Genie8
Registered
Poor playing conditions at 2011 APA National Masters
I just arrived back from the APA National Championships - Masters division in Las Vegas taking place at the Riviera Hotel & Conference Center. I must say how disappointed I was with the playing conditions. It is unbelievable that the APA had the top players in the Masters division from all across North America compete in the convention room with old style used Valley coin op tables. Most of the table rail cushions were dead, the balls were mismatched compositions consisting of old dull balls of different weights mixed in with newer ones. Players had to move team players chairs in order to make their shots. There was no seating for spectators wishing to watch some of these great players. Everything was so crammed in and the only way to watch matches taking place in the middle rows was to go over to the aisles and observe over other matches being played in front of them. All of the Master division matches were paid $1. per game, while the regular 8 & 9 ball teams got to play on open tables with no cost per game. How ironic this whole competition was as the beginners with skill levels of 2, 3 and 4 who don't know the difference of good rails, bed cloth, and a proper set of balls, got to play on new Valley tables with new cloth and a new set of balls in the other convention room with plenty of raised level seating for spectators. There was also a lot of room for the whole team with seating arranged around tables to place their drinks etc. None of the players in this convention room had to move seating in order to play their shots. I think this was an insult to the top players in the Masters division to have them compete in these deplorable conditions. The choice of hard rock music playing too loudly thoughout the competition was annoying and a poor choice of background music. The players who competed in the 2011 APA Masters division should write a letter of complaint to the president of the APA.
I just arrived back from the APA National Championships - Masters division in Las Vegas taking place at the Riviera Hotel & Conference Center. I must say how disappointed I was with the playing conditions. It is unbelievable that the APA had the top players in the Masters division from all across North America compete in the convention room with old style used Valley coin op tables. Most of the table rail cushions were dead, the balls were mismatched compositions consisting of old dull balls of different weights mixed in with newer ones. Players had to move team players chairs in order to make their shots. There was no seating for spectators wishing to watch some of these great players. Everything was so crammed in and the only way to watch matches taking place in the middle rows was to go over to the aisles and observe over other matches being played in front of them. All of the Master division matches were paid $1. per game, while the regular 8 & 9 ball teams got to play on open tables with no cost per game. How ironic this whole competition was as the beginners with skill levels of 2, 3 and 4 who don't know the difference of good rails, bed cloth, and a proper set of balls, got to play on new Valley tables with new cloth and a new set of balls in the other convention room with plenty of raised level seating for spectators. There was also a lot of room for the whole team with seating arranged around tables to place their drinks etc. None of the players in this convention room had to move seating in order to play their shots. I think this was an insult to the top players in the Masters division to have them compete in these deplorable conditions. The choice of hard rock music playing too loudly thoughout the competition was annoying and a poor choice of background music. The players who competed in the 2011 APA Masters division should write a letter of complaint to the president of the APA.
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