Craig Riley

Jimmy M.

Jimmy M.

Insomniac
Silver Member
I haven't read the entire forum, but I'm sure there is another "Congratulations TheOne" thread out there, so I apologize if this is a duplicate. Anyway, I just wanted to say congratulations to Craig Riley (TheOne). I spoke to him in a private message before the tournament and he mentioned that he hadn't been playing as much as he'd like (paraphrasing here) and that he just hoped he didn't go out and embarrass himself. Well Craig, you certainly didn't do that. :)

Great tournament.
 
Craig

You did an outstanding job and represented Azbilliards. I'm sure that this will not be the last time we hear from The One. Seldom do you see a player learn so much so quickly and apply that knowledge at the highest level that the game has to offer - with mindboggling success. Keep learning, keep playing, someday your name will be synonymous with the best players in the world.
 
Colin Colenso said:
Agreed....3 cheers for Craig! :D

He finished higher than a lot of big names.
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hi Colin,
craig is now waitting for a groupie to propose to him.Three cheers to u craig!!!
 
Cheers guys,
Bit embarrassed now but had a lot of fun. I guess I tried to do well for the full time workers brigade, it sure is tough to compete with the best players in the world and hold down a full time job.

I only had two goals going into this event, get out the group and maybe run a 100 balls. To finish 9th was something else but to be honest I was struggling against Mike Davis and I probably didn't deserve to be in the last 8, Mike had a couple of big runs and also did much better in the groups than I did. I was dissapointed that I didn't post higher runs in the tournament but it was nice to break the 100 in ABC in front of SJM!

I wasn't going to mention this as I don't want it to be taken the wrong way but this was also my first tournament wearing contact lenses. It was an interesting experience but I know I have a long way to go before finding an ideal solution. I'll probably start a new thread but would be interested in other pool players opinions about playing with contacts and all that come with it.

I just got back from watching todays matches, I love straight pool and it's going to be a bit wierd playing 9 ball in Austria next week on the Euro Tour. Lets hope this event in bigger and better next year.

I learnt my lesson from the IPT and was lucky enough to get in as an alternate (probably through keeness than antyhing else). It was great to see so many great players again, especially the old timers, I sure learnt a lot this week.

Hunter, Harriman, Robles, Mad Max, Randy, and tons of AZer's, way to many to mention but all SUPER nice guys.

Thanks Again
 
congrats craig

ive played both in contacts and without. During the summer my eyes act up and im forced to play with some oversized glasses. I feel like i can see better in contacts though, i play better, i just feel more focused. Kind of like watching pool on a regular tv then watching it on plasma, it kind of sucks you in.
 
TheOne said:
Cheers guys,


I just got back from watching todays matches, I love straight pool and it's going to be a bit wierd playing 9 ball in Austria next week on the Euro Tour.
Thanks Again
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I'll be there spying on you too!! :)
First beer is on me.

no-sho
 
Well done Craig !!! You did great ! Have a good time in Austria with no-sho ! Too bad the next Eurotour event will be a no-show for me (pun intended) ;)
 
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Have you considered laser surgery for your eye problem? Efren had it and is playing great.

Nice job in the tourney.
 
hahaha Mr Riley, now they know youre good :cool: but really Man anyone who seeks out Efren in the Phillipines for their recreation is already in another category
 
TheOne said:
Cheers guys,
Bit embarrassed now but had a lot of fun. I guess I tried to do well for the full time workers brigade, it sure is tough to compete with the best players in the world and hold down a full time job.
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Halleluyah!



TheOne said:
I wasn't going to mention this as I don't want it to be taken the wrong way but this was also my first tournament wearing contact lenses. It was an interesting experience but I know I have a long way to go before finding an ideal solution. I'll probably start a new thread but would be interested in other pool players opinions about playing with contacts and all that come with it.
Click to expand...


Look into Lasik surgery. Some of the best money I have ever spent!
 
Congratulations Craig on your strong showing, and also on breaking the century mark that you've been aiming for. Good luck in Austria!
 
Wooo Hoooo ! Keep after'em Craiger! Will be rootin 4 ya ------
Jigger
 
Wow, thanks again! Basically I found out I needed glasses about 18 months ago, mainly due to PC use probably. Problem is my presciption hasn't settled down yet, I went in recently to ask abotu lasik and they recomended contacts until it did. I'm only something like +175 in both eyes but what I found with contacts is that after a while they get extreemly dry and vision rapidly deteriates. I missed a lot of balls, especially in late matches that where quite embarrassing lol! In two of my matches my contacts got that dry that I actually "blinked them out"! :( I tried an eye drop but this seemed to make the problem worse, the best thing seemed to be to change the contacts. I used 1 day acuvue which are supposed to be very good and last all day but don't think they stand up to this very well. Has anybody had any good experiences with contacts, any better ones out there, do they get better with time?

Although I found it mainly effected cut shots as the edges of balls are a bit blurred I think the worse part is it saps your confidence. I spent a lot of time rubbing my eyes, and running to the bathroom to change them which was a real pain.

Interested to hear anybody else's experience's with contacts, I don't want to go the Dennis Taylor glasses route and I might have to wait a while for Lasik :(
 
Congrats and nice playing, I was too tied up and couldn't make it down there a single day but sweating you guys (azers) all weekend was still fun. Keep up the nice life and the good playing.
 
TheOne said:
Wow, thanks again! Basically I found out I needed glasses about 18 months ago, mainly due to PC use probably. Problem is my presciption hasn't settled down yet, I went in recently to ask abotu lasik and they recomended contacts until it did. I'm only something like +175 in both eyes but what I found with contacts is that after a while they get extreemly dry and vision rapidly deteriates. I missed a lot of balls, especially in late matches that where quite embarrassing lol! In two of my matches my contacts got that dry that I actually "blinked them out"! :( I tried an eye drop but this seemed to make the problem worse, the best thing seemed to be to change the contacts. I used 1 day acuvue which are supposed to be very good and last all day but don't think they stand up to this very well. Has anybody had any good experiences with contacts, any better ones out there, do they get better with time?

Although I found it mainly effected cut shots as the edges of balls are a bit blurred I think the worse part is it saps your confidence. I spent a lot of time rubbing my eyes, and running to the bathroom to change them which was a real pain.

Interested to hear anybody else's experience's with contacts, I don't want to go the Dennis Taylor glasses route and I might have to wait a while for Lasik :(
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I wore contacts for years. After 6 or so hours of play, my contacts would dry out so much that I could not see clearly. My vision was clouded and dirty. No amount of moisturizing drops would help. It is the Air Conditioning and Smoke in the Pool Rooms that did it mainly. I tried changing contacts, cleaning the ones I was wearing, moisture drops, extended blinks and whatever else you can think of. Non worked. My eyes were just way too dry and tired. It just affected my play so bad I had to drill whomever I was playing real fast :D !

In tournaments though, I just had no chance. It just sucked.

After lasik, a whole different story :cool:

You eyes will not tire like that. At the begining, there will be moisture issues (during the healing process). When all is healed, just like new!

If you are not going to have the surgery, you might need to get used to playing with glasses.
 
CrownCityCorey said:
I wore contacts for years. After 6 or so hours of play, my contacts would dry out so much that I could not see clearly. My vision was clouded and dirty. No amount of moisturizing drops would help. It is the Air Conditioning and Smoke in the Pool Rooms that did it mainly. I tried changing contacts, cleaning the ones I was wearing, moisture drops, extended blinks and whatever else you can think of. Non worked. My eyes were just way too dry and tired. It just affected my play so bad I had to drill whomever I was playing real fast :D !

In tournaments though, I just had no chance. It just sucked.

After lasik, a whole different story :cool:

You eyes will not tire like that. At the begining, there will be moisture issues (during the healing process). When all is healed, just like new!

If you are not going to have the surgery, you might need to get used to playing with glasses.
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Thanks corey you've pretty much hit the nail on the head, you can imagine what it was like playing at 4am too after wearing them the whole day - it sucks. Problem is now when I take them out its even worse so my eyes have got used to them - lazy arse eyes! lol

Think I'm going to have a look into Lasik more and back to the opticians, although it seems they are making advances all the time in this area.

Thanks good info
 
One of my buddies wore contacts and had to add drops like every hour when we had a 16 hour session. He just recently got the lasik and is shooting better than ever. The scary part is he is already a great player. This made him unbearable! :D I just called him and he said he hated his contacts going dry so he added drops regularly and that worked. If they start getting dry, it is like too little too late...according to him. So every hour to an hour and a half drop some in the corner of your eye and not on the contact itself. Hope this was helpful!
 
I've worn contacts for over 10 years and have tried many different kinds. It seems in my experience the disposable ones are the worst culprits as they are too susceptiple (thin?) to the elements.

I currently use the daily wear ones (last about a year) and have no problems with vision (I am nearsighted and have astigmatism to the point where the chart doesn't work... they do the finger test!). I think the thicker more durable contacts hold moisture better and repel debris more than the disposable. I find that my body usually gives out before my eyes do.

This is just my experience though. Ideally, lasik would be the ultimate answer in terms of never having to put anything in your eyes again (assuming all things go well and you do not need repeat surgeries as some people do).

Good luck. It's nice to have someone representing us full-time working stiffs :)

Congrats on a fabulous tournament.
 
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