1. Big events are intimidating
Prior to this I had only played in local tournaments with people I had known for some time. Playing in this venue freaked me the hell out. I was a wreck for the first two matches in 10 ball and didn't really feel like I calmed down until 8-ball started on Friday. I am grateful for the experience but for beginners I will tell you it is very overwhelming.
2. CSI does a great job at running this event
CSI does a great job of putting on this event. I have no complaints. I will definitely participate in any future CSI events that I can knowing they put on a first class event. Also, I was fortunate enough to meet Ozzy, Bill and Justin and all were very nice even after they found out I was the annoying guy from the forums.
3. Pool players are surprisingly nice
Most of the people I played in matches were very friendly and in many cases we continued to talk and be friendly for the remainder of the tournament. Jeffrey Ignacio had the misfortune of being stuck in an elevator with me for several floors and had to put up with me complimenting him. He's very, very humble and a genuinely nice guy. I enjoyed meeting all the players in Reno even if everyone did beat the hell out of me on the tables.
4. I suck...a lot!
Even as a beginner, I knew I was playing way out of my weight class against almost anyone. However, I got handed some serious beatings at the USBTC. In fact, in my last 8 ball match I think I got 3 turns in 5 games and that's only because I got the first break and made a ball on all three breaks. Otherwise, I wouldn't have even gotten that. I have a whole new sense of how much I have to learn and work and I wasn't home 15 minutes before I was back to running drills. I am determined not to be as easy to beat next year.
5. You can't take your friends anywhere
In total, we had something like 20 people in Reno from our area and most were playing in one or more events. If you weren't sure, we were the obnoxious ones. Apparently we show up with more people each year so I'll just apologize in advance for 2016.
Only a couple of our players made it very far at all and in all cases ran into some professional players who ended their winning streaks pretty quickly. However, we all seemed to enjoy our beatings equally.
Thank you to everyone at CSI for putting on this event and thank you to all the players who made getting ground to dust an enjoyable experience. I will be back next year and most likely so will my friends.
Although, we still won't be able to get all of us in one place long enough for the group picture.
Prior to this I had only played in local tournaments with people I had known for some time. Playing in this venue freaked me the hell out. I was a wreck for the first two matches in 10 ball and didn't really feel like I calmed down until 8-ball started on Friday. I am grateful for the experience but for beginners I will tell you it is very overwhelming.
2. CSI does a great job at running this event
CSI does a great job of putting on this event. I have no complaints. I will definitely participate in any future CSI events that I can knowing they put on a first class event. Also, I was fortunate enough to meet Ozzy, Bill and Justin and all were very nice even after they found out I was the annoying guy from the forums.
3. Pool players are surprisingly nice
Most of the people I played in matches were very friendly and in many cases we continued to talk and be friendly for the remainder of the tournament. Jeffrey Ignacio had the misfortune of being stuck in an elevator with me for several floors and had to put up with me complimenting him. He's very, very humble and a genuinely nice guy. I enjoyed meeting all the players in Reno even if everyone did beat the hell out of me on the tables.
4. I suck...a lot!
Even as a beginner, I knew I was playing way out of my weight class against almost anyone. However, I got handed some serious beatings at the USBTC. In fact, in my last 8 ball match I think I got 3 turns in 5 games and that's only because I got the first break and made a ball on all three breaks. Otherwise, I wouldn't have even gotten that. I have a whole new sense of how much I have to learn and work and I wasn't home 15 minutes before I was back to running drills. I am determined not to be as easy to beat next year.
5. You can't take your friends anywhere
In total, we had something like 20 people in Reno from our area and most were playing in one or more events. If you weren't sure, we were the obnoxious ones. Apparently we show up with more people each year so I'll just apologize in advance for 2016.
Only a couple of our players made it very far at all and in all cases ran into some professional players who ended their winning streaks pretty quickly. However, we all seemed to enjoy our beatings equally.
Thank you to everyone at CSI for putting on this event and thank you to all the players who made getting ground to dust an enjoyable experience. I will be back next year and most likely so will my friends.
Although, we still won't be able to get all of us in one place long enough for the group picture.
