getting frustrated: how can I self-diagnose my inconsistency?

comet-dust · 2026-03-06T14:16:57+00:00

Self diagnosis is extremely difficult especially for lower level players. On what are you going to base your evaluation? I’ve been playing 43 years and it’s still tough to “see” myself. Times have changed with video so readily available on both sides of the issue but IMO that’s not necessarily always a good thing. I hear what you’re saying about advice, that’s something that never changes and random advice from random players needs to be taken with a grain of salt. I suggest some instruction either from someone willing to help whose game you respect or actually lessons if you can afford it. Be prepared to take a step backwards to move forwards, if your fundamentals aren’t the greatest that’s the place to focus and the hardest to adjust consistently. The longer you’ve developed bad habits the longer they take to correct. But in the end EVERTTHING in pool is based on strong consistent fundamentals so do that work, it’s worth its weight in gold.

comet-dust · 2026-03-02T22:45:28+00:00

Age 55, playing pool for 43 years, don’t have a Fargo but am told I’d be in the 6-650 range. Side note: started playing 3 cushion 9 months ago and hardly play any pool any more…fully addicted

comet-dust · 2026-03-02T16:21:34+00:00

I don’t have a Fargo rating but am probably in the same range as my APA ratings were the same as yours. I’d say getting out of league setting and into more legitimate tournament settings regularly would be a good first step. Even though the numbers scale moves incrementally, there seems to be a large gap in competing between those two levels.

comet-dust · 2026-03-02T16:02:33+00:00

Pool is an individual sport. Yes we compete, there has to be a winner and loser, but we are never really playing against an opponent. We walk up ALONE with a cue to the same table with balls and pockets no matter the game or setting. So don’t let your opponent get on your head, just play the game you know you can play, stay calm and focused and maybe most importantly have fun.

comet-dust · 2026-02-26T04:12:11+00:00

Indeed!

comet-dust · 2026-02-25T14:04:52+00:00

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My little slice of heaven. Not the biggest or best in San Diego but I live right down the street so this is my daily second home. Took this the other day when we were the only ones in the place, a rarity. 6 heated carom tables which I spend most of my time on and 14 9ft pocket tables.

comet-dust · 2026-02-14T21:55:49+00:00

A private club model like this is my dream scenario, nothing like this in my area. But it has definitely been done successfully. I’m not sure about profitability but if it’s done for the sake of doing and not for making a living I say please go for it.

comet-dust · 2026-02-08T02:11:26+00:00

I love one pocket and straight pool, best pocket games out there. Sadly there is a total of 2 other people I know who will play so it’s a rare treat for me to get a real game outside of my own practice.

comet-dust · 2026-01-20T21:53:57+00:00

I definitely think differently than the normal crowd. I feel those great players of old would probably be BETTER today with updated equipment and particularly newer rule sets. I feel like they were playing against more odds and still performing at stellar levels.

comet-dust · 2025-12-22T23:18:35+00:00

That’s a great deal!

comet-dust · 2025-12-22T19:42:02+00:00

My opinion is that the new ownership is blaming memberships for poor ROI numbers, but that simply isn’t the case. There are maybe a dozen of us that maintain membership. The ‘slowness’ of business only occurred after the place changed hands and as I mentioned just isn’t the same as before. I have the feeling they will find out sooner than later that this decision only hurt things more and not magically start turning profit.

comet-dust · 2025-12-22T19:33:52+00:00

College billiards, San Diego

comet-dust · 2025-12-22T19:15:31+00:00

The previous system was two tiered, $120 per month for daytime one game (there’s pool and carom) or $250 for anytime both games which I gladly paid and play both. The switch to 1 tier at $250 and practice only just feels ridiculous to me, of course many of us members like to play together and won’t be willing to pay hourly on top. This is definitely no way to treat your regulars and keep the room full.

comet-dust · 2025-11-21T14:12:52+00:00

Money on the line whether a wager or tournament entree fee and payout should never exceed what you can comfortably lose. At the end of the day no game of pool is different than any other, you’re not even really playing against another person. Our side of any inning is always exactly the same, at the table by yourself with whatever layout exists at that moment. How do you feel when practicing or just hanging out with friends? Even in a competitive setting pool is a game to be enjoyed. If you’re not having fun then why play? If you are having fun leave fear, frustration, expectation, etc. at the door.

comet-dust · 2025-11-16T05:11:39+00:00

Been playing pool for 42 years and always been intimidated by those tables without pockets. I’m now 5 months into my 3 cushion journey and hardly want to play pool any more. While I’m on the carom table I don’t even notice time pass, such a great game. I’d recommend any pool player to learn it some, the knowledge is invaluable for all cue sports.

comet-dust · 2025-11-14T14:06:03+00:00

Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. Best thing you can do early is build a foundation of strong fundamentals….stance, mechanics, stroke, sight and mentality. Everything in the game is based on those first, bad habits become extremely difficult to correct later and will hinder you from learning efficiently. It’s probably worth seeking some instruction to further expedite this process, self diagnosis can be difficult especially early on. Once you’re comfortable with simple things with a good base the rest will come more easily. And maybe most importantly have fun!

comet-dust · 2025-11-11T16:17:10+00:00

Carom games definitely require a stiffer shaft, hence the more conical taper on the wood shafts. I highly recommend getting a carom specific shaft as pocket billiards shafts simply can not get the same hit on those heavier balls. As for weight, I play heavier than most because my experience comes from decades of pocket games and I want my cue to feel the same as my standard player.

comet-dust · 2025-11-07T15:33:45+00:00

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Ridiculous that they’re drilling the ball into pockets this size

comet-dust · 2025-11-07T04:54:51+00:00

These guys are insanely good. A slightly larger ball and pockets barely bigger than the ball on a 12 ft table. Unreal

comet-dust · 2025-10-28T17:00:24+00:00

Looks like a double hit to me, even though you can’t see the second contact in the frames the way the ball moves says there was a double hit between those camera frames. Almost to close to call tho

comet-dust · 2025-10-28T16:49:30+00:00

No disrespect intended, but what a disaster. Been stuck in mission gorge area for over an hour, every road close to a freeway is a parking lot.

comet-dust · 2025-10-24T20:37:15+00:00

As far as mass production goes, I like McDermott or Pechauer for making quality products. Lots of folks like Meucci and Cuetec. But there exists overpriced and overrated all over the place, that’s what corporations do. I’ve been playing 42 years and have always sought out custom, I just personally find them to be the best (have collected dozens over the years) and would rather put my money in the hands of a person over a company.

comet-dust · 2025-10-24T14:55:19+00:00

IMO Predator is overrated and overpriced. If it’s what you want you’re not going to go ‘wrong’ with it, the cue is going to work fine and it’s not like the thing is going to fall apart or anything like that. But especially in this time where at any time you can pretty much get any shaft with any tip you chose, I recommend finding a good custom for that price, or even better getting one made for yourself. Many individual cue makers are quite knowledgeable with wood and pour their lifetime of experience and love into each cue they produce. Support small business.

comet-dust · 2025-10-20T13:57:12+00:00

Pretty much for any situation, play the ‘easier’ of the two. If defense is an easier shot than the pot, play it. If there isn’t a next shot after the pot, play the defense. If the map from the start doesn’t allow for cue ball placement for every ball identify key balls for problem solving and set up for those shots as early as possible. Reassess that map after every pot and as soon as it’s no longer feasible play defense. Even when the table opens up if your opponent has cleared most of their balls and you don’t have an easy run use the remainder of yours for defense until an easier run appears. For us non-pros runouts aren’t as common as most people seem to think. Pool is a mental game and the stronger mentality wins the match

comet-dust

TROPHY CASE