Monica Webb

[Jude Rosenstock]

Maybe, maybe not. Karen and Allison aren't really known for playing high stakes games in a gambling/pool hall environment, so I doubt the whole world would be on edge if she won. I would expect Monica to win against both of them under those terms a good majority of the time - which brings us back to what BI said in his post - for what? Monica can only hurt herself if she isn't successful. IMO she should concentrate more on players like GYK, Jasmin Ouschan, and Xiaoting Pan who will be there to challenge her again and again once Allison and Karen pass the baton. I think those are better matchups and would help her more than matching up with Allison and Karen.

Well, for starters, I'd like to know what you mean by "hurt herself if she isn't successful". Hurt herself how?

As for your suggested match-ups, I agree. She should match-up with them, too. However, it's different matching up with the up-and-coming as opposed to the reigning champs. Yes, the possibility of losing is greater but the rewards are tenfold.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

The fear might be: What happens to her mental game if she dogs it?

Russ

Are you suggesting her mental game could be that weak? If it is, she need not worry about the future. Her game will get no better than it is now. To make such a challenge suggests a STRONG mental game only looking to get stronger. She loses, her mental game will see no set-back. She wins, she'll be a monster.

 

[Blackjack]

Well, for starters, I'd like to know what you mean by "hurt herself if she isn't successful". Hurt herself how?

As for your suggested match-ups, I agree. She should match-up with them, too. However, it's different matching up with the up-and-coming as opposed to the reigning champs. Yes, the possibility of losing is greater but the rewards are tenfold.

Monica is IMO, one of the toughest - if not the toughest player of the 3. She may not have as many trophies, but for the cash, I think she's the real deal. Because of that, I see nothing for her to gain by playing either of them - now. Maybe once she wins a WPBA title or two (or 3) - then she should concentrate on the money games. For now, she should concentrate on beating them at the tournaments, that way she can get into their heads a little bit. I just don't think the timing is right for any of that right now, but it will be someday down the road. Like I said, once she gets over the hurdle of winning her first WPBA title, her confidence will soar higher than it is right now. She right there... just like Billy said... she's just needs that little extra something to get her to break through that wall. I think she needs that to happen before she plays them for the cash, and she'll be better off for it in the long run.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Monica is IMO, one of the toughest - if not the toughest player of the 3. She may not have as many trophies, but for the cash, I think she's the real deal. Because of that, I see nothing for her to gain by playing either of them - now. Maybe once she wins a WPBA title or two (or 3) - then she should concentrate on the money games. For now, she should concentrate on beating them at the tournaments, that way she can get into their heads a little bit. I just don't think the timing is right for any of that right now, but it will be someday down the road. Like I said, once she gets over the hurdle of winning her first WPBA title, her confidence will soar higher than it is right now. She right there... just like Billy said... she's just needs that little extra something to get her to break through that wall. I think she needs that to happen before she plays them for the cash, and she'll be better off for it in the long run.

I guess, what I'm trying to say is, "that little extra something to get her to break through that wall" is found when you play against players like Allison and Karen. That's my opinion. By gambling with them in a long session, the stigma of playing them is lost. I am 100% certain every time I've found myself as underdog in a long session, even though I may have walked away with a lighter wallet, I walked away a better player.

I'm sorry, I have a lot of respect for Monica for calling them out. If she matches up with either, even more respect. Every great player that has come out of New York City did the exact same thing and they were always on the up and a single loss never slowed them down.

 

[Subsonic2u]

Would like to b there if:

If Monica and Karen were to match up, I hope it would b at Pete Fusco's place in SE PA. I would definately b there to watch. Both are great players, but my $$ would b on Karen.

I watched Karen play there in a large open tournament. A few women, but mostly men. The tournament started at noon and went straight thru till 4 AM the next day, no lunch breaks or rest stops. They went from 1 match right into the next with hardly time for a bathroom break. Many big names u c on the TV matches were knowcked out. A few I can think of were Danny Basavich, Mike Davis, and a coulple major players from NY whose names excape me now. When the smoke cleared, there was Karen in the final with Lee Holt. Hill hill, down to the last ball, both were really beat. Lee won after a near miss on the 9 by Karen. I can gaurantee u Karen does not quit, but will fight to the end.

Charlie

 

[DawgAndy]

I don't ever see Allison or Karen going for this, it's not their environment. I've heard of Allison losing to short stop male players gambling. I'm not sure if Monica would have the same trouble. US palyers of either sex cut their teeth gambling before ripping up tournaments.
As far as one pocket how would you rank Rachel Abbink in the female players?

Andy

 

[Johnnyt]

I heard that Abbink has a lot of gamble in her. I know she's played J. Lee a few times but don't know what the outcome was. Johnnyt

 

[HighEndCues]

you know i've heard people tell me this, but the only time i've been around her, she didn't want to match up with anyone(notably one of the people who asked her to play was Tony Ruberto). of course she did have trouble playing on our slow cloth, but most of the LST/WPBA players do. they just don't have the power in their strokes to move in mud.LOL i would like to see her in some action, to see where her game goes! needless to say she is a very nice, and friendly lady, who seemed very down to earth!...Jeremy

First of all... Monica didn't call out Allison or Karen.. She thought it would be fun matching up with the girls.. She admires the men and how they all match up, and the women never do..
I've played with Monica many times and she has the heart of a lion, and plays a step up for the cheese.. I'm sure she would hold her own if they ever did play..
The good gambler plays games that they want to play..
Why would she want to match up with Tony Ruberto? Just because he badgered her to play doesn't mean she should...
Monica gets plenty of games across the county.. Anyone saying she doesn't match up is someone showing they really don't have a clue..
Best,
Ken
Highendcues

 

[monica]

Man, what a fuss this has created. But a very healthy discussion, I must say. If you listen to the interview, I do not mean to call anyone out. It is very difficult to get over a hump when you only play the person a couple of times a yr. If you have an opportunity to get comfortable and play the people you tend to have trouble with you will see a big difference. This is something that the men do and I think there skills and knowledge show it. And again, I would love to play any female in the pool room to sharpen skills and for the enjoyment of winning (& maybe a loss every now and then). Thanks to the ones that said the kind words, Billy - Buddy - Ken - Jay - Melissa and the others. GO USA !

 

[The Woim]

Let's talk Monica Webb

We all love Monica Webb and she's a tough competitor. In a money match, I don't think either Allison or Karen would fold, but if Monica plays strong she can beat Allison. Allison is such a tough tournament player who eats her opponents alive after they make a few mistakes and their mental game falls to pieces.

When Allison or Karen passes the baton, it won't be to Monica. Besides, Monica is the same age as those gals.

Besides, who said Karen or Allison are going anywhere? They aren't going to decide to have a family like Lori Jon Jones. They love the competition and they have committed their lives to this parlor room board game that we all love so much!

Of course, Monica Webb is one tough competitor and may (to my surprise) beat both Allison and Karen in a 10 ahead set.

Doesn't the WPBA frown on gambling?

The Woim

 

[JAM]

...GO USA !

You have a nice way with words! I like your style!

USA, ALL THE WAY!

First time I met Monica was in Baltimore at Hot Shots Billiards, after the Capital City Classic tournament. Monica was there with Marcus Chamat, Helena, and Mark Gregory. All of them were trying to get in action, and there was a lot of action that week. However, when it came to Monica, the locals kept their tails between their legs. Nobody would step up to the plate.

JAM

 

[JAM]

Monica, do you believe that gambling or engaging in games of stake strengthens your game overall? My boyfriend, who enjoys gambling, stated that he believes the hours and hours and hours of grinding your opponent in a game of stakes and learning from mistakes under the pressure is what makes a better player, by dominating your opponent. It helps to build the mental game as well as the physical game. I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

JAM

 

[Roy Steffensen]

Monica: Welcome to the forum!

If you get a chance to match up against Allison or Karen in a moneymatch I will root for you! Always root for members of AZBilliards

(However, if you meet the Norwegian Line Kjorsvik, I will root for her and hope the result will be like in the World Championship earlier this year )

Btw: I don't know of any girls in Europe that gamble. Is it common in USA by the American girls?

 

[monica]

Monica, do you believe that gambling or engaging in games of stake strengthens your game overall? My boyfriend, who enjoys gambling, stated that he believes the hours and hours and hours of grinding your opponent in a game of stakes and learning from mistakes under the pressure is what makes a better player, by dominating your opponent. It helps to build the mental game as well as the physical game. I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

JAM

Absolutely. I agree with him. I like to bet on myself from time to time but I never hustle or play anyone that would get out of line or act inappropriatly. Most of the time I am playing people that are my speed or better to sharpen my skills for the WPBA. Friendly wages that both parties can afford. After you shell out a lot of cash you stop doing a lot of those careless mistakes or going for stupid shots. You get tired of paying off. I think that lesson would work for anyone.

 

[monica]

Monica: Welcome to the forum!

If you get a chance to match up against Allison or Karen in a moneymatch I will root for you! Always root for members of AZBilliards

(However, if you meet the Norwegian Line Kjorsvik, I will root for her and hope the result will be like in the World Championship earlier this year )

Btw: I don't know of any girls in Europe that gamble. Is it common in USA by the American girls?

Line is a great player and is playing better than she ever did on tour in my opinion. I wish she would come back and compete in the US. I don't know of any either. A lot of the younger generation US players do as well as some of the asian players. I suspect this is one reason why the level of play is going up. Also more of these girls play in open events with the great men players.

 

[JAM]

...Also more of these girls play in open events with the great men players.

I remember Frankie Hernandez asking Karen Corr why she likes to play on the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour so much, and her response was that she believed that playing in "open" events helps to strengthen her game. What say you?

JAM

 

[monica]

I agree, open tourn. will strengthen your game and I think the knowledge of shots in Karen's game shows it.

 

[ginsu]

If I were a betting man, I'd take Karen OR Allison.

Gambleing is different, the equipment is different (in a pool room older cloth,etc.) and most important this is how Monica grew up in pool Corr and Fisher are products of tournment play their whole lives. The other big factor in Monica's favor is winner break with a regular rack not a sardo, this alone is hugh.
She has the better break under these conditions.

 

[SCCues]

Match up

I like Monica's game, but my money would be on Karen if they played for $$. Karen is deadly and she's proved it by beating some top male players in tournaments and her record speaks for itself on the women's tour.

 

[Blackjack]

I agree, open tourn. will strengthen your game and I think the knowledge of shots in Karen's game shows it.

Monica

It was great to see you at Bank Shots this past weekend - you showed up with that look in your eye - I watched most of your matches on Saturday and you looked to be in top form. Congratulations on a great win (2 in a row) and I hope to see you on the LST full time - it is players of your calber that make it such a great tour - and your presence helps the younger players raise their games up a notch or two.