What has happened to Karen??

W

Williebetmore

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Silver Member
Melissa,
Just a note in hope of getting a little information (and possibly causing a little trouble). It appears to me that Jeanette Lee's game has really improved since last summer, I know she has really re-dedicated herself to playing and improving. Though she has lost twice in the finals to Allison this year, I know she has beaten Allison and Karen on the same day 3 times since last Fall. Since my opinion and evaluation are useless (I occasionally run "3 friggin' balls"), I was wondering if, as a professional, you can tell any difference. Also, since Karen won every tournament a couple of years ago, has her game slipped, or have Allison and Jeanette improved, or both? Please give your honest opinion (I'll never tell).

P.S. - If Sarah reads this, I would also be interested in her opinion.
 
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Willie,

Honestly, I cannot tell you what, if anything, has happened to Karen's game. She is still a brutal competitor....with a fantastic, controlled game. It seems to me that the difference lies more with Jeanette and Allison. In the past several years, Jeanette has sat of the Board of Directors for several different organizations....and concentrating on business matters may have detracted from her game a little. I don't know what projects she is currently involved in, but I do know that she made a public statement that she has a renewed commitment to regaining the #1 title. She is very determined and focused to play her best in order to re-capture #1.

In regards to Allison, I know that she had a rough time of it when her father passed away a couple of years ago. She seemed to have difficulty concentrating at certain moments in tournaments....and the result was that Karen started to walk away with all the titles. Allison was still a force to be reckoned with...but she just did not have that fire that is needed to be #1. But, time has passed....and last year Allison regained her spot at the top...and she walks/talks like a person who is not going to give up the #1 spot easily.

As far as Karen goes, maybe she just needs to create a little fire of her own. Last year, she would walk into the arena and her demeanor let everyone know that she was #1. Nowadays, it seems to me that she doesn't quite have that energy anymore. I could be wrong....but I feel like ever since she almost lost to Ga Young Kim, she hasn't quite had the same amount of confidence that she had at the beginning of 2003.

BTW...I would also like to hear Sarah's opinion on the subject....

Melissa
 
Melissa Herndon said:
...In the past several years, Jeanette has sat of the Board of Directors for several different organizations....and concentrating on business matters may have detracted from her game a little....


....In regards to Allison, I know that she had a rough time of it when her father passed away a couple of years ago. She seemed to have difficulty concentrating at certain moments in tournaments....
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Mellisa,

I think you nailed it pretty well.

I would add another factor. Karen was the first top player to figure out the Sardo break. And that was at the same time Allison's father was sick and Jeanette was recuperating from back surgery. A "perfect storm" of sorts...IMO

Jeanette is proving she is a force to be reckoned with again. I admire her determination.
 
You might be on to something there with regards to the Sardo rack. I would be interested in someone checking to see how many events Karen won with the Sardo in use and how many she won after the Sardo stopped being used. Remember, the Sardo was in use at the BCA event last year.

Mike
 
AzHousePro said:
You might be on to something there with regards to the Sardo rack. I would be interested in someone checking to see how many events Karen won with the Sardo in use and how many she won after the Sardo stopped being used. Remember, the Sardo was in use at the BCA event last year.

Mike
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Mike,

I was at the first WPBA tourney (Valley Forge 2000) where the Sardo was used (only in the tv rounds). That was KC's first win. The 1-ball was racked on the spot. When KC was breaking with a medium speed, the left wing ball went into the left corner pocket over 50% of the time. The other players( AF, Ewa, and Gerda) wre still breaking hard (when they had the rare opportunity to break). Karen obviously knew what she was doing. I don't think the other 3 players had tried the Sardo before. I know Steve Tipton had never used it before that day.
 
Hi everyone,

I think it is a difficult subject. They are all three great players. I think alot of things have changed that could make everyone feel uneasy.

One is not using the Sardo rack. It forced us all to go back to playing pool again rather than a game made up game. (racking the 9 on the spot)

Two, I believe a member of Karen's family died last year as well. That mental stress can take alot out of you.

Three, new players are starting to play better and better. I think Ga Young Kim made a huge impact on the tour. I think everyone, not just the top 3 took notice.

Karen got some really bad rolls in San Diego to beat Allison. Hill-hill she broke and made a ball but had a tough shot on the one. She makes the one and gets hooked on the 2, kicks it in. She has a tough shot on the 3 and makes it but gets hooked on the 4. She misses the kick and loses the match. Bad luck beat her.

I think things are definitely changing on tour. The competition is starting to get very fierce. Hopefully soon it will be a new player everytime and the Snooker reign of terror will be over soon. Of course it would be great if it was Melissa and I there wouldn't it?

Sarah
 
What is the future of the Sardo Rack? Did the Sardo lead to alternating breaks? Can we go back to the wooden rack and winner breaks?
 
LAMas, I'm not sure about the future of the Sardo rack. I know for now it is only used in the BCA tournament. The alternate break was the solution for not using the Sardo. I myself would like to see it go back to winner break, but that is just me. Melissa what do you think??

Sarah
 
Hi LAMas & Sarah,

Sarah is correct that the alternating break format was used to even the playing field while using the Sardo Rack...since a ball was being made consistently on the break. Now that we are using the Big Break Rack by Brunswick....I don't why the WPBA is continuing to use the alternating break format instead of reverting to winner breaks. My only guess is that alternating break creates a lot of tight matches and close scores...which is exciting.

Like Sarah, I would like to go back to winner breaks. There should be a reward for winning games. I would not even mind using the Sardo Rack again...as long as we could put the 1-ball on the spot...like it is supposed to be.

Melissa :)
 
Melissa Herndon said:
Hi LAMas & Sarah,

Sarah is correct that the alternating break format was used to even the playing field while using the Sardo Rack...since a ball was being made consistently on the break. Now that we are using the Big Break Rack by Brunswick....I don't why the WPBA is continuing to use the alternating break format instead of reverting to winner breaks. My only guess is that alternating break creates a lot of tight matches and close scores...which is exciting.

Like Sarah, I would like to go back to winner breaks. There should be a reward for winning games. I would not even mind using the Sardo Rack again...as long as we could put the 1-ball on the spot...like it is supposed to be.

Melissa :)
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Hello Melissa

The Sardo Rack proved its worth in one area only, I believe. It eliminated the need for re-racking. In this respect, the Rack was a genuine invention. Having said this,IMO, the Sardo Rack should not be used in any of the tournaments. Reason? 9-ball demands certain skills. Among them is the break. In fact, the break in 9-ball is critical, perhaps more so than in any other games. The ability to break hard and still control the whitey is a SKILL. Why eliminate this crucial factor from the game? BTW, the ability to s***-rack someone without being detected is also an important skill...
 
Melissa,

I agree with you. If we went back to winner break the Sardo rack isn't all that bad if the one is on the spot. Even though I really don't like changing the game it might save some time racking. I like the traditional method of loser racks, winner breaks. The close matches are good for the spectators but it is frustrating when you are losing and tie the score 8-8 and then don't get a chance to break. It puts alot of pressure on you to win the lag.

just my opinion.
Sarah
 
speaking of the bad rolls that have hurt Karen, does anyone remember what happened in Peoria last year? its the Final TV match, and Karen and Allison are tied 6-6. Karen is breaking, and pockets a ball, but at the last moment a ball rolls up in her way and she doesnt have a shot. what bad luck! as i sat there in the VIP row you could see the look of disgust on her face. as a result a safety battles ensues, and Allison manages the 7-6 win.

if that ball doesnt roll into her path, Karen probably wins the match. we have all suffered through this same type of agony, nothing one can do about it.
 
Interesting aside.....

Isn't it interesting how the standard (at least in terms of potting) was raised when Allison/Karen et al. came over with their years of big-table experience. Everyone else worked hard to get to that standard. It has taken a couple of years, but now everyone seems to pot like a demon and break really well.

I guess what I am trying to say is that instead of just the top 2 or 3 players being able to win any given tournament, now the top 20 are in with a shot. Standards are higher, competition is closer. All signs of a healthy tour.
 
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