NAPA: I ended my 3-loss slide by winning a 4-4 8-ball race 4-3.
I had a break-and-run that started with pocketing 5 balls on the break. I was left with 4 pretty solids and 5 not too ugly stripes. Of course, I only had a shot on stripes. I played a risky shot to get on the eight ball: the key ball was about a ball-width off the long rail and 1 1/2 diamonds from the corner pocket. I left the cue ball so that I could just use follow to come off the short rail in line with the 8-ball. However, those pretty solids were making a little picket fence that I had to slide the cue ball through. I ended up bumping one of the solids almost hooking myself. Although I had to bridge partially over another ball, I had a shot on the 8. With my heart pounding out of my chest, I drained the 8.
It wasn't my first b-n-r... I'm starting to do it more frequently in practice, which is nice -- but I have definitely missed a few lately because of one bad shot (which is all it takes, right?)
And sometimes that one shot will haunt your dreams if you miss it!
:frown:
I found out last night, that the "SL5" I played was far from an SL5. My team captain and some players from another team told me he plays 7 speed or higher. So that just tells me that he must be the worst sandbagger in the league. I beat him though
Last night, I played a strong 4, who I think is somewhere around 70-80% wins. He broke and ran a few, missed an easy shot and I ran out. I broke, ran, and played safe. He missed, gave me BIH and I'm out. So he starts moaning and groaning about how lucky I am and how the balls just won't go in for him... blah blah blah
He finally gets a roll and leaves me locked up behind the 5. I kicked out two rails and hit the 3 perfectly into the corner. That's when he just about blew up! He started off with "That's BullSh**!" then came the "This guy is just lucky!" again. I won 14-6. He made right at 22 balls. I beat him 38-22 and had an easy run out for more points if necessary.
Matt would be proud, although I didn't get any 5 point or 6 point breaks, I had 3 four point breaks in a row! lol
Here's a video of the first rack as soon as I showed up to practice. (Don't hate on the white pants!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pQHf5YE9Sw