Went for a practice a the Palace Snooker Center, Woodley. I had mentioned to an old friend that I was going in he rang me and turned up to play Billiards.
Denis is 73 and a regular player in the senior tournaments of the Manchester League always getting to the Finals and is a good player. In his younger days was quite a force around the Manchester area getting many 100+ breaks. He still gets regular 50+ breaks and has a great Snooker safety game.
We played 250 up and had a really nice game I ran away scoring 100 quite quickly before he managed to get back to playing billiards. He stated it was 18 years since he had last played. That didn't stop him getting a run of small close canons going down the rail towards the black spot.
He just ran the balls along almost like nursery canons but further apart. He lost my ball and finished on 15 in a row.
He knew the half ball well and played some very good long half ball in offs. I ran away to 200 before he got to 90. But he managed 3 x 12 breaks mainly canons before I reached 250.
Final score 250-147
Not bad considering he hadn't played for so long. We have arrange to have a session next week. he seemed very happy to have managed to get a game of billiards after all this time.
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Monday, 24 August 2009
Long Narrow Canons
I am feeling more confident with my game as each hours practice goes by. By selecting a shot or a sequence of shots before I enter the club and ensuring that only that shot is played.
This means I don't get side tracked into a game of snooker or chatting at the bar etc gives me a more effective session.
Today's practice was long canons I set up some long canons in particular narrow ones which require some check side. Using the spotted ball really shows your cueing and aiming point. Quite remarkable was how many I missed but because I had strong check the cue ball came back off the cushion to give the canon after all.
I also appreciate the value of placing the cue ball at the back of the D for some shots as it makes the perspective of the shot look better. The angle is still the same but you can spot it a little better. In fact I don't recall trying this type of canon more than a handful of times in the past yet it is quite important to recover a position and avoids a long loser in some cases.
Another hour done got a few competitions coming up so every little helps. Looking at the names for the comp in Bradford I am rather concerned. Looks to me that everyone who has entered the world championship is entered into this comp. Where are all the other EBOS lads and the guys who play in the ABC's? looks like they got cold feet. Obviously saw my name on the list and thought no point in entering that one! (In my dreams). Still can't wait to see Mike Russell Play again and that other young lad from India if he's entered Pankaj Advani. looks like an exciting new player.
Where are the other players scattered around like Shutt and Roxton and that Australian Danik Lucas. I think there are lots of other players around who could have given the world champs a shot.
How can it be that there are only a handful of entries when there are so many people who still play to a decent standard. I am very pleased Martin is entered he is capable of beating anyone but there again so can most of the top 10 ABC chaps, Billy, Steve Crosland and Paul Dunning to name but a few. it's not surprising Billiards is so fragmented as a sport with all this infighting between the groups.
This means I don't get side tracked into a game of snooker or chatting at the bar etc gives me a more effective session.
Today's practice was long canons I set up some long canons in particular narrow ones which require some check side. Using the spotted ball really shows your cueing and aiming point. Quite remarkable was how many I missed but because I had strong check the cue ball came back off the cushion to give the canon after all.
I also appreciate the value of placing the cue ball at the back of the D for some shots as it makes the perspective of the shot look better. The angle is still the same but you can spot it a little better. In fact I don't recall trying this type of canon more than a handful of times in the past yet it is quite important to recover a position and avoids a long loser in some cases.
Another hour done got a few competitions coming up so every little helps. Looking at the names for the comp in Bradford I am rather concerned. Looks to me that everyone who has entered the world championship is entered into this comp. Where are all the other EBOS lads and the guys who play in the ABC's? looks like they got cold feet. Obviously saw my name on the list and thought no point in entering that one! (In my dreams). Still can't wait to see Mike Russell Play again and that other young lad from India if he's entered Pankaj Advani. looks like an exciting new player.
Where are the other players scattered around like Shutt and Roxton and that Australian Danik Lucas. I think there are lots of other players around who could have given the world champs a shot.
How can it be that there are only a handful of entries when there are so many people who still play to a decent standard. I am very pleased Martin is entered he is capable of beating anyone but there again so can most of the top 10 ABC chaps, Billy, Steve Crosland and Paul Dunning to name but a few. it's not surprising Billiards is so fragmented as a sport with all this infighting between the groups.
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Spotted Practice Ball
Following advice from Roger Morgan and Martins Goodwills site I recently purchased a spotted practice ball. This allows you to see the side imparted on the ball on each shot.
I really should have got this right at the start it really makes you see and appreciate each shot you take and quite often if you miss it is due to the failure to put side on and run the cue through the shot.
I have spent sometime using the ball to play drag shot and losers around the table. This has really helped with the shots. I never realised you could play a long drag shot with side at quite a speed. You can really judge the side off the cushion. I have also started to play drag on small close shots with some impressive results.
My advice to anyone is go and get a spotted white Aramith ball as soon as possible.
I really should have got this right at the start it really makes you see and appreciate each shot you take and quite often if you miss it is due to the failure to put side on and run the cue through the shot.
I have spent sometime using the ball to play drag shot and losers around the table. This has really helped with the shots. I never realised you could play a long drag shot with side at quite a speed. You can really judge the side off the cushion. I have also started to play drag on small close shots with some impressive results.
My advice to anyone is go and get a spotted white Aramith ball as soon as possible.
Friday, 21 August 2009
Competition 50 Break at Long Last
I broke off and managed to get the red safe leaving a straight white in the bottom pocket. He missed the white and went straight into the pocket. I requested the balls be spotted and got the long loser and brought the yellow straight over the middle bag. A quick drop canon and straight into easy top mode. I managed 20 or so at the top then lost position and went back to the D and played a few losers.
Before I knew it the ref was calling 42 but I had left a cover shot in the middle of the table. I did not fancy the loser in the bottom and I did not think I could get a cannon so I potted the yellow in the top and left myself an easy red in the middle. Got the red and left the middle cross loser. I hit It quite well but must have put some side on as the red came off the cushion at an angle instead of straight up the spots and left a short jenny in the middle. I had my 50 break in a match at long last.
I took the Jenny as a half ball shot not really getting enough side on and left it tight on the cushion opposite cushion. I went for the double but missed by a mile but 53, yes I will say it again 53 left a smile on my face all night.
I ran away with the game winning 200-76 and that included his 30 start. I know he was a poor player but I played pretty well getting a few 10-15 breaks as well to keep the score ticking along.
The game was over pretty quickly about 35minutes. I was delighted when our Captain told me that was the highest recorded break in the league for at least 15 years.
It seems that all the practice and hard work have paid off. I set myself three goals for the year.
Winning a Game - Done, 50 break in a match - Done, 100 in practice - well after looking at the game and speaking with everyone I am simply not bothering with breaks anymore. If I get one great if not well I don't mind. I am concentrating on playing the game and learning as much as I can.
Before I knew it the ref was calling 42 but I had left a cover shot in the middle of the table. I did not fancy the loser in the bottom and I did not think I could get a cannon so I potted the yellow in the top and left myself an easy red in the middle. Got the red and left the middle cross loser. I hit It quite well but must have put some side on as the red came off the cushion at an angle instead of straight up the spots and left a short jenny in the middle. I had my 50 break in a match at long last.
I took the Jenny as a half ball shot not really getting enough side on and left it tight on the cushion opposite cushion. I went for the double but missed by a mile but 53, yes I will say it again 53 left a smile on my face all night.
I ran away with the game winning 200-76 and that included his 30 start. I know he was a poor player but I played pretty well getting a few 10-15 breaks as well to keep the score ticking along.
The game was over pretty quickly about 35minutes. I was delighted when our Captain told me that was the highest recorded break in the league for at least 15 years.
It seems that all the practice and hard work have paid off. I set myself three goals for the year.
Winning a Game - Done, 50 break in a match - Done, 100 in practice - well after looking at the game and speaking with everyone I am simply not bothering with breaks anymore. If I get one great if not well I don't mind. I am concentrating on playing the game and learning as much as I can.
Monday, 17 August 2009
Cue Cut by Bob Akers
I changed to my Walter Donaldson cue for billiards as it has a larger tip. I never quite realised what a pain a one piece is. The case is on view in my car where as the 3/4 one would fit in the boot. Even Easyjet want extra money for a full length cue classing it the same as Ski's.
In 1984 I had a one piece cue. A Riley Professional in ash. Several players had two piece cues including Jim Wych and Cliff Thorburn. I regarded these as Pool cues. A couple of others had two peice cues mainly Maple ones like Dennis Taylor.
At this time one of the good Players called Paul Bingham arrived one day and had his cue cut at 3/4. When I was watching his game he undid the cue and added a long wooden extension to make his cue into a half butt. I went over and looked at it after the game had finished and thought it was quite a neat idea. Over the next few months several players had their cues done either half but mainly 3/4 splits.
I decided to get mine done and found the name & address of the Cue Doctor a Mr Bob Akers from Leeds in SnookerScene. I had just past my driving test and decided to drive over rather than trust the post office to get it there in one piece.
I drove over in my battered blue Ford Escort JEO325P which leaked in water but had a working radio. I got lost around Leeds but eventually found my way to his house and handed over my trusted cue and £ 25. A few days later my cue arrived back in the post 3/4 split with a nice Wooden extension. I played with this cue for many years without problems and several other players also go their cue done from Bob.
Some 30 years later Bob is still advertising in Snooker Scene so I rang him and booked myself in today for the drastic surgery. I had been offered good money for my Walter Donaldson Cue but have always refused to part with it. I decided it had to be split. Cue collectors would call this a mortal sin but never mind no one's collecting my cue.
I thought Bob was really old when I first met him and assumed he must be ancient by now but he's only just 65. I arrived a Bob's at 9.15am a little early and rang him he was just getting up.
He took me into his workshop and I showed him the cue and case it was to fit in. He picked out the correct joint and we agreed where he was going to insert the joint.
I was quite horrified when he flung the cue in a vice put a pencil line along the side of the cue grabbed a saw and cut straight through it.
Vandal - The resulting two bits.
The Workshop
Acrylic Joint ready for Trimming.
Tapping the Thread
Taking off the Excess Steel
Proud Bob with another finished Cue
Bob really does know his stuff, he estimates he has done 10,000 cue joints since 1975. He rarely does them now. Most people have already got a cue which is split so he mainly repairs damaged joints. He states that even good cues like Parris the joints only last 5-10 years before they have to be glued back or replaced. Some cheaper brands last only 12months.
He seemed quite sad that he has not trained anyone else to do the repairs such as an apprentice. He states he cannot go on forever doing the job and eventually he will wind down and stop. It seems sad to me that for so long he has been doing this job and eventually the skills he has will be lost.
He has repaired cues for all the great players. Just speaking today for a short while he has done jobs for Parrot, Davis, Higgins, Spencer, Johnson and for Billiards, Crossland, Gilcrest and Russell. He mentioned over 30 top names and said he has forgotten most of them.
In 1984 I had a one piece cue. A Riley Professional in ash. Several players had two piece cues including Jim Wych and Cliff Thorburn. I regarded these as Pool cues. A couple of others had two peice cues mainly Maple ones like Dennis Taylor.
At this time one of the good Players called Paul Bingham arrived one day and had his cue cut at 3/4. When I was watching his game he undid the cue and added a long wooden extension to make his cue into a half butt. I went over and looked at it after the game had finished and thought it was quite a neat idea. Over the next few months several players had their cues done either half but mainly 3/4 splits.
I decided to get mine done and found the name & address of the Cue Doctor a Mr Bob Akers from Leeds in SnookerScene. I had just past my driving test and decided to drive over rather than trust the post office to get it there in one piece.
I drove over in my battered blue Ford Escort JEO325P which leaked in water but had a working radio. I got lost around Leeds but eventually found my way to his house and handed over my trusted cue and £ 25. A few days later my cue arrived back in the post 3/4 split with a nice Wooden extension. I played with this cue for many years without problems and several other players also go their cue done from Bob.
Some 30 years later Bob is still advertising in Snooker Scene so I rang him and booked myself in today for the drastic surgery. I had been offered good money for my Walter Donaldson Cue but have always refused to part with it. I decided it had to be split. Cue collectors would call this a mortal sin but never mind no one's collecting my cue.
I thought Bob was really old when I first met him and assumed he must be ancient by now but he's only just 65. I arrived a Bob's at 9.15am a little early and rang him he was just getting up.
He took me into his workshop and I showed him the cue and case it was to fit in. He picked out the correct joint and we agreed where he was going to insert the joint.
I was quite horrified when he flung the cue in a vice put a pencil line along the side of the cue grabbed a saw and cut straight through it.
Vandal - The resulting two bits.
The Workshop
Acrylic Joint ready for Trimming.
Tapping the Thread
Taking off the Excess Steel
Proud Bob with another finished Cue
Bob really does know his stuff, he estimates he has done 10,000 cue joints since 1975. He rarely does them now. Most people have already got a cue which is split so he mainly repairs damaged joints. He states that even good cues like Parris the joints only last 5-10 years before they have to be glued back or replaced. Some cheaper brands last only 12months.
He seemed quite sad that he has not trained anyone else to do the repairs such as an apprentice. He states he cannot go on forever doing the job and eventually he will wind down and stop. It seems sad to me that for so long he has been doing this job and eventually the skills he has will be lost.
He has repaired cues for all the great players. Just speaking today for a short while he has done jobs for Parrot, Davis, Higgins, Spencer, Johnson and for Billiards, Crossland, Gilcrest and Russell. He mentioned over 30 top names and said he has forgotten most of them.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Playing Roger
I had arranged to meet up and play Roger Morgan on the 15th August as he was going to Sheffield and then on to Lincs to collect his mother who was on holiday.
I had of course mixed up my dates and had arranged to work, but I managed to get back from work at 12 noon from South Wales as Roger was coming up from South Wales at 1.30pm. I was rather tired as I started work at 2 in the morning but I was really looking forward to this.
We met at Frames Snooker Club, Hyde, Stockport. We had a general chat at the bar and then went to one of the match tables. The clubs a little tired but the tables are OK rather tight pockets on the match table.
For some reason Roger was quite interested in my efforts at billiards, he is working very hard at the book he and Martin are writing. I received quite a grilling. He asked lots of very interesting questions about me and Billiards, cueing and snooker. He clearly understands the technical aspects of the game in great detail. He doesn't play anyone he just practices on his own but that is sufficient to make someone a very good player.
He really gave me a boost as he knew exactly what I was trying to do and gave me some very useful advice on the game and how to improve my practice to give me targets to achieve to show over time how my game can improve. We went through numerous examples of shots using side and drag in particular. I found this very interesting and useful.
After an hour we had a game nice and relaxed although I felt nervous for some reason I didn't want him to think I was hopeless. We played for nearly 2 hours we managed to discuss positions we were in and look at various options for shot and break building. I was quite amazed by his Red ball play he played his long losers with lots of drag at quite a slow pace. He explained he had only just managed to master this aspect of the game using a spotted white training ball. I really enjoyed this, I managed to hold my own getting a few 20 breaks, Roger had the highest a 30 towards the end of the session.
He commented that I played well and was really trying to put the theory into practice on the table. He thought I was making very good progress in such a short time.
All to soon he had to shoot off. I think he managed to pick my brains a little but I certainly got a lot out the session in particular how drag and placing the ball is so important. Can wait to try out a few of the shots next week.
Thanks Roger and I will see you in Wales in a few weeks.
I had of course mixed up my dates and had arranged to work, but I managed to get back from work at 12 noon from South Wales as Roger was coming up from South Wales at 1.30pm. I was rather tired as I started work at 2 in the morning but I was really looking forward to this.
We met at Frames Snooker Club, Hyde, Stockport. We had a general chat at the bar and then went to one of the match tables. The clubs a little tired but the tables are OK rather tight pockets on the match table.
For some reason Roger was quite interested in my efforts at billiards, he is working very hard at the book he and Martin are writing. I received quite a grilling. He asked lots of very interesting questions about me and Billiards, cueing and snooker. He clearly understands the technical aspects of the game in great detail. He doesn't play anyone he just practices on his own but that is sufficient to make someone a very good player.
He really gave me a boost as he knew exactly what I was trying to do and gave me some very useful advice on the game and how to improve my practice to give me targets to achieve to show over time how my game can improve. We went through numerous examples of shots using side and drag in particular. I found this very interesting and useful.
After an hour we had a game nice and relaxed although I felt nervous for some reason I didn't want him to think I was hopeless. We played for nearly 2 hours we managed to discuss positions we were in and look at various options for shot and break building. I was quite amazed by his Red ball play he played his long losers with lots of drag at quite a slow pace. He explained he had only just managed to master this aspect of the game using a spotted white training ball. I really enjoyed this, I managed to hold my own getting a few 20 breaks, Roger had the highest a 30 towards the end of the session.
He commented that I played well and was really trying to put the theory into practice on the table. He thought I was making very good progress in such a short time.
All to soon he had to shoot off. I think he managed to pick my brains a little but I certainly got a lot out the session in particular how drag and placing the ball is so important. Can wait to try out a few of the shots next week.
Thanks Roger and I will see you in Wales in a few weeks.
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Drag
After watching afew more videos on http://www.englishbilliards.org/ and deciding to change my practice to a more formal method. I selected playing drag on my longs losers to try and increase my control of the balls.
I played one hour on this one shot from two set positions. Went quite well was getting the drag on nicely towards the end. I must purchase one of the spotted balls to watch I'm getting the hit right.
I can see this type of shot will be quite valuable especially on long shots on a strange table.
I played one hour on this one shot from two set positions. Went quite well was getting the drag on nicely towards the end. I must purchase one of the spotted balls to watch I'm getting the hit right.
I can see this type of shot will be quite valuable especially on long shots on a strange table.
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Top of the Table
After my chat with Roger Morgan I decided to keep more detailed records of my individual practice and to give each session a set aim. Due to moving house and some work I had to do I have not been able to practice much.
Managed to get to the club for a hour or so today. I set my stall out to practice getting to the top of the table and easy top once I'm there.
For the first half hour I place both balls near the middle bags for two losers. My aim was to get the white around the black spot and then player a loser on the red to either leave me a pot in the middle if i over hit it, or the drop canon if I'm short. Or even another loser in the middle if I'm in between. As soon a I got top I started again. The funny thing was I seemed to play very well and had no problems getting to the top maybe the break did me some good.
I then practiced some easy top for half an hour placing the yellow just above the red on the black spot and try to score as many as possible. Aiming to keep going until the yellow had been pushed up towards the pink spot. I ran in 5, 7, 20, 25, 22, 17, 18, 35, 38, 31, 24 in the half hour, I did miss a few pot reds off the spot and missed a few canons but I seemed quite happy with my scores.
My next half hour was to combine the two positions to get to the top and then score around the black spot. My first few attempts I ran out of position very quickly. But my scores were as follows.
5, 7, 7, 26, 3, 46, 12, 21, 8, 8, 5, 34.
I ran out of position a couple of times by missing simple canons or pots. Just a bit careless really. The 46 was a nice break I pushed the yellow into postman's knock position and played the middle loser a couple of times before the drop canon and pushed the red straight in the jaws and brought the yellow just to the side of the black spot. Ran in the 46 and played the 3-6-9 shot twice in the break.
The scoring patterns do keep repeating. I was very happy with my practice today. I felt it brought together groups of shots in scoring patterns. I also felt my canons were great today hardly missed any easy ones.
Managed to get to the club for a hour or so today. I set my stall out to practice getting to the top of the table and easy top once I'm there.
For the first half hour I place both balls near the middle bags for two losers. My aim was to get the white around the black spot and then player a loser on the red to either leave me a pot in the middle if i over hit it, or the drop canon if I'm short. Or even another loser in the middle if I'm in between. As soon a I got top I started again. The funny thing was I seemed to play very well and had no problems getting to the top maybe the break did me some good.
I then practiced some easy top for half an hour placing the yellow just above the red on the black spot and try to score as many as possible. Aiming to keep going until the yellow had been pushed up towards the pink spot. I ran in 5, 7, 20, 25, 22, 17, 18, 35, 38, 31, 24 in the half hour, I did miss a few pot reds off the spot and missed a few canons but I seemed quite happy with my scores.
My next half hour was to combine the two positions to get to the top and then score around the black spot. My first few attempts I ran out of position very quickly. But my scores were as follows.
5, 7, 7, 26, 3, 46, 12, 21, 8, 8, 5, 34.
I ran out of position a couple of times by missing simple canons or pots. Just a bit careless really. The 46 was a nice break I pushed the yellow into postman's knock position and played the middle loser a couple of times before the drop canon and pushed the red straight in the jaws and brought the yellow just to the side of the black spot. Ran in the 46 and played the 3-6-9 shot twice in the break.
The scoring patterns do keep repeating. I was very happy with my practice today. I felt it brought together groups of shots in scoring patterns. I also felt my canons were great today hardly missed any easy ones.
Saturday, 1 August 2009
Roger Morgan
I had a long chat with Roger Morgan yesterday. Roger along with Martin Goodwill designed the www.englishbilliards.org website.
He would like to have a game around the middle of September, which is much appreciated we had along chat about the stage I was at with my game and the direction it was taking. It is quite clear I had become quite down hearted with the game and very frustrated at my lack of progress.
However after chatting with Roger I feel a little better, I should not concentrate on Breaks at all. It should be my average that counts. In my last post although I did not get any breaks I still beat my opponent. He explained a few different methods of marking my progress and to avoid breaks as they are no indication to progress within the game. He thinks about the game in a rather more analytical way than I do.
For example he looks for billiard angles whilst driving or in a shop or a room. He makes a full note of the progress of each shot as he practices. I have kept records of my practice but only the length and details of breaks. He knows how well he has performed on a given shot.
He also suggested that I play safe, apart from the obvious double baulk in games I have not given safety any thought at all, that something to work on so that if my break ends rather than going for an very difficult shot why not play safe.
Quite a few new ideas and concepts to work on. He also suffers from a lack of people to play but seems to make his practice sessions mean a lot more to develop his game, I think I need to relax about this game and not let it get to me as much.
He would like to have a game around the middle of September, which is much appreciated we had along chat about the stage I was at with my game and the direction it was taking. It is quite clear I had become quite down hearted with the game and very frustrated at my lack of progress.
However after chatting with Roger I feel a little better, I should not concentrate on Breaks at all. It should be my average that counts. In my last post although I did not get any breaks I still beat my opponent. He explained a few different methods of marking my progress and to avoid breaks as they are no indication to progress within the game. He thinks about the game in a rather more analytical way than I do.
For example he looks for billiard angles whilst driving or in a shop or a room. He makes a full note of the progress of each shot as he practices. I have kept records of my practice but only the length and details of breaks. He knows how well he has performed on a given shot.
He also suggested that I play safe, apart from the obvious double baulk in games I have not given safety any thought at all, that something to work on so that if my break ends rather than going for an very difficult shot why not play safe.
Quite a few new ideas and concepts to work on. He also suffers from a lack of people to play but seems to make his practice sessions mean a lot more to develop his game, I think I need to relax about this game and not let it get to me as much.
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