My name is Scott Rohleder. I started playing pool in 1986 while in college – I was on the tennis team and a competitive bowler as well, and used to spend a fair amount of time in the recreation center bowling, playing table tennis, video games, etc. One day a friend of a friend stopped down to play pool and lured me over – he had his own cue, I thought he was very good, and he showed me some basics. As luck would have it, a few weeks later The Color of Money came out, and I saw this guy again and he was demonstrating some shots from the movie and we played some more. He even loaned me a cue so I would have something nicer to practice with than the beat up house cues. Then I saw the movie and was hooked. I started playing 6 – 8 hours or more a day - often in lieu of classes - and the rest is history.
Being a very analytical person by nature, I have studied the game quite a bit. I have read everything I could get my hands on about pool. There wasn’t much available when I started, and no internet to speak of. I learned how to play from Ray Martin’s 99 Critical Shots and Robert Byrne’s excellent series of books, with a dash of some others thrown in. I accumulated a library of over 75 books, years and years of magazine articles, and countless hours of matches on VHS and DVD. I talked to people and tried to hang out with better players whenever possible. I reached a pretty proficient level after 15 years or so – and then quit for 6 - 7 years due to job travel and other commitments.
I started playing again in 2008, slowly at first and then as frustration set in more and more until I was back into it full time again and playing 2 leagues a week and occasional tournaments. By the end of the following year I was still frustrated that my game didn't feel like it used to and was inconsistent, and that coupled with a demanding work project led me to quit for another year or so. Then of course I found myself in a pool room once again, and the whole process started over!
So I've been at it again and I feel like I'm playing better than ever. Went through a long period of change - messing with my PSR (preshot routine), stance, equipment, incorporating an aiming system (SEE), etc. - and finally feel like I came out of that long process a better player. I'm pretty settled in with everything I'm doing now, just need more competition to up the level of confidence a bit. But even with my limited tourney schedule (usually just a few each year), I've been doing pretty well and attended my first pro tourney in quite some time and cashed which was certainly unexpected. Hopefully I'll be able to focus even more in the coming years on tournaments and further broadening my experience.
My rebirth into pool has been addicting, frustrating, and exciting all at the same time. I enjoy teaching and am giving lessons frequently with quite a few regular students. I look forward to sharing what I've learned over the years in an effort to help others with their own learning and playing experience. Enjoy the game and play well!
High Runs (in competition):
8 Ball - 5 racks
9 Ball - 6 racks
10 Ball - 3 racks
Straight Pool - 77 (I think I can definitely hit 100 someday, even if only in practice, but I rarely play)
3 Cushion - Avg .65, High Run 11
Being a very analytical person by nature, I have studied the game quite a bit. I have read everything I could get my hands on about pool. There wasn’t much available when I started, and no internet to speak of. I learned how to play from Ray Martin’s 99 Critical Shots and Robert Byrne’s excellent series of books, with a dash of some others thrown in. I accumulated a library of over 75 books, years and years of magazine articles, and countless hours of matches on VHS and DVD. I talked to people and tried to hang out with better players whenever possible. I reached a pretty proficient level after 15 years or so – and then quit for 6 - 7 years due to job travel and other commitments.
I started playing again in 2008, slowly at first and then as frustration set in more and more until I was back into it full time again and playing 2 leagues a week and occasional tournaments. By the end of the following year I was still frustrated that my game didn't feel like it used to and was inconsistent, and that coupled with a demanding work project led me to quit for another year or so. Then of course I found myself in a pool room once again, and the whole process started over!
So I've been at it again and I feel like I'm playing better than ever. Went through a long period of change - messing with my PSR (preshot routine), stance, equipment, incorporating an aiming system (SEE), etc. - and finally feel like I came out of that long process a better player. I'm pretty settled in with everything I'm doing now, just need more competition to up the level of confidence a bit. But even with my limited tourney schedule (usually just a few each year), I've been doing pretty well and attended my first pro tourney in quite some time and cashed which was certainly unexpected. Hopefully I'll be able to focus even more in the coming years on tournaments and further broadening my experience.
My rebirth into pool has been addicting, frustrating, and exciting all at the same time. I enjoy teaching and am giving lessons frequently with quite a few regular students. I look forward to sharing what I've learned over the years in an effort to help others with their own learning and playing experience. Enjoy the game and play well!
High Runs (in competition):
8 Ball - 5 racks
9 Ball - 6 racks
10 Ball - 3 racks
Straight Pool - 77 (I think I can definitely hit 100 someday, even if only in practice, but I rarely play)
3 Cushion - Avg .65, High Run 11