes practice to become better, but when reading about different drills that are designed to help with your pool game, written by different authors, will surely help you expand your general knowledge about pool playing strategies, and that is a good thing. If you have a favorite book on pool playing let me know and I will be glad to pass it along to the other players that are interested in learning more about how to improve their pool game.
Practice at something will usually greatly increase your knowledge about whatever it is you are practicing, it becomes more familiar which makes it easier to do.
CUE TIP » One of the best techniques of practice for run- out play is by tossing three balls onto the table and making them all without a miss. After some time practicing this your average of making them all without a miss will improve, then it is time to add another ball and toss out four balls and run them. Eventually, you will be able to run eight balls without a miss. By then you will be greatly admired by your pool-playing friends. Why? Because we all wish to break, make a ball and then run the rest of the rack before the other player even shoots a ball. Why? Because it feels so good when it happens would be one reason I can think of. When was the last time you put out some balls and really practiced hard at just running the rack? Contact me at mcbohanon@ gmail.com.