Build a champion in a month or 2. Is this possible?

[genomachino]

Had a good night at Big Dogs........

Zack went down to the poolhall without me.

he played Mike and lost at the one pocket but they played 10 ball and Zack won back the money.

Then there was Jimmy. I gave him a Perfect Aim lesson. I know how strong this is and told Zack that we didn't want to play Jimmy.

Guess who Zack was playing an ahead set for $700 with when I walked in..

I was kind of not happy about it but they were in the middle of the set so I didn't say too much. Zack lost the first ahead set in an hour. Next thing I knew Zack was flipping the coin and they were playing another set.

I thought Oh boy.

I just sat back and watched. Then they started their friday night 10 ball tourny so I got in. I won it and it gave me something to do while Zack was playing.

Mike A was there also and wanted to play me but I won't do that while Zack is in action for a large amount. One of us at a time is the rule.
Mike and his backer will keep for sure.

Zack wins the next ahead set so they are back to even. I was thinking of pulling Zack up but i thought, just let him go and see what will happen with him grinding when he is tired. They were both grinding. And they were both playing some good pool.

In the meantime I played Som pet some cheap 9 ball set for $50. I won 2 sets while we were both sweating the ahead set with Zack and Jimmy.

Finally at 4:30 AM Zack finally won the set.

You know what's really tough. These 2 young warriors battled for 13 hours and all that separated them was 7 games. it's a shame that there was a winner or a loser. These 23 year olds played their hearts out.

For Zack and me the night netted $900. Minus table time and socks. i had to run and get new socks for Zack. I did a sock run to Walmart.


This was a great night and Zack showed some real heart. His back, stomach and legs all hurt pretty bad because he lifted too much at the fitness center 2 days before.

This is what builds a champion. Digging down for more when your so tired there seems like there is no more. And these guys both dug down and played great.

Bedtime for now. Need to recharge the batteries and get ready for another day on the road.

2 men a van and the road.........

 

[ChrisBanks]

Zack went down to the poolhall without me.

he played Mike and lost at the one pocket but they played 10 ball and Zack won back the money.

Then there was Jimmy. I gave him a Perfect Aim lesson. I know how strong this is and told Zack that we didn't want to play Jimmy.

Guess who Zack was playing an ahead set for $700 with when I walked in..

I was kind of not happy about it but they were in the middle of the set so I didn't say too much. Zack lost the first ahead set in an hour. Next thing I knew Zack was flipping the coin and they were playing another set.

I thought Oh boy.

I just sat back and watched. Then they started their friday night 10 ball tourny so I got in. I won it and it gave me something to do while Zack was playing.

Mike A was there also and wanted to play me but I won't do that while Zack is in action for a large amount. One of us at a time is the rule.
Mike and his backer will keep for sure.

Zack wins the next ahead set so they are back to even. I was thinking of pulling Zack up but i thought, just let him go and see what will happen with him grinding when he is tired. They were both grinding. And they were both playing some good pool.

In the meantime I played Som pet some cheap 9 ball set for $50. I won 2 sets while we were both sweating the ahead set with Zack and Jimmy.

Finally at 4:30 AM Zack finally won the set.

You know what's really tough. These 2 young warriors battled for 13 hours and all that separated them was 7 games. it's a shame that there was a winner or a loser. These 23 year olds played their hearts out.

For Zack and me the night netted $900. Minus table time and socks. i had to run and get new socks for Zack. I did a sock run to Walmart.


This was a great night and Zack showed some real heart. His back, stomach and legs all hurt pretty bad because he lifted too much at the fitness center 2 days before.

This is what builds a champion. Digging down for more when your so tired there seems like there is no more. And these guys both dug down and played great.

Bedtime for now. Need to recharge the batteries and get ready for another day on the road.

2 men a van and the road.........

Impressive story. I look forward to the next edition.

 

[genomachino]

$100 a rack Zack.............

Impressive story. I look forward to the next edition.

I can clearly see that both these young guys Zack and Jimmy are both in what I would call in the $100 a rack club.

By this i mean that they can still both play at a higher level with the bet up that high. It's hard for many players to focus on the task on hand when they are thinking of the money. you need to turn that nervousness into focus And they both showed me that.

Players around the country are going to hear more about some of the players like Jimmy. Take for example being only 23 and playing at the level I saw displayed last night. With a couple of weeks of training he would be ready for any tournament in the world and hardly anyone would really want to bet the cash or play him in the tournament if they knew.

And then again maybe not but this is my opinion.

Des Moine has always, for many years been a hot spot for pool. I remember years back in the 70's and 80's with Don McCoy and Paul Baker were in their prime. And there were many others. Bushwacker, Gary Nolan and Rocket man. Also Waterdog. I could name hundreds and I knew them all and played most of them from time to time.

There was a place at one time called the cigar store. A big guy named Bruce ran it and you could get all the action you wanted. I remember a young guy named Ricky that played real sporty too.

These are some of my early memories of Des Moine and even today the saga continues.

When road players come through here i can see they will get played and much of the action they might not want. Most of these guys a pretty seasoned and really know what their doing.

As for Zack, I really need to keep a governor on him. It's a dangerous thing for a young guy that makes a big score and has a win under his belt and starts feeling a little invincable. He's playing pretty good but he's not to the point right now where he can shoot himself out of a trap.

By this i mean getting in a game that is too tough and somehow pulling out a victory.

Zack has a pretty good head on his shoulders but 23 is 23. At 23 you might think you have it all figured out but usually you need to think again. But if your smart and around someone that's been there you can learn without having to make all the mistakes. Kind of like school of hard knocks but you can skip most of the bumps.

Many of players on the road have done this from time to time and know how difficult this can be. Zack has only been playing this last stretch now for 2 to 3 weeks. There is no way he is to this point. He might think so and that is good but he's not ready for that yet.

Soon the cue will feel like part of his arm. At this point he will be ready to shoot out of a trap or 2. I know because I've been there. it will happen and it will be fun to see.

it's kind of fun hearing from players in Wisconsin commenting on the fact that they didn't think Zack played that well. It seems to some of them like it was only yesterday that he was allowed to play in the no masters tournys in Beloit.

On the road is a great way to build a champion. But you better know how to tame it. The road is wild and there are so many traps and everyone and every place wants to get the cash.

Comparing the road of yesteryear to now is quite the change.

I look at the birds in these big cities and I can't even see a tree sometimes for miles, only cement. These birds have adapted.

This is what the road has turned into today with the computors and phones and the road player has to adapt.

This is why the road for so many players is so short. The birds have no choice, they had to adapt. The road eats up these players and spits them out with barely a dime left. It can really feel good to be back home and feel secure again and have some money in your pocket once the road finishes you off.

I liken myself and any road player out there today to the birds. I got rid of the house and almost anything I had and made the decision to do what I do. There was never a thought of going back and still isn't. I'm an old road player in this cyber world that has adapted just like the birds and the cement. Making a temporary nest wherever we go.

It's kind of an enlightening thing to see a young gun like Zack out here learning to survive with no thought about what he has or what he is going to get. He loves the game like most of us but is taking it to the next level.

Will he become a champion, there is no doubt.

All we need is a shirt on our back, our cues and the van.

2 men a van and the road........

 

[Razor]

For Zack and me the night netted $900. Minus table time and socks. i had to run and get new socks for Zack. I did a sock run to Walmart.

Geno: Great updates and keep 'em coming, but a sock run to Wal-Mart? You send the kid in without any socks or he wear out the ones he had on playing so long? LOL. Heard a lot of stories and seen a lot of stuff in my time, but this may be the first about a sock run. Guess a road partner gotta do whatcha gotta do...Best wishes.

 

[sfleinen]

Geno: Great updates and keep 'em coming, but a sock run to Wal-Mart? You send the kid in without any socks or he wear out the ones he had on playing so long? LOL. Heard a lot of stories and seen a lot of stuff in my time, but this may be the first about a sock run. Guess a road partner gotta do whatcha gotta do...Best wishes.

Actually, I think that's old backer-speak for "I kept him in action so tough, that he shat in his socks, and I had to go make a sock run..."

Or something like that.
-Sean

 

[markpatrick]

I have had to do about the same for Critter

Geno: Great updates and keep 'em coming, but a sock run to Wal-Mart? You send the kid in without any socks or he wear out the ones he had on playing so long? LOL. Heard a lot of stories and seen a lot of stuff in my time, but this may be the first about a sock run. Guess a road partner gotta do whatcha gotta do...Best wishes.

When I was on the road with AJ Clemens, we would have to stop between stops and pick up a pair of new shoes for him since the one's he had were not feeling right any more. And, if he wanted mashed potatoes ? it was OFF to KFC to get him some mashed potatoes.

Most road players have their NAGS, an item they cannot focus and play without.

Good luck

 

[Razor]

Actually, I think that's old backer-speak for "I kept him in action so tough, that he shat in his socks, and I had to go make a sock run..."

Or something like that.
-Sean

Very well may be, when I read about cooking eggs and toast in the bathroom, I know everything must be in the realm of possibility for a road warrior. Don't get me wrong, sounds adventurous, I would just have trouble finding anyone I could beat once I got to the pool room. :grin-square:

 

[genomachino]

Make sure the food is real and good..........

Very well may be, when I read about cooking eggs and toast in the bathroom, I know everything must be in the realm of possibility for a road warrior. Don't get me wrong, sounds adventurous, I would just have trouble finding anyone I could beat once I got to the pool room. :grin-square:

One thing we rarely do is eat at the restuarants. The grease, oil, sugars, carbs, and just the quality of the food is always a question.

Many restuarants are trying to make a profit so the cheaper they can get the food the better. But sometimes quality is compromised by cheap.

We got the hot plate in the bathroom with a fridge and a microwave. We eat pretty good and healthy too.

Even Zack said last night, we should stop and get something to eat. Then he said on second thought we got some good stuff back at the room.

He's starting to feel how good it feels to put only good stuff in that body of his.

Being diabetic has helped me learn how important the food is to the performance.

And the money that we save is huge.

Got to go. Zack has some action and it looks like he's got some cooked up for me. :grin:

 

[Perk]

Geno: Great updates and keep 'em coming, but a sock run to Wal-Mart? You send the kid in without any socks or he wear out the ones he had on playing so long? LOL. Heard a lot of stories and seen a lot of stuff in my time, but this may be the first about a sock run. Guess a road partner gotta do whatcha gotta do...Best wishes.

Love this thread and look forward to each new update.

As far as the socks go I have been told by a few older pool players that ran the road that they change socks multiple times during a tourney/gambling/day session to stay fresh. They feel like a new player with each change.

 

[JB Cases]

We got a racehorse here, you make him feel good and I teach him how to run........

www.jbcases.com

 

[mrmagoo42]

Thanks for your insights about playing on the road. This is a rare look into an elite challenge. Really admire your attention to details that should make a big difference in both your game's.
Both of you made a big impression on Kathy & I with your character while under fire in St Jo, Mo. The conditions you two had to play in were very tough. Good luck on this trip an keep us up to date.

 

[hotcues]

Love this thread and look forward to each new update.

If you come to North Platte, NE, I'll take a lesson.

 

[genomachino]

Tough day at the office.......

When Zack got up he couldn't wait to get down to the poolhall. I really don't like the game that he's going to play with Jimmy. Jimmy plays great already and now he has Perfect Aim in his back pocket and has told me how much it helps zero in the shots.

Zack is a trouper. He's butting heads with Jimmy and getting nowhere. He complains to me how lucky Jimmy is getting and all I'm seeing is Jimmy playing really well.

Zack seemed to be on the short side of it all night and they played until 5:00 AM. Then Randy finally told them it was enough and he closed the room. I was happy he closed it. Zack was stuck 4 games and to me I could see no way he was going to catch up. They were playing for $100 a game.

I also see something in Zacks approach that we need to work on. When playing 9 ball he keeps doing what he needs to do to keep aiming correctly but when he's dinking around bumping balls there are allot of bad things going on with his stroke and form.

It's only been about 3 weeks since he started playing again and I'm going to pull him up from the one pocket. He needs to hit balls. Not be shooting shots that he needs to sqeeze the juice out of. One after another after another.

I never heard of one pocket ever building a champion and I can see why now. it's a great game but you better have your routine down pretty solid or it will tear you up and throw you away. You had to play really good pool almost champion pool to play champion one pocket. You can out move the other player all you want but if you can't execute the shot when the time comes it's all for nothing and you will probably lose.

I don't know if i want Zack playing Jimmy until we get this little glitch in his approach straightened out. But i still might against my better judgement. Playing 9 ball or 10 ball he can maybe do it while in action. But i really like to see him play for awhile without the hammer over his head. That $100 hammer so he can think more about what he's doing.

I'm not out here to donate but to teach players how to play better and build a champion here.

I can't see where having Zack continue to play Jimmy day after day here until his stroke is so fidgety that he can't make a ball benefits anyone except Jimmy if he wins.

Right now the bankroll is even. The pool has us a little stuck. The lessons and the videos have us back to even.

Just like any road player the road is chewing at us like a hungry animal.

Motel room is $40 per day. Gas about $10. If we play on the special at Big Dogs on the pool that's $30 per day for each. And we got to eat. $30 a day if we make our own food.

That's $110 per day no matter how you cut it. And with a few other things is easily $150 per day. That's a $1050.00 nut per week.

Tough to make that playing one of the best up and coming players around and cover the nut each day.

Just playing one pocket to gamble like Zack is doing is serving no purpose except to get him out of stroke and us broke. The money is getting in the way of the technique. At this time the technique is way more important than betting allot of money. Plus, no technique, pretty soon no money. .

He needs to step back and smell the roses and rest a little. think a little and really see what is happening here. He needs to see it for himself or it does no good. This is part of the learning process. Can't just tell him but he needs to see it.

It's real easy to get caught up in the small battle and be blinded to the big battle.

THE ROAD.

If you let it the road will bust you. One bite at a time.

And it won't take long.

2 men a van and the road.......

 

[dearnold]

I'm just curious. On average, how much an hour do you think you both are making, netting all expenses out.

When Zack got up he couldn't wait to get down to the poolhall. I really don't like the game that he's going to play with Jimmy. Jimmy plays great already and now he has Perfect Aim in his back pocket and has told me how much it helps zero in the shots.

Zack is a trouper. He's butting heads with Jimmy and getting nowhere. He complains to me how lucky Jimmy is getting and all I'm seeing is Jimmy playing really well.

Zack seemed to be on the short side of it all night and they played until 5:00 AM. Then Randy finally told them it was enough and he closed the room. I was happy he closed it. Zack was stuck 4 games and to me I could see no way he was going to catch up. They were playing for $100 a game.

I also see something in Zacks approach that we need to work on. When playing 9 ball he keeps doing what he needs to do to keep aiming correctly but when he's dinking around bumping balls there are allot of bad things going on with his stroke and form.

It's only been about 3 weeks since he started playing again and I'm going to pull him up from the one pocket. He needs to hit balls. Not be shooting shots that he needs to sqeeze the juice out of. One after another after another.

I never heard of one pocket ever building a champion and I can see why now. it's a great game but you better have your routine down pretty solid or it will tear you up and throw you away. You had to play really good pool almost champion pool to play champion one pocket. You can out move the other player all you want but if you can't execute the shot when the time comes it's all for nothing and you will probably lose.

I don't know if i want Zack playing Jimmy until we get this little glitch in his approach straightened out. But i still might against my better judgement. Playing 9 ball or 10 ball he can maybe do it while in action. But i really like to see him play for awhile without the hammer over his head. That $100 hammer so he can think more about what he's doing.

I'm not out here to donate but to teach players how to play better and build a champion here.

I can't see where having Zack continue to play Jimmy day after day here until his stroke is so fidgety that he can't make a ball benefits anyone except Jimmy if he wins.

Right now the bankroll is even. The pool has us a little stuck. The lessons and the videos have us back to even.

Just like any road player the road is chewing at us like a hungry animal.

Motel room is $40 per day. Gas about $10. If we play on the special at Big Dogs on the pool that's $30 per day for each. And we got to eat. $30 a day if we make our own food.

That's $110 per day no matter how you cut it. And with a few other things is easily $150 per day. That's a $1050.00 nut per week.

Tough to make that playing one of the best up and coming players around and cover the nut each day.

Just playing one pocket to gamble like Zack is doing is serving no purpose except to get him out of stroke and us broke. The money is getting in the way of the technique. At this time the technique is way more important than betting allot of money. Plus, no technique, pretty soon no money. .

He needs to step back and smell the roses and rest a little. think a little and really see what is happening here. He needs to see it for himself or it does no good. This is part of the learning process. Can't just tell him but he needs to see it.

It's real easy to get caught up in the small battle and be blinded to the big battle.

THE ROAD.

If you let it the road will bust you. One bite at a time.

And it won't take long.

2 men a van and the road.......

 

[genomachino]

Put it this way........

I'm just curious. On average, how much an hour do you think you both are making, netting all expenses out.

You have to love the game.

Staying even on the road is a winner.

You need to play like a champion to beat all the almost champions out there everywhere.

Anything less and you can't get there.

I've been there. And it's really fun when your at a place with your game where you just need to find a game being pretty sure your going to win.

Zacks not there yet for sure.

But it will happen.

Kind of like playing a game within a game. Build it without breaking it. One step at a time.

The answer to your question is pretty easy.

If it costs us about $1100 to be on the road that is what we made.

Made $1100 each week and spent $1100 each week.

Like i said, you got to love the game........

2 man a van and the road.........

 

[genomachino]

Another day another battle...........

Back to big dogs and their Sunday night 9 ball tourny.

We'll probably both play in this and see what direction the game will take us.

Both slept all day.

Recharged and ready to go.

Another day and another adventure..............

 

[deanoc]

not possible unless you start with a champion

 

[elvicash]

not possible unless you start with a champion

So only a few are chosen, I do not think I agree deanoc. Lets see where Gene goes with this effort. I hope this guy adds a few balls to his belt it is a long way to top speed but this sound like how you get there.

Good luck Geno, I hope to get some of your time the next time I see you. You were very helpful on the phone and you looked busy when I was at White Diamonds. Give me a shout if you come through Indy.

BTW-Your boy can get played here in Indy, not easy action but good equipment.

 

[JoeyA]

So only a few are chosen, I do not think I agree deanoc. Lets see where Gene goes with this effort. I hope this guy adds a few balls to his belt it is a long way to top speed but this sound like how you get there.

Good luck Geno, I hope to get some of your time the next time I see you. You were very helpful on the phone and you looked busy when I was at White Diamonds. Give me a shout if you come through Indy.

BTW-Your boy can get played here in Indy, not easy action but good equipment.

How about Gene? You have any 60 year old players for him to play? :smile:

 

[JB Cases]

When Zack got up he couldn't wait to get down to the poolhall. I really don't like the game that he's going to play with Jimmy. Jimmy plays great already and now he has Perfect Aim in his back pocket and has told me how much it helps zero in the shots.

Zack is a trouper. He's butting heads with Jimmy and getting nowhere. He complains to me how lucky Jimmy is getting and all I'm seeing is Jimmy playing really well.

Zack seemed to be on the short side of it all night and they played until 5:00 AM. Then Randy finally told them it was enough and he closed the room. I was happy he closed it. Zack was stuck 4 games and to me I could see no way he was going to catch up. They were playing for $100 a game.

I also see something in Zacks approach that we need to work on. When playing 9 ball he keeps doing what he needs to do to keep aiming correctly but when he's dinking around bumping balls there are allot of bad things going on with his stroke and form.

It's only been about 3 weeks since he started playing again and I'm going to pull him up from the one pocket. He needs to hit balls. Not be shooting shots that he needs to sqeeze the juice out of. One after another after another.

I never heard of one pocket ever building a champion and I can see why now. it's a great game but you better have your routine down pretty solid or it will tear you up and throw you away. You had to play really good pool almost champion pool to play champion one pocket. You can out move the other player all you want but if you can't execute the shot when the time comes it's all for nothing and you will probably lose.

I don't know if i want Zack playing Jimmy until we get this little glitch in his approach straightened out. But i still might against my better judgement. Playing 9 ball or 10 ball he can maybe do it while in action. But i really like to see him play for awhile without the hammer over his head. That $100 hammer so he can think more about what he's doing.

I'm not out here to donate but to teach players how to play better and build a champion here.

I can't see where having Zack continue to play Jimmy day after day here until his stroke is so fidgety that he can't make a ball benefits anyone except Jimmy if he wins.

Right now the bankroll is even. The pool has us a little stuck. The lessons and the videos have us back to even.

Just like any road player the road is chewing at us like a hungry animal.

Motel room is $40 per day. Gas about $10. If we play on the special at Big Dogs on the pool that's $30 per day for each. And we got to eat. $30 a day if we make our own food.

That's $110 per day no matter how you cut it. And with a few other things is easily $150 per day. That's a $1050.00 nut per week.

Tough to make that playing one of the best up and coming players around and cover the nut each day.

Just playing one pocket to gamble like Zack is doing is serving no purpose except to get him out of stroke and us broke. The money is getting in the way of the technique. At this time the technique is way more important than betting allot of money. Plus, no technique, pretty soon no money. .

He needs to step back and smell the roses and rest a little. think a little and really see what is happening here. He needs to see it for himself or it does no good. This is part of the learning process. Can't just tell him but he needs to see it.

It's real easy to get caught up in the small battle and be blinded to the big battle.

THE ROAD.

If you let it the road will bust you. One bite at a time.

And it won't take long.

2 men a van and the road.......

Anytime someone plays ALL day and loses then it's not "luck" - Yes Jimmy might have got the best of the rolls but if Zack were able to go back and watch the match video NFL style then he would surely see a lot in his own game that he needs to tighten up on.

Using the he got lucky excuse is a sure fire way to get your nose open. EVEN IF you are the better player you should not use the "lucky" line because it changes the focus from what you are doing to what the other guy is doing.

A player should be studying his opponent intently, looking for weaknesses to exploit, what shots does dog, what is he scared of, what types of flyers will he take.....all that and more because those are the things that even out any of the rolls. Those are the things that a champion does to a decent player.

Any halfway decent player can run four or five or eight balls. Any one can splash the rack and get away with murder once in a while. But the really really really great one pocket players put you in positions with very little options, they force you to go for things, force you to rush your shots, force you to try things you don't really know how to do.

I don't think that once pocket is that bad to play on the road but I would take a lesson from Shane Van Boeing. When he was up and coming he almost never, maybe actually never, played one pocket. Almost exclusively 9 ball and 8 ball. Later 10 ball. Wasn't until he got well known that he started playing one pocket to the point that he is a legitimate contender for any title in one pocket.

When you have the firepower and ability to make shots you can always learn the moves. I agree with you Gene that beating the guy to the shot and then not making the shot is all for nothing. Lots of one pocket players get to the point that they are afraid to pull the trigger on shots that they would fire in without hesitation in nine ball.

This however is the nature of the game. In nine ball if you miss the opponent still has to shoot the same ball. In one hole there are often other options.

I think that the important thing is to help him manage the risk/reward aspect and decide to shoot based on choosing the right shot for the moment. Thus he can fully commit when there is a shot he must make and shoot it with the same level of fearlessness that he would in 9 ball.

I feel that I can switch from one pocket to 9 ball and back again without a problem. Of course I am not a champion so that might only mean that I can play them all equally bad at any time.