A full seven solid days of studying my new shaft and I’m FINALLY beginning to execute (most) shots the way I’m intending under pressure.
I’m proud to report that I finished third last night in the 10 Ball Tournament at Table Steaks South. This used to be the $20 entry Big Table 8 Ball Tournament but they just changed it to 10 Ball. Honestly, it was the first 10 Ball tournament I’d ever played in. Amazing how just throwing in that one extra ball adds a whole ‘nother level of complexity to this game. Okay, maybe not that much but it does change the break and the spread for sure!
I arrived around 5:30p.m. and warmed up by myself, then with some new guy from NY called Tommy. It was scary. My first few racks were brutal. I didn’t feel uncomfortable or anything but I just couldn’t make a ball from anywhere. I’d been goin’ easy on myself and playing on friendlier equipment so I wouldn’t get too frustrated with the new shaft. These were definitely the most humbling tables I’d played on in weeks.
Then, finally, without even consciously fixing anything, something just clicked and everything just came together. I don’t know how long I warmed up with Tommy for before the tournament but he wasn’t breaking often and I wasn’t giving him many chances. I was shooting solidly and somewhat consistently.
Big Table 10 Ball. Race to 4. $20 entry. Alternate breaks.
I won my first two matches, making very few mistakes and taking advantage of my opponents’ errors. I felt great and really enjoyed what I was doing.
Unfortunately, I wish I could say I kept it up through the finals. I had a long break and after splitting the Mahi Mahi with Bob, I completely ran out of steam. I lost to Bob for the driver’s seat and then to Tommy to finish third. I missed more shots in those last two matches than I had all night. It was disappointing, but I feel okay about how I played overall. I had some heavy things on my brain and it took a hiccup in the flow to veer my train off course.
$20 entry. $30 payout for third. $20 dinner tab. Bob gave me $5 after he won. Well spent $5 for a great night of practice.
Final Thoughts ~
Good news: Overall, played better than I was hoping for.
Bad news: Forgot to stretch afterwards… ugh…
