Fish Attack

I didn't survive the onslaught of Mike the Fish!I think we played 3 or 4 sets,and the Fish won them all convincingly!I'm pretty sure the closest I got was 9-5.I played horrible!I could do no right,and I got every bad roll there was!Not to make excuses but that's how it went.

I recently hurt my back really bad,and have been having a hard time getting down on the ball.Normally playing pool with a bad back would not be thought of as a good move,but it seemed to help loosen up my spine.My injury is not muscular I think I slipped a disk,because when I did it,I felt something like bone on bone.Playing seemed to help,but I'm pretty sure I'm not getting down on the shot like I normally would.That could be a little of whats going on with my game for yesterday.No excuses in pool though,I just played bad.

I also played a race to 9 with Big Al and did not fair well either.I really like both of these guys games!Mike had asked me what I thought the game would be between them,and I said it would be even,well they matched up the other day.Mike said they played 6 sets and split,so there you have it.If I was asked where I thought there was any advantage it would be the break.Big Al has a slight advantage there,but not much,Mike The Fish doesn't give up much though.

I started a set,race to 7 with Jose' The Hosser,but had to leave in the middle.We left it at 4-4 and I'm breaking.I gave away 2 or 3 games in this set,and I cant afford to give away any more.

League Night

So last night was league night,and it was not a good night for me to play.I wrecked my back the other morning putting on my pants.Yeah,yeah laugh out loud.But really I was in so much pain,I didn't think I would be able to play.Big Scott and I got to the pool hall at 12:00pm,and when I first went to get over my shot it hurt so bad I didn't think I could do it again.But after a few games it became easier and easier.Then I found the magic cure,beer yup the elixir from the Gods!I took 2 Aleave's and slammed a Bud Ice tallboy,and by the time I got back to Diamond Jim's I was good to go!I don't like to take meds that are just masking agents it makes it to easy to put yourself in a vulnerable position,and create more damage.But I really think the beer was the one that did the trick,it relaxed me,and I think that's what my back needed.

I was the first to go last night,and I shouldn't have been.Nira put me up against a 4 that she should have played,and I should have played the second match against Lyle who recently dropped his handicap to a 4.Well it didn't work out the way we would have liked.Nira lost her match,after I had won my match.My match was pretty tough but Lyle was a little tougher.We did the best we could in our matches,Nira almost got the win!Next up was Big Scott,I think he played a 7.Big Scott did not play good at all,and lost his match.Next up was Matt also a newly ranked 7,he got off to a rough start but found a little stroke and came from behind to nail a win!I hope we can keep Matt a 7,because we really don't need an 8.I would love to see our team have lower handicaps with higher capability's.

Not Expected

I should have a lot to write about,since I have not posted any of whats gone on in the last 5-6 days.A lot has happened but I'm not sure I remember it all.I'll give it my best shot for you guys though.

This did not happen in order,it's just how I remember it.

I've played a ton in the last week,I was trying to get it in before starting a construction job that is going to consume all of my time for the next few weeks.The only reason I can even write this is,I hurt my back today,in the early morning I yanked something out of line,like a disc,it hurts really bad.

I'm going to start with my play as that's what I remember best.
I have had a significant improvement happen to my game!Not only have I noticed but other players have seen it too.But I'm not the only one in the pool hall to improve,Big Scott is right there with me,the other day we played for a few sets,and we pretty much went rack for rack of run outs.I hit him with a 2 pack and he hit right back with almost a 2 pack,that ALMOST was probably the set decider.I'm happy Big Scott and I are showing signs of improvement we have both put in a lot of work.
My game jumped the other day like a least a ball!That's a rather large jump,I didn't expect it to last for more than a day,but it did.I had what I hope was just a minor set back vs Chino yesterday.He beat me every set we played and the closest I got was I think 7-9.I'm calling it a minor set back because,Toby Sweet asked me a few questions that I answered,and as I answered,I was immediately enlightened to what had changed from that day to this day.It's a very simple fix,and I expect to be right back there again.Toby also gave me a flattering statement about my game,when he said "I have great mechanics".I was just as surprised as I was happy to hear that.My game is taking it's time,but it's coming!Good things come to those who wait.
I still have a few people on my list to beat.I played with Giant Jerry the other day,but we had to stop short in the second set and call it a game.I don't think he was playing all that good.I got him the first,and we stopped the 2nd set as a race to 5,in which he got me.

Toby Sweet almost had some good action,He was supposed to play Mike Wong.But they had some pre match drama,and could not agree on a game!This kid Wong was a real tool,you could tell he always got his way as a kid,because of the way he talked to Toby.He said he wanted to have to grind for the wins,and wanted to play sets.Toby wanted the REAL grind,he wanted to play by the game,and guarantee 8 hours of play per day!Now that's what I call a grind!Wong wanted rack your own ball,Toby wasn't falling for that trick either.Toby even offered to pay for a hotel for him.It's probably for the best that they didn't play,word is Wong will drive you nuts with how slow he plays,and I heard that from more than one player!So it was no action for Toby.
Toby did get a good game the other day from a truly unsuspecting,supposedly world champion in your own mind kinda guy.This guy come into Diamond Jim's,and just starts asking people for a game,so Jersey Ken points him in Toby's direction.This guy was another tool,and he had a travel pose' with him.So they agree to a game of Chicago.Now everybody in the room knows who Toby is except this guy.It was like watching a hustling movie.Toby beat this guy like 42 ways out of 50!

Talisman Hard Tip Review

I'm gonna try and give you a fair evaluation of the Talisman Water Buffalo Hard.

This is a hard hitting tip,and I like hard tips for a few reasons;
1. They last longer
2. They hold shape better
3. They sound better
4. They feel better
The only draw backs for a hard tip that I can think of is;
1. They don't hold chalk
2. They miscue easier
3. They don't grab the cue ball as well as say a medium tip
4. Some people may feel they get less feed back from the cue

That's all I can think of right now but if anyone has any other advantages or disadvantages please respond!

This tip has lasted about 6 weeks now which is a long time for me ,and still has about a week or 2 left in it.I'm very abusive with the chalk,and really grind them down to nothing just by chalking!

The cue is a Pete Omen
The shaft is a Predator 314 small cat

This is a great tip!By far the best laminated tip I've ever used!

This tip plays slightly harder than the hardest Triangle,but grabs the CB nicely.It holds a ton of chalk,gives great feedback,sounds good and solid.It doesn't grab as well as the Talisman WB medium,but it grabs well.The medium grabs maybe a little to much for my stroke.Miscues with this tip have only occurred a few times and only recently,the tip has maybe 1 good nickle left in it.When I installed this tip I had it shaped to a dime radius,and it flattened to a nickle,and never moved again!

I can highly recommend this tip for any player that likes a hard hitting tip!In fact this tip is the only tip that I can say plays better than the best Triangle!That's a bold statement,I've been playing hard Triangles for my whole career. But this Talisman Water Buffalo Hard wins that match up with a few things;
1. Holds shape better
2. Miscues less often
3. More consistent feel through out it's life span
4. Grabs the CB better

This tip is my new tip of choice!I'll be installing a new one shortly,and have all the confidence in the world that a new one will play the same.Talisman makes some bold statements on their web site,which I was skeptical of,but the tips do what the web site says!I'm totally impressed with this tip. It's the first tip for me that has now replaced hard Triangles as my tip of choice!

I Got Him Too

Yesterday was a tough day of play for me.Mikey Fish called me up the night before and set a match up,his usual Straight Pool game fell thru,so I guess I was the first person on his hit list.If that's the case then I'm flattered,I don't think it would be from my quality of play,I'm more inclined to believe he just likes to beat me up!Well the beatings continued yesterday,we played all day,and into the night for a few hours.

So I think this is how it went.We played 7 or 8 sets race to 9.Fish beat me up for I think the first 5 sets!I know it sounds bad ,but The Fish plays better than me!I'm not supposed to win,but I got him!Yes I did,I got him for 2 sets,if I remember correctly.That's a big thing for me,there are a few guys in here that I really need to get,for my confidence,and The Fish is one of them!

I know I can play with these guys,and be a favorite.My game is just coming back,I wish I was a natural at this game,but I always had to work hard for my game.I'm putting in the mileage with my game,and it's just starting to show!

I Got One of Them

Wow today was a quick day.I went to Diamond Jim's and played Big Al.It went so fast I really did not feel like I played!We only got three sets in,and I'm happy to report one of them went my way in a big way! I finally got him in the first set,9-3.The second set went hill/hill and I missed an 8 ball and gave the set away.The third set went his way also.I'm starting to have and play with confidence.This is great news for me,I've been playing with no confidence for weeks now,and I hope it's finally over.I really don't see why it wouldn't be over.

17 Hours of Action

I could probably write about 3 pages,with all that took place at Diamond Jim's yesterday!There was ACTION all day and all night,I know because I got there at 12:00 pm and left at 5:00am,that's a long day of pool and I never left the table!

I love Saturday's at Diamond Jim's the place is really alive,every table is lit,and characters come and go through out the day and night.

I'm not going to be capable of giving you the specifics of every match,I really don't remember it all,I don't even remember all of my own action.

We started off the day with three featured matches;
Table 1 Toby Sweet vs Chino
Table 2 Jose' "The Hoser" vs Ronnie "The Lock"
Table 3 Big Al vs "Stretch"

Out of respect and for the sake of privacy,all I'll ever say about players gambling is that they are in action.

Toby Sweet vs Chino; Now this was a special match!To have someone of Toby's caliber playing next too you is a treat!Arguably the best money player to play the game,I think Chino is a little out gunned.I really did not get a chance to sweat that match,as I was involved in my own war.I can say that I did see Toby breaking a lot.I also noticed that Toby is rarely shooting anything over 2 feet,and he's on the correct side of the ball every time! I wish I could have really watched this match,you could learn a lot.I am a little happy with myself for not watching,because that meant I kept my head on my game.

The Hoser vs The Lock; Now this is Ronnie The Lock's first appearance in my blog so lets talk a little about his game.I wish I could really tell you how The Lock plays but I don't have a ton of time watching him.One of the things I do know about his game is,it's dam good!And everyone tells me he has the simplest game in the room.But when your never out of line it always looks simple,and that's my take on his game!
Needless to say I believe Hoser was just out gunned also.I think the Hoser did pretty good against The Lock,I think they were playing even up,and I know at least one set went hill/hill.They played for four sets with the Lock winning all four!But to The Hoser's credit,if you can go hill/hill with The lock,for even just one set,you should be pretty happy!

Big Al vs Stretch; You would think I would know everything about this match up,since I played in it,but I don't!What I can tell you is,it was very competitive! I managed to go 7-9 2-9 7-9 and we played at least 2 more sets,but I don't remember the scores.I played pretty well and I'm happy with my results.Big Al plays at about an A class,so I was out gunned also.But I gave him a good shot,and I think he knew I was there.

The night session;
There was only one match for the night but it was long and tough.

Stretch vs Ian; Now this was a real test for me to see if I could dig deep and claw my way back into a stroke.I'd been at the table for around 9 hours when Ian called me out for the second time of the day.I will tell you this about the action,it's more than that for me!This was about food,and not just any food!This was about sushi!Do I have your attention now?Well I lost the first 2 sets,and was really not seeing the edge of the ball,it was just a giant blurr too me.We doubled the double and I wore him out,and edged him for the set!Now Ian and I are even.

I'm on my way back today.

Where is King Konng?

I want to start out today with a little rant.
You see at Diamond Jim's we have our fair share of good players.But for the past couple of weeks we have a really great player in our midst,his name is Toby Sweet.Now I'm not the only one to call him a great player,and I'm not just using Diamond Jim's players as a yard stick.Toby is a true world class player!More than a few people across the globe will tell you,Toby is the best money player EVER!I started a thread on AZ Billiards and it's been front page news for a couple of weeks now!Everybody wants to know what Toby is doing,is he going to play,and just shouting out to him.If you read through that thread you'll find stories and accolades from across the globe.Yes Toby is that good!I was talking with Toby yesterday,and he told me that most of the time he never really showed his A game to anyone!I've never seen his A game,I wish I could!

But here is my thing though.Everyone of the regulars at Diamond Jim's is expecting Joey King Kong to play Toby Sweet!King Kong is the best player at Diamond Jim's and everyone is wondering where the hell he is! I have not seen him since Toby showed up,and he used to be there every day.Now I don't know if he's ducking him or not,and if he is ducking him,I understand fully! If I played their speed,I would play the match regardless of the money.But that's because I want the tough matches! I'm not sure of this but I think Joey may very well be hiding,he may not want such a tough match.Even though Toby doesn't play that much now,I think he's the favorite,in fact I could not see myself betting against him! I would love to see them play,I've never seen Joey's A game,but I'm pretty positive he would need it against Toby.

Now on to yesterdays action;I first hooked up with Mike the Fish.That's a tough match for me,I'm definitely not the favorite!We play even although he should be giving me some sort of weight to make it more competitive.We played 3 sets race too 9.The first set was tight,I jumped to an early lead 4-1 only managed to win 3 more games after Fish took the lead,I lost 7-9.The second set I got crushed 9-2.And the third set I fought my way back into the set,but lost again 7-9.I really don't know what happened in the second set,but it was a landslide!The first and third sets I played good and also smart,I didn't really didn't give anything away,I made him work for it.

Over the next few hours I had some action with two other players,but no real excitement,and I really didn't play good,I think I was tired,and I know I was hungry.

I feel pretty good about my game after coming so close too winning a set from Mike The Fish,now I KNOW I can win against him!This is the first time I gained some confidence since I started playing!That was back in late April,that's a long time too play with zero confidence!You have got to have confidence to play this game well,without it you'll never go anywhere!Mike the Fish told me something after we finished yesterday,I think it went like this,"your game has some genius to it,followed by some brain farts".That statement can go either way,but I know Fish meant for it to be a positive statement,so there is another confidence booster!

I'll be at the pool hall bright and early tomorrow!I'm hoping to match up with Big Al for the day.

Competition

My match for yesterday was Big Scott,a very competitive match,because we play the same speed! It's a match either one of us can win.There's not much that separates our games,I think it only comes down too who pockets one more ball per rack,not meaning that either of us could give the other the 8 ball,because we can't if I gave Big Scott the 8 ball he would probably win like 9-2 consistently,and the same goes the other way!The difference in our games is like 1 mistake per rack! It's probably a good thing for my game to play Big Scott,because I feel I can win.If either one of us catches a stroke,it could be a landslide defeat!We used to gamble a lot but now were too good of friends to really get in action with each other,therefore the bragging rights of a win or loss is usually good enough motivation.Our games should improve at about the same pace,I may play a little more than him,but he's more of a natural player then me,I always had to work at this game too catch a stroke!But I think I got Big Scott back into playing more seriously,we play on the same 9 ball league team,he's rated a 6 and I'm rated a 5 but I just started playing again,so I'll probably be a 6 sometime soon,not that I want to be a 6.

I asked Big Scott the other day,if he realized that he and I are the weakest 2 players of all the regulars at Diamond Jim's and he said he knew that,I was surprised at his answer.I plan on changing that!And I'm pretty sure he does too.It may take some time to accomplish,but I am determined to become an A class player!That's why I'm always looking to play the tough matches that I'm NOT supposed to win!I've been playing all of those guys,Chino,Mike the Fish,Jersey Ken,Ken the Kernal,Big Al,Ritchie,Carl Sloezen,Roger Doger,GIANT Jerry.These guys skill level range from solid B too Pro player.Carl being the lone Pro!
Not many have seen Carl's best game,but I got lucky,we started out playing 9 ball,which he plays incredibly well,and then a little 14.1.I played great for my game got a couple of racks off him playing 9 ball.Straight pool I missed 1 safety by just a hair,and Carl ran 253 balls on me!Yup 250+ that's what I said!Carl Sloezen is the best player hands down,that I have had the HONOR of playing.....I mean racking for!
Some people would be upset getting beat like that,not me I walked away from that match with a ton of knowledge and a new friend.Carl put on a WORLD class exhibition against ME,and I like to think it was because he was afraid to let me too the table.That's how you deal with a loss like that! I took a world class beating and I'm honored to say that,not many people can say that! It did not effect my confidence one bit,in fact it was a confidence booster!

I'm going to continue looking for those tough matches,because I think it's the right thing too do.I KNOW I'm lucky to have these kind of matches available to me every day.I have Diamond Jim's to thank for that!

There is a match that I'm looking to play,but I'm not sure I can get it.But I'm going to try my hardest to get it.It's against another World class 9 ball player!Goes by the name of Toby.Yup that Toby,Toby Sweet.He is here at Diamond Jim's.I watched him play some the day before yesterday against Benny the Jet.All I can say is it's just beautiful too watch Toby move the rock around the table.I need a monster spot from him to make it competitive!I may have to donate first to get the correct spot,but I don't mind that.I really just want the experience.How often do you get a chance to play someone of that caliber!In fact he can give me the world and I'm still just donating but I don't care,I want the match!I need the match!I'm a winner no matter what happens,I CANT LOSE it's a WIN WIN situation.

I'm not going to play today.I need a little break.

Damit Chino

I'm getting closer to beating Chino for a set,but still making some big mistakes.The mistakes I'm making are unforgivable.I think I missed with ball in hand 3 times in 4 sets!I also missed a few 9 balls and 8 balls!You just can't make mistakes like that against Chino!If you do,he's out.These are mistakes that can't be tolerated,you can't have them become part of your game,and I feel that's what is happening too me!I'm consistently making a lot of easy mistakes.If I could eliminate those mistakes my game would jump at least a ball.I think my game is right on the cusp of moving from a C+ too a B-. I felt good at the table yesterday,comfortable,like I was meant to be there.I have been trying to put more pressure on myself and I think that may be wrong,maybe I should just try to have fun,because it really has not been fun for me to play in the last few weeks.This is supposed to be fun,not a job and that's what it has become for me,I kinda look at my game like I have to become an A class player,not everyone can be an A player,even if you put in the work,there are a few inherent things you must have!Maybe I just don't have them.

The more I play Chino the more I like his game!He's rarely out of line,and if he is his recovery shots are usually very effective.He pockets balls clean from everywhere,banks great,kicks great,has a solid safe game,and a ton of knowledge!Ken "The Kernal" Kerner thinks his game his game is at least a solid B+,but I definitely do not agree with The Kernal on that!Chino is a solid A,maybe an A+!He runs racks,he can put you in your chair for a few racks!Chino has 2 weaknesses that I know of;
#1 is his break,it's not bad,it's good,but with his CB control I feel it should be better than it is.I think if Chino would buy a quality break cue,and spend some time with it,his game would be a ball better!
#2 Chino does not jump balls.I feel in today's game of 9&10 ball to be successful in tournament play you have to stay at the table,and even though he kicks like a mule,he still gives up control of the table when presented with a rather easy jump shot!I push him too jump shots at every chance I get,because I know he can't jump,and will be forced too kick at the ball.His kicks a good but there not great,he's good enough to pick a side of the ball too hit,but does let go of the rock.So I see it as a weakness,that once again a quality break/jump cue would elevate his game!

I'm gonna get too the table again today,and just try to have fun,no added pressure,and see what kind of results I garner.I'm still going to look for a tough match,like Mike The Fish,or Jersey Ken!Only time will tell if I hae what it takes to be an A player!



Do any of you know who this player is?

Satisfied Day

I got too the pool hall yesterday and the place was packed with players,even the bar had a few!I got lucky and found one player playing by himself,Wild Bill is his name,and he plays pretty good.Were pretty close to even,I think his CB is slightly better than mine,but not by much.If I do have an edge it's the break,his break is pretty good,but he comes up dry a lot.My break has been pretty good now that I have the proper tip installed again.I had a Talisman B/Jump tip which is a very hard leather,but does not perform as well as Phenolic plastic or G10 fiberglass.

My break/jump cue is a sought after X Breaker,they are hard to find nobody wants to let them go,and the guy who made them died!The X Breaker comes with a G10 tip standard and was the first to use that material as a tip.The X Breaker got a ton of exposure when Charlie "Hillbilly" Bryant was clocked with a radar gun on his break shot at 37mph! That's a monster break shot,I wish I could get my break up there.I feel I have a pretty big break,I get some compliments or statements to that effect on occasion.I spend a fair amount of time working on my break,and it has shown!

OK so Wild Bill and I hook up,we only got to play two sets race too 9.It was pretty UN-eventfull,not much to talk about we were not gambling just sparing.I won the first set and he won the second.I came away from the table pretty satisfied with my game,at least happy enough that I was looking to see if I could steel a set or 2 from Big Al.I would have to wait for that game though,as Big Al was already playing someone.

This is going to be short,Big Al destroyed me 7-1.

So that was that.Another great day at Diamond Jim's!

Toby One Pocket Player?

So Toby has been hanging out at Diamond Jim's in Nanuet N.Y. I have been talking too him a lot,about whatever.He really has no desire to play pool,he said he just can't get into it anymore.When he does play he said he just goes through the paces but his head really isn't there.

He recently started playing a little one pocket,a game he never played before,he said it's like figuring out a puzzle so it gives him a little interest in hitting balls.

A few of the regular players think he may play some against the best player Diamond Jim's has to offer,Joey "King" Kong.I have not seen Joey's A game,but I hear it's strong as hell.But how do you bet against Toby for the cash?I mean yeah he doesn't play anymore,where Joey "King" Kong is in action every day,but and it's a big but,Toby was one if not the most feared money player in the game for a long time.Personally I hope they play,I would love to see Joey's A game,and I think he would need it against Toby's not A game.Maybe I'm just a little skewed,Toby is a local hero and a real live legend around here,actually not just here but in the pool & billiards world!We'll have to wait and see what transpires and I'll report it here for you guys to read.

Yesterday was league night,and it was a good night for our team!Everyone played good,we won all our matches,that's great!Our team was in 2nd place before last night,now I think if 1st place had a bad night we may take over first place!

Hill/Hill

I got too the pool hall at about 1:00pm yesterday,and I was not really excited to be there.I thought I would be,but when I arrived I had no game,and I wasn't really interested in drilling by myself.I started out by piling rocks,where you just take 15 balls throw them on the table and just shoot in any order,concentrating on your PSR(pre shot routine),and stroke.I figured I would do that for about an hour,and then move onto a 9 ball specific drill called "The Gauntlet",now this is a tough drill designed to take you from a B player too an A player!I'll explain it in detail when I institute it in my practice sessions in the future.I just couldn't get into it yesterday,I really needed to play for something,I needed to find some sort of motivation.

I got just what I needed when Mike the Fish walked through the door at about 3:00pm.Now Mike the Fish is a perfect game for me,because he can play his best for nothing,and that's what I need.I'm a true believer that you should be able too play your best game when ever you want too,not just when you need too!You have to be able too turn it on when you want too!There's a big difference in when you want and when you need,and I believe that's the difference between an A and an Open player.So we hooked up and played a couple of sets.I jumped to 4-1 lead early and was feeling pretty good.Mike the Fish is a solid B+ player,so anytime I can get close to winning a set I should be happy.We went hill/hill the first set and I gave it away,but I was still satisfied with my play.The second set I got destroyed!I had lost all motivation and just wanted to get out of there.You can't play like that in fact I think it's just a bad move for your game.I feel your just re-enforcing bad habits with your thought process.So even though I got killed the 2nd set I still feel pretty good with myself for going hill/hill against Mike the Fish,who out of the day pass crowd I feel is the best player there.

Tonight is league night and we will see what that brings me.

Tobby Sweet

Tobby Sweet is in the house!For those of you that have never heard of Tobby,he is a real live legend!Many people not just some,will tell you he was the best money player ever!He used to own a room called Hollies here in N.Y. and man could he play!I was fortunate enough to be around too witness his play in his prime,although I was not even good enough to realize how good he was.But I can appreciate it today.It,s kinda funny he's here because I was just watching him play Wade Crane on an Accu-Stats video,that Mike the Fish lent me.But that's how pool players are you think or talk about them and they just appear from the smoke!Hopefully he came to play some,I would really like to see him in some action.Mike the Fish wants to see him play Joey King Kong,he thinks Joey is the favorite,but i don't see it that way.How can you bet against Tobby?I have not seen Joey in action so I cant really give you any information on how well he plays.But if they do play I know where my money goes!

As for me I still have a perfect record of not winning a single set!I don't even remember how many sets I played yesterday,but I know I didn't win a single one of them!My game has suffered some heavy set backs,and I'm pretty sure I know why!

I just have too much on my mind!With all this stuff running through my mind I don't see any way I'll be able to play my best!

I'm going to try to make it too the table today,Sunday is a good day at Diamond Jim's.I wish playing pool was like surfing for me,when I go surfing it washes away everything except what I'm doing at that moment.It's a therapy thing called "staying in the moment".As I'm writing this I realize that is maybe the key.If I could make pool wash away all my problems like surfing does I'd have the clear mind I need.You have to have a clear mind to play this game well! I need to find that place in my head where nothing matters except the shot!As usual that's easier said than done.When you go surfing as soon as you get wet nothing else in the world matters,the ocean just puts you in your place.How can I make pool do that?

Is it a Job

I ended up at Diamond Jim's yesterday,and soon found out that I didn't really want to be there!I have so much stuff on my mind it's crazy.You can't play pool with a full head of shit!At least I can't,I try but it just never works for me.You need a clear mind to play this game too your best ability!

I hooked up with this guy I call Talking Harry.I call him that because he never shuts up!I mean NEVER!It's a great shark,very effective,and how do you get him too stop.He doesn't do it too shark you on purpose,it's just who he is.Don't get me wrong he's a nice guy,and means well but come on you would think he has to stop talking sometime.I played him once before,and he did the same thing too me.It pulled me right out of stroke.And I swore I would never play him again.I know,you can't let these thing effect your game,but that's easier said then done.

So we hooked up too play 9 ball,and he wants a spot ball(a spot ball means he has more than 1 winning ball).He wants the 7/8(so he has 3 winning balls7-8-9)that's a really big spot,puts a lot of pressure on you.Basically if you don't run out you lose plain and simple!Now to be honest,I shouldn't be giving anyone a spot,I'm not playing good enough pool let alone the mind game just isn't there.So we come too an agreement,I'll be giving him the 8 ball.Maybe I'm wrong but I was always under the impression that if you can win with the 8 ball,you can win playing even!That doesn't mean you can give someone the 8 though.The 8 doesn't sound like a big spot too get,but too give it,is kinda big.It's another ball to worry about.And I really don't need anything more to worry about!We played 2 sets and as usual I lost both of them!

I don't have a winning record at Diamond Jim's that's for sure!I think the last time I won even a single set was when I beat Big Scott in a race too 9.Since then it has all been down hill!Granted I'm playing tough matches against guys I'm not supposed to beat,and I want to be playing these type of matches,but it wears on you.You begin to think you don't know how to win.That's the stage I'm at.I think playing the tough matches is good,but there needs to be a balance,you need to play some matches that you have confidence in your ability to win.You can't let losing be the only thing your learning.

I'm most likely going to end up at the pool hall today.I don't know if that's a good thing for me,but I think it will be better than me staying home.

The pool hall will be full of games today,Jersey Ken,Mike the Fish,Chino,Lyle,Talking Harry,Big Scott,etc.So if I want a tough match,I can find it.I'm not sure of what I want or need.But I am going to play today.I know a tough match would be really nice to win,but if I don't win it's another shot too my confidence.I don't know how many more shots I can take,my confidence is at a very low level.As soon as I walked into Diamond Jim's I knew I didn't want to be there.I think when I go today,I'm going to try and have an attitude of just having fun.The game has not been fun for me in weeks,it's been more like a job.