Well I was King of the 8's beating 3 guys to have it and when I got bumped to a 9 I had to surrender it but now the whole state has been lowered and I want it back. I am playing Carlos Avalos who is back2good1 on AZ Billiard and really am looking forward to this match. He is a very good player and will be my toughest opponent for sure. He beat Jerry Stuckart in there challenge pretty good so it should be interesting.
I picked one pocket for my game of choice, he picked bar box 8 ball, we will each pick 2 games put them in a hot if a 3rd game is needed. I hope I win the one pocket so I can take a shot in the 8 ball which I am an underdog in. I was going to live stream it but I just really want to play, no dealing with equipment and whatever else. I just want to play well win or lose, cant lie I am a bit nervous because I know I am probably the underdog.
Well in 10 hours I will find out so I will post up what happens, stay tuned.
The Lock
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
My Latest Cue and Latest Happenings
Well I picked up this cue recently and really like it, I was lucky enough to have a buddy of mine Steve work out a cash/trade deal to get this bad boy. I have wanted a cue from Jerry Rauenzahn for some time now and this one is just perfect. All the white is ivory besides the buttcap which is delrin. The cue is the best stainless jointed cue I have played with.
My game as of late has picked up a bit, playing about a ball better then I was a couple months ago which is nice to be improving. Something just clicked and I am pocketing balls and playing shape much better which makes it easier to keep pocketing balls. I took 2nd in the Kolbys Wild Ball this past Tuesday and played okay, getting up with my daughter at 7am each day makes it tough as the matches run late, finals was at about 2am and I had no gas left.
I played my first night of league pool tonight, it was okay, its UPA and its 8 ball on the big tables. I like 8 ball and the big tables sold me on it along with my good friend Jimmy Langston from Kolby's twisting my arm a bit. I played 2 guys practice matches to learn the scoring system. The 1st guy had to go to 2 games and myself since they rated me a 5 unseen going to 3, won that 3-0. The 2nd guy is a 6 so I have to go to 3 and he has to go to 4, I win 3-1.
I noticed most of the league players do not play well on the big tables especially the one we played on with 4 1/8 inch pockets, hanging and missing too many balls. I think it will be fun and we have a strong team, the strongest there and I think we are a lock to win this 16 week session. I am not a league player and kind of laugh at the league stuff and how serious they take it when I see them playing but its 8 ball on big tables and its a change of pace.
Well here are some pics of my Jerry R to drool over, take care.
My game as of late has picked up a bit, playing about a ball better then I was a couple months ago which is nice to be improving. Something just clicked and I am pocketing balls and playing shape much better which makes it easier to keep pocketing balls. I took 2nd in the Kolbys Wild Ball this past Tuesday and played okay, getting up with my daughter at 7am each day makes it tough as the matches run late, finals was at about 2am and I had no gas left.
I played my first night of league pool tonight, it was okay, its UPA and its 8 ball on the big tables. I like 8 ball and the big tables sold me on it along with my good friend Jimmy Langston from Kolby's twisting my arm a bit. I played 2 guys practice matches to learn the scoring system. The 1st guy had to go to 2 games and myself since they rated me a 5 unseen going to 3, won that 3-0. The 2nd guy is a 6 so I have to go to 3 and he has to go to 4, I win 3-1.
I noticed most of the league players do not play well on the big tables especially the one we played on with 4 1/8 inch pockets, hanging and missing too many balls. I think it will be fun and we have a strong team, the strongest there and I think we are a lock to win this 16 week session. I am not a league player and kind of laugh at the league stuff and how serious they take it when I see them playing but its 8 ball on big tables and its a change of pace.
Well here are some pics of my Jerry R to drool over, take care.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
NY Trip & My Return
Well last week I was in NY for 10 days and it kind of stunk, rain and more rain. I did not get to play my old friend Charlie which I was hoping to do, but I did get to stop by Gallery Billiards. I saw alot of my old friends there and got into some small action, side betting on games, played some 9 ball and broke even playing some one pocket. I hope to get Gallery live streaming out on Newburgh as it would be nice to watch them play, good shooters there and just great people.
I am glad to be back home with my family, I did get to go play on Tuesday and live stream the Kolbys tournament. I did get to pick the chip that adds money to the Kolbys tourney, $900 the day before I went to NY. Basically a chip is drawn every Tuesday and if it matches the day of the month the money is added to the tourney. I got into some action with Jude aka Bad Company finally, he stopped by to pay off some sweat bets and the woofing went on with Scott Frost offering to play him 5 ahead giving 11-2 for $2000 but he did not want to play the freezeman.
He said he would play me so we got to talking about a game and agreed $50 a game and me giving 8-7 and the first break and play winner breaks but I wont the first game and he pulled up stating he needed the breaks the whole time so I agreed, fastest adjustment I ever seen. We went back and forth for a bit and then we agreed on a race to 3 for $100, Scott had a piece of my action as he sometimes gives me a piece of his, he told me to bare down and stop playing so loose. I did and won 3-0, sometimes having a champion in your corner helps out because I had an hour sleep and was sick so I found myself not performing.
Neither one of us played well but Jude said to stop by his room which is Clicks in Phoenix and play some and we would play even doing the same thing. Perhaps I will make the trip when I feel better, home court advantage is big though so it will be interesting to see what happens. I do respect his gamble and atleast he stepped up and played, more then I can say for many who bark and talk but never play. I have had a few people make games with me and never show or back out, you either need gamble or heart, dig deep and play hard to win.
I am glad to be back home with my family, I did get to go play on Tuesday and live stream the Kolbys tournament. I did get to pick the chip that adds money to the Kolbys tourney, $900 the day before I went to NY. Basically a chip is drawn every Tuesday and if it matches the day of the month the money is added to the tourney. I got into some action with Jude aka Bad Company finally, he stopped by to pay off some sweat bets and the woofing went on with Scott Frost offering to play him 5 ahead giving 11-2 for $2000 but he did not want to play the freezeman.
He said he would play me so we got to talking about a game and agreed $50 a game and me giving 8-7 and the first break and play winner breaks but I wont the first game and he pulled up stating he needed the breaks the whole time so I agreed, fastest adjustment I ever seen. We went back and forth for a bit and then we agreed on a race to 3 for $100, Scott had a piece of my action as he sometimes gives me a piece of his, he told me to bare down and stop playing so loose. I did and won 3-0, sometimes having a champion in your corner helps out because I had an hour sleep and was sick so I found myself not performing.
Neither one of us played well but Jude said to stop by his room which is Clicks in Phoenix and play some and we would play even doing the same thing. Perhaps I will make the trip when I feel better, home court advantage is big though so it will be interesting to see what happens. I do respect his gamble and atleast he stepped up and played, more then I can say for many who bark and talk but never play. I have had a few people make games with me and never show or back out, you either need gamble or heart, dig deep and play hard to win.
Monday, October 12, 2009
3 Out of 5 Isn't Bad...
Well I played a really good set of 9 ball today in a tournament, not perfect but it was just a day where I was getting out well. I was playing a guy and he missed a routine shot, I run 4 balls and I am out as he remarks how he should never miss and how he used to play snooker. The table we are on has 4 1/8 inch pockets so its no bargain. I break and run out the 2nd rack and feel pretty good about it.
I am getting out in the 3rd and scratch going from the 8 to the 9. 2-1 is the score, we have a safety battle and I get out 3-1. He makes a comment that its not over yet, I break and run out and make it 4-1, then I break and run out again to close out the set. I wanted to say its over now but chose not to be a smart ass, it just felt good to play well. Breaking and running 3 out of the 5 racks I ran was the best I have done in those short races to 5, I have had 2 before but not 3, I know some people here do it everyday but I am not that good.
I am getting out in the 3rd and scratch going from the 8 to the 9. 2-1 is the score, we have a safety battle and I get out 3-1. He makes a comment that its not over yet, I break and run out and make it 4-1, then I break and run out again to close out the set. I wanted to say its over now but chose not to be a smart ass, it just felt good to play well. Breaking and running 3 out of the 5 racks I ran was the best I have done in those short races to 5, I have had 2 before but not 3, I know some people here do it everyday but I am not that good.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
OTR Sponsors the Freezer in Galveston
Well we were happy to help Scott out in his trip to Galveston for the World Classic, he did okay in the tournament placing 13-16th in the 8 ball with losses to Orcollo and Archer hill-hill. He did beat Gabe Owen in a challenge match for the cash though and was wearing the OTR polo to show his support for us. Here is a picture of him with Christina De La Garza and also the video of that match.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Lots of Hours in Action
Well lately I have been in a ton of action as I have stated and in a few days time I won about $700 playing. I am getting a little worn down but battled hardened. I had a session with Preacher Ronn where we started out at $20 a game and when I got up 5 we jacked it to $50 a game. About 10 hours later we broke even at 7am in the morning! I do not look at it as breaking even, I took away some stuff from it. One thing I learned is to control the action which I knew but did not stand by. I know I am good for 4-5 hours usually but got tired and lazy. If you feel this way whether your up or not it might be best to quit winner and make a game for the next day or another time as to not let time overtake your ability from being fatigued.
I hope I can take a few days to just practice and perhaps not play anyone whether it is friendly or otherwise and do just drills. I am not much of a drill or practice guy but I need to do it. I have been making some simple mistakes when I beat a guy to the shot and that is not running the balls the way I should and instead of getting out I get 1 or 2 balls and that is just sickening to me. I have lost a few games against better movers who I beat to a shot and then do not get out then letting them back to the table and losing when you just need a few balls can be torture. Well I am now up over $5000 in wins for the year playing pool, hopefully I can add a couple more thousands to the tally before the year is over.
Here is a picture of me in action in a little roadhouse bar in Orange County NY.
I hope I can take a few days to just practice and perhaps not play anyone whether it is friendly or otherwise and do just drills. I am not much of a drill or practice guy but I need to do it. I have been making some simple mistakes when I beat a guy to the shot and that is not running the balls the way I should and instead of getting out I get 1 or 2 balls and that is just sickening to me. I have lost a few games against better movers who I beat to a shot and then do not get out then letting them back to the table and losing when you just need a few balls can be torture. Well I am now up over $5000 in wins for the year playing pool, hopefully I can add a couple more thousands to the tally before the year is over.
Here is a picture of me in action in a little roadhouse bar in Orange County NY.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Chopped Up a 9 Ball Tourney
Well yesterday I got a call from my friend Southern Jay and we decided to go play some pool. I tell him let's hit this small tournament at Groggy's which is in Mesa AZ, we have been there before and it is a tough tournament in a tough part of town. One time my girl stopped by to pick me up and she looked at me and said "Why would you play here in this dump?".
Jay said he would never go back there because the format of alternating breaks and snapped 9 balls. Jay would break and run out on his break and his opponent would break and drop the 9, the races are 5,4,3 depending on your in state AZ rating, we both go to 4. I beat a guy by snapping in 9 balls myself every time I had broke before and felt kind of bad as it was a cheap win but what can you do, some of us players agree they wont count on the snap.
We roll in and it does not look like there will be many players but then the count gets to 20 players so we have a decent little bar table 9 ball tourney. My first draw is Dave who is a big older guy and the highest rated player in the tourney, he has a crazy haircut like a mohawk. I break and scratch, he runs out, he breaks dry and I push out, he makes a great shot and runs out, the next thing I know he is up 3-1 in the race to 4, I put some stuff together with a 9 ball snap and nice run, to win hill-hill I broke and made 4 balls, the 9 ball hangs but I play a nice carom off the 3 ball for the win.
My next opponent is Andy who is from the Philippines and you can tell he plays very well. He is only going to 3 games, he runs out the first rack with ease, I miss a routine shot in the next rack and he is up 2-0. I get it back to 2-2, he misses a shot and leaves me dead hooked with only 3 balls on the table. I kick at the ball and leave him a tough shot and he gets out and I lose the match 3-2. Now I have to go through the losers side.
I play a bunch of players in the losers side and one of them was my buddy Jay whom I beat 4-1, then a nice lady who I see around named Claudia and win that 4-1 also. I play Dave again and he is saying I am trying to rack him which pisses me off because I am getting them as tight as I can with the equipment we are using, crappy wood racks and beat up bar tables are not easy to rack on. I win that match 4-1 also with two 9 ball combos. I play Layton next who is a nice guy who does not get out and play match, we both do not play great and he dogged some balls, I win again 4-1.
Now I am in the finals with Andy, I think we are even players on the small track but I have to spot him a game and he goes to 3. I play well and he missed a routine out and I capitalized to take the set after some nice safety play and shots. Guess what the score was?, 4-1 again! Well me and Andy are both tired and decide to split as we both were in the side pot. Jay did well in action when I knocked him out of the tourney beating a guy who beat him in the tourney for a quick race to 5 for $50. All in all it was a good night out and I was happy with my play.
I have been doing very well in the bar table tournaments, mainly 8 ball, cashing in 4 out of 5 of them. I will most likely play tomorrow in Preacher Ronn's Monthly One Pocket at Kolby's, I really love one pocket and it is a good tournament. Last month I did beat Preacher Ronn 2-0 so that was a victory within itself as he plays hard, he actually took 4th this year in the One Pocket State Championship that took place last weekend. Well wish me luck, I need it!
Jay said he would never go back there because the format of alternating breaks and snapped 9 balls. Jay would break and run out on his break and his opponent would break and drop the 9, the races are 5,4,3 depending on your in state AZ rating, we both go to 4. I beat a guy by snapping in 9 balls myself every time I had broke before and felt kind of bad as it was a cheap win but what can you do, some of us players agree they wont count on the snap.
We roll in and it does not look like there will be many players but then the count gets to 20 players so we have a decent little bar table 9 ball tourney. My first draw is Dave who is a big older guy and the highest rated player in the tourney, he has a crazy haircut like a mohawk. I break and scratch, he runs out, he breaks dry and I push out, he makes a great shot and runs out, the next thing I know he is up 3-1 in the race to 4, I put some stuff together with a 9 ball snap and nice run, to win hill-hill I broke and made 4 balls, the 9 ball hangs but I play a nice carom off the 3 ball for the win.
My next opponent is Andy who is from the Philippines and you can tell he plays very well. He is only going to 3 games, he runs out the first rack with ease, I miss a routine shot in the next rack and he is up 2-0. I get it back to 2-2, he misses a shot and leaves me dead hooked with only 3 balls on the table. I kick at the ball and leave him a tough shot and he gets out and I lose the match 3-2. Now I have to go through the losers side.
I play a bunch of players in the losers side and one of them was my buddy Jay whom I beat 4-1, then a nice lady who I see around named Claudia and win that 4-1 also. I play Dave again and he is saying I am trying to rack him which pisses me off because I am getting them as tight as I can with the equipment we are using, crappy wood racks and beat up bar tables are not easy to rack on. I win that match 4-1 also with two 9 ball combos. I play Layton next who is a nice guy who does not get out and play match, we both do not play great and he dogged some balls, I win again 4-1.
Now I am in the finals with Andy, I think we are even players on the small track but I have to spot him a game and he goes to 3. I play well and he missed a routine out and I capitalized to take the set after some nice safety play and shots. Guess what the score was?, 4-1 again! Well me and Andy are both tired and decide to split as we both were in the side pot. Jay did well in action when I knocked him out of the tourney beating a guy who beat him in the tourney for a quick race to 5 for $50. All in all it was a good night out and I was happy with my play.
I have been doing very well in the bar table tournaments, mainly 8 ball, cashing in 4 out of 5 of them. I will most likely play tomorrow in Preacher Ronn's Monthly One Pocket at Kolby's, I really love one pocket and it is a good tournament. Last month I did beat Preacher Ronn 2-0 so that was a victory within itself as he plays hard, he actually took 4th this year in the One Pocket State Championship that took place last weekend. Well wish me luck, I need it!
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