I think carbon fiber shafts are overrated...
Carbon fiber works. However, the hit and feel reminds me of the old aluminum cues I tried a couple of for people that beat up my home cues. If carbon fiber had came out for under fifty bucks a shaft I don't think anybody would have touched one! As ridiculously overpriced marketed items they are selling like hotcakes. I tried a few a friend had and bought one. Still ain't real fond of them ...
One pocket is one of those things that seems without much interest until you start playing it then the game and spectating can get more interesting, if you are watching top one pocket players. Top pool players that aren't one pocket players are boring to watch generally although one of them can occasionally make an interesting move. One pocket is often compared to chess and it certainly shares the spectator appeal. I never could watch chess even when I played a lot. The electronics and timers are a big boon for chess. Before these were put in two chess players would sit for hours then one would say, "Oh, is it my move?"
Since we are confessing dislikes, I hate to enter most tournaments! Usually too many players, not enough tables. I would rather watch paint dry than play one or two short matches a day. By the time a tournament starts moving I am worn out from sitting and standing around doing nothing if I haven't been able to get on tables to play while waiting. People that don't know how to run a tournament and think all it is to it is using or abusing the charts are a major pain, as are those that ignore their own rules! If rules say forfeit match after fifteen minutes no-show, don't wait two hours for a favorite or local player to show!
Speaking of dislikes, I hate Calcuttas that last for hours! Nothing worse than "Calcutta starts at 7PM, tournament immediately afterwards" then the Calcutta runs until midnight! If you can't run a Calcutta in less than two hours, an hour is better, give a separate start time for the tournament and stick to it. No forfeits until whatever time listed after official start time. Big Calcuttas are a big draw but taking fifteen minutes or more to auction a single player is BS. Some Calcuttas have gotten so long they are ran the day before the event, a good idea for eight hour or longer Calcuttas!
I do like side pots, cash options. A decision is made as to the amount for the cash option, say $50. Then when paying your entry you have the option to buy into the cash option. Takes less than two minutes, maybe less than a minute, to pay and sign up, no fuss, no muss. The cash option usually pays half the places of the event and is split among the people entering the cash option. I am fine with adding the cash option with or without a Calcutta, it adds little time.
To all venue owners: If it is your first time holding a big event, hire a tournament director! If you can't keep a tournament moving, hire a tournament director!
My thoughts and confessions. I go to a pool hall to play pool. Anything that interferes with that is bad.
Hu
