i have been trying to play the ghost every night i can, i first did it on one night at the pool room on 7ft. diamonds, i roasted the ghost 9 to 4,using a regular rack and not pattern racking, with 4.5 inch pockets. I was pretty proud of myself, but then i tried it one night on the 9ft. diamond with 4.5 inch pockets,regular rack,not pattern racking, and ended up getting beat 9 to 5. The sad thing was is i was missing outs where the table was wide open and ones i should have won,so it was just the "fear of success" factor as i call it,when you know you are supposed to win and dog the final 2 ducks or something. So i thought i would try playing the 9 ball ghost on a GC with 5 inch corner pockets to see if i faired any better,i got beat for a while,because i missed some easy outs, 9 to 5 was my best there too, then one night i was ahead of the ghost 8 to 7 and the guy had to close the place up, so i counted that as a win. I have a friend who has a really fast diamonized GC that has tight pockets and the best i have done there is 9 to 5 also,using a regular rack ,and no pattern racking. I have been breaking like normal and pocketing 2 and 3 balls sometimes and still cant beat the ghost. I have tried the soft break and it just doesnt work for me, its like hitting a golfball fat and it not doing anything. I am determined to keep trying if it kills me,especially when i am missing easy outs that i should make. it has told me how bad i play anymore,i think 10 years ago i would have beaten the ghost,my eyes and concentration arent what they used to be,i figure at 47 my best days of pool are probably behind me,but oh those glory days of yester year.
