Setting A High Run Goal

[Williebetmore]

Tom H and I are enroute to Burning Man.

I just played some tonight in Des Moines at the Big Dog. Nice room, I did not like the tunes much. The balls were mismatched, we played on a GC 9'

I had a great time, the bear was cold, the rate was not bad at all.

The results, I played bad early and could not overcome Tom's lead. He beat me 100 to 88. I did not feel comfortable initially. No run for me over 9 or 10, Tom ran a 19.

We played bank pool short rack and I won 3 out of 4, quit for the night.

Tommorow we might play some in Cheyenne WY. Thinking about trying out Mingles.

EC,
Too cool. Please continue the updates for those of us locked into the continuing nightmare of the "day job". Sounds like you are having a great trip so far. Sorry you couldn't join the festivities this week; had a fabulous time with Mark Wilson for 3 days....I will certainly be ready for a re-match when you return.

 

[elvicash]

WBM - I would have loved to have come up and spent a little time with Mark but it just did not work out between finishing up a project, packing and then the big one. Geri got the flu so I was nursing on Wed and Thur, I left on Fri.

Back to the trip, after leaving Des Moines we drove to Lincoln, NE and played at Madsens late lunch time, a bowling alley with pool tables. Good Philly Steak and Cheese. We played on the far corner table form the counter, level table, decent matched balls pretty clean. 4 bucks and hr for the table not per player. They had a diamond 9' it was covered up. I offered a game to someone behind the counter (he was not working at the time) he passed the economy is not helping much for anyone. i had the edge here on some 9 ball.

We then drove to Cheyenne WY. We ate Texas Rd House, pretty good went to Mingles they had big tables but more of a gathering spot not a serious pool room music was a little industrial for me so we did not stay. We went over to Plush Cue Family Billiards and played on an old very clean GC 9' Excellent balls, pockets were angled to take balls easy. We played 8 ball Tom liked it, it was late and he got me no offcial score but he played well here. After we left Tom has decided that 8 ball is now his game. The room is owned by Little Joe V bro in law. according to Blackjack "You met Cheyenne Pete Trujillo? Cool! He was at one time the most fierce 9 ball player in that area (he had wars with Danny Medina)" Pete asked me if I know George Breedlove also from Indy as we all know, I mentioned I was familiar with George and Pete said George had come through and played him some, it sounded like George took that one down, I did not press for details. Pete is one nice guy stop in if you are passing through on I80. 4 bucks per hour per person, good equipment, felt like a real room, no music.
I drove till pretty late upon leaving.

Next day slept in and Tom drove us to EO's we check it out and asked for a restaraunt recommendation, that place was closed (Sunday) and quite a few others but we eventually got fed at a nice sports bar. We went to EO's and played 14.1 I played well got a good lead and then fell apart. Tom wins the pool. EO's is nice 2 12' snooker tables, GC and Diamond 9' tables. Pool Hall Junkies was filmed there, the owner was nice guy and they play 14.1 there. Time seemed high 6 bucks per hr for the good tables 4 buck for the banger tables, We did not know the rate diff the owner said I am going to cut you a break on time when we left, that was really nice. I think the 6 bucks should be posted if there is a price diff. Golf is cheap if a ring game. They almost need a rate menu. First time I ever played with IPT balls, Table was clean, good players chairs, Go To EO's they offered to call us some action, I passed. They said SVB took down some action there before he got his name out there 3 or so years back came in offering weight and got the job done.

We are now in Winnemucca NV or something like that, we might bangs some balls in a bar prior to hitting the desert later today. Wish me luck I will report back next week or so.

After Burning Man I will definitly be traveling through Vegas hitting the Phoenix Lubock, Dallas,Shrveport, Memphis, Nasheville. Any tips on where to play or tourneys let me know in this thread.

I will come out of the desert rejuvenated and ready to go.

 

[Williebetmore]

"You met Cheyenne Pete Trujillo? Cool! He was at one time the most fierce 9 ball player in that area .

EC,
This update was cooler than cool. I believe Danny Harriman had some wars with Cheyenne Pete as well. I think most road warriors of the day considered Cheyenne Pete a HUGE obstacle to overcome - anyone who could beat him was definitely a top echelon professional level player; and even they didn't have to beat him.

Drive safely, we hope to hear more.

 

[elvicash]

Success Table Found At Burning Man

AZ pool is alive on the playa. I found a table, conditions were a little rougher than the Phillipines I believe. Everything banked long, dirty balls and sandy cloth. Make a bridge you make a dust cloud. 8 Ball slop counts, call pocket on the 8. Played a couple of different days. Met some nice people as normal for any pool room.

Did not play any 14.1 did run 4 balls one game which is good on this table. If you did not like the layout wait for the wind the balls would move around a little. Lots of fun though, Cue Tec was represented in the cue choices.

From BM we left late on Fri, stayed in Fallon, drove down to Vegas hit some balls at the Cue Club, and next day played at Pool sharks both were good. Saw Pots and Pans at Pool Sharks. Did not make it over to the Nugget too much to do, not enough time.

Headed out now to Phoenix, then Lubbock to Dallas, might go to Galveston, any info on that tourney would be appreciated especially pre paid players list so I can make a good decision.

Here is the pict of the table.

 

[dmgwalsh]

Elvi: Sounds like you are having fun.

Marop and Schmidty are going to Galveston.

Later,

Dennis

 

[elvicash]

I got there on Mon 6 PM, I thought I was going to drive right in and set up the tent for the night. I was wrong 3 hours from edge of desert to campsight. Over an hour at will call during a dust storm 50 ft visible or less for most of the time. Set up a tent in the dark in a dust storm, van filled with dust while unloading. Also it was hot, dirty and very uncomfortable.

First night after setting up tent went out to Playa the center of campl filled with over a 100 large scale art emplacements, lots and lots of art cars and thousands people many in a wide range of costomes. Think Mad Max on steriods. Booming music, glowing lights neon laser etc, vehicles with flame throwers. Nudity both topless and complete alongside people wearing tiger suits, body paint, furry boots and stilts. Little crazy to say the least. Long late night interesting in many ways.

We woke up next AM covered in dust, very rough conditions. First night we saw a lot that would be hard to explain much more than I could ever describe. Clothing optional is an understatement. Freedom is the big thing on the Playa people want to express themselves in there way.

As a group they are not open to the concept of GOD which offended me as I thought they were pretty close minded for all of their claimed open mindedness.

I was OK with the entire thing as an experience, most everybody I met was extremely kind and respectful of me and others. Sharing was evident, people wanted to be nice and be able to do their own thing.

Tons and tons of cool things. Lots to see, some things were not open to all including much of the lesbian community they definitly had alot of closed events. Some good music, alot of not so good music (techno I do not like techo).

Pictures I took alot of pictures, ask first most will pose some do not want pictures taken. I learned to ask.

I stayed with the sky diver camp, it was pretty normal compared to alot of the camps. Alot of what I mentioned above was evident here.

I will say alot of the old timer Burners do not care for first time attendees to much. I was ready to go after a day and a half but my California buddy was coming so I stayed on rather than leave Tuesday night. I end up leaving before the burn about midnight on Friday. Had a lot of good times with my buddy glad I stayed but was real happy to go, looked forward to real world with showers, AC etc.

BM is a place to be yourself for a large population almost (41,000 Fri afternoon) many of those are citizens of BM and are into it, Tom H and I were more like spectators there were alot of those too.

BM is not for everyone. If you do not like it that is fine, I am not planning to return next year, but I would go back and I would be fine with never going back. 300 bucks is not alot if people pay 150 to go to Cirque De Sole this is way crazier and last a week vs 2 hrs. I got my moneys worth, I am now headed across the country left Vegas tonight.

While in Vegas I played at the Pool Sharks and Cue Club. Went to Southwest Cues and met Laurie nice lady. She showed us the process. Vegas food is not good, the pool was and I was as ready to leave there as I was to leave BM. I am looking fwd to Phoenix where I am tonight at my buddys apartment. Hope to play some tommorow, Scott Lee goave a lead on a few spots. Oh yeah the Hoover Dam is cool real cool and that was when the goverment new how to execute a project.

I will keep posting, if any one in Phoenix, Lubbock, Dallas, Galveston, Shreveport, Memphis, Nashville want to hit balls with Elvi post up or PM me. I hope to be home in 2 weeks or less I am having a good time but am missing the wife and kids.

 

[Williebetmore]

As a group they are not open to the concept of GOD which offended me as I thought they were pretty close minded for all of their claimed open mindedness.

I was OK with the entire thing as an experience, most everybody I met was extremely kind and respectful of me and others. .

EC,
Take it from an ex-hippie...the reason the movement died is that VERY few people are really open-minded. Most would like to think they are, and want everyone to think they are (hey, it's "cool"); but self-interest is almost a biological imperative and makes it difficult to agree with others when they are "obviously" wrong (ie. different from "me"). Over minor things, they will not give you a problem; but interfere with someone's pleasure and the open-mindedness will disappear quickly in all except the very few. Many are more fervent and close-minded in their beliefs than the "establishment" people they disdain. JMO.

Glad you are enjoying the trip. ONWARD!!!

 

[grindz]

.............................................................................I will keep posting, if any one in Phoenix, Lubbock, Dallas, Galveston, Shreveport, Memphis, Nashville want to hit balls with Elvi post up or PM me. I hope to be home in 2 weeks or less I am having a good time but am missing the wife and kids.

EC,

I PM'd you with my number if you want suggestions about the Phx. area.
In general, places to visit......
East valley....

Kolby's
Main Street

West valley...

Metro
Bullshooters
Sweet tooth
Northern

Lots and lots of spots to hit depending on what you're after. Feel free to contact me by phone or PM for more info.

td

 

[elvicash]

EC,
Take it from an ex-hippie...the reason the movement died is that VERY few people are really open-minded. Most would like to think they are, and want everyone to think they are (hey, it's "cool"); but self-interest is almost a biological imperative and makes it difficult to agree with others when they are "obviously" wrong (ie. different from "me"). Over minor things, they will not give you a problem; but interfere with someone's pleasure and the open-mindedness will disappear quickly in all except the very few. Many are more fervent and close-minded in their beliefs than the "establishment" people they disdain. JMO.

Glad you are enjoying the trip. ONWARD!!!

I was not out there preaching, just living, getting along, having a good visit, letting them be themselves. In my post I was just making a statement about what I percieved from there written material, talking to others and seeing what I saw. When I did mention my faith (happened a few times) I found other Christians, or in repsonse questions about what my neighbors thought about me being out there or was I not going to mention it to others back home etc. No unkind rresponses on an individual basis, my statement was about the group thought I percieved from BM as a group (very hippy like group BTW)

As the week progressed we had that exact conversation amongst our group about how this social paradigm is no different than any out in the straight owrld. Cliques were evident, pecking order was very established. We were at the bottom of the order since we were straight "virgin" visitors, there at BM as observers, participating in the same way as a first time dancer attending a large dance. Also, I ran into the situation of class and level constantly, I still had a good time, these were just things I noticed as the time went on.

We also mentioned how there were groups so very noticable amongst the chaos in the desert. The groups were distinct, the uniforms were quite consistent you just had to look. A fellow attendee in line broke it down like this, when you come out here you know your tribe and find them or they find you. The attendees formed up and established levels with leader bees and worker bees, this BM is just like any other society.

I am glad to have BM behind me, I enjoy a shower, AC and a store.

I am in Phoenix today, I got some PM's to reply to and will try to make it to a room prior to leaving in the AM. Stayed up late last night visiting my good buddy and old college roomate. Tom is out getting a massage, the road goes on and I am hitting balls pretty well however I have not ran even a 20 since leaving Indy. Hopefully I will open up a little bit. Also hope to see some cue makers in the next few days as well.

 

[elvicash]

Need to try to finish up my trip report on going to Burning Man. We left BM late on Friday night before the burn drove out and found our nearest hotel room over a 100 miles away. We got there in the middle of the night, 53.00 dollars well spent. We asked for extra towels and took a tremendous long shower we needed those towels. Tom got first dibbs (he drove last stint) We slept well AC is something else let me tell you. Woke up and drove the day away going from Fallon NV to Las Vegas. Got there early evening and hit the Cue Club, ate some mediocre chain food in a casino. Went back and hit balls at Cue Club till late. Stayed at a Motel 6 saw cops with lights on every where off the strip the whole night (bad part of town I guess). Got up moved to a Holiday Inn played pool at Pool Sharks met Thumbs (nce guy) saw Pots and Pans he steered us to eat at Arizona Charlies Steak and eggs 3.99 after last night we said why not. We went up there and it was Denny's type food but decent and not overpriced (Thanks Pots) Tom hit them for 140 on roultte he got out with a 100 so it was good meal. NExt day we went to Southwest (I have had a cue on order for a while so I wanted to see what the place is like) Thanks Mrs Laurie Franklin for asllwoing us to see where these great cues come from it was great. They are keeping the quality high and have some serious looking awesome wood. That was a great highlight for Vegas.

We left Vegas and went over the Hoover Dam on the way to Phoenix. Stayed at my old college roommate Todd, he plays golf a little if anybody is looking to play some in the big AZ. Next day we played a bit at Q n Brew. Slow new cloth, big pocklets, I could run out a bit there so it was a good time. That night I was going to go over to Kolbies but I end up hanging with my buddy, due to circumstances I was going to miss the start of the tourney so I decided to hang out instead I wish I had went to play later. I know Scott Frost was there that night and the place looked happend on the stream so my loss. NExt day we decide to go to Lubbocxk TX. We decide Grand Canyon is too far out of the way but want to see some stuff so we go east out of Phoenix using the scenic route beautiful country it was cool but very slow. We thought it was a 1 day trip but we were wrong, went through some awesome country including a good sized canyon with some serious switchbacks, brakes were smoking serious (old van so we took a few breaks through the valley. Ate some good mexican saw a great Land Rover for sale Petrified forest and tee pees. Great drive hit balls that night in Albequeque NM at the Billiard Palace, Nice room, I played a little bad would like to play there again. Left early the next day going to Lubbock.

Got to Lubbock my Dad has a joint called Jakes cold bear pretty good food. We visited for 3 days. They welcomed us with our names on the marquee that was cool. Still ate out our meals but we ate OK. Cleaned out the van got rid of most desert dust. Good times in a couple of rooms Fast Eddies days one Fox and Hound second night. They did not appear to have much action in either joint. Fast Eddies has better walls, tables seemed like home tables mostly we played on far right corner on one of three tournament style tables. Pockets were cut a little wierd, table was pretty clean standard Aramith balls. Fox and Hound had some well used Diamond tables close to window and lighting that could be a little better. Do not get me wrong we played and had a good time but this was our least pool room type of places on the entire trip.

What in Lubbock we went out Slaton (I think it was Slaton) and met Paul Sumrall his cues are called S&S First of all let me say we called him out of the blue and neither of us had never saw anyhting he made prior to this visit so we did not have super high expectations. First thing we see upon getting there is he makes some full splice veneered cues. Very nice workmanship nice solid hit. Real nice cue, he has us in his house first we hit a few o fhis cues, alot of cue for the money, I think I will be ordering a full splice in the near future myself. He told us about how he got started and how he learned from his Dad who had started the shop and built the first cues. This is where the name S+S comes from in memory of his Dad. We had a great visit and were very impressed prior to go out to the shop. He has a wide range of wood well cured and he also uses ivory. Mutiple pins and joints. Capable of doing just about anything in a simple but complete shop. I will try to post a picture of Paul at his lathe. We talked cues for a good long time. I messed with cues a bit along time ago and Tom is interested himself so we loved this visit. We found out Paul has an opinion on most any aspect of cuemaking and I say it is well deserved because before Paul made cues he played actual pool. He thinks knowing what he likes in acue allows him to know how he is doing. He made it pretty clear he made solid hitting cues for players. Just a wonderful afternoon listening, talking and learnign about the art that is cue making. Before we left Paul pit a Sniper tip on Tom's Mike Stacey cue. Paul is a great guy and if you want a solid hitting cue give him a call his number is (806) 778-1957 and I believe his cues are a great value. We left lubbock and headed out for Galveston.

 

[sausage]

I'm 83 and my high run, about 35 years ago playing my son on my 8 ft. Brunswick VIP is 29. I would like to run my age before I turn 84, but I'd be happy with a 30. My best on a 9 ft. table is 24 about a year ago and I had a 27 on the 8 ft. a couple of months ago. My goal for today is just to beat Half-fast Larry. He beat me 100 to 75 yesterday and I'm p.o.ed

Dave(Chickory Slim)Nelson

P.S. Actually, I had a 33 about 65 years ago but that was in line-up.

Dave: i posted this in another thread but you might find it helpful. #'s 1 and 2 were jokes so i omitted them. :

#3. after opening a rack, define the problem balls and take care of them asap.
#4. define your break ball asap.
#5. watch lots of straight pool vids. there is an irving crane 150 and out vid on the net for free download. pay strict attention to how he runs the rack and then understand why he chose the shots that he did.
#6. once you can anticipate which ball an expert will shoot next, you are in fat city. then you just have to work on your position and shot making.
#7. shoot at least a thousand balls a day. this will give you confidence to make shots. it will also get you "in the zone" where your aim goes on auto-pilot and your main focus is on THE BIG PICTURE. the individual shots are merely avenues toward your goal of a nice break ball. you know when you've reached this level when an individual shot is a foregone conclusion. you no longer struggle with aim. you are now on pool players high. THAT is the key to the game.....

 

[Dave Nelson]

Sausage

Thanks for the input. Those are all good suggestions. I have the Irving Crane/Joe Balsis match with the 150 ball run and it's a joy to watch. In fact, now that you have reminded me, I think I'll watch it again today.

I like your views on cues. The one I use most is even cheaper than a Walmart. I got it for nothing because it was made by my youngest son, Ken. He took it up as a hobby a few years ago. It plays just as well as any other cue I have ever handled.

Dave Nelson

 

[dmgwalsh]

I like your views on cues. The one I use most is even cheaper than a Walmart. I got it for nothing because it was made by my youngest son, Ken. He took it up as a hobby a few years ago. It plays just as well as any other cue I have ever handled.

Dave Nelson

Ouch! I know what you mean because it was free to you. I have one of Ken's cues, too and it plays fine. Nice balance. I think I ran a 28 or so with it and I haven't used it much only because I am a cue nut and have about 30 other cues.

How is the stroke going after your session with Scott?

Someone adjusted my grip the other day and although it feels a bit smoother, I am missing some shots I usually make, but I think I should stick with the change.

 

[Dave Nelson]

I'm getting a bit discouraged. I run a fair number of 10s to 14 but I haven't been past 15 for awhile now. I had a good start yesterday. I had a good breakball, a good keyball but i left myself to sharp an angle on the pre-key ball. I made the shot but the cue ball went 3 rails and scratched. If I didn't really like the game I'd probably quit.

Dave Nelson

 

[Marop]

Some days are better than others. Once you start getting into the 2nd rack daily you will be hooked for life.


Bill

 

[elvicash]

Keep stroking Dave you will start getting into that 2nd rack. You want to look at Blackjacks threads on 14.1 university. Start out with some of those sequences turns your 14's into 17's or 18's and you get through those simple KB2KB KB to BK ball. Start out with 3 balls on the table, rack break and run that first full rack on 3, 4 or 5 balls. I have not run any thirties for a while but I hit a 20 something every now and then and it feels great.

I am working on my pool room in the basement. I need player chairs any ideas or "good" ones for sale OH, IN, MI, IL, KY let me know. I want good chairs.

I played a couple of matches so far this week, I played OK no high runs but some +14's in each game. I have got to plan better and simpler patterns. I need to head up to Chi-town and hit the IBC a couple of times in the next few weeks.

 

[sausage]

I'm getting a bit discouraged. I run a fair number of 10s to 14 but I haven't been past 15 for awhile now. I had a good start yesterday. I had a good breakball, a good keyball but i left myself to sharp an angle on the pre-key ball. I made the shot but the cue ball went 3 rails and scratched. If I didn't really like the game I'd probably quit.

Dave Nelson

dave: make sure that you begin with a nicely vacuumed table and polished balls. it makes a huge difference. when i play with dirty balls, they don't break apart like they should. it can be very frustrating....

 

[elvicash]

First day of straight pool league was last night. After some internal debating I decided to play. The league is gradually diminishing and most of the players I would prefer to play have dropped out for one reason or another. I know it was not my intimaditing them even though you the AZ public would probably expect that as the primary reason. Our league is down to 14 it is double round robin with 2 postion rounds so I should play 28 matches. Win-Loss is the primary decider vs balls, I actually think balls made would be better with ball counting after zero so the player with postive handicaps would get the handicap in there count total negative handicappers would have to get to zero before they start counting balls. Either way I won my first match 100-78 I gave up 40 balls to a guy who could play a little. I got past him and got to about 75 to 50 and missed a couple of times due to my loosing focus, I need to give the same effort to every round at the table.

I am playing more and working out. I expect to accomplish my 43 balls prior to end of the year. Spending the last few weeks with the wife and kids have been very theraputic for me.

Things I am working on

Pace
Decisions
Patterns
Decisions
Stroke process
Decisions
Visualization
Decisions
Pocketing
Decisions

Oh yeah I need to make better decisions.

 

[elvicash]

Played league tonight. I won giving up 25 balls, 100-60. I played well mos tof the way though. I got into the rack a few times tying racks together but no really high run, I had at least an 18 or so, had a similiar strength player watching my matchy the whole time and he talked to my opp during my runs talking pretty loud it was a bit irritating. I understand they will be raising my handicap as of next week. I do not know what they will do but I am going to play on. MY 43 is headed my way I am hitting the balls better.

 

[elvicash]

Been working with my practice ball sets, the ones that are half white half red and one has a blue circle with a black cross. I am trying to work on jerking the rock back a little better. What I find is I do not hit the ball where i think I am am and I do not know yet how I am going to fix it but I know I am going to fix it and then I will be playing better. Right now i am generally in the correct quadrant, side to side is close up and down is off more so as I go lower but just generally off as far as height.

I need to hit the cue ball where I aim at in my setup. I will be working on it.