| Q: A player writes about how to play pool and | | | | together putting the both up table. |
| break: Last night I broke 57 times. I had 7 | | | | It does you no good if you break and spread |
| chances to run out. Of those opportunities there | | | | them perfectly. You need to learn how to play |
| were 2 spreads that needed perfect cue ball | | | | pool right and go into each play session and |
| placement, too tough for me. Perhaps Efren could | | | | record your break stats. How many times a night |
| have done it. | | | | did you break, now many times did you perform |
| Once I ran out. Once I got hosed when the '7' ball | | | | all 3 perfectly, produce the run out table, how |
| skidded on me and missed dropping. Three times | | | | many times did you actually run out. |
| I just messed up, although once the last 3 balls | | | | 2 out of the 3 is no good, you must learn to do |
| were in kinda difficult spots, somewhat close | | | | all 3. You need to chart these 3 stats so you can |
| together. | | | | see if your break is improving and if your run |
| I'm still learning how to play pool. I dunno, does | | | | outs are getting better as well. |
| that seem like a normal percentage? Not in my | | | | Charting your progress while you learn how to |
| mind it doesnt, oh well. | | | | play pool will speed up your progress. How many |
| A: Fast Larry Responds. The above was a | | | | of you are doing that now, actually have a gauge, |
| question about how to play pool and how to | | | | how you are you doing, going up, going down or |
| break. How do I know if my break is good or not, | | | | stuck in place. |
| most frankly do not have a clue. | | | | Don't shoot your messenger, I am telling it like it |
| Most of the leagues don't know how to play pool | | | | is, but I am trying to help you learn how to play |
| and the breaks I see after the balls spread are so | | | | pool and get this game of yours moving. |
| poor a pro could not run the table. | | | | You must study your break and learn how to |
| With out mastering the break, you will never learn | | | | play pool right to realize what I just told you, pal, |
| how to play pool like a master. | | | | and your break probably is terrible and you don't |
| You must accomplish 3 things: (1) Make a ball and | | | | know it. Now accept that. Now do something |
| stay at the table. You can't win sitting in the chair. | | | | about it. |
| (2) Spread the balls well so no 2 balls are touching, | | | | If you are like most when you are first trying to |
| move at least 7 balls up table past the side | | | | learn how to play pool, you are only trying to hit |
| pockets at 8 ball. | | | | the rack as hard as possible and if you do that |
| (3) Get a shot so your run can begin. At 9 ball | | | | you think you are doing the right thing. That is |
| you must control the cue ball and one ball | | | | complete wrong. |