Right before Keith and Shane were getting ready to do battle, I was watching the South Dakota Kid warming up on the TV table. He was firing in balls with authority as if they were duck soup, and then when the lines were dropped making Keith a one-game dog in the set, I thought, man, we're in for a tough night ahead.
I had mixed feelings about Keith playing his second match on that TV table. His first match, they put him on that TV table as well. So far, Keith hasn't played a set on the other tables which have TIGHTER pockets. The TV table's pockets are 3-1/6ths of an inch LARGER than the rest. However, since it is underneath the bright lights, it is dry. Due to the humidity here in Chesapeake Beach, with the front door opening 24/7 for folks coming in and out of the place, I think the front tables roll differently than the back tables in the large tournament room.
Shane did play GREAT that set. Keith didn't give him very many opportunities to strut his stuff. Even though he kept coming up empty on the break, he made up for it when he did get to the table by running out. And believe me, Keith was worried about Shane catching a gear and gaining momentum in the set. This night, Keith came out on top.
I've gotta agree with Shane, though, that it's a tough environment to play on that TV table. The bright lights, TV cameras, and audience are an intimidating factor, even for the veteran players. I have seen Mika Immonen come into the tournament room on the offs, and when nobody is playing on the TV table, he is practicing as often as he can on that particular table. I'm thinking Mika may be preparing himself and envisions himself in the finals. The spectators who watched his match with Paez said that Mika was playing flawlessly.
Each table will play a little differently, and I think that the players who are able to adapt their game quickly will succeed. This comes with experience. Shane's got his whole pool life ahead of him to make his mark, and it looks like he's got some great support in his corner. I wish him the best. He is a nice kid. I don't think he meant any disrespect to Keith from the earlier post. As we all know, sometimes the written word can be misconstrued.
Good luck to Shane. Last year, Keith got knocked in the losers' side his very first round, and the year before, he came in third place. Funny things happen in a race to 11, and in 9-ball a player must bring their best game to the table, but a little luck doesn't hurt either.
JAM