Build a champion in a month or 2. Is this possible?

I did not even know about this thread

jhanso18 said:
I am subscribed, and absolutly hooked to this thread. To be honest I would actually pay to read this! This is just too good to put down. Please keep up with this thing Gene! I hope we see you over in sioux falls some time soon!!!!!

Hopefully that kid will learn from this!!!

Thank you so much for this quality read.

My best wishes to you and Zach.

Justin
Click to expand...

Until I found out Gene's prodigy had a hard time reading tournament charts, the hard way. I hope to attain the Perfect Aim Lesson when Gene comes back through KC like he promised me in lieu of a LOST opportunity, next time I know to buy both of them.:eek::eek::eek:
 
Just an average day........

Zack is still over in Davenport. I didn't want to call over there and see what's going on in case he was sleeping.

I went down to Big Dogs and do what i do. Teach players how to aim.

Gave a Perfect Aim lesson to Travis. He's laid off of pool for about 9 years I think. mike Athens told him he should do this. Was he ever glad he did.

Like most of the lessons he could hardly believe what he saw. it was alot of fun. It was a home run all the way. Nice guy too. He even gave me a $100 tip.

I'm thinking that next time I come through Des Moines that Travis will be playing instead of backing.

It was a nice relaxing night for me. Been burning the candle at both ends for months. Slowing down for one day was great.

Zach should be back tomorrow. Can't wait to hear the story.

Two men a van and the road............
 
This covers all the bases........

JoeyA said:
These are a few reasons why I don't like adjusting the weight on the same day:

1. My opponent, especially if I don't know their true speed, might be laying down, either to get a better spot or to bet higher when the spot really gets in his favor.

2. I might be a little tired (from whatever) and for me, there's no reason to play when I am tired, except in tournaments, where you have no choice.

3. My opponent, might be using me to get to someone else and if I adjust the spot, he can utilize that to unfairly match up with someone else.

4. If we both know one another's game, then sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield. Accept it and play another day.

5. I failed to mention the other nefarious situation, my opponent might be playing tired while he was losing but once he gets the spot, he might become stimulated, either naturally or artificially. I've known many players who make out like they don't care if they win or not with a tough game, whine for a spot, then play two balls above their game once they get the adjustment.

A few years ago, I played a TOP CHAMPION getting 12-5 (one pocket), four-ahead for $200. We see-sawed back and forth for a few hours. By then it was midnight and it was a weekday (and I work during the daylight hours). The TOP CHAMPION asked if we could continue the match tomorrow evening as he was tired. It made sense for me since I had to work so I agreed. A few years later, I am still waiting to complete the set. I know that he is an honorable man and we will finish this set. It's just a matter of time and character and he has plenty of character. :wink:
Click to expand...

It's kind of funny but many of the old road players and seasoned players will look at this list here and be thinking the same way. This is the thoughts of the road player to a tee.

I was playing a player in Davenport about 8 months ago and Joe Villaponda was sitting next to me. I was giving the guy a spot and he didn't appear to play real well so I was laying down a little. We were playing a set for $200, race to 9 and I was giving him a pretty good spot.

Joe and I go way back so we were having a little fun back and forth sharing what our next move would be. Joe would say to me , it looks like your going to have trouble making this shot meaning it would be a good one to miss. Joe and myself played this little word game back and forth for most of the first set.

Joe left and I gave the guy a bigger spot. Pretty soon he started running out. It would have been fun to see Joes response to that. I was way down in the set and played about 5 perfect races to win the set.

But it was amazing how we both had the same thoughts even on the same shots. Even the language was kind of a hustlers language that we used many, many years ago

The explanations here that you have shared with us Joey are spot on. You have covered the thought process pretty thorough .

It's obvious that you too have done allot of matching up over your pool career.

Thanks for sharing this with us all. I don't think anyone could have explained it any better.

Thanks Joey........
 
Here we go again..............

I was trying to get some sleep. Got some action to take off down At Big Dogs when i get a knock on the door. One of the young guns, Mike H is there. He said Zach wanted him to check on me.

I really needed the sleep worse than i needed someone to check on me. But Zach was worried. I went to the ER night before last and I got a touch of Pnuemonia. It burns and is mostly on the right side. Got some pills. I'll be OK.

It turns out Zack is playing some young guy from Cedar Rapids. I don't remember the name. I was half asleep when Mike was telling me.

I'm pretty sure there is nobody in Cedar Rapids that can beat Zack on the big table or the bar table but I don't know how much sleep the kid has gotten. I didn't like his game at all when he was real tired in Des Moines before he left. If he's playing like that he can't beat anyone.

Mike H said he came back to Des moines to get more money to bet.

Mike said i should call Zack. i can't get through. His phone goes right to voicemail.

I guess there is nothing I can do there anyway. I did hear that Zack was down 3 games in a 7 ahead set. Zack ran 3 to get back to even. I don't even know how much they got bet but Mike told me they got everything on it that they had. I think Zack had about $1000 cash on him when he left. With the money that the other young guns had from Des Moines, hard telling what the bet is.

I just have to hope that Zach has enough left in the tank to take it off. I'm betting he can. It's my money too so I guess i am whether I like it or not.

I guess I'll just take a pill and go down to the poolhall and take care of business here. I feel kind of weak but should be OK. There is no smoke in Big Dogs.

How sweet it is. Clean air.

Two men a van and the road..........
 
Last edited:
Zach has a Tiger by the tail........

Zacks got a pretty tough cookie that he matched up with today.

His name is Scott H from Cedar rapids.

Zack told me they started the 7 ahead set with Scott running 6 racks. Zack won or run a bunch to get up 4 games.

They quit dead even tonight. Scott has to play in the team event tomorrow.

If Zack gets some sleep he should have an advantage tomorrow.

Scott will be burning up some energy with the tourny. Zack hopefully will be getting plenty of rest.

I wish I could run over there, it's only a 2 1/2 hour drive from Des Moines.

I've got a couple of lessons here on Sunday.

Oh well, I think Zach can take this down by himself.

He's playing pretty good. the only concern I have is the rest.

2 men a van and the road........
 
genomachino said:
Zacks got a pretty tough cookie that he matched up with today.

His name is Scott H from Cedar rapids.

Zack told me they started the 7 ahead set with Scott running 6 racks. Zack won or run a bunch to get up 4 games.

They quit dead even tonight. Scott has to play in the team event tomorrow.

If Zack gets some sleep he should have an advantage tomorrow.

Scott will be burning up some energy with the tourny. Zack hopefully will be getting plenty of rest.

I wish I could run over there, it's only a 2 1/2 hour drive from Des Moines.

I've got a couple of lessons here on Sunday.

Oh well, I think Zach can take this down by himself.

He's playing pretty good. the only concern I have is the rest.

2 men a van and the road........
Click to expand...

Isn't it hard to make a living on the road playing 7 ahead sets? Seems like the only one to get rich that way will be the house.
 
Tables are open at this tourny...........

ChrisBanks said:
Isn't it hard to make a living on the road playing 7 ahead sets? Seems like the only one to get rich that way will be the house.
Click to expand...

This has already been a long battle with these 2 young guns. They charged a green fee at this tourny so there are no quarters to feed. Most poolhalls have a daily fee. Like $15 for the whole day.

Many poolhalls don't charge the table time because I do the lessons. I usually do a few for free to the owners and people that work there. Kind of a trade off for the table time.

I think the difference will be the rest. Scott will be occupied with the tourny while Zack just needs to get ready to get ready.

I think the edge tomorrow will go to Zack.

That's if he takes advantage of the extra rest.

I don't know how early they got them getting up to play in the tourny but it will probably be kind of early. And if Scotts team wins they will play again and again.

Usually the third day at these things I would be pretty pooped and so is everyone else I knew. We were glad it was over.

For Scott he will still have to play Zack.

2 man a van and the road
 
Last edited:
Zack is learning and has the trap set.........

Now he just has to take it off....

He made a mistake by heading over to Davenport thinking he could go over there playing all night and morning, driving there in the afternoon and trying to play in the singles tourny.

Then his team played in the team event. Got a tough draw and got knocked out in 2 matches.

Zack is learning though. He got some sleep and got himself a game the next day. 7 ahead 9 ball for $800. Tough game with Scott H from Cedar Ripids but a game Zach can and should win.

He got another good nights sleep and when I called him this afternoon he's at the poolhall doing drills waiting for Scott to get done with the team tourny.

Zack is learning and today it will be all business.

They quit even last night. I think Scott figured it was going to be easier than what it was.

2 days ago with no sleep I didn't like any game that Zach would get. But today if I was there I would be trying to get side action or bet more with the guys from Cedar Rapids.

Who knows. We might have to take a trip over there after we leave Des Moines.

The biggest point here though is my young champion is learning.

Today he has it right. The sleeping, eating and preparation....

The rest will just happen.

Unless Scott puts a big rush on Zach he's in for a real tough fight. Can't wait to see how this one turns out.

2 men a van and the road......
 
genomachino said:
Now he just has to take it off....

He made a mistake by heading over to Davenport thinking he could go over there playing all night and morning, driving there in the afternoon and trying to play in the singles tourny.

Then his team played in the team event. Got a tough draw and got knocked out in 2 matches.

Zack is learning though. He got some sleep and got himself a game the next day. 7 ahead 9 ball for $800. Tough game with Scott H from Cedar Ripids but a game Zach can and should win.

He got another good nights sleep and when I called him this afternoon he's at the poolhall doing drills waiting for Scott to get done with the team tourny.

Zack is learning and today it will be all business.

They quit even last night. I think Scott figured it was going to be easier than what it was.

2 days ago with no sleep I didn't like any game that Zach would get. But today if I was there I would be trying to get side action or bet more with the guys from Cedar Rapids.

Who knows. We might have to take a trip over there after we leave Des Moines.

The biggest point here though is my young champion is learning.

Today he has it right. The sleeping, eating and preparation....

The rest will just happen.

Unless Scott puts a big rush on Zach he's in for a real tough fight. Can't wait to see how this one turns out.

2 men a van and the road......
Click to expand...

I must interject and make note of gambling when you are playing an ahead set. Zach might spend $100 in table time before the set is over. Just something to consider.
 
Some are and some aren't

Perk said:
Are these matchups on bar boxes?
Click to expand...

It all depends on what the player wants to play on.

I want Zack to play on the 9 footer as much as possible. The bar box doesn't do much for your game.

Hard to build a champion on a Bar box.

2 men a van and the road...........
 
How did the 7 ahead set go? I'm interested to know the table time expense for the entire set, including the first day's expense. I know you mentioned that his opponent ran 6 racks, and then Zach went up 4 games. And then they ended the night even. So that is at least 20 games on the first night.
 
The tables were open at the tourny......

ChrisBanks said:
How did the 7 ahead set go? I'm interested to know the table time expense for the entire set, including the first day's expense. I know you mentioned that his opponent ran 6 racks, and then Zach went up 4 games. And then they ended the night even. So that is at least 20 games on the first night.
Click to expand...

So there was no table time charged.

Zack was at the poolhall and I don't think the ahead set ever got started again.

I have to go to Davenport to pick up Zack. This little trip was not planned very well at all.
 
We got too much to do here in Des Moiness.......

jhanso18 said:
Have you guys hit the road yet today? Are you making any other stops before appleton?
Click to expand...

As usual the longer we stay the more there is to do.

I got more lessons to do and there is more action than you can shake a stick at.

I'm sicker than a Dog. But I will be going to the Dog house tonight anyway. Big Dogs that is to give Mike Athens another Perfect Aim lesson.
Mike had a lesson about 3 years ago when the Perfect Aim journey was only about a year old. He has supported it all this time but has slipped back into some old ways. This tuneup is just what he needs.

I was going to go back to Davenport to pick up Zach but when i called him he had already called Jimmy to pick him up. They got action on the way back.

Also we got some pretty big action lined up here in Des Moines that I'm pretty sure is going to happen.

So with the lessons I have lined up here and the action it sounds like the Big Dog here in Des Moines is going to be barking for a while yet.

I certainly would like to get up there for sure though. Just stuck in a great place to play pool. Dog dogs in Des moines, Iowa.

And what a nice place to be stuck if you love pool.

Good people , beautiful poolhall , and tons of action.

It don't get any better than this.

$100 a rach Zack might soon turn into $500 a rack Zack.

Now That's what I'm talking about!!!!!!!!!!!

2 men a van and the road...................
 
Last edited:
Hey Gene, post in here if you got action going this Saturday at Big Dogs if it happens, I might want to stop up and sweat it. Thanks
 
ChrisBanks said:
If anything, the bar boxes restrained SVB from developing more quickly. Imagine if he never touched them!
Click to expand...

You might have a valid point. I don't know his situation growing up, but in DSM we didn't have a pool hall with 9's for a few years...which really hurt some up and coming players for sure.
 
For years I was strictly bar table player..........

Richardson said:
You might have a valid point. I don't know his situation growing up, but in DSM we didn't have a pool hall with 9's for a few years...which really hurt some up and coming players for sure.
Click to expand...

That's all we had where I lived. No poolhall within 70 miles.

I never got playing on the 9 footers until around 1993. From 1971 to 1993 is a long time.

Player still have the old line that I'm strictly a bar box player. Kind of funny. They get me on the big table and after a while I can see them thinking.

OH OH.

I prefer the big table over the bar table.

My son plays jam up on the bar table. That's still all they have in our home town.

He just bought a house where he has room for the bar table and the big table. I've gotr a couple of big tables in storage that we're going to put up in the new house. Can't wait to see him after wacking in those balls on the big table for a few months.

Plus when i go home I have someplace to really play pool.

When I go home and my son and me play it is the best.

Any father/son players out there know what I mean.

When you have pool together you have a bond that will last forever.

It don't get any better than this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top