Nice slip stroke
 

A short video from a 1962 TV Show, "to tell the truth". The greatest pool player ever, Mr. Willie Mosconi. He's 48 years old when this was recorded. Takes him about two minutes to run a rack of straight pool. "Slip stroke" can be seen on some of the strokes. An old technique not used much today. it allows the player to position his grip hand further back on the cue while making the stroke. This allows more power in the shot. Was more commonly used back then because of the slower table cloth of the time.

Other things to note is how easily he switches from playing right to left handed, and of course cue ball control placing it perfectly for the next shot.

As he mentions in the video, his record run of 526 balls without a miss in straight pool still stands. Yep, it's 2017, and nobody has beaten that record.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ts7YqHRrjc&feature=youtu.be&t=379

One of my long ago friends was a typical pool hustler. He would go into a bar to find a sucker to play. He was naturally left handed. He would play some guy a few games playing right handed and win some and lose some games. Finally get to "one last game" and tell the mark he will even play left handed. He would win of course and one time out of ten get his ass whipped in the parking lot.

In a buttoned jacket and tie no less.

Pretty old hustle. Bobby Riggs did that in golf. As Riggs described
in his book: "Court Hustler"; "When I first laid eyes on a golf course,
I knew I was looking at a beautiful outdoor pool hall."

The days of the hustling road player are pretty much over. The internet and ranking systems, along with high gas prices, motel costs, etc. have made it impossible to make a living. It's mostly tournament play these days. Also some match play. A several days long one pocket match with $200,000 to the winner will be happening soon.

That was fun to watch. Amazing how effortless he made it look.

The great ones always do...at most events of skill imo. For a player like that....how many balls ahead are they looking at I wonder???

We used to call this "shapes"... "Having good shapes."
.
https://bullseyebilliards.net/blogs/articles/16921291-know-your-shape-zone

KC...usually the top pros play ahead the entire rack. I once watched an interview with Johnny Archer where he explained how he would play a rack backwards after the break with 9 ball. First thing he'd look for was where he wanted the rock (cue ball) to sink the 9, the final money ball. Then he'd think backwards to his first shot. When top pros play 8 ball, they take time studying the rack before taking that first shot then the shots come quickly. Same reason, they've studied the layout and made a decision on how best to run out. Many "bangers" (not a complimentary term) like myself will look for the easiest ball to make. To the pro way of thinking, you want to spot the patterns, then shoot the ball that gives you shape to begin a runout. In rotation games like 9 ball, then the choice is pretty much made. The top pros do it with the break. Shane Van Boening is a master of the break...more of than not, his break will send the wing ball into the corner pocket, the rock will come around to set up on the one ball which is sent to near a corner pocket on the other end.

Don, best recent phrase I liked to describe "playing shape" was "Man, he just has the rock on a string". Same meaning. Like any other game, pool has it's insiders lingo.
My pool playing "honorary nephew" & I on a freeway...he driving, blew past the exit:
"Man, I faded that!" Yep, something a pool player would say. :rolleyes:

We bangers can learn a lot by watching the pros...

"We bangers can learn a lot by watching the pros... "
~~~~~~``
I use to like watching the women play years ago on TV.

Too bad ESPN dropped the women pros...With ESPN switching to poker, I guess they know ratings better than I...sure is sad though.

Well, pool goes on. Next week, beginning Thursday at Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City Oregon is a big open tournament. 8 ball played on 7' tables. I just read the entry list, and it reads like a who's who of the pool world. Not just the best players in the USA, there are also Philippino (sp?) guys showing. Just off the phone with my honorary nephew who is a BCA grand master. He was evasive about entering. I can understand that...Matt's a very good amateur who can sneak up on a pro now & then, but against this field? He'd get his brains beaten in. 1st place pays $15,000, which is enough to bring out the big boys.

I know nobody here knows who top pool players are, but if I made anybody curious, search youtube for Dennis Orcollo and Shane Van Boening Both will be there.

Hell, my cue needs a new tip and there's usually a cue repair booth there. Might drive over on Friday just to watch a match or two as well as give my cue a new Kaumi Black medium tip.

I kinda figured the elite probably do that....it's just so far above my skill level, that I can't comprehend it though.

I'd learn that I should NEVER, ever tell someone that I play pool :)

LOL! Yeah, watching the pros with just enough understanding to know what they're doing, I wonder why I bother playing. Then I remember...for fun!! Just do it for the enjoyment of the game, and be happy with any improvement you make.

Oh...and don't play for money if you want to keep your money. ;)

Here's a short 4 minute video of the #1 ranked player in the USA..Shane Van Boening. Born with a 90% hearing loss. His family noticed that when sitting in a high chair he was fascinated with the ball movement when they were playing at
home. So, like Willie Mosconi, he started playing at a very young age.

If only we could match up Willie and Shane with both at the top of their game. What a show that would be!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b4PCUAkzIc