Well said.
McCready bingeing!
- Thread starter Welder84
- Start date
If you loosen the pockets up where such "robotic play" is no longer necessary, then the results become much more random, with a ton of subpar players winning. The few ultra elite players suddenly get reeled back into the field, and the top prize money starts getting spread around, and you get back to the point where no one makes more than about $100,000 a year..
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There are no "subpar players beating any of the top 100, none! If the SVB, Fador, Filler, Chua, Orcollo, Anton Raga or any of the runout players get a bigger pocket they'll runout more and the 10% increase for the subpar players below them still wont make up the talent difference.
[/QUOTE]
There are no "subpar players beating any of the top 100, none! If the SVB, Fador, Filler, Chua, Orcollo, Anton Raga or any of the runout players get a bigger pocket they'll runout more and the 10% increase for the subpar players below them still wont make up the talent difference.
play 2 shot foul ( roll-out ) on 4.5 " pockets
test of balls and skill, esp at their elite level
Biloxi Boy
Man With A Golden Arm
Tight pockets have their place in only one game -- one pocket. Minimal cue ball movement allows precise pocketing. On the other hand, every other game -- when played in its classic fashion -- often requires one to move the rock like a mother which impacts the trajectory of the object ball, etc. Bottom line is that tight pockets dramatically affect how we approach "the other games". An old British bluesman told us everything: "Can't give my best lest I got room to move . . ." John Mayall.
current player m. soufi reminds me of keith. fast playing and sidearm stroke, and he can play snooker too (according to JJ). at first sight it doesn't look like he can play well on any table, but before you know it the score is 5-0..
Payball for sure.
Best in da house!!
Bingo! Players from Keith's era were not one-trick ponies and could play all games. Keith, much to my surprise, won money on the snooker table when we were together, but from what I understand, there used to be ring games on snooker tables in California all the time.
First time I went on the road, we ran into a snooker table at Baker's in Tampa, Florida. That's where I met Grady Mathews. The regulars were playing a ring game on the snooker table, and my partner went bust. You could go five, six, and seven games without ever getting a shot, but yet you have to fork over $100 each time to the winner. Brutal action but nice if you can win at it.
All this "today's players are better than players from yesteryear" is not a statistically significant comparison. The equipment was much different, to include the game rules and what's considered the "gaffe" cues, e.g. jump cues and the black shafts. Even the cloth was different. Maybe a better comparision is players of today, especially the one-trick ponies, could not survive on the equipment, hardware, and rules from days gone by.
As an aside, I remember a tournament at Ultimate Billiards in Connecticut on the Joss NE 9-Ball Tour, which at that time had quite a few champions competing on a regular basis. The pool room owner put brand-new cloth on the tables, and it begain with a "G." I can't remember the name without going througn my pool archives, but it was really fast, too fast for most. Keith had no trouble adjusting because that's what road players do when on the road. You have to adjust quickly to strange equipment.
Keith made it to the finals against Ronnie Alcano. It took the railbirds longer to jockey for position and find a seat to sweat the finals match than it did for the duration of the match itself, 9 to zero. Keith wins in less than 20 minutes. A short time later, Ronnie Alcano defeated Ralf Souquet to win the World 9-Ball Championship in Philippines.
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On Billy’s left. Just found this pic of DD I didn’t know existed. He left the table early as I recallwhat an amazing night that was.
I could not attend that year due to work. It was an honor for Keith to be recognized for the OnePocket.org Lifetime Achievement Award alongside Jeremy Jones. I watched the festivitieson live stream, thanks to Ray Hansen, though, and it was fun.
As you might imagine, I could write on and on about the persona of Keith McCready. If you're on Facebook, this is one of the funniest games and explain why railbirds and players are like enjoy watching "The Keith McCready Show."
Michael Gazzo offends Matt Damon
My favorite win with Keith is this little yarn, one that I will never forget. Here's a cut-and-paste:
One tournament I will never forget took place on April 16-17, 2004, at the Golden Cue in Albany, New York. I was a broke dog and didn't want to go to the Joss event because I had just paid out a huge amount of taxes to Uncle Sam. However, for the love of pool and my counterpart, I bit the bullet and drove up to Albany, hoping for the best. After all, the Joss tournaments occur on the weekend. "How much could we get stuck?" I figured.
We went to the Golden Cue early before the high noon cut-off time so that Keith could get a little practice in. Soon the players began to arrive, and it was an all-star cast, with some of the best guns in Yankee Country, to include Jerry Slivka, Karen Corr, Julie Kelly, Kid Delicious, Santos, Danny Hewitt, Pooky, Mike Davis, Frankie Hernandez, Ryan McCreesh, Tony Ruberto, and Mike Zuglan, just to name a few.
The tournament was full of excellent match-ups. Ryan McCreesh was getting ready to knock Keith to the B side of the charts in this double-elimination format with a straight-in shot on the 9-ball in the side pocket. Maybe it was the pool gods that Saturday that were on Keith's side because Ryan miscued badly, and the 9-ball popped straight up in the air and landed on the floor. Keith swooped in and took the set. You could have fried an egg on Ryan's head at that moment.
But now I come to the match that I will always remember. It was between Spanish Pete and Frankie Hernanez, both from the Big Apple. Frankie was hitting 'em strong that weekend and was plowing right through Spanish Pete. Frankie seemed to be unbeatable. Racing to 9, Frankie had Pete stuck 8 to 2. Spanish Pete was sitting in his chair looking quite dejected, like he gave up, and just when it should have been all over, Frankie missed the case shot for the win, leaving Pete a safety.
Frankie, thinking it was a done deal, then began to unscrew his stick and pack his gear. Spanish Pete looked at him in disbelief and decided to show Frankie a thing or two. He glared at Frankie long and hard. It was as if he got a second wind. Spanish Pete won the next 7 games in record time, defeating Frankie, 9 to 8, as Frankie never won another game. This knocked him in the loser's bracket. But Frankie wasn't done quite yet.
I was standing outside smoking a butt, when I saw Spanish Pete exit the premises to light up. He was still shaking from the set, but he was one proud man. He told me, "I couldn't believe that guy, just packing up his gear like I was dead meat. He disrespected me, and that's all I needed to get back in stroke." The moral of this story is don't ever give up the ship until it's sunk.
But my story doesn't end there, even though that is one of my favorite matches of all time. By Sunday, Keith was still on the winners' side, bless his little heart, and me, I'm happy as can be that he made the money rounds, thinking we were going to come home at least winner for the weekend. Ka-ching!
Soon the pool room filled up. Folks were enjoying the Italian delicacies provided by the owner, Rocco Spinelli, and his family, and it was standing room only. Even the tavern next door, Joe's Grill, emptied out, as all the patrons walked over to see the finals. Keith had made a few friends at Joe's Grill between matches, and he must have left an impression because they were all pulling for him in the stands
Keith advanced to the finals, but who should he have to face? It was none other than Frankie Hernandez. I knew it was going to be a bloody battle. The two of them have matched up many times previously, and Frankie was a strong shooter. Having just cleaned out my checking account for the IRS, I really wanted a win for Team McCready.
Keith had the crowd on his side, which is quite deadly for any opponent of his when this happens. It fueled Keith's engines, and he was ready to fly. Julie Kelly and Karen Corr came to sweat the finals match. Between shots, he'd bellow out to Julie sitting on the rail, "How do you like me now, Julie?" a la Minnesota Fats style. Julie and Karen were giggling throughout the finals. Keith really likes Karen and Julie a lot.
Soon Keith came to the pivotal shot for the almighty win, and I was sitting on pins and needles, but he fired at it and won. He immediately turned around and looked at me. The expression of his face was one of pure happiness, so proud that he put some much needed monies in our pockets. It was one of the sweetest wins for me on the tournament trail with Keith. Actually, the whole tournament was pretty cool.
Keith came back to Golden Cue in Albany the next year in 2005 and ended up facing Canadian champion Danny Hewitt in a double-elimination finals. The first set was completely one-sided with Hewitt cruising to a 9-3 win. The second set was a complete turnaround for Keith as he took an early 7-4 lead and managed to block a late charge from Hewitt. Keith wins the match, 9-7, and the tournament.
Joe's Grill isn't there anymore, but the Golden Cue is. We will always have fond memories of Albany.
A few pics.
Spanish Pete and me smoking in the parking lot after his match, enjoying his great win.
Golden Cue window greeting the Joss Tour players.
Keith outside in the smoking lounge with Julie Kelly, Mike Webb, and Karen Corr.
Keith and his fan club at Joe's Grill next door to the Golden Cue pool room. They all came over to the pool room to watch Keith in the finals.
Ryan McCreesh at Joe's Grill. Ryan actually was from Albany, and his mom came to the event. She was very sweet, shared her secret spahgetti sauce secret with me.
Mike Zuglan, Frankie Hernandez, Keith, and Golden Cue owner Rocco Spinelli. Lots of Italians up in this area of New York, and everywhere you went, there were delicious Italian restaurants.
We were ready to drive back hom to DC, but Keith caught a glimpse of Kid Delicious counting his cabbage. Thoughts of action began to dance in his head.
Next year, Joe's Grill put up a banner welcoming Keith to the Golden Cue in Albany.
Next year, Keith wins again, this time against Canadian Danny Hewitt.
Keith and Golden Cue owner Rocco Spinelli share a happy moment.
One tournament I will never forget took place on April 16-17, 2004, at the Golden Cue in Albany, New York. I was a broke dog and didn't want to go to the Joss event because I had just paid out a huge amount of taxes to Uncle Sam. However, for the love of pool and my counterpart, I bit the bullet and drove up to Albany, hoping for the best. After all, the Joss tournaments occur on the weekend. "How much could we get stuck?" I figured.
We went to the Golden Cue early before the high noon cut-off time so that Keith could get a little practice in. Soon the players began to arrive, and it was an all-star cast, with some of the best guns in Yankee Country, to include Jerry Slivka, Karen Corr, Julie Kelly, Kid Delicious, Santos, Danny Hewitt, Pooky, Mike Davis, Frankie Hernandez, Ryan McCreesh, Tony Ruberto, and Mike Zuglan, just to name a few.
The tournament was full of excellent match-ups. Ryan McCreesh was getting ready to knock Keith to the B side of the charts in this double-elimination format with a straight-in shot on the 9-ball in the side pocket. Maybe it was the pool gods that Saturday that were on Keith's side because Ryan miscued badly, and the 9-ball popped straight up in the air and landed on the floor. Keith swooped in and took the set. You could have fried an egg on Ryan's head at that moment.
But now I come to the match that I will always remember. It was between Spanish Pete and Frankie Hernanez, both from the Big Apple. Frankie was hitting 'em strong that weekend and was plowing right through Spanish Pete. Frankie seemed to be unbeatable. Racing to 9, Frankie had Pete stuck 8 to 2. Spanish Pete was sitting in his chair looking quite dejected, like he gave up, and just when it should have been all over, Frankie missed the case shot for the win, leaving Pete a safety.
Frankie, thinking it was a done deal, then began to unscrew his stick and pack his gear. Spanish Pete looked at him in disbelief and decided to show Frankie a thing or two. He glared at Frankie long and hard. It was as if he got a second wind. Spanish Pete won the next 7 games in record time, defeating Frankie, 9 to 8, as Frankie never won another game. This knocked him in the loser's bracket. But Frankie wasn't done quite yet.
I was standing outside smoking a butt, when I saw Spanish Pete exit the premises to light up. He was still shaking from the set, but he was one proud man. He told me, "I couldn't believe that guy, just packing up his gear like I was dead meat. He disrespected me, and that's all I needed to get back in stroke." The moral of this story is don't ever give up the ship until it's sunk.
But my story doesn't end there, even though that is one of my favorite matches of all time. By Sunday, Keith was still on the winners' side, bless his little heart, and me, I'm happy as can be that he made the money rounds, thinking we were going to come home at least winner for the weekend. Ka-ching!
Soon the pool room filled up. Folks were enjoying the Italian delicacies provided by the owner, Rocco Spinelli, and his family, and it was standing room only. Even the tavern next door, Joe's Grill, emptied out, as all the patrons walked over to see the finals. Keith had made a few friends at Joe's Grill between matches, and he must have left an impression because they were all pulling for him in the stands
Keith advanced to the finals, but who should he have to face? It was none other than Frankie Hernandez. I knew it was going to be a bloody battle. The two of them have matched up many times previously, and Frankie was a strong shooter. Having just cleaned out my checking account for the IRS, I really wanted a win for Team McCready.
Keith had the crowd on his side, which is quite deadly for any opponent of his when this happens. It fueled Keith's engines, and he was ready to fly. Julie Kelly and Karen Corr came to sweat the finals match. Between shots, he'd bellow out to Julie sitting on the rail, "How do you like me now, Julie?" a la Minnesota Fats style. Julie and Karen were giggling throughout the finals. Keith really likes Karen and Julie a lot.
Soon Keith came to the pivotal shot for the almighty win, and I was sitting on pins and needles, but he fired at it and won. He immediately turned around and looked at me. The expression of his face was one of pure happiness, so proud that he put some much needed monies in our pockets. It was one of the sweetest wins for me on the tournament trail with Keith. Actually, the whole tournament was pretty cool.
Keith came back to Golden Cue in Albany the next year in 2005 and ended up facing Canadian champion Danny Hewitt in a double-elimination finals. The first set was completely one-sided with Hewitt cruising to a 9-3 win. The second set was a complete turnaround for Keith as he took an early 7-4 lead and managed to block a late charge from Hewitt. Keith wins the match, 9-7, and the tournament.
Joe's Grill isn't there anymore, but the Golden Cue is. We will always have fond memories of Albany.
A few pics.
Spanish Pete and me smoking in the parking lot after his match, enjoying his great win.
Golden Cue window greeting the Joss Tour players.
Keith outside in the smoking lounge with Julie Kelly, Mike Webb, and Karen Corr.
Keith and his fan club at Joe's Grill next door to the Golden Cue pool room. They all came over to the pool room to watch Keith in the finals.
Ryan McCreesh at Joe's Grill. Ryan actually was from Albany, and his mom came to the event. She was very sweet, shared her secret spahgetti sauce secret with me.
Mike Zuglan, Frankie Hernandez, Keith, and Golden Cue owner Rocco Spinelli. Lots of Italians up in this area of New York, and everywhere you went, there were delicious Italian restaurants.
We were ready to drive back hom to DC, but Keith caught a glimpse of Kid Delicious counting his cabbage. Thoughts of action began to dance in his head.
Next year, Joe's Grill put up a banner welcoming Keith to the Golden Cue in Albany.
Next year, Keith wins again, this time against Canadian Danny Hewitt.
Keith and Golden Cue owner Rocco Spinelli share a happy moment.
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Or Gorina.
Badpenguin
Well-known member
Have to part ways with you here. The 4" pockets turn 9 ball into a different game, something between snooker and 10 ball. 9 ball is more about watching packages and games that move more quickly. It is like the difference between watching basketball and golf. Of course the British are going to change it to look more like what they are more familiar with, because it is their market they are primarily selling to. But that crap isn't US pool, or 9 ball. Will I still watch? Heck yes. But they are not far from making it unwatchable for me.
Without fans, there is no sponsorship, there is no money, and there is no point.
This is correct