http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/ en Thu, 23 May 2013 17:57:26 GMT vBulletin 90 http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/images/misc/rss.png http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/ http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43708-Big-congratulations-to-Frazz!!!!?goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 23:04:25 GMT Well folks the good news is that Fraser Patrick (Frazz) managed to somehow find a bit of form to win his 2 year card. After playing not well at all... Well folks the good news is that Fraser Patrick (Frazz) managed to somehow find a bit of form to win his
2 year card.
After playing not well at all and leaving it to his final chance he's managed to dig deep and produce the goods so a big well done mate.
Fully deserved,here's hoping you get a sponsor now to help you that bit extra.
Raymond. ]]> General Chat raymo147 http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43708-Big-congratulations-to-Frazz!!!! http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43706-What-i-ve-learnt-over-the-past-2-weeks?goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 15:45:59 GMT So as many of you know from my previous threads etc, i've been having serious problems with my snooker over the last few months up to a year........ so i resorted to what most people do, threaten to quit the game, realise no one actually cares if you quit, and then resorted to coming the the forum to bare my soul to you all :)

Anyway, i've had alot of advice, especially from Terry on here, and i just want to tell you what i have found over the past 2 weeks in the hope newer players can quickly learn to avoid going through the same problems i have for such a long time.

1) So the first thing i worked on was simple, making sure i'm keeping my nose on the line of the shot - now i know this is common sense, but it really surprised me how much i was not doing this. I was picking the line yes, but not actually going down on the line etc. So all i really did was make sure i was concentrating on making sure my nose was on the line while i chalked my cue. It was amazing how quickly i found i was potting more consistently etc. The only thing i found was that sometimes i was moving my nose sideways when putting my other leg to the side of the line of aim - so i basically found myself a way of making sure i kept my head still. Such a small adjustment for such a bigger return.

2) The second biggest thing i worked on was loosening up my grip hand, and when i mean loosen, i mean going as far as hardly holding the cue at all and using only from first 2 fingers. It was only after Terry mentioned it that i conciously starting analysing my grip after every shot, especially more powerful shots, and low and behold, my grip was going from releatively tight, to literally choking the life out of my cue after the follow through. So i went to the practice table, and again conciously made an effort to keep my grip really loose throughout the whole stroke (this is still hard on power shots) and again, i found i was cueing straighter more often, i was cueing through the ball better. Yes, occasionally i found i was still tightening the grip up, but if you do what Nic Barrow suggests, and stay down and analyse why you miss the shot after you play it, you will notice your grip tighter, and then you know to adjust on the next shot.

3) But the biggest change for me was in how i pick my potting angles. Again, for ages i was convinced i could not see the angles, i couldn't visualise a ghost ball etc, and i was getting me so down. I was literally think of potting as if it was degree level triganometry. I was visualling triangles all over the table, imaging have protractors measuring angles etc. If you can think of a method for finding potting angles, i've probably tried it, yes it would work for a little bit, then it wouldn't and i was back to square one. So i asked on here, and again Terry replied saying i was probably thinking to much about the angles and should trust the fact most people know the angle of the shot naturally, it's the fact most people don't get down on the line properly, or move their shoulder, or tightening the grip to early that causes the missed pot - but most people will then resort to blaming the fact they picked the wrong angle rather than realising its the cueing that was the problem. So again, all i did was not think about the angles, i would stand up behind the shot where i felt it was right, and then make sure i kept my nose on that line - i was literally just trusting my instincts to put me on the right potting line - look at the object ball, look at the pocket, stand behind the shot and get down keeping the nose on the line. And again, it was amazing, i was potting balls i would normally miss more often than not - especially black off the spot wid an angle more than 1/2 ball. Yes this did help, but it was also the fact i was cueing straight that helped - but the main thing - it ment it was one less thing for me to think about on the shot - i was learning to trust myself, and then giving myself more time to focus on loose grip, still shoulder, and keeping my nose on the line.


Now these all sound like common sense things, but to me they never really were, no coach ever really made sure my nose was on the right line, or made sure my grip was loose enough, so i always continued with the way i was doing things and getting no where. I had gone months without making a break more than 20, and was always getting chances and messing them up.

Now in the last 10 days, just with a few changes, and more concious awareness, i have made a 40, 38, 27 clearenace, and another 4 breaks over 20. What impressed me more though, is i actually made my first league break over 20 in the first game i played after these changes. Now this may sound like nothing, but to me, it was important, it was the fact under pressure, my technique was holding up. My win ratio in the local club has gone up to around 75%. This is purely due to me making less errors, potting more balls, and now compling small breaks when im getting chances.

I still have some problems, most improtantly, letting my positional play slip because i'm still worried of missing pots, so i'm just trying to pot some colours instead of trying for the position aswell. The other thing i suffer with is still accepting luck from other players - but that is something i have to deal with :)

But hopefully these improvements stay - just wish i done these things sooner

So for all you new players, all players struggling out there, take some solice in my story because there is always a way to improve, and it normally starts with you conciously realising that you might be doing things wrong. I always thought my technique was great due to no coach ever picking me up on these things, and always focusing sessions on positonal play, even when i was consistently missing pots in practice. So try and take in everything you learn on here and keep looking for the light at the end of the tunnel :) ]]> Coaching Questions Belloz22 http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43706-What-i-ve-learnt-over-the-past-2-weeks http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43705-****Joe-Davis-Black-and-Red-Plate-Special-cues-for-sale****?goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 14:00:15 GMT Hi guys

have 2 nice Joe Davis specials' for sale

Joe Davis Special Black Plate is 57 2/16" in length, 10.8mm tip, 16 1/2 OZ stamped weight and butt diameter is 30.4mm. A few minor dings on the ebony handle to the right of the badge around where the cue is usually held. The cue sights straight and has a very slight lift at the center of the shaft when rolled on a flat surface. Beautiful birds-eye
Price is $170 + postage

The Joe Davis Special Red Plate is 58" in length, 10.8mm tip, 16 1/2 Oz stamped weight and butt diameter is 30mm. The cue is near mint condition. The cue sights straight.
Price is $170 + postage

]]> Snooker Items For Sale kev267 http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43705-****Joe-Davis-Black-and-Red-Plate-Special-cues-for-sale**** http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43703-vmax-was-right!?goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 08:55:16 GMT no, not about players being lucky :) i remember him saying a lot of pots are missed by the player flicking his eyes away from the line of aim on... no, not about players being lucky :)

i remember him saying a lot of pots are missed by the player flicking his eyes away from the line of aim on the way down.

i was practicing to achieve 5 reds and 5 blacks on the line up (one below the black). current status : NOT YET ACHIEVED!

i found myself noticing about an hour in my eyes sometimes flicking slightly away from the line of aim on the way down. its hard to believe you don't notice yourself doing it but sometimes the brain is thinking where is my elbow, stance etc.

i tried focusing on keeping eyes on line of aim and adjusted myself so that my first movement is down and then a more horizontal movement on the line of aim to the shot.

this seemed to work better.

i would suggest this is why i miss easy shots where i know the line of aim has been selected right, and particularly why i miss shots in a match (brain is more anxious so thinks about other things than the line of aim).

thanks to vmax for pointing this flaw out. ]]> Coaching Questions armstm http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43703-vmax-was-right! http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43701-Ssb-new-season-new-system?goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 06:30:30 GMT Michael Wasley is a talented young snooker player from Gloucester who deserves additional respect for being able to solve the Rubik's cube in a matter of seconds (and not, as I used to in my youth, by taking it apart and then reassembling it).


Wasley’s ability to untangle a great enigma may stand him in good stead for when he plays one next week in the first round of the Wuxi Classic.


Ronnie O’Sullivan, who sat out almost all of last season, has entered not only Wuxi but also the European Tour event next month in Bulgaria.


Whether this is because he needs more money for school fees, he missed snooker and wants to make up for lost time or has contractual obligations to fulfil is anyone’s guess, but O’Sullivan’s presence at the SWSA in Gloucester next week will bring interest at a time of year when snooker has traditionally been in hibernation.


He’s playing Wasley because the system has changed. For all ranking events barring Australia, Shanghai and the World Championship, all 128 main tour members start from the beginning.


In this bright, shiny new era of ‘fairness’ this means that Ding Junhui, who is from Wuxi, has had to come back to Britain to qualify for...Wuxi.


He faces Aditya Mehta, who reached the last 16 of last season’s International Championship. The other Indian professional, Pankaj Advani, a quarter-finalist in the Welsh Open a few months back, will provide the first round opposition for Ricky Walden, the defending Wuxi Classic champion.


Steve Davis, having seen off his old foe Stephen Hendry, will play Hendry’s nephew, James Cahill.


The first round winners will all progress to the final stages next month.


I suspect many top 16 players need this like the proverbial hole in the head. It will be interesting to see who has practised and who will be winging it. And despite what they may say, organisers want the top players to qualify.


It’s a great chance for the lower ranked players. For many of them, if they’re going to beat a top player it’ll be in the more prosaic qualifying environment than the big arenas.


However, some of them may in time come to reflect that this new system is not quite the leveller they thought. The previous system was labyrinthine, tough and seemingly endless but playing, for instance, the reigning world champion in round one is going to be a lot tougher than playing someone of a similar ranking.


Still, it’s an exciting time for the new professionals and if I had a hat I would tip it to those who have come through Q School, including Alexander Ursenbacher, from Switzerland, and Ahmed Saif, a Qatari.


In my experience new pros couldn’t care less about whichever system is in place (and there have been a few down the years). They just want to play, and there will be much to play in this coming season.


More... ]]> Snooker Scene Blog ferret http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43701-Ssb-new-season-new-system http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43700-Something-to-learn-from-this?goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 05:26:37 GMT I just came back out of a full week of a bad patch. This thing kills but is always there. i fear it always but cant get rid of it. i have been... I just came back out of a full week of a bad patch. This thing kills but is always there. i fear it always but cant get rid of it. i have been playing for a lot of years and I know I should not be doing the things I do when playing bad but well this negative thinking and negative frame of mind captures me for good when playing bad. What to do...

I was playing bad and struggling to get a single ball to the pocket... I even missed a three quarters black when it was 8 inches from the pocket and the cue ball was another 6 inches from the black .. can you imagine missing that after playing for 12 years... I did miss it.

Went and did some solo and found out crazily enough that during teh match I wasnt doign two things and I did in solo:

1. backswing was faster
2. no good back pause

these two things were making me rush the shot and hence missing and totally destroyed timing.

Kept that in mind but my brain kept saying bad grip (AGAIN) so I kept concentrating on the grip and played bad bad bad then I trained my brain to acknowledge that the grip needs to be loose and thats it so when I forgot I got a chance to concentrate on front pause, slower backswing and good final back pause and also switching of the eyes and locking them on OB... this helped improve a lot of things... In the end timing improved and I came out only yesterday with mini breaks of 30s and 20s (yes i was that bad that a break of 30 seems like something huge)... !!!

another factor- changed my tip last night and played with a newly tipped and shaped tip. That could have been the reason as well but mostly I was missing and getting negative thoughts and that ruined...

Lesson: only one way to get out of a bad patch i.e. keep trying keep trying and keep trying. While playing bad and missing you tend ot become negative and that is when bad things creep up and you do not play with you normal and full cue action but rush things...!!! ]]> Coaching Questions Sidd http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43700-Something-to-learn-from-this http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43697-Practice-match-at-147-snooker-club-warrington?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 19:47:32 GMT Anybody up for a few frames of snooker at 147 evans house I don't go often enough and id welcome someone to have a few matches with:) ]]> Harrison952 http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43697-Practice-match-at-147-snooker-club-warrington http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43696-Snnoker-Warrior?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 18:08:40 GMT Evening all, anybody been in touch with Snooker Warrior recently, sent a PM looking for a price on a case for my son, if anybody has contact... Evening all,

anybody been in touch with Snooker Warrior recently, sent a PM looking for a price on a case for my son, if anybody has contact details other than PM then i would appreciate it. ]]> Accessories Maxsys http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43696-Snnoker-Warrior http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43695-****-Barracuda-OLD-MASTERS-Cue-****?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 17:06:10 GMT Quite a rare cue, these dont come up very often.

Made by Barracuda in the 80's. Kevin Muncaster used to run Barracuda but now runs North West Cues.

Cue was Originally a one piece but was sent to John Parris some years ago by the previous owner to be made a 3/4.

57 and half inches long. 10mm tip. stamped 17 and half onz. id say bit heavier now due to joint. prob 18 onz

17 inches balance point and has a 29mm butt. stiff ash shaft

comes with extension and aluminium ray reardon classic case.

£150 plus p and p










]]> Snooker Items For Sale mattyshinobi22 http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43695-****-Barracuda-OLD-MASTERS-Cue-**** http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43694-Antique-cue-rack-cues-scoreboards-etc-for-sale?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 16:33:30 GMT If anyone is interested in kitting out their billiard/snooker room I have an antique/Edwardian cue rack with full length background mirror, holds 7... If anyone is interested in kitting out their billiard/snooker room I have an antique/Edwardian cue rack with full length background mirror, holds 7 cues, about 4ftx2ft, one of these scoreboards http://www.snookerandpoolservices.co...&products_id=5 and one of these http://www.snookerandpoolservices.co...products_id=71 (wear marks above brass rails but perfectly usable and readable)

Also have a few old cues - Permac Maori champion (machine/maple), Melbourne Inman pic badge cue (machine/ash), Riley Prize cue tombstone (hand/ash), couple of sets carom balls, set of durolite billiard balls, set of used TC aramith snooker balls, some old billiard/snooker books.

Nice collection that would 'decorate' a room nicely but now gathering dust, can throw in a couple of dozen trophies, need the space now. Would rather see it all go in a job lot but could off it piece by piece, would prefer collection from nw kent but buyers can arrange couriering if interested.

No pictures yet as no real rush but will be itemising and picturing for webbing or ebaying soon, let me know if anything floats your boat. ]]> Accessories sberry http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43694-Antique-cue-rack-cues-scoreboards-etc-for-sale http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43693-User-thoughts-on-Peradon-and-Green-Baize-cases?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 16:23:39 GMT Hi, my case is looking to break soon. I'm thinking of upgrading to a leather case.
Peradon and Green Baize leather cases caught my eye long ago, but now I have found a compelling reason to buy one.

I'd like to know what present/ex users think of these cases, in terms of build, quality, thickness of padding and weight.

Thanks in advance. ]]> Accessories jonnylovessn8ker http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43693-User-thoughts-on-Peradon-and-Green-Baize-cases http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43692-1-piece-cue-case?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 15:05:11 GMT has anyone got a leather 1 piece cue case they want to sell? regards luke:D has anyone got a leather 1 piece cue case they want to sell?

regards luke:D ]]> Snooker Items For Sale luke-h http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43692-1-piece-cue-case http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43691-Billiards-how-to-play?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:25 GMT The basics http://www.britishpathe.com/video/billiards-with-sidney-smith/query/billiards A couple of lessons from Lindrum... The basics http://www.britishpathe.com/video/bi...uery/billiards

A couple of lessons from Lindrum http://www.britishpathe.com/video/st...uery/billiards & http://www.britishpathe.com/video/wa...uery/billiards ]]> Billiards sberry http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43691-Billiards-how-to-play http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43690-This-season-s-competition-or-tournament-wins?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 10:39:51 GMT As it's the end of the season and most finals have been played by now. How did you or your team do this year/season? ]]> magicman http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43690-This-season-s-competition-or-tournament-wins http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43689-Hunter-snares-brace-of-titles?goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 09:47:55 GMT *DOUBLE snooker champion John Hunter took time out from celebrating his success on the Cuestars South of England Seniors (40+) Tour to pay tribute to... DOUBLE snooker champion John Hunter took time out from celebrating his success on the Cuestars South of England Seniors (40+) Tour to pay tribute to his fellow competitors.

After ending the six-leg tour top of the rankings, the Andover cueman swept to victory in the top-16 championship play-off at The Crucible Sports & Social Club, Newbury.

Hunter, who did not drop a single frame out of the 12 he played all day, posted a 61 break in the first frame of a 2-0 win over Wayne Muddiman in the final.

Muddiman (Chandlers Ford Central Club) had also finished runner-up in the rankings battle.

“I would like to congratulate Wayne on being such a great competitor,” said Hunter.

“I know I always need to be on top of my game when I come up against Wayne. We’ve had some good battles over the last couple of seasons and I look forward to many more.”

Although living in Andover, Hunter’s practice base is Salisbury Snooker Club.

The 47-year-old also praised Cuestars debutant Steve Allen (Totton Recreation Club), who he beat 2-0 in the semi-finals, and Salisbury clubmate Steve Ashton, who knocked out the 2012 champion Nick Birney (Liberal Club, High Wycombe) 2-0 in the last-eight.

He said: “I’d like to say well done to Steve Allen for having such a good first year on the Seniors Tour and for Steve Ashton for achieving a good win over highly-rated Nick Birney.

“I’d also like to thank all the players that supported the Seniors Tour this season. All the events were well attended and played in a great atmosphere and spirit.”

BREAKS

John Hunter: 61.
Nick Birney: 59.

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP POSITIONS

GROUP A: 1st, John Hunter (Salisbury SC); 2nd, Gary Hart (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Neil Carroll (Chandler’s Ford SC).

GROUP B: 1st, Steve Allen (Totton Recreation Club); 2nd, Steve Ashton (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Martin Wallace (Colours, Reading); 4th, Richard Arnold (Salisbury SC).

GROUP C: 1st, Nick Birney (Liberal Club, High Wycombe); 2nd, Paul Burt (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Alan Thomas (Jesters, Swindon); 4th, Nick Miles (Ashlett Club, Fawley).

GROUP D: 1st, Wayne Muddiman (Chandlers Ford Central); 2nd, Steve Tonks (Ashlett Club, Fawley); 3rd, Trevor Thorn (Basingstoke Cons); 4th, Alan Childs (Salisbury SC).

KNOCKOUT

QUARTER-FINALS (£10): Hunter beat Tonks 2-0, Allen beat Burt (no score recorded), Ashton beat Birney 2-0, Muddiman beat Hart 2-1.

SEMI-FINALS (£25): Hunter beat Allen 2-0, Muddiman beat Ashton 2-0.

FINAL (£100/£45): Hunter beat Muddiman 2-0.

Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach) ]]> Cuestars snookerdad http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php/43689-Hunter-snares-brace-of-titles