tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126900092024-03-07T19:14:46.958-08:00Diary of a Pool ShooterThe Adventures of FastMikie in Search of Truth and Beauty in the Art of pocket billiards.Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.comBlogger722125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-30634980638995777472023-05-24T15:07:00.011-07:002023-05-24T22:48:29.892-07:00Fresh
Fresh cloth (Tournament blue Simonis 860)Fresh rubber (J&J)Fresh setup/leveling (Brian)Fresh balls (Aramith TV)Fresh stick tip (Abram)Fresh lights (X-10 remote control dimmable switch by Steve)Fresh Philosophy: Instead of seeing pool as a social event or a competition event, as before, there is a changed awareness of time on the table to be a Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-88797772323675130032021-11-04T08:53:00.003-07:002021-11-04T08:53:31.797-07:00Automatic Pool Cue
I have been away from the game for a while, so I guess that, from the perspective of the world of pool, I've been living under a rock, so I'm the 18 millionth person to see this wonder of intelligence over the real world. Enjoy!
Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-5052703897564073822020-09-01T13:39:00.004-07:002023-05-24T19:11:51.074-07:00Hard Times is Gone
Over 30 years of glorious billiard history has come to an end. Hard Times Billiards was southern California's hardcore pool players headquarters. No other pool-hall came close to the history and true pure love of billiards. They had no alcohol, no fancy sports TVs. What did they have? They had hardcore tables. Snooker tables, Heated Carom Tables, and 25 tough gold-crown 9-foot tables,Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-47755768048305609132020-08-26T18:21:00.002-07:002020-08-26T18:39:41.879-07:00INVINCIBLE, the Kindle book
INVINCIBLE
now available
on Kindle books (Amazon)
Click Here
Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-14916098720406936672019-11-06T22:04:00.004-08:002023-05-24T18:26:29.753-07:00My First Pool Table Now BFF's
When I moved from Philly to Chicago in 1974, one of the first things I did was buy a beat up old pool table, had it refreshed, and installed in the new family home. I loved that table. Every day after work I'd shoot a few racks to unwind.
That lasted only a couple of years until I just couldn't handle the Chicago weather and moved to San Diego. (Best move I ever madeMichael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-25160374977796012502019-04-17T13:30:00.000-07:002019-04-17T13:30:32.390-07:00Efren Reyes - some seriously super shots
(top)Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-2885617989813767502019-03-09T10:58:00.003-08:002023-05-24T18:24:48.953-07:00Pool Table Comes To Del Mar
In the fullness of time, a pool table has finally appeared in the village of Del Mar, where I live. This has never happened before, at least in the last 40 years! I took this photo through the front window; they were closed at the time.
The location is the new Debonair Barber Shop, 1202 Camino Del Mar. Ask for Lauren for a great cut. The table is "challenging" due to the absence of Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-843682801974627342019-01-22T13:50:00.004-08:002019-01-22T13:52:17.524-08:00MLK Day - Martin Luther King, Jr. shoots pool
I'd like to hear stories about how MLK got into the game...
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Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-11416468579809348812017-11-02T16:40:00.001-07:002023-05-24T18:14:07.693-07:00Shoreline Billiards is GONE!
In a recent 13 day road trip I found myself in Mountain View, California to visit the Computer History Museum (geek heaven, right?) and figured I stop by Shoreline Billiards to move a few racks around.
I Googled Shoreline Billiards to get the address for my GPS, and... OMG, WTF? Shoreline Billiards is gone. It has ceased to be! This is very troubling because it is/was the scene of Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-49611766123572557412016-12-15T20:07:00.001-08:002023-05-24T18:20:53.370-07:00The Jerry Scott Rambow Cue
Jerry Scott is a long time subscriber to this blog, and recently sent me a few photos of the cue that legendary cue maker Herman Rambow built for him 54 years ago in 1962... for only 47 bucks! I can't imagine what that beauty is worth today. But playing with that great cue is priceless.
This is the first time I've even seen photos of the great cue maker's work, so I asked Jerry if I Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-62278504167468076422016-12-13T13:34:00.003-08:002023-05-24T18:18:48.459-07:00My semi-private pool room just got lots better
I'm totally loving the 3 new 9' Diamond pro tables where I occasionally shoot pool. They replace a mismatched set of beat up tables that weren't regulation size... but I managed to win on them anyway (when my game was stronger). These tables were just installed last week and are the gift of several of the players and a little donation from the county. I stopped by to check out the Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-23860447076780063342016-06-09T18:58:00.002-07:002023-05-24T18:15:43.450-07:00Another one bites the dust
Every once in a while I take a couple of hours away from Global Domination to shoot some pool at the local pool hall.
In this case, it's not that local. About 20 miles away, but that's the closest. And now it's not. Not not closest, just not, as in that it has ceased to be. WTF? That's kind of rude, actually, not even an email, no notice whatsoever!
But I guess anybody Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-47131451795519525952016-04-21T12:29:00.000-07:002016-04-21T12:29:41.515-07:00Among the best...
It's hard to be humble when you're me,
but I work at it every day,
and every so often somebody notices!
:)
Diary of a Pool Shooter has been featured in the Best Billiard Blog Awards:
www.affordablebilliards.com.au/awards/best-billiard-blog-awards/
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Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-29457042244272315972016-04-09T11:39:00.000-07:002016-04-09T11:51:18.736-07:00Practice: Shane does Billiard University Exams
Practice: Shane does Billiard University Exams
Billiard University has devised Playing Ability Exams and world champion player Shane Van Boening gave it a go. Check these two videos of the exams, and try it on your own:
Fundamentals:
Advanced:
More info at BilliardUniversity.org
Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-41809130321653567362016-04-03T10:49:00.001-07:002016-12-13T13:52:41.721-08:00PracticeMichael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-48128965961471115232014-10-15T00:05:00.000-07:002014-10-15T07:35:01.528-07:00Dark Times
Today should be sad, but it passed without emotion, probably because I wasn't there when it happened. My pool table, for two years on loan to a tech client's company, was disassembled and the pieces wrapped and stored. For how long is anyone's guess, but it will cost a hundred bucks a month to keep it safe while it hibernates. Hope is strong that it will soon again see good play, and Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-15118644266722835012014-08-10T19:00:00.000-07:002014-08-10T19:00:01.291-07:00No Matter How Small, by Tina Hou
This is such a worthy project by good friend and fellow pool shooter Tina Hou. Meet her and learn more about her very fun children's book about learning to shoot pool. Then sign up to support her project, and tell your friends!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/83460758/no-matter-how-small
Please Share With Your Friends
only 6 days left
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Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-10813756702028214272013-12-10T17:37:00.002-08:002013-12-10T17:46:29.304-08:00Earl Stickland
Earl gets a lot of flack for some of his actions, but when he and I were shooting here at the Fun House (along with Johnny Archer), he was a real gentleman. This video tribute to Earl's career is excellent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Namjr1Rkxwo
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Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-70246646466764569872013-11-24T12:44:00.003-08:002013-11-24T12:44:58.961-08:00Life after pool
Just outside that pool room door there is another world of fresh air and sunshine and healthy living! Here is my latest attempt to enjoy it all: This is the Pedego Trail Tracker, an ELECTRIC bike, so you only pedal when you want to. I really like taking my bike for rides, as long as the rides are level, or down hill, but when the going gets tough, I turn on the Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-79184021196527315392013-06-28T10:24:00.002-07:002013-06-28T10:24:46.339-07:008-ball on the Silver Screen
While we are on the subject of pool in TV and movies, this new blog comes to my attention featuring all the great stuff we may already know about and some that we most certainly haven't seen yet.
Check out 8-ball on the Silver Screen by Jason Moss. I really enjoyed the movie clips and hope you do too...
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Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-22383470785044321292013-06-06T18:08:00.000-07:002013-06-06T18:10:46.388-07:00Twilight Zone: A Game of PoolOn October 13, 1961, this episode of The Twilight Zone was aired, only a few weeks after The Hustler premiered on September 25, 1961.
A pool player challenges the dead champion to a game, the bet is life or death. He wins, but when he dies, he now has to be challenged for eternity.Starring:
Jack Klugman
Jonathan Winters
Enjoy!
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Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-71594708729877421852013-05-01T07:41:00.001-07:002013-05-01T09:53:46.252-07:00Don't mess around with Jim!
On the occasion of my little brother Jimmy's birthday, here's some pool-shooting music by another Jim (Croce). Enjoy!
Uptown got it's hustlers The bowery got it's bums 42nd Street got Big Jim Walker He's a pool-shootin' son of a gun Yeah, he big and dumb as a man can come But he stronger than a country hoss And when the bad folks all get together at night You know they all call big Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-85422421821223286742013-04-24T15:13:00.002-07:002013-04-24T15:13:38.102-07:00Repost: Johnny Archer teaches me the 9-ball break
I just noticed that this video clip I put up on YouTube just passed 100,000 views! It's only 80 seconds long, but Johnny Archer is a great teacher. This is a trip down memory lane for me, and hopefully you'll enjoy it (again?) as well:
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Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-50821455473840577862013-04-05T10:07:00.002-07:002013-05-01T09:58:47.144-07:0021 Better Than Worst: A true short story about Life, Death, Pool, Girls, and Cars
I recently found this 3 year old facebook post and because it was all about pool, life, death, girls and cars, so I figured that readers of this blog would find at least one thing of interest in it:
I am writing my will.It has been 17 years since my last will was written,and duly recorded according to the laws of our land,so that my heirs are properly protected,and my stuff is Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12690009.post-86118283884319849512013-02-21T19:29:00.001-08:002013-02-22T10:22:12.125-08:00The Table's New Home
My treasured Gold Crown IV is now enjoying life at a young and energetic tech company here in San Diego (Web Shop Manager, e-commerce websites), providing lots of fun breaks from the challenges of a fast-growing company. Below is the nice Thank You card that arrived in today's mail:
Notice that I am *lending* it to them. The reason is that it was a gift to me, Michael McCaffertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06551762165327568554noreply@blogger.com9