First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!
Now I want to discuss a little problem I have and see what kind of support I can get from the gang on here.
I have just started playing again in the last week or so. I'm trying to get ready to play in the Banks at DCC. I haven't played in several years there. And in truth I haven't played much pool for about two years. Maybe once or twice a month just hitting a few balls. Really, almost zero play except for an occasional foray in the Philippines.
So now I started hitting balls again last week, an hour or so here and there. After a few days my buddy Adrian (a decent player) came by and we got into a pretty good Bank Pool session, maybe 10 or 12 games. Now I feel ready to go challenge someone, and sweeten the game with a small bet. So off I go to Hard Times, looking for a Bank Pool game. I know Hawaiian Jimmy will play me, he has before. He's a very good player, better than me at all games except Banks.
I run into him right away, but he already has a game, with Lou Sardo the guy who invented the Sardo rack. Someone steers me to Long Beach Rich, a guy I don't know. They tell me he plays Jimmy even at One Pocket, so I know he's good. He used to own a poolroom in St. Louis, that's all I know. He's standing outside smoking, so I walk up to him and say hello. "Would you like to play some Banks," I ask him. Sure he says! Just like that. No questions, nothing, just a quick yes. This guy is a player!
I go grab a bite to eat and come back and he's on a table waiting for me. Here we go, ACTION! He lets me warm up a bit and now we discuss the game. We decide on Short Rack Banks for 40 a game. Not a big game but definitely action.
I start out strong, winning the first two games with some solid banking. The scores are like 5-3 and 5-4. The third game also goes 4-4 and he wins. In the fourth game, I start hitting the points and get a little discouraged. My game begins to slip and I lose some confidence. I end up losing two games after three hours of play. Now I'm left to wonder why my game slipped after the initial three or four games.
No question that the Gold Crown takes some adjusting to after only playing on my Diamond for so long. But that's not it. I also know I need some "conditioning" to playing in money games again, especially against a good player, who I'm told is in there every day. What I don't know is why I let down and my game slipped a notch or two, allowing him to win.
I had no problem early on with the table or the game. But as soon as I felt a little doubt creep in, my game began to get sluggish. I couldn't maintain my edge. What I want to know is if any of you have experienced this and what (if anything) can you do to overcome it? I know that I need to play more, and games like this are good for me. I got some real tough action and didn't lose a lot of money ($80). Of course I would rather win, even for a small bet.
Maybe Brumback can help me out here. I want to play my best all the time. Is that unrealistic. I don't feel my age when I'm playing Banks. I truly feel like I can still play this game at a high level. I made some shots last night that had the small crowd watching oohing and aahing. I liked that!
Anyway if anyone has any suggestions for me they would be much appreciated. By the way, my buddy Adrian watched the game and afterward he said that my banks lost a little zip after the first few games. That was a reflection of my loss in confidence I think. I'm just wondering what I need to do to get over this hump. Thanks
Todays the first day of the year and I want you to start the year off on a positive note, get back with me in a week or so and let me knnow how your doing.:thumbup2: