Pros pushing too hard at the US Open?

[inside_english]

Last night Alex lost to a Virginia native by the name of Larry Kressel. While Larry is a very strong shooter, it is fair to say no one that I know of would have bet on him beating Alex in a race to 11. I think Alex pushed himself too hard gambling all day and night with Dippy Dave and not getting sleep.

I also think this may have been a factor with SVB's first-round loss to Mike Dechaine. Mike is an excellent pool player and is quite capable of beating anyone. I am not taking anything away from his game, but factor in Shane's recent trip to Nicaragua, followed by a brutal TAR matchup with the world's current #1 , and you have someone who may be more fatigued than they realize, which might explain his somewhat lackluster performance during that match. On top of that, Dechaine was playing very well, so the result seemed inevitable.

I know pros play pool for a living and every dollar counts in a big way, sometimes more so than for us working stiffs with regular paychecks, but young or old, fit or not, the body can only take so much.

 

[JCIN]

Last night Alex lost to a Virginia native by the name of Larry Kressel. While Larry is a very strong shooter, it is fair to say no one that I know of would have bet on him beating Alex in a race to 11. I think Alex pushed himself too hard gambling all day and night with Dippy Dave and not getting sleep.

I also think this may have been a factor with SVB's first-round loss to Mike Dechaine. Mike is an excellent pool player and is quite capable of beating anyone. I am not taking anything away from his game, but factor in Shane's recent trip to Nicaragua, followed by a brutal TAR matchup with the world's current #1 , and you have someone who may be more fatigued than they realize, which might explain his somewhat lackluster performance during that match. On top of that, Dechaine was playing very well, so the result seemed inevitable.

I know pros play pool for a living and every dollar counts in a big way, sometimes more so than for us working stiffs with regular paychecks, but young or old, fit or not, the body can only take so much.

I talked to Alex early this morning and he mentioned that his body just didnt feel right. He is here to win the tournament but when you have a chance to make a score you have to do what you have to do. I suspect he will make a good run on the left side or be in a giant action match before its all over.

 

[dedstroke38]

Last night Alex lost to a Virginia native by the name of Larry Kressel. While Larry is a very strong shooter, it is fair to say no one that I know of would have bet on him beating Alex in a race to 11. I think Alex pushed himself too hard gambling all day and night with Dippy Dave and not getting sleep.

I also think this may have been a factor with SVB's first-round loss to Mike Dechaine. Mike is an excellent pool player and is quite capable of beating anyone. I am not taking anything away from his game, but factor in Shane's recent trip to Nicaragua, followed by a brutal TAR matchup with the world's current #1 , and you have someone who may be more fatigued than they realize, which might explain his somewhat lackluster performance during that match. On top of that, Dechaine was playing very well, so the result seemed inevitable.

I know pros play pool for a living and every dollar counts in a big way, sometimes more so than for us working stiffs with regular paychecks, but young or old, fit or not, the body can only take so much.

I totally agree. If I was Shane I would have taken every minute I could to rest up and be fresh for the open. He's one player who is financially sound I would bet and he doesn't need to take EVERY opportunity to make a dollar. He would much rather win another Open I'm sure which would always be remembered and make him a two time winner then win another a couple grand in some match up.

 

[gpeezy]

how did alex and dave play?

 

[Ktown D]

how did alex and dave play?

17-4 and for a long time...

 

[9ball mike]

Any update on who won? I may not be a great one pocket player but Dippy must be pretty bad if hes having trouble beating anybody at 17-4 no offense to Alex but that is a huge spot.

 

[Buster Jones]

The Formats are the Problem

A race to 11 for me is a long race, but for these guys, especially the gambler's its difficult to turn it on quickly when they are used to playing long sets back to back or a multi-day race to 100. Playing and traveling is tolling on everyone, but these top pro's are accustomed to it. I just believe boucing between such different venues (short-tournament races vs. 20 hour gambling vs. 3-day race) is just difficult for anyone.

For me, I would much rather see long gambling matches anytime. Although, the Open is fun. I believe those top gamblers in the ring could wipe the floor with many of the "faces" in the tournaments if their focus was on that stardom! Instead they choose to be gladiators!

 

[gpeezy]

bump just because the game was 17-4. i will play the world like this btw

 

[Jallan]

bump just because the game was 17-4. i will play the world like this btw

I agree... how long do I need to sandbag to get this weight... I would give away my savings with this spot.

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

I talked to Alex early this morning and he mentioned that his body just didnt feel right. He is here to win the tournament but when you have a chance to make a score you have to do what you have to do. I suspect he will make a good run on the left side or be in a giant action match before its all over.

How long did it take for Alex to win his match with Dippy? How much did Alex make? Couldn't Alex have played Dippy before or after the U.S. Open?

Regardless of the answers to the above questions, beating a chump like Dippy is hardly a accomplishment that one would put on their pool playing resume. Years from now, people will remember someone that beat the top players in the world to win the U.S. Open (or any other major championship).

It's incumbent upon every top player who wants to win a major championship to ensure that they conserve their energy and are focused upon winning the tournament. If players like Alex and SVB want to engage in sideline distractions, then their chances of winning a tournament drop considerably.

 

[inside_english]

How long did it take for Alex to win his match with Dippy? How much did Alex make? Couldn't Alex have played Dippy before or after the U.S. Open?

Regardless of the answers to the above questions, beating a chump like Dippy is hardly a accomplishment that one would put on their pool playing resume. Years from now, people will remember someone that beat the top players in the world to win the U.S. Open (or any other major championship).

It's incumbent upon every top player who wants to win a major championship to ensure that they conserve their energy and are focused upon winning the tournament. If players like Alex and SVB want to engage in sideline distractions, then their chances of winning a tournament drop considerably.

Valid points, but one could make the argument that one man's sideline distractions is another man's source of income.

Oh well, they know what they're doing, I suppose.

 

[mikepage]

How long did it take for Alex to win his match with Dippy? How much did Alex make? Couldn't Alex have played Dippy before or after the U.S. Open?

The evening before the first day they were playing by midnight. I left at 2:00 am or so. When I got back at noon the next day, they were still playing. Alex was up 7 games at that point. They resumed I think later that evening. Alex was up 10K or so in the end.

It's incumbent upon every top player who wants to win a major championship to ensure that they conserve their energy and are focused upon winning the tournament. If players like Alex and SVB want to engage in sideline distractions, then their chances of winning a tournament drop considerably.

Alex was burning the candle at both ends, for sure. But I wouldn't say that of Shane. Sure Nicuragua --> NYC --> VA might have been tough, but he was being normal Shane off hours at Q-Masters. Mostly he was just practicing by himself. At one point Ronnie Alcano came over and barked at him and they played two races to 17. So far as I know that's about it.