★Sandcastle - $20,000 One-Pocket Challenge★

Kudos to both players and to Sandcastle Billiards.

I watched maybe 20% of it on and off.

I've played both players before, though not one pocket. I don't know whether it was the whole situation generally or the realization that John was starting to shoot back, but Lou missed some shots to start multiple-ball runs that surprised me.

While John's general shooting/mechanics performance is about what I've seen before, he is moving better than I expected.

All in all great Job to John bringing this to day 2, and thank you to both players for respectfully bellying up to the table.
 
Kudos to both players and to Sandcastle Billiards.

I watched maybe 20% of it on and off.

I've played both players before, though not one pocket. I don't know whether it was the whole situation generally or the realization that John was starting to shoot back, but Lou missed some shots to start multiple-ball runs that surprised me.

While John's general shooting/mechanics performance is about what I've seen before, he is moving better than I expected.

All in all great Job to John bringing this to day 2, and thank you to both players for respectfully bellying up to the table.

Good post, Mike. :)
 
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I've been called some truly terrible things on this site but that tops the lot.

A cockney? :angry:
 
I know it's probably entertaining for the 1 hole players, but some "C+ and "B" players just have too much money to want to piss away. 10K LOL. Johnnyt

Yep.

My observations from yesterday's play: I was surprised at the level of play. Call it being in front of the cameras...call it the money, whatever...I expected better play. To tell you the truth, I thought these two guys were WAY better than me. After hearing more than several posters comment that their play wasn't too bad, I now believe that I may have been underestimating my own game for all these years....because I'm not that far behind them skill-wise. Oh, they are both better than me, just that the gap isn't as wide as I had suspected.

I saw more than a few shots tonight missed that were very make-able that literally missed he pocket by 1/3 of a diamond. Not even close. I saw more than one straight-in shot missed. I never understood what all the fuss was about CTE, but now I am even more confused. If Mr. Barton is a good representative of CTE's magic....then I have to write it off as being no better than anyone else's aiming system.

I could see that after John closed to 6-5, both of them seemed to have succumbed to fatigue/tiredness. Maybe a good night's sleep and a new day will have them playing at their best today. I hope so. It was still entertaining...but I wish they would both cut out the post "won-the-rack celebrations"...as they look cheesy (I'm just too Old School for it).

All-in all, I appreciate the stream...the contestants having the heart/balls to go in front of many to square-off in this grudge match...and putting up 10 geese apiece to settle a score.

Entertaining to say the least....but then, there's always SOMETHING entertaining here on AZB on any given day!!!

Good luck to both gentlemen today!!!

Maniac
 
I thought he was the best I heard. Seems a nice fella and one of the few that gives back to pool. I was disappointed his efforts didn't get more recognition on here when I read about them a few years ago, and it seems nothing has changed since. Meanwhile, Barton gets a million views, a thousand supporters and a hundred sales. Strange...

One commentator, who shall remain nameless, was truly terrible, clearly having never seen a pool table before in his life, let alone know the difference between a miscue and a deliberate foul. I'd never watched a one pocket match before yesterday, and even i was better able to predict shots than he. They all seemed to have perfected the art of talking over each other constantly, making what they were actually saying even more annoying. There is simply no need to talk endlessly. Cue sports are the one thing where dead air space actually adds value.

Give the options. Say good/bad shot. STFU. Easy.
Uh huh. I know I have my share of haters, but... stooping to outright falsehoods just makes me wonder what exactly you do with your life. Misery 100% of the time must suck. Trolling is your daily highlight? Wonderful.

I'll take Pat Fleming's feedback before pretty much anyone else's in the world.

Freddie
 
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Exactly.. I watched on the last game cause I was at league last night. Thus, I'm speaking only of his back and forth stroke... not him jumping up, not his using body English, not him sometimes poking at the ball, etc.etc...

Compared to his chicken wing style I saw on utube, this was a vast improvement...

RJ;

You must have missed it then because John was flailing at the end of his shots, often and in a *very* exaggerated way.

That and his jumping up on quite a few shots had to cost him some key scoring opportunities.

With that said, he has zero quit in him and he has made some great banks, cuts, and even shown some decent moves.

1p is not my game so I am not good with the nuance (which I know is huge) but JB seemed to get a handle on decent strategy after a while though his execution wasn't always there.

John didn't capitalize on some key opportunities that easily could have had this match tied or even in John's favor

Lou showed better form while shooting and he played well, imo. His banking was pretty impressive and overall he looks more relaxed.

I don't compare their 1p games to Efrens because that's absurd, these guys have (had) other careers - they're amateurs.

I still say kudos to both players for stepping up to play this big $$$ match for us to sweat.

And thanks to JB for sponsoring the stream out of his own pocket and Ed the Sandman for hosting it.

best,
brian kc
 
In light of people giving them respect for this match, I have to say: This is really stupid. These guys aren't wealthy and $10,000 is real money for them and for their families. Whoever loses is going to be genuinely effected in a substantive way. To turn an internet p*ssing match into an opportunity to substantively hurt your family in a misguided attempt to prove you have a big d*** - is really, really stupid.

But I guess I just defined gambling.
 
In light of people giving them respect for this match, I have to say: This is really stupid. These guys aren't wealthy and $10,000 is real money for them and for their families. Whoever loses is going to be genuinely effected in a substantive way. To turn an internet p*ssing match into an opportunity to substantively hurt your family in a misguided attempt to prove you have a big d*** - is really, really stupid.

But I guess I just defined gambling.

From what Ive read, John has enough to easily cover the 10K, and Lou has multiple backers. I highly doubt the loss will affect eithers family the way you describe.
 
I already posted a much longer analysis in the other thread, but I think John's got the best of this IF he learns from yesterday - he showed flashes of being a pretty good one pocket player. If that guy shows up tonight and leaves the banger at home, we could see 3 in a row go his way. If he keeps slamming the balls, trying to get out every time, playing difficult shots that sell out, and jumping up on the shots, he doesn't have a prayer. He gave away most of the 8 instead of losing them.
 
Agree with everything!

Kudos to both players and to Sandcastle Billiards.

I watched maybe 20% of it on and off.

I've played both players before, though not one pocket. I don't know whether it was the whole situation generally or the realization that John was starting to shoot back, but Lou missed some shots to start multiple-ball runs that surprised me.

While John's general shooting/mechanics performance is about what I've seen before, he is moving better than I expected.

All in all great Job to John bringing this to day 2, and thank you to both players for respectfully bellying up to the table.
 
I'm not rich and I'm a garbage one pocket player (since I just started playing the game), but I would like to play Lou some $100/game one pocket if there's ever a convenient time/place. Not "barking" or anything, just would be interested in setting up a friendly game. Could care less if it's private or streamed.

Dave
 
I never understood what all the fuss was about CTE, but now I am even more confused. If Mr. Barton is a good representative of CTE's magic....then I have to write it off as being no better than anyone else's aiming system.

I've been experimenting with CTE after watching the DVD a couple weeks ago and I'm not sold on it yet, but it does seem to be very accurate at times. But you're right, John's not the best representative... you have to have a straight stroke to make ANY aiming system work. John doesn't, and he knows it - he mentioned in the booth afterwards that he misses a lot of shots due to stroking errors.
 
In light of people giving them respect for this match, I have to say: This is really stupid. These guys aren't wealthy and $10,000 is real money for them and for their families. Whoever loses is going to be genuinely effected in a substantive way. To turn an internet p*ssing match into an opportunity to substantively hurt your family in a misguided attempt to prove you have a big d*** - is really, really stupid.

But I guess I just defined gambling.

I think JB is ok financially and Lou has backers for most of his. Honestly they could be playing for a signed 1 dollar bill and it would mean just as much as the $10,000 they are putting up. This is a grudge match that has been in the making for a long time. I think there will be a hand shake and hatchet burried after this match.....who am I kidding!!! This will never end, but its fun to watch!
 
I think JB is ok financially and Lou has backers for most of his. Honestly they could be playing for a signed 1 dollar bill and it would mean just as much as the $10,000 they are putting up. This is a grudge match that has been in the making for a long time. I think there will be a hand shake and hatchet burried after this match.....who am I kidding!!! This will never end, but its fun to watch!

I just said the same thing about 5 posts back. Lol
 
In light of people giving them respect for this match, I have to say: This is really stupid. These guys aren't wealthy and $10,000 is real money for them and for their families. Whoever loses is going to be genuinely effected in a substantive way. To turn an internet p*ssing match into an opportunity to substantively hurt your family in a misguided attempt to prove you have a big d*** - is really, really stupid.

But I guess I just defined gambling.

Did you watch it?
 
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