Time Off

I have not played since Friday now!Wow it's not easy to not play,it's definitely easier for me to play every day. Actually I did play a few games of last pocket 8 ball on a bar box yesterday,but I don't count a bar box as playing,too me it's not a real game.I was in action though,I went too the ghetto and found myself in a bar called Nelson's.This is a real seedy place,nothing but regulars go in here,and it's pretty dangerous.The regular crowd consists of a mix of the usual drunks who show up at 9:00am,and the drug dealers who love to gamble on anything.Now I don't like to consider myself a regular,but I am well known to frequent this place.I started going too Nelson's about 2 years ago because of an 8 ball league I got roped into playing.I was TOLD I was playing for a guy named BUTTER,after I beat him playing for $20 a game last pocket 8 ball for $180.I wasn't really interested in league play but I was also TOLD I really couldn't say no at that point,if I did it wasn't going to be real healthy for me.You see BUTTER doesn't like to lose,he considers himself a player,and he can make some shots but he's got no cue ball control,and to play Last Pocket 8 Ball you need some CB control.But after beating him,he had his partner Supreme,pay me and inform me of my new position on his team.You see Butter didn't mind paying for a new player,but if I didn't play then it meant he got HUSTLED,and that he wasn't going to put up with!So there I was a new member of the team.

Since then I've been slowly working this bar for pocket change,you know $60 here $80 there kinda thing.There are a few guys that will still post up with me,but for the most part I'm the favorite every time. Now yesterday I played a relatively new guy name "Mean Jean" he can run out on you but usually makes at least one mistake per rack,so I know if I don't get out the first time at the table most likely I'll get another chance.I've played him before and I'm in his pocket! When we started yesterday I had zero dollars so I was playing on an empty barrel!I do not recommend this to any player no matter how good you play!The pressure of playing on an empty barrel does funny things to your game,playing for the cash is hard enough,but when you start to factor in the "Holy shit I just lost and can't pay" thing the pressure goes through the roof.Aside from the fact that your now playing a guy with the name "Mean Jean" I know,it's just a name,but it's gotta come from somewhere and I'm not looking to find out where! So I win the first two,thank God.I lost the third,but won the next three.Now I'm up $80 after starting with zero,this to me is a good little score for the day.We where playing straight 8 ball and I tried to change the game to Last Pocket 8 Ball for the next game but he was done,he quit.So I buy him a drink and then I'm on my way.

I have not been to Diamond Jim's since Friday,when I played Big Scott,and I really don't remember how I played.I told you guys I have a lot of stuff on my mind and that has not really changed,it is just something that is going to have to play itself out in the future.I'm still not sure if I have to quit this game again yet,so I'm taking it one day at a time.I do not want to quit!But I may have too!I'll let you guys know as soon as I do! Tomorrow is the 9 ball league night and I'm looking forward to it.I'll probably go too the pool hall for the whole day and practice tomorrow.Maybe if Mike the Fish,Jersey Ken or Jose' are there I'll have some action.