Ready... set... break!

April 28, 2008 5:26 PM

Rack 'em, then pocket them all asfastasyoucan. Now you're playing Speed Pool. Think you can beat the Ginger Wizard? Luc Salvas did.

Now let's do the exact opposite.

posted by not_on_display (7 comments total)

No post about this subject is complete without a reference to "Machine Gun" Lou Butera. (I couldn't find good speedy videos of his play, but there was one on one of the old "Virtual Pool" games.) Besides his speed at straight pool, he is known for being one of the game's more articulate spokesmen. For fans only, here's an interview.
posted by sappidus at 6:17 PM on April 28, 2008

OK, but in the first linked video he misses the first shot, and then it looks like he blazes away at anything in range, not following the order of the balls, AND he duffs a couple more shots. So while he is very good, it all kind of seems like it's just a good player who just did a massive line of coke or something.

And in the Luc Salvas video the first thing he does after the break is pot the white!!

I don't know - if this is going to be a proper crazy speed sport I want a bit more accuracy and accountability. You know, like drag racing.
posted by awfurby at 7:25 PM on April 28, 2008

As I was looking up the stuff (inspired by having caught some of this on espn2 a while ago), I was surprised to have found not much in the way of it being an across-the-board federated-type "sport." It seemed to me, though I don't know, that this is a fledgling offshoot. Like something some people made up for fun, and it had "caught on" somehow.

It may be for show, or for fun, but give it time, a few decades, and see what develops. Someone's gotta beat Ginger Wizard's records. (Could be you, who knows.) And it looks like a hell of a lot of fun--a way to break up the monotony of 8-ball, 9-ball, or cutthroat when you're out with friends. [shrugs]
posted by not_on_display at 9:41 PM on April 28, 2008

(sorry to shit in my own thread. I just wanted to say "Ginger Wizard!" again. that is all.)
posted by not_on_display at 9:43 PM on April 28, 2008

The Ginger... WIZAAAARRRRD!
[jazz hands] Ahhh cha cha cha.
posted by not_on_display at 10:26 PM on April 28, 2008

I see your Ginger Wizard and raise it one Ronnie the Rocket, who will always be the King of the baize. Admittedly snooker not pool, but same difference.

Yesterday Ronnie plays the perfect frame scoring a maximum 147 in 9 minutes, in competition. Wins $300'000.
posted by munchbunch at 6:56 AM on April 29, 2008

I've just remembered, transatlantic viewers may not be able to watch that link.. . shame really.
posted by munchbunch at 7:21 AM on April 29, 2008