Ozone is coming to O-town (Orlando, FL) soon, 8, 9, 10-ball, 14.1, juniors, Seniors, Amateurs and Pros.
I was in the grocery store last night when a buddy called to say there was a 14.1 qualifier in about an hour.
I don't play 14.1, no one around here does, but I love to compete and thought it might be fun. Races to 50! Yikes! But still, pressure and competition.
I signed up and had a blast. I finished 3rd (more on that in a sec).
First round was rough, I played the TD, and missed or scratched from odd angles the first 3-4 times I was at the table. I settled down and cruised to about a 50-28 victory.
Second match I played an older (55?) lady who knew her stuff. She had a real touch in breaking things out and nudging things where she wanted them. She certainly showed me a thing or two about safeties and the rules.
Still I struggled to an ugly 50-22 win.
Then I played probably the best player there and we were both struggling. I was guarding a slim lead, playing smart on tight tables, up about 40-36. He missed a ball at 40-42 and lucked me safe, frozen to the pack. I tried a "wired combo" and ended up jarring it, losing 40-50.
Fourth match I was stuck 22-16 and broke out for a 31, which is good for me, and I had a decent break shot to finish up, but I rattled it and again, won 50-25. I know it would have only been a "34 and out" but in a race to 50 that's not bad and lemmee tell ya... I could taste it! The prospects of "running out" even that little bit had me pretty excited.
During that match the funniest thing happened; he slammed a ball AT a hole, missed it and it went 3-4 rails and back into the called pocket.
Ok, that's weird, and I have only seen it happen one other time like 20 years ago (same room 14.1 ladder in 1989). The CRAZY thing is, this guy did it twice to me in about 5 minutes. :thumbup:
So, then I am playing to get another shot at the favorite, and hopefully my revenge. I am not playing great, but slowly cruising away, and up about 38-30, about to shoot my break shot, get my 12 and leave him sitting. My opponent then announces that, oh by the way, this is handicapped, he's getting 15 on the wire, and only needs 5 to win.
Yeah, flagged me, I jarred a key ball, and I lost 50-46. :frown:
Still I got to play 5 (Short) games of straight pool, and had a blast.
I was in the grocery store last night when a buddy called to say there was a 14.1 qualifier in about an hour.
I don't play 14.1, no one around here does, but I love to compete and thought it might be fun. Races to 50! Yikes! But still, pressure and competition.
I signed up and had a blast. I finished 3rd (more on that in a sec).
First round was rough, I played the TD, and missed or scratched from odd angles the first 3-4 times I was at the table. I settled down and cruised to about a 50-28 victory.
Second match I played an older (55?) lady who knew her stuff. She had a real touch in breaking things out and nudging things where she wanted them. She certainly showed me a thing or two about safeties and the rules.
Still I struggled to an ugly 50-22 win.
Then I played probably the best player there and we were both struggling. I was guarding a slim lead, playing smart on tight tables, up about 40-36. He missed a ball at 40-42 and lucked me safe, frozen to the pack. I tried a "wired combo" and ended up jarring it, losing 40-50.
Fourth match I was stuck 22-16 and broke out for a 31, which is good for me, and I had a decent break shot to finish up, but I rattled it and again, won 50-25. I know it would have only been a "34 and out" but in a race to 50 that's not bad and lemmee tell ya... I could taste it! The prospects of "running out" even that little bit had me pretty excited.
During that match the funniest thing happened; he slammed a ball AT a hole, missed it and it went 3-4 rails and back into the called pocket.
Ok, that's weird, and I have only seen it happen one other time like 20 years ago (same room 14.1 ladder in 1989). The CRAZY thing is, this guy did it twice to me in about 5 minutes. :thumbup:So, then I am playing to get another shot at the favorite, and hopefully my revenge. I am not playing great, but slowly cruising away, and up about 38-30, about to shoot my break shot, get my 12 and leave him sitting. My opponent then announces that, oh by the way, this is handicapped, he's getting 15 on the wire, and only needs 5 to win.
Yeah, flagged me, I jarred a key ball, and I lost 50-46. :frown:
Still I got to play 5 (Short) games of straight pool, and had a blast.
