There is so much going on here that it is hard to keep up with. Between Q-Masters action games and the topnotch competition at the Chesapeake Conference Center, there is NEVER a dull moment.
There has been a lot of discussion between the players about how do suceed with the format and equipment. It seems you just cannot please everybody. I have overheard some comments from a variety of players who state they are uncomfortable with the tight pockets, but many of the experienced tournament pool players really like the tight pockets, thinking the best player will win if he can shoot 'em in the hole. Personally, I think it is GREAT that the U.S. Open does not have those big buckets of the past. AND I do like the Tour Blue Simonis cloth. With the lighting, they glow and are quite beautiful.
We woke up this afternoon, after spending quite a bit of time at Q-Masters last evening. Off we went to get some food and we run into Jerry Bento and friends. He said he was watching Alex Pagulayan's match and that Alex made the 1-ball in the same side pocket on his break 9 times in a row. Rob Saez has had good luck with using an open bridge hand when he is breaking the balls. Each player seems to have their own strategy about breaking.
One thing about being on the road, there always seems to be something you need that you didn't pack in your suitcase. I'm a professional packer, but wouldn't you know it, I left some vital necessities at home and was forced to go to the shopping mall up the street. We ran into Allen Hopkins, and he said he won his first match today and has to play again tonight at 7:00 p.m. Allen has been playing good pool as of late and is in good form. Look for him to do well at this year's Open.
AzBilliards' Water Kochs a/k/a Black-Balled lost his first match, and I think he doesn't play his second round until tomorrow. He has been enjoying himself and looks forward to hanging in there. With this stellar field of international players, it's a tough ball game, folks.
A feature match-up came this morning between Buddy Hall and James Walden. I do not know the outcome, but Buddy was a head 7 to 2 last I heard. BTW, James Walden was supposed to travel to Mexico a short time ago to play Rafael Martinez. He ended up not making the trek, but rumors of Martinez' untimely demise can now be squashed. He's in Mexico and still playing pool.
I don't know the outcome of the action game between B.J. Ussery and Donnie Mills of Florida, but when we left the pool room last night, they were just starting to play for big bucks. Quite a few onlookers were sweating the match, Chris Bartrum, Scott Frost, Tony Chohan, to name a few. The North Carolinian young gun who goes by the moniker of "G.I. Joe" is spotting Donnie the 8-ball. As of 6:30 a.m. this morning, the match was still in progress.
We met Tony Robles' father in the elevator, and Tony's dad is sure proud of his son, and for good reason. Tony is such a nice man, always polite and very professional. There are many New York pool folk here. I snapped a great picture of Tony Robles and Wendy a/k/a 9-Ball Girl. Frankie Hernandez is sporting that rhinestone-encrusted New York Yankees ball cap, and I'd sure like to get me one. It is really cool-looking.
Keith met a nice Scottish player named Pat Hagan. When Pat introduced himself to Keith, he said his name was "Pot," which was really "Pat." However, with his Scottish accent, "Pat" sounded like "Pot." Keith kept calling him "Pot," even though I kept correcting him and told him to call him "Pat."
The Russian, Evgeny Stalev, is having a good tournament so far. He is traveling alone, and I haven't seen his usual entourage rooting him in, but I'm in his corner. I like The Russian and hope he does well during his visit to the States. He's shooting with a Russian cue that he said weighed 28 ounces. I picked it up and it didn't seem to weigh that much to me, maybe a 21 (IMO). Must be some kind of Russian weight metrics I am unfamiliar with. He has a beautiful custom-made soft leather case that I really like, not heavy and very stylish.
I haven't even made it on over to the Chesapeake Conference Center yet today, but I'm gearing up to head on over to check out the festivities. I can't say it enough, but this U.S. Open is the absolute BEST professional tournament I have ever attended, bar none. We have met players from all corners of the world, Scotland, Scandanavia, Russia, Italy, France, England, Canada, et cetera. In the end, whether a railbird, a pool fan, an aspiring player, or a pro, we are all members of the Tribal Nation of Pool. Being here is really a thrill for me personally. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Keith plays Shane from South Dakota at 11:00 p.m. There's a lot of chatter about who will come out on top. I'm, of course, pulling for Keith, and I'm going to be sweating this one big time.
Well, here it is 4:30 p.m., and my Tuesday is just beginning. More to follow, so stay tuned.
JAM
There has been a lot of discussion between the players about how do suceed with the format and equipment. It seems you just cannot please everybody. I have overheard some comments from a variety of players who state they are uncomfortable with the tight pockets, but many of the experienced tournament pool players really like the tight pockets, thinking the best player will win if he can shoot 'em in the hole. Personally, I think it is GREAT that the U.S. Open does not have those big buckets of the past. AND I do like the Tour Blue Simonis cloth. With the lighting, they glow and are quite beautiful.
We woke up this afternoon, after spending quite a bit of time at Q-Masters last evening. Off we went to get some food and we run into Jerry Bento and friends. He said he was watching Alex Pagulayan's match and that Alex made the 1-ball in the same side pocket on his break 9 times in a row. Rob Saez has had good luck with using an open bridge hand when he is breaking the balls. Each player seems to have their own strategy about breaking.
One thing about being on the road, there always seems to be something you need that you didn't pack in your suitcase. I'm a professional packer, but wouldn't you know it, I left some vital necessities at home and was forced to go to the shopping mall up the street. We ran into Allen Hopkins, and he said he won his first match today and has to play again tonight at 7:00 p.m. Allen has been playing good pool as of late and is in good form. Look for him to do well at this year's Open.
AzBilliards' Water Kochs a/k/a Black-Balled lost his first match, and I think he doesn't play his second round until tomorrow. He has been enjoying himself and looks forward to hanging in there. With this stellar field of international players, it's a tough ball game, folks.
A feature match-up came this morning between Buddy Hall and James Walden. I do not know the outcome, but Buddy was a head 7 to 2 last I heard. BTW, James Walden was supposed to travel to Mexico a short time ago to play Rafael Martinez. He ended up not making the trek, but rumors of Martinez' untimely demise can now be squashed. He's in Mexico and still playing pool.
I don't know the outcome of the action game between B.J. Ussery and Donnie Mills of Florida, but when we left the pool room last night, they were just starting to play for big bucks. Quite a few onlookers were sweating the match, Chris Bartrum, Scott Frost, Tony Chohan, to name a few. The North Carolinian young gun who goes by the moniker of "G.I. Joe" is spotting Donnie the 8-ball. As of 6:30 a.m. this morning, the match was still in progress.
We met Tony Robles' father in the elevator, and Tony's dad is sure proud of his son, and for good reason. Tony is such a nice man, always polite and very professional. There are many New York pool folk here. I snapped a great picture of Tony Robles and Wendy a/k/a 9-Ball Girl. Frankie Hernandez is sporting that rhinestone-encrusted New York Yankees ball cap, and I'd sure like to get me one. It is really cool-looking.
Keith met a nice Scottish player named Pat Hagan. When Pat introduced himself to Keith, he said his name was "Pot," which was really "Pat." However, with his Scottish accent, "Pat" sounded like "Pot." Keith kept calling him "Pot," even though I kept correcting him and told him to call him "Pat."
The Russian, Evgeny Stalev, is having a good tournament so far. He is traveling alone, and I haven't seen his usual entourage rooting him in, but I'm in his corner. I like The Russian and hope he does well during his visit to the States. He's shooting with a Russian cue that he said weighed 28 ounces. I picked it up and it didn't seem to weigh that much to me, maybe a 21 (IMO). Must be some kind of Russian weight metrics I am unfamiliar with. He has a beautiful custom-made soft leather case that I really like, not heavy and very stylish.
I haven't even made it on over to the Chesapeake Conference Center yet today, but I'm gearing up to head on over to check out the festivities. I can't say it enough, but this U.S. Open is the absolute BEST professional tournament I have ever attended, bar none. We have met players from all corners of the world, Scotland, Scandanavia, Russia, Italy, France, England, Canada, et cetera. In the end, whether a railbird, a pool fan, an aspiring player, or a pro, we are all members of the Tribal Nation of Pool. Being here is really a thrill for me personally. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Keith plays Shane from South Dakota at 11:00 p.m. There's a lot of chatter about who will come out on top. I'm, of course, pulling for Keith, and I'm going to be sweating this one big time.
Well, here it is 4:30 p.m., and my Tuesday is just beginning. More to follow, so stay tuned.
JAM
