[bmdavi3]

Fellow aficionado checking in! Thanks for the link, let me also throw in a super recent one from 2014 of Ralf Souquet running 178.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPFqNhRk70Q

I also enjoy watching competitive 9 ball, where if you aren't running the table, you're putting your opponent into a ridiculous safety, and then there's usually an amazing shot to escape, etc. until one side gives the other an opportunity and they likely run the table, which is also impressive. But then again, I'm just getting into straight pool, and I really enjoyed watching the above video. So straight pool's growing on me too.

For watching any kind of pool, I think it helps to play a bit to get a perspective for just how difficult some of the shots are, but also to be able to picture the thought process the player is going through. There are shots a player might be able to make 75% of the time, but if they miss that shot it's over, so they'll play safe, or choose a lower percentage shot that has a built in safety, and you can usually pick up what they're trying to do next. Or they come out of nowhere with a shot neither you nor the commentators saw coming and nail it, to which the commentators will say something like "well, I guess that's why Shane is the #1 ranked player in the world and we're not!"

[mrbrandonking]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I'll go ahead and throw these out there, too, so everybody can see comparable "masterpieces" in other billiard games...

Ronnie O'Sullivan with a 147-break at snooker...

http://youtu.be/bpeBugHSCnU

Torbjörn Blomdahl with runs of 20, 13 and 9 at 3-Cushion Billiards (a billiards variant not discussed thus far)...

http://youtu.be/FcC5vNMyXg0

I would say that a 147-break at snooker and a 20-run at 3-cushion are roughly comparable achievements to a 150-and-out at straight pool.

But there's probably never been a player who could achieve such high levels at all three variants - they actually require quite different skill-sets. Snooker players rarely use sidespin ("English") on the cueball while 3-cushion players use extreme amounts of top, bottom and sidespin that you'll never see in pool.

I've always wished there was an all-around competition to determine the best at all three games. My guess is that the all-around best would probably be a relative unknown instead of the current World Champion from any one of the three.

[makeset]

Now there's the true casualty of the barbox. 3-cushion is practically extinct here in the US. You can still play straight pool if you want to, but good luck finding a pocketless table anywhere, outside of a Korean or Columbian neighborhood. It's a crying shame for such a creative and elegant game.

I've been trying to play, but there are literally zero tables in all of Manhattan where I live.

[mrbrandonking]

Sang Lee (Korean-American 3-cushion legend) opened a world-class billiards facility in Flushing, NY, called Carom Cafe. Heated billiard tables, the works. Sang Lee has since passed-away, but I just checked and the place is still open. Probably worth the trip!

They also host an annual memorial tournament where the world's best come to play. Raymond Ceulemans was guest of honor last year.

Twenty years ago, the only room in Arkansas with real billiard tables was a local place that catered to Vietnamese immigrants. I walked-in one day, cue in-hand, and was immediately halted by the owner who told me (in unfriendly terms) that they didn't offer 8-ball or 9-ball. I assured him that, despite my appearance, I knew how to play and won-over some new friends that day.

I've often wondered how many good ol' boys wandered into that place, found a bunch of pool tables without any pockets! and then went away, shaking their heads in bewilderment at the sight.

[clairity]

those are some great runs. 3-cushion is so challenging but taught me much about banks and ball control. highly recommended, would shop again!