Donny:
I agree. I visit my folks in Denver, CO, every year at Christmas holiday to spend some quality time (having a hectic work schedule here in NY makes it a rare opportunity for me to get out there). I hate to air-travel with my cues -- that's another topic, so I won't even go there. Back in 2009, I'm visiting my folks as usual at this time of year, when, on New Year's Eve, I decided to go out to the nearby watering hole,
Greenfields Pool and Sports Bar, which also happens to be a well-known APA stronghold (i.e. holding regionals there). I had intended only to have a few pints of Guinness, maybe play a few racks or gamble some cheap sets to blow off some steam, and just have fun. Being a native NY'er and used to the big tables, I knew there were only barboxes there ("remember where you are, Sean, this is barbox country"), but I figured what the heck.
When I walk in, the place is PACKED. And I'm not just talking about the bar area -- it was standing room only in the entire place. Forget about grabbing a table to play; that area was packed as well. But I do hear the P.A. system (LOUD!), and they are announcing "last call" to enter an end-of-year-bash Open 9-ball tournament they were having. I didn't have my cues with me, but I figured that it was 9-ball on a barbox (easier). I also noticed that players had come in from miles around -- including from out-of-state (e.g. Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico), so I knew that this was both easy, and a challenge at the same time because it drew in talent from miles around. I knew I was going to have my hands full, but I figured, what the heck, what a great way to celebrate the New Year, even if I get my butt kicked!
I pull a stick off the wall, examine it to make sure it's decent/playable, and jog over to the registration counter to hand in my fee (I think it was $20). Because of the sheer number of players, it was short races (race to 5), and all the tables were in constant match use. While waiting for my match to start, I do a little doctoring of the tip with my CueShark PUP and on the shaft with a Q-Wiz (I at least brought these with me, because they're small / easy to carry, and I knew there was a chance I'd play a little pool while out there).
Well, long story short, I end up winning the whole shebang. Using a house cue straight off the wall, and without the benefit of hitting a few balls with it first. Some matches I cruised through, others went hill-hill, but I was constantly adapting my play to the situation, and to the equipment.
(Mostly, I found a "balls-to-the-wall" offensive approach to be best -- pocketing balls from everywhere, including when the opponent "thought" that pinning the cue ball to the cushion with the object ball at the other end of the table "was a good safety" on a barbox, but I digress...) Ended up pocketing a nice chunk of cash, for what was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and it made for a very nice vacation indeed! The locals weren't pleased that this "New Yawka" from out of town comes in and takes it with nothing but a "Wall-a-bushka."
Would I normally play championship-level events like this with a house cue? No way. But I had no choice in this situation.
(Well, I did have a choice -- not enter the tournament at all -- but for my intent, which was to have some celebratory fun, it was a risk I was willing to take.)
I'm a firm believer that a good player adapts to the conditions. One shouldn't be *so* fixated on using very specific equipment every single time, otherwise, they're lost or hobbled. I think everyone should have a "Wall-a-bushka" game -- being able to use a cue straight off the wall, with some minor doctoring, and adapt his/her play accordingly.
That's IMHO, anyway; your mileage may vary.
-Sean
