Gabe Owen forfeits in Austin

sjm said:
My vote is to express, as a fan, that I don't like it when pros pack it in like this.

This is not about Gabe, but about all who conduct themselves in this manner. This kind of disregard by players for the rooms sponsoring events is far too common among the players. Players who feel no obligation to poolroom proprietors who, by funding them, invest in tournaments, are making it less attractive for poolroom proprietors to take the associated risks. It is certainly their right to behave in this manner, but they shouldn't act too surprised when potential investors in pro pool are scared away.

I'm sure Gabe knew what he was getting into when he went to a Fast Eddies tournament, but the Fast Eddies should not be hosting tournaments if they can't host 128 players plus all the railbirds. I'm sure it felt like it was 95 degrees in the pool room. So, I kind of look at it from the other side of the coin, SJM. My take is the pool room, Fast Eddies in particular, doesn't really care about player accomodations, they just want the cash inflow for the week, a quick shot in the arm to boost their quarterly sales figure.
 
mnorwood said:
First of all I respect your point of view. Don't take what I say as hostility towards you or pool hall owners. However, lets talk about pool room owners particularly Fast Eddies. Pool room owners (fast eddies) are businesses who are in it to make money, which is common sense. With that said they don't care one bit about pool players or the game for that matter. Although better than other Houston area pool hall chains fast eddies equipment is usually horrible. But I am a player, Fast Eddies keeps there place for bangers who buy beer and thats okay. Its a beer and spirits enterprise. However, don't criticize Gabe for an establishment who doesn't care about the game or its serious players. Most pool halls will not host a weekend tournament during reasonable hours because in their mind pool players don't buy enough beer during a tournament. I say live and let live, no love lost, fast eddies will survive but how much longer will pros like Gabe stay in it? Its not like Fast Eddies did Gabe any favors. If they so much as gave him a glass of orange juice for free I publicly apologize for any comments I have made on this thread and I hope the mod deletes the post.

Ha! Nice post, I honestly posted mine as soon as I read SJM's and had not read yours.
 
senor said:
I'm sure Gabe knew what he was getting into when he went to a Fast Eddies tournament, but the Fast Eddies should not be hosting tournaments if they can't host 128 players plus all the railbirds. I'm sure it felt like it was 95 degrees in the pool room. So, I kind of look at it from the other side of the coin, SJM. My take is the pool room, Fast Eddies in particular, doesn't really care about player accomodations, they just want the cash inflow for the week, a quick shot in the arm to boost their quarterly sales figure.

This is the 6th hear I have run this tour and I assure problems do arise and have to be dealt with.

Fast Eddies is very capable of hosting these events and handle them pretty well. The air went out and that is the 3rd time that has happened in the past 6 years. Combine that with about 3-400 people, plus the 100 temperatures, and yes it is going to get hot.

If you are trying to insinuate that I don't care about the players, you are out in right field with no glove. I'm all about the players and have been since day one.

If you think it is so easy and so profitable, maybe you needd to learn a little about this business.
 
ironman said:
This is the 6th hear I have run this tour and I assure problems do arise and have to be dealt with.

Fast Eddies is very capable of hosting these events and handle them pretty well. The air went out and that is the 3rd time that has happened in the past 6 years. Combine that with about 3-400 people, plus the 100 temperatures, and yes it is going to get hot.

If you are trying to insinuate that I don't care about the players, you are out in right field with no glove. I'm all about the players and have been since day one.

If you think it is so easy and so profitable, maybe you needd to learn a little about this business.

Butch I have one question, did you have to take your belt in another notch after the A/C incident :thumbup:
I can imagine how HOT it was, sandals and a speedo should of been mandatory attire eh, if I was playing a 300 lb guy in a speedo with sandals and lost I would of left the tourney too, too BIG of a distraction :D
 
Last edited:
ironman said:
This is the 6th hear I have run this tour and I assure problems do arise and have to be dealt with.

Fast Eddies is very capable of hosting these events and handle them pretty well. The air went out and that is the 3rd time that has happened in the past 6 years. Combine that with about 3-400 people, plus the 100 temperatures, and yes it is going to get hot.

If you are trying to insinuate that I don't care about the players, you are out in right field with no glove. I'm all about the players and have been since day one.

If you think it is so easy and so profitable, maybe you needd to learn a little about this business.

Lewis, I have no doubt that you and Paul are all about the players 100% of the time. Unfortunately for us in Texas, the only places to host these regional tours are Fast Eddies, Slick Willies, Barneys, Clicks (did I miss any?). You and Paul have done an exceptional job starting this tour, and even tougher IMO, keeping the tour going. However, I do not have kind words to say about the bars that host your events. I also don't let my feelings about these bars reflect on you or Paul or the great job ya'll have done doing something good for pool and the players.
 
senor said:
Lewis, I have no doubt that you and Paul are all about the players 100% of the time. Unfortunately for us in Texas, the only places to host these regional tours are Fast Eddies, Slick Willies, Barneys, Clicks (did I miss any?). You and Paul have done an exceptional job starting this tour, and even tougher IMO, keeping the tour going. However, I do not have kind words to say about the bars that host your events. I also don't let my feelings about these bars reflect on you or Paul or the great job ya'll have done doing something good for pool and the players.

I appreciate your response and your kind words.

However, if it wasn't for Fast Eddies, this wouldn't exist. They don't rake in the big numbers would like to think. I have argued this point with ownership many, many times and they have turned into some pretty heated discussions.

The owner, has told me on more than one occasion that the only reason he allows this to continue is because, "I just feel like it's the right thing to do".

I don't agree with them on everything and have weathered some battles, but, they continue and that is the reason for my loyalty to them. Some battles you win, some you lose.
 
Island Drive said:
Butch I have one question, did you have to take your belt in another notch after the A/C incident :thumbup:
I can imagine how HOT it was, sandals and a speedo should of been mandatory attire eh, if I was playing a 300 lb guy in a speedo with sandals and lost I would of left the tourney too, too BIG of a distraction :D

You are a twisted individual BIll. I just got a visual of Fat Ralph in that attire and it took all I could muster not to vomitt.

It was hot though and very unfortunate. We fight this sort of thing in Texas in the summer time.

My apologies to all.
 
Omg

Island Drive said:
Butch I have one question, did you have to take your belt in another notch after the A/C incident :thumbup:
I can imagine how HOT it was, sandals and a speedo should of been mandatory attire eh, if I was playing a 300 lb guy in a speedo with sandals and lost I would of left the tourney too, too BIG of a distraction :D

I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit...:rotflmao1:
 
Ktown D said:
Good post David.


I can't believe all of the petty crap that goes on here sometimes. If the guy paid his money to play in the event and then decides not to......drumroll please......so fu*king what. There was no auction, his decision didn't effect anyone but himself, so leave the guy alone.

I could halfway understand you bunch of women complaining about his actions if it involved a calcutta but it doesn't. I don't agree with a player walking out if someone has $ riding on them but this wasn't the case so everyone should mind there own business.

I am sure the eventual winner will not mind Gabe's entry fee being part of the winnings.

I must spread rep around, so I can't rep you for this good post!
 
There was one other forfeit on the brackets - no one is talking about him. LOL ;) :eek: :grin:

Trying to take some heat off poor Gabe. :thumbup: :D
 
ironman said:
Wish I had read this first, because you are exactly right, it was very very hot in there. Part of the system had broken down and with 100 degree weather and about 3-400 people inside, well, it was hot.

I'm ticked because he didn't take me with him.

Well I understand perfectly then.

If you weren't a pool player you would probably never guess that playing makes you so FRIGGIN HOT!!! I once played in atournament at a place that had the temp set at 76 which you'd think isnt that hot. I was boiling! and running into the bathroom between shots and soaking my head AND shirt in cold water. Id be dry 10 minutes later. It was unbearable (for me).

Anyway i was in the Semis and hoping Id lose as I truly thought that I would have a stroke if i continued. I lost. I would have forfeited if i had won.
 
Man was it hot in that poolroom. That is the most I have ever sweated playing pool. (literally not figuratively). Gabe and I were (like dumbasses) played 6 games of Super Shot, the basketball game in the corner, right before a match. He went of to play Ralph and was already red as can be.( from dropping 40 to me and the heat) He lost but to his defense Ralph but a move on him. He was not happy and left. I also lost my match to Brandon Shuff who did not miss. I felt like leaving as well. Glad I did not because I got revenge on Shuff later in the tourney. I dont not blame Gabe for leaving, fought all I had not to do the same.
 
Who?

akaTrigger said:
There was one other forfeit on the brackets - no one is talking about him. LOL ;) :eek: :grin:

Trying to take some heat off poor Gabe. :thumbup: :D


Let's start a thread! :grin-square:

Ray
 
I was there it was almost unbearably hot and humid making the tables play rather poor and most of the tables we were using heavy cueballs and the balls were from different sets and such making it hard to rack. I think that may have weighed heavily on his decision.

Still it was a fantastic event!
 
ironman said:
You are a twisted individual BIll. I just got a visual of Fat Ralph in that attire and it took all I could muster not to vomitt.

It was hot though and very unfortunate. We fight this sort of thing in Texas in the summer time.

My apologies to all.


It sooooooooo good to share a good laugh with ya old buddy. Thank god Fat Ralph was not behind the counter in Vegas with that sweetie :eek:
 
uwate said:
I cant believe how many people are giving gabe a hard time without knowing any facts. calling someone a quitter or saying thats why they dont have any sponsors is really a bunch of bs when you guys dont have a clue as to what really happened. Gabe has been on azb before as well as his mom. Dont be jerkoffs without knowing whats the truth.

Gabe is a great player and deserves more respect than this piling on crap.

GReath (props, Solly) post. I would only add the following: I cant believe how many people are giving gabe a hard time without knowing any facts. calling someone a quitter or saying thats why they dont have any sponsors is really a bunch of bs when you guys dont have a clue as to what really happened. Gabe has been on azb before as well as his mom. Dont be jerkoffs without knowing whats the truth.

Gabe is a great player and deserves more respect than this piling on crap.
 
Black-Balled said:
Gabe has been on azb before as well as his mom. Dont be jerkoffs without knowing whats the truth.

Gabe is a great player and deserves more respect than this piling on crap.[/B]

While I might agree that it might not be fair to Gabe to crucify him for walking out on this weekends tour, I don't think you can say that Gabe's membership here helps the cause.
He joined here and posted 3 times looking for sponsorship. That's his total contribution to this forum.
GABESMOM, on the other hand, is a valued member here, and it really must pain her to have to read all the crap that is said about her son. Full credit is due to her, for posting responses in such a reasonable demeanor to this thread.
 
And people scratch their heads, wondering why more pros don't participate on AZB.

If the main AZB site can be considered akin to a respected print news source, the forums are the tabloids.
 
Back
Top