On Sunday afternoon, Mike and I played in the open 9-ball tourney at Table Steaks South with the big kids. This, along with Thursday night are the two toughest tournaments in the state. Anyone who is anyone or anyone that’s traveling through town plays in one or both of these. I try to catch them when I can, whenever I’m in town. They are super intimidating tough but I feel fortunate that we have such an open tournament in town.

It’s big table 9-ball, $22 entry, race-to-5. Mike was quite impressed with the fact that of the 16 players, there were three women. Yep, that’s how we roll. Not to mention, two of the three of us even cashed. Proudly, I was one of them.

We almost didn’t make it to the tournament. I hadn’t hit a ball since Wednesday night and since we were leaving the house so late, I felt like it would be a “waste of money” to jump into a $22 tournament without having enough time to warm up. In an effort to teach me something and to prove a point, Mike insisted that we still play and that I learn to “deal with” these conditions.

Oddly, we arrived, I grabbed a table, I threw out the 9 balls and with ball in hand, I ran the first rack. Sure, that doesn’t sound like a big deal and it really shouldn’t be but I’m usually a slow starter. I’ve also always been one of those players that needs an hour or so to warm up and needs to play nearly everyday to stay in stroke.

I’m aware that once you get to a certain level, you’ve paid your dues and put in your time and you don’t require as much ‘maintenance’ as you might when you’re still learning. You just need to jump on a table and check out the speed and how it plays. Well, I’ve never considered myself one of those players. I mean, I can get away with not warming up to play on a bar table, but definitely not for big table 9-ball with double-shimmed pockets.

Have I become one of these players? That remains to be seen. The bottom line is that I won three matches and then a fourth for the fifth place cash. Sweet! For having not played in four days, my stroke felt amazingly great and I can’t wait to play some more, maybe some straight pool???

Of course, on the way home, I had to answer Mike’s inevitable question, “See? Aren’t you glad I made you play tonight?” Yes, I was.

We’re heading back to MN on Wednesday where we’ll be hitting a few tournaments this month. I’m VERY excited to try out my new toy [stroke] some more.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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