FOR THE LOVE OF POOL...

Have you ever tried something new and felt completely at piece with yourself? Being a curiosity driven person myself, I admire the green felt, the deep leather pockets and watching the amazing shots of the young hopefuls and seasoned players. Could billiards be as easy as it appears to be? Many believe that you just pick up any old stick and smash the balls around they will magically arrive in their leather homes. These types of players are referred to as “bangers”. There is respect for the players who respect the game. There is also pool etiquette. “Bangers” don’t get much respect.

In pool there are multiple games. The most commonly played are 8-ball, 9-ball, 3-ball and 1-pocket. Each of these games has different variations of rules depending on whether you’re playing in a friendly game, a league, or a tournament. If you want to be a serious pool player there are few things to keep in mind. Even though jump shots, masses, and difficult combos look cool, fundamentals must come first. Why would you do a triathlon with no training? I can’t imagine that without practice the first place trophy would have your name on it. Well, unless of course, you’re Superman.

Always remember pool is a game and games are fun. It can be mentally demanding and at times frustrating. If you have never tried it, how do you know you won’t love it? For you math majors, you may have a slight advantage. Although math is definitely not my strongest subject, geometry helped. You’ve gotta love being able to calculate angles. In my experience it has it’s advantages. Try this: walk into a pool hall and take a good look around. Keep a close eye on the different styles of play. Every player has his or her own unique qualities. In time you will develop your own habits some good, some bad. Make friends with top players and don’t be afraid to ask for some pointers.

Have you ever been scared in your life? I’m terrified of spiders, snakes and bees. In the billiards world I’ve witnessed many rookies terrified of a few things. They walk into a pool hall, look around and it seems as though every player is using a custom cue. Why aren’t they using the dingy house cues planted on the walls? Their first thought may be “Wow, they must be good.” It’s the ultimate intimidation but also, in reality, the ultimate misconception. A lot of players buy nice cues because they believe a fancy stick will make them a better player. In truth, any good player can shoot just as well with a crooked broomstick.

So, my challenge to everyone is this: jump off the metaphorical bridge and try something new. You’ll never know if you will enjoy it unless you give it a chance. For those of you that is terrified of pool sharks, not to worry. It’s not likely the shark in them will ever cause you to lose a leg.


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