On The Road Again with Perfect Aim....

There was not much going on at Q Masters last night so I decided to brave the smoke and play in the handicap 9 ball tourny in the smoking part of the poolhall. This is one reason that I don't go to the smoking states because it's like holdong a peice of candy in front of a kid and say he can't eat it.

A pool tourny right there for a pool player.

Rhea was already in it and i went in and gave them my $15.

I told the guy running the tourny that he shoukl just make me a triple A+. That's the highest rating in the tourny so nobody would complain. He agreed and had no problem with that.

After losing my third match to Tony, a great player at the age of 67, I started to bear down and won match after match. Many of them 5-0. I got to play one match even and won that 5-3.

An old guy Buck won the winners side and the guy running the tourny told him he could just split with whoever came up through the losers and just take $115 instead of $130. he readily agreed to this. He didn't play that well and was pretty happy not to play the final match.

Then I kept working my way through the losers and i got to play Tony again. Before the match Tony wanted to just split the money between the 3 of us that were left. 2nd place was $100. 3rd was $70 and I think 4th was $50. Because first bowed out with $115 instead of $130 that put $15 more for second and made it $115 instead of $100.

So it was like $115, $70, and $50. it would have been $235 divided 3 ways, about 78 apiece.

I came there to play the game not split any money. the guy that took the $115 for first was there until closing. He would have been happy to play at the end. he had nothing else to do. he came there for the fun.

I told Tony I wanted to play. He said OK.

I went to play the next guy and he said,I'm splitting after waiting this long. Kind of a rediculous statement but he made it pretty clear that it was going to be only one way.
I thought to myself, Whatever. So we just split the measly $$195 that was left for 2nd and third.

I came there to have some fun and play. Everyone there came to play and try to win. If it was all about the money why even come. there's not that much to worry about.

I was playing pretty good and hit a high gear. i guess if i was on the sidelines watching I can see why they wanted to split instead of play.

I like to play in these tournys to try and get ready for the bigger ones.

Wouldn't it have been cool if Shane and the guy he played in the US Open just split 1st and second. Or the last 4 places, like in this small tourny just split 1st, 2nd ,3rd, and 4th.

To me this isn't why we play the game at any level. Why don't we just split when the field gets down to half. Doesn't make much sense.

And you can cross off the reason that someone had to get to work tomorrow. I doubt anyone at the end had that problem.

I was disappointed but glad i got to play as much as I did.

I struggled to breath last night and my nose is raw inside. Every time I swallow I feel like something is stuck in my throat and it is kind of harder to breath in a breath. Took about 3 hours to get to sleep. Chest hurts a little.

This will go on for about 3 to 4 days.

High price to pay to have a little fun.

One man a van and the road...........

Come to Indy this week they don't smoke there
And ill play you bar table 8 ball even
 
Gene, if you don't like the smoke, don't play in it. The owner of the bar made a business decision to have the tourney in the smoking section. There is no where in the Constitution that provides you an inalienable right to force the pool room owner to hold his tournaments in the non smoking section. You remind me of people, back when restaurants were segregated by smoking/non smoking, who would take first available and then ***** to the people around them for smoking when they ended up being seated there.

I smoke cigars, a couple per day. I can tell you that I don't spend my time *****ing to the waitresses and everyone around me when I play league in a non smoking facility. I have a choice to make. Once I make it, it's done, move on. If I felt strongly enough about it, I wouldn't go there and cast the most valuable vote I have available to me, my pocket book.

You describe how being around smoke makes you ill. I believe you. What I cannot understand then is why you keep going to areas where smoking is allowed. There certainly are plenty of places these days where it is not. It's all about choice and you seem to making poor ones for you and your health. If you see a burner on the stove that is red, do you touch it with your finger to see if it is really hot? You spent quite a bit of time complaining about Rhea's lack of discipline the past few days yet you set an incredibly poor example with your own behavior.
 
I know Geno's soapboxing about smoke bugs you and other smokers, but I wish people would
just humor his grousing. No need to get worked up with "the constitution never guaranteed...!"
or "you remind me of those incessant complainers who b*tch at the waitress all night!"
That stuff just turns the thread into a typical pro/anti smoking flame war.

For all we know Geno never says a word about it when he's playing and just vents on AZ.
I'm sure he's aware of his constitutional rights, and that he has a choice :)
You don't have to tell him "don't do that if it bothers you" like that option never occurred to him.

Why do you keep going to areas where smoking is not allowed?"
He explained why in the first sentence:

There was not much going on at Q Masters last night so I decided to brave the smoke
and play in the handicap 9 ball tourny in the smoking part of the poolhall.
 
Nothing against the business or owner........

Gene, if you don't like the smoke, don't play in it. The owner of the bar made a business decision to have the tourney in the smoking section. There is no where in the Constitution that provides you an inalienable right to force the pool room owner to hold his tournaments in the non smoking section. You remind me of people, back when restaurants were segregated by smoking/non smoking, who would take first available and then ***** to the people around them for smoking when they ended up being seated there.

I smoke cigars, a couple per day. I can tell you that I don't spend my time *****ing to the waitresses and everyone around me when I play league in a non smoking facility. I have a choice to make. Once I make it, it's done, move on. If I felt strongly enough about it, I wouldn't go there and cast the most valuable vote I have available to me, my pocket book.

You describe how being around smoke makes you ill. I believe you. What I cannot understand then is why you keep going to areas where smoking is allowed. There certainly are plenty of places these days where it is not. It's all about choice and you seem to making poor ones for you and your health. If you see a burner on the stove that is red, do you touch it with your finger to see if it is really hot? You spent quite a bit of time complaining about Rhea's lack of discipline the past few days yet you set an incredibly poor example with your own behavior.

If smoking is allowed in the state then the business and owner have to allow it or lose business. I had a nightclub/poolhall for 13 years.

I asked Rhea if she lived here because of her job, would she go into the poolhalls and brave the smoke. She said yes because she loves pool. Does she get kind of sick from the smoke? Yes Do most people that don't smoke? yes.

This is not just about me but all the players everywhere that don't smoke.

Not addressing the smoke issue and being hush hush about it would be leaving out a really important part of our pool history in limbo.

Right now pool is at a turning point. The places in states that are non smoking are seeing business increase instead of decrease. All a non smoker has to do is come into a room full of smoke and know this is not where they want to be for their health. Therefor the business will not increase from non smokers. Big group of people.

I'm not afraid to voice my opinion about this because I think it is terrible all the people that die each year from a proven killer.

Kill 10 people from a pill the gov will nip it in the bud immediately like with Vioxx. I don't think I spelled it right. I took this pill myself.

90 % of all lung cancer is proven to be caused from cig smoke. 179,000 people die from lung cancer in the US each year. 49,000 of these are from second hand smoke.

10 people die from a pill.

179,000 die from a cigerette.

Something very wrong with this picture. Really bad wrong.

Just because they got away with it for years doesn't make it acceptable.

If someone wants to play pool and they're in a smoking state they will probably go in the smoke so they can play pool.

They just love the game.

When Wisconsin was smoking back in 2008, 2009, I drove 100+ miles a day to play pool in Minneapolis because it was non smoking.

Every once in awhile i would try to play in a tourny in Wisconsin back then only to be taught a lesson on why I didn't want to be in the smoke.

Someday everywhere will be non smoking.

Many of the smokers even like the non smoking venues.
 
If smoking is allowed in the state then the business and owner have to allow it or lose business. I had a nightclub/poolhall for 13 years.

I asked Rhea if she lived here because of her job, would she go into the poolhalls and brave the smoke. She said yes because she loves pool. Does she get kind of sick from the smoke? Yes Do most people that don't smoke? yes.

This is not just about me but all the players everywhere that don't smoke.

Not addressing the smoke issue and being hush hush about it would be leaving out a really important part of our pool history in limbo.

Right now pool is at a turning point. The places in states that are non smoking are seeing business increase instead of decrease. All a non smoker has to do is come into a room full of smoke and know this is not where they want to be for their health. Therefor the business will not increase from non smokers. Big group of people.

I'm not afraid to voice my opinion about this because I think it is terrible all the people that die each year from a proven killer.

Kill 10 people from a pill the gov will nip it in the bud immediately like with Vioxx. I don't think I spelled it right. I took this pill myself.

90 % of all lung cancer is proven to be caused from cig smoke. 179,000 people die from lung cancer in the US each year. 49,000 of these are from second hand smoke.

10 people die from a pill.

179,000 die from a cigerette.

Something very wrong with this picture. Really bad wrong.

Just because they got away with it for years doesn't make it acceptable.

If someone wants to play pool and they're in a smoking state they will probably go in the smoke so they can play pool.

They just love the game.

When Wisconsin was smoking back in 2008, 2009, I drove 100+ miles a day to play pool in Minneapolis because it was non smoking.

Every once in awhile i would try to play in a tourny in Wisconsin back then only to be taught a lesson on why I didn't want to be in the smoke.

Someday everywhere will be non smoking.

Many of the smokers even like the non smoking venues.

Gene they don't smoke at the Brickyard!! You could be there and in action by now instead of dealing with all of this chaotic bull shit! :thumbup:
 
Gene they don't smoke at the Brickyard!! You could be there and in action by now instead of dealing with all of this chaotic bull shit! :thumbup:

No he would rather drive 7 hours to Charlotte, NC to try to book some lessons in a city with a big population and possibly find a small local tournament or get real lucky and find some random action for myself or for himself, than to drive 10 1/2 hours to Indianapolis where we can find definite action for both of us and a definitely big tournament that he has a good chance of winning, but not at the expense of a very low chance of booking any lessons.

Basically Lessons are our bread and butter they are Guaranteed income, 1 lesson pays for 5 days of motel fees wherever we go. Action of gambling doesn't guarantee anything sometimes you win sometimes you lose. A big tournament is also not a guarantee, bad draws or the way you feel after a long drive could be the difference between cashing or not.
 
Gene: Q-Masters holds the handicap tournament every Wednesday and Sunday. Typically it is limited to the LOCAL players only. You and Rhea were fortunate to even be allowed to play in it. The splitting of the top 3 to 4 places is commonplace there. It's a friendly handicapped tourney where most are just playing in it for something to do and are happy with splitting instead of grinding until past midnight on a work night. Hope this info helps you. Regards.......
 
No he would rather drive 7 hours to Charlotte, NC to try to book some lessons in a city with a big population and possibly find a small local tournament or get real lucky and find some random action for myself or for himself, than to drive 10 1/2 hours to Indianapolis where we can find definite action for both of us and a definitely big tournament that he has a good chance of winning, but not at the expense of a very low chance of booking any lessons.

Basically Lessons are our bread and butter they are Guaranteed income, 1 lesson pays for 5 days of motel fees wherever we go. Action of gambling doesn't guarantee anything sometimes you win sometimes you lose. A big tournament is also not a guarantee, bad draws or the way you feel after a long drive could be the difference between cashing or not.

So then he is not the last of the road players

I have never heard of a road player making there money from lessons
 
In this day and age...

So then he is not the last of the road players

I have never heard of a road player making there money from lessons

Many have tried to stay on the road but few can.

They better be able to win many tournys or the money will get real short real quick.

Action out here dries up real fast with info from the internet.

I get action but not enough to sustain $1000 a week expenses.

I get a good game out here I will bet it up and it will be with my own money.

Don't have a traveling backer. Wish I did but I don't.

The good news is when i play i make it all. But then again lose it all.

The secret is as you know matching up.

Usually I am playing on their table, with their cue ball and their own poolhall.

The players like yourself that play pro speed or better are off limits for me.

There is usually about 5 or 6 top players in each big city that will gamble and play pretty sporty.

I play most of these guys when I go to a town and usually can get the cash. But if i had to rely on the action to pay the bills my trip would have been over a long time ago as is with most of the road players today.

it's a different animal than it used to be.years ago.
 
So then he is not the last of the road players

I have never heard of a road player making there money from lessons

Cause they didn't think of it :)

Actually, it's the right move. Think of all the old road players that actually sold pots and pans, shoes, jewelry, etc, I bet they were the few road players that did not have to spend very many nights in their cars with the heater going all night !!!
 
No he would rather drive 7 hours to Charlotte, NC to try to book some lessons in a city with a big population and possibly find a small local tournament or get real lucky and find some random action for myself or for himself, than to drive 10 1/2 hours to Indianapolis where we can find definite action for both of us and a definitely big tournament that he has a good chance of winning, but not at the expense of a very low chance of booking any lessons.

Basically Lessons are our bread and butter they are Guaranteed income, 1 lesson pays for 5 days of motel fees wherever we go. Action of gambling doesn't guarantee anything sometimes you win sometimes you lose. A big tournament is also not a guarantee, bad draws or the way you feel after a long drive could be the difference between cashing or not.

The Smokin Cue in Charlotte has a really good 9 ball tourney on Wednesdays. In the past couple months, Larry Nevel, BJ Ussery, Mike Gulyassey, et al have played in it.

Smokin Cue is also non-smoking. Really nice room.
 
Any other regular tournaments in the Charlotte area? Dr gave me the OK to start playing again. Getting the itch.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
Any other regular tournaments in the Charlotte area? Dr gave me the OK to start playing again. Getting the itch.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Q City 9 Ball Tour has some. They travel around a bit but I've seen them at Smokin Cue on a couple Saturday's.

I would think that Rack 'Em Pub/Billiards has some as well.

Dilworth Billiards in the city is more of a bar with antique tables but they have a 9 ball tourney weekly as well.
 
Cause they didn't think of it :)

Actually, it's the right move. Think of all the old road players that actually sold pots and pans, shoes, jewelry, etc, I bet they were the few road players that did not have to spend very many nights in their cars with the heater going all night !!!

I been going on the road for 18 years or so
Never had to sleep in my car


1 man and no aiming system
 
The Smokin Cue in Charlotte has a really good 9 ball tourney on Wednesdays. In the past couple months, Larry Nevel, BJ Ussery, Mike Gulyassey, et al have played in it.

Smokin Cue is also non-smoking. Really nice room.

Actually I can not think of a room within 2 hours of Charlotte that is smoking (150Nout in Mooresville, Gate City in Greensboro, Browns in Raleigh, not sure about Rack'm in Matthews) ... Each one have some sort of tourney.. Smokin Cue has at least 2 $10K break and run pots but I believe you need to have played in a least two tourn. to be able to participate ... the event does draw a full 128 so show up earlier ;-)
 
Got some action tonight and set up 3 lessons for tomorrow......

Went to a great little non smoking pool hall tonight called Pockets in newport.

I went in looking for some action. Played well and got the cash. Then I started showing players how Perfect aim worked and set up 3 for tomorrow.

One at 2:30, 5:00 and 8:00. it will be a full day for sure.

It's a family place. Father and 2 daughters run the place. The one daughter said their father has lung and bone cancer stage 4 and her and her sister decided to make the place no smoking because of it.

It sure is a nice place and it was packed.

That's where i will be all day tomorrow. anyone wanting to see what's going on is welcome to stop in.

Might be a few days late heading to Charlotte.

One man a van and the road..........
 
If smoking is allowed in the state then the business and owner have to allow it or lose business. I had a nightclub/poolhall for 13 years.

I asked Rhea if she lived here because of her job, would she go into the poolhalls and brave the smoke. She said yes because she loves pool. Does she get kind of sick from the smoke? Yes Do most people that don't smoke? yes.

This is not just about me but all the players everywhere that don't smoke.

Not addressing the smoke issue and being hush hush about it would be leaving out a really important part of our pool history in limbo.

Right now pool is at a turning point. The places in states that are non smoking are seeing business increase instead of decrease. All a non smoker has to do is come into a room full of smoke and know this is not where they want to be for their health. Therefor the business will not increase from non smokers. Big group of people.

I'm not afraid to voice my opinion about this because I think it is terrible all the people that die each year from a proven killer.

Kill 10 people from a pill the gov will nip it in the bud immediately like with Vioxx. I don't think I spelled it right. I took this pill myself.

90 % of all lung cancer is proven to be caused from cig smoke. 179,000 people die from lung cancer in the US each year. 49,000 of these are from second hand smoke.

10 people die from a pill.

179,000 die from a cigerette.

Something very wrong with this picture. Really bad wrong.

Just because they got away with it for years doesn't make it acceptable.

If someone wants to play pool and they're in a smoking state they will probably go in the smoke so they can play pool.

They just love the game.

When Wisconsin was smoking back in 2008, 2009, I drove 100+ miles a day to play pool in Minneapolis because it was non smoking.

Every once in awhile i would try to play in a tourny in Wisconsin back then only to be taught a lesson on why I didn't want to be in the smoke.

Someday everywhere will be non smoking.

Many of the smokers even like the non smoking venues.

262,000,000 died by their own state last century, not counting the wars. See http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/MURDER.HTM for a better comparison with CHOOSING to enter smoky environments and dying that way. Waiting for a state to save you is unhealthy, too.

Kinda like leaving out one's losses at the table and only speaking of the wins.

Jeff Livingston
 
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