Back in Manila again

[bandido]

Jay,
Have Ed take you to the place he took me. He should remember. I don't remember the name? Yum Yum might be it?

Only in Manila.

Yup, translated in english, the name of the place is "mechanical bridge" or "crutch" as you call it. no kidding!

Its too bad that we had no means to get a hold of each other during the last WPC. I apologise for having taken off, during that last match that we were watching, but I noticed this old guy nodding off and about to fall off his chair. Talking to him after I woke him up, I found out that he hasn't had a meal yet so I offered to feed him. And this took a while since all the restaurants in the venue were already closed and we had to search for one outside of the venue.

Gave this old guy a couple of hundred Pesos before we parted ways so he can get to Side Pocket where he can hopefully sell the cue he had. Before I walked back into the venue, which was empty except for the production crew, the old guy thanked me for the birthday present. It was his Birthday!

 

[Hail Mary Shot]

Yup, translated in english, the name of the place is "mechanical bridge" or "crutch" as you call it. no kidding!

Its too bad that we had no means to get a hold of each other during the last WPC. I apologise for having taken off, during that last match that we were watching, but I noticed this old guy nodding off and about to fall off his chair. Talking to him after I woke him up, I found out that he hasn't had a meal yet so I offered to feed him. And this took a while since all the restaurants in the venue were already closed and we had to search for one outside of the venue.

Gave this old guy a couple of hundred Pesos before we parted ways so he can get to Side Pocket where he can hopefully sell the cue he had. Before I walked back into the venue, which was empty except for the production crew, the old guy thanked me for the birthday present. It was his Birthday!

so how much for the shaft?

do you have something for a 3x8-11?

 

[Cuaba]

No Problem

Its too bad that we had no means to get a hold of each other during the last WPC. I apologise for having taken off, during that last match that we were watching, but I noticed this old guy nodding off and about to fall off his chair. Talking to him after I woke him up, I found out that he hasn't had a meal yet so I offered to feed him. And this took a while since all the restaurants in the venue were already closed and we had to search for one outside of the venue.

I'll be back. And I'll try to stay longer next time. But I've already got a business commitment here in the States on November 9, so I won't be able to stay for the finals.

 

[beetle]

Thanks for the updates. Sounds like a great time there! You are doing exactly what you should be doing--enjoying life!

I came out to Angeles yesterday. Almost every bar has a 9' table. Bar tables are unheard of here. Seems like everyone here plays on a bar team. League pool is huge in Angeles. It's hard to find a game here. Strictly amateur pool and few good players. At best you play for a drink, and I don't like to push the issue. I go in and ask if there are any good players and see what develops.

Kind of like the old days when I was playing pool regularly in the States. So maybe I'm reminiscing a little when I come here. The good thing is I don't need the money now, like I did back then. I just like to play now, and know that I don't have too many years left to play this beautiful game.

I don't shoot as straight as I did when I was 25 or 30, but my disposition and attitude are better. I have more composure now and don't get upset if I miss a ball. All in all, my game may be just as good overall.

Okay who wants to play?

 

[jay helfert]

I read Jay's post stating that the shaft is "stiff hitting" but that hit wasn't caused by the slits. It "stiff hit" is a product of the shaft manufacturing process and profile (parabolic taper).

Jay also mentioned "close to a Predator" in the same sentence. I think he was referring to the low to "0" CB squirt (aim like you're shooting centerball even though it's loaded up with max inside or outside english). This " shaft performance" is a product of the "beyond normal", wierd or strange (as Jay described it) "shaft completion technique" and the slits are just one part of that. It is not always that the slits are 3 inches long (Jay's approximation) as each shaft gets tested first before that slit length is determined. This somewhat is a hindrance to mass production until I find a way to refine this testing/slit length determination stage so 'til then this shaft is "custom".

As for durability of that area, all I can say is that I use all the experience I have from dealing with/selling to people from different continents for more than a decade now plus I subjected this to abuse. We break with this as Jay did when we played 9-Ball (no soft break) but I do have a different configuration to address the requirement of the "break shot", power and accuracy. Thank you JoeyA.

Hey Jay! I was trying to get a hold of you last night.

Now you see why I didn't try to answer this question. After 40+ years I still don't understand all the technical stuff. I can only speak about cues, and how they hit, in layman's terms. I do know when a cue hits good though, and Edwin's cue had a real clean and solid hit, and I was amazed how easy it was for me to follow the cue ball accurately, even from a distance. I am normally a draw shot player, particularly in 9-Ball.

To be a little more specific I'm talking about those force follow shots where you need a big stroke to get position. Where you shoot directly through the ball, not just letting the cue ball run two or three rails for position after contact. I wish I had a cue like this 20-30 years ago. I might have been able to beat someone.

 

[jay helfert]

Yesterday I followed a guy and a girl down the street carrying cues. He had a shirt with Baba on the back so I called out to him, "Hey Baba", and he turned around. I asked him where the best players were, and he pointed at his girlfriend. She was a filipina named Ida. So I walked with them to Margaritaville, a big bar with two tables and a long list of challengers.

So I put my name on the list about seven or eight names down. I watched the festivities and only one guy who won about five games in a row was impressive at all. He lost to a filipino guy who I ended up playing. By the way, it's all Eight Ball here. I proceeded to hold the table for an hour or more, winning maybe 12-14 games in a row. Ida did turn out to be the best player. She fired in some pretty nice long shots.

The table had it's share of rolls, but I figured that out before I hit the first ball. After I had played and beaten everyone twice, the list of names on the board started getting very short. I could see that I was killing the game, so I just gave up the table and let them play. That was it for my pool for the day. I took a ride around Angeles after that and went looking for a friend's house. I saw many nice little homes in this neighborhood, and inquired how much it would cost to rent or own one.

In Angeles, you can rent a nice place (large apartment or small home) for 5000p a month, about $125. Yes, you heard me right. For $200 a month you get a deluxe place. Plus utilities of course, which can be another 1000p per month. To buy may cost you 500,000p, about $12,500 for a 1 BR condo. A million pesos might get you a small house, and a 1.5 million a very nice house. Angeles is much less expensive than Manila, hence all the Westerners living here, retired military and the like.

One other thing I want to mention is how prominent pool is on television here. It is one of the major TV sports, right along with basketball and soccer/football. You will see pool on telelvision here ever day. I watched the Guinness 9-Ball Tour matches live for several days. Four Taiwanese players reached the semifinals. This was all on ESPN Star Asia. And on Solar Sports, I have seen the Mosconi Cup matches a few times.

Here I am in the Philippines watching a match that I commentated on in the USA, and I can't see it at home. Go figure!

 

[raemondo]

Jay, I really appreciate the tremendous writeup so far. I've never been to PHI and I doubt I ever will, but I feel like I'm seeing it through your eyes.

Keep em coming.

 

[renard]

Keep it coming Jay!

 

[gopi-1]

Yesterday I followed a guy and a girl down the street carrying cues. He had a shirt with Baba on the back so I called out to him, "Hey Baba", and he turned around. I asked him where the best players were, and he pointed at his girlfriend. She was a filipina named Ida. So I walked with them to Margaritaville, a big bar with two tables and a long list of challengers.

So I put my name on the list about seven or eight names down. I watched the festivities and only one guy who won about five games in a row was impressive at all. He lost to a filipino guy who I ended up playing. By the way, it's all Eight Ball here. I proceeded to hold the table for an hour or more, winning maybe 12-14 games in a row. Ida did turn out to be the best player. She fired in some pretty nice long shots.

The table had it's share of rolls, but I figured that out before I hit the first ball. After I had played and beaten everyone twice, the list of names on the board started getting very short. I could see that I was killing the game, so I just gave up the table and let them play. That was it for my pool for the day. I took a ride around Angeles after that and went looking for a friend's house. I saw many nice little homes in this neighborhood, and inquired how much it would cost to rent or own one.

In Angeles, you can rent a nice place (large apartment or small home) for 5000p a month, about $125. Yes, you heard me right. For $200 a month you get a deluxe place. Plus utilities of course, which can be another 1000p per month. To buy may cost you 500,000p, about $12,500 for a 1 BR condo. A million pesos might get you a small house, and a 1.5 million a very nice house. Angeles is much less expensive than Manila, hence all the Westerners living here, retired military and the like.

One other thing I want to mention is how prominent pool is on television here. It is one of the major TV sports, right along with basketball and soccer/football. You will see pool on telelvision here ever day. I watched the Guinness 9-Ball Tour matches live for several days. Four Taiwanese players reached the semifinals. This was all on ESPN Star Asia. And on Solar Sports, I have seen the Mosconi Cup matches a few times.

Here I am in the Philippines watching a match that I commentated on in the USA, and I can't see it at home. Go figure!

Keep it coming Jay!

 

[9BallPaul]

Hats off to Jay

Fabulous reporting, Jay. You're the best. Thanks.

 

[Fatboy]

i didnt read this whole thread just Jays first post, its great to see Jay out there having fun, he is a great friend and house trained too. I had to take a shot at him, I havent in about 3 weeks. I'm in London on a layover, I wish I could stay and go sweat some snooker somewhere but gotta get home to work. .


have fun Jay drink a coconut for me,

 

[alstl]

Yesterday I followed a guy and a girl down the street carrying cues. He had a shirt with Baba on the back so I called out to him, "Hey Baba", and he turned around. I asked him where the best players were, and he pointed at his girlfriend. She was a filipina named Ida. So I walked with them to Margaritaville, a big bar with two tables and a long list of challengers.

So I put my name on the list about seven or eight names down. I watched the festivities and only one guy who won about five games in a row was impressive at all. He lost to a filipino guy who I ended up playing. By the way, it's all Eight Ball here. I proceeded to hold the table for an hour or more, winning maybe 12-14 games in a row. Ida did turn out to be the best player. She fired in some pretty nice long shots.

The table had it's share of rolls, but I figured that out before I hit the first ball. After I had played and beaten everyone twice, the list of names on the board started getting very short. I could see that I was killing the game, so I just gave up the table and let them play. That was it for my pool for the day. I took a ride around Angeles after that and went looking for a friend's house. I saw many nice little homes in this neighborhood, and inquired how much it would cost to rent or own one.

In Angeles, you can rent a nice place (large apartment or small home) for 5000p a month, about $125. Yes, you heard me right. For $200 a month you get a deluxe place. Plus utilities of course, which can be another 1000p per month. To buy may cost you 500,000p, about $12,500 for a 1 BR condo. A million pesos might get you a small house, and a 1.5 million a very nice house. Angeles is much less expensive than Manila, hence all the Westerners living here, retired military and the like.

One other thing I want to mention is how prominent pool is on television here. It is one of the major TV sports, right along with basketball and soccer/football. You will see pool on telelvision here ever day. I watched the Guinness 9-Ball Tour matches live for several days. Four Taiwanese players reached the semifinals. This was all on ESPN Star Asia. And on Solar Sports, I have seen the Mosconi Cup matches a few times.

Here I am in the Philippines watching a match that I commentated on in the USA, and I can't see it at home. Go figure!

What did they do with the air base in Angeles City?

 

[jay helfert]

What did they do with the air base in Angeles City?

It's now owned by the Phlippine government. It is a commercial air field now, offering mainly flights all over the Philippines, at greatly reduced prices. I can fly to Cebu or Palawan or Boracay (all great rersort areas) for about $120-140 RT, less than half what it would cost from Manila and a lot easier at this small airport.

 

[jay helfert]

Had a great day yesterday in Angeles. Found the big poker room here in the Wild Orchid Hotel, a very upscale place with $100 a night rooms. Only 25p and 25p Blinds, but these guys were gambling. I sat back, waited and won a few good pots. I gave the appearance of gambling, but wasn't really.

An older guy sits in the game and we are talking about Efren and Pool. Efren's home is Angeles and he occasionally plays in this game I am told. He asks me if I play pool. NICE! I say sure, how about you? Pretty soon, the game breaks up with me 2000p winners (about $50). The older guy named Lucky asks me to play some pool on the table in the bar. I accept. We get in there and he mentions "the bet". How about that, a real pool player. I ask him how much he likes to play for. He says how about 1000p, Race To Five, 9-Ball. Why not I say, mentioning I just won 2000p at poker.

We both play with shit house cues, but I have my trusty scotch brite pad and tip shaper in my pocket. I find a fairly straight cue that rattles inside. Clean the shaft and work the tip a little and I'm ready. I play "Don Willis" pool, lucking in the 9 three times to win the first set 5-2. Lucky stalls a little until a young kid shows up with a cue case. It's Lucky's personal cue, and he plays much better with it. Someone tells me that he used to be Efren's mentor. Maybe so, he looks to be in his 60's. But he can play, and with the good cue wins the second set 5-3. I pull up.

I ask him if he plays One Pocket and he immediately asks for two balls. He knows something! I tell him he is playing better than me now with his own cue, but I will play him some for 500p a game even. He responds by asking me to play a Race To Five for 10,000p. I think he's bluffing, trying to high roll me, so I accept. He just smiles and says nothing. No game for now, but we part semi friends.

Back to Manila today for my last three days.

 

[pooladdict]

Lucky?

... The older guy named Lucky asks me to play some pool on the table in the bar. ..

Jay, is Lucky a guy with a heavy limp? Maybe its the same guy who came to One-Side, asking for my friend Roy. Lucky was there on behalf of Efren, who wanted to come and play 1P with him! Imagine how much Efren loves 1P, when he can send somebody looking for a game, knowing it will only be for a couple of thousand pesos! Which other top player would do that?

 

[bandido]

What! Leaving in 3 days? We were invited to a Swimwear Fashion Show on the 19th.

 

[JoeyA]

What! Leaving in 3 days? We were invited to a Swimwear Fashion Show on the 19th.

That leaves at least two more nights to play pool. Go find Lee Van and give him a spanking Jay. Make sure you play him some one pocket instead of nine ball.

Like your stories! Give us one really good one. Make it harrowing. These easy fish stories are not challenging enough.

JoeyA

 

[jay helfert]

Jay, is Lucky a guy with a heavy limp? Maybe its the same guy who came to One-Side, asking for my friend Roy. Lucky was there on behalf of Efren, who wanted to come and play 1P with him! Imagine how much Efren loves 1P, when he can send somebody looking for a game, knowing it will only be for a couple of thousand pesos! Which other top player would do that?

That's him. He wanted to bring his "friend" to play me for 10,000p. I told him I already know Efren. He just smiled in response.

 

[jay helfert]

That leaves at least two more nights to play pool. Go find Lee Van and give him a spanking Jay. Make sure you play him some one pocket instead of nine ball.

Like your stories! Give us one really good one. Make it harrowing. These easy fish stories are not challenging enough.

JoeyA

Last night I took Michaela to Pool Fusion, which has nice Brunswick Metros. We start playing and the young house man sees I can play and challenges me. It's the PI. Why am I not surprised. He also asks about a bet. I tell him I play good, but he just smiles. I'm not really in the mood tonite. I just wanted a fun nite out with M. I agree to play him a few though and the kid (Mike) shoots straight. But he hasn't a clue about safety play in Eight Ball, so I win three in a row, with no bet.

His boss Troy comes over to watch. Now he challenges me. Okay, why not. He also wants a friendly game for 500p, a Race To Three. Sure, sure I say a friendly game. I play my best pool of the trip and win three in a row. Troy has one open shot and failed to get out. He says let's play again. So we do, but my heart isn't that into it. I want to get back to M. who is getting bored on "our" date. Troy plays very strong now, running out a couple of racks and wins set two. We are even, and I tell him thanks for the game. I give Mike a 50p tip for letting me use his cue, and we prepare to leave. OOPS! They present me with a bill for almost 500p, for the pool game and two ice teas. I'm a little pissed. I thought since I played with both house men, I would get a break or pay nothing for the pool anyway.

They are quietly smiling now, and I whip a 500p note on them. My only regret now is that I did not bear down and try to win the second set with Troy. I'll know better next time. Troy is Chinese/Filipino and he is a player. He smiles afterwards and tells me he is an amateur. Then he informs me that he has won the Manila Amateur Championship. You have no idea how good the "amateurs" are over here. Basically, a third tier player can be called an amateur. They are run out players. So, I am working my way up the food chain here.

 

[Vahmurka]

thank you for posting regularly Jay, that brings up sweet memories
Troy, a half-Chinese boss from Fusion? I know only one guy with such description, and he is Simon, the owner of that nice poolhall