Opinions on Oscar Vs. Morra Match!

[jay helfert]

You are certainly correct that performing well under pressure is key. But I don't think that fact negates the points I made about the luck element. Indeed, if the rules were altered to reduce the luck element, the players you named, and others who exhibit the qualities you cited, would win an even higher percentage of the events.

I'm sure that everyone who has played a lot has both won and lost a ton of matches because of purely lucky shots -- 9-ball or 10-ball on the break or slopping in a key ball. A loss that way is agonizing. A win that way is less than fulfilling. It would be so easy to eliminate some of the game's pernicious luck.

Thanks again. In my experience, matches between good players are rarely, if ever, decided by a lucky roll. They are decided by good shooting and good playing at key stages in the match. Oscar damn sure didn't win because he got the rolls, as some people speculated. He won because he got out when he needed to and made more good shots and run outs under pressure.

My opinion remains, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" The ten ball should count on the break and if a ball slops in three rails so be it. JMHO as always. :smile:

 

[dabarbr]

You are certainly correct that performing well under pressure is key. But I don't think that fact negates the points I made about the luck element. Indeed, if the rules were altered to reduce the luck element, the players you named, and others who exhibit the qualities you cited, would win an even higher percentage of the events.

I'm sure that everyone who has played a lot has both won and lost a ton of matches because of purely lucky shots -- 9-ball or 10-ball on the break or slopping in a key ball. A loss that way is agonizing. A win that way is less than fulfilling. It would be so easy to eliminate some of the game's pernicious luck.

I agree with you in that luck certainly makes a difference and that we all have lost matches where we blame a lucky roll or a game ball on the break, etc. However this is true mostly in short matches such as in a race to 9 or 11 and the like.

But in a race to 100 Lady Luck plays no favorites. She spreads out the rolls evenly. My observations on this match are that Oscar clearly took advantage of his opportunities more that John did.

Early in the match on day one when they were on break I had a short conversation with Oscar when he told me that he was having trouble finding the pocket in his mind and he was going to play more defense until he got comfortable with pocketing the balls. This strategy proved to be successful. On day two it was obvious that his mind was clear enough to play more aggressive. No doubt that in day two he was totally in charge and made good things happen for himself.

John could not get untracked on day two where in my opinion the match was won. He did have opportunities to make things happen but on several occasions he missed his chances to change things around. Several times after getting a favorable roll he could not follow up and run them out with an open table in front of him.

Going into day three he looked more comfortable at the table but the challenge to overcome a 22 game deficit was just too much. Oscar on day three stayed in focus enough to survive. On day three he did not dominate like he had the day before. Near the end of the match John Morra showed us why he is highly regarded by many. My congratulations to both players for being able to endure such a match on difficult conditions. My hat is off to both of them and I would like to see a rematch under different table conditions. I would make Oscar a slight favorite because I believe he has more of an overall solid package.

 

[Rob18]

He's still maturing as a player. How old is he, 22? His dad was there, not far from the table. But his dad was/is a snooker player first. I watched John play and I saw areas where he could use some good coaching. His play after the break in push out situations was not that good. He made several errors there alone. His kicking is not up to par with the rest of his game. Same for some of his safety play. His tempo was all wrong most of the time. And there are some mental aspects of playing a big money match that he has yet to learn.

Saying all that, I still predict a bright future for John. I wouldn't be surprised to see him win a major tournament in the near future. He pockets balls great and moves the cue ball well. Just a few pieces to the puzzle still missing.

Hi Jay, just to clear things up, John turned 20 a few months ago. Pretty damn good talent at such a young age!

Also, yeah his dad and i were there right beside him most of the match, but John isn't like Oscar where he relies on his father to help him. His dad Mario tries to give him advice, believe me, back at the hotel he tries damn hard but Johnny doesn't take it from him. Obviously only to a certain extent, sometimes he'll ask him where or how to play safe on a tough table but not very often. Johns style of game is much different from Mario's and that's because he taught himself at a young age. Pretty impressive to be able to teach yourself those very sound fundamentals!

 

[mikeyfrost]

Still not as much feedback from the Oscar side after the match, I figure someone knows Oscar well enough for him to dish a little about what he thought about the match. The Morra camp fellas all have talked to John and apparently the equipment was tough but done very well, no gaff table etc. This is my favorite TAR match as of now.

 

[yobagua]

9 & 10 Ball is a game for the masses. Its short, fast, loose, and LUCKY. It appeals to everyone from the beginner to the expert. Why take one of its appealing factors out of the game. If you want perfection go to 14.1 or better yet banks where you are not only calling the pocket but the rails and caroms and kicks are not allowed. Can you imagine if luck was taken out of poker? We'd be watching the same 9 guys play for the bracelet every year. Boring for the people, great for the bean counters maybe.

 

[MexPoolPlyr]

For MikeyFrost

By special request, here is my take on the match.

I think TAR did an excellent job of set up and put a ton of work in it. They busted thier butts to make the players as comfortable as possible. Thanks to Andy, JCIN, Daniel, Todd, Ken S, and everyone involved.

Now as far as the equipment, Johnny offered to come out to LA after he tortured me in Vegas. He had come to LA in July or so and played on the same (unmodified) table which we eventually played on. I guess practicing on a table and playing for around 20k or more is not the same. Sure wasnt the same for me! :grin: The table was tight, but fair.

Now Rob18, I didnt give Johnny a definite answer if we can play again because Im not a full time poolplayer like he is. I actually help my dad's business and go to school. I got responsibilites and bills to pay. I cant make a decision at the flip of a switch. I bet my own knowing that I was the underdog. So trust me, Im not ducking him. I played him in Vegas and I didnt ***** and moan when I lost. I showed class in victory and defeat. You didnt see me go off and throw fist pumps when I won did you? A simple handshake and acknowledgement to the crowd of thanks is all I did. Its impolite to rub victory in your opponents face. I never got outta line and Johnny knows that.

Now me relying on my dad? Well when your down on the ball and your elbow is shaking, daddy isnt there to help you is he? You know what, we can play scotch doubles, father/son if your not convinced.

I think highly of Johnny's game and I think the scoreline could have been the other way on a different weekend... I think a bit of overconfidence on his behalf could have been a factor. With everyone and thier mother thinking I was getting robbed (except MeezerGirl :grin: ) overconfidence may have set in the first day. Therefore resulting in a poor performance by Johnny.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience and was glad to have competed with Johnny. I hope everyone enjoyed the match and thanks to everyone for helping make this happen. Johnny and I are still young and will probably be woofing at each other as old men... Good luck Johnny and see you in Chesapeake.

 

[yobagua]

Oscar since you have made an appearance here and I thank you for that. May I ask you a question? I have had a differing of opinion with your father Ernesto for sometime. Ill try to make it brief. I think he makes the table pockets too tight. Many of my friends who play in Los Angeles also think so. It is great for the one pocket player but for any other game its just too tough. Mike Massey had a match one day for a 50 no count in straight pool and he claimed the tables were too tight and he gave up. I talked with your dad, who by the way I have only utmost respect and admiration, and his response was= no its not tight and nobody plays straight pool anyway. I thought that was not right. Not all of us has the perfection of a Parica and though practicing on a tight table is good it just does not allow for any cheating of the pocket to break clusters or shooting cut shots hard for that 3 rail position. Now i am a hobbyist and most of my friends are. We're not going to make a living playing pool. But we are the ones playing on the table most of the time through out the year. Can you see my point asking for some balance to pocket size?
And congrats by the way. We in LA who know how hard you worked never considered you any Under Dog.

 

[jay helfert]

By special request, here is my take on the match.

I think TAR did an excellent job of set up and put a ton of work in it. They busted thier butts to make the players as comfortable as possible. Thanks to Andy, JCIN, Daniel, Todd, Ken S, and everyone involved.

Now as far as the equipment, Johnny offered to come out to LA after he tortured me in Vegas. He had come to LA in July or so and played on the same (unmodified) table which we eventually played on. I guess practicing on a table and playing for around 20k or more is not the same. Sure wasnt the same for me! :grin: The table was tight, but fair.

Now Rob18, I didnt give Johnny a definite answer if we can play again because Im not a full time poolplayer like he is. I actually help my dad's business and go to school. I got responsibilites and bills to pay. I cant make a decision at the flip of a switch. I bet my own knowing that I was the underdog. So trust me, Im not ducking him. I played him in Vegas and I didnt ***** and moan when I lost. I showed class in victory and defeat. You didnt see me go off and throw fist pumps when I won did you? A simple handshake and acknowledgement to the crowd of thanks is all I did. Its impolite to rub victory in your opponents face. I never got outta line and Johnny knows that.

Now me relying on my dad? Well when your down on the ball and your elbow is shaking, daddy isnt there to help you is he? You know what, we can play scotch doubles, father/son if your not convinced.

I think highly of Johnny's game and I think the scoreline could have been the other way on a different weekend... I think a bit of overconfidence on his behalf could have been a factor. With everyone and thier mother thinking I was getting robbed (except MeezerGirl :grin: ) overconfidence may have set in the first day. Therefore resulting in a poor performance by Johnny.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience and was glad to have competed with Johnny. I hope everyone enjoyed the match and thanks to everyone for helping make this happen. Johnny and I are still young and will probably be woofing at each other as old men... Good luck Johnny and see you in Chesapeake.

Oscar, you were only the "underdog" on the net. You got some pretty heavy support from the L.A. crowd. There was quite a bit of money bet on you. I'm only sorry that I passed up some large bets. Jay the nit! I did take a few bets for 50 to 100 though. The line was you +7 but I agreed to take you and only five games. :wink:

As far as the tight table is concerned, I will quote Ernesto after he made the pockets on my Gold Crown 4", after I asked for 4.25" pockets. "It's good for you." You know what, he was right.

 

[1on1pooltournys]

By special request, here is my take on the match.

I think TAR did an excellent job of set up and put a ton of work in it. They busted thier butts to make the players as comfortable as possible. Thanks to Andy, JCIN, Daniel, Todd, Ken S, and everyone involved.

Now as far as the equipment, Johnny offered to come out to LA after he tortured me in Vegas. He had come to LA in July or so and played on the same (unmodified) table which we eventually played on. I guess practicing on a table and playing for around 20k or more is not the same. Sure wasnt the same for me! :grin: The table was tight, but fair.

Now Rob18, I didnt give Johnny a definite answer if we can play again because Im not a full time poolplayer like he is. I actually help my dad's business and go to school. I got responsibilites and bills to pay. I cant make a decision at the flip of a switch. I bet my own knowing that I was the underdog. So trust me, Im not ducking him. I played him in Vegas and I didnt ***** and moan when I lost. I showed class in victory and defeat. You didnt see me go off and throw fist pumps when I won did you? A simple handshake and acknowledgement to the crowd of thanks is all I did. Its impolite to rub victory in your opponents face. I never got outta line and Johnny knows that.

Now me relying on my dad? Well when your down on the ball and your elbow is shaking, daddy isnt there to help you is he? You know what, we can play scotch doubles, father/son if your not convinced.

I think highly of Johnny's game and I think the scoreline could have been the other way on a different weekend... I think a bit of overconfidence on his behalf could have been a factor. With everyone and thier mother thinking I was getting robbed (except MeezerGirl :grin: ) overconfidence may have set in the first day. Therefore resulting in a poor performance by Johnny.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience and was glad to have competed with Johnny. I hope everyone enjoyed the match and thanks to everyone for helping make this happen. Johnny and I are still young and will probably be woofing at each other as old men... Good luck Johnny and see you in Chesapeake.

Good post Oscar and it again shows your great class!! You will have plenty of good rolls come your way.:wink:

 

[Rob18]

By special request, here is my take on the match.

I think TAR did an excellent job of set up and put a ton of work in it. They busted thier butts to make the players as comfortable as possible. Thanks to Andy, JCIN, Daniel, Todd, Ken S, and everyone involved.

Now as far as the equipment, Johnny offered to come out to LA after he tortured me in Vegas. He had come to LA in July or so and played on the same (unmodified) table which we eventually played on. I guess practicing on a table and playing for around 20k or more is not the same. Sure wasnt the same for me! :grin: The table was tight, but fair.

Now Rob18, I didnt give Johnny a definite answer if we can play again because Im not a full time poolplayer like he is. I actually help my dad's business and go to school. I got responsibilites and bills to pay. I cant make a decision at the flip of a switch. I bet my own knowing that I was the underdog. So trust me, Im not ducking him. I played him in Vegas and I didnt ***** and moan when I lost. I showed class in victory and defeat. You didnt see me go off and throw fist pumps when I won did you? A simple handshake and acknowledgement to the crowd of thanks is all I did. Its impolite to rub victory in your opponents face. I never got outta line and Johnny knows that.

Now me relying on my dad? Well when your down on the ball and your elbow is shaking, daddy isnt there to help you is he? You know what, we can play scotch doubles, father/son if your not convinced.

I think highly of Johnny's game and I think the scoreline could have been the other way on a different weekend... I think a bit of overconfidence on his behalf could have been a factor. With everyone and thier mother thinking I was getting robbed (except MeezerGirl :grin: ) overconfidence may have set in the first day. Therefore resulting in a poor performance by Johnny.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience and was glad to have competed with Johnny. I hope everyone enjoyed the match and thanks to everyone for helping make this happen. Johnny and I are still young and will probably be woofing at each other as old men... Good luck Johnny and see you in Chesapeake.

Hey Oscar, i just want you to know that you played really well and you do show a lot of class. But as for what you said about relying on your dad, i think you may have taken the wrong way. I was in no way insulting you or saying you need your daddy or whatever. All i was saying is that the relationship you have with your dad is different. When you missed a ball or something you would mouth something to your dad or when you made a good out he would reinforce the issue. That's all dude. Mario was never conversing with Johnny throughout the match because they just don't have that type of connection. Anyways, you played well and deserved to win that match man. Congrats

And i know you go to school and help your dad out with his business and that's great. I wasn't saying you were being a pussy and not coming to Canada. I was just trying to say that it's tough for Johnny to get a game north of the border.

 

[MexPoolPlyr]

Yobagua, I agree 100% 4 inch pockets are suicide for 14.1. Ive been trying to break my high run on my home table for 2yrs and closest Ive been is 85. High run is 110 by the way. But it was a freak and I caught a gear from hell to do it.

My dad, like any other employee does what the owner asks for. If they want us to convert to gold crowns to 3 cushion billiard tables, we'll do it because thats what we are getting paid to do. I understand your concern, but ultimately, the decision goes back to room owners.

thanks 1on1. And Rob, its cool. I understand. Wasnt looking to get into a pissing contest online. Pretty stupid. Thanks pal and maybe see the Team Canada at Us Open or Turning Stone...

Me and Johnny will lock horns another day, another time. He plays too good to leave me alone.