I wanted to share my experience of playing in the banks tournament at the Derby. My Wife and I went to have a good time, as we always do. I had no illusions of how far I would go in this tournament. I'm hoping to just win a game from someone and not get skunked. This is banking country after all. Well I draw Jason Miller in the first round. 2004, and 2006 Derby City Banks Champion!
Now, I had been practicing pretty hard, and I even went to New York to take some lessons in person from Ron Vittelo. He had been teaching me 90/90 over the phone for awhile, and I felt I was ready to show Ron what he had taught me during those conversations. Also, I just had to meet this guy that I had become good friends with while learning his aiming/kicking systems. I'm so glad I did! I posted here on AZ after I got back, so I won't rehash that story here. I'll just say that Ron is an excellent instructor that has a great passion for making the game seem less complicated.
Back to the Derby. I meet Jason, and he couldn't be nicer. He wins the lag and here we go! My wife is filming and quietly cheering me on. I ran a four, and missed my first turn at the table. Four to two I think it was. Jason's banks were just missing. Most were hitting the points, but still, even he could miss. I end up winning the first game and think. Wow! That's as much as I had hoped for. Jason starts adjusting to the table, and wins the next two. Well, he still wasn't making everything though, and long story short. I win the next two, and OMG, win my match! I'm sure he knows he should have beat me, and I certainly know he should have beat me, but there I am shaking his hand after I make the last bank. Also, let me say what a class act Jason was after our match. He even answered all my questions about the shots he took and why after our match. Great guy!
I lost my next two matches, but I thought I played pretty good in both of them. My last match was with Brandon Shuff. Another great young pro. He also spent about 30 minutes after our match giving me some pointers. He made me a fan of his. Very talented young man! Great time, and tournament! Greg Sullivan does a great job!
Well, getting to the main reason I'm writing this besides my trip report. I read and looked at everything I could find on banking prior to playing in this tournament. I even bought John Brumbacks DVD on banking. Very good product! John and Mark Otto did a great job! I learned some banks, and techniques I didn't know for sure. I know it helped my performance, but it didn't show me how to aim the banks. For that I used Ron's 90/90 pivot system. Without it I would have just been making an educated guess. This system works for me bottom line! I'm hoping this doesn't become some crazy mudslinging thread. I just wanted to share my good fortune at learning something that really helped my game! Sorry if I rambled on too long. Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks Ronnie V! :thumbup:
Now, I had been practicing pretty hard, and I even went to New York to take some lessons in person from Ron Vittelo. He had been teaching me 90/90 over the phone for awhile, and I felt I was ready to show Ron what he had taught me during those conversations. Also, I just had to meet this guy that I had become good friends with while learning his aiming/kicking systems. I'm so glad I did! I posted here on AZ after I got back, so I won't rehash that story here. I'll just say that Ron is an excellent instructor that has a great passion for making the game seem less complicated.
Back to the Derby. I meet Jason, and he couldn't be nicer. He wins the lag and here we go! My wife is filming and quietly cheering me on. I ran a four, and missed my first turn at the table. Four to two I think it was. Jason's banks were just missing. Most were hitting the points, but still, even he could miss. I end up winning the first game and think. Wow! That's as much as I had hoped for. Jason starts adjusting to the table, and wins the next two. Well, he still wasn't making everything though, and long story short. I win the next two, and OMG, win my match! I'm sure he knows he should have beat me, and I certainly know he should have beat me, but there I am shaking his hand after I make the last bank. Also, let me say what a class act Jason was after our match. He even answered all my questions about the shots he took and why after our match. Great guy!
I lost my next two matches, but I thought I played pretty good in both of them. My last match was with Brandon Shuff. Another great young pro. He also spent about 30 minutes after our match giving me some pointers. He made me a fan of his. Very talented young man! Great time, and tournament! Greg Sullivan does a great job!
Well, getting to the main reason I'm writing this besides my trip report. I read and looked at everything I could find on banking prior to playing in this tournament. I even bought John Brumbacks DVD on banking. Very good product! John and Mark Otto did a great job! I learned some banks, and techniques I didn't know for sure. I know it helped my performance, but it didn't show me how to aim the banks. For that I used Ron's 90/90 pivot system. Without it I would have just been making an educated guess. This system works for me bottom line! I'm hoping this doesn't become some crazy mudslinging thread. I just wanted to share my good fortune at learning something that really helped my game! Sorry if I rambled on too long. Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks Ronnie V! :thumbup:
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