Going to Derby for the 1st. time...

inside_english

inside_english

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
So I have decided to go and maybe play in one of the events.

Does anyone have any advice / recommendations for a newbie?

About me:

Been playing since 1985.
Favorite game = 1P
Not much of a gambler, more of a "cheap set" kinda player.
Been to the U.S. Open almost every year since 1998 as a spectator.
Been to VF 3x as a competitor, cashed once.
Been to World Pool Masters in Vegas in 2008 as a spectator.

Overall rating (If Efren is a 10), would be 5 or 6.

Any advice, comments regarding accommodations, etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
inside_english said:
So I have decided to go and maybe play in one of the events.

Does anyone have any advice / recommendations for a newbie?

About me:

Been playing since 1985.
Favorite game = 1P
Not much of a gambler, more of a "cheap set" kinda player.
Been to the U.S. Open almost every year since 1998 as a spectator.
Been to VF 3x as a competitor, cashed once.
Been to World Pool Masters in Vegas in 2008 as a spectator.

Overall rating (If Efren is a 10), would be 5 or 6.

Any advice, comments regarding accommodations, etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

you will watch more gambling matches then tourney matches.
the tourney matches are such a short race but the action is great.
 
Since you like 1P, buy into that event, which will get you entry into the facilities for the whole week. You can decide later if you want to buy back in. I never cared for the tournament that much, but like Bartrum said, the action was fun to sweat or participate in. At your speed it is somewhat difficult to find action due to the negotiation of weight with the better players. You might find some cheap action even up with "unknown" players.

Unless they coordinated the tournament better, it was a pain the the butt to find out when your match was scheduled. My 2 cents.....
 
You may also consider joiningthe AZBilliards Room that is traditionally held at the DCC. It's a place where AZB members meet and play a little friendly pool. There's a cost to joining it but nominal especially when you consider it might keep you out of the casino for a few hours. :D

Maybe someone has the contact information for the person who collects the money for the AZB room.

Also, you should consider going over to the Derby City Classic Forum and dialing into that info center.

Make a list of the AZB people that say they are going and put it in your wallet. You'll be surprised that harly anyone looks like their screen name. :p

If I make it, you will see me lugging around my POW-MIA cue case and just say hello. If I go I will most likely go for the one pocket tournament, as others have mentioned, you should play in one of the events just so you don't have buy a guest pass.
 
Learning how to take power naps is crucial.

In a chair, even better!

Or you could start using meth...might be a good choice for you, at this point.
 
This will be my first time as well. Should I get VIP tickets over general admission? I will be there Wed-Sat for the 9 ball and Fatboy. Whats the difference between vip and ga? Is it just that you can sit in a chair?

I am going mainly to watch action, but I certainly want to catch a few tournament matches as well.
 
As others have said , if you like One Pocket enter the tournament , it gives you free entry the whole time and if you are going to be there more than a couple of days, it will pay for itself.
Unless you enjoy Bank Pool , a lot, I wouldn't go too early because thats about all there is to watch when I have been there.
I've never been in the AZ room but plan to go this year.
Unless you assume that everyone you play is going to be a semi champion and you don't mind paying them to play you, then I wouldn't gamble there.
Reason being is that 99% of them WILL BE semi champions,{or monster players} some of whom, look and sound like they just fell off the turnip truck.
If I see you there I will ask you to play some.
I usually lose but I like to play cheap sets, best 2 out of 3 for 100 or 200.00 You can probably give me 10 to 7 if you are a 5 or 6 compared to Efren.
Good Luck and have fun!
 
1st: If you book the entire 9 days, you will save a lot of money. I think the rate is $99 vs. $149 each night, or something like that. Get a roommate and your cost is very manageable.

2nd: Things don't usually start rolling until late hours. So, prepare yourself to sleep late and get up late. Nothing's happening in the morning.

3rd: There are very few 7 ft tables, if you like bar tables. I think there were only 2 last year?

4th: Food is not cheap, so that's something to keep in mind.

5th: You will need your player's badge to get upstairs to play or sweat the matches.

Lastly, prepare yourself to have a good time. :wink:
 
gunzby said:
This will be my first time as well. Should I get VIP tickets over general admission? I will be there Wed-Sat for the 9 ball and Fatboy. Whats the difference between vip and ga? Is it just that you can sit in a chair?

I am going mainly to watch action, but I certainly want to catch a few tournament matches as well.
Click to expand...

You are gonna be there the same time I will, you picked a good time. I wouldn't waste the money on VIP, you can get about as close as you want without it. Besides, you will be running around so much trying to keep up with everything, you probably won't want to stay in one place for that long.

IMO, there will only be 2 matches that you might wish you had VIP for and that will be the 9B and 1P finals. It gets hard to see those without a seat but you can still get within standing distance or look on from the balcony.

Daniel
 
inside_english said:
So I have decided to go and maybe play in one of the events.

Does anyone have any advice / recommendations for a newbie?

About me:

Been playing since 1985.
Favorite game = 1P
Not much of a gambler, more of a "cheap set" kinda player.
Been to the U.S. Open almost every year since 1998 as a spectator.
Been to VF 3x as a competitor, cashed once.
Been to World Pool Masters in Vegas in 2008 as a spectator.

Overall rating (If Efren is a 10), would be 5 or 6.

Any advice, comments regarding accommodations, etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Curtis,

I have been the last few years and can help with the above questions. You have a few things to think about. Thou! The casino rooms are $100 and easy to get to but sell out quick. The Hampton Inn New Albany is about $50 bucks and 20 minutes away! But, close to the waffle house!

The event is great and action 24/7 its hard to leave and people fall asleep all over the place in chairs. The room at the casino is a BIG help!!! otherwise you have to factor in additional cost for rental car and gas or shuttle service which leaves at funny times and when your tired it sucks waiting to leave!

Most people come for the banks and get a players pass. The pass is cheaper then buying tickets for the entire event and give you full access to all tournament events except one pocket.org dinner banquet.

The cool thing at the event is the coat check is converted into a cue check station with hundreds of cases stacked all over and tight security you can bring your cue and leave it there while you enjoy the event, dinner or casino!

The casino is very isolated and the event is like escape from alcatraz with the best hustlers, card sharks, arm wrestlers, backgammon players and Poker stars locked in a room with one another for a week! You are bound to see foot races for thousands, coins flipped for bank rolls and all kinds of stuff. And of course, a pimp or two and his hoes!

The buffet gets old! Try and eat at the sports bar as much as possible they have good food! Plus, portions are good! also, catch some ice cream from the ice cream parlor the late night milk shakes are great. If you do play I would advise getting a few energy bars because its hard some times eating between matches and enjoying the action!

KD
Mike
 
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