Help needed

[simon hopkins]

hey everyone. i wonder weather any1 has any suggestions to help me in a game of snooker. i have a bit of trouble in adjusting my pace on different tables that i play on. most of the time when i take a long 'shot 2 nothing' i tend to run the cue ball down the end of the table that i dont want it to go to. this is because that on some tables i tend to hit the pace perfect but on others i hit the cue ball at the same pace but it seems to run down the table more. thanx 4 any help

[Deejay]

I have the same problem mate, over powered shots on different tables. The best way I have found is to hit an under power long shot first, even if it means losing a couple of points to the opponent, It should give you a rough idea of the speed of the table, then adjust accordingly if you hit an over power shot after

I tend to play it safe, I risk long shots if I have a comfy cushion on the points

[snazzydevil]

Do you get to practice on these tables first? If not i'd probably be doing the same as Deejay. Unfortunately, a couple of points against you could be 50 or so :-P
If you can practice on the table before the game, i'd be doing a few lags. Put the cue on the baulk line and bank it off the foot rail and try to get the cue to come back as close as possible to the head rail (touching if possible.) The more often you can do this the better the feel you will get of the speed of the cloth.

[Deejay]

Snazzy does make a point, have a practice frame if you have never played on the table before

I gonna have to get back into practice once Ive moved, Cue is packed away at moment

[Bob]

I find that when I am adjusting to a table I get the pace okay after a couple of shots but as soon as I put top or backspin on the ball I seem to lose the run of the table altogether - now, my top/backspin technique needs some working on and that's a whole different thread.

[snazzydevil]

On a long shot, draw is going to have little effect on the cueball. After a few feet it's just going to start rolling forward again. If you can hit the cueball ten feet and still have backward rotation on it....you're a champion.

I find that when I am adjusting to a table I get the pace okay after a couple of shots but as soon as I put top or backspin on the ball I seem to lose the run of the table altogether - now, my top/backspin technique needs some working on and that's a whole different thread.

[simon hopkins]

thanx mate. i will try that

[Deejay]

Unfortunately, a couple of points against you could be 50 or so

Im not that good Altho it does my ego no end of good you saying that hehe..

[snazzydevil]

Hehe, I think you misunderstood. You mentioned you could give away a few points to your opponent if you hit shot a bit too slow. I'm saying those couple points against you could turn into 50 or so

Im not that good Altho it does my ego no end of good you saying that hehe..

[Deejay]

D'OH!

And heres me thinking I was being graced by these great Forum members..

[snazzydevil]

Just be content in knowing that you'd probably beat me in a game Deej.......maybe. LOL

But we're straying from the subject.
I wouldn't worry too much simon.....i've seen pros struggle with tables that are just freakishly fast. Also don't forget that just because a table was very fast two weeks ago, doesn't mean it will be just as fast today. Environment and weather will vary how a table plays. I didn't believe it myself until I tried to play on a 45 (110) degree day with 90% humidity. I was unprepared

[Colin]

Many players find it is easier to make adjustments when moving from a fast to a slow table, rather than the reverse.

Therefore it's a good idea to practice on a fast table.

[Deejay]

Im fine with adjustments, it positioning I naff up on

Gonna look at your site later

[snazzydevil]

Thats a bit of a contradictory statement isn't it mate?
If you could adjust...you're positioning would'nt be that much of a problem. Or are you refering more to the direction your cueball is taking rather than speed?

[Colin]

Thats a bit of a contradictory statement isn't it mate?
If you could adjust...you're positioning would'nt be that much of a problem. Or are you refering more to the direction your cueball is taking rather than speed?

Hi SD,
Not sure of your meaning here, but what I was talking about is that most top players believe they can adapt/adjust better if they practice on a fast table and then find themselves in a match on a slower table than vice versa.

ie. If they practice on a slow table, and then play a tounament on a fast table, it is very difficult to adjust to the speed to make accurate position.