For professional quality pool table repairs, follow this link: Click Here
The Latest Install
Installed an 8-foot Brunswick with 3 -1" inch slates. It's a beautiful oak table with leather drop pockets. December of 2017.
"See Ya in 6 Weeks Party" at the Senior Center. 8/14/2015
Henry Barnette and many of the seniors down at the center threw me a going away party. I'll be in Arkansas for about 6 weeks and then return to Tennessee for a couple of months before returning to Arkansas for the winter months.
Removing Old MDF Pool Table and Replacing It With Brunswick Camden, 7/30/2015
Setting up my 1987 Brunswick Brighton 8-foot Table
The finished project
The Erwin Senior Center
The Cast of Players
Yours Truly and Willard watching the game
There are many players who visit the Senior Center each day or one or two days in the week for the express purpose of shooting billiards.
The old standbys are on the newer table. They usually play the game called "One-Fifteen" also known as "Alabama 8-Ball". In this game, the "1" (one) ball must be potted in the middle pocket to the left of the breaker and the "15" (fifteen) ball is potted to the right hand middle pocket. The Break is done from the "kitchen" (the head spot of the table) and the "8" (eight) ball must be "called" to win. In all other regards it's just like "8-Ball rules" with the addition of "ball-in-hand" for penalties.
Wayne "Red" Hovatter, Roy Hovatter, Willard Ollis, Terry Shealy, Charlie McConnell, Henry Barnett, Roy Barnett, and Mary (my Mary) are the real "pros" at this game.
Meanwhile, at the other table, "8-Ball" is predominantly the game of choice. Here's where I may be found along with Frank Burrell, Iss Barnett and his son James, Kenneth Rice, Jack, Otis, Marvin Conquest, Patrick, Frank Bailey, Roger Bailey, J.C.Cook, and a host of others to be mentioned later.
It's not uncommon in a usual week to spend 4 1/2 hours per day shooting billiards. With this much practice, it's truly amazing to see the talent in the room.
Note: Willard Ollis, Iss Barnett, Marvin Conquest, Roy Barnett and Jack have passed away and are no longer with us. We all miss them a lot. They were wonderful friends.
The old standbys are on the newer table. They usually play the game called "One-Fifteen" also known as "Alabama 8-Ball". In this game, the "1" (one) ball must be potted in the middle pocket to the left of the breaker and the "15" (fifteen) ball is potted to the right hand middle pocket. The Break is done from the "kitchen" (the head spot of the table) and the "8" (eight) ball must be "called" to win. In all other regards it's just like "8-Ball rules" with the addition of "ball-in-hand" for penalties.
Wayne "Red" Hovatter, Roy Hovatter, Willard Ollis, Terry Shealy, Charlie McConnell, Henry Barnett, Roy Barnett, and Mary (my Mary) are the real "pros" at this game.
Meanwhile, at the other table, "8-Ball" is predominantly the game of choice. Here's where I may be found along with Frank Burrell, Iss Barnett and his son James, Kenneth Rice, Jack, Otis, Marvin Conquest, Patrick, Frank Bailey, Roger Bailey, J.C.Cook, and a host of others to be mentioned later.
It's not uncommon in a usual week to spend 4 1/2 hours per day shooting billiards. With this much practice, it's truly amazing to see the talent in the room.
Note: Willard Ollis, Iss Barnett, Marvin Conquest, Roy Barnett and Jack have passed away and are no longer with us. We all miss them a lot. They were wonderful friends.
Jack, Iss, Lloyd, Yours Truly, Ken, Willard & Roy
Replacing the felt and cushions and generally repairing a pool table
Recently, at the Clinchfield Senior Center, Henry, Red, Otis and I worked on one of the pool tables. Below are pictures I took with my cell phone.
Borderline Billiards
Borderline Billiards in Bristol, TN.
Mary and I went to Borderline Billiards for our first time on February 25th, 2012. What a cool place! It's owned by Janet Atwell, Oklahoma State Champion. We got to meet her and we also got to meet Shannon Daulton, another Professional Player.
Johnson City Civic Center, Senior Pool Room
Venues I've Played Pool at in Eastern Tennessee & Arkansas
Clinchfield Senior Center, Erwin, TN
Borderline Billiards, Bristol, TN
Pete's Billiards, Bristol, TN
Numan's Billiards, Johnson City, TN
Johnson City Civic Center, Johnson City, TN
Moose Lodge #1831, Johnson City, TN
Moose Lodge #939, Erwin, TN
Moose Lodge #692, Greeneville, TN
Moose Lodge #360, Elizabethton, TN
Unaka Billiard Room (my place), TN
Pop's Hideaway, Judsonia, AR
End Time Warriors' Billiard Hall, Judsonia, AR
VFW, Judsonia, AR
Borderline Billiards, Bristol, TN
Pete's Billiards, Bristol, TN
Numan's Billiards, Johnson City, TN
Johnson City Civic Center, Johnson City, TN
Moose Lodge #1831, Johnson City, TN
Moose Lodge #939, Erwin, TN
Moose Lodge #692, Greeneville, TN
Moose Lodge #360, Elizabethton, TN
Unaka Billiard Room (my place), TN
Pop's Hideaway, Judsonia, AR
End Time Warriors' Billiard Hall, Judsonia, AR
VFW, Judsonia, AR
I broke 100 balls!
When I lived at Orchard Heights in Jay, NY, I shot 59 balls and below quite a few times without missing a ball while playing 14.1 (straight pool). For one reason or another, I've never been able to get past that magic number until the other day.
On May 2nd, 2014, I shot 105 balls in a row while playing 14.1 and was very elated to have done so.
On May 7th, I shot 116 balls in a row while playing 14.1.
On May 10th, I shot 118 balls in a row while playing 14.1.
On May 16th, I shot 105 balls in a row while playing 14.1
I attribute my increase in ability to the hard work in practice both at home and at the Senior Center. I now have my own pool table. I also attribute the increase in balls potted to a DVD set I purchased some while back from a gentleman named Tor Lowry. He's a pool instructor and his DVDs are incredible. I also use the T.O.I. ("Touch Of Inside") method as promoted by professional pool player C. J. Wiley.
On May 2nd, 2014, I shot 105 balls in a row while playing 14.1 and was very elated to have done so.
On May 7th, I shot 116 balls in a row while playing 14.1.
On May 10th, I shot 118 balls in a row while playing 14.1.
On May 16th, I shot 105 balls in a row while playing 14.1
I attribute my increase in ability to the hard work in practice both at home and at the Senior Center. I now have my own pool table. I also attribute the increase in balls potted to a DVD set I purchased some while back from a gentleman named Tor Lowry. He's a pool instructor and his DVDs are incredible. I also use the T.O.I. ("Touch Of Inside") method as promoted by professional pool player C. J. Wiley.
"COUPLES"
Legal rack for "COUPLES".
I made this game up the other day and it is really a challenging game to play. It sure drives home the point about the importance of getting shape with the cue ball in preparation for the next shot.
I made this game up the other day and it is really a challenging game to play. It sure drives home the point about the importance of getting shape with the cue ball in preparation for the next shot.
OBJECT OF THE GAME “COUPLES”
Colored-pair 8-Ball (“COUPLES”) is played with a cue ball and fifteen object balls, numbered 1 through 15. Similarly colored balls 1-9, 2-10, 3-11, 4-12, 5-13, 6-14, and 7-15 are played in pairs. A player must pocket balls of paired colors (Couples).
After the Break, if no balls are pocketed, the incoming player chooses a similarly colored pair (couple) and notifies the opponent(s) of his choice, i.e., “Calls the Couple”. For example, the 1 and 9, or the 6 and 14, etc., and then attempts to pocket the selected pair in any order in a called pocket. After pocketing one of the colored pair, he must then pocket the other ball of the couple in a called pocket.
He then marks down one point for each ball and chooses another couple. He continues to shoot until he misses a called shot or until he fouls. If he fouls, the incoming player has Ball-In-Hand anywhere on the table to begin his inning.
A scratch on the Break results in Ball-In-Hand anywhere on the table for the incoming player. When a colored ball is made and the similarly colored pair ball is missed, the inning is over and the potted ball is returned to the foot spot.
The player who scores the highest points wins the game. In order to win, the 8 ball must be pocketed last and within the same inning as the final remaining colored pair. The 8-ball counts as two points. All other balls count as one point each. In the event of a tie score, a new game is played through to completion each time until a winner is declared.
If during the Break, the player pockets more than one ball, he must choose one of the colors potted on the Break allowing that one to remain pocketed and spot the remaining pocketed balls back on the table. He then shoots the remaining ball of the selected couple. If both balls of similar color are pocketed on the Break, the player then selects another couple to attempt to pocket and continues shooting until he misses or fouls.
If during play, a player pockets both similarly colored balls but scratches on the last ball, both colors are re-spotted on the table and the incoming player has Ball-In-Hand anywhere on the table. A scratch on the 8-Ball requires that the last couple and the 8-Ball are all re-spotted (8-Ball on the Head Spot) and the incoming player has Ball-In-Hand.
At anytime during a player’s inning, the 8-Ball may be struck first in order for a player to get shape. For example, if a player has just pocketed the 5-Ball and is hidden from the 13-Ball but can pocket the 8-Ball and get shape on the 13-Ball, he may first pocket the 8-Ball, and re-spot the 8-Ball before shooting the 13-Ball. The 8-Ball always spots on the Head Spot and all other balls spot on the Foot Spot. He must pocket the 8-Ball and immediately re-spot it in order to keep shooting. He may do this as often as he deems necessary to get shape on a colored ball.
Any ball that is pocketed as a part of a combination, carom, kick or bank off the 8-Ball is ruled a foul and any balls pocketed during the inning are re-spotted and the inning is over. Combinations, caroms, kicks and banks with couples are allowed.
Each player is allowed to call a "Random Call" once during the game as a shot during one of their innings. A "Random Call" allows the player to strike any ball first (except the 8-Ball) to pocket any color ball without calling the couple. This shot may be a combination, bank, kick or carom. Once the shot is executed and a color ball is pocketed, the "Random Call" is finished and the player must pocket the paired-color ball as per the regular game rules. (The game "Couples" is much more difficult if "Random Call" is not permitted, but those who are not real proficient at "getting shapes" will appreciate the relief this exception allows.)
The rack is specific to the game and must be racked as follows: (or as the picture of the rack shows above).
With the person racking standing at the foot spot, the apex ball is #1 and the ball to the right and rear of it is the #9. This row is completed by #3, #11, and #5. To the left of the apex ball #1 is followed by #2, #10, #4 and #12.
The 8-ball is in the center of the third row. The #14 is the second ball in the 4th row and the #7 is the 3rd ball in the 4th row.
The bottom row from left to right is: #12, #6, #15, #13, and #5
All other play is as the standard rules for 8-Ball.
NOTE: On June 4th, 2014, I broke the balls and ran the table, sinking the eight ball all in one inning without using a "Random Call". This is especially noteworthy since "Couples" is such a hard game to play.
Colored-pair 8-Ball (“COUPLES”) is played with a cue ball and fifteen object balls, numbered 1 through 15. Similarly colored balls 1-9, 2-10, 3-11, 4-12, 5-13, 6-14, and 7-15 are played in pairs. A player must pocket balls of paired colors (Couples).
After the Break, if no balls are pocketed, the incoming player chooses a similarly colored pair (couple) and notifies the opponent(s) of his choice, i.e., “Calls the Couple”. For example, the 1 and 9, or the 6 and 14, etc., and then attempts to pocket the selected pair in any order in a called pocket. After pocketing one of the colored pair, he must then pocket the other ball of the couple in a called pocket.
He then marks down one point for each ball and chooses another couple. He continues to shoot until he misses a called shot or until he fouls. If he fouls, the incoming player has Ball-In-Hand anywhere on the table to begin his inning.
A scratch on the Break results in Ball-In-Hand anywhere on the table for the incoming player. When a colored ball is made and the similarly colored pair ball is missed, the inning is over and the potted ball is returned to the foot spot.
The player who scores the highest points wins the game. In order to win, the 8 ball must be pocketed last and within the same inning as the final remaining colored pair. The 8-ball counts as two points. All other balls count as one point each. In the event of a tie score, a new game is played through to completion each time until a winner is declared.
If during the Break, the player pockets more than one ball, he must choose one of the colors potted on the Break allowing that one to remain pocketed and spot the remaining pocketed balls back on the table. He then shoots the remaining ball of the selected couple. If both balls of similar color are pocketed on the Break, the player then selects another couple to attempt to pocket and continues shooting until he misses or fouls.
If during play, a player pockets both similarly colored balls but scratches on the last ball, both colors are re-spotted on the table and the incoming player has Ball-In-Hand anywhere on the table. A scratch on the 8-Ball requires that the last couple and the 8-Ball are all re-spotted (8-Ball on the Head Spot) and the incoming player has Ball-In-Hand.
At anytime during a player’s inning, the 8-Ball may be struck first in order for a player to get shape. For example, if a player has just pocketed the 5-Ball and is hidden from the 13-Ball but can pocket the 8-Ball and get shape on the 13-Ball, he may first pocket the 8-Ball, and re-spot the 8-Ball before shooting the 13-Ball. The 8-Ball always spots on the Head Spot and all other balls spot on the Foot Spot. He must pocket the 8-Ball and immediately re-spot it in order to keep shooting. He may do this as often as he deems necessary to get shape on a colored ball.
Any ball that is pocketed as a part of a combination, carom, kick or bank off the 8-Ball is ruled a foul and any balls pocketed during the inning are re-spotted and the inning is over. Combinations, caroms, kicks and banks with couples are allowed.
Each player is allowed to call a "Random Call" once during the game as a shot during one of their innings. A "Random Call" allows the player to strike any ball first (except the 8-Ball) to pocket any color ball without calling the couple. This shot may be a combination, bank, kick or carom. Once the shot is executed and a color ball is pocketed, the "Random Call" is finished and the player must pocket the paired-color ball as per the regular game rules. (The game "Couples" is much more difficult if "Random Call" is not permitted, but those who are not real proficient at "getting shapes" will appreciate the relief this exception allows.)
The rack is specific to the game and must be racked as follows: (or as the picture of the rack shows above).
With the person racking standing at the foot spot, the apex ball is #1 and the ball to the right and rear of it is the #9. This row is completed by #3, #11, and #5. To the left of the apex ball #1 is followed by #2, #10, #4 and #12.
The 8-ball is in the center of the third row. The #14 is the second ball in the 4th row and the #7 is the 3rd ball in the 4th row.
The bottom row from left to right is: #12, #6, #15, #13, and #5
All other play is as the standard rules for 8-Ball.
NOTE: On June 4th, 2014, I broke the balls and ran the table, sinking the eight ball all in one inning without using a "Random Call". This is especially noteworthy since "Couples" is such a hard game to play.
Daily Practice Itinerary
Billiards Daily Practice
Each session
15-Ball Scatter and Run (3X) (a missed shot costs 2 balls; a foul costs 3 balls)
15-Ball Break and Run (3X) (a missed shot costs 2 balls; a foul costs 3 balls)
8-Ball Break and Run (3X)
3-Ball Rotation (1X)
4-Ball Rotation (1X)
5-Ball Rotation (1X)
6-Ball Rotation (1X)
Shots along the rail (15 balls)
Long straight shots (30 balls) (15 regular & 15 with CB against the end rail)
Draw and Forced Follow shots (15 balls each)
If time allows:
“Couples” 1 or 2 games using “Random Call”
Each session
15-Ball Scatter and Run (3X) (a missed shot costs 2 balls; a foul costs 3 balls)
15-Ball Break and Run (3X) (a missed shot costs 2 balls; a foul costs 3 balls)
8-Ball Break and Run (3X)
3-Ball Rotation (1X)
4-Ball Rotation (1X)
5-Ball Rotation (1X)
6-Ball Rotation (1X)
Shots along the rail (15 balls)
Long straight shots (30 balls) (15 regular & 15 with CB against the end rail)
Draw and Forced Follow shots (15 balls each)
If time allows:
“Couples” 1 or 2 games using “Random Call”
Understanding the English of a Cue Ball - An infographic by the team at PoolDawg Billiards Supplies