Live (Barely) from the Derby

lfigueroa

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
OK, so I’m calling this Derby a wrap and headed home this morning.

It’s been alright but it is a grind with endless waiting and the food situation is absurd. I decided the least of the evils last night was a plastic bin garden salad and a cold turkey/ham wrap.

I lost my second round to Ike, 3-2, going down on the last few balls. I felt I played good with several nice banks and cut shots so I feel pretty good about that. But my hotel reservation got screwed up, they won’t extend my stay, and I don’t feel like sleeping on someone’s floor or driving back and forth so I’m gone and not buying back in.

Seeing many friends here was cool. I hung out with some of them last night and killed a few of my remaining brain cells with numerous beers and a gummy (pharmacy grade). One good thing about the casino/hotel set up is that you can get polluted and only have to navigate a hall and elevator to get to your room.

Overall, this is a tough event to fade. Though they capped the entries at 500 per event you’re basically waiting, waiting, and waiting some more. The equipment, though very nice, is of a kind most players will be unfamiliar with, the pros, not so much. Perhaps this an event that favors the spectators who want to see the pros, often warming up on the hapless amateurs.

The EW did have a certain je ne sais quoi. But that is gone so this is what we have. You should go if you have not. Bring granola bars.

Lou Figueroa
 
Last edited:

Biloxi Boy

Man With A Golden Arm
Interesting thread from 2006:

 

BasementDweller

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
OK, so I’m calling this Derby a wrap and headed home this morning.

It’s been alright but it is a grind with endless waiting and the food situation is absurd. I decided the least of the evils last night was a plastic bin garden salad and a cold turkey/ham wrap.

I lost my second round to Ike, 3-2, going down on the last few balls. I felt I played good with several nice banks and cut shots so I feel pretty good about that. But my hotel reservation got screwed up, they won’t extend my stay, and I don’t feel like sleeping on someone’s floor or driving back and forth so I’m gone and not buying back in.

Seeing many friends here was cool. I hung out with some of them last night and killed a few of my remaining brain with numerous beers and a gummy (pharmacy grade). One good thing about the casino/hotel set up is that you can get polluted and only have to navigate a hall and elevator to get to your room.

Overall, this is a tough event to fade. Though they capped the entries at 500 per event you’re basically waiting, waiting, and waiting some more. The equipment, though very nice, is of a kind most players will be unfamiliar with, the pros, not so much. Perhaps this an event that favors the spectators who want to see the pros, often warming up on the hapless amateurs.

The EW did have a certain je ne sais quoi. But that is gone so this is what we have. You should go if you have not. Bring granola bars.

Lou Figueroa
List for my initial visit next year:

Cues....check
Granola bars....check
Hotel reservation....
Or
Van with mattress (I ain't scared)....
Large cooler with food....
Cash....
Or
IOU Slips (I'm good for it)....check
 

Bob Jewett

AZB Osmium Member
Staff member
Gold Member
Silver Member
... Hotel reservation....
Or
Van with mattress (I ain't scared)....
Large cooler with food....
...
Ummm... The first year at The Horseshoe, we had the worst ice storm in Kentucky's history (according to the Governor) and the hotel staff couldn't get in to work. Nobody was arriving or leaving. If that repeats you won't need the cooler in your van. (y)☃️🏂
 

Bob Jewett

AZB Osmium Member
Staff member
Gold Member
Silver Member
I talked to Greg Sullivan recently and he would really like to be in a better location, but he hasn't found one yet. Among other things, he'd like to have a large amateur tournament at the same time. Clearly, there is no room at The Horseshoe -- there's not even enough room for all the 9-foot tables they would like to have. That's part of the reason for all the waiting.
 

Biloxi Boy

Man With A Golden Arm
Sullivan should hire a convention planner who can think outside of the box and consider his recommendations. At this point, a fresh point of view is sorely needed.
 

Jimmy_Betmore

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I made it to the DCC at the EW because a very good friend pushed me so hard -- so very hard. He became a relentless pain on the subject. Finally, I agreed and drove to Louisville. I will never, ever, be able to repay him.

Despite my current issues with the present DCC, what I should be telling all of ya'll is you need to GO, even go this year if you can manage. You may never have the chance to experience such ever again. I sure never expected the EWDCC experience to disappear in the blink of an eye. But it did. So grab all you can while what is left of it is still there. There might be nothing left at all next year,
Amen, Brother! Hell, back around '04 I had a buddy who doesn't even play pool ask me if he could come just because it sounded like a good time. He came with me and had a blast. He even won some side bets without even knowing who the players were he was betting on!
 

Kentucky Rack Man

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
I will be leaving out in the morning at 6 am. Having it 2 hours from home makes it super sweet. I have gone to the local Mennonite Store and gotten shaved Black Forest Ham and Deli Roast Beef. On the way down tomorrow I pickup a fresh loaf of bread. Large Cooler Stocked with Water. Beverages of Choice, Several Options of peanuts, granola bars, apples, banannas, Chips and Dips. Spent about $80. Last few trips I could get an average breakfast at the little spot near hotel elevator. In addition, being familiar with the area I can jump in truck and run and get specific items and back fairly quickly. I manage my time and can prepare for nutrition daily in most situations, but do not get to watch a Gathering of High End Pool Players very often. Wishing All a Very Happy Derby. Looking to find Stu and Introduce Myself.
 

BasementDweller

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Ummm... The first year at The Horseshoe, we had the worst ice storm in Kentucky's history (according to the Governor) and the hotel staff couldn't get in to work. Nobody was arriving or leaving. If that repeats you won't need the cooler in your van. (y)☃️🏂
I'm hard-core. If it's just a day or two, I'll sometimes sleep in my van instead of a hotel room. Most players think it's because I'm cheap but that has nothing to do with it! I actually sleep way better with my setup than in a hotel room. Hotel rooms take me a few days to get acclimated to, especially if someone finds out I have an extra bed 😞 Anyway, the cooler ensures the food stays colder than my bed. Anything above 25 degrees and I can sleep through the night.
 

Fatboy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Ummm... The first year at The Horseshoe, we had the worst ice storm in Kentucky's history (according to the Governor) and the hotel staff couldn't get in to work. Nobody was arriving or leaving. If that repeats you won't need the cooler in your van. (y)☃️🏂
I was there. Hotdogs & oatmeal was the only thing here after about 18 hours after the storm. Harry Platis and I went to the buffet, he had the juice from the casino host so we were first in-line. We waited about 90 minutes. Was glad to have just that to eat. The staff worked over a 24 hour shift as all the roads were closed coming in and out due to fallen trees.
 
Top