Not enough pool, but better than usual...

[eales]

I spent today at the Betmore Basement from 11am until 8:30pm. Williebetmore and I played 2 games of straight pool which came out pretty even (still I seemed to get more than my share of racking practice, go figure). Williebetmore claims that his table is the easiest that he plays on, but I found it very tight. I honestly don't think I made a ball in the side pockets for the first two hours that we played. This produced some huge runs playing straight pool, naturally. The equipment is excellent, fair, and frustrating for us mortals and the hospitality is unmatched. The Betmore Basement is highly recommended. Oh, by the way, after straight pool we played some 9 ball to unwind which Mr. Betmore took handily 5 or 6 to 1 before I had to depart. Thanks for the pool.

Jim Eales

 

[Williebetmore]

I spent today at the Betmore Basement ... Thanks for the pool.

Jim Eales

JE,
No thanks are necessary, it was DEFINITELY my pleasure. It is extremely enjoyable to have someone of similar ability to spar with; I just wish you lived closer.

Though you may have missed a couple of shots into the side early on; I doubt you missed any in the side the last 2 hours - you had it dialed in by then.

All in all, we played about 600 balls (with an hour or so for lunch for you critics out there) - it is difficult to concentrate for that long; but a worthy opponent is a great way to receive appropriate punishment for any lapse in concentration. Let's do it again (I'll practice up a bit).

Also, when I get a chance, I will post a couple of those break shot layouts from the "Arnold Palmer School of Super-Aggressive/Borderline-Stupid Break Shots" that I attempted yesterday.

For all of those posters who have not yet visited the pool shrine that is Betmore's Basement, what the $%#@ are you waiting for???????

 

[StraightPoolIU]

Also, when I get a chance, I will post a couple of those break shot layouts from the "Arnold Palmer School of Super-Aggressive/Borderline-Stupid Break Shots" that I attempted yesterday.

I prefer the Phil Mickelson version where you only need the breakball and one more to win, but you shoot the breakshot that God couldn't make and scratch in the corner.

 

[Williebetmore]

I prefer the Phil Mickelson version where you only need the breakball and one more to win, but you shoot the breakshot that God couldn't make and scratch in the corner.

Straight-man,
Actually I made both of them (though God would have been far too sensible to attempt them; and Phil would have scratched, smiled wryly on his way to the bank for the half-mil loser's check, and been admired for it).

 

[eales]

Also, when I get a chance, I will post a couple of those break shot layouts from the "Arnold Palmer School of Super-Aggressive/Borderline-Stupid Break Shots" that I attempted yesterday.

Hey you were playing with someone who plays safe only as a last resort. Anyway, Willie got a little too straight on a behind the rack break shot, muttered something about some pool god named George or something, then fired the cross-corner bank and broke the rack all over...something like this

START(
%AG1P6%BL7P8%CJ5O4%DL7N1%EM7P1%FK6P1%GK6N8%HM7N8%IL7O4%JK6M5
%KJ5P7%LJ5N2%MK6Q4%NJ5R0%OJ5M0%PH6L6%UH6P7%VC6O7%WF6Z3%XG0Q9
%YC7C0%ZF3[1%[G7N6%\H1M5%]D7O9%^G2O6
)END

I'll let him tell you about the key ball bank.

Jim Eales

 

[TheOne]

JE,
No thanks are necessary, it was DEFINITELY my pleasure. It is extremely enjoyable to have someone of similar ability to spar with; I just wish you lived closer.

Though you may have missed a couple of shots into the side early on; I doubt you missed any in the side the last 2 hours - you had it dialed in by then.

All in all, we played about 600 balls (with an hour or so for lunch for you critics out there) - it is difficult to concentrate for that long; but a worthy opponent is a great way to receive appropriate punishment for any lapse in concentration. Let's do it again (I'll practice up a bit).

Also, when I get a chance, I will post a couple of those break shot layouts from the "Arnold Palmer School of Super-Aggressive/Borderline-Stupid Break Shots" that I attempted yesterday.

For all of those posters who have not yet visited the pool shrine that is Betmore's Basement, what the $%#@ are you waiting for???????

Willie I shal make it one day, is an AZ post proclaiming your pockets are super tight after the event a mandatory requirement?

 

[Williebetmore]

Willie I shal make it one day, is an AZ post proclaiming your pockets are super tight after the event a mandatory requirement?

TheVeryVerySmallAmount,
While I encourage the pilgrims that visit Betmore's Basement to extol it's virtues (in hopes I'll get more playing partners to visit); I NEVER ask them to mention the pockets. As I've said before, my table is the easiest one on which I play - but it seems it must be just a little tighter than that on which most visitor's habitually play.

In addition, straight pool is a game in which the side pockets are often involved in the "make or break" shots that put pressure on us mere mortals. Sometimes you just HAVE to shoot a tough one in the side - miss a couple and you are likely to think they are thimble-sized.