I finally managed to track down a local Billiards league that is not miles away. It's only small having only 8 clubs but it's a start.
Charlie the manager from the Pyramid said he had seen someone playing billiards and he had got some details he remembered the name Paul and Roy and that they played at a Club called St Peters in Stalybridge on a Wednesday night opposite the Junglebar.
I went along at 8 on the off chance and met the Steward who told me to go upstairs and meet the players. They seemed a nice sort of crowd. The table was very nice but the balls were crap. I swear they were were the old bonzoline ones very heavy with cracks in the one of the whites.
I played a lad called Phil from the team 150 up at billiards I was a little handicapped by the balls but I managed to beat him 150-40. I played him again but had got used to the balls and ran in 20,24 and 29 to beat him 157-18. He seemed happy that I could join the team the standard seems poor but never mind at least it's local and it's practice. He did say that several players had got big breaks in the league and that the lowest handicap was -90 a young lad who was a good player.
Can't wait for it to start again in september.
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Sunday, 26 April 2009
ABC Newmarket
Went to my first Billiards Competition the an ABC at the Newmarket Snooker & Bowl, 2-12 All Saints Road, Newmarket CB8 8NL. I only had rough details of what to expect from Paul Dunning but I had played in a few Snooker competitions over the years so it wasn't too bad.
It is 192 miles door to door, which seems a hell of a long way to go to play Billiards. However I set off at six in the morning and arrived at just gone 9. The weather was beautiful all the way and being a Sunday traffic was light.
The club was open and I managed to get settled in with a cup of Tea. Lots of tables with a Bowling alley attached to the side. All the tables looked nice, well looked after with decent nap.
The players all started arriving at 10.30 and I spotter Peter Cooper the referee from Pontins who came over and introduced me to Clive Scott the tournament director and a couple of other players. Clive was nice he knew who I was which surprised me and allowed me to use up my free entry I had got from passing the basic billiards exam.
The draw was done and I managed to get a bye in the first round but it gave me chance to watch how the games were played and how the format was managed. There were some good players around I saw a few 50's and 80's, a couple of players from Pontins were there.
An hour later it was my turn I played Paul Snowden a nice your lad from the North East. He was clearly a very good player getting several 30 and 40 breaks. I did get my hand on the table and managed a few 10's and 15 breaks. However I would describe this as a hammering. I lost 319 to 103. However I was quite pleased to have hit the 100 mark as I had very little table time.
I did however learn from the match I saw Paul play some very interesting shots which I can use in the future. He played very softly and had a nice touch around the ball.
My next match was an hour later I played chap called Hill. He played locally in one of the Cambridge leagues I explained I had only just started playing the game. The match went off well I got a 10 and then followed it with a 30. I managed to get about 50 infront before he had replied he scored a few quick losers in the middle to get 10 behind before I knocked in a nicely constructed 39. I was delighted to run away the winner 105 - 40 in the half hour. I had scored more in the second match of 30 minutes than the full hour. But I did cue well.
My next match was again was against Richard Barrett I started well but he was too strong taking 20 and 30 breaks to push into a lead which he held most of the game. I was still happy as when he did leave me a chance I did score a few.
Overall I was pleased with the day I learnt lot's from watching and met some lovely people. I introduced myself to Bob Pattterson who will be at the Police Competition in Norfolk and Stephen Crosland who gave me my EABA membership card for next year. I am looking forward to the next meeting in Birmingham and Stephen has entered me into the Jock McGregor in Derby.
I returned home tired but happy to have won a match. I emailed Paul and Martin with the happy news.
It is 192 miles door to door, which seems a hell of a long way to go to play Billiards. However I set off at six in the morning and arrived at just gone 9. The weather was beautiful all the way and being a Sunday traffic was light.
The club was open and I managed to get settled in with a cup of Tea. Lots of tables with a Bowling alley attached to the side. All the tables looked nice, well looked after with decent nap.
The players all started arriving at 10.30 and I spotter Peter Cooper the referee from Pontins who came over and introduced me to Clive Scott the tournament director and a couple of other players. Clive was nice he knew who I was which surprised me and allowed me to use up my free entry I had got from passing the basic billiards exam.
The draw was done and I managed to get a bye in the first round but it gave me chance to watch how the games were played and how the format was managed. There were some good players around I saw a few 50's and 80's, a couple of players from Pontins were there.
An hour later it was my turn I played Paul Snowden a nice your lad from the North East. He was clearly a very good player getting several 30 and 40 breaks. I did get my hand on the table and managed a few 10's and 15 breaks. However I would describe this as a hammering. I lost 319 to 103. However I was quite pleased to have hit the 100 mark as I had very little table time.
I did however learn from the match I saw Paul play some very interesting shots which I can use in the future. He played very softly and had a nice touch around the ball.
My next match was an hour later I played chap called Hill. He played locally in one of the Cambridge leagues I explained I had only just started playing the game. The match went off well I got a 10 and then followed it with a 30. I managed to get about 50 infront before he had replied he scored a few quick losers in the middle to get 10 behind before I knocked in a nicely constructed 39. I was delighted to run away the winner 105 - 40 in the half hour. I had scored more in the second match of 30 minutes than the full hour. But I did cue well.
My next match was again was against Richard Barrett I started well but he was too strong taking 20 and 30 breaks to push into a lead which he held most of the game. I was still happy as when he did leave me a chance I did score a few.
Overall I was pleased with the day I learnt lot's from watching and met some lovely people. I introduced myself to Bob Pattterson who will be at the Police Competition in Norfolk and Stephen Crosland who gave me my EABA membership card for next year. I am looking forward to the next meeting in Birmingham and Stephen has entered me into the Jock McGregor in Derby.
I returned home tired but happy to have won a match. I emailed Paul and Martin with the happy news.
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Photo
Just checked the EBOS website. Horror!.
They have a picture of my getting my Billiards certificate from Paul Dunning. In a way its a little embarrasing to be the first to get the award but another part of me is quite proud.
I am going to stick with Billiards for 12 months and see how I can progress with the game. The thing that really sticks out in my mind is the totally different attitude anyone who plays the game has to snooker and the sport in general. I am really sticking my nose in trying to get as much information as possible about the rules, how to play, shots, videos, books. I am trying to immerse myself in the game as much as possible. Everyone I have met or spoken with has been kind considerate and totally passionate about this sport. They all want to share and help each other.
You never see that in the cut throat world of other sports where winning is everything. In Billiards it is the appreciation of the sport that counts. A player is happy for another player when they play a good shot or get a nice break. Everyplayer is aiming to improve and watching and playing is the only way. Dont get me wrong they still want to win but they do it with such grace.
Paul Dunning said something to me that really stuck in my mind. He is a truly great player but he said he was recently watching a couple of very poor players having game in his local club when one of them played a scoring shot that he had never seen or attempted himself. He then made a note of the shot ready to use it in his own game.
It is this that makes the sport so interesting, there is always another shot to learn or practice.
They have a picture of my getting my Billiards certificate from Paul Dunning. In a way its a little embarrasing to be the first to get the award but another part of me is quite proud.
I am going to stick with Billiards for 12 months and see how I can progress with the game. The thing that really sticks out in my mind is the totally different attitude anyone who plays the game has to snooker and the sport in general. I am really sticking my nose in trying to get as much information as possible about the rules, how to play, shots, videos, books. I am trying to immerse myself in the game as much as possible. Everyone I have met or spoken with has been kind considerate and totally passionate about this sport. They all want to share and help each other.
You never see that in the cut throat world of other sports where winning is everything. In Billiards it is the appreciation of the sport that counts. A player is happy for another player when they play a good shot or get a nice break. Everyplayer is aiming to improve and watching and playing is the only way. Dont get me wrong they still want to win but they do it with such grace.
Paul Dunning said something to me that really stuck in my mind. He is a truly great player but he said he was recently watching a couple of very poor players having game in his local club when one of them played a scoring shot that he had never seen or attempted himself. He then made a note of the shot ready to use it in his own game.
It is this that makes the sport so interesting, there is always another shot to learn or practice.
Doubles
Played my Snooker doubles quarter final last last with Mark Carrington. Quite a battle doubles but interesting. We were 48 behind in the first frame neither myself or Mark having potted anything. I managed to run in 21 with the last reds and got a snooker. After much safety play Mark cleared the colours for 27 to tie the game.
We won a respot black. The second game was better Mark had a few chances and knocked in a 42. They pulled back and I potted the last pink to finish it, which was the only ball I potted in the frame.
You might be thinking what has this got to do with Billiards. ?
I played Mark after the match at Billiards. I ran away about 70 up before he had got going.
As an ex-pro he can pot anything so I decided to show him a few shots from the Billiards Exam in particular the half ball loser, cross loser etc.
Oh my god I have created a monster. Once he understood the principle of the half ball loser and the drop cannon using the half ball he never missed and when combined with his potting and Knowledge of the angles it was a blood bath.
He ran in 34, 36, 45, 64 and several 20's all within an hour running away over the night. I did get a 21 and a 34 but he won 490-306 over the session. I know he still potted the red more often than he should but it was still outstanding.
I told him to stop playing snooker and take up billiards he has a nice light cue action he would do very well at this game.
We won a respot black. The second game was better Mark had a few chances and knocked in a 42. They pulled back and I potted the last pink to finish it, which was the only ball I potted in the frame.
You might be thinking what has this got to do with Billiards. ?
I played Mark after the match at Billiards. I ran away about 70 up before he had got going.
As an ex-pro he can pot anything so I decided to show him a few shots from the Billiards Exam in particular the half ball loser, cross loser etc.
Oh my god I have created a monster. Once he understood the principle of the half ball loser and the drop cannon using the half ball he never missed and when combined with his potting and Knowledge of the angles it was a blood bath.
He ran in 34, 36, 45, 64 and several 20's all within an hour running away over the night. I did get a 21 and a 34 but he won 490-306 over the session. I know he still potted the red more often than he should but it was still outstanding.
I told him to stop playing snooker and take up billiards he has a nice light cue action he would do very well at this game.
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Damaged Cue
Can’t find anyone to play in the area but still looking. Practice went well today.
It’s actually quite hard to do this on your own as you have to constantly keep walking around and picking out the balls and resetting them in position. Practicing the cross loser and short jenny. Failed on the jenny got it about 1/10 shot must be doing something wrong. Broke the joint on my cue today.
Still had it 15 years borrowed another one till I get mine repaired
It’s actually quite hard to do this on your own as you have to constantly keep walking around and picking out the balls and resetting them in position. Practicing the cross loser and short jenny. Failed on the jenny got it about 1/10 shot must be doing something wrong. Broke the joint on my cue today.
Still had it 15 years borrowed another one till I get mine repaired
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Basic Billards Exam
Off to Chester, I am meeting Paul Dunning at Waverton Village Hall at 2.30 for a little coaching. Rather looking forward to this but worried he will think my standard poor. I watched him play on the Internet he is a truly great player. He plays with a different style to Martin he seems to play an all round game rather than fighting for the top of the table position.
I called in Barrow church on the way over to see my grandfather grave. Lovely sunny day and met Barry Secrete a lad we used to know when my granddad was alive he lives in Wrexham and was only luck he happened to be there today.
Found the Institute at Waverton, lovely old Church Hall with two very nice tables. Paul is a nice chap and explains we are going to work through the exam syllabus to see if I can pass the Basic Billiards Exam. I am not really ready for this as I have only managed to practice some of the tests on Martins site. Still he explained what we had to do.
I didn’t perform very well; my middle pocket losers were poor in the warm up. Still it’s on a strange table with a thick cloth. I still didn’t play as well as I can in practice and on the last exercise I needed to make at least 26 in two visits break to pass the 150 mark. I just scrapped through with 24 and needed to make a drop cannon with my last shot. I felt drained, after that and we had a quick 100 up Paul giving me 50 start.
I watch Paul play scoring 34 and 28 in two visits, I scored 13 he then ran in 29 and was unfinished on 21 when the light ran out. He scored so quickly and played some shots I have never seen before. He really has a nice style and choice of shots. Quite different from the other lads who’s sole aim is to get to the top, which can lead to a rather boring game, Paul seems quite happy to score from any position in particular his narrow canons were awesome. He never seems to miss them, just a thin glancing canon but leaving nice position every time.
Overall I am quite happy Paul commented on my cue action, he has reassured me that any snooker player struggles with the grip and style for billiards where top and run through are very exaggerated and required for many shots. He would rather coach someone from scratch who had never played snooker. Then let then play snooker once they had mastered billiards.
Presented with a nice certificate showing my achievement.
I called in Barrow church on the way over to see my grandfather grave. Lovely sunny day and met Barry Secrete a lad we used to know when my granddad was alive he lives in Wrexham and was only luck he happened to be there today.
Found the Institute at Waverton, lovely old Church Hall with two very nice tables. Paul is a nice chap and explains we are going to work through the exam syllabus to see if I can pass the Basic Billiards Exam. I am not really ready for this as I have only managed to practice some of the tests on Martins site. Still he explained what we had to do.
I didn’t perform very well; my middle pocket losers were poor in the warm up. Still it’s on a strange table with a thick cloth. I still didn’t play as well as I can in practice and on the last exercise I needed to make at least 26 in two visits break to pass the 150 mark. I just scrapped through with 24 and needed to make a drop cannon with my last shot. I felt drained, after that and we had a quick 100 up Paul giving me 50 start.
I watch Paul play scoring 34 and 28 in two visits, I scored 13 he then ran in 29 and was unfinished on 21 when the light ran out. He scored so quickly and played some shots I have never seen before. He really has a nice style and choice of shots. Quite different from the other lads who’s sole aim is to get to the top, which can lead to a rather boring game, Paul seems quite happy to score from any position in particular his narrow canons were awesome. He never seems to miss them, just a thin glancing canon but leaving nice position every time.
Overall I am quite happy Paul commented on my cue action, he has reassured me that any snooker player struggles with the grip and style for billiards where top and run through are very exaggerated and required for many shots. He would rather coach someone from scratch who had never played snooker. Then let then play snooker once they had mastered billiards.
Presented with a nice certificate showing my achievement.
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Coaching
Had a phone call from Paul Dunning, he is hoping to give me a little coaching at Chester on Monday. I am looking forward to it but also slightly nervous. He is clearly one of the top players in the country and may regard my feeble efforts as rather below his level. Still I made the decision to play Billiards for 12months instead of snooker and so I am going to stick to it. Finally got my wife to agree to me playing in the EBOS comps. They are rather expensive, sorry not the entry fees but the travelling. Still we will have a week in Jersey next year, so that will keep her happy.
I will try to get the the club this afternoon and get a little practice
I will try to get the the club this afternoon and get a little practice
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Playing Test 1
Found the updated Quiz and test routines on Martins Site. Thought it best if I start working my way through them.
Test1.
(The playing test begins with the pot red into the middle to leave a middle cross loser, the opponent's ball being off the table. From this middle cross loser aim to bring the red for a middle pocket loser. You should then play middle pocket losers until you either miss or leave the red short. Assess yourself over 20 attempts and record your results noting breaks of 12 or more.
Tried this 20 times and recorded the results.
I failed to pot the red 3 times.!!!!
I potted the red and failed to get position for the middle cross loser 3 times.
I failed to get the middle cross loser twice.
Failed with the middle pocket loser twice.
On 3 occasions I managed a 9 break.
On 3 occasions I managed a 12 break.
On 2 occasions I managed a 15 break.
On 1 occasion I managed a 24 break.
The hardest part was getting the initial red as I seem to have forgotten how to pot.
I will try the second test this weekend it’s my last snooker match tonight for the season but I haven’t got time to practice so we will just have to take a chance. I am not going to change my grip at all during snooker. I will play with top and follow through on all shots and see how it goes.
Last league match tonight, played Darren Shields who was giving me a 50 start, another ex-circuit player who didn’t quite make it. Started off well my safety play was inch perfect and managed to get a long shot to nothing then played some nice little billiard shots to tuck him up behind the brown. He missed these which put me 60 ahead. I potted a couple of long straight reds and got pinks, missed a black which went into pack and safe. 74 ahead with pink and black tied up, nice position for me.
The frame went messy and I managed to pick him off a little getting 90 in front. He potted a long red and got 38, missing a simple red which I potted and got the blue.
We got to the colours he needed 6 snookers, but I ran in the yellow, green and brown for an easy win. The nice bit was my cueing felt nice and loose I never hit a hard shot and I played some lovely shots I had practised in my billiards, some half ball safety shots and some cannons off the green to tuck up behind the brown. Maybe Billiards will be good for my snooker in the long term.
I feel I am now getting used to the aiming point on the object ball with my new glasses. For shots near the cushion I am raising my head quite high to focus but now I am accustomed to it things seem quite natural. I felt a little sorry for him as I used to be on -15 in the league until my eyesight went but now I am playing as well as I used to with these new glasses.
Test1.
(The playing test begins with the pot red into the middle to leave a middle cross loser, the opponent's ball being off the table. From this middle cross loser aim to bring the red for a middle pocket loser. You should then play middle pocket losers until you either miss or leave the red short. Assess yourself over 20 attempts and record your results noting breaks of 12 or more.
Tried this 20 times and recorded the results.
I failed to pot the red 3 times.!!!!
I potted the red and failed to get position for the middle cross loser 3 times.
I failed to get the middle cross loser twice.
Failed with the middle pocket loser twice.
On 3 occasions I managed a 9 break.
On 3 occasions I managed a 12 break.
On 2 occasions I managed a 15 break.
On 1 occasion I managed a 24 break.
The hardest part was getting the initial red as I seem to have forgotten how to pot.
I will try the second test this weekend it’s my last snooker match tonight for the season but I haven’t got time to practice so we will just have to take a chance. I am not going to change my grip at all during snooker. I will play with top and follow through on all shots and see how it goes.
Last league match tonight, played Darren Shields who was giving me a 50 start, another ex-circuit player who didn’t quite make it. Started off well my safety play was inch perfect and managed to get a long shot to nothing then played some nice little billiard shots to tuck him up behind the brown. He missed these which put me 60 ahead. I potted a couple of long straight reds and got pinks, missed a black which went into pack and safe. 74 ahead with pink and black tied up, nice position for me.
The frame went messy and I managed to pick him off a little getting 90 in front. He potted a long red and got 38, missing a simple red which I potted and got the blue.
We got to the colours he needed 6 snookers, but I ran in the yellow, green and brown for an easy win. The nice bit was my cueing felt nice and loose I never hit a hard shot and I played some lovely shots I had practised in my billiards, some half ball safety shots and some cannons off the green to tuck up behind the brown. Maybe Billiards will be good for my snooker in the long term.
I feel I am now getting used to the aiming point on the object ball with my new glasses. For shots near the cushion I am raising my head quite high to focus but now I am accustomed to it things seem quite natural. I felt a little sorry for him as I used to be on -15 in the league until my eyesight went but now I am playing as well as I used to with these new glasses.
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Follow through Loser
Back form Sardinia and ready for a practice. Went to the club and ended up on rather a poor table. Took me a little while to get going after the break but spent 10 minutes playing long losers from the middle and some cross losers around the black spot. Got going quite well and managed to get my cue action following through the ball. I had already decided to practice a couple of routines today. The follow through losers and potting the red in the middle to leave a middle table loser on the red to try and get position in the middle again.
The follow through loser is all about cueing. It is easy to spot the aiming point on the red ball but you really have to get the side on the white. I practiced for 15 minutes and only got a 4 or 5. I altered my aiming point slightly and marked the position of the ball but was still failing. I moved the red closer to the pocket and tried again. After another 10 minutes I was getting the shot nearly each time and started to move the red back along the cushion. I finally started to cue the shot properly. It is TOTAL side that gets the shot. If you strike through the ball and get lots of left the ball simply bounces along the cushion and can hit the pocket at any point and the side simply runs it into the pocket. You can actually move the red a large distance from the pocket and still make the shot.
Once again it is not only hitting the ball in the correct spot that counts but 100% cue action. I am going to try and take my video camera take some film of these shot's. I dont think I can get a better site than Martins site although he hasn't got round to putting all the shots on.
I spent the last 30 minutes potting the red in the middle and playing a cross loser into the top pocket and trying to get the red back up the table for a middle loser. Got little runs of 15 and 25 going without to much trouble? Not a bad day’s work, less than three weeks to go before Norfolk.
I finally understand what Martin calls ‘Widening the pocket’ the side on the cue ball whips the ball into the pocket as long as you have hit it right, you have at least an extra inch either side of the pocket where the ball can strike and it will still go in.
The follow through loser is all about cueing. It is easy to spot the aiming point on the red ball but you really have to get the side on the white. I practiced for 15 minutes and only got a 4 or 5. I altered my aiming point slightly and marked the position of the ball but was still failing. I moved the red closer to the pocket and tried again. After another 10 minutes I was getting the shot nearly each time and started to move the red back along the cushion. I finally started to cue the shot properly. It is TOTAL side that gets the shot. If you strike through the ball and get lots of left the ball simply bounces along the cushion and can hit the pocket at any point and the side simply runs it into the pocket. You can actually move the red a large distance from the pocket and still make the shot.
Once again it is not only hitting the ball in the correct spot that counts but 100% cue action. I am going to try and take my video camera take some film of these shot's. I dont think I can get a better site than Martins site although he hasn't got round to putting all the shots on.
I spent the last 30 minutes potting the red in the middle and playing a cross loser into the top pocket and trying to get the red back up the table for a middle loser. Got little runs of 15 and 25 going without to much trouble? Not a bad day’s work, less than three weeks to go before Norfolk.
I finally understand what Martin calls ‘Widening the pocket’ the side on the cue ball whips the ball into the pocket as long as you have hit it right, you have at least an extra inch either side of the pocket where the ball can strike and it will still go in.
Saturday, 4 April 2009
Cannons
Another hours practice session, this will be the last one for a week due to holidays. I am determined today to just practice cannons. I feel confident in my losers so today nothing but cannons. Everything went fairly well got nearly all in the centre of the table. Drop cannons seem fairly straight forward if you really think about the positions.
I feel they are still rather a gamble as I am unable to guarantee position afterwards. If I get the yellow around the black spot and drop off the red it’s fairly easy to ensure you have a leave either a pot or loser off the red. It’s when you get a covering shot your in trouble. Still overall quite happy with the hour managed 15 cannons in a row before ending up going in off the red by accident, a quick 33 points. I managed to control the balls in the middle of the table.
You really need to ensure the cue ball in not stuck in the middle of the three balls but is always away from the other two or the position just becomes a nightmare and you have to screw back between the two. I did manage to send the white up the table and return it to a suitable spot for the next cannon. This was rather luck than judgement.
I feel they are still rather a gamble as I am unable to guarantee position afterwards. If I get the yellow around the black spot and drop off the red it’s fairly easy to ensure you have a leave either a pot or loser off the red. It’s when you get a covering shot your in trouble. Still overall quite happy with the hour managed 15 cannons in a row before ending up going in off the red by accident, a quick 33 points. I managed to control the balls in the middle of the table.
You really need to ensure the cue ball in not stuck in the middle of the three balls but is always away from the other two or the position just becomes a nightmare and you have to screw back between the two. I did manage to send the white up the table and return it to a suitable spot for the next cannon. This was rather luck than judgement.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Practice Practice Practice
Went for a quick hours practice and have been thinking long and hard about my game. I seem to be very strong at the middle loser and am quite happy with cross losers. I do struggle with certain shots with lots of top although my grip is better now.
I have decided today to concentrate on middle losers. Several books and articles on the internet suggest this is one method of scoring that offers fairly a simple shot with high rewards if you can keep getting good position. My mid table cannons are fair so I would attempt to score breaks around these basic shots.
I placed yellow and white as middle losers and attempt to score as many as possible before having to resort to another shot. Managed 9 then had a half ball in the bottom to resume position. Pushed the red over the middle and potted it as a six shot.
Got another cannon off the white and then in off the red, red back for a loser from the D. (26). The game does seem to be getting easier, I just had to realise my limitations and play to my strengths.
I can definitely score regular 15+ breaks from this position with little effort so I am going to forget all the other stuff and concentrate the next few weeks to this style of play. The beauty of this is that it favours my snooker grip. Although I felt very relaxed and loose with the cue today.
I spent some time watching videos on YouTube and Martins site of the older players most of then play quite upright with only forefinger and thumb gripping the cue. Joe Davis has a more definite snooker stance but in an interview states he has to change his grip for a lighter swing for billiards. Definitely need to stick with my new relaxed grip for snooker as well.
If I can get 18 hours practice over the next three weeks I will be happy, I am looking forward to Norfolk now as I feel my progress is fine so far to ensure I don’t disgrace myself.
I have decided today to concentrate on middle losers. Several books and articles on the internet suggest this is one method of scoring that offers fairly a simple shot with high rewards if you can keep getting good position. My mid table cannons are fair so I would attempt to score breaks around these basic shots.
I placed yellow and white as middle losers and attempt to score as many as possible before having to resort to another shot. Managed 9 then had a half ball in the bottom to resume position. Pushed the red over the middle and potted it as a six shot.
Got another cannon off the white and then in off the red, red back for a loser from the D. (26). The game does seem to be getting easier, I just had to realise my limitations and play to my strengths.
I can definitely score regular 15+ breaks from this position with little effort so I am going to forget all the other stuff and concentrate the next few weeks to this style of play. The beauty of this is that it favours my snooker grip. Although I felt very relaxed and loose with the cue today.
I spent some time watching videos on YouTube and Martins site of the older players most of then play quite upright with only forefinger and thumb gripping the cue. Joe Davis has a more definite snooker stance but in an interview states he has to change his grip for a lighter swing for billiards. Definitely need to stick with my new relaxed grip for snooker as well.
If I can get 18 hours practice over the next three weeks I will be happy, I am looking forward to Norfolk now as I feel my progress is fine so far to ensure I don’t disgrace myself.
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
First Real Game
Finally found someone to play. One the lads from Staybridge Church League rang me and asked if I wanted a game. I had asked the secretary to let them know I was after a game. We played two sessions of 300 up, Jim started off like a train going 55 points to 2 up. I could not seem to get going at all. I decided to try potting my way in the game and scored 12 and 9. Once I got my arm going I started scoring in 10’s and 12’s. But he kept his lead by doing the same. As I reached 150 he was on 210. He kept playing red in the middle and in off the red from the middle. I ran in a quick 30 mostly from middle losers and a couple of pots. I slowly caught him up and pegged him back 274-300 a quick 15 finishing him off.
Cup of tea later and we started again I had got going and pulled away straight away getting little runs of 15 and 20 on each visit. I reached 200 and he was still on 100. He ran in a 30 break and missed a simple red in the bottom bag. I was starting to cue nicely through the ball and ran in 45. I was very pleased as I only potted the red twice when I had no other alternative and managed to get to the top of the table twice. I did fail to get the white in a good position on each occasion but did score a few before going back up to the D to get a few more in offs. I ran away an easy winner 300 to 132. The break really pleased me I felt it was a properly constructed Billiard’s break rather than a snooker break. I hardly had to hit a hard shot.
The league has 10 Teams of 5 players and he is in the top 10 at Billiards. He thought there were only three other players who were better than me. A lad called Anthony being the best player. He had several breaks over 100 in the past and he would try to get him to practise with me.
Cup of tea later and we started again I had got going and pulled away straight away getting little runs of 15 and 20 on each visit. I reached 200 and he was still on 100. He ran in a 30 break and missed a simple red in the bottom bag. I was starting to cue nicely through the ball and ran in 45. I was very pleased as I only potted the red twice when I had no other alternative and managed to get to the top of the table twice. I did fail to get the white in a good position on each occasion but did score a few before going back up to the D to get a few more in offs. I ran away an easy winner 300 to 132. The break really pleased me I felt it was a properly constructed Billiard’s break rather than a snooker break. I hardly had to hit a hard shot.
The league has 10 Teams of 5 players and he is in the top 10 at Billiards. He thought there were only three other players who were better than me. A lad called Anthony being the best player. He had several breaks over 100 in the past and he would try to get him to practise with me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
