Best of luck. Will be checking the scoreboards before I get there this evening.
sjm said:
SJM at the Wrold Straight Pool Championships
- Thread starter sjm
- Start date
SJM,
I came in last night and really wanted to watch you play Craig. Unfortunately, they put you guys in the VIP section so I had to watch from across the room. Still, it was great to see you out there competing!
I will probably be back tonight... what time is your match?
- Steve
I came in last night and really wanted to watch you play Craig. Unfortunately, they put you guys in the VIP section so I had to watch from across the room. Still, it was great to see you out there competing!
I will probably be back tonight... what time is your match?
- Steve
Now that was painful! I'm referring, of course, to my match wtih Tony Rodriguez here at the Championships. Hit a perfect break shot but left a combo in the rack and was down 21-0 before I even shot. Came to the table off a missed break shot but was jacked up over two balls having to make a tough shot in the side and I hit both points but it didn't drop. Got back to the table in the next rack, made a nice long six ball and then broke the pack with the thirteen hard, but got stuck, and had to play a supertough cut with the bridge on its side, and missed it. So I was down 40-2 before I ever made an error of note. Started playing my way back inot it when I ran a twenty three, and then won a key safety battle. After running half the rack, however, I made the next ball but moved something for a foul. I'd pulled to within about 56-30 but that mistake derailed my comeback bid, and I got whitewashed by Tony Rodriguez, 100-33.
No more matches for me today, but three tomorrow. Certainly hoping for better than this.
No more matches for me today, but three tomorrow. Certainly hoping for better than this.
My condolences to Randy Goldwater. I can't imagine suffering such a loss at a worse time, when he is totally immersed in "his" tournament.
And my congratualtions to SJM (STUEY BABY!) for hanging in there and making them earn it. I think you still have another 'W' or two under your belt.
And my congratualtions to SJM (STUEY BABY!) for hanging in there and making them earn it. I think you still have another 'W' or two under your belt.
Had myself a perfect seat this evening, for I saw Immonen/Schmidt and Barouty/Engert (see other thread in Main Froum for detailed recap of these two matches if you're interested) and also saw Jasmin Ouschan beat Allen Hopkins. Congratulations to Thomas, Mika and Jasmin on their great wins, and for some fine great entertainment.
Sad to say I woke up ill today, but no less enthusiastic about my matches.
The day began with the second match (the first being my match with Dennis Hatch on Monday) in which I shot just twice, with VanDenBerg running 56 and out on me.
Next came a match against good friend and great guy Jerry Tarantola, and I had some chances, but in control of the rack down 73-63, and a runout away from pulling within one point, I had a bad miss and Jerry ran 27 and out, bringing my match record to 1-5.
With Orcullo, who hasn't allowed an opponent to reach 40 yet, next, it sure looks like I'll finish 1-6, but with a lot of great memories and no regrets on having come out of competitive retirement to compete here.
After that, I'll become a fan again, as I have been since I went to my first World Straight Pool Championships in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in 1976.
The day began with the second match (the first being my match with Dennis Hatch on Monday) in which I shot just twice, with VanDenBerg running 56 and out on me.
Next came a match against good friend and great guy Jerry Tarantola, and I had some chances, but in control of the rack down 73-63, and a runout away from pulling within one point, I had a bad miss and Jerry ran 27 and out, bringing my match record to 1-5.
With Orcullo, who hasn't allowed an opponent to reach 40 yet, next, it sure looks like I'll finish 1-6, but with a lot of great memories and no regrets on having come out of competitive retirement to compete here.
After that, I'll become a fan again, as I have been since I went to my first World Straight Pool Championships in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in 1976.
Good luck SJM. Keep him in his chair and he won't play well.sjm said:
unknownpro
Well, I played my third two inning game of the event, with Orucllo opening with a 68, and leaving me so tough when he missed that I did well to make the last two balls and play safe. Moments later, he ran out for a 100-2 victory.
So my tourney is in the books, and it was great fun. Now I'll try to cover some matches to share with the forum, but I'm still under the weather, so I'm bnot sure how many matches I'll check out.
So far, today's most significant upset is Matt Tetrault ove Mika Immonen. I think it was 100-74. Matt is now 5-1 and is making a statement with his fine play.
Schmidt will play Feijen this evening in a match that should really be something special, with first place in Group 7 likely hanging in the balance.
So my tourney is in the books, and it was great fun. Now I'll try to cover some matches to share with the forum, but I'm still under the weather, so I'm bnot sure how many matches I'll check out.
So far, today's most significant upset is Matt Tetrault ove Mika Immonen. I think it was 100-74. Matt is now 5-1 and is making a statement with his fine play.
Schmidt will play Feijen this evening in a match that should really be something special, with first place in Group 7 likely hanging in the balance.
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Thanks for the updates....wish it would have turned out better, but glad to hear you were willing to get back in there and mix it up, what a great experience.....thanks for sharing all of it...
Get better soon, hope whatever bug is after you goes away as quickly as it came....
Get better soon, hope whatever bug is after you goes away as quickly as it came....
sjm said:
I am enjoying reading your updates, SJM. I thought Dennis Orcullo is not good at straight pool but his confidence level should be very high now because of his convincing wins in group 2. Looking at the Group 2 results, I noticed that he has not allowed anybody to score more than 37. He even won over Nick Van den Berg with a score of 100 to 1. Although I do not think he will win this tournament because there are a lot more seasoned straight pool players compared to him, I would not be surprised if he ends up in the top 5.
Here is the link for group 2 matches:
http://www.azbilliards.com/2007straightpool/group2.cfm
Great job Stu. Congratulations on being a participant in an historic event. You sir, just played in the World Straight Pool Championships. Not too many people can say that.
I have a question for you. How would you compare the overall level of play at this year's Championship with the level of play during the heyday of The Miz, Captain Hook, Little Nicky Varner, King James Rempe and Young Hoppe. You were at Asbury Park, so you saw them all play, including Danny Diliberto who I believe played in the Finals with Joe Balsis. Lou Butera was there, and Jack Colavita, Ray Martin, Jimmy Fusco, Cisero Murphy and other luminaries. I think Crane played that one also.
I'd like to hear your opinion. Thanks buddy.
I have a question for you. How would you compare the overall level of play at this year's Championship with the level of play during the heyday of The Miz, Captain Hook, Little Nicky Varner, King James Rempe and Young Hoppe. You were at Asbury Park, so you saw them all play, including Danny Diliberto who I believe played in the Finals with Joe Balsis. Lou Butera was there, and Jack Colavita, Ray Martin, Jimmy Fusco, Cisero Murphy and other luminaries. I think Crane played that one also.
I'd like to hear your opinion. Thanks buddy.
Orcullo played in the Derby City 14.1 this year, and while I would not describe his patterns as classic, he did qualify for the final 8 with a 93 or so.f210 said:
John Barton
New member
f210 said:
you know it's funny when I hear people make these predictions. It seems that often great players can switch games with relative ease and yet they don't credit for it.
Remember when Archer won a straight pool event? With only about a week's practice and introduction to the game. He ran 200 in the finals.
It is no surprise to me that Orcullo is doing well. He knows how to move his cueball and play in tight groups. So why shouldn't he be able to play straight pool? And he is proof positive that the best defense is a good offense.
