I signed up for the Battle of the Bull. It's a MR satellite event, so it will have many top international players. It's the biggest tournament I've entered since I played in a few DCC's/Tunica several years ago. I think because the entry fee is higher, it probably has fewer dead money (me) players than the DCC, even though the field is much smaller. I don't know what my goal is yet. I think it can be to not completely embarrass myself. When I went to my first DCC, my goal was to win a single game (not set). I ended up cashing in the banks one year, and it was the best $150 I've ever won in my life.
I wanted to test myself and prepare for the Bull tournament, so I lined up a few cheap sets with stronger local players. I played the first session last night. He is a 643, 436 robustness. The sets went: L 2-7, W 7-6, L 6-8 He spotted me one game on the wire the last set, as incentive to play one more set as it was past midnight and I wanted to go home. The actual "earned" score was 5-8. Total earned games were L 14-21, which equates me to a 583 Fargo for this one session's data only.
We played on a 4 1/8" pocket blue label Diamond set up for one hole from the factory. The smaller pockets did not bother me in the slightest. We played Matchroom break rules: Small break box, 9 on the spot, template rack. It was the first time either of us played this break format. Even the 9 on the spot was a first for both of us. We were both trying different breaks, and towards the end seemed to really get the cut break working well, making a ball or two on the break and having a good look at the one. I missed many easy shots of course, but also had some nice outs. I think the thing I did best was I didn't hit hardly any shots fat. They were hitting the face of the pocket well. Most of my misses were thin. In my whole pool life, I'd say I've missed most of my shots fat. So I think I'm seeing the balls well based on that.
I had a few racks lost due to poor pattern selection. A couple were because I didn't pick the pattern, I got lazy with it, and just wanted to shoot. I need to find a balance between analysis paralysis of picking the pattern, and shooting. Most outs I'm seeing the pattern clearly and quickly. Others I'm having trouble (even when no clusters).
A couple racks I played the pattern I wanted, and missed the shot. They were the OB near center table, and playing for the corner instead of the side. I know all the pros say to play for the corner, which usually results in a longer shot, but a better CB. I might have taken it too far and maybe in a couple instances I should have played for the side to keep the shot shorter. I'm really unsure of this. I think I will have to gain more experience in this area and see which way ends up biting me less.
I made it a goal to try to watch the patterns of my opponent and try to predict what pattern he would shoot before he did. All my pool life I've been absent minded when my opponent was shooting. So I wanted to work on that as a possible improvement. I had some trouble seeing the shot angle he had from the chair. It was helpful, but not as helpful as I thought it would be. I also got absent minded again and only did it some of the time.
I can't easily do this with pro videos, because I'm colorblind and can't identify the balls half the time. The only way I can do it is if I make a big effort to take a screenshot at the beginning of a rack, then watch the order the balls were run, then go back to the screenshot and type in the ball numbers. I did that for an old Buddy Hall set years ago but its too much work.
Incidentally, we played with the Aramith Tournament set. The original one released after the IPT, not the TV colors. I loved it. I think I was able to pick out the balls by the colors more than any other set I've ever played. Next best would be Centennials, which hardly any rooms use anymore.
I have this exact set at home, bought 10 years ago, and never taken out of the box. I was going to measure them all brand new, and never got around to it. So they sit.
I may have another cheap set practice session tomorrow. This guy does not have a rating, but I'm guessing he's about a 700. I have to be careful because I got in trouble at home being out too late last night. I have to balance pool sessions with peace at home
Such is pool life
good luck
