October 11, 2004
How to Handle a “Nine Ball Rider”
Often times the better players are matched up against lower ranked players in the leagues around the country. A lesser player will almost always go for the quick nine ball strike. He is even willing to take a low percentage shot in hopes that he might get lucky. When a “rider” drops the nine, the fine player gets sick.I once played in a tournament where I rode the nine six times in a race to seven. I did this in each of my first turns at the table. Needless to say I won the match and I had the low class sense to say, “Good game.” when I shook his hand. I didn’t really mean it that way.
When I am up against one of these “lock and load” fools, I try to welcome my good fortune. If he rides the nine ten times, he will be lucky to make one. That is the reality. “Lock and loaders” almost never win against a run out player. The days of rapid fire quickies have long since gone by for me. I still have vision of hanging nine ball combinations in front of the pocket. In fact, I will avoid a nine ball combination and go for the run almost every time.
If I am victimized by a “go for broke, shortcut fool” I smile and wish him well. He is going to need it as luck always runs out for those who depend upon it the most.
The best way to handle a “lock and loader” is
to play a conservative game. If you are matched
up against a lesser opponent, make him shoot
tough shots to beat you. Don’t give in or
give him a chance to ride the nine. Take
your time. If he is rated a three, make up your mind he will have to shoot like a seven to win. I am patient with handicapped players. The league officials cannot handicap intelligence. They can handicap shooting ability but not pocket billiards smarts. So use your intelligence and keep the “runner” away from the nine until you can run out. Torture is the word that comes to mind.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you just got beat. When a “nine ball rider” gets lucky don’t take it personal. Smile a big bright smile, and shake his hand. You did not get beat. He just got lucky.
How do You Handle Key Ball Syndrome?
I have written a lot about key ball syndrome. I am an expert on this subject. I hold the record for missing the key ball on consecutive games. I missed the key ball thirty six straight times. It was always the key ball. I did not lose all those games, as I still had other chances to run out. But I self destructed thirty six times in a row! That will cause a lot of soul searching.
There are many reasons for key ball syndrome. The biggest reason is lack of experience. I can say this because when we get into key ball situations, we give it added value. This is what inexperienced players do. They get good enough to run to the key ball and then they can’t deal with the pressure so they miss. I did it all the time.
My first solution for this problem was to shoot the key ball with my eyes closed. I sighted the shot, closed my eyes and delivered a nice clear crisp stroke. I made the ball every time. For the remainder of the league season, I amused my teammates by shooting the gut shot with my eyes closed. Once I closed my eyes, I could only see it as a shot and nothing more. It no longer was a key ball and with this freedom, I was able to deliver the winning shot.
Next, I gained more experience in the game. I finally reached the point where I needed to simply make the ball and move on to the next shot. When I am on the road I find myself missing the key ball. If I have not put in my practice time, key ball becomes a problem for me. I know it will go away so I don’t worry about it. I have not practiced; therefore I will not perform at a high level.
I really address this subject in the Eight Ball Book in the chapter on The Anatomy of a Run Out. Order it from me. I will sign it for you.
What Determines if a Player
is a Professional or an Amateur?
To this date, no one has really defined or classified what a professional player is. The only real pro tour we have is the women’s tour. The men’s tour changes from year to year so it is hard to define who is a professional player. It may be better to classify what an amateur player is. At one point the BCA classified a professional player as one who paid a three hundred dollar entry fee and made it to the money. That would include most of the players who entered the US Open. We know that many true amateurs play in that event. This is a vague definition of a player who falls into the professional ranks.
The governing bodies will do well to adopt The Monk’s classification of an amateur vs. a pro.
1. Any player who plays this game as a hobby is an amateur.
2. Any player who plays this game to make a living is a professional.
3. If you play in six or more of the cue sponsored open tour events, during one calendar year and play in a pro event, you are considered a professional player.
4. An amateur player is one who is training for the pro tour.
5. An amateur player is one who belongs to a weekly league.
The purpose of separating the amateur from the professional is to protect the amateur from being outclassed in an event. Without the separation, many of our big tournament events would be taken over by the road traveling professional players. The amateur events are training grounds for those who aspire to move on to the pro ranks. Without this program, we would not have a healthy pro tour.
Often times the governing bodies punish those who do well. For instance, if an amateur player trains, works hard, qualifies for the amateur opens and does well in other events, he/she is bumped up to the masters even though they qualified before they received the special training. This is a big mistake. Reward those who work the hardest. We must not punish a player for winning.
For instance, if a player wins the BCA masters three years in a row, and still plays this game as a hobby, he/she should be allowed to continue playing. It is important to stay consistent with our definition of what is an amateur and what is a professional. The skill level should not be the determining factor. If the tournament directors are not consistent the players will not trust them. The governing bodies should never suggest that improving your skill level gets you kicked out of the tournament. Winning or losing should be left up to the players.
There are some great players who chose to be amateurs. We should honor these men and woman. They should be welcomed in our events. If every amateur event used The Monk’s five rules, players would develop a trust in the programs they desire to join. They would know where they stand. Our players today sacrifice a great deal to improve their game. The spend money for books, videos, training and cues in the hopes of winning a tournament. We should be consistent with what we offer them. Make sure we are clear about who is an amateur and who is a professional player.
Tournament Preparation
You must be ready to play when the director calls your name. I am going to give you ten steps that will move you closer to the next level. We’ll take one at a time.
Step 1 Visualize the break. See yourself smashing the rack with a strong accurate powerful break. The balls explode.
You can hear the ball that drops in the pocket. You are left with a wide, open table. When you visualize the break, you are building aggressive qualities that will win more games for you.
You cannot win a tournament if you are tentative. A powerful break will get you in the attack mode. Do this many times before a tournament and you will establish the style of play that will help you win.
Special Workshop With My Friends
I have booked the private room at Jillians
on Freemont street in Las Vegas for a two day
workshop. You can enroll for either day.
The dates are November 22nd or 23rd. Check
the web site for more details.
Be FREEEE!!
(a side note from Samm's Side Pocket)
A couple weeks ago, I was waiting to play my next match in a rather large tournament. I had been calling to update The Monk on my match results as the day went on, but I began expressing some concerns regarding my ability to stay focused and maintain my concentration level.
When I spoke with The Monk he said, “Sammantha, I don’t care if you call and tell me you lost, as long as you tell me you played free.” Free?!?! Yes, FREEEEEEEE… Free of fears, nervousness, anxiety, tension, and mostly, the preoccupation with results. Do you just say “I want to play free!” and wiggle your nose to make it happen? Well, it’s not quite that simple. However, I will share with you my experience and some examples of what playing free meant to me.
After I got off the phone, I reminded myself that today was just another tournament day. Today’s tournament is one of many tournaments that I will be competing in and that I will not lose a match due to my own fears. Then I said to myself, “Self, what are you afraid of?!? What’s the worst possible thing that could happen???” This reminded me that it would truly not be the end of the world if I did not win (however, it would be mighty fine to do so). I then said (and a couple times under my breath), “Who cares?!?” Some may disagree with this attitude, but in the big scheme of things, you may not even remember this tournament ten years from now.
Next, a couple times during the match, I ran to the last ball and (as this sometimes happens) felt an instant rush of anxiety overcome me as I leaned down to shoot it. As I stood up and got back down on the shot, I chose a specific spot on the table that I wanted the cue ball to be. I convinced myself that this wasn’t the last ball on the table and I needed to play position for another ball. So, as I reminded myself to keep a loose grip, I firmly stroked the ball into the center of the pocket and the cue ball came around to the middle of the table as I envisioned. Often times, tension causes our muscles to tighten up and we may push or pinch a ball by rolling it instead of delivering a confident stroke.
Another thing I do not waste my energy on, is the score of the match (or where I am on the tournament board). My friends or spectators will come up and ask what the score is and I honestly respond with a shoulder shrug because I’m not thinking about that nor am I conscious of it most of the time.
I also like to stay isolated between matches. I allow myself enough “Samm-time” (which can be tough if you’re a socialite), make sure I’m well-hydrated and practice my breathing. Long, slow breaths help calm the body and send plenty of oxygen to the brain. This also helps you stay loose and relaxed.
So, the next time you begin feeling anxiety before a match, I hope that some of these tips were helpful for you. Without compromising your killer instincts and competitive edge, you can still condition your mind and body to play free and confidently. Remember, you came to win. Therefore, whatever actions help you control your nerves in order to play freely to win, consider them.
P.S. I did go on to win the tournament. Playing free may not have been the sole inspiration for my win, but it definitely helped.
The Master of Art in Pocket Billiards:
I welcome you to a complete game. I give you my guarantee that your game will improve and you will fulfill you goals when you enroll in The Masters of Art in Pocket Billiards training program.
This is a home study course. You train at home.
• No more traveling expenses to visit an instructor.
• No more three-day lessons filled with information.
• No more ‘half measures’.
I am accepting students in my unique home study program. You will train at home, and still have The Monk as your personal trainer for one entire year!! If you take longer to make it through this material, we will stay with you. Success is our only option.
Master each of the twelve separate lessons and you become the master. Let The Monk take you through this twelve-lesson program.
The Monk is involved in every single lesson from start to finish.
For a full report on this program, email The Monk today at
Take Five From The Monk
Take five free lessons from The Monk.Click on the link and begin your unique training here and now.
I am making the cd’s available on line. For the next few weeks I will be recording some new material. You can learn while you drive your car. Learn while you lay on the beach. Learn while you are working at your desk. The cd’ program is very helpful in mastering the inner game of pocket billiards.
The Four Strokes of Pool
Changing the Script
The 101 Laws for Success
Changing the Script (subliminal)
Listen and learn while you drive.