Bavafongoul said:

Every time I went to the table to shoot, I’d walk the table gathering all the chalks.
I’d then play the chalks on one spot on the rail face up and stack 2 chalks and
have 3 stacks of chalk. I’d do it every time it was my turn to shoot.

If my opponent doesn’t take the hint and asks me why I’m doing that I’ll reply this
way. For 2 very good reasons……Having chalks all around the table distracts from
my field of vision on way too many shots. Just as important is not needlessly making
a mess of chalk dust and debris that gets deposited on the rails that eventually gets
on my bridge hand or glove. Having clean rails is very important and it’s why I do this.

I’ll do it every time it’s my turn and the more ai have to do it, the slower I’ll get it done
each ensuing turn at the table. If need be, I’ll start using my Ed Norton imitation from The
Honeymooners. I’ll start stacking the chalks and keep rearranging or moving the chalks to
a different location on the table from where I just spent time previously stacking the chalks.

I know exactly how Art Carney would screw around with Ralph (Jackie Gleason) taking time
to do the simplest of acts like when he had to sign a document. When you gather the chalks,
just do it with a smile and briskly. By the 4th time, start going real slow and slower each time.
I’d take 75-90 secs or longer wiping the rails with napkins if he keeps placing chalk face down.

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Ralph: "Address the chalk"
Norton: "Hellooooo Chalk!"

garczar said:

you actually think that touring pro 9b players are going to go to China on anything like a regular basis? Not happening. A few will cherry-pick the biggie events but that's about it.

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all three ko brothers did... chua very well may after his recent 50k win.

I’ve owned this Meucci Sneaky Pete since the early ‘90’s. It was my third Meucci and the one I kept and still play with. The common belief about Meucci is that their shafts are whippy. Not this cue. It has a taper very similar to my Schick shafts.

lfigueroa said:

28 balls.

Two lousy racks to show us you have any business pontificating about pocket size.

Lou Figueroa

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I agree with you, Lou. If you can run a 28, you at least have some understanding of playing the game of straight pool (at least, offensively) and can pontificate about pocket size. I've had decent runs in practice, but only played in one real straight pool tournament. While stationed at DLA Aviation in Richmond, Diamond Billiards of Richmond VA was kind enough to sponsor me into the American Straight Pool Championships tournament when it was held at their room 10 years ago or so, and they needed one more player. (Did I mention my apartment was located right behind Diamond Billiards? Coincidence? LOL)

The wonderful owners knew I loved straight pool and so graciously asked if I wanted to play, while I was just hanging out watching all of the pros warm up. I really wanted to do well for them. Filled with killers, I had a match against Mike Davis (a monster). Of course all of my friends from the pool room (which was a lot) gathered in the crowd to watch me. I laid down a really nice break, we traded safeties, and I got to the first offensive shot (I am proud of that) and I ran a 27 or 28.... I was strutting around, winking at my friends (which made them laugh) like I was about to run 100. Mike told me after the match he thought I was going to run 100, LOL.

I also played the gent who took third in the tourney, some old guy from New York who wore an apron (Karen Corr took 2nd, and Darren Appleton took first), and had a high 20s run against him under the heat. So...I didn't totally dog it against some REAL players.