Grandson Got His Own Cue

I wrote before how I had run across 3 generations of pool players back in December.  Here is the photo of Grandpa, son and grandson:

When I gave a lesson back in February, I saw them again.  I went up to them (they were on the non-smoking side of the pool room) and said my hello's.  I told them I had indeed posted their photo on my blog and they were excited.

Then the grandson exclaims to me, "And since that photo, I got my own cue!"

"Oh, did you!?" I asked.

In December, he borrowed one of his Dad's cues for the photo op.

I asked what kind he got and he proudly shared, "Gator."  I asked, "Gator?"  "Yep, Gator by Champion," he said smiling.

Nice selections and good looking cue:  check them out for yourself.

We all remember our first cue!  How cool for him :)

Three Generations

Back in December when I was sparring with my friend Tina, I noticed two guys come into the pool room, and then a kid with them.  They got a rack of balls and went to the non-smoking side.  I saw a couple of pool cases they were carrying, too.

I wondered if they were Grandpa, Dad, and Son.

After Tina and I were finished, I told her to hold on and then I went up to them and asked if they were related.  And sure enough they were three generations!  I noticed Tina behind me, watching proudly as I took their photo.

Here they are, Dad, son, and Grandpa: three generations of pool players!

"You Gave That to Me"

I found myself in a little weekly 8ball tourney last Wed night.  Hadn't done that in a long time. Felt out of my element because I haven't played in so long.

As I start my first match, some guy on the next table says, "wow, she's really playing?"

My friend says jokingly, "yep, I brought in a road player."  LMAO.

As the night goes on, I find myself playing for 4th place.  I am playing a guy I again don't know.  I run out quite beautifully the first game in this short race to 2.

I play REAL good the next game with some good breakouts, too, but I miss a long 8 ball to win the match 2-0.  I was uncomfy with it and should have stood back up and then shot it maybe in the side anyway.

Score:  1-1

So the next game again I'm playing well still and lots of safes.  I finally see a run and as I'm shooting the ball before the 8 ball, I miscue.

The guy runs out his few balls left and beats me 1-2.  As he shakes my hand he tells me, "you gave that to me."

WTF?!

Why does anyone say such stupid ass things?!

I snap and reply briskly, "I didn't give you /nothing/."  (have you also noticed our grammar skills go out the window when we are upset?  lol)

And added as I walked away, "plus, I miscued."

I realize it seems innocent, but I have written about this before, to just not say anything at the end of a match.

I was already not happy at myself for losing, bit of was embarrassment running through my veins, and he's gotta say something that pushed the knife of shame in deeper?

Don't people realize we already know we lost because we missed and shouldn't have?  Why point it out?

Just walk away, Dude.  WALK AWAY.  lol

You really don't need to say anything; it just makes it worse.

I already know I should have won.

Pool Tourney Virgins

This past weekend, as I mentioned, was the Season Opener of the OB Cues Ladies Tour.  Four (4) of my friends who had never played in one of their stops before, played! 

Sometimes, the biggest step is stepping through the door to a pool room of a big women's tourney and actually playing in it.  It's really not easy at all to do!

There is SO much pressure for new players.  Mostly because the whole experience is very new and there are a lot of unknowns.  And there are really talented players all around them, they notice, as they scope out the competition and absorb the atmosphere.  Plus, nerves, stress, desires, unfamiliarity, etc., all the while they are trying to play pool and compete!

I am SO proud of my friends this weekend who played in their first-ever OB Cues Ladies Tourney - Angelina Dean, Lyn Jones, Ileana Ford, and Jennifer Dooley!

I was also worried for them, tho.  While the OB Cues Ladies Tour is a very friendly, fun tour, it also has some very strong players on the tour.  That in itself can be intimidating and discouraging.

It takes a very passionate, dedicate player to want to come back and do it again.

And....all 4 ladies had such a great time, memorable experience, learned a lot, and enjoyed the day, that each one of them have already stated they will play again - and can't wait to play again!  I am SO excited!

As my friend Courtney said, (who just recently joined the Tour), "I have been putting off tourney's for years, and now I can't stop going!!   And I won't stop....I learn so much from playing such great players and I am not afraid to go out and take a beat down anymore!"

I do wish my friends would have been able to play in the Second Chance event on Sunday, though.  It's even more laid back than the Main Event, and most of the top players are still in the main tourney and can't play in the Second Chance event.  The Second Chance tourney is named just that for that reason (then again, at one point we called it "The Cry Baby Tourney," lmao).  But, it's another fantastic avenue to compete against women players.  With $100 added, it can be lucrative, too!

I have already heard their calendars are marked for the next OB Cues Ladies event and they are very anxious to play.  :)

I cannot express enough how very PROUD I am of these Ladies!!!

And if anyone else wants to be a virgin on the Tour, please let me know so I can try and convince you to play.  :)

As I keep telling anyone and everyone who will listen, the BEST way to improve your game and to get better at competing is to play in more tournaments.  And the OB Cues Ladies Tour is a perfect opportunity no one should miss out on.

My Fav Pool Room

My beautiful and talented friend, GG (Gail Glazebrook), is this month's PoolSynergy Host.  She wants us to share our FAV Pool Room.  Well, mine is easy - Rusty's Billiards! 

Located in Fort Worth, Texas, this pool room has a great atmosphere for someone like me who loves a a pool room that takes care of REAL pool players. 

It may seem minimal, but it isn't. We all have been to rooms that the owners don't care for the real pool players. They don't fix poor lighting, even unlevel tables, refelt cloth, have decent sets of balls, let weekend warriors smoke and drink over tables, etc. When you find a good pool room like Rusty's, it's a Godsend!

Rusty's has plenty of 9 foots to satisfy my quench for the big table; tough tournaments to strengthen my game; hosts a lot of talented players; puts the players first; and they even have parties!  LOL.  I have been going there for over ten years and although they are a semi-sponsor of mine, I'd still write about them today as my FAV pool room even if they weren't.  :)  That's how much I love it there.

Good people, good 9-foot tables, good service, friendly atmosphere, good hours, good tournaments, good players, parties for the regulars.  What more does any true pool player need? 

As a matter of fact, I happened to video tape one of their VIPPP Parties last November.  Enjoy!