Dream or Nightmare: Your Next Match Has Just Been Called for the Accu-Stats Table

[Joe T]

I gotta go with both. Most of the time I welcome it, it does make me a little more nervous but usually the nerves make me play a little better. But this one time I can’t say I was looking forward to it!

In the Allen Hopkins 10 Ball event I lost my first round match to Ralph Soquet 10 zip and this was alternate break and we were playing right next to the az streaming table so I know the scores were being reported BUT not viewed and I actually wished it was filmed cuz Ralph would have shot 1000 had he not taken an intention foul, he BNR 5 of his 5 breaks (we had score cards) and got out 3 times off my dry break 1 other rack after him taking the intentional foul by tying up 2 balls I 3 railed it out of there and stuck the cue to rail and from there of course he kicked the sucker in from 8 ft away my 1 other opportunity I missed a 50/50 4 ball man where’s the smiley faces??

Well that’s not the story cuz we were only next to the streaming table but I thought I’d share my agony there and it does lead us to the rest of the story.

My next match (1st round on the losers side mind you) is against Johnny "not suppose to be on the loser side this freakin early" Archer
and you guessed it, az streaming table. I’m 0 for life against JA or 0 for 4 which ever is better, he’s my son’s favorite, eww the scorpion (shut up kid) he’s gonna watch the stream at home with the fam and anyways I’m okay ( I think),,,, untillll
I lose the first 4 racks!!

I will tell you now that I don’t think my ego has ever been this frightened of losing before in its life. The thoughts of the az world hearing of my 10 zip loss to Ralph topped now with the potential of it happening LIVE with Mr Archer for all the pool world to see ARE NOT THE EASIEST TO FIGHT OFF.

A family life may not be the best for pro players trying to be competitive but they do have some benefits and I used one here. Thinking okay Joe “How would you like your son to think if he was in a similar situation?” came up with some experienced pool player answers a father would share with a son, applied them, dropped the demons and went on to make a match of it. Missed a 5 ball at 8-8 and then JA put me out of my misery , that really wasn’t misery anymore :wink:

Like I said, normally I like it but this 1 time it was almost Elm st. Thanks for the post Lou, I think?

 

[The Milk Man]

It wasn't on the TV table, but I played Dennis Orcullo in 9 ball the first year he was at the Derby. It was in the main tourney room at the executive west. On one of the tables tucked back in the corner.

It seemed like every spectator at the Derby was watching. Dennis won the lag and ran to 8 ball and missed. I got out from there to go up 1-0 and turned to the rail and said I hope you bet I would get to one. Which got a little laugh from my buddies. I broke dry and Dennis was up 6-1 before I got another shot at the table.

I had never been nervous playing a big name before, but Dennis was different. From some reason it seemed suffocating at the time. It was still fun and made me a better player in the long run.

Shev

 

[marek]

last year at european championships my first round match in 9ball division was against ralf souquet.funny thing was i had an email exchange with ralf few months before EC and i wrote him that i would love to play him sometime in the future and he replied that some dreams come true earlier than one thinks... well after i saw the draw i started to celebrate as this was really my dream to play him.and 15 mins prior to the match i found out that the match was going to happen on "the centre court" as we call it here. the match started at 9pm and there were not many spectators,maybe like 10-15,i was virtually nobody compared to ralf so i was expected to be beaten badly.and when i was 2-7 down in race to 9 everything seemed clear,especially with alternate break format and ralf playing flawlessly.well ralf made his first mistake,after his break he may/should have played agressive shot to break a cluster on the rail to run out but he decided to play safety.i got angry at this very moment,i told to myself:"he WONT make me look like an idiot!!!",i came to the table and re-safed him.he made foul and i ran out the table.and i ran out even the next table for 4:7.to make things even better he scratched on the next break and i ran out for 5:7 and ran next table to make it 6:7.during the period between 2-7 and 6-7 more people came to the stands,at the 6-7 there were maybe 50-60 people watching.at 6-7 ralf broke the rack but had no shot and opted for pushout. i came to the table and studied it for maybe a minute.i saw no way to play offensive and no easy way to play safety.so i decided to return the pushout to ralf,i didnt want to let him to the table but i really didnt want to lose thx to failed safety.ralf played safety but left me tough cut...which i made and from there i was in control of the table even if i had to play safety on the 7.but i played it so tight that he fouled and i ran out the table for 7:7! and when i looked at the stands they were full and the atmosphere was incredible!what was even better:most of the spectators were rooting for me as me being total underdog which gave me incredible amount of energy,i really enjoyed myself! at 7:7 ralf took timeout which in fact helped me as i really realized at this moment that even big ralf souquet is mere human (i kept telling to myself all the match "he is just a human,he is just a human" just to persuade myself i had a chance against him). after he returned from his timeout,i broke the balls and made 3 balls on the break,so i had little trouble running the table except for the fact i overran my position on 9 really badly...tough cut with posibility to stratch..but i already made one such 9 in this match so i calmly focused on not standing up on the shot and made nice followthrough.9 went in and cueball missed middle pocket by inch.. on the next rack ralf forced me to play some jumps and kicks and i kept scratching after those so he 3-fouled me for double hill!!!talk about the atmosphere,stands were full with people crawling from every possible angle to see a glimpse of the table!i broke the rack with one ball down but had to shoot a very missable shot,i decided i would rather go down in flames than to let ralf to the table voluntarily!!that shot was like 5 out of 10 even in practice with no chance of controling the cueball but i went for it and i made it with cueball kicking two object balls for position to play bank shot on the next ball...i calmed myself a little with my eyes shut and doing some brief breathing techniques and went for the bank shot....which i made but left myself 80 degree cut for the next.my mindset was on full ofensive and i didnt care for possibility of missing,i just went for the ball and trying to make position for the next ball .i rattled the ball and left it maybe a foot from the pocket but as i played position for the next ball the cueball ended in safety as i played position on the next ball for the same pocket i played that cut.all the railbirds went wild,they could feel the moment of truth was coming. ralf went for kickshot,hit the ball but didnt potted it!i had two posibilities:rather tough cut to the middle pocket or bank shot to the opposite middle pocket.bank shot was better for playing position but when you are on the double hill with ralf anything is tough...i called the referee to clean the cueball as i didnt want to lose on skid,the cueball was a little dirty.by this i gained some time to calm my nerves and to make a decision.i finally decided to go for bank shot...i tried to visualize the bank shot with position,there was absolute silence in the stands,i could even hear my own heartbeat!!!set...pause...followthrough...and the ball went in!but cueball was a little short for the 8 which was near the middle pocket,i had to play 40 degree cut shot to the corner+i was afraid that the cueball would catch a pin of middle pocket.after maybe a minute of studying the position of 8 i decided that i may play this shot with position on 9 if i put a follow with a touch of inside english on cueball.so i visualised the shot once again and went down...but something was not right,i was not aligned properly so i decided to stand up and align for the shot again..this time it felt right.."stay down on the shot and make nice followthrough" - this was my thought during the shot...i shot the ball and i saw the 8 going towards the corner pocket while touching the long rail..when 8 arrived to the pocket it hesitated a little but went in..then i turned my attention to cueball....which arrived almost perfect at the position for 9!!!the church-like silence was all gone,spectators went wild as they saw i was really going to win...even if the 9 was really easy shot i went through my routine again,calmed my nerves through breathing, visualised the shot and then went for it.when 9ball went in...i just closes my eyes....well,i just cant remember what my thought were...it was extasy mixed with relieve...then i opened my eyes and went to ralf to shake his hand.he was gratious in defeat,shook my hand firmly.after that i tried to walk out of the arena which proved to be quite a task as everybody wanted to shake my hand or to take picture with me...it was amazing! even german players who were watching the match congratulated me and told me the this match was the best show of the whole EC!!!you can bet i was proud as hell!!! i got to bed by midnight but i couldnt get any sleep at all,all the emotions and thoughts from the match kept spinning in my head...and the same thing the next night,it was just too much for me at the moment to swallow.i went on to win one more match then i virtually fell down exhausted from the lack of the sleep while ralf went through losers side like hot knife through butter and in the end he won the whole thing thats why he is a champion,he can bounce back from the loss so well.btw when i analyzed our match i realized that ralf didnt miss a single ball during our match,but he scratched on his break 3 times and made one bad safety...seems like the spectators helped me a lot to play good game

 

[John Brumback]

Is this John Brumback?! (We've played twice though I don't expect you to remember.)

So: was it just being there a few more times that got you adjusted to playing under those conditions? Did you solidify your game more, to the point that it didn't matter anymore? Or did you learn something else that got you through those, moments?

Lou Figueroa

Yes Lou....This Is John Brumback.I remember It pretty good also.We drew each other 2 years in a row at the dcc,and I think they were both the first round! What are the odds on that, with that many people??? I remember you trying real hard to beat me.I think one of our matches lasted like 3 or 4 hours.You wouldn't go for anything.I was trying to set some traps but you wouldn't go for em.Your a fine onepocket player and I was quite fortunate to walk away a winner in both matches.

For me,I think alot of It was just being up there a few times.getting used to It. And I did solidfiy my game some from watching alot of my matches
over and over and over.I noticed I was not staying down as good as I should have.I'v been working on that real hard and It has really improved my game the last few years.Guess your never to old to learn.Onemore thing...I don't think people watch great players, "close enough". Good luck at the dcc this year and try not to draw me anymore.I like to start out a little eaiser than that.LOL John B.

 

[hang-the-9]

I got some new Accu-Stats 1Pocket DVDs for Xmas and have been watching a few of them. One DVD in particular made me chuckle a bit. I won't name names, but one of the players, at the time, was not so well-known and he goes up against an established champion. The underdog player plays *really* well in this match. But, at one point he has a chance to steal a game, if not the match, when the champion scratches. The underdog has BIH and chooses a questionable shot and then plows it straight into the rail. I think it was just that the heat was too much for him.

Sooooo there you are. You're in a tournament. You are no world-beater. You're hoping for a soft draw to get rolling. And then you hear your name over the PA and the announcement that your next match is on the Accu-Stats table: cameras, lights, a crowd, Danny Diliberto and Freddy the Beard in the booth. Your opponent is a stone-cold champion. And, you are clearly the dog.

Dream or nightmare?

Lou Figueroa

If I can keep myself from wetting my pants, I'd consider it a win and a dream.

 

[hang-the-9]

AHHH my eyes!

You really should edit this a bit if you want anyone to read more than 3 words of this. Paragraphs, sentences, punctuation, things like that.

last year at european championships my first round match in 9ball division was against ralf souquet.funny thing was i had an email exchange with ralf few months before EC and i wrote him that i would love to play him sometime in the future and he replied that some dreams come true earlier than one thinks... well after i saw the draw i started to celebrate as this was really my dream to play him.and 15 mins prior to the match i found out that the match was going to happen on "the centre court" as we call it here. the match started at 9pm and there were not many spectators,maybe like 10-15,i was virtually nobody compared to ralf so i was expected to be beaten badly.and when i was 2-7 down in race to 9 everything seemed clear,especially with alternate break format and ralf playing flawlessly.well ralf made his first mistake,after his break he may/should have played agressive shot to break a cluster on the rail to run out but he decided to play safety.i got angry at this very moment,i told to myself:"he WONT make me look like an idiot!!!",i came to the table and re-safed him.he made foul and i ran out the table.and i ran out even the next table for 4:7.to make things even better he scratched on the next break and i ran out for 5:7 and ran next table to make it 6:7.during the period between 2-7 and 6-7 more people came to the stands,at the 6-7 there were maybe 50-60 people watching.at 6-7 ralf broke the rack but had no shot and opted for pushout. i came to the table and studied it for maybe a minute.i saw no way to play offensive and no easy way to play safety.so i decided to return the pushout to ralf,i didnt want to let him to the table but i really didnt want to lose thx to failed safety.ralf played safety but left me tough cut...which i made and from there i was in control of the table even if i had to play safety on the 7.but i played it so tight that he fouled and i ran out the table for 7:7! and when i looked at the stands they were full and the atmosphere was incredible!what was even better:most of the spectators were rooting for me as me being total underdog which gave me incredible amount of energy,i really enjoyed myself! at 7:7 ralf took timeout which in fact helped me as i really realized at this moment that even big ralf souquet is mere human (i kept telling to myself all the match "he is just a human,he is just a human" just to persuade myself i had a chance against him). after he returned from his timeout,i broke the balls and made 3 balls on the break,so i had little trouble running the table except for the fact i overran my position on 9 really badly...tough cut with posibility to stratch..but i already made one such 9 in this match so i calmly focused on not standing up on the shot and made nice followthrough.9 went in and cueball missed middle pocket by inch.. on the next rack ralf forced me to play some jumps and kicks and i kept scratching after those so he 3-fouled me for double hill!!!talk about the atmosphere,stands were full with people crawling from every possible angle to see a glimpse of the table!i broke the rack with one ball down but had to shoot a very missable shot,i decided i would rather go down in flames than to let ralf to the table voluntarily!!that shot was like 5 out of 10 even in practice with no chance of controling the cueball but i went for it and i made it with cueball kicking two object balls for position to play bank shot on the next ball...i calmed myself a little with my eyes shut and doing some brief breathing techniques and went for the bank shot....which i made but left myself 80 degree cut for the next.my mindset was on full ofensive and i didnt care for possibility of missing,i just went for the ball and trying to make position for the next ball .i rattled the ball and left it maybe a foot from the pocket but as i played position for the next ball the cueball ended in safety as i played position on the next ball for the same pocket i played that cut.all the railbirds went wild,they could feel the moment of truth was coming. ralf went for kickshot,hit the ball but didnt potted it!i had two posibilities:rather tough cut to the middle pocket or bank shot to the opposite middle pocket.bank shot was better for playing position but when you are on the double hill with ralf anything is tough...i called the referee to clean the cueball as i didnt want to lose on skid,the cueball was a little dirty.by this i gained some time to calm my nerves and to make a decision.i finally decided to go for bank shot...i tried to visualize the bank shot with position,there was absolute silence in the stands,i could even hear my own heartbeat!!!set...pause...followthrough...and the ball went in!but cueball was a little short for the 8 which was near the middle pocket,i had to play 40 degree cut shot to the corner+i was afraid that the cueball would catch a pin of middle pocket.after maybe a minute of studying the position of 8 i decided that i may play this shot with position on 9 if i put a follow with a touch of inside english on cueball.so i visualised the shot once again and went down...but something was not right,i was not aligned properly so i decided to stand up and align for the shot again..this time it felt right.."stay down on the shot and make nice followthrough" - this was my thought during the shot...i shot the ball and i saw the 8 going towards the corner pocket while touching the long rail..when 8 arrived to the pocket it hesitated a little but went in..then i turned my attention to cueball....which arrived almost perfect at the position for 9!!!the church-like silence was all gone,spectators went wild as they saw i was really going to win...even if the 9 was really easy shot i went through my routine again,calmed my nerves through breathing, visualised the shot and then went for it.when 9ball went in...i just closes my eyes....well,i just cant remember what my thought were...it was extasy mixed with relieve...then i opened my eyes and went to ralf to shake his hand.he was gratious in defeat,shook my hand firmly.after that i tried to walk out of the arena which proved to be quite a task as everybody wanted to shake my hand or to take picture with me...it was amazing! even german players who were watching the match congratulated me and told me the this match was the best show of the whole EC!!!you can bet i was proud as hell!!! i got to bed by midnight but i couldnt get any sleep at all,all the emotions and thoughts from the match kept spinning in my head...and the same thing the next night,it was just too much for me at the moment to swallow.i went on to win one more match then i virtually fell down exhausted from the lack of the sleep while ralf went through losers side like hot knife through butter and in the end he won the whole thing thats why he is a champion,he can bounce back from the loss so well.btw when i analyzed our match i realized that ralf didnt miss a single ball during our match,but he scratched on his break 3 times and made one bad safety...seems like the spectators helped me a lot to play good game

 

[Rick S.]

Hey John...let's do it again!

Hey Buddy....missed you last yr.

Coming this yr, and I'm looking for another one of these.....

I know you'll cooperate to the best of your abilities!! Best of luck!!

 

[John Brumback]

Hey Buddy....missed you last yr.

Coming this yr, and I'm looking for another one of these.....

I know you'll cooperate to the best of your abilities!! Best of luck!!

Ahh Yes!! Man,where in the heck were you LAST YEAR?? We might have been able to do that again!!!!!!!! LOL Thanks rick,you the man with that camera.

ps- did I tell ya that's my favorite pool pic of me!!! Cause that was a real shot in the finals,not staged like alot of em.lol John B.

 

[Rick S.]

Ahh Yes!! Man,where in the heck were you LAST YEAR?? We might have been able to do that again!!!!!!!! LOL Thanks rick,you the man with that camera.

ps- did I tell ya that's my favorite pool pic of me!!! Cause that was a real shot in the finals,not staged like alot of em.lol John B.

Just couldn't make it last yr...sorry!

Thanks for the compliment!!

I don't do staged action photos....I want to see, and show real emotion in my shots.

See you soon!

P.S. Lou....we can give it another go this yr if you like?

 

[lfigueroa]

Lou,

My first time at DCC Scott Smith asks me if I mind playing on the TV table. Agreed quickly. Had to play I believe Bobby Thompson???. Was a very highly regarded player at one time. First time under the lights. Table really fast. No humidity in the cloth. Also the first time with the "measles" cue ball. Only remember the match because with the score somewhere around 6 - 2, I walked over to my opponent and wanted to shake hands. He suggested I should win the seventh game first. Don't think there was any commentary going on. Actually I prayed there was no one in the booth. I was so embarrassed. Like to play before a crowd regardless. The streaming was a bonus!

Lyn

lol. Good story. Thanks, Lyn.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Your memory serves you correctly Lou.. I was there and it was not very pretty but I am not dogging Fatboy.. At least he threw his hat in the ring and gave it a try.. Nothing to be ashamed of in my opinion..

I watched the DCC bank ring game last year and if I remember correctly, 2 of the players did not make a bank shot but they put their money in too.. I believe one of them was Harry Platis.. At least they tried!

oh yes -- I completely agree and would never dog anyone who has the cajones to get in the ring.

I do note that there are many (here) who always seem to find a way to avoid the ring... Not naming names, but there are a slew of real pool "authority figures" out there that always find a way to avoid mixing it up a bit.

Lou Figueroa
you all know
who you is

 

[lfigueroa]

For me it depends on the game. I know this is going to be controversial but I really think some games are harder on the psyche than others. Personally, I can have my confidence shattered playing nine-ball much easier than playing one-pocket or even straight pool. I guess my confidence doesn't go down the drain when I miss some of those banks in one-pocket. Plus half the time you are exchanging safeties. But in nine-ball every shot can be put under the microscope and there's nothing worse than hooking yourself with ball-in-hand. Correction - missing with ball-in-hand is worse. Unfortunately, I've done both

So at this point it would be a nightmare for me playing nine-ball, but I think I could get through a one-pocket match. Of course I wouldn't win but I could get through it.

I agree -- some games can be harder on you. I know that even at 1pocket, when I really go off-line, sometimes I'm hoping: puleseeee, don't leave me a tough out that I'm likely to dog off in front of everyone

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

For me it would be a dream regardless of whether I won or dogged it. It won't happen because I'll never play in a tournament that big.

It would be super cool though.

I'm thinking that maybe, if you're not getting into tougher events, you may not be seeing the potential downside of being undressed on camera and for perpetuity (mit commentary) by a qualified opponent

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

For me, I would enjoy the opportunity to test myself under the TV lights and can only dream of playing well. What happens under the lights will only make me stronger. If I fail, I fail but it won't be for lack of effort.

I have lost MANY matches to great players as well as lesser players and losing another would not be a nightmare. Getting the opportunity to play on the TV table is the dream and the chips will fall where they will. Hopefully, I will have good control over my emotions and I will be able to focus.

Once upon a time, I was on the TV table, playing Davey Crockett, a descendant of the original famous frontiersman. Ok, he wasn't Efren but David played well and we were see-sawing game for game but with him leading most of the time. About half way through our match Scott Smith informed us that we had been demoted and were sent to the minor leagues to finish our match. He had a bank game semi-final or some other "important" match to be filmed on the TV table and we were banished in the middle of our match. :grin: It can't get any worse than that so bring on the lights, Freddy, Billy, Grady and my worst critics. I've already been beaten, embarassed and ostracized so that doesn't leave much worse to be had. :smile: Yeah, I lost that match too but it doesn't keep me from trying. lol

Joey, I like your attitude.

But let me ask you: suppose you're in an event and not hitting them well and they call your match for the TV table and you are facing the potential of a permanent souvenir of a massive drubbing. Do you still let the chips fall where they may and buy the DVD?

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

I gotta go with both. Most of the time I welcome it, it does make me a little more nervous but usually the nerves make me play a little better. But this one time I can’t say I was looking forward to it!

In the Allen Hopkins 10 Ball event I lost my first round match to Ralph Soquet 10 zip and this was alternate break and we were playing right next to the az streaming table so I know the scores were being reported BUT not viewed and I actually wished it was filmed cuz Ralph would have shot 1000 had he not taken an intention foul, he BNR 5 of his 5 breaks (we had score cards) and got out 3 times off my dry break 1 other rack after him taking the intentional foul by tying up 2 balls I 3 railed it out of there and stuck the cue to rail and from there of course he kicked the sucker in from 8 ft away my 1 other opportunity I missed a 50/50 4 ball man where’s the smiley faces??

Well that’s not the story cuz we were only next to the streaming table but I thought I’d share my agony there and it does lead us to the rest of the story.

My next match (1st round on the losers side mind you) is against Johnny "not suppose to be on the loser side this freakin early" Archer
and you guessed it, az streaming table. I’m 0 for life against JA or 0 for 4 which ever is better, he’s my son’s favorite, eww the scorpion (shut up kid) he’s gonna watch the stream at home with the fam and anyways I’m okay ( I think),,,, untillll
I lose the first 4 racks!!

I will tell you now that I don’t think my ego has ever been this frightened of losing before in its life. The thoughts of the az world hearing of my 10 zip loss to Ralph topped now with the potential of it happening LIVE with Mr Archer for all the pool world to see ARE NOT THE EASIEST TO FIGHT OFF.

A family life may not be the best for pro players trying to be competitive but they do have some benefits and I used one here. Thinking okay Joe “How would you like your son to think if he was in a similar situation?” came up with some experienced pool player answers a father would share with a son, applied them, dropped the demons and went on to make a match of it. Missed a 5 ball at 8-8 and then JA put me out of my misery , that really wasn’t misery anymore :wink:

Like I said, normally I like it but this 1 time it was almost Elm st. Thanks for the post Lou, I think?

Great stories, Joe. I can commiserate a bit, drawing Efren and him winning the first game 8-0 and me suddenly dreading a 32-0 white-wash. Some guys, like Archer, are good enough to do that to you. Glad to hear you held up.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

It wasn't on the TV table, but I played Dennis Orcullo in 9 ball the first year he was at the Derby. It was in the main tourney room at the executive west. On one of the tables tucked back in the corner.

It seemed like every spectator at the Derby was watching. Dennis won the lag and ran to 8 ball and missed. I got out from there to go up 1-0 and turned to the rail and said I hope you bet I would get to one. Which got a little laugh from my buddies. I broke dry and Dennis was up 6-1 before I got another shot at the table.

I had never been nervous playing a big name before, but Dennis was different. From some reason it seemed suffocating at the time. It was still fun and made me a better player in the long run.

Shev

That is so cool -- that you were able to come out stronger because of the experience. Thanks, Shev.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

last year at european championships my first round match in 9ball division was against ralf souquet.funny thing was i had an email exchange with ralf few months before EC and i wrote him that i would love to play him sometime in the future and he replied that some dreams come true earlier than one thinks... well after i saw the draw i started to celebrate as this was really my dream to play him.and 15 mins prior to the match i found out that the match was going to happen on "the centre court" as we call it here. the match started at 9pm and there were not many spectators,maybe like 10-15,i was virtually nobody compared to ralf so i was expected to be beaten badly.and when i was 2-7 down in race to 9 everything seemed clear,especially with alternate break format and ralf playing flawlessly.well ralf made his first mistake,after his break he may/should have played agressive shot to break a cluster on the rail to run out but he decided to play safety.i got angry at this very moment,i told to myself:"he WONT make me look like an idiot!!!",i came to the table and re-safed him.he made foul and i ran out the table.and i ran out even the next table for 4:7.to make things even better he scratched on the next break and i ran out for 5:7 and ran next table to make it 6:7.during the period between 2-7 and 6-7 more people came to the stands,at the 6-7 there were maybe 50-60 people watching.at 6-7 ralf broke the rack but had no shot and opted for pushout. i came to the table and studied it for maybe a minute.i saw no way to play offensive and no easy way to play safety.so i decided to return the pushout to ralf,i didnt want to let him to the table but i really didnt want to lose thx to failed safety.ralf played safety but left me tough cut...which i made and from there i was in control of the table even if i had to play safety on the 7.but i played it so tight that he fouled and i ran out the table for 7:7! and when i looked at the stands they were full and the atmosphere was incredible!what was even better:most of the spectators were rooting for me as me being total underdog which gave me incredible amount of energy,i really enjoyed myself! at 7:7 ralf took timeout which in fact helped me as i really realized at this moment that even big ralf souquet is mere human (i kept telling to myself all the match "he is just a human,he is just a human" just to persuade myself i had a chance against him). after he returned from his timeout,i broke the balls and made 3 balls on the break,so i had little trouble running the table except for the fact i overran my position on 9 really badly...tough cut with posibility to stratch..but i already made one such 9 in this match so i calmly focused on not standing up on the shot and made nice followthrough.9 went in and cueball missed middle pocket by inch.. on the next rack ralf forced me to play some jumps and kicks and i kept scratching after those so he 3-fouled me for double hill!!!talk about the atmosphere,stands were full with people crawling from every possible angle to see a glimpse of the table!i broke the rack with one ball down but had to shoot a very missable shot,i decided i would rather go down in flames than to let ralf to the table voluntarily!!that shot was like 5 out of 10 even in practice with no chance of controling the cueball but i went for it and i made it with cueball kicking two object balls for position to play bank shot on the next ball...i calmed myself a little with my eyes shut and doing some brief breathing techniques and went for the bank shot....which i made but left myself 80 degree cut for the next.my mindset was on full ofensive and i didnt care for possibility of missing,i just went for the ball and trying to make position for the next ball .i rattled the ball and left it maybe a foot from the pocket but as i played position for the next ball the cueball ended in safety as i played position on the next ball for the same pocket i played that cut.all the railbirds went wild,they could feel the moment of truth was coming. ralf went for kickshot,hit the ball but didnt potted it!i had two posibilities:rather tough cut to the middle pocket or bank shot to the opposite middle pocket.bank shot was better for playing position but when you are on the double hill with ralf anything is tough...i called the referee to clean the cueball as i didnt want to lose on skid,the cueball was a little dirty.by this i gained some time to calm my nerves and to make a decision.i finally decided to go for bank shot...i tried to visualize the bank shot with position,there was absolute silence in the stands,i could even hear my own heartbeat!!!set...pause...followthrough...and the ball went in!but cueball was a little short for the 8 which was near the middle pocket,i had to play 40 degree cut shot to the corner+i was afraid that the cueball would catch a pin of middle pocket.after maybe a minute of studying the position of 8 i decided that i may play this shot with position on 9 if i put a follow with a touch of inside english on cueball.so i visualised the shot once again and went down...but something was not right,i was not aligned properly so i decided to stand up and align for the shot again..this time it felt right.."stay down on the shot and make nice followthrough" - this was my thought during the shot...i shot the ball and i saw the 8 going towards the corner pocket while touching the long rail..when 8 arrived to the pocket it hesitated a little but went in..then i turned my attention to cueball....which arrived almost perfect at the position for 9!!!the church-like silence was all gone,spectators went wild as they saw i was really going to win...even if the 9 was really easy shot i went through my routine again,calmed my nerves through breathing, visualised the shot and then went for it.when 9ball went in...i just closes my eyes....well,i just cant remember what my thought were...it was extasy mixed with relieve...then i opened my eyes and went to ralf to shake his hand.he was gratious in defeat,shook my hand firmly.after that i tried to walk out of the arena which proved to be quite a task as everybody wanted to shake my hand or to take picture with me...it was amazing! even german players who were watching the match congratulated me and told me the this match was the best show of the whole EC!!!you can bet i was proud as hell!!! i got to bed by midnight but i couldnt get any sleep at all,all the emotions and thoughts from the match kept spinning in my head...and the same thing the next night,it was just too much for me at the moment to swallow.i went on to win one more match then i virtually fell down exhausted from the lack of the sleep while ralf went through losers side like hot knife through butter and in the end he won the whole thing thats why he is a champion,he can bounce back from the loss so well.btw when i analyzed our match i realized that ralf didnt miss a single ball during our match,but he scratched on his break 3 times and made one bad safety...seems like the spectators helped me a lot to play good game

Veins in both my eyes just exploded, lol. BUT, in there, somewhere, was a great story. Thanks, marek.

Lou Figueroa
I need and Advil

 

[lfigueroa]

Yes Lou....This Is John Brumback.I remember It pretty good also.We drew each other 2 years in a row at the dcc,and I think they were both the first round! What are the odds on that, with that many people??? I remember you trying real hard to beat me.I think one of our matches lasted like 3 or 4 hours.You wouldn't go for anything.I was trying to set some traps but you wouldn't go for em.Your a fine onepocket player and I was quite fortunate to walk away a winner in both matches.

For me,I think alot of It was just being up there a few times.getting used to It. And I did solidfiy my game some from watching alot of my matches
over and over and over.I noticed I was not staying down as good as I should have.I'v been working on that real hard and It has really improved my game the last few years.Guess your never to old to learn.Onemore thing...I don't think people watch great players, "close enough". Good luck at the dcc this year and try not to draw me anymore.I like to start out a little eaiser than that.LOL John B.

Yes, what were the odds (damnit

I think you just gave a way a great bit of advice, buried in there: about pool players not watching "close enough." I've been watching video of myself lately and it has been a huge help, but watching better players closely is just as important.

Not so much for you, John, but for others reading this, here's something I wrote a long time ago on this theme:

#####
So I'm playing in a little 1pocket tournament this weekend and I'm playing
my second round match against a capable local. My wife is sitting on the
rail next to the seat my opponent occupies when it's my turn.

So after I win the first game, every time he sits down, its the old, "oh,
he's so good; one mistake and the game is over; he never misses" crappola,
all of which I can hear very clearly, but choose to ignore.

And then the killer. I think my wife asks him if he ever has played or
practiced with me, and he says, "Oh, I would never practice with him. All
you'd get to do is sit in the chair." To my wife's credit, she replies to
him, "But isn't that how you get better? Playing better players." And he
says, "No that's not how you get better. You get better by shooting.
Sitting in the chair and watching, you don't learn anything." Once again,
to my wife's credit, she decided not to take the discussion any further.

I believe this gentleman lurks here, and so in response, here's something I
wrote a couple of years ago:

#####
I think the idea is to play players at all levels. It's not good just to
get beat up. Sometimes it's nice to just wail away on someone And, it
gives you a chance to try things out with little to no penalty.

I guess it boils down to what you can afford But, if better players
are willing to play you for cheap, or the time, or free, you should play
them all you can. I don't think you can get enough of that kind of
education, at that price.

When you're playing the better players you certainly try to
win, but don't get fed up because you're losing -- PAY ATTENTION! The
better players are showing you everything they know right there in front of
your little peepers -- stance, grip, bridges, head position, alignment,
rhythm, eye movement, cue tip placement, stroking, position play,
strategy -- it's all out there waiting for you to soak up. Play them and
set realistic goals, like taking a certain number of games off them in a
set. Or if you're playing for something, get a spot that gives you a
chance. But whatever you do: pay attention and learn.

Here's what I think is one of the biggest mistakes many players make:
thinking that good players are just that: good players with more talent.
Yes, there's talent involved, but there's also a huge amount of knowledge
that anyone with enough discipline can observe, learn, and incorporate
into their game. Playing better players is the ideal opportunity to pick
up all kinds of knowledge.

In some ways pool is like a series of magic tricks. It all happens so fast,
they make it look so effortless, and if you don't know what to watch for, it
looks absolutely amazing -- something you could never do. But when you're
playing a good player, you're getting a chance to see the magic tricks over
and over again, way up close. This is your opportunity to study and learn
how the trick is done instead of just sitting there in amazement like some
rube at the fair.
#####

Lou Figueroa

 

[GetMeThere]

Sooooo there you are. You're in a tournament. You are no world-beater. You're hoping for a soft draw to get rolling. And then you hear your name over the PA and the announcement that your next match is on the Accu-Stats table: cameras, lights, a crowd, Danny Diliberto and Freddy the Beard in the booth. Your opponent is a stone-cold champion. And, you are clearly the dog.

Dream or nightmare?

Taken exactly as you staged it: it's no problem at all. If you're SUPPOSED to lose, then you could hope to play your game and at least show you've got some stuff. I think it would be much worse for the "stone-cold champion" who, on a fluke, might get whipped by a nobody.

One of my favorite examples of "center stage tournament psychology" is Earl in '83, beating Mizerak. (start watching around 3:35). I don't think there's another pool video showing that depth of "joyous basking," and the extent of it is a good measure of the misery Earl can show when things are turned around.

To do your best you simply have to be able to work your way through the psychological pitfalls of those situations.

 

[lfigueroa]

If I can keep myself from wetting my pants, I'd consider it a win and a dream.

lol. I met an old pool hall buddy (Jerry) a couple of years ago to catch up and I told him I played Efren in the US Open and he said, "I would have just crapped my pants."

Lou Figueroa