Bob Jewett One Thing at a Time This Solid Philosophy for Life Is Also an Effective Way to Practice

Bob Jewett One Thing at a Time This solid philosophy for life is also an effective way to practice.

Bob Fancher has updated his book on and work through it for a whole week, sup- During your practice, try to get a feel for the psychological aspects of playing pool, posing you can get to a table three times in the shot. Note your body position, the "Pleasures of Small Motions." He makes a week for at least half an hour each time. motion of your arm, the feel and sound of many interesting points, but the one I Monday is league night, and you can the tip on the ball, and the cue ball sliding noticed most was that learning pool works arrive an hour early for practice alone. In down the table straight at the object ball. best if only one thing is learned at a time. Diagram 1 is your job for the night: pro- The goal here is to build up images of the Below is an outline of a procedure that I gressive practice stop shots. The goal is to shot to replay when it's time to play it in a think puts Fancher's game. One thing that may points into practice. help on this particular Fancher is a firm shot is to use a striped believer in separate prac- ball (or a training ball) as tice time and play time. the cue ball, so that when During practice time, you start the cue ball with work on developing spe- draw — as you must — cific skills and think you can see the draw ebb about what you are due to friction with the doing. Moreover, notice cloth until the instant of how all aspects of the contact. shot feel. During play Score the drill by how time, thought is mostly a far back you are starting hindrance. You must rely the cue ball at the end of on your feel (this will be your practice. Since you scary for the over- have moved the cue ball thinkers among you), and position each time, this thought for the most part one number gives your must be put aside during score for the night. The the execution of the shot. cue ball is shown at Well, let's suppose you point-value 2. want to improve and are If you have gone organized enough to through a couple of racks practice, and you have a of this shot, and there is list of things to work on. still some practice time What's the best way to before league, try two wire up the circuits that other variations. You must be in place in your have probably been play- brain/spine/arm to make ing the shot with a medi- one of the shots you're um amount of draw; having trouble with? instead try the maximum Isolate! Work on just that and minimum draw you shot for an extended peri- can use and still get a od of time, perhaps an stop shot. When hitting hour. After your practice the cue ball as low as on that single subject, don't try to learn shoot the straight — in shot and have the cue possible, you will probably also have to anything new. It's okay to play and run ball move no more than its own diameter reduce the speed for most shots. With the practice racks, but don't try to work on any after contact. Another way to say this is that minimum-draw option, you will have to new skills for at least six hours. the cue ball must come to rest overlapping crank up the speed, so the cue ball doesn't For example, your list of problem shots the ghost ball. (The ghost ball is where the have time to acquire follow on the way to the object ball. might include break shots, draw at a dis- cue ball is at the instant of contact.) tance, open table cuts such as the spot shot, As in all progressive practices, if you Later that night during league, just play and precision stop/stun shots. You might make the shot with all of the requirements, your regular game and let the practice sink want to fix all of these at once and put in set the next shot up a little harder by start- in. If you happen to come up to a stop shot, two hours on each. Fancher suggests that ing the cue ball farther back. If you miss, remember how it felt in practice and try to this is a bad strategy, and that you should make the next shot easier, adjusting the cue duplicate the feeling. concentrate your time on just one aspect. < ball position in either case by half a dia- On your second session of the week, Let's take stop/stun shots as an example mond. practice the stun shot, which is a stop shot

24 I ED-JANUARY 2003 Bob Jewett

at an angle. Set the balls up as in Diagram ball goes on the center spot — right Continue until the goal is to leave the cue 2, with each ball exactly a ball off the cush- between the side pockets — and the goal ball on the end cushion. Suppose in a real ion, and place a coin straight sideways on coin is placed along the kiss line starting game you had the shot to the side with ball the stun path. Pocket the object ball and one diamond toward the end. For that posi- in hand, and you had to move the cue ball move the cue ball to the coin. The precision tion goal, try various angles on the cue ball. to any position along the long string (the required is up to you. Leaving the cue ball Of course, nearly straight — in is what you centerline of the table). Do you have a feel on top of the coin is best, but for the best starting point for mortals will settle for a palm's the cue ball? width of space (about four The third practice hour con- inches) between the coin and cludes your work on stop/stun the ball. Move the coin pro- shots for the time being. Play gressively farther away as your for a few weeks to let things skill improves. settle in. You will probably You will probably find that have chances to apply what this shot feels a lot like the sec- you've learned. Finally, take ond part of the first night's just a few minutes to give practice. You are shooting a yourself an informal test. Set "stop" shot at various speeds. up five or six shots from all To get the distance, you need a parts of the practice time, and certain speed, and to get the see how well you do on the stop, you need a certain variety. Play them in shooting amount of draw for that speed. practiced on night two, but see how much mode — by feel — and not in practice If you have time in your hour of practice, cut you can have and still get the cue ball to mode with your brain turned on. How's try the shot with the cue ball starting a dia- the coin. You will probably find that this is your progress? Try the progressive drill mond further back. This is a much harder easiest when you place the cue ball only a again. Has your score improved? shot, since there is less angle to the pocket few inches from the object ball. Do you see It may seem like working on only one and you have to hit the cue ball harder to why? thing at a time is too slow with all the facets get it to move sideways. After the hour, After you have tried moving the cue ball of your game that need polishing, but look challenge someone to straight pool. one diamond from various approach lines, at it this way: If you fix just one problem For the final night of practice at stop/stun move the coin another diamond down the per week, in a year you'll be out of prob- shots, try the shot in Diagram 3. The object table and try the various cut angles again. lems.

2 6 B D • JANUARY 2003 Bob Jewett Physics and Pool? Is science really helpful in cue sports?

Can your play really benefit from an much draw as a smoothly rolling ball has understanding of the math and science follow, so that the surface of the top of the behind the game? That's a question I hear ball is not moving at all — is not quite all the time, and the answer is not so clear. enough to pull the cue ball back to the per- I think that during a match, too much cog- pendicular line. This means that if you do itation is a bad thing. If you have a tough 7- get the right path on the cue ball, either you ball shot that needs outside draw to spin hit the cue ball slightly fuller than half ball, four cushions to get on the badly-placed 8, or you managed to get "retrograde" draw it is the wrong time to be calculating decel- on the cue ball. eration rates based on coefficients of fric- When seated comfortably in your arm- tion and relative surface motions. I'm a chair, physics doesn't tell you the limits to firm believer in the simple technique: "See shots. For example, without actually trying the shot, shoot the shot." That may startle the draw shot above, you can't tell whether long-time readers of this column, but your tip, chalk, stroke, cloth, object ball, please note that I'm only referring to a and cue ball can achieve Broadfoot's per- playing situation. fect draw. For that you have to go to the During practice time, you need to be practice table and try a few shots. The prac- thinking about what you're doing and why tice is also necessary so that the next time the balls behave as they do. Well, it's not the shot comes up, you will recognize it required; you can become a champion and be able to execute it. without ever really understanding what's Another shot where science provides at happening on the table. It just takes a lot of least a partial solution is the masse. Almost talent and practice time. For most of us, 200 years ago, a French scientist named learning how the balls work, and especial- Coriolis worked out the amazing result ly how each factor can change the outcome shown in Diagram 2. If you want the cue of shots, makes practice time more effi- ball to curve into the final path shown, your cient. If you can put your experience into a stick needs to be pointing through the cue coherent framework, and build that base, ball to a spot on the cloth on the "direction your game will become solid more quickly. line" which is parallel to the final path. A second area where science can help is Coriolis also showed that the curved part of to knock down bogus ideas or give support the path is a shape called a parabola, which to valid and useful ideas, and perhaps is the same sort of path a ball follows in the extend them. An example of the former is air if wind resistance is not a factor. the old advice on how to make a ball that is Unfortunately, Coriolis failed to provide a frozen on the cushion: "Hit the ball and useful formula for how hard to hit the ball, cushion at the same time." It is remarkable just as a baseball coach won't tell you how how many confused, poorly-read players hard to throw to get the ball to second base still believe this "obvious" but wrong — you learn by doing. For more details on notion. It is simple enough to disprove, but this way to aim masse shots, see Robert because a champion or two has passed on Byrne's book on "Advanced Technique." this "wisdom," it is still in circulation. Sometimes physics can provide general An example of old advice that physics guidelines on how an experiment is likely can illuminate is the "perfect draw" shot. to work out. People often wonder about the Major Broadfoot, in his excellent 1896 with more or less than half ball. This basic best weight for a break cue, where the main book "Billiards," discusses the shot shown idea has been covered several times in this concern is how fast the cue ball is going. in Diagram 1. The problem is controlling magazine, first in Dr. George Onoda's May The actual experiment is very hard to do. If the path of the cue ball, and specifically 1989 column, and more recently in my a person is swinging the stick, it is neces- sending it along the line perpendicular to November 2000 article on half-ball shots. sary to give him time to get used to the heft the cue ball's original path. A closer look at the physics of the shot and balance of each different weight. Just Broadfoot's solution is to play the shot explains how it works, and what can be because you break well with a 21-ounce with a half-ball contact (aim the center of modified. The final cue ball angle for any stick doesn't mean it's best for you, but it the cue ball at the edge of the object ball) draw shot can be found by complicated could take you a month to get your timing and use "best draw." Broadfoot goes on to equations or a simple graphical method down for a 17-ouncer. Basic physics does say that if you don't get a perpendicular cue given here in June 2001. It turns out that for say that if you plot your break speed versus ball path, you must have hit the object ball a half-ball hit, "ideal" draw — that is, as stick weight, the resulting curve should be

2 4 B D • FEBRUARY 2003 Bob Jewett

quite smooth, like the plot in Diagram 3. hit first, you can detect a bad hit by the things for good physical reasons, and often On the vertical axis is the estimated energy directions and speeds of the balls just after players are confused about those reasons. in the cue ball compared to 100 percent at the shot. This is good, because it's often In particular, if the cue ball hits a close 20 ounces — the assumed best weight. The impossible to actually see the order of con- object ball full, it will stop dead, just as exact width of the curve needs to be deter- tact. Many players haven't caught on to when it hits a distant object ball full. I've mined by a sports kinesiologist (body this, and will call someone over to watch a had one player tell me that the subsequent motion scientist) but I expect no more than hit when the legality of the hit will be clear high speed on the cue ball — it caught up a few percent change in cue with the object ball — was ball energy for a plus-or- because he had "special minus two ounce change in stuff' on the ball, which stick weight. decays rapidly as the ball This kind of smooth opti- moves off the tip, so it is mum is often seen in phys- not seen on longer-dis- ical situations where there tance shots. Yeah, right. are two competing factors. A final application of In the case of a break stick, physics in billiards is to a light stick just can't get the design of the equip- any speed into the ball — ment. Most recently, this imagine breaking with just has been seen in stick the shaft of your cue. On design where the underly- the other end, a very heavy stick is too hard from anywhere in the room. An example of ing mechanisms of squirt (sometimes to accelerate with just your arm — imagine this type of call is in Diagram 4, where the incorrectly called deflection) have been tying a couple of bricks to the butt. cue ball may hit the 7 or 9 first. The dia- first revealed by high-speed camera, and Somewhere in the middle is the best gram shows the path of just the cue ball, then developed into a theory that can guide weight, and the general nature of the prob- something which you could certainly track useful designs. lem says that you won't get 50 percent from across the room. This alone is enough Do you need to know pool physics to play more power from a one-ounce change in information for a physics-savvy referee to well? Goodness, no! Look at all the fine stick weight. make a call. Can you tell which ball was hit players who don't know tensor from tennis. Another area where knowledge of the first? It can help you learn more quickly, though, physics of the game can help is in referee- Another refereeing application is in dou- and for some people it's fun studying all on ing. Usually when judging which ball was ble hits on close object balls. Balls do its own.

2 6 | E D • FEBRUARY 2003 Bob Jewett Experimental Results Readers reveal their findings on the question of throw.

In Mike Sigel's columns last August and was to set up the cue ball and object ball contacting a cushion. He makes the inter- October, he presented a remarkable hypoth- frozen to the side of the triangle as shown esting extension that this transfer of side esis: There is no throw between the cue ball in Diagram 1. "Rack side" English and a spin is the same thing as the cue ball's and the object ball on normal shots. Since full hit are used, and the object ball is transferring follow to an object ball when this conflicts with what has been said deemed to have been thrown if it moves you play the cue with draw, the usefulness before by the likes of Willie Mosconi, away from the straight-ahead line of the of which any decent player can attest to. Robert Byrne and Joe Davis, there was shot. This is an effective way to control the Another reader who started experiment- understandably quite a bit of controversy, ing without being prompted was Ronn expressed both in letters to the editor and in Nadeau, who wrote a brief article on the lively exchanges on Internet discussion no-throw idea complete with three color groups. pictures. While doing his research, Ronn In my December column, I proposed an discovered (or rediscovered) the possibility experiment (actually, three) for readers to of "two-ball English-induced throw." His try and to report back on. The response was setup is in Diagram 3. It is a simple two- the largest I've had to such a proposal, with ball combination. When testing this shot, 13 sets of results turned in, including two make sure you tap the balls into place or from group efforts. Several of the amateur use paper reinforcement donuts for repeata- scientists had started work before my call bility. Normally, you would throw the com- for testing went out, and a couple had even bination by hitting one side or the other of finished their studies. One of the responses the first object ball. Suppose that you have came from a player who is in prison — did to hit that ball full for position or other rea- you know that the leather tip was invented sons. Will side spin on the cue ball change by Francois Mingaud while a prisoner in the path of the second ball? Ronn thinks so. France? — but the analysis had to be done Check it out. without the aid of a table. One semi-anonymous reader named The award for creativity goes to 15-year- "Pete" from cyberspace tried only the last old Dave DeSimone, who came up with test I proposed, which was to place several three different tests. In the early stages of balls as if spotted on the foot spot and see if his experiments, to demonstrate the idea to the back one could be made into a corner his dad, he used what happened to be avail- pocket. He found that with four balls spot- able at the time: a cue ball and a baseball. ted, and the cue ball starting even with the The result was that the baseball was thrown head spot, about half way to the side cush- by an easily visible angle, larger than seen ion, without side spin on the cue ball, it was with pool balls. He concluded, I think cor- just barely impossible to cut the fourth ball rectly, that there is large friction between into the corner pocket as the third was in the cue ball and the baseball, which makes the way. With side spin (on the side of the the angle large. While this doesn't directly third ball) he made the ball ten times in a address collisions between pool balls, it row. Since the third ball prevents the cue does establish the occurrence of throw ball from swerving in for a fuller hit, Pete between balls at least under some condi- concluded that the only explanation was tions. This kind of test is often useful in sci- position of the cue ball because, as Dave throw on the object ball: "Although I have ence — do an experiment that is not quite says, "Even if the object ball is contacted to not clouded the issue with a lot of spread- what you want but is easier to do or the right instead of dead on, the rack will sheets, theories of plane geometry or observe, and try to work the results into a absorb the energy and send the object ball physics, or gobbledygook, I feel that [...] theory that could apply to the test you at the angle the rack is pointing." In effect, this cuts to the core of the issue and proves would really like to do. the rack is a very dead rail that makes the that English applied to the cue ball does Dave realized that the main problem with ball go nearly parallel to its side. affect the path taken by the object ball testing for cue-ball-to-object-ball throw is In Dave's final test, he forced the cue ball when the two collide." that you need to know the location of the to be in a known position by setting up two Of the eight experimenters who tried this cue ball when it hits the object ball. He cue sticks as in Diagram 2, with just last setup, six found that spin helped make points out that because there is an uncon- enough space between them for the cue a ball that was just barely impossible with- scious tendency to correct for squirt, it's ball. He reports that the object ball was out it, but two found that side spin didn't really hard for a shooter to know exactly — thrown and that at least on some shots, seem to help. This is an easy one for you to within a millimeter or less — where the cue there was side spin visible on the ball which set up on your own, although it's hard to ball is at the instant of contact. His next test made it take a noticeably wider angle when put an actual number on how spin changes

2 4 | B D • MARCH 2003 Bob Jewett

the shot. will arrive exactly where the 4 was if you spin on the cue ball, just as a frozen ball Nearly all of the experimenters had trou- are careful. Ken's result was that the 9 was will throw its neighbor. Many authors think ble with my second proposed test, which is thrown just as much by the loose 3 ball as this happens, and this kind of throw is shown in Diagram 4. The set up is like the by the frozen 4 ball. called "collision-induced throw." Believers "back spotted ball cut" mentioned claim that it occurs on all cut shots above, but with more precision in the without side spin. Try the test for positioning. The idea was to see if the yourself. object ball could be brought across The best results in terms of quanti- the centerline of the table with spin. fying throw were from tests of the The blocker is placed so that the cue first position I proposed, which is ball, when frozen to both balls, is like Diagram 4 but without the lined up with the object ball straight blockers. You have to be careful with up the centerline. I have a proposed the setup to make sure that squirt and modification now for this shot, and swerve do not pollute the measure- that's to place a second blocker on the ments, but the test is quite easy to do. other side so that the cue ball can only Next month, I'll go over the numer- be struck at one spot. This is similar ical results from the 12 shooters who to Dave DeSimone's use of two sticks to reported on my first position, and we'll restrict the position of the cue ball. have a for-the-time-being final word on Ken Shafer came up with his own test as whether throw exists, and how big an effect well, shown in Diagram 5. First, set up a it has if it does exist. frozen ball combination on the 9 — use the Deciding on the two sets of results to win 4 ball — that needs to be thrown by hitting the prizes was hard, given the innovative the 4 from an angle. Tap the balls or use approaches. In the end, I chose the results donuts for repeatability. With the combo set that were most complete in careful setup, up on the table, line up the 1-2-3 balls in a How does this show cue ball/object ball number of measurements, and analysis. perfectly straight line pointed to hit the 4 throw? Imagine that the 3 ball is the cue The winners are Dan White (who did use a ball absolutely full and at the needed angle ball. In fact, you could use the cue ball in its spreadsheet) and the team from the rec cen- for the throw. These balls also need to be place, as the last ball in the three-ball line- ter at New Mexico Tech, including Ray repeatably placed. Now remove the 4 ball up. This shot can test whether the cue ball Piworunas and his coworkers, August, and shoot the 1-2-3 combo at the 9. The 3 throws the object ball even without side Lloyd and A.J.

2 6 B D • MARCH 2003 Bob Jewett The Results Are In Readers responding to the Jewett challenge find evidence of throw.

When you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meager and unsatis- factory kind: it may be the beginning of knowledge, but you have scarcely, in your thoughts, advanced to the stage of science. — Lord Kelvin In last month's column on experiments in throw, I went over some results from readers that squirt and swerve. The effects of these are tioned for each case so that it was looking were mostly qualitative in nature — that is, in opposite directions, and are known to be straight down on the landing location for there were usually no numbers involved, plenty large enough to ruin the results if not that case. Ten trials were done for each case just observations. For example, there were well-controlled. Also, it is common for to allow a determination of consistency. no conclusions such as "With old balls and players to subconsciously apply a little cor- The best sets of measurements also maximum side spin, it is possible to get up rection angle on the cue stick when apply- included an estimate of the error, as to six degrees of throw." Instead, the results ing side spin, and the close positioning described above. For some of these, all of were mostly of the nature, "I saw some helps to reduce this effect as well. the measurements were included. throw in my setup." Results were submitted for eleven differ- In Diagram 2, I have combined the Lord Kelvin, who gave us the Kelvin tem- ent shooters following the above diagram. results and represented them graphically. perature scale of measurement, would not The most thorough and careful setup was The distance above center on the chart be satisfied with such results. To start to be by Dan White, who took the following steps reflects the amount to the left the cue ball real science, the experiment needs not only to ensure accuracy. He positioned the balls landed on the cushion for right English, and a number attached to the result, but an esti- on paper reinforcement donuts for position the distance below center is the how far to mate of the confidence (or uncertainty) of repeatability. He set the balls up so that the the right the cue ball landed for left English. the number. Even if the measured throw is cue ball travelled only one inch before con- The initials give the experimenter, and for close to zero, the result should include an tacting the object ball. He controlled the each experimenter, an average for both left "error bar" like: "We consistently measured speed to two table lengths to avoid any roll- and right results is shown. All but one set of less than +/- 0.5 degrees of throw for all off contamination. He used an object ball as results demonstrated throw; John Cundiff cases." the cue ball so that the amount of English (JC) observed no throw within his estimat- The setup that I proposed to measure could be easily seen on the ball. (Some ed margin of error. The entries that begin throw is shown in Diagram 1. The balls are experimenters used a training cue ball for with "NM" are results for four shooters pointed straight up the table. Trials are this same reason.) He applied the English testing on the same table and with the same made using three different types of English: without any squirt-compensating pivot and balls. Center-ball, left and right. The English is with a level-as-possible stick. He cleaned Some experimenters had multiple sets of applied while shooting straight at the object the "cue ball" before each shot and posi- results. Frank Zrinski tried multiple speeds, ball, and the landing location on the far tioned it with the same side "forward." To strokes, and offsets, and I chose a represen- cushion is noted. Care must be used in the record where the object ball hit on the cush- tative set. He also observed the landing setup to avoid known pitfalls. For example, ion, a camcorder with a macro lens was point when the object ball came back to the the cue ball must be close to the object ball used and a ruler was positioned just above second end cushion, and managed to pock- to avoid the well-known phenomena of the cushion. The camcorder was reposi- et the ball under some conditions.

24 BD-APRIL 2003 Bob Jewett

Some experimenters also tried extensions "The Science of Pocket Billiards." Yet on the original experiment's set-up. For another set of measurements were made by instance, Rick Malm, who recorded low the several experimenters who participated throw under his conditions, also tried the in a test I proposed in my first column for same test after chalking the object ball, and this magazine, back in April 1992. found 9 inches of throw on some shots. Scientific methodology demands that you You may want to draw your own conclu- include or at least consider those who have sions from the results, but here are mine. gone before, and those who ignore previous Cue-ball-to-object-ball throw exists and is work lose credibility. significant. It seems to vary with conditions Lastly, a hypothesis has to fit into gener- and shooter. It can be as large as six inches ally accepted theories of physics. In the for a ball path six diamonds in length, case of throw, the applicable theories are which is clearly enough to affect a signifi- very basic ones, such as conservation of cant number of shots. Some players seem to momentum and energy, and the way fric- have a bias towards left or right throw. (This tion works. The original hypothesis — that could be due to an error in alignment, for there is no throw — does not fit into this example.) framework at all. As Professor Hilden of the Of course, as a fellow scientist, you may University of Hawaii math department said, want to take these conclusions on a proba- "If a cue ball cannot throw an object ball, tionary basis until you can do your own then much of classical physics can be tests. thrown ... out the window." When I first read the original hypothesis Well, whether you're convinced or not of that throw does not exist, I was quite skep- the existence of throw, I hope that you will tical, but the scientific approach is not to check for yourself the next time you're simply ignore or deride ideas that don't playing how large it is on your equipment seem to lit, but instead to establish tests to and for your stroke. Check also to see if you see if they have merit. Of course, it doesn't have a left/right bias, as some of the exper- help the original hypothesis that it com- imenters seem to. If so, you may want to pletely ignored the measurements that had recalibrate the way you look at the table, or been done in the past to demonstrate throw, at least realize that this bias can affect your such as those by Jack Koehler in his book play.

26 BD-APRIL 2003 Bob Jewett Progressive Masse Learn to swerve.

Masse shots are a delight to play and see, provided that you're not the owner of the table. Here are some useful and fairly gentle masse shots to practice and have ready for play. A good way to avoid irritating the owner is to find out when a table is going to be recovered, and arrange time on the table the week before. Diagram 1 shows one of my favorite drills. It is set up as a progressive practice, which means that the difficulty is automatically adjusted depending on your progress. The object ball is in the jaws of the pocket, the blocker ball is on the cushion at a location marked by a coin, and the cue ball is half a ball off the cushion and about a ball from the blocker. The goal of the shot is to make the object ball with a masse, but you should also be working on two other aspects of the shot. Try to use as little speed as possible; making the ball just roll over the brink without the cue ball touching any cushion is ideal. At the same time, try to use as little elevation as possible — I think you'll be surprised at how shallow an angle will work for this relatively moderate curve, if you combine a little draw with the side spin. Do not attack this shot like some yahoo killing snakes; easy does it. The progressive part comes after each attempt. If you make the shot, move the coin a little farther from Expo the pocket, perhaps half a diamond, and the road. Practice curving in both directions thread on the cloth for quick alignment. move the blocker ball to match. If you miss, so your game doesn't get lopsided. The shot is shown in the easiest position. move the marker closer. You could just use If you find you do occasionally hit the It is made progressively harder by moving the blocker ball to keep track of your table with your tip, get additional protec- the cue ball and blocker farther from the progress if you don't hit it very often. This tion for the table by placing a piece of pocket. In this drill, you can again hold method will automatically adjust the shot to leather or thick cloth on the table under the your place with a coin. A slightly harder the distance where you can make it about "corner" of the cue ball where the tip hits. version is to move the object ball with the half the time, which is not too hard or too On this shot, the tip's landing spot should others. For still more challenge, move the easy. At the end of each set of 15 shots or be out the path of the cue ball. cue ball so that its edge is slightly over the so, you can record the location of the coin Another very common situation in play is thread, so that you need more curve. as your score and measure your progress. when you are only slightly blocked by a Because the object ball is farther away If you find that you can make the shot ball, and a combination of a little bit of from the pocket, this shot requires quite a most of the time from eight diamonds swerve and throw will move the ball over bit more precision than the first one. You away, it's time to move the cue ball farther enough. In Diagram 2 is such a shot. There will find that if you use minimum speed, behind the blocker ball, so that it is fully is a straight line between the edges of the spin and elevation, your job will be easier. eclipsed. If you can do that shot from eight cue-ball, blocker ball, object ball and corner A use for masse that many players over- diamonds away half the time, let's go on of the side pocket. It might help to stretch a look is to move the cue ball after contact

24 | BD • MAY 2003 Bob Jewett

with a close-by object ball. Often some the shot's energy goes into the slate and pocket) and requires excellent speed con- kind of safety is involved. In Diagram 3, less into moving the cue ball. trol if the cue ball is to touch the rail but Shot A shows a situation from 9-baIl that Shots like A and B come up frequently in still be left close. needs a safety, but how? The angle doesn't one-pocket and straight pool. In either, you The masse solution is to elevate just a lit- quite allow hiding the tle to curve the cue ball cue ball behind the 8-9 after contact, so that it with just side spin. first hits the side cush- Elevate a little and use ion. Now if the cue ball right draw to get the cue stops a millimeter short ball to curve just after of the end rail, you leaving the 7. The shot haven't fouled, and the progresses by moving safety is very tough to the pair of balls back escape from. along the arrow shown. If the cloth is sticky Shot B shows a similar and the cue ball is old safety situation without and worn, good masse any hiders handy. On action is much harder this shot, the goal is to to obtain. A silicone leave the cue ball at the lubricant like other end of the table, ArmorAll on the cue and the object ball close ball will help make the to the end rail — let's cloth play like new, say less than a hand-span. In this case, will find yourself stuck to a ball or most of and is much less expensive. Unfortunately, "outside" English is needed along with the rack, and any normal angle to a cushion it is only a temporary solution, as it wears draw. Progress is made by moving the pair for a safe is not safe. Often, a little curve on off. of balls farther up the table. This shot is not the cue ball solves the problem. A particu- For further study, check out Robert dangerous to the table if hit properly, but at larly useful example is when the cue ball is Byrne's "Advanced Technique in Pool and first you might want a landing pad. One on the side of the rack, as in Diagram 4. Billiards," which covers the standard way thing to note while playing this shot is how You want to freeze the cue ball on the far to aim masse shots. If you have back issues little the object ball moves for the strength end cushion. The normal kiss angle off the of this magazine, check in February of of the hit. As you elevate the stick, more of rack goes to the end cushion (or maybe the 1998 for some other suggestions.

26 BD-MAY 2003 Bob Jewett Handicapping 14.1 Start up an even-handed straight pool league.

It seems that the demise of 14.1, AKA a rating of 700, while someone who has straight pool, may not happen for a 120-Point Chart a season-best of 20 balls might be a while. 600. The actual number is unimportant, While there has been no major 14.1 since the handicap is determined just by tournament that I'm aware of since the Rating Diff. Match the difference between the ratings. The 2000 edition of the U.S. Open in New handicap tables are set up so that a dif- York City, I've heard of several active 0-3 120-120 ference of 100 rating points leads to a leagues from NYC to Fargo, Minn., to 50 percent handicap of the length of the Mountain View, Calif., where I play in 4-9 120-115 game. one. More players show up each season, The first table, printed in the middle perhaps attracted by the lower luck fac- 10-15 120-110 of this page, shows straight pool match- tor — compared to those smash-and- es in which the better player goes to pray games that are more common — or 120 points. For our two hypothetical the fact that you can more easily keep 16-22 120-105 players who are 100 rating points apart, track of your progress in learning the the match would be 120-60. If the play- game as your run lengths increase. 23-29 120-100 ers are 300 points apart, they would The local league runs with "seasons" play at 120-15, which is probably not and a round-robin format, so every 30-37 120-95 such an interesting match, and means player gets to play every other player, that the league needs to be split into just as the teams in most 8-ball leagues 38-45 120-90 divisions. do. Since each "team" is just a single Other charts can be calculated for player, it's easy to schedule makeup 46-54 120-85 other game lengths so that the games matches. The turnout this season is so come out about the right length of time. large that we've had to split into A and 55-63 120-80 For example, if two weaker players are B divisions. At the end of regular play, matched up, the 60-point table on page we'll have a two-week playoff of the 64-72 120-75 26 might be used. four players with the most wins in each Other lengths of matches from 50 to division. 73-83 120-70 150 points are available online at the Handicapping is done by setting the San Francisco Billiard Academy Web number of points each player needs for site, at www.sfbilliards.com, to allow a win, with the best players going to 84-94 120-65 tailoring to your time constraints. If one 140 and the novice players going to 50. player is particularly slow, you could This length was chosen to give roughly 95-106 120-60 take his matches from a shorter chart. a two-hour match. Ratings are adjusted after each match. In the past, adjustment was done only 107-119 120-55 The winner goes up by three rating at the end of the season. The handicaps points, while the loser goes down by of the top third of the field were raised 120-133 120-50 three points. This is easy to put into a and the bottom third lowered, typically spread sheet, but is also easy enough to by 10 points. This system is pretty sim- 134-149 120-45 do by hand. The next week, everyone ple and gives everyone a chance to win finds the difference between their rating at least some games. 150-167 120-40 and their opponents', looks on the post- In the next season, we are going to ed charts, and begins the matches. It's adopt an automatic rating adjustment 168-188 120-35 best to have a score sheet at each table system to be applied after each week's with the handicap written down, since play. This is based on the player rating the matches will be changing every week. ideas discussed by Mike Page in his 189-212 120-30 In a player's second season, adjust his analysis of the results of the 9-ball rating by only two points per match, World Championships in BD's October 213-241 120-25 since he has some track record. In the 2002 issue, "Sizing Up with the Pros." third and following seasons, adjust by The adjustments are also similar to a 9- 242-277 120-20 just a single point for each match. ball system I discussed here in In some handicapping systems — December 1996. 278-326 120-15 14.1, 9-ball and carom — it is necessary Each player is assigned a rating — the to keep track of per-inning averages. higher the better. Someone who some- 327-400 120-10 Often this leads to sandbagging, where times runs 50 in the league might have a player will intentionally drag the

2 4 | B D • JUNE 2003 Bob Jewett

game out to appear to be much weaker scores, and then the inferred rating for than he is so he will get an unfair start 60-Point Chart each match from the ratings of the from the other players. This is not a opponents. In the example above, if the pleasant situation. In the above system, opponent is a 630-rating, the new play- there is no requirement to keep inning Rating Diff. Match er is estimated — for that single game averages and much less chance to sand- — to be a 670. The average of the esti- bag. 0-6 60-60 mates from several matches, or perhaps One of the hardest parts of running a the middle one of an odd number, handicapped league is figuring out 7-19 60-55 should be a good estimate of the new where to start new players. One good player's performance. way is to have them play an established 20-33 60-50 A good league operator is essential to player to see how they match up. You the success of any league. Our league is could even look at one of the charts to 34-49 60-45 a low-budget effort, with our volunteer figure out the rating. Suppose the new league operator, Alex Balogi, doing all player won the test match, 60-45. 50-67 60-40 the work for zero pay. His frequent e- Looking in the 60-point chart, on this mails and posted schedules keep every- page, that puts him roughly 40 rating one up to date. The $8 per week charge points better than his opponent. Of 68-88 60-35 goes mostly for table time plus an occa- course, either player could have been sional pizza night. This season the win- having an exceptional day, and a longer 89-112 60-30 ners of the two division playoffs will match would give a more accurate idea each get a set of billiard balls in a hand- of their relative strengths, but it's a 113-141 60-25 made presentation box. start. If you do try a straight-pool league, Sometimes new players need to be 142-177 60-20 don't be discouraged by a low turnout adjusted significantly after the first few the first few sessions. As word gets weeks of play. One way to handle this 178-226 60-15 around, and people see the game, the would be to look at the scores of each league will grow, and players will have match as above, and figure out the 227-300 60-10 fun and build skill at a game that inferred rating difference from the deserves to be played more.

26 BD-JUNE 2003 Bob Jewett Odds and Ends Take the $200 challenge.

This month, I'll wrap up a few loose In my first column for this magazine, I Here is a quick test you can do to con- ends from previous columns, and repeat proposed an experiment to determine the vince yourself of the error in that idea. some things which seem not to have been best way to cut a ball that was frozen to the Suppose you are cutting a frozen ball down understood by all. the rail at 45 degrees as shown Last month, 1 covered a hand- in Diagram 2. The problem in icapping method for a straight doing the test is to be sure that pool (14.1) league. Recently, the cue ball touches the object that scheme has been put into ball and cushion simultaneous- operation at a local pool hall in ly. The trick is to use the cue Dublin, Calif., with a twist that ball as a combo ball so that we you might find useful. Instead can set precisely where it hits of the usual round-robin format the object ball and cushion. for teams, it is what you might Place the cue ball frozen to the call a "drop-in" format. object ball where some say it Whoever shows up each week must land to make the shot. gets to play, with a random Now very carefully move the draw. Since the matches are cue ball one millimeter away handicapped, it doesn't make from the object ball and one much difference who you draw each week, millimeter away from the cushion. You but the draw could be adjusted to match up could use a coin as a gauge. Note that you more pairs who haven't played before in have moved the cue ball at 45 degrees away the season. If an odd number of people from the object ball. If you now send the show up, the League Operator sits out that cue ball back along that 45-degree line, the time. cue ball will hit the cushion and ball simul- At the end of the season, the top finish- taneously. ers are decided by most games won, with Now, using an object ball as the cue ball, losses used only for tie breaks. Half of the set the shot up at 45 degrees so that a full weekly $10 entry fee goes hit on the object ball will drive towards cash prizes at the end of the cue ball back to its starting the season, with the other half to position. the house. This format could be The reason for the lmm sepa- used for 9-ball as well, and ration is so that the cue ball will gives players a reason to return have left its contact with the to the pool room at least once "object cue ball" before contact each week. on the frozen ball is made, and In my June 1992 column, I avoids any complication of all proposed the experiment in three balls touching at the same curve shown in Diagram 1. instant. Some people claim to be able to If you want to repeat the orig- make an object ball curve. I inal experiment, set up the shot don't believe them. Unlike as above, but then move the some non-believers, I'm willing frozen ball down the rail a little to put my money where my mouth is and cushion straight down the rail. Some books, until it starts going into the pocket. It is pay $200 to anyone who can teach me how like Mosconi's "Winning Pocket Billiards," possible to move it nearly the width of a to make the ball curve. So far, I've had no get it horribly wrong when they say to hit chalk down the rail and still make it if you takers. The balls are as shown, with the the ball and the cushion at the same time. shoot hard. object ball in question exactly a ball off the In response to my column, BD's readers Perhaps the best advice for shooting this cushion. Can it be made to curve into the (and, separately, Jack Koehler, in his shot is from Steve Mizerak, who advises far pocket? The shot must be legal to col- detailed study of the problem) showed that ignoring the cushion, and just shooting the lect on my offer. Since it is impossible to you almost always need to hit the cushion ball into the pocket with the same aiming prove an impossibility, I can't say that the first, typically a quarter-inch from the method you use for all other shots. shot absolutely can't be done, but until I see object ball. In several recent issues, there was a lively it, I'm a skeptic, and will put the "object Sadly, some authors continue to push the discussion of the existence of throw. BD's ball curvers" in the same camp as the Chalk myth of "ball and cushion at the same readers conclusively showed — if anyone Borers. time." really needed proof — that throw does

2 4 B D • JULY 2003 Bob Jewett

exist: sidespin on the cue ball can alter the far apart the balls can be started before the idea (and I have to plead guilty to teaching path of the object ball from the line of cen- two goals cannot be met. I hope you quick- this bogosity before I did learn the truth). ters at the instant of contact. One author ly see that if the balls are an inch apart, both The test shown in Diagram 4 has been who has shown the utility of throwing can be moved easily towards the cushion. previously covered a couple of times in this rather than cutting an object ball into the This alone proves the existence of throw. magazine, and in Bob Byrne's "Advanced pocket is Ray Martin in Technique" book, as well "The 99 Critical Shots in as countless times in Pool." He shows a typical Internet discussions, but situation in 14.1 (though it there are still many play- also shows up in 9-ball) in ers who remain unin- which the shot is almost but formed, but perhaps not not quite straight in (shot uninformable. Set up a 16, page 50). The goal is to three-ball combo on the cushion and close to the minimize the sideways r ; movement of the cue ball cushion — as close as you but still get the cut angle. can put them without the A recent discussion on the last ball being interfered Internet put this shot into with as it exits the rubber. question. Diagram 3 shows For repeatability, aim another quick test you can them at a far target — a spot on the wall — or tap do to see how well the shot them into place. Try hard works with your equip- and soft shots. Move them back from the ment. The goal on this shot is to get both Now, what is the distance at which you can cushion a diamond, and try again. Move the cue ball and the object ball to move no longer meet the goals? them back two diamonds and try again. It is toward cushion A. For the object ball, try to A final item is a major misconception follow on the banking ball and not cushion hit the target ball (TB) on the cushion. For about how cushions work. Some instructors compression that explains the results that I the cue ball, you measure success by seeing say that when you bank the ball hard there think you'll observe. whether the cue ball ends closer to the is some kind of cushion compression and cushion than it started. The measurement the ball is returned on a more perpendicular Have you encountered a loose end or an — I hope you remember Lord Kelvin's path to the cushion than it is for softer idiocy that you would like illuminated? admonition about numbers — is to see how shots. There seems to be no truth to this Send it in as grist for a future column.

26 BD-JULY 2003 Bob Jewett Bumping Balls If Efren does it, shouldn't you?

Perhaps the best advice on how to plan touch the 2 ball a little. The first drill is to second shot of Diagram 1, in which the 4 your way through each rack is to keep it pocket the 1 ball and get position on the 2 ball is about a ball from the 3. To make both simple. In an ideal world, the cue ball never for the same pocket. Try follow, draw and balls, you may find it easier to use soft fol- bumps into extra balls, cushion use is min- stop on the cue ball as well as different low, and play the 4 up the table, depending imized, and stop shots dominate. The real speeds. Once you are comfortable with a on the line the cue ball takes off the 3. world is different, and In Diagram 2, the usually some complica- drill is to practice land- tion creeps in, often as a ing on clusters to get a need to bump into balls second shot. Set your- — either to break clus- self up with a pretty ters or just because the good angle to get to the carom can't be avoided. pair of balls on the A couple of years ago cushion, and then try to at the L.A. Billiard call your next shot. Expo, there was a con- Does breaking hard or current invitational 8- soft work better for ball tournament. I got you? It's not so easy to up early one morning name which ball in a and found Efren Reyes cluster is next, but it's at the tournament table even harder if you never about to practice. There try for anything specif- were two noteworthy ic. Of course, you facts. First, I was the would prefer to have a only spectator, in a "safety ball" positioned building full of pool in the jaws of a pocket players, who seemed to for a sure next shot, but want to watch one of let's suppose the ducks the greatest position are all gone. players in the world Start with the balls all practice tough position fairly close to the pock- play. For free. et, and as you get a feel Second was the way for the break-outs, Efren practiced 8-ball. move the balls for a He would carefully set harder shot, or so the up two or three clusters cue ball has more travel of balls near cushions, to get to the cluster, and then try to get such as the 4-5. You through this tough lay- will want to review the out. When he took the half-ball follow angle cue ball into clusters, it to find the best place was with only enough for the cue ball. (That's speed to move the balls when you hit the first a little apart. How often do you drive half a little bump, move all the balls farther from ball about half-full, the cue ball has follow broken cluster to the other end of the table the pocket so that you will bump the 2 hard- at the time, and the resulting angle the cue for fear of getting stuck against one of the er. Finally for this drill, move the cue ball ball takes is the most predictable and balls? for a thicker or thinner shot on the 1 ball, repeatable in pool.) If Efren needs practice at bumping balls, for several positions of the object balls. These kinds of close bumps and break- maybe you do too. As a second drill, start from this same set outs are more common in full-rack games In Diagram 1 are several good drills for of positions but try to move the cue ball to than in 9-ball. In the early stages of a rack learning how the cue ball reacts when it hits various spots on the table after bumping of one-pocket, position from a second con- a second object ball just after the target into the 2, such as XI, X2, Yl, Y2 and so tact is often vital. ball. In Shot A, the object balls are frozen on. Perfection is hard on this drill, but if You may run into situations like those and aligned straight up the table. Place the you end up on the wrong side of the table, shown in Diagram 3. You have a shot, but cue ball as shown, more or less parallel rethink your method. you're guaranteed to hit a ball near the with the short rail, so that you are forced to Next, try the very similar situation in the cushion, and you have to move the cue ball

2 4 B D • AUGUST 2003 L Bob Jewett

a fair distance. In Shot A, the goal is to get to the other end of the table using left English. In Shot B, you have an easy shot in the side, but the 7 ball complicates position on the 4. Use right English and make sure you hit the 7 on the right side. Several plays like this are shown on Robert Byrne's latest tape, the second collision as well to find the ini- entirely, depending on the cut angle. "Game Breakers." tial path off that second ball. While it's much better not to bump balls, When controlling the path of the cue ball This "path planning" is easier when the if you practice the above shots for a few off a second ball, it's critical to know where balls are close together as in Diagram 1, minutes each, you'll be better prepared for the cue ball will land on that ball. Usually Shot A. Since the cue ball travels only a few the next time you can't avoid it. you can judge close shots by the simple millimeters from the first to the second ball, For a little fun, in Diagram 4 is an inter- kiss-line (or tangent line, or perpendicular) you know exactly how the second ball will esting proposition based on hitting two principle: The cue ball comes off the object be struck. For Shot B in that diagram, balls. With the balls as shown, can you ball at a right angle to the path of that things are not so clear because of the larger shoot between the pair and draw the cue object ball. If you can visualize the cue ball distance between the balls. If you play the ball straight back to make the hanger? The at the instant of contact (the ghost ball), you shot with soft follow, the cue ball has time shot is duck soup if the pair is just the right should be able to estimate fairly accurately and space to bend forward some before it distance apart, and near-impossible if they how it will land on a nearby ball. If you can hits the second ball. With soft draw, you are much closer or farther apart. Can you figure that out, just apply the principle to might be able to avoid the second ball find that distance?

26 BD-AUGUST 2003 Bob Jewett Jumping As It Should Be Take the leap to a higher level.

In the October 2000 issue of BD, I point- set the additional goal that the cue ball must you can draw the cue ball back to the rail ed out some uses of jump shots in play. not hit the side cushion. This shot is about you are bridging from. Then, move the cue Pool books, such as "Byrne's Advanced as easy as jump shots get. If you make it, ball and blockers out onto the table some Technique," also show examples, and rec- move the obstacle balls slightly closer more, so you have to bridge on the table ommend techniques for getting more together. The two outside balls — the ones rather than on the cushion. Then, try differ- height. Below are several practice drills on the paper reinforcers — allow you to see ent separations between the cue ball and the that will let you prepare for your next jour- easily how much you have moved the inner blockers. ney into the third dimension. balls together. Try a quarter inch (6 mil- After a little practice, you will come to I hope all readers the conclusion that know by now that it is with a normal cue illegal, immoral, and stick, you (and your unpatriotic to jump by particular technique) scooping under the cue can clear x% of a ball ball to get a miscue to that is y inches away get over the obstacle. for a given speed of Jumping is only legal if stroke. After that limit done by driving the cue you have two choices: ball into the cloth with get one of these new- an elevated stick, and fangled jump sticks, the obstacle is cleared or shoot something on the rebound. else like a kick or First, a word about masse. If you do get a the cloth. A small scrap jump stick, remember of pool cloth can be that you will retain placed under the cue more aiming accuracy ball to reduce the with your normal chance of tears and stick, but you can get those ugly white spots more height with the that a jumping cue ball short, light, hard- leaves, but you can't tipped jumper. In fully learn the reaction either case, you need of the cue ball off the to find your limits cloth with that protec- and the drills above tion. And if you're will help. going to shoot more In Diagram 2 is a than a couple of shots, drill that probably you better have the requires a jump stick. approval of the person The idea is to get who owns the cloth. A over a whole ball. good strategy is to find Begin with the block- out when the cloth is er at your best dis- about to be changed, tance from the cue and practice just before. ball. For me, that's Another aspect of cloth about one diamond. is that some styles are To find our own best really hard to jump on distance, enlist a — maybe the table bed contributes to this. limeters) or so closer. Each time you make friend to watch on a few shots without a In Diagram 1 you'll see a standard trick the shot, narrow the gap, but if you miss, blocker —just try to get good height on the shot with the two object balls exactly a ball make the next shot easier. After a dozen cue ball. Your friend needs to note where apart. Two other balls (those on the outside) shots or so, you should reach the limit of the cue ball came back to the cloth. You have been placed on paper reinforcing your current ability. Did you remember to may be able to see the landing spot your- donuts to allow quick repositioning of the make the shot easier or harder after each self, as the cue ball's return will leave white object balls if you hit them. The goal of the attempt? marks on some cloth. shot is to pocket the ball by the side pocket For variations, see how softly you can After you have some success at your best without touching the two interferers. Let's shoot and still get the jump. Then, see if distance, try moving the object ball closer

2 4 B D • SEPTEMBER 2003 Bob Jewett

gradually. Some suggestions: dart grip; likely to cause a trip to the carpet. There is limit. Begin with the easiest shot possible, release the stick on contact; throw the stick one way to keep the cue ball from jumping as in Diagram 1. Can you follow forward at the ball; play lower on the cue ball, but on such a shot, and that's to hit the object and back across the table? What if the not so low that you miscue; get a harder tip. ball just as the cue ball is landing. As long blockers are tighter and you have to elevate Work that blocker more — is follow still towards you until you possible? find your absolute close- While we're spinning ness limit. the cue ball, let's try yet Next, try the same another dimension — shot, but move the jump masse. Diagram 3 blocker farther away. I shows a good place to think you'll find that this leave your opponent. direction is much Clearing the first ball is tougher to deal with. not hard, but going The cue ball needs to be straight over that second in the air for a longer one is a real challenge. distance, and on the sec- The recommended ond bounce (the bounce option is to jump the first after the landing ball and curve around the bounce) it is likely to hit second. In this case, right the object ball high and English is needed, and proceed off the table. draw may help as well. You may want to try this shot in the long as the cue ball contacts the object ball near Start with the second blocker barely in the direction of the table to allow the cue ball to the equator, any forward jump is much way, and move it farther from the cushion settle down before it gets to the object ball. reduced. However you're going to play as you get the knack. This drill suggests something about how safe, try to avoid the middle distance — Jumping is fun, and nothing electrifies a to play safe. If you leave the cue ball with- about a diamond — that is most comfort- crowd more than when a champion exe- in an inch of the blocker, a good hit is able for jumping. cutes a full jump to make the object ball unlikely. On the other hand, if the blocker is Can you play jump shots with follow? from a stone-cold safe, but always remem- a couple of diamonds away from the cue The high cue tip will tend to trap the cue ber that other ways may be better, and you ball, the speed required for a good hit is ball on the cloth, but try it to find your own need to have them ready as well.

26 BD-SEPTEMBER 2003 Bob Jewett Sharks and Scams To untangle some of these tricks, you have to do the numbers.

Recently in the on-line discussion group lousy miss, saying nothing for a world- course, if your opponent isn't Bustamante, rec.sport.billiard (www.groups.google. class shot, and lots more. Timing of the the break probably is a disadvantage on com/groups?group=rec. sport, billiard), I change of players at the table gives lots of most tables with most racks. A study by asked the participants to describe notable off-putting possibilities. Linger at the table Accu-Stats Video Productions of pro results sharks, moves, and scams. The response after each miss until your opponent is ready showed that the breaker lost more than half was very enthusiastic. If you prefer to think to shoot; jump up from your chair as soon the time at 9-ball. So, maybe I was trying to of the game as a pure, intellectual pursuit of as you're sure your opponent has missed pull something. geometry and physics, you may want to (an antidote to the preceding method), or Some players smash things when they're skip this month's installment, which deals take an extra five seconds to get to the table, mad, and again it's not clear whether it's with the sordid and unseemly. which will seem like an eternity after many spontaneous release or with some purpose. One recurring theme was methods of dis- repetitions. Ranting at your own bad play is a mild traction. Mentioned several times was the Another fertile situation is the concession form of this. Others get mad at everyone strategic positioning of attractive women of the final balls at games like 9-ball. The around them — sometimes in World near the table. I've seen this in person when most blatant form of this is to get up as if Championships — perhaps because they a local big-money player showed up for a have a need to feel like a lone underdog, or match accompanied by a mini-skirted perhaps to rattle all concerned. helper who perched on a bar stool by the When gambling is involved, the better table. Effectiveness is reported to be player may need moves to get or keep the inversely proportional to clothing. "client" interested. One report was of a Talking during your opponent's turn is too Would it be impolite to player who saw his fish about to swim obvious. A twist is to launch into lengthy away, so he conceded a tough 9 ball. The stories on your own turn and then clam up offer such a person a generosity got him a few more barrels. when you're seated. While you're at it, Often the inducement to play comes as a don't watch while your opponent is shoot- spot that's not a spot. (The break at 9-ball ing — look away as if you have no interest bottle of Kaopectate? may well be one of these.) I'm guilty of in the game. Of course, some players are spotting my opponent — who was my painful to watch, and your apparent disin- roommate at the time — the removal of five terest can be excused. Luther Lassiter was of his balls at 8-ball, so he only had to make said to sleep during some of his matches. you're going to concede a shot that's a little two before the 8. If I remove them, there's Does your opponent like to listen to heavy harder than average, and then sit back no way Efren can beat me. Please note: I metal rock? Get to the juke box first and down. A variation of this technique is used found out it's not a good idea to use such punch up five bucks' worth of Frank Sinatra if you have been on a good run, and then tricks on your roommate. and Britney Spears. miss on a late ball, leaving a very easy run- "I'll shoot left-handed," may be a sinister One of the most common lesser sharks is out. Concede all the balls so your opponent, invitation, and "You played so bad against visiting the rest room. When you finish a who has been seated for a rack or two, has me, I'll bet that girl can beat you," may be nice run, and suddenly your opponent bolts no hangers to warm up with. Around here, followed by an introduction to a pleasant for the John, it's easy to suspect your five- some tournaments have the rule that if you young woman named Karen with a funny minute wait is more due to his desire to concede a 9, you lose the next game, too. accent and an open bridge. cool your streak than any gastrointestinal There are lots of less-direct distraction One report on the Internet was from a urgency. Would it be impolite to offer such methods. A good source is Steven Potter's one-pocket player who was spotting his a person a bottle of Kaopectate? Most larg- "Gamesmanship," which has been dis- opponent 8-6. (Shark needs 8 balls before er tournaments have rules about breaks — cussed in this magazine by Robert Byrne. the fish gets 6.) After a threat to quit, the number and duration — and some players Potter tends toward the "mind worm" ploy, fish agreed to continue at 9-7, since it always seem to press the limit. I'm general- such as the suggestion from the group to would be harder for the better player to get ly against shot clocks, but I recently heard ask, "Do you usually exhale before the to nine balls. Well, you can calculate the of a system used in Europe that might be stroke?" change in advantage here, and the shark's worth a try. Chess clocks are used, and each You may encounter more aggressive sharks chances improved by about 6 percent. That player starts with so much time. Need a as well. One player told me he would make is, if the first spot were even, the second bathroom break? Fine, you're on the clock. my life a living hell if I left the game for a would give the better player a 6 percent Among mildly irritating activities to brief dinner break, and at the time he advantage, in the long run. It helps if the employ are putting the chalk on the cushion seemed to mean it. Another player in this donor suffers from innumeracy. face down, getting talc all over everything, area would pick a fight over any slight Ron Shepard reported a move from a moving all the chalk to your chair, racking thing. When I offered him the first break in tournament. The better player was on the for a few minutes or nit-picking your oppo- a 9-ball match, he accused me of trying to hill (needing one more game), and the nent's rack to death, saying "nice try" for a pull something and demanded to flip. Of opponent needed a bunch. The offer was a

26 BD-OCTOBER 2003 Bob Jewett

side bet of $20 on each rack played for the the area, so he arranged a match at his home In a strange match several years ago at the rest of the match. The player who was on room with a visitor. All the locals backed location of a major tournament, two players the hill could only win $20, while the other their guy, of course. The result was a had a strange one-pocket game: 2 to 1. Yes, might win $100, so it seemed like 5:1 on "dump." The lesson: If you need to wager, the weaker player needed only one ball to the money. Of course, if someone is better bet only on yourself. win. Now, it's possible to try to compare than you are, it's a losing proposition to bet An extension of the dump was related to this very short game to a longer game, say at all, but this situation may cloud your me by a player who toured the South with a 10-5. It turns out that simple theory says the mind. couple of old-time hustlers. The usual shorter match favors the weaker player by One correspondent mentions giving up arrangement was for A to go into a town, about 10 percent compared to a long game. the "8 and the last four" at 9-ball. This and gradually work his way up the local This may confuse on-lookers as to the prop- means that the client wins if he pockets the pecking order until he was beating every- er odds. I didn't hear how the two players 8 ball at any time or any of the last four body by playing better pool than the towns- came out, but the on-lookers were reported balls on the table. When that didn't go well, folk had ever seen. A few days after the to have lost $30,000. it was adjusted to the "6 and the last four," action had subsided, B would get to town, As far as proposition bets go, be sure to which seems like more, but is it? and a match with A would be arranged. keep an eye on Willie Jopling's column for There are lots of word dodges that might Player A would play great pool, better than ideas. Amazing things can happen on a pool be used. Be prepared for one in "Poolhall he had showed before, but B would play table without any kind of flim-flam. Keep Junkies," if you haven't seen it yet. even better than that. I suppose this sort of your wallet in your pocket and remember Examples are: "I bet you can't make that plan was safer before the days of Internet the advice of Sky Masterson's father ball." (Brunswick made it.) "I bet I can roll chat rooms and the instantaneous world- (according to Damon Runyon): the ball under this bridge on the table." wide broadcast of descriptions of remark- "Son, someday a man is going to walk up (Roll it under the table.) "I know where you able touring players. to you with a sealed deck of cards fresh got those shoes." (On your feet.) "I bet I can Sometimes unusual games can be confus- from the factory, and say, 'I bet I can make roll over 250 at bowling." (Write "250" on ing. Eddie Robin describes lots of strange the jack of spades jump out of this deck and a piece of paper and then roll a ball over it.) spots at one-pocket in his two excellent squirt cider in your ear.' Son, when you My own feeling is that such tricks should books on the game. How about a game meet this man, do not take his bet. For as be rewarded with broken thumbs or worse. where nothing I do counts — is there any sure as the sun rises every morning, if you If the parties to a wager do not agree on way for me to win? Assume that scratches do take the bet, the jack of spades will jump what the conditions were, there was no don't count against me, if I make a ball for out of the deck and squirt cider in your ear." wager. You can quote me. you, it doesn't count, but if I make my own, Oh, and if you play me, don't try any of Sometimes the scams are more complex. they don't count either. I'll describe the the above, or I'll call you for unsportsman- I know one player who was about to leave way out of that fix next month. like conduct.

2 8 B D • OCTOBER 2003 Bob Jewett Practicing Inside Spin Progressive drills will drive home the lesson.

When an object ball is close to the cushion, there are two standard ways to use spin on that cushion to move the cue ball around the table for the next shot: inside spin with follow and outside spin with draw. This month, we'll talk about inside spin. First, we'd better make clear what is meant by "inside" and "outside" spin. In the shot shown in Diagram 1, where the object ball is being cut to the right, English on the right side is "inside" English, while left English would be "outside." You could think of inside English as being more on the inside of the shot, that is, near the middle of the cue ball and object ball as seen along the line of the stick, while outside English is more on the outside of the shot, being away from the object ball. So, we're going to play the shot with right-side spin. As with all spin shots, the first thing to do is check your tip for prop- er chalking. Does it have a thin, smooth covering of chalk? Far too many beginners cripple their learning of English by not having such a friction-aiding layer. The first drill is shown in Diagram 1. The object ball is placed just off the cushion and a diamond from the pocket, and the cue ball is placed for about a half-ball cut shot with the stick passing over the second diamond on the side rail, as shown. To begin with, put the cue ball fairly close to the object ball to minimize the difficulty in aiming. Use mostly right spin with some follow. Both of these act to carry the cue ball forward and give it more speed. Combining them on a shot like this allows you to move the cue ball a long distance with minimum tion and try again. After your first failure, way, the shot is self-correcting, in that if effort. it's better to move the coin only half a you have an excess of right English on the The goal is to move the cue ball to a par- number at a time for each subsequent shot first cushion, the cue ball will go straighter ticular point along the path shown. Mark — harder after each success and easier into the second cushion, and then the extra that spot with a coin, and begin with loca- after each failure. Shoot the shot 10 or 15 spin will grab and bring the path back to tion 1. You have to leave the cue ball with- times, and the location of the coin at the what it would have been with less spin. in a small distance of the coin — say, the end will tell you your score for the drill. Try various amounts of side and follow. width of your hand — to call the shot a This kind of practice — with self-adjust- Move the tip all the way out to miscue ter- success. ing difficulty — is called "progressive ritory on the equator of the cue ball. Try Try the shot several times, and when practice" and is explained in more detail in equal amounts of the two spins (called you're confident you have spot 1 mastered, the free Basics Clinic handout on the San 1:30 with reference to a clock face), and begin a "progressive practice" drill. Each Francisco Billiard Academy web site at various tip offsets. Look for the easiest, time you put the cue ball near the coin, www.sfbilliards.com. most consistent way to move the cue ball move the coin to a harder position (2, 3, 4, You will probably find that there is a to the desired spot. ...). When you fail to position whitey prop- "natural angle" that the cue ball seems to If you feel you are doing pretty well on erly, move the coin to the next easier posi- want to take off the second cushion. In a this drill, tighten up the requirement and

2 4 B D • NOVEMBER 2003 Bob Jewett

place the cue ball so that it partly overlaps other ways to play as follow on the the coin. If you find it impossible to make the required posi- cue ball (1:30 or much progress with this much more strin- tion. For example, TRY THIS SPOT later on the clock- gent goal, give yourself two or three to get to 5 in Last month I mentioned a strange one- face cue ball), but chances for each distance. Diagram 1, you pocket handicap: "Nothing I do counts." with this drill more A second way to make this drill tougher could play the shot The way to win this game is to get my follow than side is is to move the cue ball back toward the with no spin except opponent to make balls for me, while probably needed. side cushion so the shot is longer. As you for a little draw. (In making sure he never has a shot toward Again, try to find do this, you may notice that the aim for the a game situation, his pocket. If he has a ball in the jaws of the combination shot changes significantly. This is there may be his pocket, I'll Shoot it in for him. It spots that gets the cue because, with a longer run to the object obstacles in the back up, since nothing I do counts. If no ball to the desired ball, the cue ball has time to swerve to the way which block better shot is available, I'll just roll the cue resting spot with right and will hit the object ball fuller than this path.) Try to ball to the jaws of his pocket — it's a foul, the least effort. expected, driving it into the end cushion. get to 5 with just but nothing I do counts. When possible, For this second There is no fix to this problem except to draw, and see if I'll herd balls toward my pocket, but I drill, with only a practice. you can do it as have to be careful not to make any, since little bit of Another way to make this drill tougher is consistently as they wouldn't count. I've played this English, there is to change the angle of the cut shot by mov- with inside game, and it seems to be about the same little of the self- ing the cue ball to one side or the other. If English. Try mov- as giving up a 10-4 spot. Try it and see correcting effect you make the shot fuller, you will probably ing the cue ball how it goes. If you discover clever plays, noted above, and find that the "natural" angle off the second back near the side let me know and I'll pass them on here. you will have to be cushion is more toward the side pocket, cushion and com- much more precise while if the cut is made thinner, the cue pare the two meth- in the amount of ball will need a lot more side to get it into ods again. side you apply. the desired path. For this last case, the A second drill is shown in Diagram 2. If you are not already proficient at these cloth on the cushion may have a large Here the angle off the first cushion is not kinds of shots — see if you can get the influence. If it is slippery, the English can't so acute, because you are using less side coin out to 5 consistently — it is worth grab enough, and the cue ball will tend to spin. This is also a progressive practice, so spending a few hours on the above drills. go parallel to the long rail, and cannot be you again are taking the cue ball to I he spot Space them out in half-hour segments over coaxed into the desired path. marked by a coin. In the first drill you a week, to give the feel of the shot a chance It should be pointed out that there may be probably needed at least as much side spin to soak in.

2 6 B D • NOVEMBER 2003 Bob Jewett Practicing Outside Spin Try this progressive practice to improve your game.

Last issue, the subject was using inside Once you feel you have mastered the first have to use a rail bridge. spin off the cushion to position the cue ball. position, proceed with the normal progres- If you do set up the longer shot from the This month I'll discuss its complement, sive practice. If you get the cue ball to with- cushion, it's important to remember the outside spin. Remember that "outside" in a short distance of the coin — you could effects of using English. There will be English is spin applied to the "outside" of use your index and little fingers as a gauge, some squirt, which takes the cue ball some- the shot, as shown in both diagrams. For or your thumb and ring finger as a bigger what to the right of the line of the stick. cuts to the right, as shown, it is left English, gauge — move the coin, perhaps half a dia- Especially if you have elevated the stick to and would be right shoot with draw English for cuts to from the cushion, the left. there will be con- As with the drills siderable swerve to last month, because the left as the cue you will be spin- ball travels to the ning the cue ball, object ball. During you need to chalk the collision, the well. This is even side spin on the more important this cue ball will tend month, as you will to throw the object be using both draw ball to the right. I and English. Most say "tend to" players chalk poor- because if the cue ly, and I hope that ball has only a lit- after my nearly tle left English, it incessant might just roll harangues, you are across the surface not in that group. of the object ball Diagram 1 shows without any throw almost the same at all. position of the balls as last month, but this mond at at time. If you mess up on the shot I point out these effects not to give you time the requirement is to pull the cue ball by either missing the ball or the required more equations to solve during actual play, back along the indicated shape line. Last position, move the coin back for your next but rather to give you some clues as to why month, it was possible to shoot with just shot. you might miss a shot during practice. side and let the follow develop on its own. Give yourself a fixed number of balls to Another way to alter the shot in order to For this shot, you will need to have draw on shoot, and see how far you can progress get more out of it is to make the shot near- the ball and this will be a harder (faster) along the line in that number of shots. The ly straight- in. This is a fairly common stroke. The draw will slow the cue ball position of the coin at the end of the rack is problem that comes up in play. (To move down on its way to the object ball, and your score for the drill. If you are serious the cue ball off the cushion, it is nearly extra energy is required both to overcome about measuring your progress as a player, always best to keep a "nice" or "working" this slowing and to make sure there is still enter your score into a log, and do the drill angle into the rail, as shown in Diagram 1. some draw on the cue ball to pull it back to at least once per week. A log sheet and About a half-ball cut (30 degrees) or a little the rail. other progressive practice drills are avail- less usually works well. To leave yourself The goal of the shot is to make progress able in the Basics Clinic handout on the straight — in is often a disaster.) On this sot, along the indicated line. The cue ball and San Francisco Billiard Academy Web site you will need to find a cue ball line tat object ball are always placed as shown, and at www.sfbilliards.com. allows you to draw the cue ball nearly what changes is the position to which you If you get to the point where this drill straight back; the ball will then spin off the try to take the cue ball. Place a coin to mark seems too easy — if you can put the cue cushion up the table. your progress, and start with spot 1. ball within a hand-span of spot 5 most of On all these shots, it's important to note Even if you have good familiarity with the time — there are a couple of ways to the exact cut angle to include in your cal- this sort of shot, experiment a little with the increase the difficulty of the drill. The first culations of position play. With less angle, best way to get to "1." Try just draw, most- is to make the shot longer by moving the it is easier — more natural — to bring the ly draw with a little left English, equal parts object ball farther from the pocket, or the cue ball back straighter, while with more of draw and side spin, and even just side cue ball farther from the object ball. For cut angle you may find it impossible to spin. In this case, by "best" I mean the shot example, put the object ball at the middle reach the side cushion on the correct side of that requires the least effort. How softly can diamond of the end cushion and the cue the side pocket. you hit the cue ball and still get it to spot 1 ? ball close enough to the cushion that you Another detail that is important is how far

2 4 | B D -DECEMBER 2003 Bob Jewett

the object ball is off the cushion. If it is Again, find the most efficient — least Moving the object ball closer to the cushion frozen, you will probably find the shot effortful — way to get the cue ball to posi- is a not-so-obvious variation. I think you'll quite a bit different. As the object ball gets- tion 1. Also try to find the way that allows find that the shot gets much harder as the farther from the cushion, you can get the you to have the cue tip strike as close as object ball starts nearer the rail. Finally, draw to curve the cue ball more before it possible to the middle of the cue b?ll — the alter the position line to the extreme you gets to the rail, and you can get a straighter- way with minimum spin. Are these two can achieve on your table with your stroke. back path. I've Can you move seen many the line to go to beginners trying the cushion at A? practice shots Tougher than A? who are totally Hint: Start with careless with equal amounts of such details. It's draw and side. important to In this pair of learn the varia- columns, I dis- tions of the shot, cussed shots but work with with the object one position at a ball near the time. cushion and A second out- using inside fol- side English pro- low or outside gressive practice draw to carry the drill is shown in cue ball for posi- Diagram 2. This tion. I hope you time, you should have learned by not need draw to now why outside achieve the indi- follow and inside cated line for the cue ball, since the object ways the same? Were they the same for draw are generally not useful in such situa- ball and cue ball are both farther out from Diagram 1? tions. Instead, you want the draw/follow the end cushion. Try the drill first with just You should already be thinking about working with the side spin to take the cue left-side spin, but as before, experiment how to make this drill harder after you mas- ball effortlessly to the needed spot. with the mix of side and top/bottom spin. ter it. Moving the cue ball back is obvious. Enough theory! Get to the practice table.

26 BD-DECEMBER 2003