Video of Myself at the 2012 Texas Open

I found this video tucked away in my inbox.

This is me playing at the 2012 Texas Open held in Round Rock, Texas.  My girlfriend Amanda Lampert took the video of me playing one game of this match to show me later how well I was staying down.


She says, "I wanted to get video of how well Melinda was staying down in her matches. Her fundamentals were fantastic!"

It's funny to see this video almost 10 months later.  I know that they way I'm playing now, I wouldn't have missed those two shots!  lol.

Also,  I don't ever recall chewing gum during my match.  I don't normally do that!

Anyway, thought I'd share.  :)

Thank you, Amanda!  ♥♥

Texas Open Opinion

I don't know how much this is being pursued, but thought I would write down my thoughts anyway, since I was asked my opinion. 

The Texas Open is a 3-day tourney.  From Saturday morning through Labor Day, every year.  They limit the Open to 128 players and they limit the women to 48 players.

The atmosphere of the Texas Open can't even really be explained in words!  You have to experience it yourself, in person, to get the full effect.

The place is pretty much full, so it gets standing-room-only, even WITH two sets of huge bleachers that are brought in. 

To watch the pros plays against Texas' top players and amateurs is a joy to witness.  The crowd loves the action and the match ups and the great competition and they show their support with lots of claps and cheers (or moans).

To go to this tourney every year with my boyfriend is a very special time -we BOTH get to play in separate events and we also each get to intertwine among the rest of the die hard pool fans all weekend.  He might get into a game or he will spend hours on the billiard table.  We socialize and get to visit with a lot of people we only see once a year - AT this tournament.  It's truly an amazing weekend of great fun, awesome competition, and making memories.

When I was asked this past tourney on Labor Weekend what I thought about splitting up the men's and women's weekends, I immediately thought it wasn't a good idea.

This is only an IDEA right now!  They are only contemplating possibly holding the women's event the weekend before. 

If they do this, the women's field could be opened up to more than 48 women the weekend before, and we wouldn't be "fighting" against the men for tables for our matches.  The ladies do tend to get the raw end of the deal - we start our first matches late Saturday night and sometimes our second match can be at 1am!  But, we all know that's how it goes at the Texas Open - they only have about 12 nine-foot tables to play 160 people in three days.  It just comes with the territory.  :)

That would in turn allow up to 48 more players in the Texas Open's Open division over Labor Day weekend.  And, that also means more money added to the payouts and fees (I presume) for the Open.

The women's division of the Texas Open hasn't filled up to 48 in the last 15 years, and it hardly gets 32 women.  We usually get around 24 women. 

IMHO, the reason we don't have more than 32 women is because the entry fee is $75 (or more if you miss the late fee deadline).  Further, since Pros are allowed, the players are having to pay that high an entry fee much to play against a few pros. 

EVEN when the top 32 female WPBA pros were not allowed, that still didn't increase the participation.

So, I'm really thinking it's the entry fee.

Now, I don't mind the high entry fee - mostly because it's only for this one prestigious tourney once a year.  If it was a tour, I couldn't afford it.  But, most weekly or monthly tourneys and also regional tours, the women's fee's are all from $10-$40.

However, I wouldn't be able to play in the Texas Open if they moved the women's event to a separate weekend.  I can't afford two weekends in a row to travel 3 hours and pay for a hotel for two weekends. And one of the weekends being a holiday weekend, the price goes up AND it adds an extra day.  I would rather my b/f and I go to the same tourney in one weekend so we can split the hotel room and other costs. 

I simply don't want to drive that far two weekends in a row nor do I want to pay twice for a hotel.

Further, the Texas Open is an EXPERIENCE.  It's the ATMOSPHERE that makes the Texas Open the coveted tourney to attend once a year.  We get to see all of our friends.  If I was to only go the weekend of the women's event, I wouldn't get to see my male counterparts, or watch the male Pros play. 

And while I go to the Texas Open to play in the women's event, playing alongside the men make it a much more exciting, fun weekend.  I can play on the OB Cues Ladies Tour for my women-only tourneys.  I don't want to do it for this big tournament.

This proposal is just an idea right now, but these are my thoughts on the subject.  If they do split them, I wish them all the luck in the world.  The Texas Open will always be very prestigious, no matter if they split it or not!  It's a historical event, really.  But, alas, I would have to choose to go the Open over Labor Day weekend due to the reasons I stated above. 

Women on the Stream

This past weekend at the Texas Open, I had some major high points and some major low points.  I'll get to that soon, but before I do, I want to share a situation that happened to me that I'm not very happy about.

First of all, let me preface by saying had I won the match I'm about to talk about, this article would be entirely different and not as bitchy!

Obviously, lol.

I had a bye, then won my next two matches on Saturday and Sunday of the Texas Open in Round Rock, Texas at Skinny Bob's Billiards.  I played FANTASTIC the first two days.  However, Monday was an an entirely different story.

I played pro player Vivian Villarreal about noon on Monday on the winner's side.  I played BAD! 

Compared to my previous two matches, it was like I was a completely different person. 

I know the culprit, too - lack of sleep.

I wasn't nervous at all, as Vivian is a friend of mine and I always use the experience as a good one when I play her.  I had competed with her numerous times, so nerves was not a factor at all.

I had a chance in at least 5 games but I dogged it.  Badly.  I could only run about 2-3 balls and after bad shape, I would then miss.  :(  I was so embarrassed how I played.  I know I can play SO MUCH better, but I just didn't show up.

And to see chances before my eyes disappear because I was playing bad, was an even worse feeling.

The lack of sleep really hurt me and I was not focused.  Further, she plays so fast, the match was over before I could recover during the match to figure out what was going on with me.

The WPBA Pros can only be shown on a stream table if the WPBA is given $50.  So, each time a pro is on a stream table, someone has to cough up $50.  If two play each other, that's $100.  No one was ponying up the funds to see them on the stream (even though everyone was asking I heard), so the women's matches were never shown.  Not even the semi finals or finals.  The whole weekend only the men were on the stream.

Now, why a match with two non-female pros was never showcased on the stream, I do not know.  But, usually, the men's matches get dibs for some reason anyway.

Anyway, so I knew our match would not be streamed and I was okay with it, esp since I DOGGED my brains out. 

Embarrassment is such a horrible feeling.  :(

Here's the view from table I played my match on with Vivian, looking over the stream table

After I lose, I walk to the seating area and sit down with my friends.  I mention how badly I played and then my boyfriend tells me, as he's pointing to the stream camera/screen, "They didn't have a men's match playing, so they zoomed in on your match with Vivian and showed most of it."

WHAT?

Are you freakin' kidding me??

My bad play was on display for all to see?!?! 

OMG...my embarrassment factor rose 1,000 percent as I sat there in utter shock.  I was mortified.  Perfect word:  mortified.  

I know I am not suppose to care what others think.  I know it's just a game.  But dammit, I play better than that.  I played phenomenal the previous day - that match with Vivian that was now seen by everyone on the Internet (love my exaggerations?! lol) was not an indicator of how well I have been playing.  It did NOT represent me at all!

I was pissed and shocked. 

And then the embarrassment feeling got worse inside me. 

Freaking mortified. 

I'm still pissed as I type this.....  I feel blindsided for some reason. 

Breaking at the Texas Open

I took some video footage of different breaks by some of the players at the Texas Open. 

(As a reminder, the Texas Open was held Labor Weekend at Skinny Bobs in Round Rock, Texas.)

While road buddy Amanda and I were watching matches, we noticed Chip Compton using a mild break and so we wanted to capture it on video. While I did this, I was able to also capture CJ Wiley breaking against Brian Anderson.  We also almost captured Charlie Bryant breaking, but the camera was blocked. Boo!

Anyway, check this out if you have a minute and a half.

Video Tour of the Texas Open!

Like I did with the Ultimate Ten Ball Championships, here is a video tour for you all - this time of the 2011 Texas State Open.

It's held in Round Rock, Texas at Skinny Bob's Billiards.

I state in the video The Texas Open has been an annual event for 36 years straight, but I was incorrect - it's been 38 years going strong!!

Enjoy.

Here are some peeps in the footage: CJ Wiley, Rob Saez, Chip Compton, David Henson, Sylver Ochoa, Charlie Bryant, Ming Ng, Joe Salazar, etc.

Mental Mush

You'd think I wold have remembered this from my previous experience of when my Dad passed - that my mental game is mush after death/stress.

I painfully remembered the hard way this past weekend at the Texas Open.   And guess what?  It SUCKED!

I played and won my first two matches.  I'm suppose to win; I did.  I played pretty sporty most of the time in those two races to 7.  I knew heading into the tourney I was playing decent, so that vote of confidence always helps.  I also love the fast 9-foot tables with decent-sized pockets.  I can let out my stroke and move the cueball around the table like I own it.  It's a GREAT feeling!

After the first match, I bawled like a baby. As soon as I won, the immense pain of losing my Mom just 2 weeks before hit me like a ton of bricks.  I wished so badly I could call her and hear her voice to tell her I won.  ;(

In my 3rd match, I didn't play good, my opponent played better, and I had too much on my mind anyway to really focus on the task at hand.  So, I was on the one-loss side now. 

Me, cooling off with one of the fans inside Skinny Bob's Billiards.

That night, I stayed up with friends instead of going to bed at a normal hour to be fresh enough for my 1pm Monday match.  In the morning, I was upset at myself b/c I didn't get enough sleep and because I felt so exhausted.  But a friend convinced me I have played tired before and to just prepare myself for the match.  I listened to the words and by the time the match started, I felt GREAT!

I played good, too  :)

Well...... sorta.

I won the first game and was running out BEAUTIFULLY the 2nd game but missed the 8.  3rd game I again was shooting well but miss the 9 in the side pocket.  I got upset.  I miss another out and am down 4-1.

I am so dang mad, I go outside to take a break.

But because my mental game is on vacation, I don't know how to handle what is going on in front of me.  I don't know I am thinking down on my shots and to stop it.  I don't see I'm actually too confident, and have stopped focusing on my pre-shot routine. I don't realize I need to just have fun and accept what is going on (that takes the pressure off).  I'm not capable of not being angry at giving the games away.  I'm just not mentally tough right now.   I honestly think if I wasn't so stressed and going through so much, I would have been more aware of how to change my attitude and composure in time to win more games.

Instead, I got more and more angry at myself and pissed I was giving the match away.  I decided I wasn't going anywhere - I wasn't giving up.  But I missed a bank at one point, didn't play safe another, and dogged a tough 9ball to make the score and 5-6 instead she won 7-5.

I like my opponent a lot, but I did NOT like I didn't give her a good fight.  I think even she would prefer us both playing well.

Then I see the payouts and I was one round away from the money.  I normally don't care about the cash, but that would have been cool to place in the Texas Open again.

And I'm gonna tell you all something:  I'm TIRED of ending my runs at the Texas Open with stupid, bad play.  Tired of it.  I can't remember a year that I gave my best the final day.  Instead, I'm always tired, exhausted, or other distractions are going on.  One of these years I will get enough sleep and put the tourney first.

I miss you, Mom.

Tourney Descriptions  Sucked.

Texas Open 2010 Recap

Since I hadn't been on the practice table, I still prepared for the Texas Open by watching my FAV dvd! I swear this player review by Buddy Hall and Grady Matthews truly prepares my game because I get to watch such smart pool, along with the "why's" of the shots. I love it!

I was looking forward to the 37th Annual Texas Open but also a little apprehensive. I had a funny feeling about the weekend, not about my play, but instead about "things," so it was a mix bag of emotions going on.

Quick summary: I drank too much each night, didn't get enough sleep, and yet still managed to play POOL somehow (I honestly don't know how, lol).

On Friday I got an hours-worth of one pocket lessons from Sylver Ochoa. Then we all went to the Men's Player's Meeting which took a long time, but we ended up at another pool room to drink with friends, where I had my first-ever Jager bomb, courtesy of the Fast Eddies Billiards area manager. Uh oh, I liked it!

Teresa, Yvette, and I!

Teresa, and I along with Ming Ng - winner of this tourney!

The men's event had 116 players in it. Charlie Bryant would win his first-ever Texas Open with Gabe Owen coming in second. On the women's side, for the last few years, the top 32 pros were forbidden to play (that's such a wild word to me, "forbidden"). But this year the pros were allowed to play again. So, Vivian Villarreal and Belinda Calhoun showed up to compete with us this year. On Saturday night, after the Women's Players Meeting, I was stoked I got a bye! Only two byes and I got one! However, my excitement was short-lived as I read on the chart that my match was scheduled at 12:30 --> 12:30AM! Eeek! However, looking at the bracket, I had a pretty lucky draw - I was nowhere near Vivian, Belinda, Ming Ng, Jennifer Kraber, Helen Hayes, or Nicole Keeney. They were all battling out against each other in the bottom bracket, lol.

Since I didn't have to play my first match for HOURS, I went to dinner Sat night, then went to another pool room, and even got another two hours of one pocket lessons. I then sat around and had a few drinks. I don't know what I was thinking - it's the dang Texas Open and I'm drinking before my matches? But I had fun hanging out and socializing, and my match was still 4 hours away. But admittedly, I knew I yearned more for a "fun" weekend, not necessarily just a "serious" pool weekend.

After the lessons, Sylver had a pep talk with me and reminded me that the tables at the Texas Open are fast and therefore a smooth, non-forced stroke is best on those tables.

Sylver Ochoa - we tried a photo shoot for him for websites.

My adrenaline was running full force later on that night during my first match, which ended up starting late - at 1am! I was super on edge and wasn't sure how I would get through the match, but I ended up playing SO good! Even with nervous energy and my adrenaline racing through my body, I was staying down and focusing on the outs and I played well! Thank you Buddy and Grady! I won 7-3 I think. At 3-3, I was about to lose momentum because a mistake led her to run out, but she scratched on the 9 ball. Then I just won, won, won with good play.

I was so excited! Afterwards, one of my friends told me, "I'm tired of you acting surprised when you play well. Stop that." Hmm....? I thought that was a very interesting statement, so I am now going to try not to think OR say that out loud to people. :)

James Davis, Jr. He caught me taking his pic while he was practicing on the stream table!

On Sunday, because I stayed up late again, I decided to hang around in the hotel room and watch tv until almost 5pm to rest up. Even though I was still exhausted even after resting, at least I TRIED to get rest. Everyone was at the pool room, but I knew the smokey atmosphere was not good for me to be hanging around all day until my 830pm match.

Here is Nicole Keeney - check out that crowd in the background!

I finally arrived and then mingled with friends for a couple of hours before my match. I got another Jager bomb, like I had the previous night during my match, hoping the red bull would help me wake up - I was still SO tired. My 8:30 match was delayed and we didn't start til 915 or 930. Ugh! This is the match I already spoke about (read it here) - I was down 1-5 and came back to win 7-5! Stoked again! I started off stupid, but then played SO well again!

I then sat with peeps and drank some shots with them, as some dear friends opened up about some tough issues they had been going through.

Audra, Helen and I. Good times!

Then we all traveled over to the other pool room, which I never should have gone to, because I ended up having a difficult conversation with someone and lost a friendship. That of course meant more lack of sleep! Ugh.

I wont give specific details, but I want to point out that obviously a lot more goes on at tournaments than just playing pool sometimes. There is more than just the physical aspects of playing pool and focusing on the shot in front of us - sometimes there are trying things on our minds that are taking up mental space, as we try to stroke our cues and pocket balls.

So... Sunday morning comes way too early - even though I had to play at a decent time of 1145am, I of course get up around 730am. :( I get up between 7-8am every day no matter what time I got to sleep the night before. And since I tossed and turned all night, it would lead to a very exhausted Melinda.

Today is now Monday - last day of the tourney. I don't feel tired yet....(during my first match, lol). I'm playing for 5th place and my mind wanders only a few times, luckily. My opponent played good in the beginning but I tied it up pretty well at 3-3 then go up 5-3. I then make a few mistakes and she gets out to tie me 5-5. I can feel a little bit of pressure but still play well. I am running out after her miss on the 4 ball and I see the out, know I'm about to go up 6-5, etc. I stay down well the entire run... until... the dang 8ball. It's sitting in the hole and yet I still whack at it, don't stay down, hit it too hard, no smooth stroke to be found, and I miss it. She is left with two stop shots, lol. In the next game, she misses the 6 ball but I am left with a table-length straight-in shot that I can only stop my cue ball on. No cheating the pocket was available at all. Ugh. I was then left with a tough back cut on the 7 ball, with only the 9ball left on the table. I stand there and laugh and say to myself, "yep, that 8ball I missed is gonna cost me the match." I stay down on the 7ball, but still miss it and again she's left with two stop shots and she wins 7-5. SOOoooo close to the hotseat match! :(

This was the stream table. The equipment, cameras ,and crew are in front of that whiteboard.

I then play my friend Helen and we have a great match in the beginning - we are both playing well and both appreciating each others shots. However, I start to overwhelmingly feel the lack of sleep and I'm getting mentally and physically SUPER exhausted. I tried to bear down and I do okay to tie it 5-5 but I just have no energy whatsoever to keep going. Helen misses a tough 9ball and I'm left with a straight-in, long shot, and I miss it. I am just SO tired, I can't even function. :( It sucks that exhaustion can kill me that way. :(

I placed 5th, though, in the Texas Open! I played really good for most of the event, too! Wow! I know, I know - I'm not suppose to be surprised. lol.

Tourney Description: Unforgettable (for many reasons)

Texas Open

The Texas Open 9 Ball Championships will be held this year again on Labor Day weekend. This will be the 37th year in a row it will be held! Thirty Seven! Yep, we have two years on the U.S. Open.

I just paid my entry fee online to enter the Women's Division (the new room owners have a paypal button! I saved a stamp!).

The event is well-known for Texans, but there has been a couple of major heavy hitters not from Texas who have won the prestigious title. Check out ALL the wieners since 1974:

1974 Sammy Jones
1975 Richie Ambrose
1976 Roy Mallot
1977 Jack Breit
1978 James Christopher
1979 Bob Vanover
1980 Frank Thompson
1981 Bob Vanover
1982 Bob Vanover
1983 Bob Vanover
1984 Bob Vanover
1985 Bob Vanover
1986 Bob Vanover
1987 Calvin Harcrowe
1988 Jerry Prado
1989 Al Mason
1990 Gilbert Martinez, Jr
1991 Javier Franco
1992 Gilbert Martinez, Jr
1993 Gilbert Martinez, Jr
1994 Jeremy Jones
1995 Bob Vanover
1996 CJ Wiley
1997 CJ Wiley
1998 Buddy Hall
1999 Gabe Owen
2000 David Gutierrez
2001 Tony Watson
2002 Jeremy Jones
2003 Jeremy Jones
2004 Juilung Chen
2005 David Gutierrez
2006 David Henson
2007 Sylver Ochoa
2008 Shane Van Boening
2009 Chris Bartram

Of course I couldn't find a listing of the Women's Division winners, but the above is a who's-who of talent for the Open Division.

The tournament will be held at Skinny Bob's (formally G Cue Billiards), September 3-6, 2010.
300 Hesters Crossing
Suite A-1
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 733-1111

Who will get their name engraved on the Vanover Trophy this year? The trophy’s name sake, Bob Vanover, won it a record 8 times! Six of those wins were in a row! Will there be a repeat or a NEW name engraved? Time will tell....

Staying Down Thoughts

Not sure what is going on. Hmmm....

I was thinking I played badly at the Texas Open in the beginning of the tournament because my fundamentals were not solid. Because I didn't stay down well. The Wednesday before the tourney I spent two full hours on the practice table staying down but still felt that was the reason I played badly my first two matches.

Ray, aka BigTruck, recorded many matches from the Texas Open on ustream and I watched two of the matches this morning where my first match was in the background table and guess what? I stayed down! Hmm...

Makes me think I am over thinking this too much.

Doesn't mean I do NOT want to still work on staying down, though - I still think it will help a lot and want to get better at that. I also know that was only one match and in the other matches where I struggled more I might have jumped up more because those matches were mentally tougher.

After my second badly-played match, a friend told me I didn't look "comfortable" at the table in my second match - he couldn't really describe it other than that, but it sure made sense to me for some reason. I took that knowledge and it seemed to really help me in my next matches. I stayed down more instead of rushing my shots and I did indeed feel more comfortable. I think that helped a lot.

Open Distractions

At the Texas Open 9-Ball Championships held at G Cue Billiards in Round Rock, Texas over Labor Day weekend, the weather was not as hot as last year and also the owners of G Cue installed some temporary A/C-type units that also really helped the indoor temps. Compared to last years indoor heat wave, this was like night and day! Even the smoke was less, which was nice.

Here is a pic of the funny-looking A/C vent that helped!

I had a fabulous weekend and it was much needed. I had a lot of fun and learned some good pool tips and enjoyed being around friends. After visiting my Mom in the hospital for 6 weeks, it was nice to mingle among friends, meet new peeps, and get out of the house with my lipstick on. For those that don't get the humor, visiting hospitals is not a place where you dress up a lot.

Mom was well enough for me to spend the weekend at the Texas Open and away I went Friday afternoon. Traffic was terrible, but I still got there in time to hit balls by myself on an open table for an hour before the tables got full. My roomie for the trip, Amanda Lampert (defending champion), wouldn't get there until Saturday but I ate dinner at Texas Roadhouse with friends, Joe, Ashley, Ray and Viet My.

Then back at the pool room I sat with Anita while we watched her hubby Gordy practice with all sorts of great players - Cristina, Zaid, Sylver, HillBilly, etc.

After the Player's Meeting, I found out I received the ever-elusive bye player. I then had to play Hope at about 9pm. We were able to play a little earlier than posted and we got on our way. She made a lot of tough cuts and the match ended up hill hill. I played okay at first but then faltered in the middle but luckily ran out with ball-in-hand the last rack by staying down well to win.

I then played at 1:30pm on Sunday against Julia Rapp. I had many opportunities at the beginning of the match that I did not take advantage of. She eventually out played me the longer we played and her safes hooked me so well, she would get ball in hand and run out. It was a joy to see how much she has improved and loves the game. I think I lost 3-7?

I was very bummed after the match and talked with many people who would listen about how bad I was playing. I got some advice and moved on to my next match.

In my next two matches, I played SO much better and it felt great! But, I admit I also got a lot of rolls. I don't normally feel bad about rolls but in the first match it was pure brutalness for my opponent how many rolls I got. In the match after that, my opponent wasn't into her match and I won that one as well. While I was playing pool better and felt better, it was still kind of weird to win like that.

I then played my dear friend Ashley and I would have to refocus a lot to get back into the match every once in a while and even though I was ahead most of the time, it wasn't by more than a couple of games. She tied it hill-hill and after she missed an 8 ball, I put a lot of left on it to make sure I had good shape on the 9ball, but the lefthand English did not take and I almost scratched! Eeeek! I beared down and stayed down and felt good about the long cut on the 9ball but I missed it and left it sitting in the hole. I wasn't upset tho - I was playing better than when I started the tourney and I placed 5th! I was pretty happy. I was unhappy about the guy who clapped at the rudest times, tho. :( Very unhappy about that.

Ash went on to place 4th and Amanda defended her title and won the tournament! Woo-hoo! Thanks to James Barnett who donated $300 to the women's event! Very nice of him (and helped me earn $150 for 5th along with Julia Rapp). :)

BTW, I was able to ask Joe Salazar and Gary Abood about techniques for me to stay down on my shots and can't wait to get over the flu to try them out! I am excited.

The "backless" waitress everyone was talking about.

The tournament atmosphere difference between this tourney and the Ladies Tour I am on is HUGE. OMG, HUGE! This event is jam packed with people and the spectators are not told they should not be in the playing area. People actually stand on the sidelines or sit in your area if there are chairs. Also, we can text our friends in the middle of matches and people can talk to you and/or your opponent. This is not allowed on the Ladies Tour and I can say how much I TRULY appreciate those nondistractions! Now I see why the rule is in effect - it sure can be a form of sharking and get under your skin.

On the tv table, anyone could sit in the chairs right next to players. Wow! Right next to them in the playing area! In my first match, a friend was trying to talk to me during my match. I finally asked, "can we talk later?" In another one of my friend's match, I texted her a message and she was able to answer me back. Later on, I walked right up to a good friend during her match and interrupted her (I felt so badly). The next day when I played, a guy was leaning against the rail in the playing area! And in my fourth match, people kept talking to my opponent. I vented to a friend and he told me not to worry about it. I didn't let it bother me when I was AT the table, but still. In the last match, Ash and I had a friend who kept talking to us as well. I played okay with the distractions but it sure makes me appreciate the Ladies Tour's spectator rules.

Ray and Juice, on the live Streaming BigTruck Show.

Commentating every now and then on the BigTruck live stream was fun and I wish I would have commentated more but was either playing, resting, or busy watching matches. I really enjoyed commentating with Juice - he's a blast! (he's in the green above).

I am very happy I pulled out of my bad play and was able to "play pool" after all by the end of the tournament. I was also happy to have placed 5th again this year, too. Whew. Makes me think I might know what I am doing. Hmmm.

Tournament Description: Well, if I didn't play well toward the end, my description would not be this, but now I can describe the tourney as: Fun.

Until next time...

Day Three - End of the 2008 Texas Open

I woke up earlier than my alarm clock on Monday morning, Labor Day, and wondered what time it was for a long time before the alarm made its obnoxious noise and finally made me jump out of bed. I get ready pretty quickly and packed everything up - Amanda and I had to check out of the hotel this day. I ran to Taco Cabana for us and also tried to check out. It took so long to try and check out (it was a fiasco!), that I tripped into the pool room at 8:56am! Wow - cutting it close for my 9am match. Eeeek!

My opponent, Nancy French, asked if I wanted to hit balls. "No," was my indifferent reply. She made some mistakes in the beginning and so I went ahead 3-1 I think, but once she put her ipod on, she was on fire! I was all of a sudden a little put back and shocked about her runouts. I started missing and even from my early misses she would get out from what seemed like a tough table to run. I finally got my head out of my a$$ and started playing well again. But I still missed a few key balls and next thing you know it went hill-hill. She scratched on the break and I saw an easy safe to hide the one ball. But wait! I also saw I could not only play safe, but leave the one in front of the 9. I executed the cueball well, but even though I hit the one ball softly, it still rolled too far for a 9ball combo, but still enough to leave her hooked (the tables were slippery little boogers). She missed the kick and I debated on the run, the tough combo or the safe. I decided to try the safe b/c she was on two and b/c there was a pretty good chance at success on executing the safety, compared to the lower percentage of me running out the way the balls were positioned. Luckily, the fast tables allowed for the one ball to hit a rail and hid her behind two balls. She missed the kick and I won by three foul 7-6.

Kim, Me and Linda Sunday night.

I then play Cristina Dela Garza, who beat me the last time we played. I played MUCH better this time and had some REALLY nice outs. Up 3-0, I got a little over confident and started missing a little and she capitalized but I also capitalized on her mistakes as well. I almost let the match get away from me, but I did play some good shots to win. That felt great b/c I not only played well in front of the crowd, I was guaranteed "in the money." :)

I then played Michelle Abernathy next and she was staying down well and getting out. I missed a few key shots again (boy, do I need to make my often-missed-shots my favorite shots so I stop dogging certain shots!) and pretty much handed the match to her at 3-7. I played terrible, BUT felt good about my finish (and the previous two wins). I wish I knew why I didn't play well that match and what was going on - I can normally figure it out, but not this time. I just know I missed more than I should have but to her credit, she made a lot of tough shots.

So, 5th place at the 2008 Texas State Open out of 28 women. And, $160 richer for my pains. LOL!

How would I describe this tournament? Enduring.

I took more photos on Day Three. You can see them all here. I am honestly mentally and physically exhausted from helping run the tournament, taking photos, updating the forums, uploading and labeling all the photos, schmoozing, updating the brackets, oh and playing pool! However, I would take none of it back - I love helping out and getting my hands in the mix for the fans of the lovely sport we call: billiards!

Amanda won the tournament, Bonnie placed 2nd and Heather placed 3rd. Shane Van Boeing won the men's side, with Gabe Own coming in 2nd and Shawn Putnam in 3rd.

Here's another one of my fav photos I captured:

Gabe Owen

Day Two,Texas Open

Sunday (of the three-day Texas Open event in Round Rock, Texas Labor Day weekend) and I slept in a little bit, then got some Taco Cabana potato and egg breakfast tacos (yummy) and then raced up to the pool room to take photos of a player who I will be making a website for. He played at 11am and so I made it in time AND got to sleep in. :) whew!

I took more photos and updated the brackets all day and even though I wanted to go to the room and rest before my tough 9pm match, there were too many things I wanted to do around here for the tournament/fans.

Photos from Day Two: http://www.melindaswindow.com/TexasO...os3/index.html

Open Brackets: http://www.azbilliards.com/brackets/...urneynum=31101

Women's Brackets:
http://www.azbilliards.com/brackets/...ourneynum=3110

I happened to have an extra shirt with me in my computer bag (in case they didn't let me wear what I wore for my match on Saturday night) and so luckily I was able to change into that b/c it was REALLY hot all day and needed a fresh feel. I played my roadie, great friend, and great player Amanda Lampert. I felt pretty good going into the match as we walked to the table and got our groove on.

I was running out the first game and didn't hit the 8 hard enough and missed the 9. Next game I missed a 3 or 4 in the side and she got out. Next game I OVER hit the 8 this time and had to back bank the 9 and missed. I was pretty ticked and made a comment to her because I was pissed at myself which prolly sharked her. She missed the 9 and I apologized. A few games later I am down in the match but get to shoot and I got bad shape again from the 8 and missed the 9ball! Granted it wasn't easy, but I didn't bear down and wasn't thinking about the shot in front of me. She said something to me but I was so bothered already by stupid things and I was therefore pretty upset. I was not capitalizing at all and that was extremely frustrating. She had some really nice outs after that and I even had a few good runs but she out played me. :(

It was a very emotional match and I have to say that I think it's finally sunk in that I need to keep my mouth shut even if I am playing a friend and feel comfortable with them, no matter how pissed I get at myself. I used to not say anything, so I'm not sure where this is all coming from. LOL.

I also need to continue to work on my fundamentals. :) But, I admit I was a little nervous so that makes getting shape tougher and my brain kind of gets stunned with what I should do at times for some reason. lol.

So, off to bed I went, even though it took me a while to fall asleep cuz I was thinking about the match.

Here are a couple of the photos I took (I kind a like how these came out):

End of Day One, Texas Open

Well, the end of Day One came and went. There were a LOT of matches all day long! Whew. I also was able to put some of the photos online finally. Here are two sets:

Photos most of Day One: http://www.melindaswindow.com/TexasOpen08/index.html

End of Day One and this afternoon: http://www.melindaswindow.com/TexasO...os2/index.html

I played my 11pm match (yes, that's not a typo, Eleven PM). Before hand, I went back to the room and rested in front of the tube. I had a bad headache from the smoke (I think) or because I was online all day updating things (LOL) but I took some Aleve, rested my little head, changed into cooler clothes and headed back to the tournament to face my competitor.

Me working on the laptop.

I played Jennifer Kraber that night. She's a really good friend of mine, but she put on her ipod and I put on my mental toughness hat, and we got to business.

I played okay at first, but got out of line a lot, but then had chances to get back to the table and capitalized. I finally beared down and started playing well the last two or three games. In the middle, I had some chances from her scratches and such, and also made two 9-ball combos. So, I guess you could say I got the rolls.

I then updated the brackets, took a few more photos, got me some yummy Burger King, and then climbed into the cool sheets of the bad hotel. I drank some Alka Seltzer Plus and boy did I go to sleep!

I am here now again at the tournament, taking photos and updating the brackets and meeting new friends. I want to go rest again before I play at 9pm, but many good matches are coming up that I want to take photos of for the pool fans. We'll see what happens.

I do have a tough match ahead of me. I hope I play well - not too much to ask for but will it happen? My opponent (Amanda Lampert) is also my great friend and road partner, but she is playing well and just won her last match to zero. IF I get chances from her, I hope to play the shots well. I need to remember to have fun! I just remembered that - how funny. LOL

Texas Open, Middle of Day One

We made it safely. 35th Annual Texas Open. Whew! History is being made! Got checked in and then headed to the pool hall. I called in all 128 players of the Open event to my AZBilliards.com partner, Mike Howeton, on Friday night. Check them out! OMG that's a lot of names to spell!

Paul Blank and Lewis Jones are running a good tournament for the owner's of G Cue Billiards, Gary and Kevin Welling. Of course, I'm also trying to give them all a hard time and make their jobs tougher! :)

There's a thread going on the forums of AZBilliards.com by Ray Hanson - kind of like a blog of his trip to and during the event. Check it out here.

The Player's Meeting ended about midnight or so and then I played two races, one to 7 and the other to 3, to get used to the fast 9foot tables. I lost 5-7 and then won 3-1. I feel good about the tables, but I still need to SHOW UP to my matches and maybe even have a little lady luck on my side for the draw. Can someone pull BYE for me?! LOL

The Player's Meeting for the Ladies will be within an hour. Eek, scared! I get a little nervous in tournaments with "titles" attached to them. lol!

Here are some photos to enjoy:

Amanda ("the Natural") and Tara ("Fire Cracker")

Viet My and Chen!

Me ("akatrigger"), taken by Amanda

Players at the tournament chart.

On my way to the Texas Open

G Cue Billiards, host of the Texas Open, Labor Day Weekend 2008, in Round Rock, Texas

Amanda Lampert and I will be heading down to the Texas Open later this afternoon. She's driving; I'm scared!

I am finishing things up at work, my hands and arms match (LOL!), I watched a little of the AWESOME Player Review Match between Buddy Hall and Grady Matthews last night, and although apprehensive about how I might play the game I love this weekend, am excited to get out of town for a few days and hang out with friends I haven't seen in a while.

Me and Amanda

I believe I will be putting the brackets online (at AZBilliards.com), so when they are up, I will post again... which may not be until Saturday morning. I also plan to take photos. When will I have time to play in the women's division? lol.

Texas State Open 2007

I went to this tournament to test my mental game. That's honestly the only reason why I went. I didn't plan on winning matches, just going to get more experience under my belt and testing my mental game at the same time.

I practiced for many hours on the tables Friday night with Mike, Amanda, and Mike. Eric and Michelle were also there. I felt comfortable - I got a bad headache, but some Aleve mad it go away and I was able to practice well again that night. I felt good.

They called the matches Saturday afternoon and low and behold I have to play my friend, the top pick, and last years' winner, Amanda Lampert. AND, they put us on the front table in front of everyone!

Here is what that front table looks like, in front of the crowd.

I didn't have any expectations. I just walked to the table, made sure I scuffed my tip, got some water, asked the guy next to me to move (he was too close for my comfort during a match - okay, I asked Lewis to ask him to move). I popped a Claritin and off I went. I was down 0-2 right off - missed in the middle of the rack and she got out. I wasn't nervous, I wasn't thinking about the crowd, I was trying not to think about the missed shots, I was just 'there.' I felt okay, but was losing. It's been over a month since the tournament, but I believe I was down 3-0 or something and when I got on the board, I was SO happy- I wasn't gonna get skunked! I was running out one rack and felt real good, but scratched on the 8 ball - someone walking by caught my eye and I couldn't stand up in time to readdress the shot. So, that was one game that was crucial. I was feeling pretty good, and actually playing pretty good (I thought). Then she started making some mistakes and I capitalized and I was all of a sudden up 5-4.

Here I am, playing Amanda.

For me to get on 5 first was key, but she recovered from her mistake and got out well to tie it at 5 and then got out again to get on the hill first (after a nice safety). She was running out well and I figured it was over but she hooked herself between the 9 and 7 and jumped it, hit it, but the cueball went off the table. I got ball in hand and got out. Hill-hill. The next game she makes a nice bank on the 5 ball and makes it, but down the road in that rack, she over cuts the 7 ball and misses. I can barely see the 7 ball and study it for a long time. I decide to hit above the pocket to make it so I don't hit the 8 ball (hopefully) and then I go for it and I didn't hit the 8 first (whew). I make it and then completely, ONLY and purposefully, focus on making the 8 ball so I don't miss the cut shot. I make it and the 9 for the win! OMG!

Another shot of me.

I then play Courtney Peters next. Her game has really improved, but she would miss late or in the middle of the rack an I would capitalize. I played some nice safeties, but also missed in the middle or late of the rack, but I capitalized more. I won 7-3. Wow - won my first two matches in the Texas Open!

Here are the brackets.

So, that night I updated the brackets for the men's side and watched some matches and just enjoyed the evening.

The next day, I play only one match. I play against Alicia Teskey, a good player, not one to take for granted, that's for sure. We both made lots of mistakes, though, and we each capitalized on them. I don't remember everything now (too long ago), but I was struggling so badly and so was she. One game toward the middle of the set, I had to play tough position on the 7 and got straight in on the 8, which would leave me a tough cut on the 9. I just accepted the tough shot - made the 8 and nailed the 9. Tied at 5-5, I caught an amazing gear and won the next two games and won 7-5. Maybe it was the tough out of that game that helped my confidence? I made a GREAT safety shot on the 6 ball to get ball in hand on the final game and got out. I have practiced those shots for many years, so was glad I executed it well.

I then played Kyu Yi for the hot seat on Monday morning. I played so bad. She got the first two games with a 2-9 combo and a 1-9 combo (due to my mistakes), and although I didn't let that get to me, I wasn't focused on playing pool. I am SO disappointed. I had a chance to get on the board after she missed an 8, but didn't draw back enough and missed a tough cut on the 9ball. I was struggling and struggling, and even though I would have chances, I wasn't playing pool and couldn't capitalize. I finally started playing, but it was too late. I got out and was only down 6-4 when a tricky shot came up. I knew if I combo-ed the shot I would be left with a touch shot, but didn't have a safety. I went for the shot and shot it soft to leave me a chance to play safe, but she played a better safe back, got ball in hand and got out for the win 7-4.

I then played Julia Rapp. She missed the 9 ball in the first rack and left me a very tough 9 ball shot and I nailed it! She then left me another 9, much easier. Then I broke and ran and was up 3-0. Broke and ran! But, the other games I won until I got on the hill - the next 4 games, were all won because she missed the 9 ball. Wow! Some matches go like that. She made a few outs and the score was 6-5 me when we both struggled to finally finish the next game; lots of misses on the 7 and 8 and then I finally made the 8 and 9 (somehow) to miraculously win 7-5.

I then play Cristina De La Garza next and she was at work. They called her and instead of forfeiting, she was able to come back and play. Even though we started later than we should have, we were still able to play.

I was playing bad at first, again not playing pool. I missed a 9 ball and thought to myself, "I hope this doesn't come back to bite me." I was down most of the time and then caught a gear and started to finally play pool and even got ahead 5-3 I think? She came back though and next thing I know we are both on the hill. I had a tough kick on the 2 ball and missed it and she got ball in hand. I had a feeling she would get out of line somewhere along the run, but she was in line for all the balls - except the 9 ball! She studied it and decided to bank it. She missed! But, it banked into the other side. Someone in the crowd clapped and yelled and it made me embarrassed, but Shayla snapped at them for me. Cristina was suppose to hit the shot hard, and if I wouldn't have missed that 9 ball much earlier, it wouldn't have got to that point. I placed 4th and won $175.

Not too bad for wanting to test my mental game! But, disappointed I didn't play pool on Monday.

I am VERY excited for my friends Jennifer who placed 2nd and Kyu who placed 1st! Congrat's!