Changing Tables... Physical issue or Psychological? Help needed

[Sidd]

So I am here this time with an entirely different kind of question and seeking help in that. I have been playing in my club "The Breakers" on table 1 beign the best table really and occassionally on other tables. I know that one should keep playing on different tables to understand how they react and be able to play on them as well. However, the joy of playing on the best table couldn't be matched to any other and hence I ended up playing on that table for about 5 years now. Anyway, if I were to play on another table it was never ever a problem and I could still enjoy. I used to practice on other tables in the club as table 1 wasn't given for practice.

Anyway the problem started when the club owner started having some problems with the local authorities over something and then one fine day the club was closed by them till further notice. The club remained closed for 3 days and was reopened and then got closed and reopened. This has already happened three times so far and still there seems to be no resolution to the problem in general. This really frustrated me and some other players and I decided to change the club for good in order to be able to play without any intruptions etc.

Now when I came and joined "Six Pockets" in another nearby area I have kept my cue and other things there and had decided to continue to play there for good. However, when I play in this club I have noticed a few things on these tables. I was practicing on one of them and it seemed as if there was no control I had. While I understand this happens while playing on a different table I kept enjoying. Then when I was called to play a match on another table I could not enjoy at all. Even though I won 4 of the six frames I played; still I was MISSING MISSING MISSING my old club. The reasons were:

1. bad cushions with lesser response and one has to play with power to get the cueball where intended.
2. Cloth not so fine and slows down the cueball.
3. Huge round stickers on spots rather than marks. Looks absurd.
4. Slightly bigger pockets so potting is easy but not enjoyable as my previous table needed precision.
5. Potting a black plain ball and gettign to the next red is rather crazy due to unknown cloth and cushion reaction.


Now I need some sound advice in to this problem from all of you and from senior members like Nic, Terry, Nrage and others. I know these things are bothering me so what should I do? Go back to m previous club when it reopens and then be at the mercy of the authorities to close it. (roumers are that th club owner might close it for good). Or stick to these tables here and over time I will blend in ???????

Thanking all of the contributors in anticipation.

[Terry Davidson]

Sidd:

Rule #1 - NEVER, ever, EVER leave your cue in a club! Take it back and forth with you and also don't leave it in the car. I know it's inconvenient sometimes but better than the alternative of a missing cue.

Rule #2 - Try and get used to as many different tables and playing conditions as you can possibly do. Unless you were thinking of turning pro that is. Us amateurs have to put up with all kinds of different conditions including slow cloths, REALLY bad cushions that are so bad you can't hit a 2-cushion snooker without 3 attempts, light cueballs, dirty tables, noisy environments (the list goes on). You must learn to be able to play under all these conditions even if you only intend to play in a local league or tournaments.

Terry

[nrage]

Have you tried approaching the new club management and mentioning the issues you have, perhaps they are in a position to improve 1 table to the standard you would like/prefer. It may be that they don't know what makes a good snooker table, or how important to some players good cushions and cloth are. If you mention the trouble with your old club, and how many players were going there, implying they might come to the new club etc you might convince them it's worth the investment.

[Sidd]

Coach: you are very right and thanks for the great advice, as always.

Rule 1: I have had a Riley cue stolen in the past that my cousins sent for me- they live in Blackburn. It got stolen and I got heart broken and that became the cause for me to leave snooker for two years. Now I have got a Peradon, bought it from a club mate, and yes you are right; no matter what the club owner promises for security- anything bad could happen again. Even though I have a cue case and a case for my snooker glasses and a towel and the push on extension and carrying them all the time around is rather hard, but I should get used to with it for it is best to keep your dear ones near you all the time eh

Rule 2: Thanks a lot for that. I will develop the tendency to play on all tables under all conditions. Yes I do have an eye on local club level or district level tournaments and those are played on different tables tht are not standard. Although I would miss my table in my old club but then its a good way to get used to all tables and break this confort zone. Will help me get better I know. I can carry on like that till the next month end when my old club's fate will be decided and if it happens for good I can always go back

Nrage: Thanks a lot dude for the best of the best advice. Yes you are right actually the owner of this club is my old time friend who used to play snooker with us. Now he has bought this club. I think I can try and convince him on cloth change and cushion repair...lets see --- counting on that !!!