Haha this made me laugh.
9BallPaul's Derby City Blog
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Haha this made me laugh.
9BallPaul
Banned
Wow
The snowstorm seemed to bring on laziness today. I haven't been sleeping, just napping, since I got here and it's taking its toll. Today I rested, watched TV and just avoided the pool scene. It's easy to overdose at this event.
Ventured this afternoon to the AZ room and thank god I did. Corey Deuel was playing against the one pocket ghost, and ran 37 balls before scratching in the side pocket on an incredibly difficult shot -- a combo that that he made in the corner.
I was seated so close to Corey that I could have picked the lint off his sweater. Actually, he looked much better than the "street urchin" that I described earlier. Maybe his girlfriend has arrived and taken charge of his wardrobe. He looked sharp, but not as sharp as Shane.
The AZ room was crowded, maybe two dozen people, and it broke out in applause for Corey when his inning concluded. Well deserved applause, I've gotta say.
Other sightings: Efren, wandering around the tournament lobby alone, just killing time, eyes sort of vacant and no one pestering him. Shannon Daulton, wearing a serious scowl, but I think that's his natural look. Unsure if Bucktooth is here but I've heard rumors. Would love to see that guy and hear him woof. And rumor has it that Bobby Pickle is here for the 9-ball. Would love to see that guy in action.
The snowstorm is apparently over and the hotel restaurants are gradually getting up to speed. Twelve hours ago this hotel was a mess, so give credit to Binion's for taking care of business.
I stayed for a week in the old Binion's casino in downtown Las Vegas while I was writing about the World Series of Poker Texas Hold'em Tournament. I learned then that these people know how to run hotels, and casinos. This was in, I think, 1997, the last year that Stuey Unger took down the bracelet. A few months later he died penniless in a cheap Vegas motel, dead from heart failure probably brought on by cocaine. For those of you who don't know, Unger was the Crown Prince of Texas Hold'em -- nobody ever played it better or more boldly.
Stuey and I did some drinking together that week and he revealed lots of stuff to me that I'd never known before. Maybe I should take all this to a poker forum.
Anyways, back to the action room for me. My only disappointment so far is that I've met so few AZers. Other than Williebemore, haven't met anyone. Wanted to tell Jay Helfert how much I admire his posts and also shake hands with Freddie B. But I still got a couple days.
Wish you all could be here. What a show.
The snowstorm seemed to bring on laziness today. I haven't been sleeping, just napping, since I got here and it's taking its toll. Today I rested, watched TV and just avoided the pool scene. It's easy to overdose at this event.
Ventured this afternoon to the AZ room and thank god I did. Corey Deuel was playing against the one pocket ghost, and ran 37 balls before scratching in the side pocket on an incredibly difficult shot -- a combo that that he made in the corner.
I was seated so close to Corey that I could have picked the lint off his sweater. Actually, he looked much better than the "street urchin" that I described earlier. Maybe his girlfriend has arrived and taken charge of his wardrobe. He looked sharp, but not as sharp as Shane.
The AZ room was crowded, maybe two dozen people, and it broke out in applause for Corey when his inning concluded. Well deserved applause, I've gotta say.
Other sightings: Efren, wandering around the tournament lobby alone, just killing time, eyes sort of vacant and no one pestering him. Shannon Daulton, wearing a serious scowl, but I think that's his natural look. Unsure if Bucktooth is here but I've heard rumors. Would love to see that guy and hear him woof. And rumor has it that Bobby Pickle is here for the 9-ball. Would love to see that guy in action.
The snowstorm is apparently over and the hotel restaurants are gradually getting up to speed. Twelve hours ago this hotel was a mess, so give credit to Binion's for taking care of business.
I stayed for a week in the old Binion's casino in downtown Las Vegas while I was writing about the World Series of Poker Texas Hold'em Tournament. I learned then that these people know how to run hotels, and casinos. This was in, I think, 1997, the last year that Stuey Unger took down the bracelet. A few months later he died penniless in a cheap Vegas motel, dead from heart failure probably brought on by cocaine. For those of you who don't know, Unger was the Crown Prince of Texas Hold'em -- nobody ever played it better or more boldly.
Stuey and I did some drinking together that week and he revealed lots of stuff to me that I'd never known before. Maybe I should take all this to a poker forum.
Anyways, back to the action room for me. My only disappointment so far is that I've met so few AZers. Other than Williebemore, haven't met anyone. Wanted to tell Jay Helfert how much I admire his posts and also shake hands with Freddie B. But I still got a couple days.
Wish you all could be here. What a show.
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9BallPaul
Banned
Here we go
Giving myself a bump as I head out for another late-night sesssion. This place is just too wild.
Among other problems, I've run out of clean clothes and this luxury hotel offers no laundry service. If cabs are running today I've gotta get out of here and get to a mall. You can do only so much with a shower.
I'm still amazed by the astonishing show that Corey put on a few hours earlier. I'll be rooting for him all the way in the 9-ball competition.
Giving myself a bump as I head out for another late-night sesssion. This place is just too wild.
Among other problems, I've run out of clean clothes and this luxury hotel offers no laundry service. If cabs are running today I've gotta get out of here and get to a mall. You can do only so much with a shower.
I'm still amazed by the astonishing show that Corey put on a few hours earlier. I'll be rooting for him all the way in the 9-ball competition.
9BallPaul...If there were 20+ people in the AZ room, they had to be mostly AZr's...rather than pros. You need to break out of your shell, and walk up to people and introduce yourself. Just walk up to someone and ask, "Are you an AZ poster?" You'll find out quickly who is and who isn't a poster. Plus, you can ask Don (Williebetmore) to introduce you to some others.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
9BallPaul said:
9BallPaul
Banned
Yeah, but...
Thanks for the advice, Scott. Here was my experience tonight: I hit the AZ room about 2a, a perfectly reasonable hour. I intended to play some competitive pool for the first time since arriving here.
Three guys were in the room, two playing each other 9-ball and one guy, a kid, who was practicing. I proposed a game of $20 9-ball. The following conversation ensued:
Him: "Let's race to six."
Me: "Well, the rules say we gotta race to three."
Him: "What rules you talking about, man?"
Me: "Uh, the rules that Williebetmore spelled out in his post."
Him: "What rules you talking about?"
Me: "Are you a member of AZ Billiards?"
Him: "What you talking about, dude?"
Me: "Never mind. I'll play elsewhere."
Gotta say I'm not happy about my investment in the AZ room. If not for seeing Corey's amazing performance last night, the room has been a bust for me.
This insolent kid just found and abandoned table and took it over. This is crap. I'm tired and going to bed now. Maybe I can break out of my "shell" tomorrow.
Oh, and one more thing: I tried to buy some smokes from a machine and it wanted $8.50 for a pack of Camels. This is crap.
Scott Lee said:
Thanks for the advice, Scott. Here was my experience tonight: I hit the AZ room about 2a, a perfectly reasonable hour. I intended to play some competitive pool for the first time since arriving here.
Three guys were in the room, two playing each other 9-ball and one guy, a kid, who was practicing. I proposed a game of $20 9-ball. The following conversation ensued:
Him: "Let's race to six."
Me: "Well, the rules say we gotta race to three."
Him: "What rules you talking about, man?"
Me: "Uh, the rules that Williebetmore spelled out in his post."
Him: "What rules you talking about?"
Me: "Are you a member of AZ Billiards?"
Him: "What you talking about, dude?"
Me: "Never mind. I'll play elsewhere."
Gotta say I'm not happy about my investment in the AZ room. If not for seeing Corey's amazing performance last night, the room has been a bust for me.
This insolent kid just found and abandoned table and took it over. This is crap. I'm tired and going to bed now. Maybe I can break out of my "shell" tomorrow.
Oh, and one more thing: I tried to buy some smokes from a machine and it wanted $8.50 for a pack of Camels. This is crap.
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Still a great read...and 30+ in 1hole. I think he's a Player...but doesn't he wear pink shirts
.
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Well, the truth is, you could have kicked him off the table (which still would not have satisfied your desire to make a game). The AZ room tables are for AZ players ONLY, who have paid for the right to use them. If the kid didn't even know what AzB was, he had no business being on the table. You got a name tag, and that would allow you access to the tables. The kid obviously didn't have one, and was just "playin' for free" on what he considered an open table. Did you ask the guys on the other table if they were AzBr's? In my experience, 2am is pretty late in that room. Try again in the afternoon or early evening.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
9BallPaul said:
Not a prob- I read your post as it being 3x balls consecutively, Jay's indicates it was not.9BallPaul said:
Mika ran a 53 last night in the AZ room. About five people were there to witness it. Amazing what a great player can do. He ran two perfect 15's back to back.
I went outside today for the first time in a week. Just to remind myself why I left Ohio all those years ago. It was COLD and the street was icy (black ice). I almost fell down twice. I was bundled up good, but still felt uncomfortable. Maybe 15 or 20 degrees this morning. Even half the staff isn't coming in to work here.
I'll stay indoors now until I leave on Sunday. A zillion people to talk to here. I love meeting the AZ'ers. We have something in common. Weenie Beenies daughter is here doing research for a book about her dad. Harry Platis and I spent an hour or so talking to her. Beenie was one of a kind, just like Fats. I'm lucky I met all these guys. And Cornbread, Jersey Red, Ervolino and all the others. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
I went outside today for the first time in a week. Just to remind myself why I left Ohio all those years ago. It was COLD and the street was icy (black ice). I almost fell down twice. I was bundled up good, but still felt uncomfortable. Maybe 15 or 20 degrees this morning. Even half the staff isn't coming in to work here.
I'll stay indoors now until I leave on Sunday. A zillion people to talk to here. I love meeting the AZ'ers. We have something in common. Weenie Beenies daughter is here doing research for a book about her dad. Harry Platis and I spent an hour or so talking to her. Beenie was one of a kind, just like Fats. I'm lucky I met all these guys. And Cornbread, Jersey Red, Ervolino and all the others. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Black-Balled said:
Corey ran three 15's yesterday, but not all in the same game. He had two in one turn, but also had a zero and a one. That killed his chances at a high score.
Corey, Gabe, Schmidt and Mika all play this game very well. They know how to break and can make circus shots when needed. Corey is the most creative of them all!
Thanks for the clarification. I agree that he is the most creative and further that with: IMO, when his head is in it, he has abilities that are unequalled. Does that make him the best player...sometimes!jay helfert said:
Edit- how about him taking bets on how many shots to clear 15 balls. He did some amazing stuff there!
-And playing with bridge every shot? He caught a couple with that one too.
Corey said that he got 5 to 1 on running 15 and out before.
After watching him ran 15 back to back in one of his tries, I would never bet against him. He played superb, and it was a joy to watch him play.
Pity I missed Mika's run of 53, but got a feeling that Corey will break it.
9BallPaul: I used the AZ room almost all the time the first days. Many people in there earlier in the days, and it is easy to get to know the other guys. I haven't met anyone in there who played and weren't either an AZ'er or a pro-player. I think you just got unlucky.
The AZ-room is very small though. Wish it was room for more seating. If it did it would probably be packed all the time.
After watching him ran 15 back to back in one of his tries, I would never bet against him. He played superb, and it was a joy to watch him play.
Pity I missed Mika's run of 53, but got a feeling that Corey will break it.
9BallPaul: I used the AZ room almost all the time the first days. Many people in there earlier in the days, and it is easy to get to know the other guys. I haven't met anyone in there who played and weren't either an AZ'er or a pro-player. I think you just got unlucky.
The AZ-room is very small though. Wish it was room for more seating. If it did it would probably be packed all the time.
9BallPaul
Banned
Back in the saddle
Had to happen. On my fourth day here, I got claustrophobic, even in this huge hotel. And I OD'd on pool. I've been reading about pool, drooling over the sticks on display and watching some of the best players in the world, up close and personal. And today I hit the wall.
Woke up from a nap this morning and had to get out of this hotel. Back home we call this condition the shack nasties. It's a huge hotel, yes, but I had to get away from it, away from pool, and see some wide open spaces. I'm a Westerner, after all. Trouble is, the damn snowstorm has shut down this city as though a foot of snow is a big deal. Back home, we don't even notice when it drops a foot.
But that's Colorado. Took me all morning to find a cab to take me into New Albany. The driver who finally showed up was very cool and well worth waiting for. We even shared some herbal refreshments. I bought some new duds at Target (can't do any wash in this hotel), refilled my beer cooler, and have returned for my last night with renewed spirit and enthusiasm. And looking sharp in my new Wranglers.
Just seeing Efren again and his impish grin gave me a little thrill when I strolled through the lobby. Lord, I'm 60 years old and still a groupie.
My nasty exchange last night in the AZ room was likely a result of my frazzled mental condition. But now I'm heading for the AZ room and hope to finally meet some of my fellow AZers, so I can put some names with faces. Would like to meet Jay, since he knows so much, and several others. Scott Lee told me I should break out of my shell. I'm hoping to find him there so I can offer him a beer.
Also want to thank all of you who are following this little saga. Your kind posts and rep points (so I heard, I've never checked them myself, har-har) are very encouraging. But the blog has demanded a lot of time in my hotel room and there's interesting news to watch on CNN. So I'll probably post once more tomorrow and be on my way. Cheers
Had to happen. On my fourth day here, I got claustrophobic, even in this huge hotel. And I OD'd on pool. I've been reading about pool, drooling over the sticks on display and watching some of the best players in the world, up close and personal. And today I hit the wall.
Woke up from a nap this morning and had to get out of this hotel. Back home we call this condition the shack nasties. It's a huge hotel, yes, but I had to get away from it, away from pool, and see some wide open spaces. I'm a Westerner, after all. Trouble is, the damn snowstorm has shut down this city as though a foot of snow is a big deal. Back home, we don't even notice when it drops a foot.
But that's Colorado. Took me all morning to find a cab to take me into New Albany. The driver who finally showed up was very cool and well worth waiting for. We even shared some herbal refreshments. I bought some new duds at Target (can't do any wash in this hotel), refilled my beer cooler, and have returned for my last night with renewed spirit and enthusiasm. And looking sharp in my new Wranglers.
Just seeing Efren again and his impish grin gave me a little thrill when I strolled through the lobby. Lord, I'm 60 years old and still a groupie.
My nasty exchange last night in the AZ room was likely a result of my frazzled mental condition. But now I'm heading for the AZ room and hope to finally meet some of my fellow AZers, so I can put some names with faces. Would like to meet Jay, since he knows so much, and several others. Scott Lee told me I should break out of my shell. I'm hoping to find him there so I can offer him a beer.
Also want to thank all of you who are following this little saga. Your kind posts and rep points (so I heard, I've never checked them myself, har-har) are very encouraging. But the blog has demanded a lot of time in my hotel room and there's interesting news to watch on CNN. So I'll probably post once more tomorrow and be on my way. Cheers
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9BallPaul
Banned
What a show
Spent the afternoon in the AZ room, and it was well worth it. I know I made a disparaging remark about it earlier, but let me retract that. Best 25 bucks I ever spent.
Once again, I got to watch two of the world's best players, up close and personal. Corey was in the room again, playing the one-pocket ghost, and he was awsome. But he played a shade under his performance yesterday and couldn't equal his run. He even displayed a little temper, smacking his stick on the table. I don't think he got past 15, but don't hold me to this.
Only six spectators. Then Gabe Owen took the table and took his shot at the high run. Gabe was due in the tournament area and possibly that distracted him. He didn't put anything together while I was in the room, although he said he was aiming for a 70. I promised him a nice bonus if he made it, but never caught a gear and it didn't happen while I was there.
Mika currently owns the high score, and I believe it's 53, but again, I'm not sure. I'm just an old man with a poor memory. Check Jay's posts. He keeps notes and he's more reliable.
Also got a chance to talk to introduce myself to Jay in the AZ room. We share some memories of the great old San Francisco rooms, Cochran's and The Palace, and some of the pool creatures who hung out there.. Anyways,
I'm out of here tomorrow so I'll miss the 9-ball. But I'm maxed out on pool at this point. Heading back for Colorado tomorrow, so maybe I'll get to unscrew my cue again and find some action on the road. Never hit a ball while I was here, even though I arrived with a custom cue and a Sneaky Pete. And it's just as well. If so, I'll post and if not, this has been a blast.
Again, thanks to all of you for all the encouragement. I've really enjoyed it. Cheers
Spent the afternoon in the AZ room, and it was well worth it. I know I made a disparaging remark about it earlier, but let me retract that. Best 25 bucks I ever spent.
Once again, I got to watch two of the world's best players, up close and personal. Corey was in the room again, playing the one-pocket ghost, and he was awsome. But he played a shade under his performance yesterday and couldn't equal his run. He even displayed a little temper, smacking his stick on the table. I don't think he got past 15, but don't hold me to this.
Only six spectators. Then Gabe Owen took the table and took his shot at the high run. Gabe was due in the tournament area and possibly that distracted him. He didn't put anything together while I was in the room, although he said he was aiming for a 70. I promised him a nice bonus if he made it, but never caught a gear and it didn't happen while I was there.
Mika currently owns the high score, and I believe it's 53, but again, I'm not sure. I'm just an old man with a poor memory. Check Jay's posts. He keeps notes and he's more reliable.
Also got a chance to talk to introduce myself to Jay in the AZ room. We share some memories of the great old San Francisco rooms, Cochran's and The Palace, and some of the pool creatures who hung out there.. Anyways,
I'm out of here tomorrow so I'll miss the 9-ball. But I'm maxed out on pool at this point. Heading back for Colorado tomorrow, so maybe I'll get to unscrew my cue again and find some action on the road. Never hit a ball while I was here, even though I arrived with a custom cue and a Sneaky Pete. And it's just as well. If so, I'll post and if not, this has been a blast.
Again, thanks to all of you for all the encouragement. I've really enjoyed it. Cheers
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You shoulda said "hi" yesterday (Wed.). I'm not sure if I met everyone from AZB while I was there, but I did try to introduce myself to eveyone I could. I was in the room when both John (Corey's cheerleader and self-loather) Scmidt (just kidding John), an Corey took there shots at the one pocket challenge. I was sitting next to an old bald guy that was counting out the number of balls made during the challenge (nice meeting you Jay). Unfotunately I had to leave late last night, but it was a fun couple of days, and was certainly nice putting some faces with the names on this board. Have fun those of you who get to stay longer (bastards) 
jay helfert said:
That is the only reason Corey and Efren are banned from trying my onepocket prop bet (Break spot all balls made on the break ball in hand in the kitchen all 15 balls need to go in the same bottom pocket. Missed shot, scratch or ball in the wrong pocket is a loss 3 to 1 on the money) I thought maybe Scott Frost was going to try it (someone wanted his action) but I seen too much wizardry by Corey in Efren to take that action. (Corey totally killed it getting 5 to 1 before)