Like many others who stayed at Horseshoe, I was unaware that there was a complimentary valet service for guests at the hotel and parked at the first garage I saw and ended up dragging a stupidly heavy bag 1/4 mile across banks of the Ohio River. (Through the heated tubes of course. lol)
After getting unpacked, I grabbed my cue and headed back towards the tournament area to get my tourney badge and look for the AZ Room. I have to say my first impression was "Wow, this is nice!" Followed by, "You can smoke indoors here? Cool!"
After walking around checking things out, went to the buffet (Prime Rib) for dinner and I thought for the price, it was pretty darn good. Had to take a nap, but when I woke up, I went to the TAR room and watched the last half of the Efren Shane match which was worth the trip right there. I've heard folks say the room was too small since then, but there was enough room for anyone who was interested to watch. Some stood on chairs, but that had a little more to do with the crowd size than the room size.
Hung out the next day in the AZ room mostly to try to dial in to the tables before the 9 ball tournament. I was struggling with aiming regular shots a bit, but I was locked in pretty good on the kicks and banks. The bottom line is that there are no tables in Chicago that are exactly like these and I knew I had to work hard once I got down there to get my mojo on. Thankyou so much Terry and Don for setting the AZ room up!!!
The first of one of the many cool things things that happened in the AZ room was when Freddy "The Beard" Bentivegna stopped by on his way to the one pocket hall of fame dinner. Now we've seen each other before here in Chicago, but I never introduced myself as an AZ'er, so being in the AZ room was a completely appropriate place to disclose screen names. lol before he left, he showed me a handy shot. Basically hit the cue ball high with a level cue, and the bank will open up. I'm over simplifying it a little, but it worked the first time and I'll never forget that lesson! Thanks Freddy!
Honestly when I first read that Jay was doing the one pocket challenge in the AZ room, I had selfish concerns about me, the royal higness that is myself, having time on the tables. Not only was I totally freaking wrong for those dumb reasons, but meeting Jay and watching Cory, Mika, John, and Efren tearing in to this challenge was absolutely freaking awsome! Again, it was another moment that made you say to yourself, "I am such a dingbat, that was so worth the trip right there! Just shutup, watch and learn"
Sorry Roy, your effort didn't count. lol
Last year the best part of the trip was meeting other AZ'ers and this year it was better. I liked the lounge area outside the tournament room. It was the perfect place to hang out and chat with everyone. I don't think there was any equivelent area like this at the EW. Yes some things were more expensive than probably could have been, but I personally thought the value/quality ratio was about right, with the exception of the price of a can of soda. ($2.50 plus tax?) The coffee, well it was Starbucks anyways.
The only major problem I had with anything was the tournament scheduling. If I were a pro player, I would look at it as just part of the environment and it wouldn't matter so much, but I'm not and I have a very difficult time accepting gross uncertainty. I was so surprisingly relieved when I lost my first match that I decided not to buy back in. I'm sorry if that is harsh, but it's the honest to god's truth. I came there to have fun and play pool, not to stare at a scroll all day.
Once that was over with, the party began! lol
I got a chance to meet some more AZ'ers, (Listed in another post) have a few beers, and raise a little hell with some of my new friends. JoeyA getting Efren to take his spot in the one pocket mini and the next 4 hours after were an absolute riot! I would like to add that Roy gets a fair amount of credit for knowing Efren well enough to make that suggestion which as we all know, resulted in the experiences and eloquent stories that resulted here on AZ
I will say however that I can understand why many folks will miss the EW. For better or for worse, the EW sort of created the feeling that the place was "ours". At the Horseshoe, you clearly feel that the place is "theirs". I'm not really sure how much a positive or negative that is. More of an intangible observation than anything.
I hope next year, more AZ'ers can be there to join in. It was a great time and I'll never forget it as long as I live.
The best would be if Smorgie gets better enough to join us. That alone, again, would be worth the price of admission a hundred times over!
Thanks for reading!!
After getting unpacked, I grabbed my cue and headed back towards the tournament area to get my tourney badge and look for the AZ Room. I have to say my first impression was "Wow, this is nice!" Followed by, "You can smoke indoors here? Cool!"
After walking around checking things out, went to the buffet (Prime Rib) for dinner and I thought for the price, it was pretty darn good. Had to take a nap, but when I woke up, I went to the TAR room and watched the last half of the Efren Shane match which was worth the trip right there. I've heard folks say the room was too small since then, but there was enough room for anyone who was interested to watch. Some stood on chairs, but that had a little more to do with the crowd size than the room size.
Hung out the next day in the AZ room mostly to try to dial in to the tables before the 9 ball tournament. I was struggling with aiming regular shots a bit, but I was locked in pretty good on the kicks and banks. The bottom line is that there are no tables in Chicago that are exactly like these and I knew I had to work hard once I got down there to get my mojo on. Thankyou so much Terry and Don for setting the AZ room up!!!
The first of one of the many cool things things that happened in the AZ room was when Freddy "The Beard" Bentivegna stopped by on his way to the one pocket hall of fame dinner. Now we've seen each other before here in Chicago, but I never introduced myself as an AZ'er, so being in the AZ room was a completely appropriate place to disclose screen names. lol before he left, he showed me a handy shot. Basically hit the cue ball high with a level cue, and the bank will open up. I'm over simplifying it a little, but it worked the first time and I'll never forget that lesson! Thanks Freddy!
Honestly when I first read that Jay was doing the one pocket challenge in the AZ room, I had selfish concerns about me, the royal higness that is myself, having time on the tables. Not only was I totally freaking wrong for those dumb reasons, but meeting Jay and watching Cory, Mika, John, and Efren tearing in to this challenge was absolutely freaking awsome! Again, it was another moment that made you say to yourself, "I am such a dingbat, that was so worth the trip right there! Just shutup, watch and learn"
Sorry Roy, your effort didn't count. lol
Last year the best part of the trip was meeting other AZ'ers and this year it was better. I liked the lounge area outside the tournament room. It was the perfect place to hang out and chat with everyone. I don't think there was any equivelent area like this at the EW. Yes some things were more expensive than probably could have been, but I personally thought the value/quality ratio was about right, with the exception of the price of a can of soda. ($2.50 plus tax?) The coffee, well it was Starbucks anyways.
The only major problem I had with anything was the tournament scheduling. If I were a pro player, I would look at it as just part of the environment and it wouldn't matter so much, but I'm not and I have a very difficult time accepting gross uncertainty. I was so surprisingly relieved when I lost my first match that I decided not to buy back in. I'm sorry if that is harsh, but it's the honest to god's truth. I came there to have fun and play pool, not to stare at a scroll all day.
Once that was over with, the party began! lol
I got a chance to meet some more AZ'ers, (Listed in another post) have a few beers, and raise a little hell with some of my new friends. JoeyA getting Efren to take his spot in the one pocket mini and the next 4 hours after were an absolute riot! I would like to add that Roy gets a fair amount of credit for knowing Efren well enough to make that suggestion which as we all know, resulted in the experiences and eloquent stories that resulted here on AZ
I will say however that I can understand why many folks will miss the EW. For better or for worse, the EW sort of created the feeling that the place was "ours". At the Horseshoe, you clearly feel that the place is "theirs". I'm not really sure how much a positive or negative that is. More of an intangible observation than anything.
I hope next year, more AZ'ers can be there to join in. It was a great time and I'll never forget it as long as I live.
The best would be if Smorgie gets better enough to join us. That alone, again, would be worth the price of admission a hundred times over!
Thanks for reading!!
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