I Need Help!!!!

W

Williebetmore

Member, .25% Club
Silver Member
I need some help (no, not the psychiatric kind - well, maybe that wouldn't hurt, but that's not the purpose of this thread). I need some competition.
Straight pool league has begun, and in 3 weeks I have my biggest match of the season.

My problem is that I almost NEVER get to play competitively with anyone near my speed. I practice religiously, but almost never get to compete. I have a semi-regular game with a top pro; but that is more like racking practice than competitive practice. I would love to get together for a day and just play some pool - friendly competition (can always bet v-cash if you have to).

So this is just a call-out for all of the AZB'ers who keep threatening to visit "Betmore's Basement" - Woody, Wally, Vagabond, zeeder, Satman, StraightPoolIU, ManEc, and any others who might be interested. I'm free the next 3 weekends (all day and night Saturdays, Sundays til 5 P.M.), drop me a line if you want to play. Free food, beverages, pool, and room. Straight pool, 9-ball, 8-ball, one-pocket, banks, Irish billiards - I never played a game I didn't like. See you soon.
 
Williebetmore said:
I need some help (no, not the psychiatric kind - well, maybe that wouldn't hurt, but that's not the purpose of this thread). I need some competition.
Straight pool league has begun, and in 3 weeks I have my biggest match of the season.

My problem is that I almost NEVER get to play competitively with anyone near my speed. I practice religiously, but almost never get to compete. I have a semi-regular game with a top pro; but that is more like racking practice than competitive practice. I would love to get together for a day and just play some pool - friendly competition (can always bet v-cash if you have to).

So this is just a call-out for all of the AZB'ers who keep threatening to visit "Betmore's Basement" - Woody, Wally, Vagabond, zeeder, Satman, StraightPoolIU, ManEc, and any others who might be interested. I'm free the next 3 weekends (all day and night Saturdays, Sundays til 5 P.M.), drop me a line if you want to play. Free food, beverages, pool, and room. Straight pool, 9-ball, 8-ball, one-pocket, banks, Irish billiards - I never played a game I didn't like. See you soon.
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I am afraid I am not anywhere near what you are after, but if nothing else comes through, let me know and I will get some racking practice.

Jim Eales
 
Willie,

Not sure so I'll have to talk to the guys first, but me and a couple of the IU pool club guys might be down for paying you a visit. Not this weekend because its Halloween and a huge party weekend here at IU but maybe the one after. We're all straight pool freaks and would love to have you teach us some stuff. The two guys I'm talking about also post on here IUAmesMister and Fendertwotwenty. Otherwise known as Seth and John. Anyway I'll be in touch.

Brent
 
Williebetmore said:
I need some help (no, not the psychiatric kind - well, maybe that wouldn't hurt, but that's not the purpose of this thread). I need some competition.
Straight pool league has begun, and in 3 weeks I have my biggest match of the season.

My problem is that I almost NEVER get to play competitively with anyone near my speed. I practice religiously, but almost never get to compete. I have a semi-regular game with a top pro; but that is more like racking practice than competitive practice. I would love to get together for a day and just play some pool - friendly competition (can always bet v-cash if you have to).

So this is just a call-out for all of the AZB'ers who keep threatening to visit "Betmore's Basement" - Woody, Wally, Vagabond, zeeder, Satman, StraightPoolIU, ManEc, and any others who might be interested. I'm free the next 3 weekends (all day and night Saturdays, Sundays til 5 P.M.), drop me a line if you want to play. Free food, beverages, pool, and room. Straight pool, 9-ball, 8-ball, one-pocket, banks, Irish billiards - I never played a game I didn't like. See you soon.
Click to expand...

Too bad you weren't up near the Illinois border. Id' play you a little and maybe hook you up with Ed Latimer who has run some 100s and who loves to teach 14.1 for nothing.

By the way, when I left Red Shoes last night about midnight, Nick Varner was playing the houseman one pocket. there was some talk of them playing straight pool later, but I couldn't hang around. 6:00 a.m. comes quickly.
 
Williebetmore said:
I need some help (no, not the psychiatric kind - well, maybe that wouldn't hurt, but that's not the purpose of this thread). I need some competition.
Straight pool league has begun, and in 3 weeks I have my biggest match of the season.

My problem is that I almost NEVER get to play competitively with anyone near my speed. I practice religiously, but almost never get to compete. I have a semi-regular game with a top pro; but that is more like racking practice than competitive practice. I would love to get together for a day and just play some pool - friendly competition (can always bet v-cash if you have to).

So this is just a call-out for all of the AZB'ers who keep threatening to visit "Betmore's Basement" - Woody, Wally, Vagabond, zeeder, Satman, StraightPoolIU, ManEc, and any others who might be interested. I'm free the next 3 weekends (all day and night Saturdays, Sundays til 5 P.M.), drop me a line if you want to play. Free food, beverages, pool, and room. Straight pool, 9-ball, 8-ball, one-pocket, banks, Irish billiards - I never played a game I didn't like. See you soon.
Click to expand...

To simulate playing against a top straight pool player....Do this...Step to the table and run balls until you miss....Every time you miss, you have to wait at least 15 minutes to shoot again.
 
hey Willie,
hows it going? where exactly is it that you live? i might be interested in some 9-Ball if your not too far from me. didnt you say you live close to that scroungy little town know as Lapel?

DCP
 
Williebetmore said:
I need some help (no, not the psychiatric kind - well, maybe that wouldn't hurt, but that's not the purpose of this thread). I need some competition.
Straight pool league has begun, and in 3 weeks I have my biggest match of the season.

My problem is that I almost NEVER get to play competitively with anyone near my speed. I practice religiously, but almost never get to compete. I have a semi-regular game with a top pro; but that is more like racking practice than competitive practice. I would love to get together for a day and just play some pool - friendly competition (can always bet v-cash if you have to).

So this is just a call-out for all of the AZB'ers who keep threatening to visit "Betmore's Basement" - Woody, Wally, Vagabond, zeeder, Satman, StraightPoolIU, ManEc, and any others who might be interested. I'm free the next 3 weekends (all day and night Saturdays, Sundays til 5 P.M.), drop me a line if you want to play. Free food, beverages, pool, and room. Straight pool, 9-ball, 8-ball, one-pocket, banks, Irish billiards - I never played a game I didn't like. See you soon.
Click to expand...

I'd love to come over Willie but I am, unfortunately, tied up with school and such for the rest of the semester. I can possibly work something out the end of December, beginning of January, since I'll be on break from school.

Along that note, I've made the decision to reduce my hours at work and go back to school full time once again. Barring any unforseen complications I will graduate in May of 2007! It's pretty cool to finally be able to see a glimmer of the light that is at the end of the tunnel.
 
eales said:
I am afraid I am not anywhere near what you are after, but if nothing else comes through, let me know and I will get some racking practice.

Jim Eales
Click to expand...

JE,
Of course part of the problem is I have no idea exactly where my game is without some competition. If you are near the Indy area, PM me and perhaps we can play some. While I definitely would like some close competition, I also enjoy any type of competition with fellow fanatics - enthusiasm and sportsmanship are much more important to me than skill level.
 
BRKNRUN said:
To simulate playing against a top straight pool player....Do this...Step to the table and run balls until you miss....Every time you miss, you have to wait at least 15 minutes to shoot again.
Click to expand...

Ken,
Great advice; but do you really think 4 minutes of shooting and 150 minutes of watching will really get me to that "next level"????? :) :) :)

P.S. - I have a regular weekly game against a top professional, and misses may actually result in a 30 - 40 minute wait. Still, its fun and educational to see 14.1 played on such a level - very elegant is the only way to describe it.
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
hey Willie,
hows it going? where exactly is it that you live? i might be interested in some 9-Ball if your not too far from me. didnt you say you live close to that scroungy little town know as Lapel?

DCP
Click to expand...

DCP,
Northeast side, 8 miles north of I-70, near Geist Reservoir, about an hour from Bloomington. Give me call if your in the neighborhood. I can't even spell 9-ball, but I love to play any game. I can learn.
 
zeeder said:
but I am, unfortunately, tied up with school and such for the rest of the semester. I can possibly work something out the end of December, beginning of January.
Click to expand...

Z,
Geez, what a weak excuse - work, blah, blah, blah. School - blah, blah, blah. You need to drop out of school, quit your job, get a divorce (well, get married, then get a divorce), and learn to like living in your car. Then, and only then, will you be able to devote the proper amount of time to your game (and of course help me out at the same time).

If you really need to keep the job and stay in school, then perhaps we'll have to settle for this winter. You know DCC is in January. You could always come over for a day or two of pool before and after the event.

P.S. - Good luck with the school, I suspect you are intelligent enough to ignore all advice from anonymous internet posters like me.
 
Interesting PM from forum member - evidently he was too polite to put this in the main forum. But I found it very perceptive.



Williebetmore,
Funny, Just yesterday I was talking with a friend that used to play on the WPBA. She has been lurking here recently and we started to discuss the forum and the diversity of players here.

I gave my angle on some of the characters that are regular posters here if she decides to participate. Since I don’t know you or were you to my knowledge listening to the conversation, (this is a bit spooky). I said “ and then there is this doctor in Indiana that has some money to invest in his game. He posts about lessons and practice sessions with current Pros and past world champions, the rigorous practice routine he does, but rarely mentions playing people his own speed where he has to dig down to win, or fails to do so and lose. It does not sound like he is really experiencing winning and losing.

I hope you don’t take this as an insult or a stranger being too intrusive it’s just interesting how sometimes things can be obvious to others. Even over the internet. ;)
No offense taken - this is EXACTLY the problem. I have a very firm belief that stroke lessons, lessons from pro's, and stiff competition are all vital parts of a pool "education". I am definitely short on the competition aspect.

Having limited time to develop, I spend the majority of my time practicing (very focused on specific skills and shortcomings). I have a weekly 14.1 game with a top pro; but this ensures only that I will become one of the best ball rackers in the world.

I do play in a straight pool league each winter, but in 19 weeks I will have only 4 or 5 really close matches with someone of similar skill (more this year since 2 professionals have joined our league). I've tried some local 9-ball tournaments (on 8 foot tables), but it only took 2 outings to conquer the nervousness, after which I won it twice. Spending 8 hours playing 5 or 6 short 9-ball matches on small tables wasn't my idea of an effective use of my time, plus the tournaments stopped.

Anyway, as my stroke improves (and I don't have to spend as much time developing it) I'm looking to branch out more and compete more - win or lose.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Williebetmore said:
Ken,
Great advice; but do you really think 4 minutes of shooting and 150 minutes of watching will really get me to that "next level"????? :) :) :)

P.S. - I have a regular weekly game against a top professional, and misses may actually result in a 30 - 40 minute wait. Still, its fun and educational to see 14.1 played on such a level - very elegant is the only way to describe it.
Click to expand...
If you want to arrange an AzB Hoosier Skins Match, I'd show up for it. I can't post $5K though, maybe $50 ;) I think it would be fun. Actually 14.1 could be adapted to the format. Say a run of 50 or whatever predetermined number = a skin. Do it in a ring format where player A breaks then player B shoots then C etc... Scores would not count, only number of skins would count. Safeties allowed. First to take 5 skins wins, second and third place would be determined by the number of skins the other players had. Then divide the purse by the total number of skins and divvy up accordingly. I think this could be an exciting format for 14.1 fans.

Tracy
 
RSB-Refugee said:
If you want to arrange an AzB Hoosier Skins Match, I'd show up for it. I can't post $5K though, maybe $50 ;) I think it would be fun. Actually 14.1 could be adapted to the format. Say a run of 50 or whatever predetermined number = a skin. Do it in a ring format where player A breaks then player B shoots then C etc... Scores would not count, only number of skins would count. Safeties allowed. First to take 5 skins wins, second and third place would be determined by the number of skins the other players had. Then divide the purse by the total number of skins and divvy up accordingly. I think this could be an exciting format for 14.1 fans.

Tracy
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Sounds like an interesting idea (as long as you aren't the Tracy from Cue and Billiard Showcase, in which case you would just be stealing from us :) :); well, I take it back, I'd like to play especially if you are ). Other than Woody_968 I'm not aware of any other Hoosier AZB'ers who play 14.1 with any regularity.

Since I've never seen anyone run 50 on my table, I think the skins would have to be set lower (perhaps 20 or 25 - I try for 22 every day, as that is a whole rack, and a "win" in the next rack for a straight pool league player). Racing to 100 you will win a LOT of matches running 22's on this table.

Any interested players??? Let me know, I'll provide venue, food, drinks, and running commentary during the match (we'll have to consider allowing all sharking by the host).

P.S. - there would have to be more incentive for longer runs (or you'd just stop at 22), perhaps 1/2 skin for every additional 5 or 10 balls.
 
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Williebetmore said:
Sounds like an interesting idea (as long as you aren't the Tracy from Cue and Billiard Showcase, in which case you would just be stealing from us :) :)
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I don't know who that is, but I'm not going to be stealing from anyone. ;)
Williebetmore said:
P.S. - there would have to be more incentive for longer runs (or you'd just stop at 22), perhaps 1/2 skin for every additional 5 or 10 balls.
Click to expand...
The incentive, would be 44 = 2 skins, 66 = 3 etc...
 
RSB-Refugee said:
I don't know who that is, but I'm not going to be stealing from anyone. ;)

The incentive, would be 44 = 2 skins, 66 = 3 etc...
Click to expand...

RSB,
The "Tracy" from Cue & Billiard Showcase is their table installer, and he is a monster player. If he played much at all, he'd be pro level by all accounts.
 
I may have asked you this before, but do you play in the Straight Pool league at Airport Billiards? There are a ton of great players that hang out there. Mac Ashby is a very good Straight Pool player and he will play cheap. He would be an excellent opponent to judge your speed. He plays very tight. I may be up for a trip to Indy (lived there for 10 years, '90 to '00). I mainly play 1 Pocket and Banks though. Finding the time having 8 & 10 year old kids will be my toughest challenge.
 
Worminator said:
I may have asked you this before, but do you play in the Straight Pool league at Airport Billiards? There are a ton of great players that hang out there. Mac Ashby is a very good Straight Pool player and he will play cheap. He would be an excellent opponent to judge your speed. He plays very tight. I may be up for a trip to Indy (lived there for 10 years, '90 to '00). I mainly play 1 Pocket and Banks though. Finding the time having 8 & 10 year old kids will be my toughest challenge.
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Worm-man,
Yes, Airport is the league (the Allison Transmission league). JL joined this year, along with Jeff B - level of play definitely went up several notches. I have seen Mac A there 100 times, I think he might have picked up a cue twice - he doesn't seem to play much when I'm around; but a good friend agrees with you in your assessment of his level.

I've already told Satman many times that I'm game for one-pocket and banks practice - I NEVER played a pool game I didn't enjoy. I don't know the finer points, but I intend to learn, and I'm a fast learner. It is even possible I could get one of my daughters to babysit for a long day of pool if you feel up to the drive. Regards.
 
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