So much pool. So little time.
Since I’ve been on the road (Feb 18th, this most recent trip), I’ve been playing a LOT of pool. And, most of it has been really great. I’m really starting to enjoy the game again. I have new found love and inspiration for it. I also have a few new toys in my case (foresight for future post). As we learned from the Slump Therapy article, sometimes a new pool stick could be just what we need to bounce back from a slump.
So, after a disappointing one-out-of-the-money finish at the RTC, I switched gears to bar table 8-ball for the BCA Midwest 8-Ball Championships. The scotch doubles actually began on Thursday. Mike and I won a couple rounds in scotch before getting rolled over by this team that we had to spot a game to and then losing a close match to a couple nice kids that we had to spot two games to. That’s tough action.
At hill-hill (4-2, with the handicap), this was the final layout. I played a decent safety, but clearly it wasn’t good enough. Our 6 ball didn’t go and I was so happy I blocked the pocket with the 2 ball just like I was trying. He banked in the 9 ball and got perfect on the 15. What can you do?
On Friday, I finished third in the Masters singles after losing a grueling match where I was completely unfocused and wished I could take back. My next loss to Debbie Johnson, she completely deserved. I couldn’t do anything right. I didn’t miss many shots, but she didn’t give me many chances and completely dominated the match. She ended up winning it again this year. Nice work, Deb!
On Saturday, Mike’s team finished third in the Masters team event. They collectively played great and it was very inspiring for me.
On Sunday, we played pool at four different places in one day.
- Mike’s house
- Two Stooges (formerly Billiard Street Cafe, formerly University Billiards)
- Shooters Billiard Club
- Minneapolis Billiard Club (the only place in town to play 3-cushion)
That’s a record, even for me.
I’ve even been matchin’ up a bit since I’ve been out here. Don’t worry. I haven’t become a degenerate gambler or anything. I’m still not a fan of the haggling and negotiation, nor do I like all the back and forth and splitting sets, but here is what I’ve enjoyed most about it:
- Most of the time, better players can’t give you their best game unless something is on the line. Fine. A $20 set won’t kill me but if it will give them a little more incentive to play harder then fine.
- I’m able to gauge my own progress based on my performance against them. I broke even playing a guy straight up this year. Last year, I was getting 2 games going to 7. SWEET!
- I’m learning to excel as the underdog.
- I’m learning to play with a large crowd watching.
On Thursday, I return home for a couple weeks before leaving for Valley Forge. I’ve decided this year that I am only going to help Chris with the booth and be at the event as a player first. Ahhhh…. The good ol’ days. I will not be doing any interviews or writing (maybe here, but not for anyone else). I will be a player first and foremost.
I leave you with theVegas and Seattle trip photos for now:
National Championship Series 8-Ball
February 13-15 (and more)
Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas, NV
29 Photos
Regional Tour Championships
February 21-22, 2009
The Parlor Billiards & Spirits in Bellevue, WA
82 Photos
More can be found here.
The diagram seems to indicate the 8 ball won’t go into the left bottom corner for the opponents, even with the help of contact throw. If that is the case, then one of the teams will need to do a break out. Your team may have the advantage because you can put one of your spare balls near that pocket and/or cluster to break it out later when the ball is made into the pocket.
If the opponents can make the 8 into the left bottom corner without hitting the 6 first, then I see 2 possible plans. You could bank the 3 ball and block the lower left pocket of the 8 (or at least add to the cluster). But, on a 7 foot table, you might worry about the cue ball scratch in the upper right. An aggressive play (which I would very likely do on a bar table) is to use the cut on the 3 ball (to upper right pocket) to have the cue ball breakout the 8/6 cluster. It is optional whether you take the 2 first (and float over for an easier cut on the 3), or take the 3 first so you have the 2 ball as your “safety” ball in case your break out leaves you bad on the 6 ball.
If the 8 “goes”, I can see why you took the tough shot you did to keep them from running out. I am not sure I could have done it as well as you did. I know I would be sweating it. I wouldn’t have seen your shot, and would have probably done the plan to use the 3 in the UR to break the cluster.
Good eye, Bob! Very observant of you. In fact, the 8 ball did go, narrowly. They definitely had the advantage in that rack.
Hope to play some 8-ball with you someday!
A new cue… Hmmm. Interesting.
I thought I heard your old cue singing “you lost that lovin feeling”.
I’m axious to see the new hardware.
Catch you at the next clinic!!