Ask me about hustling dummies at the pool table and other forms of gambling.

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Ask me about hustling dummies at the pool table and other forms of gambling.

AgentCow007: May 20, 2004; TITLE TEXT

Awesome thread... it inspired me to watch some pro games on Youtube and do some practice drills on my lunch break since we have a table in the break room. I just had a few questions about playing at a high level.

Can you learn to masse well enough that you can even make consistent shots using it on worn out, knappy public tables? Out of the 3 hours of games I watched last night, even though they had nice, new, clean Diamond tables that there was only one masse attempt and he missed. I always imagined having a nice table would make it easier, but now I'm thinking it may not be the case.

Why do you try to make the 8 ball on the break? I looked it up and it looks like if that happened, you would just re-rack. Is there an auto-win rule you throw in when gambling to better your odds, or is this something that would happen in competition as well?

Finally, do the "pros" use the tips that screw on, or the ones you have to glue on? I have a cheapo cue from the local sporting goods place... would it benefit me to change the tip? It has an ideal shape but it's too hard to take chalk. I would try to "pick" it with one of those special tools, but I don't even know if it's real leather.

Thanks for sharing!

squeakygeek posted:

What does "run out" mean?

To finish the game, one ball after another, so your opponent doesn't get a chance to shoot.

# ¿ Apr 4, 2012 05:50

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# ¿ May 14, 2024 02:08

AgentCow007: May 20, 2004; TITLE TEXT

KelJu posted:

I wanted to ask this question weeks ago, but I restrained myself. The issue with my question is that it seems like an attack on the OP, but I swear it isn't. Honestly, I think my question is half retarded, but I'm going to throw it out there anyway.

Does anyone else ever notice that pool players have an unidentifiable quality to them that is unique to pool players? I have noticed this for years. I can almost always spot a pool player walking into a bar just by their body language and the look on their face.

I can't explain it. Some of my friends say they know what I'm talking about, and others say I'm seeing something that isn't there. Also, If I turn out to be right, and they are shooting pool later, I have an almost uncontrollable urge to walk over to them, grab their pool stick and beat them over the head with it. It is freaking weird, I know it is my issue and problem, and it has nothing to do with some guy who likes to play pool, but just was hoping and praying that there was a rational explanation.

I've heard this exact sentiment about drug addicts too. Childhood exposure to violence and neglect 'breaks' your ability to perceive minor levels of threat, so most "threats" feel like a life-or-death situation regardless of seriousness. Your body produces excessive dopamine to soothe yourself after getting worked up over all these "major" threats, but eventually it can't keep up and people typically turn to substance abuse or possibly gambling addictions to compensate.

This is why guys will get into physical altercations if someone makes fun of them in front of women. They just can't see anything as minor, or a non-threat. I still feel like someone's holding a gun to my head when I get a jury summons, so I'm not exempt from this.

Your impluse to hit them is probably related that whole "cycle of violence/abuse" where people are re-victimized (think battered women)... these people are setting off your victim-radar, which is probably a good reason to see a mental health specialist for your own benefit. Think of it like an emotional chiropractor.

AgentCow007 fucked around with this message at 08:18 on Jun 8, 2012

# ¿ Jun 8, 2012 07:31

AgentCow007: May 20, 2004; TITLE TEXT

KelJu posted:

Hey, I'm willing to consider any possibilities. If I see somebody take a pool stick out of a case and start screwing it together I have a deep seated desire to beat them unconscious with that pool stick of theirs.

Lol, it really isn't funny, but sort of is funny to me. Just reading this thread title causes me psychopathic hatred, but the OP has never wronged me in any way.

You get angry/emotional about people that you don't even interact with socially? You really need to see a doctor.

# ¿ Jun 8, 2012 08:47

AgentCow007: May 20, 2004; TITLE TEXT

McNerd posted:

Can you apply English properly (or at all) with a lovely bar cue? I've basically never been able to put on more than a little bit (for instance, enough to draw the cue ball back a few inches) without a miscue, and I'm not sure whether I'm doing something wrong or it's just hopeless. Surely it can't be that hard?

Are you chalking up every stroke? If not, definitely that. You could also be hitting too far off center. Take a look at this: http://www.ozonebilliards.com/ezshotcueball.html I think the green line is the farthest you want to go in normal shooting.

I don't even see anything wrong with a warped house cue, as long as the tip's not broken, but maybe that's just me?

# ¿ Jun 12, 2012 03:02

AgentCow007: May 20, 2004; TITLE TEXT

Bearnt! posted:

These stories are great and you tell them so well, please keep them coming.

This! I always get stoked when this thread gets bumped. I'm gonna stop posting and sidetracking the thread, but I really enjoy the stories.

# ¿ Jul 4, 2012 04:24

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Ask me about hustling dummies at the pool table and other forms of gambling.