Tips for playing better English/UK/pub pool?

[jamie89oc]

haha quality the thing is i see a lot of this every other week

[jamie89oc]

if your serious about it always try to practice with better players as this will help your game and enter local comps, on the other hand youd enjoy pub leauges as theres a lot of banter and none of the drivel which normally comes from the 1 thats full of excuses

[cantpotforshíte]

LOL, if it really is that bad over there are you sure it's restricted to pool? There have been plenty of posts on this forum moaning on about run of the balls, losing to weaker players and the like in snooker.

It certainly isn't restricted to pool sadly. I do see it occasionally in snooker, but it seems ten times worse and ten times more common in the pool league games that I see here at my local snooker club.
And whenever anybody bemoans their luck in snooker on this forum, I'm usually one of the first to step in with 'constructive criticism'.

[eaoin11]

I think the problem is really just that shot selection takes time and effort to master in UK pool, as per Sootyvrs comment, and it's probably off-putting for a decent cueist new to pool being watched by 7 or so A grade pool players who can see more options.

[DeanH]

I think the problem is really just that shot selection takes time and effort to master in UK pool, as per Sootyvrs comment, and it's probably off-putting for a decent cueist new to pool being watched by 7 or so A grade pool players who can see more options.

(to continue this) not just infront of an audience of "better" players all how have many opinions on the best shot you tried 10 minutes ago that you cannot remember, but that they all tend to be within 2 feet of the table all shouting amongst themselves; there is a brick wall in the way at one of the corners; on away matches the local-drunks-regulars are at the bar screaming at each other and you wonder when the glasses will start flying; then just as you deliver the cue - the juke-box blares into life right over your head

love it!

hope this does not put anyone off joining the wonderful world that is "Pub/Club Pool League" :snooker:

Seriously though, it is possible to remain calm during all of the above and previous and still play a descent game, not all games will be this bad (honest), as mentioned before, learn the rules (you can download them from http://www.epa.org.uk/wrules.php, as well as the calling procedures) especially when you are and are not snookered/total snookered and foul snookered - as these tend to confuse most players and when they are refereeing.
One tip: if in doubt aways announce the colour you are going for - even if your team mates say you don't need to, there will always be that time playing away when the away referee does not fully-understand the rules and will call a foul on you because you did not call out the colour (even if you did not have to! )

[eaoin11]

(to continue this) not just infront of an audience of "better" players all how have many opinions on the best shot you tried 10 minutes ago that you cannot remember, but that they all tend to be within 2 feet of the table all shouting amongst themselves; there is a brick wall in the way at one of the corners; on away matches the local-drunks-regulars are at the bar screaming at each other and you wonder when the glasses will start flying; then just as you deliver the cue - the juke-box blares into life right over your head

love it!

hope this does not put anyone off joining the wonderful world that is "Pub/Club Pool League" :snooker:

Seriously though, it is possible to remain calm during all of the above and previous and still play a descent game, not all games will be this bad (honest), as mentioned before, learn the rules (you can download them from http://www.epa.org.uk/wrules.php, as well as the calling procedures) especially when you are and are not snookered/total snookered and foul snookered - as these tend to confuse most players and when they are refereeing.
One tip: if in doubt aways announce the colour you are going for - even if your team mates say you don't need to, there will always be that time playing away when the away referee does not fully-understand the rules and will call a foul on you because you did not call out the colour (even if you did not have to! )

You'd probably enjoy the less claustrophobic conditions in Australia

[grimreaper]

There is allways the option of finding a new team to play with if the one you are in is full of w.....s.

[DeanH]

You'd probably enjoy the less claustrophobic conditions in Australia

I would certainly like to give it a try
Maybe my work can transfer me to one of our AU offices
Honestly though, "over 'ere" it is not as bad as we have been making out, but then last night's match we did have the following scenarios:
1. Wall, take over butt to play with short shaft only).
2. Blaring music.
3. Football match on big screen with shouting supporters of both teams!
4. "Gentlemanly discussion" about a Total Snooker.

:snooker:

game on...

[Souwester]

Having played league snooker for 20-odd years I think the reason I enjoy playing pool so much more (since I switched games about 18 months ago) is that almost all of our matches are played in nice quiet(ish) country pubs which mostly serve some really nice real ales. Yes, there's usually a juke box but not too loud, and there's more banter than we had with the snooker, but not so much that it's off-putting. Pool is a lot more social than snooker, and I really do enjoy it so much more than I ever did the snooker.

[DeanH]

I have been playing league pool for 15+ years and enjoy it immensely.
I do like going to away matches, meeting old and new faces, and as Souwester says, sometimes they can have a great choice of ales
But I would say my first love is snooker and I have been playing that on and off for 20 years, depending on club availablity and location.
I have never played league snooker, either was not good enough or no clubs local enough were part of a league (seems to be a lack of them around this area).
Nowadays I play league pool one night a week (I will always practise first on the snooker table for about an hour before going to the pool table - get my eye in, delivery just right, etc.) but I play on the snooker table a further 2-3 times a week as long as the boss in-doors lets me

[kevy62]

thanks

I really must say a big "thank you" to all the posts within this thread, as it has been a totally brilliant laugh to read.
I'm not taking the p*ss out of anyone, I have just really enjoyed all the comments. cheers.

[vmax4steve]

Firstly, you need to fit in with the eight-ball crowd, so it helps if you're extremely insecure and take it more seriously than your day job.
You also need a raft of about twenty excuses, so that you have one handy if you miss a ball that a well trained Border Collie could have potted.
Don't spend too much time practising your shots, just practise more whining about how the table "isn't as fast as the one at the Three Crowns' etc.
Obviously avoid potting balls at all costs. Better to cover all the pockets, and even then, only proceed when you have two shots.
You'll also find it easier to fit in with the 8-ball crowd if you do this: After one of your team mates has lost a league game, gang up with the rest of the team and start a kind of whispering campaign as to what he did wrong, then all confront him together about it when he's already feeling a bit shíte. Better still, start whispering when he's on the shot. Especially if he's trying to pot a ball before it's time (see above).
You don't necessarily need to practise eight ball to improve your skills. You can sharpen your hand-to-eye skills on other games of similar skill such as Tiddly Winks, Shove Ha'penny, Three card brag, and then bring these skills to the eight ball table next time you play.
DO try and make each frame last more than two hours.
Have a small accident in your pants whenever somebody gets an 'eightball'.

Hope this helps

Best post I've read for a long time. Those are the very reasons that I quit pool and took up snooker.

[chris_147]

With the old English League rules almost a thing of the past and the D being almost a myth to pool tables these days I refuse to play league pool (that and what has been said about league players is mostly true, hence why my dad stopped playing in the league years ago). However, I dare say I play pool with friends down the pub a good 2-3 times a week and enjoy it immensely. I definately play the game to a much higher standard than snooker but also appreciate just how different the two games are. Which do I prefer? Neither, as the mood I'm in, the place I am etc are completely different when I'm playing them.

My one piece of advice would be play your natural snooker game on the pool table. If you're naturally agressive then play agressive pool, if you're naturally cautious then let that apply equally to your pool game. Ultimately, enjoy it for what it is. A game you play at the pub with mates when you're enjoying a nice pint or ten=P