APA 9-ball league match NO PUSH OUT.
So I am playing a 5, a very under-rated 5, who is running balls on this 8 footer like nothin! The no-push on the break is killing me. I keep getting hooked or kicked in and this kid will run 5-7 balls. Once I made three balls, got kicked in and he ran out!!
Being a "9" I have to play him 75-35 (or maybe 38, but I think it's 35). Before long I find myself nearly TIED!!! I think we're at like 33-31.
Rather than fold up, I took the bit between my teeth, shifted gears and really tried to play controlled, cinch pool. If I wasn't 99% to make the ball I played safe.
Now when a guy only needs four balls to win the match, every kick can make your sphincter tingle. And the break was giving me grey hair!!! Dont make a ball, or get hooked and the match is OVER!!!
Pretty soon he had fluked a couple in and only needed ONE FRIGGIN BALL when I still needed like 30!!! Now THAT is pressure, and one of the damned few reasons I still play league.
I did pretty well, and the drama was palpable. Word got around I was trying to hold him off that one, single ball and just might do it, and teams on other tables started watching OUR match!
At one point I had it down to something like I need 15, he needs 1. The rack is spread wide after the break, and I play safe on the one. He kicked it two rails, MADE THE BALL and scratched!!!
I ran out.
Now I only need to pocket a ball on the break and run four more.
Faced with this after the break.
I could BARELY see the right side of the 1-ball, so I played this safety.
I didn't lock him up, but felt pretty good about my chances. I figured he would hit the ball, and I could run my four balls and out.
Instead he WHALES this thing 100 mph, the cue jumps up in the air, comes down on the 1-ball, it jumps up, hits the 6 and goes in...
The match is over. :banghead:
The lesson learned is to not fall behind so I HAVE to play cinch pool, cuz any little roll can kill ya.
But I am still proud of how I shifted gears and that I didn't lose by dogging a ball.
So I am playing a 5, a very under-rated 5, who is running balls on this 8 footer like nothin! The no-push on the break is killing me. I keep getting hooked or kicked in and this kid will run 5-7 balls. Once I made three balls, got kicked in and he ran out!!
Being a "9" I have to play him 75-35 (or maybe 38, but I think it's 35). Before long I find myself nearly TIED!!! I think we're at like 33-31.
Rather than fold up, I took the bit between my teeth, shifted gears and really tried to play controlled, cinch pool. If I wasn't 99% to make the ball I played safe.
Now when a guy only needs four balls to win the match, every kick can make your sphincter tingle. And the break was giving me grey hair!!! Dont make a ball, or get hooked and the match is OVER!!!
Pretty soon he had fluked a couple in and only needed ONE FRIGGIN BALL when I still needed like 30!!! Now THAT is pressure, and one of the damned few reasons I still play league.
I did pretty well, and the drama was palpable. Word got around I was trying to hold him off that one, single ball and just might do it, and teams on other tables started watching OUR match!
At one point I had it down to something like I need 15, he needs 1. The rack is spread wide after the break, and I play safe on the one. He kicked it two rails, MADE THE BALL and scratched!!!
I ran out.
Now I only need to pocket a ball on the break and run four more.
Faced with this after the break.
I could BARELY see the right side of the 1-ball, so I played this safety.
I didn't lock him up, but felt pretty good about my chances. I figured he would hit the ball, and I could run my four balls and out.
Instead he WHALES this thing 100 mph, the cue jumps up in the air, comes down on the 1-ball, it jumps up, hits the 6 and goes in...
The match is over. :banghead:
The lesson learned is to not fall behind so I HAVE to play cinch pool, cuz any little roll can kill ya.
But I am still proud of how I shifted gears and that I didn't lose by dogging a ball.