SJM at the Wrold Straight Pool Championships

[Williebetmore]

sjm,
Many thanks for the updates; keep 'em coming.

The Peter Burrows that you beat was the tournament director/organizer at the Maryland 14.1 Open/Qualifier. What a great guy, very much a pool fanatic. Did he say how he wangled an invitation?

Also, is the equipment the same as last year; how did the tables play (I know that you and Steve Lipsky are not the biggest fans of tight equipment for straight pool)?

 

[NYC cue dude]

the tables are diamonds. Last year they used gabriels. Although this year the tables are of very high quality, they are, IMO, completely innapropriate for straight pool. Tight pocket tables don't belong in this type of competiton. And although all the players share the same burden of playing on the same equipment, there is a huge edge towards the better players.

 

[Fragged]

sjm,
Many thanks for the updates; keep 'em coming.

The Peter Burrows that you beat was the tournament director/organizer at the Maryland 14.1 Open/Qualifier. What a great guy, very much a pool fanatic. Did he say how he wangled an invitation?

.....He possessed the 2 qualifications required as tournament time approached

1).... He had 500 bucks.

2).... He was Breathing

 

[Steve Lipsky]

the tables are diamonds. Last year they used gabriels. Although this year the tables are of very high quality, they are, IMO, completely innapropriate for straight pool. Tight pocket tables don't belong in this type of competiton. And although all the players share the same burden of playing on the same equipment, there is a huge edge towards the better players.

Amen, brother!

I haven't played on these tables, obviously, so I can't speak to the ones actually being used. But as a rule, I am not in favor of tight equipment for straight pool. And these tables are only going to get tighter as the cloth gets more worn.

Most of the matches I have seen so far (with the one exception of Immonen/Schmidt) have been a bit on the sloppy side. I attribute that to nothing but the equipment.

Still, for those of you who have a chance to see this event, GO SEE IT!! It's indescribably exciting to see such talent in the same room, playing the greatest game on a pool table, and dressed to the nines.

- Steve