Action Challenge 2 !!!!!!!!
- Thread starter vrob
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A very small percentage play as they did when thet were in their 20's and 30's. They lose that desire to kill their opponent. Also most great young players have no fear of any player or any shot. Like I said before, I can't think of any player I'd rather watch playing 9-ball when he was younger than Earl...he was one of the greatest of all time. Johnnyt
Best match ever played. PERIOD. I have the DVDs, and love them.SCCues said:
Yes, Earl keeps himself in shape. But, no matter what you say, he's not the same player, physically or mentally. To say that Jack Nicklaus was the same golf when he was 30 vs 45 is ridiculous. Same with Earl. Yes, you can compete at a high level in our sport as you get older. As the other countries get more serious about pool, you're noticing a big move by the younger players. I doubt you will see Earl ever compete for a WC or a US Open crown again. He's had his best years. Despite his attempts to keep himself at peak, he can't outrun or outjog time. What gets depressing about the old-timers is that they try to continue to compete with a group that is passing their skillset by the day. Please dont read into that in any way. I enjoy seeing the veterans play. I just think there is no value, aside from "entertainment", in seeing a young lion chew on an old one. I think Earl would have everything to lose and nothing to gain by playing SVB. If he loses badly, it will damage him, and possibly retire him. If he wins, he's really proven what all of us know - Earl can play pool.
Actually, having Earl being in the match is about the best thing to do to keep me from watching it. Sorry, but I cannot stand to see Earl lose it mentally and then act like an extremely poor sport and be disrespectful to his opponent.
I fully expect this will happen. Shane will get a large lead (based on his amazing performance against Corey), and then we will all witness the self destruction in Earl.
I HOPE this is not the case, but I've seen it way too many times.
I will probably still pay to see this matchup, but I promise it will be the last time I ever pay to see Earl if he acts like an a$$.
I fully expect this will happen. Shane will get a large lead (based on his amazing performance against Corey), and then we will all witness the self destruction in Earl.
I HOPE this is not the case, but I've seen it way too many times.
I will probably still pay to see this matchup, but I promise it will be the last time I ever pay to see Earl if he acts like an a$$.
I love watching Shane play! At his age, his game is solid in many catagories...breaking, shotmaking, patterns and safeties. I think he makes great decisions and executes them successfully. He is definately a positive addition to the game. I think Niels Feigen vs. SVB playing 10 ball would be an interesting match but I think SVB has the advantage but Niels is a true competitor for sure. I also think Bustamante is still a strong competitor. I think the match with Earl will be an interesting one but not a good one for Earl. Earl was great in his days and mentioned many times on the forum but his mental situation really puts a limit on his ability to compete in a tough match. Another player that comes to mind is Dennis Orcollo or even Lee Van Cortez...which would be an interesting match. The Action Report people have created a new venue for challenge match possibilities. I hope we all can watch and enjoy future challenge matches just like this last one!
Curly
Curly
corvette1340 said:
I didnt say I thought Earl would win. I just said that he has been down this road before with the best in the world and knows what to expect in this kind of format. I would be too scared to bet on Earl anyway...he's liable to get pissed off and just quit.
Southpaw
John Barton
New member
Shawn Armstrong said:
How on Earth did Earl manage to win the World Championship 4 years ago? He was doing the same things before then with the temper tantrums.
Or recently he has placed high in the US Open.
The FACT is that EVERY player knows that Earl Strickland is a still a legitimate threat to win any match or tournament depending on which Earl shows up. The guy STILL has more firepower than most of the people he plays. I mean it's ridiculous.
I watch Earl beat himself up and still get up and run out a tough rack like they are all hangers.
Maybe Earl will never dominate like he once did but don't think he can't win.
As for pool being a young man's game - that myth has been busted hundreds of times by the records of past champions.
It used to be said that one couldn't be a top pro unless they started young. Well Mike Davis and John Schmidt started in their 20's and look at them.
While there are definite physical issues that can prevent someone from playing as well as they could those issues are not necessarily inherent in every person who gets older. Physical issues and pool are on a personal level and each person copes in a different manner. Earl doesn't seem to have any physical limitations that are apparent. Hell Nick Varner still plays pretty sporty despite obvious shaking. Proof - IPT results.
the beauty of a race to 100 is no special rules are required,
you can allow jump cues, or any other rule that might heavily favour a particular player in a short race, but to 100, it means nothing
you can allow jump cues, or any other rule that might heavily favour a particular player in a short race, but to 100, it means nothing
ironman said:
I will take 35 if anyone would like to bet. I would also like to bet on Earl if anyone will give me 3-1. I don't need to bet a lot. Actually, I would rather not bet much(maybe $100). Of course, we would have to go over the rules first.
1.If Earl breaks his or anyone else's cue over his or anyone else's head, the bet is off.
2.If he flips over the table during the match, the bet is off.
3.If his doctor makes him stop because of extremely high blood pressure, bet is off.
4. If Earl assults anyone in the audience, the bet is off
5.If Earl assults Shane, hindering Shane's ability to play, the bet is still on
6.Finally, if Shane wins 100 games before Earl, the bet is off! jk
Snapshot9 said:
You are right, but they already played big table 8-ball at last years DCC, and Shane came out on top. I think there may be easier match ups for Darren still. As for Shane, he really can only play the top players even. I know there are some good players out there that will probably play Darren, but won't play Shane anymore-Shane told me this(not the part about Darren).
John Barton said:
Great post, John, and well said!
The physical issues can affect players when they age, especially the eyes. However, as you pointed out, Varner is still hitting 'em strong, and he wears glasses today.
Truth be told, I'm not sure what Earl's speed is today. Maybe Earl doesn't know either. When you achieve the heights that Earl has in his lifetime, winning major events, back to back in some cases, it makes losing that much harder.
I saw Earl rise to the top four at the 2005 U.S. Open, and he's still got game. One thing for sure, Earl has more shots in his arsenal that most, and given the chance, I believe he can still, and will, have a few more visits to the winner's circle.
Everybody loves a winner, but when the player loses a couple, he's soon branded a has-been. I saw the media do it to Tiger Woods last year, and he soon proved them all wrong.
Sometimes pool players experience peaks and valleys in their game, and only the strong survive. I believe Earl Strickland will remain strong for many years to come.
I look forward to seeing him compete in the upcoming WPC.
Picture credits go to Diana Hoppe, Poopics by Hoppe.
JAM
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Lol
Jenny ... I can't help but smile at your comments and some others, because I am going to be 60 in January, and my game is still strong as ever if not more so. I was able to make a switch in my contacts last December that improved my vision from 20/40 to 20/25 (read all the letters on the 20/20 chart but 2), and my playing improved immediately. I was able to see better than I had all my life since I was 5. I kept getting quisical looks by players wondering why my game was so good ...
I am slowing down some on the frequency I play, but for instance, I hadn't played for 3 weeks, and went and played in a handicapped weekly tournament last weekend, and won the tournament, and there were a few real good players in it. (One of them beat Matlock 7-3 during the Olathe
10 ball tournament weekend).
And I played a tough tournament in July, and one young guy told the guy that bought me in the Calcutta that I was 'Over-the-hill', and I got 3rd in the tournament, should have had 1st or 2nd.
I have always exercised and tried to stay in shape, but I have noticed my stamina tapering off the last 1 1/2 years somewhat. Other than that, no one has to like playing me.
JAM said:Great post, John, and well said!
The physical issues can affect players when they age, especially the eyes. However, as you pointed out, Varner is still hitting 'em strong, and he wears glasses today.
Truth be told, I'm not sure what Earl's speed is today. Maybe Earl doesn't know either. When you achieve the heights that Earl has in his lifetime, winning major events, back to back in some cases, it makes losing that much harder.
I saw Earl rise to the top four at the 2005 U.S. Open, and he's still got game. One thing for sure, Earl has more shots in his arsenal that most, and given the chance, I believe he can still, and will, have a few more visits to the winner's circle.
Everybody loves a winner, but when the player loses a couple, he's soon branded a has-been. I saw the media do it to Tiger Woods last year, and he soon proved them all wrong.
Sometimes pool players experience peaks and valleys in their game, and only the strong survive. I believe Earl Strickland will remain strong for many years to come.
I look forward to seeing him compete in the upcoming WPC.
Picture credits go to Diana Hoppe, Poopics by Hoppe.
JAM
Jenny ... I can't help but smile at your comments and some others, because I am going to be 60 in January, and my game is still strong as ever if not more so. I was able to make a switch in my contacts last December that improved my vision from 20/40 to 20/25 (read all the letters on the 20/20 chart but 2), and my playing improved immediately. I was able to see better than I had all my life since I was 5. I kept getting quisical looks by players wondering why my game was so good ...
I am slowing down some on the frequency I play, but for instance, I hadn't played for 3 weeks, and went and played in a handicapped weekly tournament last weekend, and won the tournament, and there were a few real good players in it. (One of them beat Matlock 7-3 during the Olathe
10 ball tournament weekend).
And I played a tough tournament in July, and one young guy told the guy that bought me in the Calcutta that I was 'Over-the-hill', and I got 3rd in the tournament, should have had 1st or 2nd.
I have always exercised and tried to stay in shape, but I have noticed my stamina tapering off the last 1 1/2 years somewhat. Other than that, no one has to like playing me.
For me its not age and ability. But maturity in personality. Earls ranting and childish behavior just doesnt sit well. I used to do it in my teens but now im in my 60's as well. Am getting along fine with most of my cohorts in my room. And am playing better because of it. But Earl is just self destructive. It makes me sad to see such a great player do that to himself
Shawn...I can only assume that you are a very young guy, because you don't have enough experience to make statements like the one below. Like John Barton said, the myth that the older players can't run with the younger players has been blown out time after time...most especially with high stakes gambling. There are literally dozens of players in the age group you mentioned that can carry the ball over the goal line against anyone. I have great respect for Shane's game, but anybody can beat anybody on a given day.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Shawn Armstrong said:
Snapshot9 said:Jenny ... I can't help but smile at your comments and some others, because I am going to be 60 in January, and my game is still strong as ever if not more so. I was able to make a switch in my contacts last December that improved my vision from 20/40 to 20/25 (read all the letters on the 20/20 chart but 2), and my playing improved immediately. I was able to see better than I had all my life since I was 5. I kept getting quisical looks by players wondering why my game was so good ...
I am slowing down some on the frequency I play, but for instance, I hadn't played for 3 weeks, and went and played in a handicapped weekly tournament last weekend, and won the tournament, and there were a few real good players in it. (One of them beat Matlock 7-3 during the Olathe
10 ball tournament weekend).
And I played a tough tournament in July, and one young guy told the guy that bought me in the Calcutta that I was 'Over-the-hill', and I got 3rd in the tournament, should have had 1st or 2nd.
I have always exercised and tried to stay in shape, but I have noticed my stamina tapering off the last 1 1/2 years somewhat. Other than that, no one has to like playing me.
I always enjoyed 20/20 vision until I hit 50. Efren Reyes and I are the exact same age. I read that he got laser surgery, and it was a complete success.
You are right about the stamina or endurance. I used to be able to stay up all night long and still function the next day. That is no more. When I used to go to pool events, it took me almost a week to recover after getting back home.
Another thing is playing those early morning matches in tournaments. It takes an older body a few hours to limber up. Whereas, the younger players seem to jump out of bed, ready to rock and roll.
I think that older players can still get there, but need to put in more effort than the younger players, like getting rest, taking care of themselves, and like you said, keep their bodies in shape by exercising.
It does make a big difference on tournament day.
JAM
Scott Lee said:Shawn...I can only assume that you are a very young guy, because you don't have enough experience to make statements like the one below. Like John Barton said, the myth that the older players can't run with the younger players has been blown out time after time...most especially with high stakes gambling. There are literally dozens of players in the age group you mentioned that can carry the ball over the goal line against anyone. I have great respect for Shane's game, but anybody can beat anybody on a given day.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Well said, and I agree!
As I mentioned in the previous post, the older players do need to adhere to a strict schedule when they are at tournaments in order to give their best performance.
When Nick Varner is competing in a tournament, you won't see him hanging out with the After Hours gang. Nick is nestled in bed, resting up, so he can win the event. Nick Varner is still a force to be reckoned with, and I think any pool player who goes up against him in a tournament never takes him lightly. If they do, they're in for a big surprise!
JAM