So I had to play a five and I'm a five,this means we play even,we both have to make the same amount of balls.I have not one clue about this player,can he play?So I don't want him to get the early lead and put any un-wanted pressure on myself,I want to win the lag for the first break.I lose!He breaks first,great,I'm thinking now what? Does he run out on me and string a rack or two,because that would be bad for me.Remember I'm not playing to good today!But these are the thoughts at the start of any match.He doesn't run out I'm not even sure if he made a ball!All I know is it's my shot and I'm getting out,witch I think I did.I at least know I broke the second rack and maybe the third.I know I jumped too a lead in the match and never looked back.I had about a ten ball lead most of the match.I dogged a few shots on purpose to get my innings up,but really didn't want to go down that path too far,because I knew I wasn't playing with a ton of confidence.
When you don't feel like you can make any shot at hand you really should not be laying down.It will get you in trouble faster than you can get out!We are only racing too,I think about 40 balls each for the win.And as a team I know I have to get the win for us to have a good shot at the win for the night.If I lose the team has to win two in a row,and that's never easy for any team I don't care how good they play,it's just tough!Race too three wins is the match for the night.Big Scott lost his,and Cindy won her's.My match turns out to be the pace setter,if we win the third we've got them on they're heals!Now they need to win two in a row!That's how important the third match becomes when you split the first two.
I really don't mind that pressure,I definitely can play better for the cash then if there is nothing on the line.It's always been that way for me,I can find another gear!And right now I feel like I have about 2-3 more gears.I can make just about any shot on the table,and I have not even tried to institute my safe game yet!I have a good safe game and in this game that counts for a lot. Back too the game,this guy looks to be a 3-4 ball runner,for him to run out on me he really needs the easiest of layouts to be on the table.He has no CB control,alright maybe a little.He can make some shots,he made one tough cut shot that impressed Big Scott and I.But that was about it from him.I tried pretty hard to keep the match close,but when I did leave him the table he couldn't capitalize on the situation.The score I remember was him needing 17 balls,me needing 7 balls and I'm breaking,my break is working pretty good,I've been practicing it on the Diamond witch is very hard table to break well on!I think I hop the rock off the table,or come up dry on the break,either way I let him back to the table.I'm hoping he does well this time and pockets some balls,I really need him to get out.In a perfect world he gets out,breaks,and runs his 3-4 balls that would make us dead even again!It doesn't happen,he leaves me a 4 ball out!No cooperation whatsoever for me!I make the run out,and now I need 3 balls.I figure I'll break soft and let him back too the table one more time,but that's it.I break at about 75% power,and make 4 balls.Match over!
That's how it goes in this game,rarely does it all go as planned,there's always something that doesn't work as planned! I took Thursday off,went to the Yankees vs Rays game,had a good time!That was my first time in the new stadium,witch isn't new anymore,but it's nice.It definitely is not cheap,$35 to park the car,$12 for a beer,$6 for a hot dog,plus gas,tolls,and your ticket.You're pretty lucky to get out of that stadium for $125 per person.I'm on the fence as to playing today,don't get me wrong I always want to play,but the logistics of it are kinda tough today.I do not have my cues with me,and would have to back track in my travels to pull it off.Although Friday is a good day at Diamond's.Jersey Ken,Chino,Mike the Fish,Jose',Neil the Knit are all going to be there.Action plenty of action!There really isn't a game with anyone of them that I'm an easy favorite.The Jersey Ken game is my best game,then Jose'.All of the other match ups I'm a clear underdog,plain and simple.Even the Jose' game,I've beat him before and we play even,but most people down there would bet with him.That's fine with me though,I like being the underdog!Now I want to play today just this little bit of talk is all it takes.I gotta go I'm going too see if I can get there by noon,otherwise everyone will be matched up.STRETCH
Friday, May 11, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Shark Attack
Last night was League night,and it was a good one!Big Scott started us off with a nail biter of a set! It came down too the last few balls,each player not willing to concede.This match had all the old school flavor.Big Scott's opponent was a shark with skills! That makes for a tough match even against someone who can't make a ball.That was not the case with this SHARK,he could also play a little.I couldn't figure it out last night,but I knew I had seen this guy somewhere before outside of the game,when I woke up this morning I figured it out.He was my mailman when I was a kid!Funny how small this world really is.So from now on he's know as "The Mailman".
Big Scott's a much better player,but The Mailman had the moves,and Big Scott fell right into that Shark tank for the first two racks.The Mailman has got moves.He shadowed Scott relentlessly,stood in his shot line,moved at the precise time,and worst of all got into Scott's head!But the best move The Mailman had I have never seen before and I have seen most of them.I think it was the second rack,Big Scott is breaking,and as The Mailman racks the balls he takes his thumb,shoves it into his mouth,and puts a nice big wet one on the foot spot! WOW that's a new one for me,and it's a great one!What a shark move that is.If you know anything about pool then you know what a wet spot on an OB(object ball)or CB(cue ball)can do.
You see,a liquid cannot be compressed and when you introduce a liquid too a pool ball lots of funny things happen,from balls skidding too shots missing the pocket by a full diamond or more,all from that one little wet spot.You gotta give it up too The Mailman for that one!Now Big Scott should have complained,but I might have shrugged it off also and just broke,and that's a mistake.If I remember correctly Big Scott jumped the CB off the table on that break,coincidence?Not likely,Big Scott doesn't hop the CB off the table all that much.For me I know it would have Sharked me,that's all I'd be thinking about when trying to shoot a shot,what about the wet spot,did it land where I need to contact the OB,is the OB going to skid etc,etc.One of the best things about this Shark is,it was so blatant,he didn't try to hide it in the least and he still got the player too fall into it.That's a SHARK ATTACK!I would love too hear from some of you guys about some Shark Attacks you've pulled or witnessed so please respond!
It comes down too Big Scott and The Mailman both needing one ball for the match,and they're having a safety battle.Big Scott loses the safety battle and The Mailman goes on to win the match by one ball!Now this is what a good Shark Attack game can do for you.Big Scott should have drilled The Mailman,but for the first two or maybe three racks he was winning,not by balls made but by being inside Big Scott's head,and that's all it takes sometimes.
Next up was Cindy,a pretty uneventful match that she played very well in!The match started slow with only one ball being made on the break by her opponent in five innings.Her opponent jumped out too an early lead and then stalled.It was then that Cindy took control of the game and match.She started making balls and never looked back.She got the lead,was pocketing balls nicely,and I think she just played her game.I'm not sure if that was just her game or she played overhead because that's the first time I got to see her play.If that was just her average game then we got a four playing at a three skill level and that's always a good thing.
I played the third match,now I had been playing all day on the tight pocket Diamond table,and was not playing as well as I can.I guess taking some time off did not have the affect I was hoping for.You see I got drilled on the Diamond by Giant Jerry,one of the owners of Diamond Jim's.Giant Jerry plays good,he pulls position and really does not miss all that much.He drilled me flat out for two sets!Needless to say but I was not very happy about it. My match was against another five,I like to think I'm a six playing at a five skill level.You see I've been sand bagging in this league for years basically since it's inception.My player # in the APA League is #151,that makes me a dinosaur in the league.I have not played in the league since 2007,and I find myself on teams where I constantly need to maintain a five skill level,so I've been laying down since the beginning!My first two seasons in the APA I let it all hang out,with great results.In the county I live in I was #2 ranked for my first season and #1 ranked my second season.But since then I've always had to lay down.I don't mind laying down as long as I can play some of the cash tournaments sponsored by the APA.And most of those have a skill level maximum of a combined 11,so you can only play a 5/6 as your best team.So that's why I'm in the APA once again.Hopefully to rob a few tournaments.
Big Scott's a much better player,but The Mailman had the moves,and Big Scott fell right into that Shark tank for the first two racks.The Mailman has got moves.He shadowed Scott relentlessly,stood in his shot line,moved at the precise time,and worst of all got into Scott's head!But the best move The Mailman had I have never seen before and I have seen most of them.I think it was the second rack,Big Scott is breaking,and as The Mailman racks the balls he takes his thumb,shoves it into his mouth,and puts a nice big wet one on the foot spot! WOW that's a new one for me,and it's a great one!What a shark move that is.If you know anything about pool then you know what a wet spot on an OB(object ball)or CB(cue ball)can do.
You see,a liquid cannot be compressed and when you introduce a liquid too a pool ball lots of funny things happen,from balls skidding too shots missing the pocket by a full diamond or more,all from that one little wet spot.You gotta give it up too The Mailman for that one!Now Big Scott should have complained,but I might have shrugged it off also and just broke,and that's a mistake.If I remember correctly Big Scott jumped the CB off the table on that break,coincidence?Not likely,Big Scott doesn't hop the CB off the table all that much.For me I know it would have Sharked me,that's all I'd be thinking about when trying to shoot a shot,what about the wet spot,did it land where I need to contact the OB,is the OB going to skid etc,etc.One of the best things about this Shark is,it was so blatant,he didn't try to hide it in the least and he still got the player too fall into it.That's a SHARK ATTACK!I would love too hear from some of you guys about some Shark Attacks you've pulled or witnessed so please respond!
It comes down too Big Scott and The Mailman both needing one ball for the match,and they're having a safety battle.Big Scott loses the safety battle and The Mailman goes on to win the match by one ball!Now this is what a good Shark Attack game can do for you.Big Scott should have drilled The Mailman,but for the first two or maybe three racks he was winning,not by balls made but by being inside Big Scott's head,and that's all it takes sometimes.
Next up was Cindy,a pretty uneventful match that she played very well in!The match started slow with only one ball being made on the break by her opponent in five innings.Her opponent jumped out too an early lead and then stalled.It was then that Cindy took control of the game and match.She started making balls and never looked back.She got the lead,was pocketing balls nicely,and I think she just played her game.I'm not sure if that was just her game or she played overhead because that's the first time I got to see her play.If that was just her average game then we got a four playing at a three skill level and that's always a good thing.
I played the third match,now I had been playing all day on the tight pocket Diamond table,and was not playing as well as I can.I guess taking some time off did not have the affect I was hoping for.You see I got drilled on the Diamond by Giant Jerry,one of the owners of Diamond Jim's.Giant Jerry plays good,he pulls position and really does not miss all that much.He drilled me flat out for two sets!Needless to say but I was not very happy about it. My match was against another five,I like to think I'm a six playing at a five skill level.You see I've been sand bagging in this league for years basically since it's inception.My player # in the APA League is #151,that makes me a dinosaur in the league.I have not played in the league since 2007,and I find myself on teams where I constantly need to maintain a five skill level,so I've been laying down since the beginning!My first two seasons in the APA I let it all hang out,with great results.In the county I live in I was #2 ranked for my first season and #1 ranked my second season.But since then I've always had to lay down.I don't mind laying down as long as I can play some of the cash tournaments sponsored by the APA.And most of those have a skill level maximum of a combined 11,so you can only play a 5/6 as your best team.So that's why I'm in the APA once again.Hopefully to rob a few tournaments.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Anxious to Play
I'm very anxious to get to the table today! It feels like I have not played in weeks! I know I played on the bar box and was actually in action just the other day,but I still don't count it as playing,why I don't count it,I really couldn't explain.Too me it's just not the same game,I don't approach a bar box the same way as I do a big table.My concentration level and focus are different for each table,I know that's not a good thing,and it's something I need to change.
Tonight is the 9ball League night,and I'm hoping they play me,I really feel like I could play good today!I'm in a good mood,and very excited to get too the table.
I'm also hoping that I can get some action for the afternoon,I need the money to pay for league.Once again I don't recommend it,but I will be playing on an empty barrel,because I'm totally broke!So wish me luck please,I'm going to need it!Sorry for the short post but I gotta go play now,I'll try to post again later tonight.
STRETCH
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Ground In
You can't walk away from this game!It gets ground into you,every time you chalk a cue you grind it in a little more.I walked from this game two or three major times in my life,for years at a time.Now i find myself at another crossroad and I just can't figure it out.I'm just writing what ever comes to mind right now so bear with me. I have this living situation witch is not ideal,and I really think it's time to move on,I think I've worn out my welcome there.The thing is,if I go so does the game!I really only have one option as far as where I can go and it isn't good.Where I can go and be on my own there is no pool!There's nothing but despair it,s one of the worst city's in the U.S.A. Nothing but drugs,alcohol,crime. Like I said before I just got started again with this game but I may have to leave it already,my living situation has to be addressed. If I move from where I am today I have to leave the game for another time in life.That sucks!I just got back into it and have really bit the bullet hard.I even joined a 9ball league and won my first match against the other teams top player.I don't want to walk away again!I can play this game!I can play this game well given the chance.I used to play pretty good but this time around is different.I can feel it I'm going to play better than I ever played before!My level of focus and concentration is going to go through the roof if I cultivate it. I got a lot of stuff going on in my life right now,and that's never good for a pool player you need a clear mind to play this game.But funny thing is I still feel I can play.I gotta get a few things ironed out or I just gotta suck a few things up for a few months and then it will all work out. If I go too the ghetto it's all over before it even started,I'm going to the ghetto tomorrow to look for a place to stay,and we'll see what I find.I don't want to do it but it may be the only option for me.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
I had no plans on playing yesterday! I wanted to take a few days off,I've been playing a lot,I think I played 6 straight days over 6 hours a day,that's a lot for me.My plan was to take Friday,Saturday,Sunday and Monday off.Sometimes things just don't work as planned though.I had a little personnel issue yesterday and found myself hiding at the pool hall.It's not a bad place to hide but when you have stuff on your mind it really has an adverse affect on your game. I found myself at the table with Big Scott,we played two sets,I think I started to catch a stroke in the second set,but I really couldn't tell you.I just got so much on my mind right now. I just got back too this game and after yesterday I have to question whether I'll even be able to continue with it,I may have to put this whole thing on hold till I can iron out a few things.I'm going to take these three days and think about it.
Friday, May 4, 2012
I'm up early today,been up since 5:00am.Got stuff on the brain kinda thing going.I'm about to go through another big change in life,it's a positive change,but we all know how much we as humans love change!Change is funny for me,when it's a bad change I thrive,give me a good change and I'm a mess,I don't know what to do with it.Story of my life!But this is supposed to be about pool for me,and that'...s why I do not use my real name here,so lets get back to the game.
I went to Diamond yesterday hoping to match up,even though I was going to be late.When I arrived Jersey Ken and Mike the Fish had matched up for a game of straight pool,so that put a damper on my plans,I was hoping to play one of the two.But that's what you get for being late.Jersey Ken is a very desirable game if you know what I mean,you pretty much have to get a ticket,everyone wants a piece of this guys action.He says he loves it,but when your on the outside looking in all you see is a,pack of wolves and one fuzzy little rabbit!And Jersey aint one of the wolves! Now I know I gave him a good write up the other day,but I think he was playing overhead against me.I watched his game against The Fish,granted this game was straight pool but I was not impressed to say the least.Mistake after mistake,missed ball after missed ball,wrong patterns you name it he did it wrong. How in the world I lost two sets to this guy is now driving me nuts,and is the reason I've been up since 5:00 am! They finish,I tried to get a game with him but he matches up with Jose' instead.So I decide to watch.This was my big mistake,I should have just gone back to my table and practiced.
How did I lose two sets too this guy? You want to know how?I know how,Karl and I had a discussion about it the other day.It's called "seasoning" for witch I have none right now and he has a ton.For you guys that do not know what seasoning is it's,having the recent experience of game type pressure,being able to perform when it's on the line.Now the thing for me is;I USED to be a seasoned player!That's what I've learned today.I have to remember that I've only been playing for a month and a half now!I'm not supposed to be seasoned.But and there is always a but with me I am thinking like a seasoned player and that's a mistake.Seasoning only comes one way and that's with time and experience at the table and in the situations that are encountered in game.I need to be less critical of myself.Or better yet I need to remember what kind of player I am right now,NOT what kind of player I used to be.
What kinda player am I today?To be honest I don't know!There's a couple of guys at Diamond that think I'm an A player but we know that's not the case.Ken The Kernal Kerner rates me a C+ favorite on the Tri State Tour,Joey Kong says I'm a B.If you ask me,I don't know what to rate myself right now!All I know is that I just found the pocket again in the last few times I played,before that I really did not know what I was even aiming at!I was getting down on shots and just aiming at something,anything except nothing!I figured aim at something,at least I'll look good missing.So how could I be anything more than a D class player?How I used to play has no bearing on today!It's very confusing I have to keep things in perspective and kinda forget how I used to play and let it all happen again for me.I'm a D class player right now going to an A class player.Hence the name of the blog.See More LikeUnlike ·
I went to Diamond yesterday hoping to match up,even though I was going to be late.When I arrived Jersey Ken and Mike the Fish had matched up for a game of straight pool,so that put a damper on my plans,I was hoping to play one of the two.But that's what you get for being late.Jersey Ken is a very desirable game if you know what I mean,you pretty much have to get a ticket,everyone wants a piece of this guys action.He says he loves it,but when your on the outside looking in all you see is a,pack of wolves and one fuzzy little rabbit!And Jersey aint one of the wolves! Now I know I gave him a good write up the other day,but I think he was playing overhead against me.I watched his game against The Fish,granted this game was straight pool but I was not impressed to say the least.Mistake after mistake,missed ball after missed ball,wrong patterns you name it he did it wrong. How in the world I lost two sets to this guy is now driving me nuts,and is the reason I've been up since 5:00 am! They finish,I tried to get a game with him but he matches up with Jose' instead.So I decide to watch.This was my big mistake,I should have just gone back to my table and practiced.
How did I lose two sets too this guy? You want to know how?I know how,Karl and I had a discussion about it the other day.It's called "seasoning" for witch I have none right now and he has a ton.For you guys that do not know what seasoning is it's,having the recent experience of game type pressure,being able to perform when it's on the line.Now the thing for me is;I USED to be a seasoned player!That's what I've learned today.I have to remember that I've only been playing for a month and a half now!I'm not supposed to be seasoned.But and there is always a but with me I am thinking like a seasoned player and that's a mistake.Seasoning only comes one way and that's with time and experience at the table and in the situations that are encountered in game.I need to be less critical of myself.Or better yet I need to remember what kind of player I am right now,NOT what kind of player I used to be.
What kinda player am I today?To be honest I don't know!There's a couple of guys at Diamond that think I'm an A player but we know that's not the case.Ken The Kernal Kerner rates me a C+ favorite on the Tri State Tour,Joey Kong says I'm a B.If you ask me,I don't know what to rate myself right now!All I know is that I just found the pocket again in the last few times I played,before that I really did not know what I was even aiming at!I was getting down on shots and just aiming at something,anything except nothing!I figured aim at something,at least I'll look good missing.So how could I be anything more than a D class player?How I used to play has no bearing on today!It's very confusing I have to keep things in perspective and kinda forget how I used to play and let it all happen again for me.I'm a D class player right now going to an A class player.Hence the name of the blog.See More LikeUnlike ·
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