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poolhustla61508

Yea....That just happened
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I'm trying to decide if I could be competitive at the USBTC in reno this year. Some of my best accomplishments come from this past year at the APA National singles championships. I'm a skill level 7 and first round I had to play the previous year's champion Chris Miller. I won that match 5-3. Second round had to play David Gabe Appolos(not sure if last name is spelled right) won that match 5-3 also. Next round played Brian Parks and won 5-4. I lost the next round 5-4 to Brian Belobradic from Canada because of a mental error when the match was hill hill.
Sorry for my rambling I just want to know if anyone knows any of these players and based on how I did vs them if you think I could be competitive at the USBTC.
Thanks for the advice in advance
 
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If you enjoy tournament play, get in there and fire down. even if you don't do well it will be good for your game. I say go for it.
 
poolhustla

We might be Sharks in our own little pond, But the only way you will ever know is to go for it. Keep a cool head and don't let the GOT TO WIN attitude hurt your game. Go with the idea of having a good time and testing you skill. Many times it is the luck of the draw that determines the final out come. You might get unlucky and draw 1st and 2nd finishers.
 
For you to even ask the question IMO means you are ready! Go give it a shot, races are longer, the level of play is higher, and it's an awesome tourney. Even if you lose you might jump up a level.

Don't be afraid to fail, you should be way more worried if you don't even try. If you got the extra scratch and can swing it go for it.
 
If you can, I would go for sure. It is a great tournament and the experience should improve your game even more. I hope i can make it again this year.
 
It's always better to go than not. Three facts and factors for ANY tourney with some good players that you go deep into and place high; the draw, you need a good draw, you need to play well consistently and last but not least, you need to catch some rolls. A large percentage of the time tourney winners have these items in common. It won't always happen, so go get in the frey...there are no guarantees except one... if you don't go, you won't know.
 
Go for it!!!!

I say rock it. You should start practicing on the Diamonds @ Gate City since the ones in Reno will have the tighter pockets. If you really want a "measuring stick", play in the big 9-ball tourney @ Time Out Saturday. I say if you can hang with Jeff Pruitt, Andy Hutchens, and those guys, then you can hold your own out at the USBTC.
 
poolhustla61508...You beat some excellent players...in ONE match. Does that mean you could beat them every time you played them? I highly doubt it. Anyone can win a few short matches. It's who can keep their mental game together for days at a time, that frequently rises to the top of the heap. In Reno you will be playing professional players, not amateurs. The only way to test yourself, is to get out there and try. Just don't kid yourself that because you beat a couple of good players, you're now top dog, and ready to beat the world. Best of luck in Reno, if you get there.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

poolhustla61508 said:
I'm trying to decide if I could be competitive at the USBTC in reno this year. Some of my best accomplishments come from this past year at the APA National singles championships. I'm a skill level 7 and first round I had to play the previous year's champion Chris Miller. I won that match 5-3. Second round had to play David Gabe Appolos(not sure if last name is spelled right) won that match 5-3 also. Next round played Brian Parks and won 5-4. I lost the next round 5-4 to Brian Belobradic from Canada because of a mental error when the match was hill hill.
Sorry for my rambling I just want to know if anyone knows any of these players and based on how I did vs them if you think I could be competitive at the USBTC.
Thanks for the advice in advance
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Scott Lee said:
poolhustla61508...You beat some excellent players...in ONE match. Does that mean you could beat them every time you played them? I highly doubt it. Anyone can win a few short matches. It's who can keep their mental game together for days at a time, that frequently rises to the top of the heap. In Reno you will be playing professional players, not amateurs. The only way to test yourself, is to get out there and try. Just don't kid yourself that because you beat a couple of good players, you're now top dog, and ready to beat the world. Best of luck in Reno, if you get there.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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Think mostly he's just asking "can I compete?". That answer would be yes. Bar tables level the playing field considerably. I wouldn't go out there with high expectations and then beat up on myself for going two and out. If you wanna play better, play better people.
 
Poolhustla

As a senior citizen my biggest regrets in life are not what I did and failed. They are what I never tried. Trust me when I tell you, You will kick yourself for not going many more years than if you go and fail to place.

Keep a cool head and some excitement, but not too much excitement to throw you off. The memories will last forever and be well worth the trip.
 
A friend and teammate of mine played 9 & 8 last year and won a couple of matches. He plays a couple clicks below me and judging by the list of players you beat (even if it was one match) he doesn't play as strong as you either. He had a good draw. I would say go, have fun, and it will probably come down to who you draw. Catch a gear you never know.
 
There will only be one winner. Is that player the best? He was for that tournament. Next week may be different. There is always a "unknown" doing well in the tournaments.

Go for it.

Good Luck.
 
gpeezy said:
Think mostly he's just asking "can I compete?". That answer would be yes. Bar tables level the playing field considerably. I wouldn't go out there with high expectations and then beat up on myself for going two and out. If you wanna play better, play better people.
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right on! It's funny that the more you play strong players and get your butt handed to you the less they beat you so badly the next time, and then the next, etc.

Let's say you regularly play with just a couple of other buddies (same level - APA 7s, whatever). You decide to enter regional tourneys against even stronger players, and they don't....you (and they) will notice an improvement when you go back to just playing with your buddies!

100% say GO FOR IT! The experience will be worth it if you are even remotely serious about your game.
 
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Thanks everyone this is all really helpful and inspiring. I'm gonna start saving my money and if all goes well I'm going to reno to test myself.
 
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