Danielson Series: Which Tournament to Choose?

There's many personal reasons that help us decide what tournaments we want to play in.

And I was lucky to get in the head of Danielson to see how and why he decided to play in a certain tournament one weekend.

Normally, he just plays in the tournament that is being held that weekend, but last Fall there were THREE tournaments on the same weekend. Pretty fortunate he had to suffer to make a tough choice, huh?  lol.

But, he had to weigh what each tournament offered (or didn't) and then figure out why he wanted to play.

One tournament was on bar tables and players had to have a Fargo under 640 to be able to play. The problem with that handicapped tournament was, the Tournament Director lets players play who didn't have "established" Fargo ratings and he would let them play due to "known ability" from word of mouth. Turns out, the top 3 players of the two previous tournaments were all unranked and "unestablished." Danielson didn't want any part of that again.

Another tournament was not handicapped at all. And it drew the top players from the area, because most top players do not want to play in handicapped events, they have a better chance cashing when they play everyone even. Danielson didn't want any part of playing all the top guys even.

Then there was the third tournament. This one also only allowed players who were ranked under 644 Fargo, but if players were not "established" in the Fargo system, that TD wouldn't let them play. Further, the other handicap tourney that weekend was winner break. This event was alternate breaks. Danielson WANTED a part of that, lol.

He said, "So if I play...I'm going to give myself the best odds...and alternate breaks with confirmed handicaps sounds best to me."

I was a tad surprised as that tournament was the farthest out of all of them, but he choose the tourney he thought he could place the highest in.  If you have choices, wouldn't you do the same thing?

League Players and Tournaments

Katniss sent me a message the other day, "I have a quick question for you."

Being who I am, I got all excited!

I replied, "I love questions!"

She asked, "Do you believe that players get comfortable with league play and not so comfortable competing in big tournaments?"

Wow, what a question!

"It really depends on who you are asking about.  Some league players stay league players and never really improve, and therefore don't do well in big tournaments.  They are perfectly fine with that - they love playing in league with their friends and they have a lot of fun.  While other league players want to work on their game and improve, and when they do that, they become better competitors in tournaments.

So, the answer is really yes and no."

Katniss replied, "I was asking because of a certain player who is in the top spot of my Tuesday league...he did not place well in singles at the State tournament this past year. I mean, we can all have bad days, so maybe he just didn't do well this year. But the top players on my Tuesday league never miss - either against me or my teammates. So, I think highly of their game and expect top performance at all times, so that is why I was surprised of their finish. Or maybe they do not do well in big tournaments with "other" top ranking players? Hmmm."

I told her I had wondered that exact same thing before about top players in league who don't finish well at the state tournaments. I never really understood it, either.

But.... then I did.

She is exactly correct.  You see, many of the top league players get super comfortable and quite content in their weekly leagues.  But if they don't work on their game, don't want to, or don't play in more non-league events, then they wont be competitive in tournaments.

"For some people, it's a natural progression to go from league play to big tournaments and/or playing on tours.  For others, they only stick to league (or only have the skills or means to do league play) and aren't interested in playing in other types of tournaments.  Or, they might want to improve, but they haven't really done anything about it for years.

So, again, the answer is yes and no."

I shared further my opinion (I know, you are all surprised, lol!):  "The top league players that only play in league will always be a league player.  If they would play in bigger tournaments more often, their game would improve from all those experiences and they would be more than just top league players (if that's what they want)."

She said she understood and also defended them saying, "Oh well, everyone has their own feelings and reasons as to why they do what they do."

And she has a good point!  Some people are perfectly fine with only playing in league; there is nothing wrong with that at all.

This is a good time to share something I witnessed when I ran the Omega Tour.  A couple of good friends of mine who were top league players finally wanted to play on the Omega Tour when it was being hosted by one of their local pool rooms that they were used to playing in.  It was close to their house, they felt "at home," and it was a comfortable setting.  So, they took the plunge to play on a Tour stop!

Although these two guys were extremely successful on their league teams and the type of player we all feared at league, they quickly discovered they were a fish out of water playing on the Tour.  They were no longer the top player in the room.  And the feelings and pressure they experienced were pretty rough on them.  Neither lasted until Sunday, and they were very disappointed and disheartened.  But, they simply didn't have enough experience away from league.  One of the two guys played in another stop, but by the end of Saturday night he was out of the tournament and then he wanted his money back for the events he had paid for in the future; he recognized he just wasn't competitive.  He was so deflated - I felt very bad for him.

Sharing this story is not to deter anyone, it's to share with you that we all start out this way and it just takes time and experience playing in different types of tournaments often to become competitive.  It doesn't happen overnight.  I truly believe if they would have kept playing on the tour, the next year or two they would have been lasting until Sunday.  But, while one was interested, his schedule didn't allow for that and the other was just too frustrated to keep trying.

But her question leads to the EXACT tip I have stated over and over in my blog that one of my all time greatest pieces of advice to improve is to play in as many tournaments as you can. 

"In order to do well in tournaments, you must play in as many as you can. Please hear these words. You cannot learn to handle pressure or learn mental toughness with only a couple of tournaments a year. You need conditioning over and over in a tournament environment to give yourself the best chance to gain experience."

Reasons for Recent Successes

I've always been fascinated when a player all of sudden finishes really high in a big tournament.  If it's an up-and-coming player, it makes sense because they are usually working on their game.  But when a seasoned player all of a sudden does really well when they had been missing from the podium for a while, it makes me want to find out the scoop!

I'm talking about players who have always played well, but hadn't had many high finishes the last few years, and now all of sudden placed high in a big tournament.

That happened to two of my friends recently and so I started my investigation right away for you all!  I want us all to learn from them. :)

The first player I reached out to is a good friend of mine and so he was chatting with me honestly about his thoughts on why he had propelled in his latest big tournament.  When I ran the Omega Tour, he only placed in the top 4 maybe once (when the tour first started), so what was the reason for the recent top finish?

He said he actually hasn't been playing hardly at all, especially the last three months.  I told him sometimes not putting so much into practicing can actually help us with no expectations, which allows us to enjoy the game again.

He relates and replied, "Yes I agree.  I was at a point where I was putting too much pressure on myself and overthinking.  I was able to keep things simple for most of the tournament weekend.  And also I want to have more fun when I play.  That got lost somewhere for me along the line."

I was SO happy to see how well he had finished.  So happy for him :)

At that same tournament, I noticed another player who had a higher-than-usual finish.  Then at his next big event, he had yet another top finish!  So, I reached out to congratulate him, too.  And while I did that, might as well ask what he's been doing to help his game.

After the kudos, I asked him, "Have you done something different with your game?"

"No, not at all... just gotta be positive and realize I can run out and beat anyone in the tournament."

That didn't help us, did it?  lol  So, I prodded, "But is this new thinking?"

"No, not really," he said.

Ugh.  There has to be something!

He then continued, "Just gotta do it and also stay focused through the waiting during the tournament.  The waiting just sucked the life outta me in the past."

I still wasn't satisfied with his response, lol.  I asked him, "So you just came to aha thoughts about what you need to do as far as your thinking?"

"Pretty much."

So, let me translate this for you peeps, lol.  I think he got frustrated with not finishing well, knowing damn well he has the ability and talent.  He gave it some deep thought as to WHY, and what he realized was he needed to be more positive about his own game, and also remain focused throughout the entire event (and not get frustrated with long waits, etc - things you can't control).

Pretty good translation, huh?  It's okay to be impressed.  j/k!  :)

The difference between the two is almost opposite.  The first player I talked to stop thinking too much and started to enjoy the game with less pressure.  The second player thought about why he wasn't finishing well and realized it was his attitude after much thought.

I think both are key to successes.

Congrats again to my friends!

Negative Tourney Experience - The Danielson Series

Well, I didn't hear from Danielson again after this last tournament.  As I wrote last month, that means he probably didn't have a good finish.

And, he didn't.

Here's what happened from my point of view after hearing a few comments from him:  He wasn't happy with the tournament and therefore couldn't play his best with that distraction.

Danielson played in a tournament that he was already apprehensive about playing in because he had some concerns about how the tournament was being run. 

I can't stress enough that playing in a tournament where we feel respected, treated fairly, and appreciated for participating go A LONG way into our tournament experience.  We want honesty, openness and respect.  How can anyone have a good time if those things are missing?

Let's face it, it's already tough to compete.  We have distractions, dang mental toughness getting in the way, invisible pressure from the what ifs, distractions from home/personal life, players who shark, etc.  That's already a lot, lol!  But ADD to all that when we don't feel appreciated by the Tournament Director, makes one not even want to play.

That's a tough atmosphere to play in if you don't feel welcomed.  I'm not saying they are trying to kick Danielson out the door and I'm not saying the red carpet wasn't laid out for him (wait a minute - where was my red carpet??).  But what I AM saying is feeling comfortable, appreciated, respected, treated equally, etc., will keep us showing up even with the other distractions.

I wrote about this before back in 2011.  I highly recommend you take a moment to read that blog entry. 

Back then there was a group of pool playing bloggers who wrote about the same topic every month.  We called the project, PoolSynergy.  And that month we were to "write about any aspect of an event that you enjoyed and appreciated."  And I said:  "Well, for me, the best tournament experience is one where I feel appreciated and respected. That goes a long way to make the perfect tournament experience for me!"  And then I went into detail and gave real-life examples and situations.  Please go read it HERE.

How could Danielson play well under conditions were he didn't feel comfortable or respected about putting in his time to come compete?  He can't.  Well, he could - but it's super tough.

I applaud him for going to the event even though he had apprehensions and a gut feeling, because now those feelings are solidified.  And he wont have to waste money on that event any more.

Male Vs Female Spending

I had an interesting conversation last weekend with one of the managers of a pool room.

He mentioned to me the difference between male and female pool players and their spending habits of a tournament weekend. 

Here's the kicker - not their spending habits during a tournament, but after the tournament.

As we stood there and talked on Saturday night of the 2-day weekend tournament, there was a ton of players still there (male players), even though they were already out of the tournament.  They were hanging out with theirs friends and drinking, watching/betting on gambling matches, or gambling themselves, as there were a couple of sets going on and also a ring game.

He told me that the female players don't really stick around.  And he's right!  I don't hang around the pool room after I get kicked out of a tournament.  I drive my ass home with my tail between my legs.  Or if I'm out of town, we get a group together and head out to dinner for some girl time.  Some have even gone to a different bar where there is karaoke.

He explained it in simple terms as to why the difference, which made me laugh out loud from the truth of the words:  "Male players don't leave the pool room after they get kicked out of the tournament.  They want to stay and try to make their money back!"

LMAO.

Second Day Tourney Thoughts - The Danielson Series

Danielson, like most of us, has a more difficult time playing well on Sundays of a two-day tournament.  Why?  Because there is so much more pressure on day two!

What helped me get over that hump was to stay as ever-present as I could and not think ahead.  Experience also helped - the more times I lasted until Sunday, the less pressure I felt because each time I lasted until Sunday was another success and I started to feel more comfortable.  Experience helps immensely.  (that's why I preach to play in as many tournaments as you can)

Danielson had another great finish in the November Omega tournament and I asked him how he felt going into Sunday.  I was so impressed by this thought process, I wanted to share it.

On the Omega Billiards Tour, we whittle it down from around 100 players and bring back 24 players on Sunday.

Danielson told me, "I just look at Sundays as a new 24-man tournament.  That helps any pressure I might be feeling going into day two, as I just look at it in a different way, not the continuation of a big tournament.

"24-man tournament" - that's perfect!  GREAT philosophy.  Wish I had heard this when I was competing!

When we Play Badly No One Complains

I have written before about how the Omega Tour is handicapped.  Because of that, that's where a lot of the complaints mostly are directed about.

I just recently wrote about how players who normally play well that are lower-ranked aren't getting cheered for and congratulated for high finishes, instead their ranking is questioned.

This happened again at the last tournament but the player it happened to gave me a really great perspective that I wanted to share.

He would end up placing in the top 3 in the tournament! And as he was moving through the winners side late on Saturday night, one his opponents questioned him.  “How can you be a 6?  You’re playing too good to be a 6.”  

(For reference the handicap ranges from 4 to 10 on the Omega Tour.)

Anyway, so the guy quickly defended himself and said, “Really?  Well, where were you the last three tournaments when I was playing like a 4 and you didn't say I should be lowered? Instead you're only pointing out when I happen to be playing good?”

I thought it was a really great comeback, great defense and a great reasoning.  Just because someone is having a good tournament seems to be the only time people complain. But yet when a player plays badly and under their speed, no one is quick to say, “Hey you should be moved down.”

LOL.

No one comes to our defense when we play bad, only complain when we finally have a good run. Ohhhh, the irony.

Wait Time, Newbies, and Big Tourneys

Last weekend the Omega Billiards Tour made history hosting a record number of players: 123!

The previous record was 105 players, just last year; save venue, same month.

Wizards in Richardson, Texas has sixteen 8-foot tables - the largest number of same-sized tables in the metroplex - so we took advantage of that and opened the field from the normal 80-95 players to over 100.  We were trying for 128 to get a full bracket!  But a few people had to cancel due to last minute situations, but 123 was still AWESOME.

However, there were several very new players to the tour.  And not just to the tour, but to a large tournament such as this.

And while that may seem exciting, it really wasn't with so many players, lol.

You see, even with 16 tables, it took many hours just to get through the first 2-3 rounds.  So what may have seemed like a great opportunity, made me wonder if this was not the right stop for someone new to big tournaments to attend because the wait time between some matches was 5 hours.  :(

I think the players all still loved the experience, atmosphere, and to be able to mingle, have fun, watch a lot of matches, and get their feet wet.  It just made for an extremely long day.

While I am super excited we had so many players and so many new players, I hope the long wait between matches wasn't a deterrent for future tourneys for the newbies.  I'm sure after a few weeks, they will "forget" (lol) how long that Saturday really was and get the itch to play in another big tournament.  They will get to see for themselves if they attend another Omega stop at a different location or a different tournament with less players that it goes by much faster and you get to play more in less time.

Then again, someone pointed out to me that they liked staying there all day.  Sometimes, the said, they attend an event with 30-40 players, and lose both their matches before noon and feel like a real loser for going home so early, lol.

Humidity Is Different Between Saturday and Sunday

On weekend tournaments, Saturdays are more humid and hot because there are more people in the pool room. 

Players tend to need gloves and powder more on Saturdays than Sundays of a weekend pool tournament, because by Sunday the field is whittled down to about the top quarter, and so less people, less humid, less need for powder or using a glove.

As a Tournament Director, we of course notice the same thing.  On Saturdays we plan to wear short-sleeved shirts (females) and light in weight.  On Sundays, we bring back-up sweaters, lol.  The temperature difference is truly amazing from Saturday to Sunday.

One player remarked at the last tourney he uses more powder on Saturdays because it's so much more humid that day of the weekend due to the number of people in the pool room. 

Preparation is key!

That's My Chair

I was playing in the women's singles event finals at the BCAPL Texas State tourney the week of April 6th.   As I was at the table, about a game down in the middle of the match, I was busy surveying the table for my next shot when I see out of the corner of my eye, a guy came from the large crowd (of mostly my opponents' friends) and sat down in my chair and then scooted it over close toward my opponent.

I stopped shooting and said to him, "that's my chair."

He looked at me funny and said, "I'll give it back."

First of all,  please get out of my chair.
Second of all,  I'm in the finals, that's very rude.
Third of all,  you just moved it away from where I was sitting!  That was my little comfort area, near my water and napkin.

I stood there not knowing what to say, and then my opponent found him another chair.   He scooted mine back, then proceeded to sit next to her and talk to her while I was shooting.  Very distracting!

After my turn at the table, I sat down (in my chair) and the guy leans over and says, "I'm sorry I took your chair."

I was pretty annoyed still.  I said,  "I wouldn't let any of my friends take her chair,  or let them sit next to me and talk.   We are in the finals. "

He didn't know what to say, as the last part of my sentence I really mumbled,  because I'm not one for confrontation.

Later on the the match, maybe closer to hill hill the first set, my opponent was at the table.  Someone came and sat right in my opponent's chair.  "Ummm,  that's her chair, " as I pointed to my opponent at the table.

He replies, "that's my home girl," pointing to my opponent.  I reply, "well, that's still her chair."  He finally looked around for another chair and sat in the new one.

I understand people want to watch the finals, or watch their friends play, but please be courteous of the chairs for the players.  It's so annoying and frustrating to come back from a shot to sit and collect your mind to a seat that is now taken by someone who is inconsiderate or not consciousness enough to realize the players have to sit and you might be taking their little chair that they had been in comfortably the entire match.  It throws off our rhythm.  You may think it's minor, but it's really not.

It's the place of comfort we retreat to.  And taking or sitting in our chair disrupts that. And we are no longer focused on the match, where our head needs to be.  Instead, we are trying to locate another chair to sit in, as is courteous etiquette towards our opponents to sit.

Preparing For a Tourney

How do you prepare for a tourney?

Wait, do you prepare? Or do you just show up?

Honestly, it's okay if you do.  But even a few little mental preparations are better than nothing. 

Some people hit ball, hit balls, hit balls.  

Me, personally, I prepare by envisioning myself taking my time on my shots, and staying down well.  I have to keep that in mind or else I will rush my shots and that is NOT good for me.  It hurts my success, so I need to ensure to remember to not be in a rush.  Yes, I say "remember" because I do still forget sometimes.  So, that is my personal preparation.   

Visualization is very important and a big part of my preparation:

The advantages of sport visualization are extremely numerous. Athletes can use it to motivate themselves to train at their best. It helps you put things into perspective about what things are important and it also helps you block out any impending negative thoughts. Few activities can get an athlete psyched up like sport visualization.

(read more about sports visualizations HERE.)

Some people practice their break.  One of my friends' husband just borrowed a magic rack from me because he is playing in a big 10-ball event that will use magic racks and so he wants to practice his break with it.   Pretty impressive really to realize to work on that - and it's over a month away!  But, he doesn't play 10 ball nor has he ever broke with a magic rack before.

One thing I learned from one of Phil Capelle books is to also be prepared for the unknowns.

Wait, what?  How do you do that?

I wrote about this before, but it's been awhile so I wanted to remind people as this is a new year with new goals and new tournaments that you want to play in.

Basically. ...

I think it's very important to prepare for the UNKNOWN conditions of your tournament BEFORE you get to the tournament.

Specifically, these unknowns:

1. Equipment
2. Temperature
3. Surroundings

What?  How can I prepare for the conditions before I'm even at the pool room, or have practiced on the table to see how it rolls?... you might be asking yourself.

Let me 'esplain:

Equipment:
You should be aware and be prepared that the equipment may not be the best.  To help combat your frustrations with non-perfect tables, consider that everyone is playing under the same conditions.  Yes, we would like pristine conditions, but let's be realistic - there may be holes in the cloth, dead rails, plastic/clumsy racks/pockets, bad lightning.  I have played in a pool tournament with all of these conditions on one table before!  If you let yourself get upset over these things (things which you can't control), then you are not focusing on pool.  You are letting things interfere with your pool game that has nothing to do with being mentally able to focus completely on the task at hand.

Temperature:
Same for the temperature in the pool room.  Be prepared that some pool rooms get exceptionally cold or hot!  Bring an extra sweater or over shirt with sleeves as a backup in case the room is cold.  Better to have this as a backup than you not being able to play because your arms are frozen.  In the Summer in Texas, sometimes the A/C breaks or freezes and it gets hotter inside than out (no joke).  We play in these conditions a lot, believe it or not.  If you are consumed with negative thoughts about how damn hot it is, then you aren't focusing on pool again.  Don't let the negative energy of being upset about something YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER affect your pool game.

Atmosphere/Surroundings:
Now for the atmosphere - you never really know what you might be getting into.  Even if you've played in this particular tourney 1,000 times, maybe this time there is a heckler, or they get a new waitress who is the worst server ever, or the guys on the next table are clueless and keep getting in your way when you shoot.  Be prepared for everything; for anything.  Know that things may not be perfect; accept that!  Accept that you have no control over your surroundings.  When you do, then you can instead focus on playing your best pool, so the distractions do not become a negative and interfere with your matches.

Nothing is worse than distractions affecting your mental game.  Distractions are negative emotions that cause negative thoughts which leads to not thinking clearly which causes tenses muscles and your fundamentals become affected.  Negative thoughts and emotions CAN be tamed.  These tips above can help if you practice them.

This is a good reminder - to not let things bother us that we cannot control.  If you accept that things may go wrong and NOT let them bother you, you can then focus on playing pool; your best ability to play pool.  Don't let any of the above become YOUR excuse for losing.  Or for not playing your best.  Before you set foot into the pool room to play in the tourney, already be prepared for the unknown distractions so you can PLAY POOL with a clear, positive, strong mind.

Race To One

Last night I went to my FAV Mexican restaurant (Pappasitos) for a nice dinner (and LOTS of lunch left overs):

Then we decided to visit my friend Laura who was having a bad week.  She runs a little tourney in a small bar on Tuesday that holds two bar tables.

I didn't intend to play AT ALL, but at the last minute decided to.

It was 8-ball, except no ball in hand and you cannot play safe.

Oh, and race to ONE (1)!

One?!

I said, "Oh heck, okay, I'll still play, I feel like playing."

So, race to ONE is part of the story.  One?  Really?

Someone said, "it's like playing hill-hill every match!"  lmao.  Wait, that's a sobering point, lol!

But the other part of the story is no safes allowed.

That sounds pretty simple, til you start to play your first 8ball game and need to play safe... BUT CAN'T!

I already know the best part of 8 ball is playing good safes, but until you CANNOT play safe, you realize just how valuable of an arsenal it really is!

But, I figured out right away to call certain shots that I would miss, which would then cleverly turn into a safe.

I thought I was being smart, til I saw toward the end of the tourney I wasn't the only one was doing this.  lmao.  All the top players had figured this out.

BTW, I won!!!

Wow - race to one, no safe, no ball in hand 8-ball.  Sweetness!  Glad I went to hang with my friend Laura.  :)  And it was SO good to see her!

New Captain

During the ACS Texas State tourney in mid October, my ladies team was playing our last match of the night on Saturday night against a fellow team from our area, also.

So, we all know each other really well.

And this was a great group of ladies, just like our team.

One of the ladies on the other team, I'll call her, "Hysterical," was very tipsy.  I honestly didn't know she drank!!

She was being very loud but very funny!  Making everyone laugh and just having fun!!

Her and I are about to play and as I'm racking the balls, she comes up to me and whispers with slurred words, "I don't like our new captain very much."

I looked up kinda surprised.  Her captain is like the sweetest woman on earth!

I asked her, "Why? Why don't you like her?"

As she's swaying a little, "Well..."

"Well what?"

"Well, she wants me to slow down on my drinking!"

I start laughing my ass off!

She says, "I just don't like that very much.  I mean, who does she think she is?" in this absolutely hysterical sarcastic slurry voice!

OMG it was classic!!

GiveAways!

Gotta love the OB Cues Ladies Tour!

They give away $5 scratch offs for Break and Runs, and $2 scratch offs for 9 on the snap!

So, I won this baby on Sunday at the OB Cues Ladies Tour stop in Austin in August.  No winner, but I FELT like a winner after I ran out and then got to choose this scratch-off ticket!

But check THESE out!  One of my bestie's Amanda Lampert won ALL of these in one weekend - the OB Cues Ladies stop at Jamaica Joe's in September!  Her and I LOVE Diamond Bar Table tourneys :)

Unfortunately, I think she had only one winning ticket for about $10, but not bad for a freebie!  And pretty freaking impressive she ran out this many times!

The other thing the OB Cues Ladies Tour does is give away prizes during the Players Meeting!  There is a little "Angel" who travels with the tour and buys gift cards, snacks, and treats for the players.  Boxes of Godiva, bowls of fruit, or cans of nuts are at our disposal.

This Angel used to buy Starbucks gift cards, but after the gas prices went up a few years, he instead started to buy Shell gas gift cards - at $50 a pop!  And he buys 4-6 for every stop!

Check me out at Jamaica Joe's:  I won a a $50 gift card in the free raffle!  It was was an AWESOME treat to get $50 in free gas the following Thursday!

A HUGE Thank You to the OB Cues Ladies Tour AND their Angel.  :)

Difficult Decision

When it comes to deciding about pool tournaments, it's usually black and white.  Go, no go.

Well, sometimes it's not that simple.

I actually passed up playing in an OB Cues Ladies Tour stop this past weekend.

Here are all the factors I had to weigh in on before making my final decision:

• The tournament is 4-5 hours driving distance away.
• I have a community garage sale this same weekend and shouldn't miss it (it would be the last one of my life and I really need to sell a lot of items in my house).
• I'm ranked SECOND on the points list, though!  My highest ranking EVER on the Texas Ladies Tour - how can I NOT go and get more points to keep me elevated in the rankings?  Will not going hurt my ranking?
• I am running an Omega Tournament the weekend before that is out of town and I am going to the ACS Nationals in Vegas the weekend after (traveling a lot is not as easy as it used to be - I'm getting older, lol).

Then I found out that my Monday league has playoffs this same weekend, and that kinda sealed the deal for me.   I had to stay back and finish off the garage sale (that I have been literally preparing for for two months for (it's a lot of dang work!)) while my boyfriend went to the league playoffs.  I would join up with them later Saturday afternoon.

It was an EXTREMELY tough decision for me.  I have been playing well and it kinda broke my heart not to be able to play in the tournament because I'm ranked the highest I've ever been ranked.

But, the garage sale really was more important (I needed the money and needed to get rid of a lot of things).  Further, I got great experience and practice in playing 8ball on bar tables during the league playoffs (that we won btw) that will help me at ACS Nationals starting this weekend.

So, while the decision at first was pretty hard to swallow, I know now in my heart it was the right thing to do.

Third Place!

Last weekend I played in the OB Cues Ladies Tour in Dallas, TX.  I planned to play in it all along, and then the week before I got sick with a really bad cold.  So sick in fact, it kept me from work for two days; for a stupid cold!

I had hoped I felt good enough to play in the tourney by Saturday morning, and luckily I did.  It was still lingering, but not like earlier in the week.

On Friday I had a great day - a better day than normal because my b/f did a very nice thing for me. So, I was in a great frame of mind for the tourney.

He ended up sick Friday night and didn't feel well enough to go with me by Saturday morning, so I ventured at 9am for the one hour drive from Fort Worth to north Dallas (Richardson) for the last stop of the OB Cues Ladies Tour 2012 season. 

I was disappointed there were only 28 ladies who showed up to play, but I also wondered:   how I would do?

Friday, I had decided on my goals for the tourney:  (1) take my time on my strokes and (2) focus on three-ball shape. 

I then wondered - Was I REALLY ready?  When did I play pool last?

I couldn't really think of a real recent time, but the previous weekend I HAD watched a lot of great pool at the Omega Billiards Tour stop. 

So, while I hadn't had much practice time, I felt like I would do okay; well "hoped" I would, lol.

I felt no nervousness or pressure.  I was just "there" which is the BEST for me - no expectations, no worries, just "numb" as I call it.

During my first match, I noticed I was on the first table; the first match called.  I wondered, "who I would play next??

Would it be one of the players on table 2?  Or would I play someone who got a bye?

As I look around the room (yes, I know, I should not be thinking ahead while in the middle of a match), I noticed Tara, Amanda, and Orietta all playing.  The other tough player was NOT playing, though - Kim Pierce, the current first place holder in the rankings.  I thought to myself, "damn, I wonder if I have to play her next?  Oh well, will deal with that when/if the time comes."

BTW - do NOT do this - do NOT think about potential future matches.  We should focus on the match we are currently in!

I win my first match 7-3 and sure enough, when I report my score I see I play Kim next.

I played Kim and had a few things going for me.  I had heard she had a coach and when someone gets a new coach, their game changes a little.  And normally, it goes down before it goes up.  I noticed Kim played a tad more timid than usual.  And she wasn't as aggressive.  To make matters worse, I was playing quite well.

I got up 1-0 when I ran out prolly the best out in a YEAR, but I scratched on the 8ball, following it down for the 9.  Then she won the next game b/c I hooked myself.  I found myself down 2-4 and tried so hard not to think of the two games I gave up b/c of my mistakes.  It's very frustrating to know in your heart you are playing well, but the score doesn't reflect it because of a few mistakes.

I told myself. "you are still playing well, just take your time, look at where you want to be for three-ball shape." 

She missed a 2 ball, I got out.  A 3 ball, I got out.  A 1 ball, I got out.  I started to make a lot less mistakes and really played fantastic (I thought).  I ended up winning 7-4!! 

I was SO ecstatic because she normally beats me, AND I played GREAT!  I felt bad for her b/c I knew she was going for Tour Champion, but I also knew she could come through the one-loss side.

I then had to play my dear friend Julie.  I played real good again at first and was up 2-1.  But I made a crucial mistake on the 8ball - I was too worried about shape and didn't focus on making the 8ball in the side.  I missed it, and she got out. 

That miss stayed "with me" for many games and it was very difficult to get that monkey off my back.  I found myself down 5-2.

5-2!

I kept telling myself "5 more games," to keep myself mentally in the match, but she was playing well while I struggled.  She then missed a few shots or safes and I was able to capitalize.  I was on the comeback and actually got to the hill first, 6-5!

She missed a tough 8 ball and I could see the writing on the wall.  I was struggling mentally with a person in the crowd who never gives me positive feedback.  He just shakes his head when I miss.  So, I had this little demon to deal with while trying to compete.

And sure enough, I over hit the 8ball and was left with a tough cut on the 9ball that I proceeded to miss.  Julie played safe and I missed my return safe and she made a great shot to make us play for it all, hill-hill.

I tried not to kick myself in the a$$ for the 8ball shot.  I had it in the bag and messed it up, but I needed to focus on the last game.  I put no pressure on myself:  I figured if I won, cool, if not, it wouldn't be the end of the world and I learned some things.

We went back and forth with safes and shots and eventually she safed me well on the 5ball.  I had to kick at it with English, and I hit it (whew) but hit it so square, it went in one of the corner pockets!  I raised my hand for the apology wave, and then saw I had 4 balls left to win the game, to win the match.  I took my time and made the last 4 balls for the win!  I couldn't believe it! 

I went to the tourney table, and saw it:  I was in til Sunday - ON THE WINNERS SIDE!

Gosh, not sure the last time that has happened, lol.

On the hour long drive home, it of course dawns on me that if I win my match in the morning, I will be playing in the hotseat - for the first time ever on this tour.  The last two times I was in the same position the past 2 years, I completely psyched myself out.  Because wanted it so badly, I put all this invisible pressure on myself and completely dogged it the next morning. 

This night however, I felt no pressure.  I was very "numb" as I call it - I was not thinking of the future or expectations. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get a good nights sleep.  I tossed and turned and woke up all night long because things kept waking me up.  I didn't let it get to me, I just accepted the fact I didn't get a good nights sleep.  I didn't want it to be an excuse.  Further, I have recently fought through fatigue and played well.  Sure, I play BETTER with sleep, but I had no control over the lack of sleep anymore so why let it upset me?

I listened to music on the hour drive as my b/f drove me this bright Sunday morning. 

I played my first match promptly at 10:30am and was up 2-0 because Jennifer, a good friend of mine and a fierce competitor that I learn a lot from, made some mistakes.  Then she scratched on the break.  I saw a 1-9 combo, and the 4/5 were tied up.  But, I felt SUPER bad I was going to go for it.  I could tell Jennifer was agitated because of the way she missed shots at the table, and if I had to guess, she was probably distracted about my b/f sitting so close to our match.

I didn't give the shot 100% because I felt bad about to be up 3-0.  I KNOW that sounds stupid.  But I did feel bad.  I knew she wasn't playing up to par because she was distracted/upset, and I felt like I was partially responsible.  I missed the shot.  She gets out (of course) and eventually wins a few more games.  I'm down 4-2 and pretty dang ticked at myself for not being cut throat.  For not giving that combo 100%!  For not having the killer instinct.

Ironically, Jennifer is someone I interviewed before to find out about her competitiveness.  Here I was not even following her own advice!!  Competition comes first. 

I was mad at myself.

If I think my b/f sitting close to us is bothering her, then it bothers me.  I find that very ironic.  It happened once before and so this time I tried so hard not to let it bother me, but it did anyway.  I should have just asked him to move one table back.  In any other tourney, my b/f can sit where ever he wants.  On this tour, he was probably considered in the "playing area" even though he wasn't sitting at my table.  He wasn't doing anything wrong, and neither was I.  But, his closeness was distracting her; I could tell.  But if he was bothering her, maybe she should ask him to move?  Or had a TD do it?  I know, though, it's difficult to speak up during a match so I completely understand.  Next time I will try to do the proper thing so it doesn't affect us BOTH.

Then our match became weird - each of us barely inched wins because of stupid mistakes, but somehow we each get to 5.  I am upset how badly I'm playing and I express my frustration out loud when I would miss a tough 9 or a 6ball I would have made yesterday.  I was SO frustrated.

At 5-5, we each had a shot at a 9 ball carom but missed.  She then calls a foul on herself and I felt SUPER bad, as I was about to get ball in hand with the 9ball sitting in front one of the pockets.  I told her I felt bad and her response was so pretty awesome, "well, I shouldn't have missed the carom anyway."

Which is a great way to look at things.

However, I did indeed make the 3-9 (albeit it wasn't very easy and I should NOT have gone for it then) and found myself on the hill first.  She took a break (btw, I need to do that more often: take breaks).

The next game she scratches and I eventually have to play safe on a tough 4 ball after I made the first three balls.  However, I leave her almost straight in.  I'm embarrassed and disappointed I left such an easy shot for her, so I say out loud, "That was suppose to be a safe..."

She then makes the 4, but scratches getting shape on the 6ball.  I couldn't believe it.  In my mind I think, "maybe it was a good safe?"

Later on I would realize I shouldn't have said ANYTHING out loud.  And I felt badly about it, because she asked me a few years ago to not talk during our matches.  I felt like I distracted her (again!).  :(

I ran out the rest of the rack - ran it well under the pressure of knowing I'm about to be in the hotseat for the first time.  OMG!  I was in the hotseat for the first time on the OB Cues Ladies Tour!!

I then had a little wait and even though I wasn't aware of it at the time, I was mentally tapped.  As I reflect back, as I waited, I became exhausted mentally for some reason.

I played Tara in the hotseat and she plays SO beautifully!  I really love to watch her play; she plays like a guy.  She broke and ran one rack and only missed 2 shots the first 4 games.  However, I did NOT make two tough shots and so she went ahead 0-4.  I tried so hard not to let it get to me.

She scratched on the break when she was up 0-5 and I ran out a tough little out.  Go Me!  I got some snaps from the crowd and even SHE told me nice out (she doesn't normally talk to me).

I was so relieved it be on the score board, lol.

I loosened up a little bit and won another game.  I was only down 5-2 when I noticed the momentum changed.  She started to miss a little bit more and I was at the table more but I have to tell you, I got deflated.  I scratched TWO times when I swear I didn't think it was even possible.  I gave her two opportunities to run out when *I* should have been the one to run out and make the score closer.

Don't get me wrong, she deserved the win wholeheartedly b/c she played better than I, but the two misses and those two scratched were tough on the heart.

However, that was NOTHING compared to my next match....

I had to play Jennifer again next, and I know I use the word deflated to describe my emotions a lot, but whatever word means EXTRA deflated, that's how I felt after this match with her.

I scratch with ball in hand in the first game and she has a 9ball combo.  The second game I scratch off a carom, and she gets out.  She kept getting out and I felt like everything was going against me.  I then ran out BEAUTIFULLY but got bad on the 9 ball and missed it.  I felt so deflated, it was difficult to not either cry or throw my cue, lol.  And I only got ONE game against her.  I tried SO hard to smile, enjoy playing the game, FIGHT, but I felt like it was a lost cause, because my efforts were giving me NO wins.  I don't know how she got out so many times, and I even left her some tough outs, but she got out well to win the match 1-7.

I felt good she was going to the finals as she has more experience than I on this tour in that spot, but I will be there someday soon on this tour, too.  Baby steps!

After the match, a couple of people told me she got all the rolls.  I didn't really understand that; still don't.  I just think she played well, and fluky things happened when I was at the table.

After the match, everyone was so happy for me placing 3rd.  I was too upset about the last two matches to even be happy.  But as I reflect back, honestly, it was because I played so well on Saturday that got me in a good position for Sunday.  I am very happy for how I played on Saturday! 

I never got nervous or felt pressure in any of the matches I played all weekend and it felt great to be in that state of mind.  I wish I could bottle that up with me!

Eeeek, I placed 3rd on the OB Cues Ladies Tour!  I think it's my highest finish yet!  I might have placed 3rd back in 1996 by accident, but this feels like this first time to get this high, lol!

Baby steps....  :)

Mental Status in Vegas (May 2012)

As I've mentioned several times already, I played in both the ACS Nationals and the BCAPL Nationals in May this year... and I had a heck of a run!!  I'm elated by my finishes; truly am.

To recap my trip:

ACS Nationals 9Ball Women's Singles:   Out in two

ACS Nationals 8Ball Women's Singles:   3rd place

BCAPL Nationals 9Ball Women's Singles:   9th place

BCAPL Nationals Open Scotch Doubles:     one out of the money

BCAPL Nationals 8Ball Women's Singles:   17th place out of 388 players

CSI Straight Pool Challenge, Women's Division:   1st place!

BCAPL Nationals Women's Open Team:    1st place!!
 
While all my good finishes were (are still) amazing to me, the two weeks were also full of many personal heartaches.  I have had a lot of "things" happen in the last 4 weeks where people questioned my character and integrity, and I learned that some people aren't really my friends after all.

I know in my heart I played badly the first event because I could care less about the world or pool.  I was so upset with my "relationships" with friends that my mental game suffered.  While I rebounded in my next event (and place 3rd in ACS Nationals 8Ball Women's Singles), I would find out even MORE things the following week that had me constantly crying in my hotel room, questioning my trust in friends, and questioning my faith in being a good person to the game of pool and in life.

The passing of my Mom in August has been very rough on me.  I have barely survived.  And then to be thrown to the wolves (so to speak) by people really took it's toll on me.  I haven't been in this dark of a place in my life in a long time.  If all these "situations" would have occurred over the course of a year, I wouldn't have been so upset.  But because they all happened with 4 weeks of each other, I seriously couldn't handle it. 

Seriously.

Only a few friends knew what was going on with me internally, and how bad it really was.  I didn't want to share my sorrows even more; I am already expressing almost every day how terrible it is without my Mom.

But I WAS upset.  Very.  Still am.  Hurt.  Beyond words.

However, all this going on, how did I manage to play pool?  And play somewhat successfully? 

As we know, pool is mostly mental.

My teammate Monica helped me with the answer, by asking me this question:  "What was your goal this year?"

The answer was simple:  My goal was to give myself the best chance to play well.

I didn't have a goal to "finish in a certain place", or to "do well in the tourneys."  My goal was instead to get rest, not stay out late, not get drunk a lot, and get sleep so that I would give myself the best chance to play pool well.

I know I play best when I'm well-rested, and not hungover.  I know that I think clearer and have a sharper mental game when I have had sleep and am NOT exhausted.  I know that I execute my fundamentals and pre-shot routine best when I am rested (I get lazy when I'm tired). 

I took naps, rested a lot, didn't stay out late, only drank twice the whole two weeks, and did a lot of things to prepare my mental state full of good things:  I sat by several casino pools, walked along pretty gardens in the casinos; took in the atmosphere of The Mirage (it's beautiful there); ate properly during the day and before matches; rested a lot in my room and took naps when needed; ate lunch or dinner with good friends.  You can see the theme here:  being proactive to achieve a good mental aura.

Ahhh... The Mirage pool/waterfall.  

The Tropicana, so serene, right?!  ACS was held here.

Baby dolphin!!  At The Mirage Casino

The Riviera pool, where the BCAPL was held.

So, that was my goal:  give myself the best chance to play pool well by taking care of myself.

And, it worked.

My only wish was my Mom was still alive so I could share my accomplishments with her.  I know she'd be so proud of me. 

2012 ACS Nationals

I played in my first ACS Nationals tourney earlier this week.  Saturday morning, I was out in two (eeek!) in the 9ball division, so was pretty bummed.  I had too much on my mind and was not mentally strong at all.  Too much drama going on in my personal life to even care about pool right now. But that allowed me a day and a half of relaxation, which included a few hours in the sun and a nice dinner with my friend, Janet.  We go to a nice restaurant at the Monte Carlo.  For appetizer, we ordered "hot rocks" and we had no idea we would have to cook slices of sirloin for ourselves (we thought they cook it for us at our table)!  But it turned out to be a REALLY neat thing I'm glad I experiences:  we cook the meat literally ON hot rocks!  It was awesome.  And VERY tasty.  :)

It was a very hot rock, too!  It seared the sirloin pieces in only about 30 seconds.

the "Swim Up Black Jack table" at the Tropicana hotel pool.  The dealer just busted as I snapped this pic, lol. 

Janet and I then walked the strip on the way back to the Tropicana and we found a store with my initials!!

lol.  :)

"Get your hand off my lap!"

The ACS Nationals was held at The Tropicana Casino/Hotel.  The hotel room was nice, food expensive, casino small, but a great location on the strip and a great, fun pool.  The convention center area held the tourney and housed the almost 100 Valley tables well.  (Here is a Video Tour of ACS tournament room that I did the second day)

I wasn't sure how 8ball would go on Tuesday morning, because I wasn't mentally strong during 9ball and so therefore I was concerned.  But, being aware of the issue is always a good thing; it helps me know what I need to work on.

I got a TBA at 9am and it turned into a bye and I was moved to the next round at 10:30am.  So, I went back to my room to pack.  I had 3 free nights at The Mirage, my FAV hotel, so wanted to switch over there at the end of my tourney day.  As I waited on the bell hop,  I get a call from Janet that my match was just called.  What??  I started to get flustered as I clearly had a bye, and now I can't leave my room right away and I also need to check out still.  But a girl is waiting on me and so I feel pressured to rush down there.  The TD was super super cool and told me to take my time, because it was their mistake.

I only took about 20 minutes, but that meant we didn't start til 9:40am. The match goes hill-hill.  I get lucky she missed a shot at the end and then I won.  My next match is delayed because of the hoopla and the hill hill match, but my opponent was very nice about it. 

I won the first game beautifully!  But, as sometimes happens, a scratch, miss, and a misshape in the next three games led to her all of a sudden being up 1-3!  But, I stay in the game, focus on my fundamentals and tie it 3-3!  I miss my run out, but so does she.  I am left with a very tough shot, and decide to kick my last ball in.  I nail it!  I then have a back cut bank (my fav) on the 8 and made it nicely for the win.  Boy was I happy!

I then won at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30.  My last match I found myself down again 1-3, due to my errors.  I was bummed and ready do accept my fate, but that helped me remain calm and not think too much and I then won 4-3!  I couldn't believe it!  My opponent would tell me later that I have a lot of heart.  That was cool she said that.  I actually loved to watch her play - she has GREAT confidence and I enjoyed her pool game.

I go check the charts and I see I will be playing IN the hotseat tomorrow morning.  Really?? OMG!

I check in at The Mirage and I am ELATED!  I am in my FAV hotel/casino and I am playing in the hotseat.  WOW!  I couldn't stop smiling.  :)

The next morning, I get up early because I'm still on Texas time.  After some yoga, I try to go back to sleep for a nap and it suddenly dawns on me:  I'm going to be playing in the hotseat for a NATIONAL tourney!  Further, I may not play in this tourney again so it's my only chance.  Omg, the calm before the storm: I all of a sudden was freaked out.  To think to yourself in just a few hours you may be a National Champ is very unnerving.  And for me, who always freaks out in title tournaments anyway, made it extremely difficult for me to be mentally strong for such an important match. 

And sure enough, true to form, I did not play well in the hotseat.  I lost 0-4.  :(  My opponent shot well, but I also had a chance in every game.  I wasn't nervous, just, didn't play well at all.  I was playing timid and unconfident. 

I then played for 3rd place and while I played better this match, I still wasn't up to par and missed too many shots and my opponent made hers.  I lost 2-4.  I was SUPER bummed.  :(

Even though 3rd place in a National tourney sounds good on paper, I could only think how badly I played and didn't even give myself a chance.  To realize I have played for 20 years and I still get freaked out in title tournaments is actually disappointing.  At least I'm consistent. 

As I look back, I wish I just could enjoy myself in crucial stages.

I went to the chart to see how much I won and was shocked!  $700 for 3rd!  There were 44 girls in the tourney and I thought that was a fabulous, generous payout!  My frown turned into a little smile.

As I watched a friend play in the finals of the Super Seniors, John Lewis of ACS asks to speak to me.  I say sure and he sits next to me and asks if I will stay til the finals are over in the ladies 8ball division so they will have the top 3 places for a photo for the media.  They only send in one pic per division to the media, so if I wanted to be in the photo, I would have to stick around for at least two more hours.  I told him I didn't know what I would do, because I wanted to suntan at The Mirage pool (it was still during the afternoon). 

He replies, "Well, if you decide to go, I understand.  Just get your trophy from the front desk before your leave."

"Wait, what?  I get a trophy for third??!"

Then my smile got even bigger!  It's amazing to me how hardware makes me so happy.  :)

I debated if I should stay or go for so long, an hour had passed and they started the finals.  So, I decided to stay for the photo op.

Mandy, Susan, Me

Right after I was out, I was so upset that I posted on FB that I wasn't "championship material" out of disgust and disappointment.  Many people said otherwise and it made me feel good. But one comment in particular really made my day that I would like to share:  "Third place in a tournament and always first place in our hearts, Melinda.  Pool doesn't define you, it only compliments you." 

Awwww!

I am now at BCAPL Nationals and many are congratulating me on my 3rd place finish.  While I am focusing on how badly I played the last two matches, everyone else only sees I placed 3rd.  Interesting, huh? 

After some time has passed, I am starting to feel good about the finish. 3rd place at the ACS Nationals Women's 8Ball Tourney.  :)

What I'm Suppose To Do

I don't know if you have been through this a lot like I have, but I have entered many-a-tournaments that I "should" win.

I have been told at many bar-table women's tourneys after the field is known, "you should win this."

Oh yeah?

I should?

Hmmm....

But will I?

Do I?

How often, really, do I enter a tournament I should win but don't?  Too many to count.  Too many to share with you my own disappointments of the tourneys I let slip away. 

I'm talking about bar table women's events, either 9ball or 8ball. 

I'm talking about tournaments without champion players, no masters.  Those are the tourneys I really should win. 

So I've been told.

So I, also, believe.

Some of the tourneys I enter I have a good chance to win when I look around the room at my competition.  The ones that stick out most are the ones where a title is on the line (like the BCAPL State Tourneys) and also little bar table tourneys around town have that similar feel - I feel I really am the best player... but will I win?

Although I wasn't itching to play pool on Friday night, at the last minute I went to a cool new place called Diamond Jim's that had a big band/dance area and plenty of sitting tables, but in the back were 8 cozy bar tables, waiting specifically for me and my new pool partner, Brian. 

I signed up and noticed the women played in a separate event than the men.  Score!  I love these type of tourneys.

All of a sudden my non-desire to play turned into excitement to play!

Brian tells me as he looked around the room, "you should snap this off."

"Well," I sigh, "I suppose I should, but we shall see."

I worried that this would be another tourney I am suppose to win but don't.  It crossed my mind more than once that night, unfortunately. 

I admit I played quite well the lovely chess game of 8ball against my opponents.

However, never let up.  Don't get too cocky. 

And then it happened.  I made a few too many mistakes in my 3rd match and the girl made it 1-1 in a race to 2 (my first two matches I won 2-0).  At that point, I was wondering if I would find myself on the one loss side. If this woman played a "tad" better, she would have taken advantage of my miss-before-the-8 that I slow-rolled.  But she didn't get out and then I won that match... and my next.

I didn't know where I was on the brackets until the Tournament Director said, "You and Cindy on table 4 for the finals."

What?  Finals?  Me?

It went hill-hill the first set, but I won the last game and won the tourney 2-1!

OMG.  I won a tourney I was suppose to!

I asked the Tourney Director if I could have the brackets.  Cindy joked with me she could sign her name, lol!

I walked it over to Brian and Amanda and they hi-fived me as I repeated myself over and over for the rest of the night, "Hey, guess what?  I won a tourney!"  They would laugh each time I said it, but I think they only appeased me because they couldn't believe how giddy I was as I waved the bracket sheet up in the air a lot!

This isn't the first tourney I have won that I should.  But I didn't let THIS ONE GET AWAY like so many other times. 

Go me! :)

My 2010 Tourney Descriptions

Dec Scotch Dallas - Second Place!
Sept Arlington Ladies Tour - Pleased!
Texas Open - unforgettable
Women's US Open - Match One, Two, Three - Priceless
July Magoo's Ladies Tour - Surprised and Happy
June Dallas Ladies Tour - absent
May BCAPL Singles - Happy!
May BCAPL Scotch - Ecstatic!
May BCAPL Teams - Yay!
Apr Austin Ladies Tour - okay.
Mar BCAPL 8Ball State - Rollercoaster
Mar Temple LoneStar - eh
Mar Casper's Ladies Tour - Elated!
Feb Reno Bar Table - Dismal
Jan Arlington Ladies Tour - Rough
Jan Zach's Tourney - Cool