Joe T
Well-known member
Flew to Vegas after being home just a week after Derby to meet with Mark, Don, David and Ozzy, face time so much more motivating and productive.
Educated myself on Bonus Ball probably a week prior to coming out, not as complicated as one might think, new is always new and I thoroughly enjoyed the playoffs, live and streamed. Congrats Thorsten, Ralph & Jesse.
Had the pleasure of making a new friend in Mike Brown whom I played some BB with at Best Billiards, 2hrs of play and at least 2 more hrs of chat lol. Personally I like playing and watching the game and think it has a chance. Lil awkward around the arena as some players/friends of mine still think we’re in competition with them and are unfortunately a lil distant with me. BUT some are starting to ask questions and get a clearer idea of what we’re actually doing (building a self sustaining tour for all of us) One player in particular is Brandon Shuff who I finally got to hang out with for a bit. I suggested that he ride with me over to the CA events and we’ve been having a good and productive time so far, besides him finally catching whatever sickness I’ve had for last 2 weeks (constant dry cough at night?)
One last piece of business before leaving Vegas, nice phone interview with our man Mike Howerton on the American Billiard Club for the American Billiard Radio all for AMERICAN POOL lol Mike makes these interviews easy and I thank you for that Mike and everything else you guys do. We start at the 49:30 mark; www.americanbilliardradio.com
First stop after seeing a beautiful sunset over the mountains staring me in the face is Gary’s Billiards in Victorville, met Jackie and played some AR with Brandon, instant fan, too much of a fan with the “Absolutely no luck” thing, he like most pro players seems to take things to the extreme, lol Hopefully Gary and Jackie can talk 6 players to come take on Nick Spano and John Schmidt but they don’t seem hopeful :frown: Nice room and I played pool for the first time in many years with a cool slight breeze coming through the open door and over me as I’m down on a shot :smile: And it was dry air that didn’t effect the play of the table OR am I so out of stroke that I couldn’t tell?
Back on the road to fortunately catch Alex the owner of Stix in Rancho Cucamonga in the house late. Very nice person and room owner, the room looks gr8 AND they just renewed a long term lease :smile: Alex is going to try and get 8 players to compete in ARCS III that starts first week in March.
Back in the car on to Pasadena where Corey Harper did a gr8 thing of inviting 10-12 people to his Billiard Academy to meet with us. Was soo nice to have people show up in an effort to help us build a tour for our game. Corey has a great facility that serves as store front/training facility. He works very hard to promote his business and our game while fighting the same financial situations many of us do but keeps it first class all the way. I want to thank everyone who came down and then went back to their local clubs fully intent on getting at least 8 players on board! Chris Santana said “Is okay if I get 3 groups of 8?” ahh if I could only hear more of that.
Over to Swanny and my first time (I can’t believe that) to Hard Times Bellflower. Can you imagine all the action and players that have been here over the years? Dave Hemma is heading up the show of 192 players so we won’t be pestering him about getting 8 players from here, at least not until Sunday night
Brandon doing a gr8 job spreading the word and helps me make some good contacts and positive impression on his fellow players and fans.
Did some commentary with POV pool which is always cool, Daniel is busting his butt as usual. Unfortunately a big topic of the JAY SWANSON MEMORIAL is green fees and yes I agree they are out of control but the amazing thing is how many players, pro players don’t even understand that this has been happening for years. I asked one player what do you think happens when a flier says $1000 added based on 64 players, $15 green fees, $5 tour fee? He couldn’t give me the answer and used previous ignorance as an out "I don't pay attention to that stuff". Message to all tournament hosts, please refrain from this format, I would rather you not advertise the $1000 added *based on x amount of players and simply lower every entry fee by $20 and go with the 100% pay back, FREE green fees, please come play. If you can afford and want to add money, we thank you in advance.
Now other than the green fee crap I am feeling and I really mean this, I am picking up some Good Vibrations :smile: Its totally just a feel I’m getting from these Southern California peeps, could have something to do with leaving a white New England and now smiling at the sun in a T shirt but we’re feeling good vibes for sure.
Hard times has the toughest set of tables in a room I have ever seen. Corey Harped said “Welcome to Cali Joe” Nice! As much as I love to bet on Mika in the finals I just couldn’t pull the trigger this time. Everyone had Dennis as the favorite and rightfully so but I’ve been around Mika a lot and when he goes deep he goes all the way more than most but these tables kind of throw a monkey wrench in the equation. I know Dennis was very comfortable so me save money this time, congrats to both and all involved, 192 players in 2 days, lol. Let’s get back to telling more Swanny stories.
Monday over to Danny K’s, Super cool place. 9-10 on the richter scale and was upset I didn’t get to meet the man himself who actually promotes a game called continuous rotation; 15 ball rotation, 1 point per ball and when you miss I get ball in hand, total offense and off we go. The room is gr8 and we stay for the afternoon hoping for Danny to come in. I’m spotted on the outside deck by Adam Kroll and his road dog Mitch Ellerman from AZ. I make myself easy to spot with the all American flag jacket So they pull in and I play some AR with Adam and Mitch while Brandon plays some 1 hole with the local lovers of the game. Adam and Mitch are going to try and get some AZ players on board for Series III. Mike H has also offered to try and get a couple of groups of 8 on board, COME ON AZ, you guys love your pool and there’s no reason we can’t get at least the top 16 players in the state going? Small video of Danny Ks on my facebook for Danny K’s https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201540224571437&set=vb.1351791311&type=2&theater
After having my best meal yet, Ribs, salad and sweet potato fries ala Danny K’s we’re back to Hard Times to sweat Daniel Bush vs Lee Brett. Had to give Brandon some of my ribs as he’s on that whole let’s get healthy eat salad thing lol good job bro. We show up with the score around 5-5 or something like that and I think I have now jinxed Daniel as I watch him lose 10 out 11 racks on the last two balls of each rack. Table is brutally tight and a lil humid, Daniel is running the stream and feeling the heat and I’m feeling for both of them. Lee is winning and is still fidgety Lee sweating it hard. From there on out Lee got to loosen up a bit but Daniel could never recover.
part 2 next post
Educated myself on Bonus Ball probably a week prior to coming out, not as complicated as one might think, new is always new and I thoroughly enjoyed the playoffs, live and streamed. Congrats Thorsten, Ralph & Jesse.
Had the pleasure of making a new friend in Mike Brown whom I played some BB with at Best Billiards, 2hrs of play and at least 2 more hrs of chat lol. Personally I like playing and watching the game and think it has a chance. Lil awkward around the arena as some players/friends of mine still think we’re in competition with them and are unfortunately a lil distant with me. BUT some are starting to ask questions and get a clearer idea of what we’re actually doing (building a self sustaining tour for all of us) One player in particular is Brandon Shuff who I finally got to hang out with for a bit. I suggested that he ride with me over to the CA events and we’ve been having a good and productive time so far, besides him finally catching whatever sickness I’ve had for last 2 weeks (constant dry cough at night?)
One last piece of business before leaving Vegas, nice phone interview with our man Mike Howerton on the American Billiard Club for the American Billiard Radio all for AMERICAN POOL lol Mike makes these interviews easy and I thank you for that Mike and everything else you guys do. We start at the 49:30 mark; www.americanbilliardradio.com
First stop after seeing a beautiful sunset over the mountains staring me in the face is Gary’s Billiards in Victorville, met Jackie and played some AR with Brandon, instant fan, too much of a fan with the “Absolutely no luck” thing, he like most pro players seems to take things to the extreme, lol Hopefully Gary and Jackie can talk 6 players to come take on Nick Spano and John Schmidt but they don’t seem hopeful :frown: Nice room and I played pool for the first time in many years with a cool slight breeze coming through the open door and over me as I’m down on a shot :smile: And it was dry air that didn’t effect the play of the table OR am I so out of stroke that I couldn’t tell?
Back on the road to fortunately catch Alex the owner of Stix in Rancho Cucamonga in the house late. Very nice person and room owner, the room looks gr8 AND they just renewed a long term lease :smile: Alex is going to try and get 8 players to compete in ARCS III that starts first week in March.
Back in the car on to Pasadena where Corey Harper did a gr8 thing of inviting 10-12 people to his Billiard Academy to meet with us. Was soo nice to have people show up in an effort to help us build a tour for our game. Corey has a great facility that serves as store front/training facility. He works very hard to promote his business and our game while fighting the same financial situations many of us do but keeps it first class all the way. I want to thank everyone who came down and then went back to their local clubs fully intent on getting at least 8 players on board! Chris Santana said “Is okay if I get 3 groups of 8?” ahh if I could only hear more of that.
Over to Swanny and my first time (I can’t believe that) to Hard Times Bellflower. Can you imagine all the action and players that have been here over the years? Dave Hemma is heading up the show of 192 players so we won’t be pestering him about getting 8 players from here, at least not until Sunday night
Brandon doing a gr8 job spreading the word and helps me make some good contacts and positive impression on his fellow players and fans.Did some commentary with POV pool which is always cool, Daniel is busting his butt as usual. Unfortunately a big topic of the JAY SWANSON MEMORIAL is green fees and yes I agree they are out of control but the amazing thing is how many players, pro players don’t even understand that this has been happening for years. I asked one player what do you think happens when a flier says $1000 added based on 64 players, $15 green fees, $5 tour fee? He couldn’t give me the answer and used previous ignorance as an out "I don't pay attention to that stuff". Message to all tournament hosts, please refrain from this format, I would rather you not advertise the $1000 added *based on x amount of players and simply lower every entry fee by $20 and go with the 100% pay back, FREE green fees, please come play. If you can afford and want to add money, we thank you in advance.
Now other than the green fee crap I am feeling and I really mean this, I am picking up some Good Vibrations :smile: Its totally just a feel I’m getting from these Southern California peeps, could have something to do with leaving a white New England and now smiling at the sun in a T shirt but we’re feeling good vibes for sure.
Hard times has the toughest set of tables in a room I have ever seen. Corey Harped said “Welcome to Cali Joe” Nice! As much as I love to bet on Mika in the finals I just couldn’t pull the trigger this time. Everyone had Dennis as the favorite and rightfully so but I’ve been around Mika a lot and when he goes deep he goes all the way more than most but these tables kind of throw a monkey wrench in the equation. I know Dennis was very comfortable so me save money this time, congrats to both and all involved, 192 players in 2 days, lol. Let’s get back to telling more Swanny stories.
Monday over to Danny K’s, Super cool place. 9-10 on the richter scale and was upset I didn’t get to meet the man himself who actually promotes a game called continuous rotation; 15 ball rotation, 1 point per ball and when you miss I get ball in hand, total offense and off we go. The room is gr8 and we stay for the afternoon hoping for Danny to come in. I’m spotted on the outside deck by Adam Kroll and his road dog Mitch Ellerman from AZ. I make myself easy to spot with the all American flag jacket
So they pull in and I play some AR with Adam and Mitch while Brandon plays some 1 hole with the local lovers of the game. Adam and Mitch are going to try and get some AZ players on board for Series III. Mike H has also offered to try and get a couple of groups of 8 on board, COME ON AZ, you guys love your pool and there’s no reason we can’t get at least the top 16 players in the state going? Small video of Danny Ks on my facebook for Danny K’s https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201540224571437&set=vb.1351791311&type=2&theater After having my best meal yet, Ribs, salad and sweet potato fries ala Danny K’s we’re back to Hard Times to sweat Daniel Bush vs Lee Brett. Had to give Brandon some of my ribs as he’s on that whole let’s get healthy eat salad thing lol good job bro. We show up with the score around 5-5 or something like that and I think I have now jinxed Daniel as I watch him lose 10 out 11 racks on the last two balls of each rack. Table is brutally tight and a lil humid, Daniel is running the stream and feeling the heat and I’m feeling for both of them. Lee is winning and is still fidgety Lee sweating it hard. From there on out Lee got to loosen up a bit but Daniel could never recover.
part 2 next post
I no gots.
