I played a real set of 9-ball last night, and I won it!
Background: I play for money a little bit, but I'm no gambler. If I bet $20, it's either because I'm already up $20, or because the set is long enough that I believe I'm going to get my $20 worth out of it, win or lose. Generally, due to my extremely low tolerance for actually losing any money, I choke a lot. Play like a champion for 3 or 4 shots, and miss the next straight-in easy ball like I'd never picked up a cue before.
Last night I played a 9-ball race to 7 for $50, as an educational experience (you could really call it a test) more than anything. My opponent was a guy who has historically always beaten me.
I played sound 9-ball, but my opponent is good and my safeties aren't great. He got the hill first, with me at 5. The next rack he scratched leaving me the 8 and 9, both hangers.
Hill-hill, I broke and made a ball, got a good roll on the 1, and ran out! All the way out! Didn't miss the 4, didn't bang the 7 into the rail, didn't blow shape on the 9, but ran the **** out! It felt damn good.
It's not unusual for me to run out when I make a good break and have a good shot on the 1. But it's been highly unusual for me to put 8 pocketed shots + 8 positional successes together in row under any real pressure. I think I'll try to make a habit of it.
-Andrew
Background: I play for money a little bit, but I'm no gambler. If I bet $20, it's either because I'm already up $20, or because the set is long enough that I believe I'm going to get my $20 worth out of it, win or lose. Generally, due to my extremely low tolerance for actually losing any money, I choke a lot. Play like a champion for 3 or 4 shots, and miss the next straight-in easy ball like I'd never picked up a cue before.
Last night I played a 9-ball race to 7 for $50, as an educational experience (you could really call it a test) more than anything. My opponent was a guy who has historically always beaten me.
I played sound 9-ball, but my opponent is good and my safeties aren't great. He got the hill first, with me at 5. The next rack he scratched leaving me the 8 and 9, both hangers.
Hill-hill, I broke and made a ball, got a good roll on the 1, and ran out! All the way out! Didn't miss the 4, didn't bang the 7 into the rail, didn't blow shape on the 9, but ran the **** out! It felt damn good.
It's not unusual for me to run out when I make a good break and have a good shot on the 1. But it's been highly unusual for me to put 8 pocketed shots + 8 positional successes together in row under any real pressure. I think I'll try to make a habit of it.
-Andrew
