how are ya'll doing in league ?
- Thread starter lorider
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LOL...just opposite ends of the spectrum with the same results.
Was talking to Roy last night and he said Alex played very well to win that tournament. Good for him!
I had usapl last night. After the last couple of bad outings in usapl I have dropped al the way to a 475. Helluva drop from a high of 511 a couple months ago. Not sure what's going on with me.
I faced a 471 in 8 ball who I had never faced before and did not know much about him. Turns out he is pretty good and it got hill-hill . I played a good safe with 2 balls left and he had one ball left. He proceeds to break his jump/ break cue down and makes one heck of a good jump pocketing the ball in the called pocket a gets good on the 8. So he surprised the heck out of me on that shot and I congratulated him on playing a damn good match.
We got to talking later and we agreed to match up again in 9 ball when it came time .
Now lef me stop here and tell you that I am no Keith mcready but I am somewhat of a clown at the table from time to time. I start jaw jacking with my opponent and every one on both teams....not while my opponent is shooting of course but while I am at the table...between innings and between racks. Now I am not that WA all the time but occasionally I cut loose . :grin-square:
So we get it on in 9 ball and I play a good safe ...as I am walking away from the table I say to my opponent....jump that sucka ! My opponent and every one on both teams started laughing their heads off. As I am standing near their scorekeeper he says to me ...he is gonna make that shot. I say ...nope...he is gonna fvck it up. He laughs.
Sure enough my opponent jumps...pockets the ball but the cue ball follows the ball in the pocket. I look at the scorekeeper and say ...i told you so and we both laugh.
Later on my opponent plays a safe.. For the hell of it I decided to try a jump shot with a jump/break cue i just got from a team mate that night. Needless to say I was not successful. I said to nobody in particular...damn that did not work worth a chit ...i knew i shoulda kicked cause that's what i do best. Every one started laughing.
Well i played another safe and again.. Jump that sucka ! Again laughter from my opponent and every one else. Again their scorekeeper says ...he is gonna make it. I say ..nope he aint ever gonna touch it. Sure enough he never makes contact. Later he plays a safe ...i am standing contemplating what to do and he offers mw his jump break. I say...i aint trying that crap again and i wi show you how to kick. Now 9 ball aint call your shot but i called the pocket anyway and made it . I looked at my opponent and said ...i don't need no dang jump stick and every one was laughing.
Later i played a safe and locked the cue ball up against another ball. No way he could jump so he tried a kick that never got close. I said i see that jump stick did not help on that shot . Again laughter from every one including him.
So it gets hill-hill and as I am about to break he says to me.... Well its for all the marbles here. I said I am about to make the fat lady sing and smacked the heck out of the rack sending the 9 ball up in the right corner pocket. Again laughter from him and everyone.
My opponent agreed to join my new spa team I am putting together for next session.
Now I know some of you may not tale too kindly to my antics last night but like I say...ita not often and I do choose wisely who to cut up with and who not to .
My team names reflect my character. One is named clowning around and the other is pool hall clowns.
I enjoy having fun with team mates and opponents alike but can get as serious as any one when the time comes. During playoffs etc my routine is to sit away from my team not talking to any one during the match.
I faced a 471 in 8 ball who I had never faced before and did not know much about him. Turns out he is pretty good and it got hill-hill . I played a good safe with 2 balls left and he had one ball left. He proceeds to break his jump/ break cue down and makes one heck of a good jump pocketing the ball in the called pocket a gets good on the 8. So he surprised the heck out of me on that shot and I congratulated him on playing a damn good match.
We got to talking later and we agreed to match up again in 9 ball when it came time .
Now lef me stop here and tell you that I am no Keith mcready but I am somewhat of a clown at the table from time to time. I start jaw jacking with my opponent and every one on both teams....not while my opponent is shooting of course but while I am at the table...between innings and between racks. Now I am not that WA all the time but occasionally I cut loose . :grin-square:
So we get it on in 9 ball and I play a good safe ...as I am walking away from the table I say to my opponent....jump that sucka ! My opponent and every one on both teams started laughing their heads off. As I am standing near their scorekeeper he says to me ...he is gonna make that shot. I say ...nope...he is gonna fvck it up. He laughs.
Sure enough my opponent jumps...pockets the ball but the cue ball follows the ball in the pocket. I look at the scorekeeper and say ...i told you so and we both laugh.
Later on my opponent plays a safe.. For the hell of it I decided to try a jump shot with a jump/break cue i just got from a team mate that night. Needless to say I was not successful. I said to nobody in particular...damn that did not work worth a chit ...i knew i shoulda kicked cause that's what i do best. Every one started laughing.
Well i played another safe and again.. Jump that sucka ! Again laughter from my opponent and every one else. Again their scorekeeper says ...he is gonna make it. I say ..nope he aint ever gonna touch it. Sure enough he never makes contact. Later he plays a safe ...i am standing contemplating what to do and he offers mw his jump break. I say...i aint trying that crap again and i wi show you how to kick. Now 9 ball aint call your shot but i called the pocket anyway and made it . I looked at my opponent and said ...i don't need no dang jump stick and every one was laughing.
Later i played a safe and locked the cue ball up against another ball. No way he could jump so he tried a kick that never got close. I said i see that jump stick did not help on that shot . Again laughter from every one including him.
So it gets hill-hill and as I am about to break he says to me.... Well its for all the marbles here. I said I am about to make the fat lady sing and smacked the heck out of the rack sending the 9 ball up in the right corner pocket. Again laughter from him and everyone.
My opponent agreed to join my new spa team I am putting together for next session.
Now I know some of you may not tale too kindly to my antics last night but like I say...ita not often and I do choose wisely who to cut up with and who not to .
My team names reflect my character. One is named clowning around and the other is pool hall clowns.
I enjoy having fun with team mates and opponents alike but can get as serious as any one when the time comes. During playoffs etc my routine is to sit away from my team not talking to any one during the match.
Thats what I am starting to realize. I want my folks to improve and advance, but if everyone does that, our team will fall apart. Maybe a team with 3-4 strong players isn't what the APA is designed for?
You are correct cell but a captain.can dream can't he ? :grin-square:
Thanks! Really in the area there are not many kids that can beat either Lucas or my son so the finals were almost guaranteed, but seeing how well Lucas has done in pretty big tournaments, beating him twice, 7-3 then 7-6 is pretty good. Lucas came in top 10 at last years SBE which had a lot of players, he won at least one Predator stop and usually finishes in the money on the local tours. Considering he is 16, that is pretty strong.
We've known him since he basically started playing so maybe that had some effect on how he plays vs Alex. I also beat Lucas the only time we played in a tournament, so maybe it's just a thing with him due to our history.
Very well could be. I watched Lucas beat Billy The Kid at Snookers maybe a year ago and was super impressed with his game. If he keeps his head on straight he is a threat to win a National.
You can find 2's and 3's that will stay 2's and 3's, you just have to know where to look and
you must be a good salesman.
I think the first thing is the session prior you have to be able to sell Las Vegas to your
team, whether you qualify or not. Like right now get everyone (or just about everyone) to
commit to going to Las Vegas in 2019, qualify or not.
So when you go to recruit your new 2's and 3's you can go after your wife that doesn't play pool
and has no interest in pool, but would probably have an interest in going to Las Vegas.
Go after the party girl at work that won't commit to practice, but will commit to going out one week
night on most weeks for drinks and and to flirt and will also commit to a Las Vegas adventure next summer, and find the lonely
guy that doesn't play pool but that wants to hook up with the party girl, "Hey, she's comin' to 'Vegas with us next summer..."
See, while most people won't commit to playing pool as much as once a week, every so often everyone needs a trip to Las Vegas.
But Las Vegas isn't for everyone, you'll need to target specific people to recruit, certain personalities.
Even if you don't qualify, a trip out there with your team can be a blast if you all are a family, and honestly if you're there for the tournament just as a
spectator you really won't have missed a whole lot by not actually playing in it. Take a cue just in case you decide you want to try and play in a couple of
the minnies and because just the sight of the pool tables and the environment will sort of make your "billiard blood" boil and you'll have to play, at least a little.
Several years ago our team went without qualifying, It was a total blast, and we've qualified 5 of the last 8 years since in either 8 or 9 ball.
Just going and experiencing that environment without the pressure of actually playing somehow makes you grow as a player.
So recruit those 2's and 3's. People that you like, trust, and people that you wouldn't mind spending valuable drinking time with.
Make sure you recruit people that you trust to drag you from the casino before you blow your whole wad or before you get yourself arrested on the strip.
Remember, you're making a family, choose carefully and make it a good one.
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Personally, I wish all my opponents played me the way you describe your style. It would make for a much more enjoyable night. I seem to mostly draw the arrogant, "don't talk to me because I'm too focused on beating your ass" type of player. You know the type...the arrogant "I'm God's gift to pool" type.
Maniac
Okay...so on to last night. I played the captain of the opposing team (a SL5), me having to win 5-4. For the second week in a row, I come within one shot of getting a rackless night (He missed a shot and left my 8-ball completely behind his last ball in the middle of the table). I closed the match out in the next game. 25 innings with 2 defensive shots apiece. In five out of the six games played there were multiple clusters that had to be dealt with or I am sure with the way I was pocketing balls last night would have been lower innings played. I am 9-2 for the session.
The team had a "Clean Sweep" last night.
Two weeks left and we are in first place by close to ten points.
I love this thread and find it a pleasure to read, but I do not think I will add anything here beginning next session. I consider myself to be a humble person and sometimes I feel like I am "ringing my own bell" so-to-speak. Then on the nights I get my ass handed to me I am too bummed out to write about it. That said, I will still visit the thread and will surely comment on all of your successes and good shooting!
Maniac
The team had a "Clean Sweep" last night.
Two weeks left and we are in first place by close to ten points.
I love this thread and find it a pleasure to read, but I do not think I will add anything here beginning next session. I consider myself to be a humble person and sometimes I feel like I am "ringing my own bell" so-to-speak. Then on the nights I get my ass handed to me I am too bummed out to write about it. That said, I will still visit the thread and will surely comment on all of your successes and good shooting!
Maniac
Maniac..... I and I know every one else was glad to see you back posting after your absence for a while. We understand your absence and are glad that things are looking beter for you and your family.
Now there is nothing wrong with coming on here and tootin your horn about having a good night. That's what this thread is for.
Now I am going to be honest here. There have been times I have felt the same way about my losses. Bummed and did not feel like sharing them. Then I read a post about some one else's bad night and decided that's what this thread is also for.
I thought ....by gawd if they can come on here and share an embarrassing night at pool I can also.
Truth be told.....some times I dint want to relive those bad nights on here or in my mind. However I think it does some good once in a while to remember those bad nights....reflect on why it was bad and hopefully learn from them to avoid whatever mistakes I made to prevent such an occurrence in the future.
And if you dont want to share your bad nights feel welcome to continue bragging about your good nights all you want cause like I said...thats what this thread is for.
I completely understand, my friend. I could change my mind, but....we'll see. Good shootin' to ya, lo.
Maniac
Interesting game within the game. We played a team that has had the top female shooter in the league on paper for the several years. My team has a new female player this season, and she's easily the best.
I would have liked to have seen a girl/girl showdown (take it easy, boyz), but alas, when my captain put me up first, they countered with their female player. So, it wasn't meant to be.
The tables are some of the worst bar tables I've ever played on, and in the past these tables have had their way with me. But, I played as clean as I could have, despite some odd rolls and cushions, and cruised to a 7-1 win in 10-ball.
My female player ended up playing their #1 player. She won pretty handily, 9-6. The score wasn't as close as it seemed, as the tables really confused her. I have had the benefit of playing more on these effed up conditions.
We're having a fun season, and I'm playing fairly solidly. On to next week.
Freddie
I would have liked to have seen a girl/girl showdown (take it easy, boyz), but alas, when my captain put me up first, they countered with their female player. So, it wasn't meant to be.
The tables are some of the worst bar tables I've ever played on, and in the past these tables have had their way with me. But, I played as clean as I could have, despite some odd rolls and cushions, and cruised to a 7-1 win in 10-ball.
My female player ended up playing their #1 player. She won pretty handily, 9-6. The score wasn't as close as it seemed, as the tables really confused her. I have had the benefit of playing more on these effed up conditions.
We're having a fun season, and I'm playing fairly solidly. On to next week.
Freddie
I finally had a decent night, after a few tough weeks, beat a strong SL6. He played several consecutive safeties on me, and I managed to get out of most of them with at least a good hit, and even made a ball or two kicking out of them. That was a good feeling.
Hoping its the start of a trend...but not counting on it
Hoping its the start of a trend...but not counting on it
Maniac... there is nothing "bragging" about these posts. This is just water cooler talk between people we don't work with. I don't know about you, but I don't work with anyone who cares about pool, so it is great to have a place to chat about our week with people who actual care and understand what the heck we are talking about. I hope you continue posting, but if not, I understand.
So my night... last week they bumped me to an SL7 and I didn't play (thankfully, because I was TERRIBLE in practice.) Late last week I had purchased a used OB+ Pro shaft for my McD and anxiously waited for it to show up on Monday so I could get some practice. It didn't show. It arrives yesterday and I hurried in the house to get 20 minutes of practice before my wife got home. She arrived, off to the pool hall, and a couple of warm-ups before matches begin. I had my old shaft with me, but was shooting okay, and decided this was the perfect time to try it out because worst case they drop me back to a SL6.
I get matched up with a good friend of mine (SL6) so it is a 5-4 race, and I know that from playing this guy a lot that he should be giving me a game, not the other way around. At least it would have to be that way if money were on the line!
I shot good. He shot pretty good. I think I won 5-2, but it might have been 5-1. All of the games were under 5 innings, and most were 2-3.
I have a funny feeling he is going to be VERY interested in playing a ring game/poker pool Friday night.:shocked2:
I can't believe the streak I'm on in this league, and have no idea how it is working this way. I've truly earned all of my wins except one, and very happy about it.
8-0 for the session.:thumbup:
So my night... last week they bumped me to an SL7 and I didn't play (thankfully, because I was TERRIBLE in practice.) Late last week I had purchased a used OB+ Pro shaft for my McD and anxiously waited for it to show up on Monday so I could get some practice. It didn't show. It arrives yesterday and I hurried in the house to get 20 minutes of practice before my wife got home. She arrived, off to the pool hall, and a couple of warm-ups before matches begin. I had my old shaft with me, but was shooting okay, and decided this was the perfect time to try it out because worst case they drop me back to a SL6.
I get matched up with a good friend of mine (SL6) so it is a 5-4 race, and I know that from playing this guy a lot that he should be giving me a game, not the other way around. At least it would have to be that way if money were on the line!
I shot good. He shot pretty good. I think I won 5-2, but it might have been 5-1. All of the games were under 5 innings, and most were 2-3.
I have a funny feeling he is going to be VERY interested in playing a ring game/poker pool Friday night.:shocked2:
I can't believe the streak I'm on in this league, and have no idea how it is working this way. I've truly earned all of my wins except one, and very happy about it.
8-0 for the session.:thumbup:
I've been underplaying my skills in league.
Competitive play for some players means talking trash or acting up at the table.
Sometimes I'd rather just watch how badly they shoot, then to provide a demonstration on what it should look like.
Confidence shows itself in all kinds of weird ways in a match. Most people lose sight of the recreational and social aspects of the game.
I always imagine I am playing my much younger sibling who is still deciding if they want to continue billiards as a hobby. It is easy to quit something when you think you can't win. A lot easier to stick with it if you think you should win by more.
Competitive play for some players means talking trash or acting up at the table.
Sometimes I'd rather just watch how badly they shoot, then to provide a demonstration on what it should look like.
Confidence shows itself in all kinds of weird ways in a match. Most people lose sight of the recreational and social aspects of the game.
I always imagine I am playing my much younger sibling who is still deciding if they want to continue billiards as a hobby. It is easy to quit something when you think you can't win. A lot easier to stick with it if you think you should win by more.
Same here. Posting about a tough loss is kind of my "therapy" and it seems easier to move on and forget it once I've typed it out....
I agree. Last time I had a BAD loss I had to wait a few days, instead of posting next day like I usually do, but it felt good to post about it, get it off my chest, and then move on.
We had one of those nights at league last night. I am usually very focused and serious when playing. Once in a blue moon I will catch someone's comment and chirp back at them, but usually I completely miss it when I'm in a match. Last night, everyone was in a good mood, a guy from our other league that is joining us next session was there, and we were all cutting up before matches. My match started and the first two games I didn't notice anything. Once I realized I was in control of the match (much to my surprise) I started noticing comments folks were making and would even chime in while down on a shot. Hell, at one point I look over and my opponent is 2-stepping with my wife... well, trying to... she can't 2-step.
It was great to have the change in atmosphere. I love the serious side of pool, but I also love to cut up and have fun. IF I was shooting poorly, it would have been a different story and although they would have kept going (and not bothered me at all), I would have noticed very little of it.
