I've just returned from DCC (Monday thru Friday as per usual), a very long and exhausting week, but GREAT as always.
This year I took a very different approach to Derby - stay up all night, sleep all day. I had agreed to help out a professional friend; and the decision was made to focus on the gambling; not the tourney. I didn't enter either the tourney room or the AZB room until Thursday evening - both are places that I virtually lived in during past DCC's. This week it was the action room (not the TARPIT which I never had the time to check out).
It was definitely a quieter action room than in past years with the TAR crew gone; and they played quite a lot of soft CLASSICAL MUSIC at night. WTF!!!!
There was intense action, big action, and some stellar play. It was the first time I concentrated on the action room, and I was not disappointed. While I mainly watched my friend play; once the usual gambling degenerates found out I had a job, the target was firmly fixed on my back (...???or wallet???). I did get in 3 matches, winning 2 of them.
I must apologize to all of the people I had to rush by; I really had very little time to stop all week.
In past years, with all of the organizing activities involved with running the AZB room, I socialized pretty much all week. This year very few people approached me (maybe because I was close to the table where the matches were); and I saw only a fraction of the AZB'ers compared to past years.
The Hall of Fame dinner was excellent as usual. There were markedly fewer stories told during the inductions; but you can make up for it by schmoozing for a couple of hours before; there is a WEALTH of storytelling ability in the audience: we were treated to some great tales by Danny D., Grady Mathews, Mary Kiniston (?sp?), Mark Griffin (I'm assuming anything he says is a "tale"), and John Brumback. It was a very special night as usual.
I was fortunate to be invited to a long, 3 hour dinner with Ralf Souquet. I'm telling you now that he is the most "professional" pool player I have ever met. A true gentleman who has a passion for the game, and approaches it in a truly professional and dedicated fashion. He is now #2 on the Betmore list of favorite players (and he can play a little).
I also spent over 2 hours with another great player that many have not heard about - George Pawelski (pronounced pa-vel'-ski) from Milwaukee. He is truly an elder statesman of the game. One of the great players who chose not to travel and suffer the tournament "grind." A 300 ball runner at straight pool and great 3-cushion player; he was the house pro at Romine's for over 15 years.
Mark Wilson has always said that George was the equal of Dallas West when asked to rate his speed. Mark reported that he was watching George play one day; and in the morning he ran in the mid 200's at straight pool; in the afternoon he had a double digit run in a 3-cushion game; and in the evening he ran TWICE around the snooker table in ONE INNING at a game of golf. He could play. He also was a scratch golfer, and a great bowler. I was able to pick George's brain for 2 hours about pool, billiards, golf course design; he is a very intelligent man, and a true sportsman.
I spent some time with Danny DiLiberto; who is recovering nicely from his stroke; definitely a lucky break for him. He always has great insight into the play; can't wait to hear the Accu-Stats commentary in a few months when this year's DCC matches will be available. I also saw Jay Helfert and Mark Wilson for some expert insight.
Luckily enough, I did find sjm in time for the traditional "Betmore Breakfast" at the Paradise Cafe in Louisville. We had a grand time as usual, hearing sjm's assessments of the play so far (with our reciprocal schedules, I didn't see him AT ALL until Thursday evening).
I had some brief conversations with some of the AZB'ers and even got in 2 games of onepocket with Steve Booth in the AZB room.
CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR. I think I might play next year.
This year I took a very different approach to Derby - stay up all night, sleep all day. I had agreed to help out a professional friend; and the decision was made to focus on the gambling; not the tourney. I didn't enter either the tourney room or the AZB room until Thursday evening - both are places that I virtually lived in during past DCC's. This week it was the action room (not the TARPIT which I never had the time to check out).
It was definitely a quieter action room than in past years with the TAR crew gone; and they played quite a lot of soft CLASSICAL MUSIC at night. WTF!!!!
There was intense action, big action, and some stellar play. It was the first time I concentrated on the action room, and I was not disappointed. While I mainly watched my friend play; once the usual gambling degenerates found out I had a job, the target was firmly fixed on my back (...???or wallet???). I did get in 3 matches, winning 2 of them.
I must apologize to all of the people I had to rush by; I really had very little time to stop all week.
In past years, with all of the organizing activities involved with running the AZB room, I socialized pretty much all week. This year very few people approached me (maybe because I was close to the table where the matches were); and I saw only a fraction of the AZB'ers compared to past years.
The Hall of Fame dinner was excellent as usual. There were markedly fewer stories told during the inductions; but you can make up for it by schmoozing for a couple of hours before; there is a WEALTH of storytelling ability in the audience: we were treated to some great tales by Danny D., Grady Mathews, Mary Kiniston (?sp?), Mark Griffin (I'm assuming anything he says is a "tale"), and John Brumback. It was a very special night as usual.
I was fortunate to be invited to a long, 3 hour dinner with Ralf Souquet. I'm telling you now that he is the most "professional" pool player I have ever met. A true gentleman who has a passion for the game, and approaches it in a truly professional and dedicated fashion. He is now #2 on the Betmore list of favorite players (and he can play a little).
I also spent over 2 hours with another great player that many have not heard about - George Pawelski (pronounced pa-vel'-ski) from Milwaukee. He is truly an elder statesman of the game. One of the great players who chose not to travel and suffer the tournament "grind." A 300 ball runner at straight pool and great 3-cushion player; he was the house pro at Romine's for over 15 years.
Mark Wilson has always said that George was the equal of Dallas West when asked to rate his speed. Mark reported that he was watching George play one day; and in the morning he ran in the mid 200's at straight pool; in the afternoon he had a double digit run in a 3-cushion game; and in the evening he ran TWICE around the snooker table in ONE INNING at a game of golf. He could play. He also was a scratch golfer, and a great bowler. I was able to pick George's brain for 2 hours about pool, billiards, golf course design; he is a very intelligent man, and a true sportsman.
I spent some time with Danny DiLiberto; who is recovering nicely from his stroke; definitely a lucky break for him. He always has great insight into the play; can't wait to hear the Accu-Stats commentary in a few months when this year's DCC matches will be available. I also saw Jay Helfert and Mark Wilson for some expert insight.
Luckily enough, I did find sjm in time for the traditional "Betmore Breakfast" at the Paradise Cafe in Louisville. We had a grand time as usual, hearing sjm's assessments of the play so far (with our reciprocal schedules, I didn't see him AT ALL until Thursday evening).
I had some brief conversations with some of the AZB'ers and even got in 2 games of onepocket with Steve Booth in the AZB room.
CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR. I think I might play next year.
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