I just returned from a hectic 24 hours at DCC (I only went down to help set up the room, I'll return to DCC Wednesday for the duration of the tournament - this day job is definitely interfering with my pool).
I arrived Friday afternoon, and started working on the room. I met a gangload of AZB'ers, many of whom had been using the AZB table since Thursday; practicing up for the banks event. I do believe this was somewhat of an advantage to them (very few places to practice before matches, and our table is a little tighter than the tournament tables).
Our own DRW beat Kid Delicious in a marathon, first round match. I believe he was up 2-0, had several chances at game ball, but couldn't convert. Then won the match after the case game was tied 4-4. The match was so long that DRW believed that he "had a birthday" while waiting for it to end. I believe Kid Delicious also lost his second match, and is out of the banks. There were MANY AZB'ers making it into the 2nd and 3rd rounds, and many hanging out in the AZB room between matches.
I was able to hang out in the AZB room most of the evening and morning. Both Dee Adkins and Grady Mathews played challenges on the table this morning - and seemed to be very happy to have a table to play on before their matches.
I was VERY, VERY impressed by the quality of play in the AZB room. We have some PLAYERS. I was able to get stomped a game of one-pocket by stevelomako. I got stomped in several games of 9-ball by satman - not intending to knock anyone, but he's a MONSTER (and worthy of his VNEA Hall of Fame accords). I really enjoyed meeting and playing with girlwon1 (I eked out a 2-1, 9-ball victory) and 1pRoscoe (beating him at straight pool). I also got in some one-pocket (I've probably played less than 10 games in my life, but I squeaked out a couple of victories) with cuesmith (who must be cursed - he was playing some FANTASTIC one-pocket against sodapopd, running an incredibly difficult 7, but losing the game).
I arrived to the room this AM and was greeted by the sight of imgoingproin07 sitting on the floor, against the sink cabinet, dead asleep, cue standing propped up in his arms. He remained in this position for most of the morning, so I'm assuming he had no room and a long night. When Grady saw him asleep by the sink, he said, "Ahh, it looks like he got the room by the pool."
I was able to have a nice conversation with Mark Griffin and Greg Sullivan together. They were VERY positive about having the room. I get the impression that we would be welcome next year if we decided to repeat the experience. I also got the impression that next year we could be a little more liberal and experimental in adding some activities that were prohibited this year.
As someone who is fairly new to the game (less than 4 years now) and mainly spends time alone in the woodshed, rarely competing; I very much enjoyed the competition in the room, and plan on spending some more time there later in the week. I also liked EVERYONE I met, it is a very special group of pool fanatics - good luck to all who are entered.
Many thanks to all those who helped in setting up the room and getting things started. If you aren't attending, YOU ARE MISSING IT!!!!
I arrived Friday afternoon, and started working on the room. I met a gangload of AZB'ers, many of whom had been using the AZB table since Thursday; practicing up for the banks event. I do believe this was somewhat of an advantage to them (very few places to practice before matches, and our table is a little tighter than the tournament tables).
Our own DRW beat Kid Delicious in a marathon, first round match. I believe he was up 2-0, had several chances at game ball, but couldn't convert. Then won the match after the case game was tied 4-4. The match was so long that DRW believed that he "had a birthday" while waiting for it to end. I believe Kid Delicious also lost his second match, and is out of the banks. There were MANY AZB'ers making it into the 2nd and 3rd rounds, and many hanging out in the AZB room between matches.
I was able to hang out in the AZB room most of the evening and morning. Both Dee Adkins and Grady Mathews played challenges on the table this morning - and seemed to be very happy to have a table to play on before their matches.
I was VERY, VERY impressed by the quality of play in the AZB room. We have some PLAYERS. I was able to get stomped a game of one-pocket by stevelomako. I got stomped in several games of 9-ball by satman - not intending to knock anyone, but he's a MONSTER (and worthy of his VNEA Hall of Fame accords). I really enjoyed meeting and playing with girlwon1 (I eked out a 2-1, 9-ball victory) and 1pRoscoe (beating him at straight pool). I also got in some one-pocket (I've probably played less than 10 games in my life, but I squeaked out a couple of victories) with cuesmith (who must be cursed - he was playing some FANTASTIC one-pocket against sodapopd, running an incredibly difficult 7, but losing the game).
I arrived to the room this AM and was greeted by the sight of imgoingproin07 sitting on the floor, against the sink cabinet, dead asleep, cue standing propped up in his arms. He remained in this position for most of the morning, so I'm assuming he had no room and a long night. When Grady saw him asleep by the sink, he said, "Ahh, it looks like he got the room by the pool."
I was able to have a nice conversation with Mark Griffin and Greg Sullivan together. They were VERY positive about having the room. I get the impression that we would be welcome next year if we decided to repeat the experience. I also got the impression that next year we could be a little more liberal and experimental in adding some activities that were prohibited this year.
As someone who is fairly new to the game (less than 4 years now) and mainly spends time alone in the woodshed, rarely competing; I very much enjoyed the competition in the room, and plan on spending some more time there later in the week. I also liked EVERYONE I met, it is a very special group of pool fanatics - good luck to all who are entered.
Many thanks to all those who helped in setting up the room and getting things started. If you aren't attending, YOU ARE MISSING IT!!!!
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