Playing 7 US Open matches in one day?

nathandumoulin

nathandumoulin

WPBL / RUNOUT MEDIA
Silver Member
Mika just played (and won) seven matches in a single 24 hour period. How does that work? Seems a overkill to me. Was this some sort of freak occurrence, or are these events actually supposed to be scheduled this way? That's 14+ hours of pool in one day. Talk about mentally exhausting.
 
I don't think it's that bad. It's only 77 racks of pool, plus theres breaks inbetween etc....

I've played hours on end with no breaks and keep a pretty steady head. I would imagine a top player like Mika with his experience would have no problem with this.
 
Gatz said:
I don't think it's that bad. It's only 77 racks of pool, plus theres breaks inbetween etc....
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Your math isn't very good my friend. That's 77 *won* racks. Realistically, that's is more like 130 racks of pool. 14 hours of pool + 8 hours sleep + 2 hours to eat/shower = 0 free hours for breaks.

I'm sure you've played long hours before, but playing with the stress of the US Open is a bit different. Its mental fatigue as well as physical.
 
how does 11X7= 130 racks? lol. You obviously don't play pool that often. Top players like this go through this kind of stuff a lot. They can handle this no problem. I would imagine if they were not physically fit they might have a problem physically.

I bet Mika has played way more than 7 matchs in 1 day before. And it's never mentally exhausting if you're playing good, and obviously Mika is playing good. It's also his fault for getting knocked to the B side so early lol ;)

Also if it's realistically like 130 racks that would mean hes won 77 and got to the table 53 times and not get out? At this level i would imagine he was sitting down watching someone run out more than getting to the table and give it back to his opponent.
 
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Gatz said:
how does 11X7= 130 racks? lol. You obviously don't play pool that often.
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To win 7 races to 11 you have to WIN 77 racks. However no one wins 7 sets 11-0. They probably average around 11-8. That's 7 matches at 19 games each, which equals 133. Win or lose, you're still participating in these games, be it by missing balls, or by stressing as your opponent runs out on you.

It's one thing to play 130+ games in one day, but it's another to do it under this kind of pressure.

And in response to your question, no, I don't play much at all. I'm thinking about buying my first cue soon. lol

(I'm kidding)

Anyway, I meant no disrespect earlier, but clearly we disagree on this one.

lol As for it being his own fault, definitely. Bartrum got the best of him.

PS> I think we're the only still still awake.
 
Gatz said:
how does 11X7= 130 racks? lol. You obviously don't play pool that often. Top players like this go through this kind of stuff a lot. They can handle this no problem. I would imagine if they were not physically fit they might have a problem physically.

I bet Mika has played way more than 7 matchs in 1 day before. And it's never mentally exhausting if you're playing good, and obviously Mika is playing good. It's also his fault for getting knocked to the B side so early lol ;)
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ummm wow i am dumber for having just read this.

Gatz, try to take into account the racks Mika didnt win but played....
 
I did...read alittle more carefully next time :D. And no reason for the rude comment, but i'll forgive you.
 
Yes, that is an incredible amount for a top player to be required to play in one day. It is unfortunate that players of Mika's caliber should have to play so much in one day. They don't like it either.

Unfortunately, to get tournaments like this done in the required timeframe, it has to happen. It gets very, very expensive to either: A) bring in more tables so more matches can run simultaneously, or B) extend the days of the tournament, keeping players and fans there longer.

This is another reason these formats favor the younger, more fit player. Some "older" players just can't fade playing for that long of a stretch at such a high level of ability...
 
Most players don't have to play a schedule that bad. The only ones who do are those who get knocked to the loser's side relatively early and then continue to win.
 
After Mika won his 6th match of the day he came up to us and said "I have to play again tonight. Seven matches in one day. It is a new record. Most I have ever played before is six. Now I am going to play seven matches in one day....at the US Open."

Seven tournament matches in one day at this level of event is ridiculous IMO.

Mika showed he is true champion yesterday and I wish him the best of luck today.
 
nathandumoulin said:
Mika just played (and won) seven matches in a single 24 hour period. How does that work? Seems a overkill to me. Was this some sort of freak occurrence, or are these events actually supposed to be scheduled this way? That's 14+ hours of pool in one day. Talk about mentally exhausting.
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I watched a good bit of Mika. I was on his shoulder when he got the last 9 racks against Scott Higgins of Great Britain after going down 8 to 2. BTW, he spoke with me a a couple minutes @ the match afterwards and was quite the gentleman. He felt for Scott...

Anyway, yes Nathan. There was crazy amounts of matches on the losers side Wednes thru Friday. They were going from one table to another, over and over. The HOF dinner pushed things back a bit, and some players - like Johnny A - finished up @ 4:45am, only to get an 11 am match. I do not recall this much demand for left-siders from last year.
 
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I myself would rather play more than less, to me this would keep you in stroke. Its not like he's physically handicapped, the guy should be in good enough shape to do this. So I don't see what all the hoopla is about. My best placing at the mcdermott I lost the first match and then ran through the feild ALL day long, never had more than a 20-30min break and it usually wasn't even that long. For me I believe that was why I did so well, I was in stroke and I kept it cuz I kept playing. Maybe thats just me tho, but hey look at his record for the day....we need to send this to mythbusters.

Grey Ghost
 
greyghost said:
I myself would rather play more than less, to me this would keep you in stroke. Its not like he's physically handicapped, the guy should be in good enough shape to do this. So I don't see what all the hoopla is about. My best placing at the mcdermott I lost the first match and then ran through the feild ALL day long, never had more than a 20-30min break and it usually wasn't even that long. For me I believe that was why I did so well, I was in stroke and I kept it cuz I kept playing. Maybe thats just me tho, but hey look at his record for the day....we need to send this to mythbusters.

Grey Ghost
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IIRC, some guys that found the left side early had an 11 am match Thursday and played 'til almost 5 am with only the HOF induction/dinner break, only to get another 11 am match and play until morning again. Mika and Johnny, two that lost early, had/have a tough road. My hats off to 'em! That's a lot of world class concentration to exert over a long time.
 
KoolKat9Lives said:
IIRC, some guys that found the left side early had an 11 am match Thursday and played 'til almost 5 am with only the HOF induction/dinner break, only to get another 11 am match and play until morning again. Mika and Johnny, two that lost early, had/have a tough road. My hats off to 'em! That's a lot of world class concentration to exert over a long time.
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dam, i didn't know they were playing that late into the mourning...that would definately be a factor then, thanks for clearing up the time gap issue brother

G.G.
 
nathandumoulin said:
Mika just played (and won) seven matches in a single 24 hour period. How does that work? Seems a overkill to me. Was this some sort of freak occurrence, or are these events actually supposed to be scheduled this way? That's 14+ hours of pool in one day. Talk about mentally exhausting.
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That is a lot of pool even for a champion like Mika the mental toll and on your feet (exhausting). Particularly since this isn't banging them around at the local place I bet he went straight to sleep.

Was this winner or loser side?
 
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