Cleaning During Tournaments

We all appreciate really great, assertive waiters/waitresses, right?  Well, one over the weekend was too assertive while at the same time very unfamiliar with pool.  Even tho she was working in a pool room!

Deep into the tournament on Sunday last weekend of the 11th stop of the Omega Tour this year, one of the players was sitting quietly at her table as her opponent was shooting.  The air was a tad humid and so she put some chalk on the table where she was sitting, so she could lay her fingers on the powder and stroke the powder on her shaft before she shot so it would slide easier for her.  Several people were doing this throughout the weekend.

As this waitress gets on shift later on Sunday, she starts moving very fast to start to clean up the area.  She moved all the stools in their proper place (which created extra noise as they hit the metal tables), she sprayed the tops of the tables and then wiped them down, even if pool cues were leaned against them, and as she walked by the table with the chalk of this player, she sprayed the table and wiped away the chalk!

I cared more about the cues that she accidentally sprayed at first, but then it was crazy she also wiped away the chalk.

I think one of the issues was tempo.  We were used to the waitress who was there all day, and then this new one comes in and changes the dynamics around us.  If this was Saturday with 100 players in the area, it wouldn't be an issue and we wouldn't have even noticed her, but when you are down to only a few tables and a handful of people in the area, we see more distractions easier.  Plus, we had been used to a waitress who stayed out of the way all day.

I heard it wasn't her first day there, but I think she just hasn't been around big tournaments or something because she wasn't very cognizant that high-stake money matches were going on and instead cared more about clean tables, straightened chairs, and getting things done by walking by the matches. 

I'm not really complaining, as some tournaments I have been to you can never find a waitress or the tables aren't cleaned up all day long.

While we all appreciate her great service, there are times it's okay to leave things be until matches are completed.  It can be more of a distraction.

Tough to Lose With Class

One of the Omega Billiards Tour player's who is well-known for handling loss well and never showing emotions or getting upset, was sharing something with me and his fiance' after he lost a match late on a Saturday.

You see, just because he SHOWS no reaction to losing a match he cares about, doesn't mean he's not internally really pissed off!

He said, "Ya know, it really is tough to lose with class."

I looked at him kinda weird, knowing he handles losses better than anyone we all know.

He continued, "I'm actually really mad I lost that match and I'm out of the tournament already, but I don't need to be an asshole because of it."

I couldn't even see on his face or in his body language that he was that internally upset about his last match; he controlled his emotions that well.  If he hadn't uttered that confession, I never would have known just how upset he was.

He continued to share that when he was a kid/teenager playing pool at places with his Dad, he was punished for outbursts.  "Daddy took my cue away if I showed I was upset.  Or, he wouldn't let me play for two weeks.  That teaches you to stop showing you are pissed off when you lose.  I wanted to keep playing!"

He added, "It's so hard to be a good loser because we want to win so badly.  We don't have to accept it.  Hell, we don't have to happy about it!  But, always lose with style."

I think Tony Sulsar would be extremely happy and pleased to know that what his Dad instilled in him is actually what we all see and appreciate in Tony.  People talk about it all the time - how well he handles himself, is always a gentlemen no matter if he loses a tough match or wins, and never shows anger at all after losses.

He's a great role model.

His Dad would be so very proud of him!

Talking After You Miss

I find it amusing and yet frustrating at the same time how different players react after they miss a shot.

I'm referring to during tournament play.

I am a tad bit of an introvert and so when I miss a shot, I sit down and reflect about it internally.

For those that are a tad extrovert (or more), after they miss, they tend to want to talk to anyone within earshot about why they missed.

What players who do this don't realize is, it's really unfair to their opponent.

It's kinda of like having their own personal coach in their corner.  Let's face it, if I'm playing an extrovert named Mike, and he misses a shot and then starts to talk to someone about it, he feels better after explaining himself.  This isn't really fair to me - I am going through these same emotions and trying to get through them on his own, yet he gets to talk to someone about his.

Further, after Mike misses, it's now my turn at the table.  Yet, Mike is talking to his friend while I'm at the table trying to shoot!  How rude is it that?  After I missed, I sat down and was quiet.  Instead after he misses, I am distracted by him talking.

I realize it's habit to talk to someone nearby or especially if someone is an extrovert, but it truly isn't proper to do and isn't really fair.  It can also be considered sharking, which many people do think it is.

In reality, they are just miffed they missed and they want to vent to a friend.  But it's a distraction to your opponent.  Be kind, peeps!

The OB Cues Ladies Tour has a pretty strict rule that we can't talk to the audience, so for those of us who play on that tour, we are already "trained" to not talk to the audience or our friends.  For others, this is something not ingrained yet.

Hearing About Good Sportmanship

The U.S. Open 9-ball Championships is going on in Norfolk, VA.  People are talking about Earl Strickland and Darren Appleton who forfeited in the middle of their matches.  You know, we are hearing about all the bad antics, which leads to players saying that's what's wrong with our sport, and why we aren't mainstream.... (I despise this way of thinking by the way)

And then I read this on Facebook from the USA Mosconi Cup Team Captain who is in person at the US Championship:

"Adrenaline is still going on here with the entire U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. These players have raised the bar of excellence once again with the Republic of China leading the way. I find so much inspiration and respect for their approach to the sport.

Ko Pin Yi has so much class, professionalism, and style, that I am more impressed with him than if he had won against Shaw.

He single-handedly displayed the character of a true champion and quiet professional, after a stinging loss in which he did nothing wrong... no excuses or lame Facebook posts, he played his heart out, he knows it, and he has my profound respect for his courageous display. 

Ko Pin Yi did more for the sport last night by his example and leadership, than he is aware of or recognizes. He motivates me to try much harder to improve our sport...I will forever be a Ko Pin Yi fan."

I have no idea what happened.  It's evident that Ko Pin Yi lost a heart breaker match and didn't act like a child, tho, huh? 

It think it's VERY refreshing to read about how a player handled themselves WELL after a match and how it impressed someone, rather than hearing how bad players acted. 

This is so wonderful!

Bystanders Smoking

One thing that bothers non-smokers is when smokers light up their cigarettes near our matches.

If it's an opponent or someone playing on another table, we just try to adjust our seating arrangement to anywhere the smoke isn't coming into our face (which we all know the smoke has a B line to the non smokers, lol).

But what do you do if a smoker is near you but they are not playing in the tournament?  What do you do then?

Sometimes I just move, or deal with it (although I admit it's SUPER distracting), or sometimes I might say something (which in itself is a distraction - future blog topic).

It's actually difficult in general to ask someone to move their cigarette.  Most take it offensively or react badly to a request.  I shouldn't feel bad for asking that, but hardly anyone replies, "oh I'm sorry, sure I'll move my cigarette," with a smile on their face. 

If anyone has a suggestion for how to ask this, please let me know!

Now - back to pool  :)

During the August Omega tournament I overheard a player ask a bystander to move because they were smoking close to their match and it was bothering/distracting him. 

What was different this time was he explained the situation, which I thought was a smart idea.  Maybe explaining this helped so the guy didn't take it wrong.

After he asked if he could move because of the smoke he explained, "I'm playing a match right here and I can't move.  You can move, though, because you aren't playing, and I would really appreciate it."

I really like that approach!  Maybe I'll use that while in match if a bystander is smoking near me.

Did I Hook You? Who Cares!

Every one has one pet peeve (or more, lol) that really gets under their skin. 

For some people, it's not setting correctly the chalk "up" on the table.  Others it might be someone simply practicing on the table next to their match that really gets them upset.  There are a TON of things I could mention that gets under player's skin, but other people don't even notice or care or even give two thoughts to it.

Mine is simple and easy:  If you hook me, whether intentional or not, when you check out to see if I'm hooked, instead of just walking to your chair, THAT is my pet peeve.

Why not just go sit your ass down?  Do you think it's really cool to get in my way so you can go see if I am hooked or not?  Do you think it shows professionalism and etiquette to check if you just shit-hooked me? 

You will know soon enough if I am hooked or not by how I shoot at the ball.  But my question is this:  DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

If you hook me, what does that mean to yourself as you finally walk to your chair? 

Seriously asking that question, lol.

To me it doesn't mean much because I can still hit the ball either on the edge or with a kick. 

It's even funnier to me (i.e. more annoying) when people walk around the table to check out the shot they left me when they ACCIDENTALLY might have hooked me.  Listen, we have all played pool enough to know when a safe is intentional or we got lucky and hooked our opponents.  No reason to be mean and see if I'm hooked "good" or not by pure luck, lol.

You will never, ever see me "check" to see if I hooked you (intentional safe or not).  It's not even in my being to be that rude to you.  I would prefer to get out of your way and sit down in my assigned seat.  My shot is over; it's your turn.  I go away, you come to the table.  I will know soon enough if you are hooked or not.

What is your pet peeve?

Giving 9-Balls in Return?

I was taught a long time ago never to give up the 9-ball (or 8-ball), even if it's straight in, even if it's easy.  It was instilled in me over and over again by June Hager Walter back in the mid 90s, so I just don't give the final shot away in my matches.  I always make my opponent shoot the money ball, even if it's an easy shot.

I've actually stuck by this "personal rule" my whole life.  The few times that I didn't, which I can count on one hand in the last 20 years, was because I was super pissed and gave them the shot lol.  Otherwise, it can be straight and you can be up 6-0 on me and I'll still make you shoot it.

I played in a match in the last Omega Tour stop and my opponent was not making me shoot the easy 9-ball shots.  But when he got perfect position for an easy 9-ball, I sat in my chair, and still made him shoot it.

It got me thinking.... does a player all the sudden feel that because they're not getting the same respect in return that maybe they won't give away 9-balls to that opponent anymore?   Or do they still give the easy 9-ball shots anyway?  Because that's the type of person they are?

I've actually seen someone miscue on a short and straight in 9-ball.   I've also seen where someone shoots the money ball so hard it flies off the table.  

FOUL.

I'll take it!

But, again, I wonder when I don't give them the same mutual admiration as they are doing to me on easy 9-ball shots, what do they feel about it?

Seriously.  Do they think, "well F her, then, I'm gonna make her shoot ALL the easy 9-balls from here on out!"  Or, do they not even care, and still don't make me shoot the easy 9-balls?

Effects of JUST a HandShake

I have written numerous times, and experienced this numerous times lol, when after you lose someone says something that just ticks you off.

• "You gave that to me"
• "You didn't want to win"
• "You had me"
• blah blah blah

Just walk away people!  Shake their hand and walk away!

A friend reminded me the other day how I told a league-mate years ago not to tell me after I missed the 8 ball three times, "you gave that to me."

Why do people even talk?  lol

And then my friend said something refreshing that I had never really realized before:

"Do you remember that time during State we had to play each other and I was up 3-1 over you?  I missed the 8 ball, and then I couldn't recover.  Then you beat me.  And, you never told me, "you had me" or "you should have won."  Instead, you simply shook my hand after wards.  I didn't understand that day at league why you got upset at that girl, but now I do.  And now I appreciate so much that you DON'T say those things to anyone (or me) because it would have stung SO much more had you have said something." 

Funny how I have written before about how I feel when people say things that sting right after a loss.  When instead I should have also written about the other side of that:  how appreciative people are when we are cordial and understanding and that a simple handshake with no words is sometimes the best course of action after a tough loss.

Behavior After A Miss

At the ACS Texas State Tourney, I noticed a theme with several players after they missed.

After players miss a shot, they do not realize how they are acting and how disruptive they can be to their opponents.  Some players pout, some stand and are simply disgusted.  Others sit down and talk to someone sitting next to them because they are embarrassed and they want to explain why they missed. However, it would be best to just sit down;  and don't move and don't talk.  Give your opponent the courtesy to allow them to focus at the table instead of being distracted by your behavior and mannerisms while you are pissed at yourself for the miss.

I have seen this a lot, but it was more apparent this past week, and I saw it over and over, both in singles and in the team events.  I think I figured out the WHY.  And I think that's why I reflected about it and wanted to blog about it.

At events/tournaments in pool rooms where people are not allowed to sit near you when you play (like regional Tours, for example), after you miss you walk slowly back to your lonely chair and sit your pissed a$$ down.  You then reflect silently on why you missed (hopefully you are doing that and not just being pissed in your chair not making the most of the time you have to reflect).

But after you miss in a team event at a State tournament with your team near you, and your pool table is the one in front of your team, you get to go back to your area and sit or stand and you get to vent to your teammates.

Now, you don't HAVE to do this, but it was rampant this past weekend.

I was pretty much disgusted when when a player kept missing, and would walk back to her area and just stand there.  She was constantly in her opponents' line of sight and never sat down.  If you don't want to sit down, then at least move over a little.  Don't stand there with your hands on your hips disgusted and pissed in their line of sight.  Give your opponent some respect.

Because of the layout of bringing in pool tables and sitting tables to a large convention room for State events and Nationals, there are numerous tables for people to sit at and watch right next to the pool tables.  So, even in the singles events, it's very easy to sit down after a miss and turn to your friends to vent and explain things.

I know I have done this - it's easy to do.  But it's not really right or fair.

It's very frustrating to be at the table and see your opponent in your line of sight with their head down, or on their phone, or talking to their friends while you are trying to concentrate.

I am no saint and have done all of this, but I have learned from the many tournaments I have been in not to do this.  I even feel very bad if someone comes up to talk to me, as I don't want to disrupt my opponent or upset them because someone is trying to say hi.

I think I honestly wouldn't have even thought to write about this if I didn't see this happen a lot over the weekend when the opponent was down on shots, in the line of sight of their opponents.  But the layout of the room allowed for this.

Now I KNOW that these players have no idea they are being rude and disruptive.  And I also know no one is deliberately sharking.  I know it in my heart.  And let's face it, we have all been guilty of talking to friends.  I could go on and on about the psychological reasons how helpful it is to speak to our friends in the midst of battle and why that helps.

However, when we are at the table and the pressure is on, we "sense" more things from the sidelines.  It's like our hearing is heightened when we are in the midst of battle.  So, early in the match we may not even notice.  Or, it may not bother us at all.  But if the score is close or the pressure is on, that's when we notice even more things on the sidelines that we normally wouldn't even see, hear, care about.

I realize that after a miss we are disappointed in ourselves and upset and many of us react to that.  But our positive behavior on the sidelines is important - to give our opponents the respect they deserve.

I know it's easy to be selfish and be in our own little world beating ourselves up.  I really do realize this.

I honestly think the reason it was more apparent over the weekend, was because of the layout of the tournament.

At Tours hosted at pool rooms, most of the matches are separated from the crowd, as they watch from afar.  You aren't even suppose to have friends or family sit near you at the pool tables.  At State and National tournaments, the set-up is such that long tables are along all the pool tables.  So, it's very easy for 4 or 5 friends to sit right next to you while you play a match.  And your chair is right there, next to your friends.  At a Tour, the only chairs near your table are yours and your opponents.  No one else can even sit close.

So, while I might be sounding like I'm blaming the players, honestly, they are put in a position to easily be distracting without them knowing it.  They can easily talk to a friend and vent.  At Tour events in pool rooms, it's not as easy and therefore I haven't noticed it as much at pool tournaments in pool rooms.

Can't Play Favorites

I found myself in a tough spot last month. 

I was running the Omega Billiards Tour's 2nd stop of the year at the Billiard Den in Richardson and as the Tournament Director, I of course have to stay til the bitter end, lol.

Well, the finals was pitted between my buddy and former teammate Jersey Jack and newcomer Steve Collins. 

This is the pic of the final three players.  Steve is on the left, David G in the middle and Jersey on the right:

As a friend of Jersey's and a former teammate, it was natural for me to cheer on Jersey and to root for him more than Steve.  But I realized after only a couple of shots that I need to not be biased and stay neutral. 

While I clap for great shots from ANYONE (either competitor at the table), as tourney director you cannot put your "friend" cap on or your "teammate" cap on; instead you have to be neutral.

It was tough, too.  I have been on a team for almost 2 years with Jersey and seen him play in Vegas with my Monday team. 

But, I just rooted for him silently in my head.

BTW, he won!  It went two sets til 1am but he won his first Omega tourney!!  Steve out up a great fight but Jersey came through in the end.

You Gave That to Me

In the past two weeks I have run across some weird responses after I lose a match.

I realize that no one intentionally hurts others or intentionally says things to be mean, but sometimes things still rub me the wrong way, especially when I'm already upset at other things..

And that's unfortunate.

With all my years of experience you think I could just let these comments roll off my back.  And I'll be honest, normally I would. 

But what I'm noticing lately are these comments come at bad times for me, lol.

So, instead of letting the comments roll off my back and not upset me, instead I AM getting upset and I AM saying something to the other player to kinda of "defend" myself.

Instance One:

I'm at league and my opponent and I miss the 8 ball about 3 times each.  I finally make it but SCRATCH and she says to me, "You deliberately did that!"

WHAT?

I was pretty livid, I admit.  I retorted, "I didn't deliberately do that, I would never do that. Why would you say that??"

What's unfortunate is, what no one else knows, is WHY it upset me so much.  Why I LET it upset me.

It was just bad timing.

I was already upset at a several things before this first match of the night and this just topped it off, unfortunately.  But, I was so upset with the culmination of a lot of things at that point, I almost left!  I finally calmed down and realized because I was playing in a team event I needed to stay for my team no matter how upset I was personally. 

After the match, she came right up to me and apologized.  She said she never should have said that and put herself in my shoes and realized it wasn't right.

I told her that honestly it shouldn't have bothered me what she said.  I told her it really wasn't that bad.  I should never have been upset over that. 

But I explained to her I had just gotten into it with my captain, was frustrated with the league, and was trying to stay in the top 3 for top shooter.  So, it just was bad timing really.  Not her fault at all!  And I felt super bad I showed in my body language that I was upset.  I didn't want her game to be bothered because I was upset.

Further, I also told her that my character is very important to me and I wanted to apologize TO HER for getting upset.  I don't want to be that type of pool player, and I want to be a good representative of the sport.  So I felt bad.

She apologized again (and so did I).

And then we hugged.  

(yep, that's what girls do, lol!)

Instance Two:

Flash forward two weeks later and I'm playing in the Omega Tourney for the first time.  I need only one more game and my opponent needs 3.  I am playing SO good, that I get a little too confident.  I shoot the final 9ball, it goes in, but with these particular pockets, it spits back out!  I'm not worried.  I'm playing good and am the better player.

The next game I have to "come with a shot" and I am about to make the 8ball but the cueball stops it from going in and then the CUEBALL scratches!!  OMg...

Final game, I'm running out but miss a tough 8 ball.  He gets out and says, "You gave that to me."

I stood my ground, "No I didn't."

Now, I know what he's implying - I really do!  But I didn't really give it him.

Yes, I didn't win and yes I missed some shots, but it's really, really unnerving to hear "you gave that me" after you dog it!

He said again, "yes you did."

I replied, "I would never deliberately give you games or miss."  Trying to re-word it, to show how his words could be taken.

He says, "well you didn't give it to me intentionally."

I was upset because I should have won!  I outplayed my opponent, but those 3 misses were too late in the racks and too crucial.

But to say that to me after those misses just kinda rubbed salt in the wound.

Again, the timing just sucked for me.

I should never have gotten perturbed over the words.  Neither one of them meant to bother me.  And let's  face it, *I* let it bother me.  Normally it wouldn't, I just am not mentally strong right now and when I am like this, things bother me more than usual.

I hope to get stronger again ASAP!  This sucks lol.

Etiquette Foul

Last night I played in my Double Foul 9-Ball League and I had to play a new player first round.

She doesn't even know how to bridge her cue yet, but could make about every 3rd or 4th ball. 

She also didn't know the rules, so her Captain was helping her during our match (and subsequent matches).  No one minded - we were all newbies once.

Now granted, Double Foul 9ball is different than regular 9ball rules, so I can understand why her captain had to sit next to her and explain some of the rules of calling fouls on yourself and when to drop balls, etc.

However, one thing REALLY impressed me.

At one point, I was shooting the 7ball into the corner, and she was standing at the end of the table.  Not near the table at all, but in my line of site.  However, I didn't notice her (I try not to let things like that get to me), but more so she was far enough away AND not moving around so I was just on my little run, minding my own business.

As I'm stroking for the 7ball, he tells her, "move from out of her shot, that's considered a foul."

She apologized softly, "sorry" as she scooted out of the way.

I was thinking to myself, What?  Really?  NO WAY!

I am new to the league and so do not know ALL the rules yet, but if this really is a rule, man that would be an awesome "official" rule at so many other tourneys where this is an issue!!

The Hill Hill Handshake

This is something I wish I would see more.  Hell, wish *I* would do more.

I only do this when my opponent initiates, so I should start initiating this more myself, but I really like it when the players shake hands when a crucial match goes hill-hill.

I saw Dylan Weinheimer, a GREAT player from the Fort Work, TX area, and Tony Sulsar, a FANTASTIC player from Sherman, TX, go hill-hill the first set of the finals of the Omega Billiards Tour last Sunday (June 23rd).  And before they started that final game of that first set, they shook hands. 

It was pure joy to see that!

I don't know who initiated it first, it just seemed to happen naturally with these two awesome guys.

Admiration from both players; both players respecting each others' game.  It was a true, generous, genuine moment and I wish I saw it more in our sport. 

Dylan

Tony

The Handshake

A few weeks ago, I subbed for a friend of mine on Monday night for her league, because they have to have at least 2 female players play each Monday night out of the 5 players on each team.

Ironically, I have been asked to join this league by 3-4 different female friends over the past few years.

I enjoyed the night so much, I'm no longer a sub - I'm ON the team! 

The timing was perfect as my other Monday night league doesn't start back up til August.  Everyone keeps talking about the end-of-season tournament and how much money is in it, so I felt I shouldn't pass it up right now because I happen to have the time to play and get enough weeks in to qualify for that.

This past Monday on the new league, I played a cocky player my very first match.  He's always strutting around the table, sometimes he makes sarcastic comments at other players in the heat of the battle, and he is very protective of his girlfriend.  He has always been nice to me and I have no problem with him at all.

I walk up and shake his hand before I break, and it was a nice, firm, friendly shake.

I don't make a ball on the break. 

His very first shot at the table, he goes for a 9ball combo, but misses.  I see I can kick the 9ball in if I hit it correctly off the rail between two other balls.  I get down to shoot, and even though I aim to make it, I am wishing on a hope and prayer, as I really don't think I will make it.

Well, I DID!

My teammates clap loudly for me, as this was our first win of the night and I got us on the board.

I went to shake my opponents hand and all of a sudden he gives me a wimpy handshake!  Like a dead fish.  You know, the weak hand shake like you don't want to shake hands, or like you have cooties or something.  No longer firm, no longer cocky, he's not happy this chick beat him; beat him like that.  Even though he tried to combo the 9ball first.

I should be thankful he even shook my hand at all, but it really caught me off guard he acted like that with this wimpy handshake after losing.

Annoying Chit Chat

On Saturday morning of the OB Cues Ladies Tour March 9-10, my road partner and I got there promptly when the doors opened at 9am to hit balls on the Diamond Bar Tables to get acclimated.

We got separate tables, but next to each other and practiced alone while we could before the other players started to fill in.  After a while, some of the tournament players started to come in.  Then a few guys came in.  One guy, Mr. Annoying, walked right through half of the pool room and went straight to Courtney's table and sat his butt down.

He singled her out of all the ladies there and started to chat her up.  Yes, while we were trying to warm up.

Here is all that he said, that I can remember:

You playing today?
Want to play with me?  It will help your game.
These tables are different.
But they are good tables.
Where are you from?
What me to hit some balls with you?
You know Allison Fisher says the most important thing is your stance.
Can I hit balls?

That's when I finally intervened, "the tables are for the female players to warm up for our tourney."

He sat back down.

Then he continued his "discussion" to Courtney:

You shoot well.
Nice shot.
Sure you don't want to practice with me?  It will help.
I am going to go, good luck.
Oh, wait, let me order some breakfast.
How long you been playing?
This breakfast is good, need something to drink?
Are you ready for today?
I was here all last night playing.
Nice break.
Want me to show you a few shots?

Mind you, we didn't know this guy AT ALL and yet he's interrupting our warming-up session.  To say he was annoying was a freaking understatement.

 
When one of his friends came over to say hi, he started to brag how he beat someone the previous night.  We all just wish he would FREAKING leave!  I was waiting for the right moment to tell him to shut up (nicely of course), but I never saw the perfect opportunity.

Courtney, bless her heart, was a nice as she could be and she answered all his questions politely.  But she finally had to walk away from him because he was so distracting.  She kinda hid near friends on the other side of the room until he left. I thought it was pretty crappy that he was that distracting while we were trying to warm up, that she had to step away from the area.

I was prepared to have to intervene if he started to follow her around during her matches to talk AT her.  Luckily, he left, though.

He wasn't rude, just annoying.  At one point I wanted to say, "Do you really think we don't know how to play this game if we drove all the way from Texas?  Can you see we want to just warm up and focus?"

We did see him again Sunday morning - ironically when we ere warming up again - and Courtney and I got a little nervous, lol, but luckily he didn't talk to any of the lady players this day and kept his distance. 

OMG Really buddy??

If he gambled the night before he has to know *something* about pool and warming up and etiquette.  Well, guess not.

$hitting in Balls

At the last tourney I was in, I was playing my match on Sunday and I overheard a player from another table shout, "I'll take it!"

I was caught off guard as I don't recall this player being so vocal, so maybe she was having a tougher match than normal?

After a player shits in a ball, their reaction depends on the score, mind frame, and position in a tourney.

It's funny to me how people react when they shit in balls.  Three are five distinct reactions imo:

A player will either:

• raise their hand, effectively apologizing for making the ball like that,
• don't react at all and just move on like it's a part of the game,
• say something like out loud like "I'll take it!" or "get in there!" or "oops!"
• pretend they meant to pocket the ball like that,
• or they laugh about it (a rare reaction).  

Again, the reaction of the player depends on many outside factors.  If they are struggling or losing, they be more vocal.  If they truly are sorry, they wave the apology hand.  If they are focused, they might just keep shooting with no reaction.

The KEY in my opinion is how YOU (the player watching all this unfold) react to the shit-in-ball AND the players' reaction.

Let's face it, if I get an apology wave, I'll be less inclined to be miffed at their roll.  If they are being verbal, it can be taken as rudeness.  Don't let that get to you!  Just accept that rolls are part of the game and don't let their verballness bother you.  Their comment is no reflection of you, it's a reflection of their emotions.  Feed off of it, but don't let it get to you.

Going back to the tourney - again, I was taken aback at her comment, as I thought it was uncalled for for her to shout "I'll take it!"  She shit in the 6ball and then ran out.  And then her opponent made the 9ball on the break and won the match 7-5.

Count Your Balls

Yes, I said "count your balls."  No, no relation to count your blessings, lol.

I witnessed something over 20 years ago that has stuck with me.  It's one of those very impressionable moments in your pool journey.  Something that when you see it, you are so shocked, you never forget it.  And, it affects you the rest of your pool playing career.

I was watching a two day tournament at Galaxy Billiards in San Antonio, TX  and it was a very big tourney.  On the final day, one of the first round matches pitted an up-and-coming young player against a calm, experienced, older, local player.

The youngster was gaining ground in the match and was very hyper as he could see he was on the verge of winning against this formidable, better player.

The more mature player broke, and then returned to his chair to grab his playing cue.  As he turned back around to walk towards the table, he noticed the younger player had bounced from his chair and was now standing at the table, looking over the layout.  The older player stayed near his chair, and stood back and watched.  Then the younger player got down and shot his first shot on the 1 ball and made it.

The older player then walks up and tells him, "you fouled".

Turns out the younger player *thought* his opponent didn't make a ball.  Turns, out, instead, the guy DID make a ball on the break.  So, the older player took ball in hand and ran out the match for the win.

I will forever be disturbed by what I saw. 

Why? 

Because what I saw was the mature player (only in age, not ethics), deliberately did NOT tell his opponent he had made a ball on the break.  He stood there and LET his opponent shoot.  He LET his opponent deliberately foul.  He never stopped him to say, "wait!  I made a ball."  Like normal players would have done graciously. 

This intentional move has haunted me for all these years.  While I don't think anyone would ever do this to me, I still to this day will MAKE SURE my opponent did not make a ball before I shoot after someone elses breaks. 

If I happen to not see a ball go into a pocket or happen to not hear balls fall, I will always count the number of balls on a table.  I do this for both 9 ball and 8 ball.

Believe me when I say I'm still mortified by this "tactic" the guy pulled.  I don't even know what to call what he did.  But, it was unethical and intentional and I will never forget it.

And after that happened, I lost all respect for him.  CHEATER!

Stand Closer, Please

It amazes me when I go to a pool room on a Friday or Saturday night, because I get to see the weekend warriors in action!  I see people that do not know proper pool etiquette. 

LUCKILY, I'm not playing against these people.  Most are there with the friends, they don't know how to even hold a cue, much less form the proper bridge hand.  They swing too hard, clap when anything miraculously goes in, and they all stand right in front of the table!

Are the standing around for a reason?  Who can play pool this way???

Click to enlarge the photos, but while I'm focusing on the table to the left, the other tables on the right also have people just standing around, almost on top of the tables!

I'm sure I was the same way when I first started to play pool, too, but it's just so funny to see!

The Honor System

As I mentioned in my previous blog entry, I played at the OB Cues Ladies Stop last weekend at Jamaica Joe's in Oklahoma City, Ok and had a rules issue with a new player in my second match.

In my 3rd match, something else happened that was stressful and could have potentially ended very badly.

I am on the one loss side in my third match playing against a really good player.  This outcome will determine who goes home early or not.

I somehow manage to play decent though.  We both made mistakes, but I found myself up 6-5 in a race to 7!  I played great on the hill game, but I over hit a cut on the 8 ball and barely missed it.  She wins and therefore the match is now hill-hill.

We play our little hearts out the last game.  One will go home; one will win this match and eventually place 7th on Sunday.  Who will it be?

We both play safe and or miss the 7 ball a few times in the last game of this important match.

One final miss by my opponent and I'm about to get hooked on the 8ball.  My opponent shouts, "get behind there!"

I'm a little stunned, but not really.  I truly respect her game more than most, but I also know she sometimes says things out loud.  She is an extrovert and very competitive. 

The 7 and 8 are close to each other and I'm indeed hooked and can't see the 7ball.  I decide to kick short rail towards the 7 because I notice it could actually be made in the side if I kick it good.

I look at my angle for the kick, then walk to the other side of the table and shoot towards the balls.  I don't make the 7ball, but the 8ball goes two short rails and falls into the side!  I'm pretty pumped!  I start to approach the 7 ball and all of a sudden my opponent asks me if it was a foul.

What?

I stand there dumbfounded.

Foul?  What foul?

I knew it was close, but I stand there going over the shot in my head trying to figure out if I really did foul or not.

Pretty critical crucial situation I'm in. I look at the table and there are two balls left; each sitting right in front of their holes; it's hill-hill; one-loss side.

I just still remain standing there.  I'm shocked.  Confused.

She then finally says deflated, "You know what, I didn't call a ref over."  And her and I both know it goes to the shooter because of that.

I still don't really know what to do.  She's upset.  Not loud, but her body language is such that she truly feels it was a foul, yet since there wasn't someone to watch it, she knows there's nothing she can do about it and is about to lose.

I say in a whisper, "I thought it was a good hit."

She then explains to me why it was a bad hit.  "The 8ball moved toward the right, if you hit the 7 first, it wouldn't have done that.  But, I didn't call anyone over to watch the shot - you shot too fast."

I knew I hadn't shot fast; I think she was just upset it ended up being such a close hit that we could have used a ref.

I still stood there and visualized the shot.  I knew it was close, but her description was correct what the balls did and therefore I did indeed foul.

If I thought I for sure hit the 7ball first, I would have easily stood my ground.  Instead, I knew she was right.  I walked over to her and shook her hand.

I didn't even make her shoot the last two balls.  They were both sitting in front of pockets.

She wanted to run them out and I told her don't worry about it.

A guy was filming (or taking pics, we weren't sure) but she wanted to see if it was on video.  I was pretty adamant we didn't need to see anything on film - I had fouled.

It was a tough ten minutes or so.  But while I wanted to keep playing in the tournament, I couldn't win by foul.  It's not in me.

I'm glad she spoke up - because at first I really did think it was a good hit.  I think I was too in the moment because I was excited I made the 8 and was about to win, lol.

After the match, I find her in the crowd and again reiterated to her not to worry about a thing because I did indeed fouled.  I didn't want any hard feelings and started to feel quite embarrassed about the whole situation.

I also told her she doesn't have to say out loud for bad rolls to happen, tho.  I giggled as I said it (because I was uncomfortable offering the advice) and suggested she keep those thoughts to herself and just not say them out loud.  I didn't want further confrontation but I felt she needed to know that her outburst was unnecessary.

I admit, I prolly only said that to her because I lost a close match I should have won (if I hadn't missed so much earlier in the match).

Let's face it.  Many people would have just shot again.  Even I considered it, because I wasn't sure at first.  Being hill-hill and on the one-loss side makes for a tough admission.  The rule IS it does go to the shooter.  But I knew in my heart after she explained the balls' movements, I knew I had fouled.

I do wonder tho if I'm ever on the other end of a situation like this, would the outcome be the same.  I somehow doubt it, but that's okay. What matters to me is I didn't cheat to win.

We can agree to disagree all day that the ruling was a ref wasn't present so it goes to the shooter (me).  But the ruling in my heart and integrity surpasses any rule like that.

League PlayOffs

I played in my first-ever league play offs last weekend.  In this league, if your team does well enough, you play in The Best of the Rest tourney one weekend and then the next weekend is Best of the Best.  The only way for the team to make money is to make it to the Best of the Best weekend.  There were 12 teams total that made it to the Best of the Best.

We placed 4th overall.  We made $1,000.  The matches we won, the entire team played well.  The matches we lost, we could have defeated our opponents, but as a team we all seemed to struggle in those two matches.

I played every round, but I didn't play well!  I don't know what was wrong with me (besides exhaustion) but I was nervous at times (dog a 3-ball run and then stormed off), didn't have much confidence (and was very upset at myself a lot) and fluke things would happen a lot.  I scratched a few times and my opponent would run out either from the break or early in the rack (when normally they shouldn't be able to get out).  I was frustrated most of the time; the entire weekend. 

I got embarrassed a lot, too.  Team pressure is entirely different than when you are playing for yourself.  And with so many people standing around literally within arms length, it amplifies my mistakes. 

The one time I stormed off after I missed the 8ball, someone joked I needed to be put on suicide watch, lol (I admit that joke helped).  And when I would moan to my boyfriend how stupid a miss was, he would comfort me and tell me everyone makes mistakes.  He kept reminding me it was "okay."

On Sunday morning, my first game (and the first game of our first match), I am running out beautifully and bank my last ball - the 5 ball.  It goes nicely in the pocket, but the cueball bumps the 8ball and the8ball slips into the side pocket, also.  The other team starts to hoop and holler and clap.  My embarrassment factor escalates through my body and I immediately get super pissed. 

You're gonna clap for a win like that??  I was LIVID.  I grabbed my chalk, shook the guys hand and said loudly as I walked away, "You gonna clap and cheer for someone making the eightball out of turn???  Really???"

My b/f tries to calm me down and I tell him "It's not right."

"I know, but it's okay. "

"I can say something if I want to," I boldly state to him.

He replies, "Yes you can, just don't let it affect your next match.  Let it go soon."

"Oh, I'll be ready.  I'm ready to play NOW."

I did end up winning my next two games of that match.   

I was reminded it is the playoffs and so the teams aren't all nicey nicey and don't really have etiquette.  Which to me is no excuse - you should have etiquette not matter what tourney you play in.

I didn't let things snowball, but I was agitated at different times throughout the weekend with my shape mistakes or missed balls or rude comments.  Again, I don't know why I played so badly.  I just hope by this weekend that's out of my system, because I have an OB Cues Ladies Tour stop in town to play in!  :)