Friday evening as I'm leaving Hard Times in Bellflower I'm told "Efren's flying in. They are picking him up at the airport right now." The word flys around the room.
Saturday is the monthly One Pocket Tournament. I show up after begging out of Saturday's chores. I am lucky to find a seat in the bleachers near the table Efren is playing his match on. The room is packed and the tournament is full. Watching the 1st few shots I am reminded why he has the name of the "Magician." People in the stands are smiling and shaking their heads at his moves. Every now and then you can hear a few chuckles. Everyone knows how lucky they are to be where they are in this time frame. Efren is obviously having fun and it is contagious. Guy next to me, a long time player, says "Smooth as glass" and sighs at a perfectly paced shot. Of course Efren takes the $.
Sunday the 1st Sunday of the month which is always added money. 116 players !!! I meet up with JoeyInCali who seems to know every player in California and is friends with all of them. He is talking with Efren in some Filipino dialect. We watch some matches including Efren and Parica who also showed up. Efren wins 6-2. Great players from all over the state matching up and every table in the house being used, even the billiard tables. With Monday facing us Joey and I leave after 8 hours of great pool on all sides of us. Of course Efren once again takes the $. He is supposed to fly out Monday AM. Great performances in his inimitable humble style.
Monday and I stop by HT for an hour or so. 5PM and I turn the balls and --wait, there is Efren putting his cue together on table 6. He is going to play the owners daughter, Brook, 14-2. I sit with Calvin a long, long time 1 Hole player. We smile and shake our heads in pleasure. Finally I tell Calvin I have to leave before I am tempted to go out and sell my cue
GREAT WEEKEND! And only 15 minutes from my house.
Saturday is the monthly One Pocket Tournament. I show up after begging out of Saturday's chores. I am lucky to find a seat in the bleachers near the table Efren is playing his match on. The room is packed and the tournament is full. Watching the 1st few shots I am reminded why he has the name of the "Magician." People in the stands are smiling and shaking their heads at his moves. Every now and then you can hear a few chuckles. Everyone knows how lucky they are to be where they are in this time frame. Efren is obviously having fun and it is contagious. Guy next to me, a long time player, says "Smooth as glass" and sighs at a perfectly paced shot. Of course Efren takes the $.
Sunday the 1st Sunday of the month which is always added money. 116 players !!! I meet up with JoeyInCali who seems to know every player in California and is friends with all of them. He is talking with Efren in some Filipino dialect. We watch some matches including Efren and Parica who also showed up. Efren wins 6-2. Great players from all over the state matching up and every table in the house being used, even the billiard tables. With Monday facing us Joey and I leave after 8 hours of great pool on all sides of us. Of course Efren once again takes the $. He is supposed to fly out Monday AM. Great performances in his inimitable humble style.
Monday and I stop by HT for an hour or so. 5PM and I turn the balls and --wait, there is Efren putting his cue together on table 6. He is going to play the owners daughter, Brook, 14-2. I sit with Calvin a long, long time 1 Hole player. We smile and shake our heads in pleasure. Finally I tell Calvin I have to leave before I am tempted to go out and sell my cue
GREAT WEEKEND! And only 15 minutes from my house.
