Questions for Mike Dechaine

Great job, I was most impressed with how well you were able to shake off your earlier loss to Shawn! I hope you can make the U.S. Open so you can qualify for the Mosconi Cup! You are shooting strong right now and we need the best representation possible! Any news on if you can make it happen?
 
No, what I believe the players were upset about was me asking them to re-rack. I know a lot of information about the rack and I am going to use it. I have to to be able to compete these guys. Also, some of the players say this to try to start a conflict with me and all I can do is smile because they didn't ask a ref to come over once to re-rack one of my racks.

Its unfortunate that this is such a big issue in the game. Every tournament should be rack your own with the 9 not counting.

So to translate from the other thread --- Raj put the rack on you and you didn't do it to him? I only say Raj cause someone pointed out he made a comment towards you directly about the rack.

What player (s) in pool do you look up to?

Oh and why won't SVB gamble with you?
 
Dude, you have no reason to be insecure. Why do you always act like you have some out of control problem that you must keep in check? Silent confidence is more threatening than false bravado. Confidence comes from within as a result of great preparation. You are a killer. One of the very best nine / ten ballers out there today. The sooner you start knowing what you don't know and stop wasting energy on being on the "edge" the better off you will be. Until then people will consider your behavior as a childish .

Believe it or not I'm pulling for you as many others are too.

I read MD's response and I have to agree with him (not as easy as it sounds). I think it is really about ego and letting something get to you that you probably shouldn't. Particularly when it is how you make your living.

I have seen amateurs react the same way when they are losing and they don't have nearly the same stake in it; however, they can still act like an ass when they are losing.
 
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Could you give us details on your cue, i.e. weight/shaft/tip preference/etc? Also, do you have your shaft turned down to a specific diameter?

Thanks
 
So to translate from the other thread --- Raj put the rack on you and you didn't do it to him? I only say Raj cause someone pointed out he made a comment towards you directly about the rack.

What player (s) in pool do you look up to?

Oh and why won't SVB gamble with you?

no specific player, but some players use my information about the rack to benefit themselves. They feel like if they can get the crowd on there side than I will look bad. Again, if my racks where so bad, why didn't one ref come over and look at them? They use it to get in my head.

Shane won't gamble with me?? I haven't heard that before. Shane an I may have some things going on here in the near future. We will save that for later if it all falls through or not.
 
Mike, congratulations on TS and thank-you for the Q&A.

Here's my questions:

For quite a while it seemed you and Earl were probably two of the biggest names not to have signed up with the ABP after it's formation. I've been wondering, why you didn't join up right away? Are you a member now (since their website has been out of commission for months it's a bit difficult to access the current roster of members)?

Do you think this may have had anything to do with the perceived friction on occasion between you and certain other players?

What are your thoughts on a players union in general and the ABP in particular?

Feel free to play a safety if you don't want to take the shot. ;)
 
In your opinion, which is harder: golf or pocket billiards? What kind of high run in 14.1 would one have to establish to equate the skill level of a scratch golfer?

I know when playing golf, I would sometimes love to play safe and snooker my opponent's ball behind a tree.

Anyway, congrats on your Turning Stone win and for coming on this forum and interacting. I thought it was very straightforward, honest and frank of you to come right out and say you were "insecure" in reply to Hung. No beating around the bush which is commendable in my opinion. To state the obvious, the first step in addressing a problem is acknowledging it exists.

It is good to see players of your caliber engaged in discussions here. Hope you get back in the grease real soon with some streamed action (mic'd up). I like characters and character development. Watching robots play mum pool is not really my fave from a viewing fan's perspective (although I'll certainly watch it and have).

Just like the comic books, I think we need good vs. evil (well, not really evil, but you get my point). Don't know what you are working on with SVB, but I think you should be working on a rivalry and promoting it as such.

Serious question, you ever play much one hole? Curious.

P.S. The questions about golf are just good natured funning...you can and should disregard them. :thumbup:
 
At your level of play, do you still find yourself working on/thinking about your fundamentals or changing things with your stroke/physical game, or is it all second nature now?
 
I admire you for stepping up to the plate on this forum and opening yourself up to questions, not knowing what may follow. That takes big gonads! :cool:

A question for you? Let me think here. When did you know that you crossed over from so-so play to pro-caliber play? In other words, was it a tournament win or gambling win? When did you recognize that you were able to compete with the big guns?

Also, what percentage of the game do you believe is the break? Some players can run out from anywhere, but they may have lousy breaks. Do you attribute your breaking strategy to your success?
 
You could have been a World Class Road Player? Your demeanor around the table...nothing flashy, unassuming, don't "whore" the spotlight.

To be honest you sort of "seem" like Chip Douglas from "My Three Son's" All American boy.

Too famous for that now....too bad...that could have been a Caesar Morales type situation.
 
Have you ever gambled in the Philippines? If so, how did you do and against who? Elaborate stories would be well appreciated.
 
Mike

No, what I believe the players were upset about was me asking them to re-rack. I know a lot of information about the rack and I am going to use it. I have to to be able to compete these guys. Also, some of the players say this to try to start a conflict with me and all I can do is smile because they didn't ask a ref to come over once to re-rack one of my racks.

Its unfortunate that this is such a big issue in the game. Every tournament should be rack your own with the 9 not counting.


You are correct, right on, and on the mark. My friends and I have been saying this for a long time. This is a no brainer to me playing 9 ball with the rack skills of the pros.What do you think is the reason for opposition to this rule?
 
That you for this thread.

1. What did you think of the Maryland Straight Pool tournament? Congrats on on the 125 and out there BTW

2. When you feel you are playing poorly in a tourney/match/whatever, what do you do to try to snap yourself out of it?

Thanks again!

-H
 
Congrats on Turning Stone!

I wanted to comment about the cocky stuff as well. I used to think you were a little over the top, but then at BCA's in Vegas this year I saw you poking fun at some people there, and in person it was much easier to tell that it was all good-natured, and I was actually laughing too. So I became a fan at that point.

Obviously if we want pool to become more popular among the masses, we need to support our younger players. I'm hoping guys like you, Shane, Shuff, and Landon will be able to help the US keep pace with the rest of the world going forward.

Good luck! :thumbup:
 
Mike - Congrats on your win. I watched it all and you played bang up ! I too am interested in hearing what cue/shaft/tip you play with. I play with a predator also, have a z2 shaft but am steady searching for the right tip. thanks very much for taking the time to come on here and answer questions.
 
At your level of play, do you still find yourself working on/thinking about your fundamentals or changing things with your stroke/physical game, or is it all second nature now?


Not really. For myself, finding the a cue that I love is HUGE. I feel like I know how to play the game. Then for the longest time, I needed a cue to do what I wanted. lol. This is the truth.
 
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