[Big_Bad_Bern]

Woodshedding vs. the poolroom


Recently I was introduced to the term "woodshedding" which is a term musicians use to imply that they are going to lock themselves away and practice (usually new skills or bone up on old ones).

This reminds me of a great many pool players, who spend countless hours locked away in their basement practicing feverously to be the next world, league or tournament champion depending on their goals.

Then when they reach the point to use these skills they fail, choke, dog it, whatever you choose to call it.

I believe that this occurs to many players because they spend to much time "woodshedding" and not enough time at the pool room. At the pool room you gain experience by watching other players and through knowledge gained in conversation ( shots, moves, stratagies) as well as through competing themselves.

Most if not all of the great players grewm up in pool rooms Buddy Hall, Corey Duel, Johnny Archer, Efren Reyes, Allen Hopkins, Steve Miserak, Willie Mosconi, Ralph Greenleaf and the list could go on, all grew up in the pool room and this exposure to knowledge and competition helped them grow into the players they were or are.

The game consists of much more than just pocketing balls, to become a good player you must learn the infinite variety of ways in which the cue and object balls react.

Some players don't have an inkling how to play, they don't know high-low-center ball or high low off the rail or backcuts, deflection, speed, feathering, the hit or zero angle and without this knowledge there is a hole in their game and this hole creates fear, the horrible gut wrenching knot in their stomachs on shots where they fear the outcome because they are not confident in their knowledge and ability to exacute that knowledge.

However the above is not enough, how do we overcome "being match soft" and afraid to pocket under pressure.

Practising is more than pocketing balls, to anyone who has a weakness it is a work period and it is invaluable. However it only offers the limited practise of pocketing balls without any of the pressures that appear when they play.

Practising is vital but you can not reach your potential without countless tournament, league, or money play PRESSURE PLAY!

Because even the best musician must learn to to take the skills learned and honed in the "woodshed" and display them to the world, to get up on stage and PERFORM!!
:-o

Bern

I personally believe that the death of the pool room is leading to the decline of pool in America/Canada (not bars with 2-4 bar tables in poor condition and blaring music but actual pool rooms "this is Ames mister.)

[ Edited by Big_Bad_Bern on 2007/5/6 13:44 ]

[Pelican]

Yes, the old fashioned pool hall is just about a thing of the past. Southern Billiards in Starkville, MS is the only hall I know of that doesn't sell alcohol, cigarettes, or have a jukebox. They have six 9' Gandys, two 9' Diamonds, and a 10' Snooker the make I am not sure of.
I have wanted for some time to open a real pool hall in my area but the cost of real estate or lease is practically prohibitive without having something other than table time to make the nut.

Maybe one day, Pel

[Smartnick]

It is impossible to start a new poolhall in ant area. The only existing pool halls in around here are one's that have been open for years and own the building. Way too impossible to lease a building, buy eqipment, and make a buck.

One of the pool halls here is owned by Don Steele. A former pro player. He is in his 70's now and his kids run the place. it has been open since the 50's i believe and he owns the building.

Most of the new places that try to open around here last about 6 months then bust. It is a shame too, because a fresh new pool hall is the type of place i like to play. The last one i attended was 8 bucks an hour per person per table, wich is pricey compared to Don's place. 5 bucks an hour for 1 player and 6 bucks an hour for 2, 7 for 3, 8 for 4. Pretty reasonable when ya own the building.

[Big_Bad_Bern]

I completely understand the hardships in opening a pool room of the sort we are talking about, having tried several times myself.

I have decided instead to run a members only pool club at my local pool room, for a minimal monthly fee we will get together and practice two times a week (at a discounted rate donated by the room owner) and attend a tournament locally once a week sharing travel costs and a big regional tournament once a month again splitting expenses.
Together we will work on our game striving to improve by pushing and supporting each other as well as sharing knowledge and competing.
I find this to be the best way for my students to continue to learn and grow.

Bern

[Kenster]

Where i play we have 20 tables 9's.
Leagues 4 nites a week 16 teams a nite five on a team and it's been like that for years. 8-)

[gian323]

3 words, Hard Times Bellflower. My favorite pool room for action. There's a custom cue maker upstairs, a couple of video games, and bi-weekly and monthly tournaments. Tables are beutiful brunswicks with tight pockets, simonis cloths, and fantastic rails. Not to mention pro players stop by all the time. Last week there was bustamante AND gai young kim. Hard Times is the place where the players go when there's a tournament in Vegas or other place nearby. Efren Reyes stays with the owner's daughter Brook. Hard Times also was considered the best pool room in the world in 1996 by some magazine (i forgot).

There are also 2 snooker tables and 2 3-cushion tables (heated).

I play recreationally though so I also like Scratch Billiards in La Mirada. Good music, the BEST philly cheese steak in california, and generous pockets.

[Pin]

' date='May 8 2007, 09:32 PM said:

I completely understand the hardships in opening a pool room of the sort we are talking about, having tried several times myself.

I have decided instead to run a members only pool club at my local pool room, for a minimal monthly fee we will get together and practice two times a week (at a discounted rate donated by the room owner) and attend a tournament locally once a week sharing travel costs and a big regional tournament once a month again splitting expenses.
Together we will work on our game striving to improve by pushing and supporting each other as well as sharing knowledge and competing.
I find this to be the best way for my students to continue to learn and grow.

Bern

I *love* this idea. I don't know anyone who wants to practice and improve, and most people who do just try to get there through playing seriously.


I think about opening a pool room too. But I know that really I just want to be able to play the game and have access to tables.

Running something like the old days in America might be nice, but now for something like this to survive, I'm sure it has to have alcohol and slot machines. Probably a big screen TV for sports too.

Just a nice, easygoing place, with a clientelle who just want to come and enjoy a game of pool. That's the kind of business I'd like to run.

I can't imagine I'd last a week running a venue where half my customers were obnoxious drunks picking fights with each other (I live in that kind of town, sadly).



Personally I dream of buying (or building - though it's an intimidating project) a place of my own with space for a table. I like the idea of being able to pick up a game any time of day. I could practice for half an hour in the morning and again in the evening, and spend the rest of my life never out of stroke!
I also would like to be able to spend some time working on shots from Byrne's 301 shots (and equivalent books I've not read). It never seems the same in a pool hall. I guess I'll try it some time soon though.


I like the woodshedding vs pool room idea though. I used to play almost all my pool in one pub, and was hopeless as soon as I chalked up on any other table. I think you get too used to your surroundings, and don't learn to adapt to different tables and different atmospheres. I guess it's even worse if you add to that the fact you're not playing real competitive matches.

At heart, if I had enough money to buy my own place and not to work, I think I would probably become a little bit of a recluse. If I ever get my own place I'll make an effort to limit the woodshedding