I asked for advice a while back because I can't seem to get into my stride before the second or third game of my VNEA league (5 games).
I normally can't get to the bar/poolroom in time to warm up because of work, dinner, my wife, etc. and, unless I'm playing someone who really sucks, I always lose the first game or two. It's improved some over the last 6 months and I'm considerably more consistent overall but this first game problem still seems to get me almost everytime. Once I've been at the table and hit a few balls everything starts working - but I can't start cold.
Mere moments before death, David Malone hastily scrawled: >
I asked for advice a while back because I can't seem to get into my>stride before the second or third game of my VNEA league (5 games).>
I normally can't get to the bar/poolroom in time to warm up because of>work, dinner, my wife, etc. and, unless I'm playing someone who really>sucks, I always lose the first game or two. It's improved some over>the last 6 months and I'm considerably more consistent overall but>this first game problem still seems to get me almost everytime. Once>I've been at the table and hit a few balls everything starts working ->but I can't start cold.
/aol
Any ideas?
Uh. Quit your job, get divorced and start eating at the bar?
Ed Chauvin IV
-- DISCLAIMER : WARNING: RULE # 196 is X-rated in that to calculate L, use X = [(C2/10)^2], and RULE # 193 which is NOT meant to be read by kids, since RULE # 187 EXPLAINS homosexuality mathematically, using modifier G @ 11.
"I always feel left out when someone *else* gets killfiled." --Terry Austin
On 13 Apr 2005 12:21:43 -0700, "gideonf@rogers.com" <gideonf@rogers.com> wrote:
IMHO, what you are lacking in those first few games is some consistency>in your ball-striking - which comes after your subconscious pre-shot>routine establishes itself. If you raise that routine from the>subconscious to the conscious, I bet that you will also bet better able>to play cold.
Maybe you're right. I know that I don't try any kind of power draw shot until I'm warmed up fer instance...
You and I play differently I've observed. Your approach already appears to be very systematic and structured and I imagine you have a pretty good pre-shot routine.
On the other hand, I'm a 'feel' player and prefer to play quickly and by just doing it. I don't normally measure things or second guess anything and if I do I end up missing because I'm not committed to the shot. Would I become a better player if I was able to slow down or would I lose my natural rhythm? I don't know. I see players like Luc Salvas or Keith McCready who play at warp speed be reasonably successful - wonder if they have a defined pre-shot routine?
in addition, I also have difficulty playing poorer players, until they get a>big lead, then I can clamp down and get serious, if it's not too late by>then. Strong players, I can buckle down right away and play. I seem lack the>ability to kill a wounded dog, but it's ok if the dog is healthy..
Me too... must be something that applies universally to people called "Dave"?
I normally can't get to the bar/poolroom in time to warm up because of>work, dinner, my wife, etc. and, unless I'm playing someone who really>sucks, I always lose the first game or two.
Have you tried warming up on your own table at home while eating dinner, etc., or does that not work for some reason?
On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 16:29:29 -0400, pltrgyst <pltrgyst@spamlessxhost.org> wrote:
Have you tried warming up on your own table at home while eating dinner, etc.,>or does that not work for some reason?
I keep knocking the wine glasses over... and it's hard to get the gravy off the ferrules...
Oh, I see what you mean. Yes, I've tried that but for some reason it doesn't take. Probably because it's a bigger table, Granito, different balls, etc. In fact it seems to take longer to get 'adjusted' if I've been playing on my home table.
Have you tried warming up on your own table at home while eating dinner, etc.,>>or does that not work for some reason?>
I keep knocking the wine glasses over...
IIRC correctly, your family has that problem everywhere... 8;)
Oh, I see what you mean. Yes, I've tried that but for some reason it>doesn't take. Probably because it's a bigger table, Granito, different>balls, etc. In fact it seems to take longer to get 'adjusted' if I've>been playing on my home table.
Ah, so it's not your stroke that needs warming up, so much as it is adapting the stroke to the playing conditions.
Never mind, then. For me, it's the stroke that needs grooving -- I'm just not good enough to worry much about the conditions. That's why I'm heading off to DC right now to get an hour of table time in before playing the ladder match with Cory tonight...
In article <1113426186.148777.297520@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, "cory" <corysc@gmail.com> wrote:
[...] That's why I'm> heading off to DC> > right now to get an hour of table time in before playing the ladder> match with> > Cory tonight...> >
-- Larry>
Sneaky, sneaky. I was debating whether I too should go early and try to> get my stroke in shape (before leaving out the back door, waiting till> 7:30, and then coming down the front stairs). Now, to keep things even,> I'll have to get there at 6:30.>
Or we can just put a asterick next to Larry's name if he wins.
To league I go No pre-shot routine in hand; Ball hits rubber
Lou Figueroa
"David Malone" <malone@ca.ibm.com> wrote in message news:425d58df.92620406@news3.prserv.net...>
I asked for advice a while back because I can't seem to get into my> stride before the second or third game of my VNEA league (5 games).>
I normally can't get to the bar/poolroom in time to warm up because of> work, dinner, my wife, etc. and, unless I'm playing someone who really> sucks, I always lose the first game or two. It's improved some over> the last 6 months and I'm considerably more consistent overall but> this first game problem still seems to get me almost everytime. Once> I've been at the table and hit a few balls everything starts working -> but I can't start cold.>
<gideonf@rogers.com> wrote in message news:1113420102.939982.159020@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...> Sure. Develop a pre-shot routine like Lou has been preaching about.> At your level (and mine, of course), its not precise speed control that> you are missing in your first few games, because you and I don't have> that control even after four hours.>
IMHO, what you are lacking in those first few games is some consistency> in your ball-striking - which comes after your subconscious pre-shot> routine establishes itself. If you raise that routine from the> subconscious to the conscious, I bet that you will also bet better able> to play cold.>
To league I go> No pre-shot routine in hand;> Ball hits rubber
I know someone who would fly into a rage if he saw haiku composed in English. Like some do when there is no pause at the end of the backstroke. Anyways, there are rules. Here are some of them stolen from a web site that google will allow you to find.
The technique of cutting
The cutting divides the Haiku into two parts, with a certain imaginative distance between the two sections, but the two sections must remain, to a degree, independent of each other. Both sections must enrich the understanding of the other. To make this cutting in english, either the first or the second line ends normally with a colon, long dash or ellipsis.
The seasonal theme.
Each Haiku must contain a kigo, a season word, which indicate in which season the Haiku is set. For example, cherry blossoms indicate spring, snow indicate winter, and mosquitoes indicate summer, but the season word isn't always that obvious.
Please notice that Haiku-poems are written under different rules and in many languages. For translated Haiku-poems, the translator must decide whether he should obey the rules strictly, or if he should present the exact essence of the Haiku. For Haiku-poems originally written in english, the poet should be more careful. These are the difficulties, and the pleasure of Haiku.
My game is wilting with no PSR to feed it; my leaves are all dead.
On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 16:07:08 -0500, Mike Page <mike.page@ndsu.nodak.edu> wrote:
Or we can just put a asterick next to Larry's name if he wins.
What, warming up before a match is worthy of a Maris-like appendage?
Anyway, Cory was there shooting when I arrived, so give him the asterisk -- and warming up didn't help me. He creamed me 11-5 at 9-ball.
It should have been closer (says the loser), but I choked on two bih eight balls facing ultra-simple gifts. He still would have won, though -- he simply controls the cue ball better than I do.
We probably spent more time playing 1P, where we're about dead even. He shoots shots better than I do, but I probably move the balls around the table better than he does.
One down side was that we played on a 9-foot table with the worst rails I've ever seen. They were totally dead -- from the sound, loose, even. At times you'd shoot a two or three railer, and the ball would leave the second rail at 30-45 degrees more angle than expected. It was an adventure! Say -- I don't suppose Cory arranged for management to steer me to that particular table, since it's his league pool hall, did you, Cory? 8;)
Anyway, we had a good time, and we'll do it again (on a better table, at Champions, probably), since we seem to be the only two playing RSBers within commuting range of DC. Or maybe we can get Ken Bour involved, despite his lofty ladder perch. Ken, if you read this, where do you usually shoot?
On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 00:03:46 +0000 (UTC), Bob Jewett <jewett@sfbilliards.com> wrote:
I know someone who would fly into a rage if he saw haiku composed>in English. Like some do when there is no pause at the end of>the backstroke. Anyways, there are rules.
I keep waiting for the creator of haicue (vs haiku) Ron Hudson to tell us the rules. I would suggest...
1. must be about pool 2. 5-7-5 syllables 3. cutting preferred but not mandatory 4. because pool is an indoor game, no seasonal requirement
My game is wilting>with no PSR to feed it;>my leaves are all dead.
On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 16:54:31 -0400, pltrgyst <pltrgyst@spamlessxhost.org> wrote:
Ah, so it's not your stroke that needs warming up, so much as it is adapting the>stroke to the playing conditions.
On a hunch I went back and looked at as many GWN scoresheets as I could find in my files -- and they are all the same. I consistently lose the early matches in the round robin and then come on strong after the third match or so (with some exceptions like when I get drawn against someone like Thierry - doesn't matter how many games I've played, I still get bombed).
I've just got to find a way to get there early enough to get comfortable with the conditions.
Is a dead leave considered safe? These haicues are so simple yet so>profound...
Since we're getting this deeply into it, perhaps we should prescribe an RSB version of seppuku as well. Then when the haicue get bad enough... oh, wait -- too late.
On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 10:15:03 -0500, "JoeyA" <joey@noofficespecialties.net> wrote:
Don't interact with other people as far as conversation is concerned, just >observe the balls. Look at the object balls intently, relax your eyes. >Don't get emotionally involved.... That will create anxiety in your body >which you don't need.
Sounds like the Pre-"Shot"-Routine for a New Orleans hooker. 8;)
Is a dead leave considered safe? These haicues are so simple yet so>>profound...>
Since we're getting this deeply into it, perhaps we should prescribe> an RSB version of seppuku as well. Then when the haicue get bad> enough... oh, wait -- too late.>
Well, when I was only playing one or 2 days a week and I practiced the night of the matches, I tended to leave my best games at the practice table. If I took the day of the matches off (practiced the day before for a few hours) I played better than if I practiced that day.
When I played a lot of pool the week before (4 days or more) it didn't matter when I practiced. I did like to get at least a few balls hit on the tables so I could judge speed, throw, etc.
Short answer, play more. Hit a few balls the night of the matches. HTFreds
Mark0
=== "David Malone" <malone@ca.ibm.com> wrote in message news:425d58df.92620406@news3.prserv.net...>
I asked for advice a while back because I can't seem to get into my> stride before the second or third game of my VNEA league (5 games).>
I normally can't get to the bar/poolroom in time to warm up because of> work, dinner, my wife, etc. and, unless I'm playing someone who really> sucks, I always lose the first game or two. It's improved some over> the last 6 months and I'm considerably more consistent overall but> this first game problem still seems to get me almost everytime. Once> I've been at the table and hit a few balls everything starts working -> but I can't start cold.>
New Orleans hookers don't need no stinkin' pre shot routine. JoeyA
"pltrgyst" <pltrgyst@spamlessxhost.org> wrote in message news:tdtt51hghalgvv6sg81v6kkokg880hkv5d@4ax.com... : On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 10:15:03 -0500, "JoeyA" <joey@noofficespecialties.net> : wrote: : : >Don't interact with other people as far as conversation is concerned, just : >observe the balls. Look at the object balls intently, relax your eyes. : >Don't get emotionally involved.... That will create anxiety in your body : >which you don't need. : : Sounds like the Pre-"Shot"-Routine for a New Orleans hooker. 8;) : : -- Larry :
On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 19:06:07 -0400, pltrgyst <pltrgyst@spamlessxhost.org> wrote:
Do you know how *sharp* thin monofilament can be? I think we've found that RSB>seppuku method I suggested in another thread.
My buddy Harry Kirry says this methodology wouldn't be considered at all... er... kosher.
How much blood can a hamster body hold, anyway?
A very good question. And how much chuck can a wood chuck upchuck? One of the bigger riddles in the universe... This just goes to show there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in our philosophy.
On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 22:12:55 -0400, "Mark0" <mark0@mccauleywebDELETETHIS.com> wrote:
Well, when I was only playing one or 2 days a week and I practiced the night>of the matches, I tended to leave my best games at the practice table. If I>took the day of the matches off (practiced the day before for a few hours) I>played better than if I practiced that day.
I usually don't practise the night of the matches. I don't have time to do that anyway.
When I played a lot of pool the week before (4 days or more) it didn't>matter when I practiced. I did like to get at least a few balls hit on the>tables so I could judge speed, throw, etc.>
Short answer, play more. Hit a few balls the night of the matches. HTFreds
I have a table at home and I practise or at least hit a few balls almost every night unless we have visitors over... even then I get to play some if they are pool players.
I'm starting to think my problem is in making the transition to the bar tables. I play on the faster Granito, bigger table all week and then can't mentally adjust quickly to the 3 1/2' by 7' table -- although you'd think a smaller surface would be easier.
I have a table at home and I practise or at least hit a few balls> almost every night unless we have visitors over... even then I get to> play some if they are pool players.>
I'm starting to think my problem is in making the transition to the> bar tables. I play on the faster Granito, bigger table all week and> then can't mentally adjust quickly to the 3 1/2' by 7' table --> although you'd think a smaller surface would be easier.>
My wife, by the way has no such problem.>
David "The Hamster" Malone
One of the top attributes of the better players is their ability to adjust to different equipment. When I play at a new place, I don't complain about the faults of the new equipment. I tell myself that everyone is playing on the same equipment. Then "myself" talks back and says "yeah right,... you still play like crap".
Watch a real good player that comes to your town to play in a tournament. The first game or two and they will be out of position. Then they start playing like they've been playing on your equipment for months.
The smaller surface is easier to pocket balls on but harder to play position on.
One of the things to do is play for the bigger window position-wise. Try (as MP or BobJ said) to play position that doesn't cross the line of the next shot too. Finally try to choose shots that give you a second option for a different ball should the position go awry (this won't bw much help shooting position for the 8).
Having said all that, you need some time to get a feel for the slow baize (as evidenced by your better performance in the later matched). Maybe you can eat at the bar or on the way match night?
Mark0 <--needs an hour to have any kind of subconcious connection to my cue
=== "David Malone" <malone@ca.ibm.com> wrote in message news:425ff694.264065250@news3.prserv.net...> On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 22:12:55 -0400, "Mark0"> <mark0@mccauleywebDELETETHIS.com> wrote:>
Well, when I was only playing one or 2 days a week and I practiced the
night> >of the matches, I tended to leave my best games at the practice table. If I> >took the day of the matches off (practiced the day before for a few hours) I> >played better than if I practiced that day.>
I usually don't practise the night of the matches. I don't have time> to do that anyway.>
When I played a lot of pool the week before (4 days or more) it didn't> >matter when I practiced. I did like to get at least a few balls hit on
tables so I could judge speed, throw, etc.> >
Short answer, play more. Hit a few balls the night of the matches.
HTFreds>
I have a table at home and I practise or at least hit a few balls> almost every night unless we have visitors over... even then I get to> play some if they are pool players.>
I'm starting to think my problem is in making the transition to the> bar tables. I play on the faster Granito, bigger table all week and> then can't mentally adjust quickly to the 3 1/2' by 7' table --> although you'd think a smaller surface would be easier.>
