Ouch. Practice IS Important

This is one of those unusual post topics where I'm going to just straightforwardly admit to you all that I was wrong.

I WAS WRONG!

And what a harsh reality it was for me, lol.

I played in a tournament this past Saturday.  It was basically a tournament where if you were rated a 6 or under on the Omega Billiards Tour, you could play.  I wanted to play because it was a nice change of pace instead of playing a lot of players better than I was, and it was cool to be thrown into the mix of playing players my own level.

The night before, I located my cue stick out from the back of my closet and put it together for the first time in about 6 months.  I wanted to see if I could even make a bridge comfortably with my mower-strickened hand.  And of course I found out it was extremely painful to play pool.  The two fingers of my bridge hand that I need to put on the felt are the two fingers that my lawn mower blade cut right into.

But that didn't stop me from going, as I envisioned my heyday of pool playing springing out of my body and I was going to play spot on like I did without practicing all these past years.  Plus, I was going to show up Saturday morning as planned because I wouldn't want to cancel on that Tournament Director (I know from first-hand experience how cancellations cause so much extra work).

Also on that Friday night, I prepared myself mentally.  Since I didn’t have time to physically practice, I still imagined the many, many instances of staying down, following through, looking at the cue ball last, and trying not to think of my surroundings.  You see, in this particular pool room, it's very close quarters and it feels like all eyes are on you, so it’s a tough environment to play in.

But alas, Saturday was a harsh reminder of why I simply don't want to play pool anymore.  I guess you could say I’m finally growing up.  Awww!  You see, I'd rather walk through a new lush park on a beautiful day with a great friend or my dog than be in a smoky pool room dealing with pressure, emotions, conflict, mental toughness, etc.

I went through years of that very successfully!  And I'm very proud of those successful years and titles.  But now I just want to take it easy, lol.

I'll be honest - I wasn't laughing, I wasn't smiling, I wasn't having fun on Saturday.  And yet there I was, trying to play pool from my golden years, lol, in an environment that I'm trying to stay away from, even with hurt fingers.  lol.

And I also found out Saturday I turned into the person that has learned the hard way that playing pool is definitely not like riding a bike. The few times that I competed last year I competed very well with still not practicing.  Even when someone asked me, “it's not like riding a bike, is it?”  I countered with, “what are you talking about?  I don't even notice a difference - I'm still playing gooooood.”

But what I want to say right here and now is that I'm a hundred percent wrong.  One does need to practice. One does need to hit balls to stay competitive.  No matter how many times I tried to pontificate that I have such solid fundamentals that I didn't need to practice, I was completely wrong. I lied to myself.  I lied to anyone who would listen.  And it turns out I'm just like everyone else after you take a break - you're just not the same competitive pool player that you were before.

You may think - then go practice! 

Uh, sorry.  My pool playing days are over with.  And I’m extremely content with that!  It's time to find out what is beyond the smoke-filled pool room walls out there.  I can’t wait!

I was very frustrated and disappointed about Saturday, but it was also a great reminder that my new focus on life really is away from the pool room and away from competing (read more about this here).  And I want to be around things that give my heart and soul peace.  Competing in pool gave me that happiness before, but my goals have shifted away from that.  And again - that's okay!

So I'm glad Saturday happened.  Sure, I'd rather of been getting a massage or walking in a park, but having a great reminder of your goals for your heart in life is not a bad thing.

I'll be Darned.... Played Well, Finished Well

I played in the OB Cues Ladies Season Finale just this last weekend at Rusty's Billiards in Arlington, Texas.

I didn't know how I would do.  How could I do well since I have not been playing pool hardly any at all this year?  I had no expectations at all (and that prolly helped).  While my internal "wish" (goal? hope?) was to last until Sunday, I would be pleasantly surprised.

I posted this on facebook the morning of the tourney, so if I didn't do well, peeps would know why lol:  True statement btw:

There were 33 ladies and I didn't get a bye while 31 others did, lol.  I lost that first match to the 3x-time Tour Champion 3-7 and there I was on the one-loss side right away....  Facing death.  No, no, not death, lol.  Facing a long road indeed, tho.

I suggested to a friend that in order to gain more experience she should play in this in-town ladies tournament, too.  It would be her first time playing and so we went together.  You know what that means, right?  Yep, we had to play each other.

Tina and I

After I won my first match on the one-loss side I had to play my friend, Tina.  It was a great match and we went hill-hill!  I won and although I was very happy how she played, I wish she would have got to play more matches.  While I'm not suppose to feel sad I won, I did indeed feel bad.

I then found myself down in my next 1-4 as the girl shot REALLY well.  I had to dig deep and I won 7-5.

I won my next two matches 7-0, 7-0 and found myself in til Sunday!

I had for some reason slept well ALL week and I know that sleep is KEY for me to do well.  I never got too tired and of course I also drank water like it was going out of style lol.  I kept hydrated all day long both days and I loved the feeling of not being tired, hungover, or mentally drained.

The other thing I noticed about both days was I felt no pressure at all.  That is a very great non-feeling to have, honestly.  No worries or concerns, just playing pool.  I've stated 1,000 times (maybe I'm exaggerating) that not thinking ahead or worrying about things you can't control is the epitome of being able to play well and focus completely on the game.  This past weekend was a clear example of that.

I didn't have to compare my last finish or wonder who my next opponent would be or wonder how I would explain my bad finish to others, etc.  The sense of no pressure was amazing.  Every win was just a bonus and every round I moved closer to the finish line was peer joy and surprise.  If I lost, I lost.  If I won, I won.  No pressure.  I hadn't played a two day tourney that I lasted into Sunday since April, so I was very raw with my expectations.

Again, prolly a good thing.

I won a 2 1/2 hour-long marathon match Sunday morning hill-hill.  Guranteed 5th.  Then I won 7-4.

Next up was another long and nail-biter hill-hill match.  This time I had to cut a long tough 8-ball and then bank the 9 ball which I was lucky enough to make both.  Guaranteed 3rd now.  I then played a tired opponent and won 7-4 I think.  Now I'm in the finals!    NO WAY!   I met up against the Tour Champion again and she played really well and won 7-3.  But I placed 2nd!

I still can't believe how well I did.  The very few times I played this year I saw roughness in my game and so I wasn't sure how I would do this event.  But I was pleasantly surprised how well I saw the runs and patterns and how well I made balls.  Don't get me wrong - I made plenty of mistakes.  Just also made a lot of outs that were needed at the right time.  And I am positive that recording this video review helped - because I saw angles a lot more this weekend than usual.

Oh!  And since I played in this tournament for two days I have a ton of things that came up with I will write about here in my blog.  Can't wait to share!

I Played Pool. Wait, What?

I mentioned I had been taking a hiatus from leagues, and kinda from pool in general.  But I also mentioned I needed to play in 4 Omega Tour stops to qualify for the Season Finale.  It has at least $4,500-added, so I gotta get eligible for that, right?!

So, while I may not be actively seeking to play pool, I do still occasionally play.  I say this because a few people this weekend said to me, "oh, you played this weekend?  I thought you quit."

hahaha

Well, I swear I'm trying to!

However the pool bug bit me this weekend.  LOL.

Maybe I'm secretly hoping to play bad so that I no longer have the desire to play.  But, I played well this weekend!  And now I kinda wanna play some more.  Doesn't mean I'll actually dust my cue off before the next Omega stop, tho, but you never know.

I know what helped me play well, too.  On Friday night I ventured out to watch a big set.  I watched about 4 solid hours of pool, and by the time I played my first match Saturday afternoon, I was still in "pool" mode from watching the night before.

I not only saw the layouts and paths well, I also executed the shots and position very well - I shocked myself lol.  What really helped was my safety game.  Watching one pocket Friday night really helped that for the following day.  I played jam up against a really good player and won my first match.

I admit the crowd might have affected my opponent a little, as they were rooting for me and talking about my good shots openly.  I tried desperately not to let their words get me overly confident (which can easily happen to me), and instead tried very hard to simply focus on the table, not that they were watching and "impressed."  (their words, not mine).

I then played a guy I beat during the last Omega tournament, but he got me this time with near perfect play (which I will write about soon).

In my next match I'm playing super sporty still!  I was VERY tired, but I was still playing well.  I jumped ahead 3-1 and felt good about my chances and then here he comes!  He starts playing better and gets ahead 5-3.  I did make a couple of mistakes, but overall still played very well and was happy for that.  I ended up making a comeback and tied it up hill-hill!  But alas, I broke dry hill-hill and the pecker ran out!  It was a nice run, actually.

I felt good for hanging in there, tho!  I never gave up and was giving it my all with a good attitude.

And I got $50 for Last Lady!

Status?

Well, you may be wondering - did she or didn't she play in the local ladies event two weeks ago?

Nope, I didn't. 

And, I'm GLAD!

I heard it lasted WAY into the wee hours of the morning Saturday.  At another ladies event the same weekend, there was MUCH talk about sharking and bullies.  I was just grateful to decide not to even be around that type of atmosphere.  When it's no fun anymore...

The Joys of Playing Badly

I played in The Omega Billiards Tour tournament yesterday. I haven't played in one in about six months or so.  But the heat of playing in such an event was intense for sure.

I need to play in four tournaments this year in order to be qualified for the$ 4,500 added season finale. So I needed to finally start that fulfillment, and decided this weekend was the time.

I admit I was more stressed than usual running this event for several reasons. And I don't know if that's why I played bad but I definitely didn't play like myself.

While I didn't really have a chance to win my first match I definitely had chances to win my second match. Instead I went 2 and out which was a lot of fun (absolutely not really).

I had moments of great shots, but just couldn't finish. Too much on my brain, and it wasn't all related to playing pool lol.

Of course someone tells me afterwards, "you should play more you, should get out more."

I knew that I was going to hear that from that person, but I still don't want to play a lot. I just wasn't fully into my game and that's what happens sometimes.

Not the end of the world; I just played badly.

April 8-Ball Tourney Recap

Seems like I have referenced that 8 ball tourney that I played in in early April a lot, but I admit a lot different things happened at the two-day event I've wanted to share.  I have even more still on my list from that event, but I promised a recap of my matches, so here it goes.

Recaps are prolly boring for anyone but me, but I like to remember my matches through my blog (even tho my friend Dane always wonders how I remember all these details, lol).

Out of 51 players in this 8-ball tourney, only 3 were women, with 8 beautiful Diamond bar tables held at a semi-new place called Open Table.

I didn't get a bye my first round and played a guy I didn't know.  He seemed pretty timid at first - wasn't sure if he was more worried he was playing a chick or what.  He would make a few balls and then miss, but as I jumped to a 2-0 lead, he then couldn't make more than 1 ball in a row.  Actually felt bad for him as he was clearly not handling the current situation well.  I then win the 3rd game in a race to 4 and he shakes my hand.  I remind him it's a race to 4 and he seems pretty dang deflated he has at least one more game to sweat through and play.  He misses in the next game and says, "please take me out of my misery."  It's always funny people say that at the worst times - when there is NO way I can run out and have several balls tied up.  Poor guy will have several innings before I finally let him loose 4-0.

I then play a friend next.  I haven't really ever seen him play pool before, but he's been around the pool room for many, many years.  He played real good against me - great safes and shots.  I felt like maybe I was the better player between the two of us, but he kept coming with these good shots and safes that made if difficult to capitalize, lol.  I ended up barely winning 4-2, while all the while I have really no idea if I could beat the guy.  He would tell me later that he played above his head because he was trying to impress me (whatever that means).  Well, he should always play that way as he was a tough opponent to get through!

My next match was against a good player.  However, I am the first to admit I have doubted his game in the past.  NO MORE will I ever do that ever again.

He has played on team events with my ex, but I never really seen him play a whole set against someone - just one game against dif players in playoffs or team events, so I didn't fully appreciate his game til this day.  The dude played freaking good!

He won the first game by playing super smart and tight.  I had a chance the next game but I missed shape and couldn't get out.  I then played a good safety on the 8-ball, but he actually long-railed kicked-safed against me and blocked me right back.  I was impressed!  I lost that game, too.

I was running out the next game and again I got bad shape and couldn't get out.  He would play great safes if he couldn't get out and I was pretty bummed I was losing, trying desperately not to be upset the score should be different because of those 2-3 mistakes I made.  But I'm not taking anything away from his game.  He played tight, he played smart, he took his time on shots and on his decisions.  I had no idea he played that well.

He won the 3rd game and I'm now down 0-3 in a race to 4.  I am trying to figure out what is going on with myself, instead of being down about my errors.  I realize I am thinking while down on my shots and not looking at where I do NOT want to be.  In other words, sometimes it's better to go past your reference point instead of short of it.  I needed to be aware of that, and decide before I get down on my shots.

The next game I actually get a shot after a mis-fired safe by him!  I run out and I state out loud proudly with A LOT of relief, "I won a game!"  I even think to myself, "oooh, I should be nice and not sat that if I win another."  Don't want to be rude to the guy by jabbering inappropriately.

The next game, score 1-3 him, he breaks but makes the 8 ball.  He sets the 8 ball on the spot and studies the table for a while.  Neither stripes nor solids are run-able and he finally decides to re-rack.  He re-racks, doesn't make anything on the subsequent break and I RUN OUT!

Hole sh!t.

Score 2-3.

The next game is a cluster fvck.  Almost literally - it seriously has so many clusters it's a pretty tough little table; tough run for either stripes or solids.  I find myself at the table after a few innings between the two of us and I want to play safe immediately.  But oh crap - I actually have the opportunity to break out the 8 ball and my solid.  I decided WTH and go for it.  I get the 8 ball out, but not my solid.  Next shot actually allows me to draw back long rail and break out the solid/stripe cluster.  I do that, too.  (wow.)  I am EXTREMELY cognizant that I am doing all the risky break outs - sometimes we want our opponent to do it, but I had the perfect opportunities and was just hoping I wouldn't miss to give him back a now-open table.  But, I ran out :)  Probably one of the toughest and best runs of my life!

Hill-hill baby!

Neither one of us get out the next match at our turns at the table.  Then my opponent has a chance to run out and my only chance left is a tricky shot he under-hit for shape.  He studies it for a long time, seeing how he needs to hit it and he misses!  I have 3 balls before the 8 ball and my heart is beating out of my chest.  I have a hanger, a long rail shot, and a ball I can't see from my position.  I go for the long rail shot praying I make it (by that I mean, I focus on taking my time, smooth stroke, and staying down on the tough shot).  If I went for the hanger, there's no guarantee I'd have shape on either ball left so the long rail shot was THE shot I had to shoot for the run.  I MADE IT!

Then made my other two balls and the 8 ball to win the match!  After being down 0-3, it was quite the little come back.  He walked away in utter disbelief.  He HAD that match.  He wasn't sure what happened or how that happened.  I was in shock, too, trust me.

I then had to play my friend Anthony.  I felt confident the whole time because my knowledge is deeper in 8ball than his, but he is a good shot-maker and we found ourselves hill-hill.  A lot of people were watching and I just tried hard not to look at the crowd.  He breaks hill-hill and makes a few balls and ALSO the cueball.  I get ball in hand on a fairly easy run, except since it's hill-hill, it's not easy.  I take my time ensuring I get on the correct side of the balls and I run out for the win. :)

OMG I'm seriously on the winner's side til Sunday?!

I came back the next day pretty refreshed (even after finding out I need a new roof from all the recent hailstorms), and I was ready to play.  I hit a few racks to get warmed up and we started.

The first guy I played that day was super nervous and I told myself to just take advantage of any mistakes he made.  I was playing good, so felt good.  At this point in your pool life, sometimes you just don't want to DOG IT when you make it until Sunday.  Luckily though, I have a lot of experience now and so I have learned to be confident in my ablity and to simply focus on my fundamentals and the table.  Not be upset at any errors that can snowball your thoughts into barely allowing your arms to play pool anymore.

I win the first game.  But I make an 8-ball out of turn the next game.  1-1.  He then scratches on the 8-ball the next game.  He was so nervous, I knew had the upper hand.  2-1, me.  He then wins the next game, so score 2-2.  In the next game, I play a safe and make the 8-ball AGAIN out of turn.  This time, I completely disappoint myself and declare out loud, "G Dammit!"  (I can't even spell it out - that's how much I despise that phrase).  But, the words spit right out of my mouth uncontrolled because I was so shocked.

He's now on the hill, 2-3.

He plays safe late in the match and I am running out.  And then I hook myself on the 8ball.  I am in disbelief.  Seriously.  I stand there disappointed - I can already see the writing on the wall (and so could the crowd when I heard them gasp when I hooked myself, lol).  I made contact with the 8ball but didn't come close to making it.  So, he gets out with his 2 balls left.

I lost 2-4.

And I was NOT playing for the hotseat next match as should have been.  Instead, I found myself playing for 5th place on the one-loss side.  Now it's a race to 3.  Yikes!

This is the match I talked about before where the guy clapped when I missed a ball hill-hill.  You can read the tough, sob, brutal story here.

So, I lose that match hill-hill and place 5th out of 51 players!  Not too shabby!  Even though I know in my heart I should have been at least in the top 3 if that first Sunday match wasn't full of errors.

Here are the payouts (and YES, I did get that 50 cents with the $102):

click to enlarge

Disturbances Affect Playing Our Best Pool

I decided over a month ago to head to Jamaica Joe's in Oklahoma City to play in a ladies tournament December 19th.  I rode with two friends of mine (my friend and her husband) as we hit the road early Saturday morning to make it in time to sign up and then be a part of the calcutta.

One of the top three pick of the litters is a player I don't know, but Amanda Lampert (a good player in her own right who went for pick of the litter), told me she plays well and that's why they wanted to buy her.  I had never heard of her.

My friend's husband bought me for $70 in the calcutta.  Not sure why he did that, but it kinda put some pressure on me, lol.  I never buy half myself, so he was in for all his own money.  Normally who buys me doesn't affect me at all.  But, it also actually gave me more to play for.  Instead of just "having fun," I really wanted to do well for him.

I have to say I didn't like the way the tourney was run - $55 entry and we had to pay quarters still, and the players were moaning we wanted the calcutta to be paid down more than 4 spots, but we just weren't listened to.  But, to play on beautiful equipment with a great staff was for sure a treat!  39 ladies and at least $1,000 added because we had more than 32 ladies.  But if they would have paid out 9-12 in the tourney and 5/6 in the calcutta, that would have made it not so very top heavy (IMO). 

So, I get called to my first match and low and behold I have to play the girl I mentioned above - the one I don't know but everyone says she plays well.  I have no idea if she knows me or not.

She wins the first game, I COME WITH IT tho and win the next game.  She wins the next, and I again return and come with it to win the next game.  Now she knows I can play.  I haven't faltered and she has seen me run out a rack twice now.  We trade games again and it's 3-3, and I can feel SO much pressure, still.  Before we even flipped the coin, a player walks by and says "wow, you two drew each other?"  And I'm sitting here like, THANKS.  lol.  I honestly have never seen her or know how she plays but people are making it pretty obvious she plays well.  Then again - they do indicate WE drew each other, not that I drew her.  So, basically, it was going to be a good match.

I wanted to do well for my friend's husband who bought me, but it was a weird feeling to be playing this player that everyone thinks plays well.

I get ahead 4-3 and then she ties it again.  Then I get ahead 5-4.  At this point, a friend of hers, but a good player that I know, sits right next to her.  I at first think, "hey wait a minute...you shouldn't get a corner man."

There is a LOT to this moment in the match.  At this point, she is missing more and feeling the pressure as she realizes she is playing a good player.  I realize that I am in control of the match and feel real good and am PLAYING good too.  Can't begin to describe how awesome it feels to get out well and play great safes in a tough match. 

As this friend sat right next to my opponent, A LOT is going through my mind already.  It's already very tough to play in an environment where it seems everyone is watching this "famous" local girl playing me and wanting her to win (because she's expected to), and they have no idea who I am.  I'm just trying to play my little heart out and not be too aware of all things around me so that I can just focus on playing good pool.

Her friend asks me, "Hey Melinda, is it okay if I sit here."  It was my shot, and as I'm walking to the table I turn to her and say, "no, it's cool." 

I have to play safe and then sit back down and tell her I thought it was really nice of her to ask me that.  And she said, "well, I am sitting close to you and just wanted to be sure."

I felt pretty cool about it until when I got back to the table, I could hear them talking!  THAT I did not like.  You see, this goes WAY back to about 20 years ago when I'm in match and a friend walks up to my opponent to talk to her.  She eventually tells her friend to leave and my opponent begins to share with me how unfair that was.  That during tense situations, if a friend comes up to talk to us, it actually calms us down.  We feel "safe" and "loved" and we get to either vent about the match or we get to just feel comfortable; or maybe use the talk with a friend to get over any embarrassment feelings.  Well, I knew RIGHT AWAY that them talking was NOT good for me; it would be good for my opponent.

I'm used to not having players be able to talk to anyone during a match.  And this proved it.  It was distracting because I could hear them talking while I was at the table, and I could also hear her giving her a little pep talk.  Although not intentionally, it is something we would just normally simply do with friends, so I don't consider it coaching, but I didn't think it was "fair."

And so, as I look back, if I would have said, "please don't talk," then THAT would have been on my mind.  You see, we don't need any confrontation during a match.  I don't want to feel bad (or look like a bitch) because I asked her to move or not talk, because then that "negative emotion" takes away from my match.  BUT, them talking was giving me a negative emotion as well.  It was distracting.  It wasn't really "right."  It wasn't really fair. And yes, it was bothering me. 

I was running out the next game, again I'm up 5-4, and I get bad on the 8 ball but it's still make-able.  But, I shoot the 8ball too fast b/c I wasn't sure before I got down on the shot and I missed.  She easily makes the 8 and 9 balls.  Score 5-5.  That was A HUGE game.  Instead of me being up 6-4, it was now 5-5.

I then leave myself a really tough shot on the 8 ball the next game but thought I could still make it, and I missed.  I heard her friend say, "there you go."  She wins that game and is up 6-4.

One of my friends asks me in front of my opponent if I am the player up 6-4 and I reply, "I should be, but I've missed the last two 8-balls" - which is now showing my frustrations, which I hate showing any emotion during a match because you don't want to give your opponent an edge letting them see you sweat.  She wins the next game due to errors on both our parts (but mine was the final error) and she makes the four balls left and beats me 5-7.

To say I was deflated is an understatement.  I am seasoned (enough?) to know to not let things bother me, but I haven't been playing enough still in my lifetime to /really/ ignore things.  SUPER proud how well I handled myself to even get to five games against this good player!  I really did come with it in the beginning and overcame a lot of pressure to play well, just got distracted in the end (dammit).

Off to the one-loss side I go, but it's a race to little ole' five!  Ugher.  I play super sporty (imo) on the one loss side as well and win about 5-6 matches before finally losing steam and placed 9th.  Yep, one of the money!

I am still very happy (even elated) that I played well most of the tourney!  And I had a great learning experience.  I try to learn from every tourney, every match.

OB in OKC

I played in the OB Cues Ladies Tour stop at Jamaica Joe's in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma this past weekend.

My road partner and I, Jenny Pav, went to Jamaica Joe's last year together.  And, we made the trek together up there again.  And ironically, we finished the exact same as last year!  I placed 9th, and she placed 7th again.

I didn't play too well and was disappointed, but that's okay, I'm not going to play well in every tourney I enter.  I do love me some diamond bar tables though - WOW!

My first match, I run out to the 8 and scratch.  I also missed a tough 9-ball later and a tough combo on the 9.  That's three games right there and a brutal scratch on the 7 ball cost me the match and I lost 5-7.  :(

I then won my next two matches but they were newbies and timid.  And my third opponent was very drunk.  She even left her cues at the pool room (but took her cue case!).  Unfortunately for her she lives about 6 hours away from Oklahoma City. 

I then played a determined, Lisa Marr.  I just wasn't playing well enough to beat her, and she ended up placing second, so that shows how well she was playing all weekend.  It was really good to see her though - she's always a treasure to be around.

The highlight of my trip was when my friend Bobbi came to visit me for about an hour or two.  I've written about her before.

Here we are posing:

As I reflect back, maybe I just thought I would magically play well.  I prolly should not have gone to this tourney.  I had a great event just the previous weekend, but still having this dreaded sore throat and a cold makes for a not very comfy feeling when trying to compete.  I also had some pains in my right forearm.  Hoping that goes away and doesn't affect my pool playing career in the future.

I placed 9th.  Only 25 ladies showed up, so I didn't even get in the money.  Ugher.

ACS Singles Results - Surprising

As I mentioned several times all week, I played in the ACS Texas State championship last week/weekend.  Scotch (placed 17th out of about 45 teams), singles (placed 4th out of about 45 teams) and Women's Team event (placed 5 out of 16 teams).

It wasn't the most successful week of pool for me, but what I'm most proud of most is my singles performance.

I am listed as an Advanced player with ACS, so at the ACS Texas State singles event, I go to 6, and the open players go to 4.

The last few years I've had to give that spot, I have not come anywhere NEAR placing well or even remotely in the money, lol.  It's extremely difficult, imo, to give a two spot game in 8-ball.  I'm not even listed as a Master, but still have to give the same handicap as a Master player (2 games).

So, I wasn't expecting much, lol.

I won my first match against a new player and she was the sweetest thing.  She was SO excited she got two games and I complimented her a lot as she was so giddy about it. 

I then play a friend of mine who plays well.  I knew it would be tough.  I was up 3-2, but I missed a tricky 8-ball.  And that's pretty much all it took.  She ran the next rack and defeated me 4-3.  I still had 3 more games to win to win the match, but she only needed two and after that miss, it was too crucial and she won.

I felt like I was playing well and she even said something to me about it.  She told me she noticed how well I'm playing and how much I have improved.  She said I am moving the cueball really well and getting great shape.  It REALLY meant a lot that she said that and even noticed, as I felt like I had but not many people can see such improvements if they haven't really played me in the last several years like she has.  It was very sweet for her to even say what she saw.

I was done for the day (singles started at 7pm). 

I woke up the next morning with a sore throat and I therefore was starting to get a cold. 

And, I still had to give two games on the one-loss side.  That, along with lack of sleep, made for a very short day coming up.  I even told my friends Teri and Michelle to get ready to go to Olive Garden for lunch because I didn't expect to win my 10am match.  Too much weight and too much against me, lol (sick and no sleep).

I felt fairly food though as I walked in.  Teri got me some orange juice and I had my water, also.  I hit a few balls.... and I could tell.  Can you tell sometimes?  Yep, I could tell I was going to play well.

As I reflect back, I can see that I had NO EXPECTATIONS at all and that's prolly why my expected short day turned into a 10-hour day!

I won that match.

Played a teammate next and while she played excellent safes, I prevailed because I was playing so well.

Then I played my good friend Courtney.  I knew it would be the toughest match of the day because it was more about status and emotions than pool, really.  After playing my little heart out and staying in the match, I won hill-hill!  I couldn't believe it really.  A few dif shots and the match could have gone the other way.

I then won another match.

And then another.

And then another.

OMGosh I was playing SO SO well.

I then find myself playing for 4th place.

I was still playing well, but my opponent got out if I made a mistake and also ran out one game, so since she only had to go to 4, she defeated me.  She would end up getting 2nd in the tourney and she played really well.  I was impressed.

I figured out I had played for TEN hours, 7 matches.  Wow. And I didn't get to Olive Garden until 11pm that night, lol!  Teri and Michelle, and Alixx and her husband Nathan all went together.  They also watched my matches ALL day long.  They were for sure amazing support and I appreciated them SO much for hanging in there and watching every single match!

Even at one point, Michelle, Teri and Alixx went to play in the Second Chance tourney and they all left.  But Nathan stayed back to finish watching my hill-hill match.  It was really sweet.  Alixx would tell me later, well, someone had to stay for us all!

I can't explain why I played so well this day except I had no expectations.  But to be able to play THAT well for THAT long for ALL those matches really, truly gave me some insight into my own game.  That I AM capable of playing many matches in a row well. 

I really am playing some top notch eight ball right now.  Still not sure how or why with NO practice and only one league a week I play in now.

I have a 9-ball tourney this weekend and already the expectations are making me nervous and I'm not even on the road yet to the event!  Not good for me.... I need to feel numb and not care!

Thank you to everyone who gave my kind words of support during and after my ACS State singles play.  REALLY meant a lot!

I admit it felt SO good to play well!

My Play at the Omega Stop # 6 of 2014

At the sixth stop of the Omega Billiards Tour, I was lucky enough to get a bye first.  This was helpful because there was a lot to do as the Tourney Director.  I'm lucky to have help with Heather and Dana, so I'm even able to play!

On this tour I'm a 6.  So, I race to 6.

I had to play a 6 first.  Gosh I was playing good!  But when I got ahead 5-2, I missed a 6 ball.  And I could tell I lost focus.  I don't know what it is lately, but it's very tough for me to remain focused for an entire match and JUST FINISH it.

I didn't capitalize on his mistakes and it went hill-hill.  But, I noticed he missed late in the rack and sure enough he did also on the last game and I was able to finally win.  Whew!

Me on Saturday during my first match.

The next match was many, many hours later (I was at the bottom of the bracket of 81 players), and played on the very front table (which I will write about in a separate blog entry).  But, as you all know, I don't look around, so I tried not to notice all the people that could be watching b/c of the table was right up front.

I played a good 7.  But, also know from watching him gamble for a couple of years that he can miss sometimes late in the rack.  I played real good in the beginning of the match, but then I noticed in the middle of the match, I was missing in the middle of the rack.  I was giving up games, when instead I should have been out.

As I have written about before, it's important to figure out early what is going on BEFORE it's too late.  I figured out I needed to focus more on 3-ball shape because I was missing tough shots.  I would miss less if I was able to get good shape to easily move to the next ball.  I wasn't doing that.

However, I admit I got a little lucky.  He missed a long straight-in 9-ball and 2 8-balls which kept me in the game.  At hill-hill, he scratches on the 2 ball.

What?!

My heart was beating out of my chest, but I ran out!  I won!  I was in til Sunday on the winner's side.  OMG!!

The next morning, I'm playing someone I actually bought in the calcutta.  But, that wasn't even on my mind - I wanted to beat him!

He was a 6 also but I knew he was a TOUGH 6.  He said up front, "I know you play good."  I countered easily, "I know you do, too."

It was SUPER hot this morning and I had to put my hair up, which I hardly ever do.  And with no hair clip, it made for a weird looking "do."  lol  But, it was too hot for me to keep it down.

With my hair up

He is a really nice guy (new Dad) and while I played REAL good in the beginning, he played MUCH better in the end.  I ended up checking my text messages during my match and admit I got distracted.  I then missed a safe on an 8 ball, when I was up 3-1, but he got out and then just played a lot better while I was dealing with my text messages.  Totally my fault for checking them, but I don't know if I could have overcome his great play anyway.  It was impressive!

And my little horse kept on.  :)  (he would eventually place 7th, just-in the calcutta money and I got half of $275 of my $20 bid!)

I then played a 7.  I have watched him gamble a lot also and I know he plays real well.  So, I was prepared for the onslaught.  But, what I wasn't prepared for was how well I PLAYED.

Omg.

REAL WELL.

My final match

As a matter of fact, I was playing so good, I kinda got ahead of myself.  I was about to get up 3-0 when I got PERFECT from the 3 to the 4 to the 6 ball.   Until.... as I was looking for my shape to get on the 8ball from the 7 and 6, I see the 5ball is STILL ON THE TABLE.  And... of course I'm hooked!  Omg.  lol.  I kicked at it, but missed.

Man, that could have been a whole different ball game had I won that match - I was playing SO good!!

And then he simply prevailed and although I still played well, I missed an 8ball and a 7ball.  Too costly against good players.

I was told by several players they didn't know I played that well and I surprised them.    :)))

That makes me SO happy!

I placed 17th out of 81 players and got Last Lady again (two tourneys in a row!).

I was VERY happy with my play, although I still have a long way to go!

I'm ready.  :)

Omega Tournament - Third Try Playing

I have played in three Omega Billiards Tournaments so far this year.  Latest one was at Rusty's Billiards in Fort Worth, Texas:

Cool, huh?!?!

As the Tourney Director, I wouldn't be able to play in the tourney also if I didn't have really great help.  My friends Dana and Heather are my sidekicks and I feel very comfortable with their professionalism and so I can leave the tourney in their hands during my matches.  At this event, Dana could not make it and Kara stepped right in to help.  Such a great team of ladies! 

Kara and I:

I don't feel like I can really keep up with all the great guy players on the Tour, but since it's a handicapped tour I feel much better about playing in it.

At the last tourney, I played HORRIBLE.  Even tho I had just won the Texas BCAPL Women's singles and scotch doubles, I think everyone presumed I would automatically place well?

Doesn't work that way.

Didn't work that way.

I was super nervous for some reason.  Played really badly.  :(  And for some reason my two matches were next to the only pro in the tourney (Jeremy Jones) and so more people were around watching.  Granted they were watching him and not my matches, but it's still unnerving lol.

This time on June 14th weekend at Rusty's Billiards in Fort Worth, I can proudly say I won 2 matches!!  My first time to win a match, Lol.

The first match I play a 5 (I race to 6, he raced to 5).  Before I played him, his wife jokes with me he can't believe he has to play a world champion first.  I was like, "omg ..."

But those kinda comments are a little unnerving, I fully admit.   I saw them again and she says it again.    

I reply, "Ummm. .. Not a world champion."

"Might as well be," they said as they laughed.

I was sooooo nervous during our match.  He got ahead, I made a few stupid mistakes.   With such have a short race, it makes for a very brutal match.  He had me down 3-0.  Yikes!  And I felt like all eyes were on me anyway,  "she's a national champ,"  because I had just won at ACS Nationals in May.

I really did notice more people watching more than usual.

The pressure was immense and I was more nervous in this match than any match at the ACS Nationals!  lol.

I somehow managed to win (still not sure how), then won my next match a little later on against a 6.  This time I was less nervous and my opponent was the nervous one.  I then played another 6 and really hoped I would win because he beat me at the last tourney AND because if I won, I would actually be on the winners side still on Sunday.  Just the possibility was amazing really!

I tried too hard tho and several rolls he got was just too much and I lost.  :(  Gosh I wanted to win!

I played the very last match of THE TOURNEY and it didn't end til 1am.  I was sooooo exhausted from the long day that even tho I had a shot in every game I made maybe 5 balls total and lost 0-6.  Ouch.  My opponent played very, very well tho (might need to bump him up to a 7, as I might have mis-ranked him lol).

I placed 17th out of 61 players.  Not too shabby I suppose?

So, even tho I faltered I need to really play in more of these events to get more experience.  It will help me so much to keep trying!

8 Ball Singles Event at 2014 ACS Nationals

As I woke up on Monday morning, I was for the first time a National Champion.  I had just won the night before the ACS Nationals Women's 9-Ball Singles event.

To say I was on cloud nine was an understatement.  But, my trip wasn't over yet, and in reality, had just begun.  I still had 8-ball singles, 9-ball women's teams, and 8-ball women's teams to play.

My first Women's 8-Ball Advanced Singles match was at noon. Because I'm still on Texas time, I get up real early again.  I had so much time before I played, that I walked the entire way from Harrah's to the Tropicana (a full 45 minute crisp walk), with enough time to rest and cool-off an hour before my match started.

My view, walking the strip that morning.

I wrote already how in my very first match, my opponent might have psyched herself out accidentally, by asking me questions.  I won that match 7-2.  I thought I felt pretty good, even though the race to 7 is tough and daunting.

The Advanced women's division race to 7 (we are all ACS Master and ACS Advanced players).  I have to admit, I was SPENT already.  I used a lot of mental energy playing in the 9-Ball singles event and I didn't know just how mentally tired I really was until my second match.

Next, I played a girl I recognized, but not sure from where.  I could tell I was the better player, but I didn't play well anymore for some reason.  I was missing kinda easy shots that I was nailing the day before.  And I admit, she would get out from nowhere and I definitely second guessed her ability.  But, I was so mentally taxed, I didn't put up a fight.  I tried, but I just could barely function.  It was brutal.

I guess this is what Joe Salazar was talking about.  Physical and Mental exhaustion are for sure two different things.

Kinda remind me of a couple of examples.  When you are hungover, you can still play pool for some reason right?  Obviously not as well if you were well-rested, but still function-able.  But when we mental exhaustion is tougher to overcome.

I was mentally exhausted from the long weekend to even make simply shots and safes.  I was drained!

Before I even lost that match, I decided to not even stick around to play my next match.  Yep.  I forfeited.  Yep.  Me.

I was disappointed I even thought of it.  But, my next match wasn't until 6pm.  If I won that, then 8pm. Then come back the next day.  I didn't think I could overcome my mental exhaustion in 3 hours anyway, and I honestly would rather rest up for a day and a half to be very well-prepared and well-rested for my women's team event that would be 3-days long.  Plus, they depended on me and I wanted to be in tip-top shape for them - not mentally or physically exhausted.  Resting up meant more to me than trying to race to 7 in 8-ball.  DANG that's a long freaking race!

I honestly don't think I can give my all to both events.  It's just mentally tough.  It may not seem like a lot, but 4 full days of constant competition really is.  Not a lot of breaks.  And long, tough races.

Not sure if I will do this next year.

2014 ACS 9-Ball Singles - the Details

I guess it's about time I give the details to my ACS Nationals 9-Ball tourney, held at the Tropicana in Las Vegas, the second weekend of May (Mother's Day).

This is my 3rd year going to the event.  First year I placed 3rd in the women's open 8-ball division.  Second year my women's team placed 3rd in the women's open 9-ball division.  While those two finishes may SEEM minor or unimpressive, lol, I have to say that for whatever reason, I play THE BEST pool of my life at this ACS Nationals tourney in May.  I have no idea why, I just do.

However, this year I hadn't been putting any time on the felt and was only looking forward to going to Vegas to get away from the real world for a while.  It is my favorite city and I needed an escape.  Honestly, I didn't even care about the tourney.  I was just glad I was going because it was in Vegas and I needed to get away.

Maybe that is the key to my title tournament jitters from the past: not caring.  No expectations means no nerves for this lady!

So, I get to Vegas on Thursday afternoon and I admittedly proceed to my favorite table game at Harrah's (that's where I stayed) called High Card Flush and sat there all night drinking my helpless life away and playing this card table game that I love so much.

I woke up early Friday morning and decided to head to Planet Hollywood, my new favorite casino, to have breakfast at their cafe, called the Planet Dailies.  Although it was filled with good/sad memories for me, I also had a few glasses of Champagne with cranberry juice.  YUM.

I walked by their High Card Flush table (only a few casino's have this card game, mostly the ones affiliated with the Total Rewards card) and it's already open.  Yay!  After the first hour, I got a 6-card diamond flush that paid out 100 to 1, and I had my little $5 bet, so made a cool $500 on the spot.

After a couple more hours, I then went to back to Harrah's and went poolside, even though I heard the pool was blah (and it was!).  Very boring and just a square pool.  But I laid out for a few hours to get some sun.  The most interesting thing I saw was this pigeon, who is very good at avoiding the paparazzi!  (me)

I tried to fall asleep that night but I had too much redbull and could NOT go to sleep.  I was begging for sleep because my first match was at 10:30am on Saturday and I KNEW I would be up early because I was still on Texas time.  I think I got about a whole 3 hours of sleep total.  I was pretty doomed.  And I knew it.

I was so physically exhausted and hung over, I didn't care about pool.  Which, is what I wanted, right?

I got a bye, so had plenty of time (since I woke up at 4am) to ride the MonoRail from Harrah's to the MGM, where I then walked a mile thru the MGM (not joking) and then over and across to the Tropicana.

My first match is at 10:30am and I am EXHAUSTED.  I don't care about anything.  It shows, too.  I find myself down 6-1.  :(  My opponent is a GREAT player and she was a Master so had to go to 7 to win, I am Advanced and needed 6 games to win.

For whatever reason, little by little I hung in there and managed to claw back and won 6-6!  OMG I could not believe it.  Here I was exhausted and SO VERY tired and yet was still able to play pool and came back to win!

My next opponent at Noon was also a Master, and we started a little late because my hill-hill match went over time.  She didn't really play like a Master and I won 6-3 I think.

I'm still VERY tired.  I just really want to go home honestly.  Crawl back in bed.

I then played a 5 (Open player) at 1:30pm.  I don't know how I was even functioning, as obviously tiredness does not wear off.  I knew my opponent, and every time we have played in a National tourney the last few years, she has defeated me. They were all very close, memorable matches.  I told her I didn't think she should be a 5.  Maybe I shouldn't have said that, but what I meant was she played better than an Open player.

I find myself down 3-2 and she needs 2 games and I need 3.  At this point, I *kinda* want to look at the bottom of the score sheet.  The score sheets have times printed at the bottom for the next round (win or lose), so you know when you play next so you don't have to look it up on the brackets.  I knew if I read the loser didn't play until the next day (Sunday), that I would prolly just give in so I could go to sleep, lol.  But, quite honestly, I knew I had enough energy to go play High Card Flush and wouldn't go to sleep right away anyway.  If that was the case, I told myself, then I could play pool.

I noticed she made mistakes late in the rack and I kinda waited for my turns at the table and sure enough it goes hill-hill and a tough choice by her (after a very long decision, she tried a safe that was wasn't successful), I was able to seal the game with a 3-ball out.

Here I am in that very match:

WHEW.  Got by that one, too.  (somehow)

I check the sheet.  Dang.  I have ANOTHER match today.  This time at 4:30pm.  This time against the tournament favorite.  Luckily, I ENJOY watching her play because she is the epitome of 3-balls-ahead shape and so I emulate her and play good.  She walks around the table and sees exactly where she needs to be for her third ball.  It's truly beautiful!

She jumps up 4-2 and I am just SO exhausted I could cry.  I'm barely functioning and really just want her to put me out of my misery.

After a discussion with retired Pro Joe Salazar (who has a booth there), he shared that there is a big difference between mental exhaustion and physical exhaustion.  If I was mentally exhausted, I really wouldn't be able to function or execute my shots.  But because it was physical, I was still able to compete and shoot and make decisions based on my muscle memory and knowledge.

Down 2-4, I look at the score wrong.  I think it's 5-2.  With my opponent going to 7.  I figured I was done.  D.O.N.E.

But then when I checked the score again to see who broke, I see I'm *only* down 2-4.  Mentally, that was HUGE to me.  It gave me some extra pep for some reason and I was able to tie up the score at 4-4.

At this point, she's getting frustrated and starts to get upset at people walking by, some bad rolls she is getting, some good rolls (well, $hit in balls by me), and she is very agitated.  Eventually, her emotions get in the way and I'm able to capitalize on some of her mistakes (while also playing decent) and I won 6-5!!

Omg ARE YOU SERIOUS?

I look at the bracket and see I am playing FOR the hotseat at 1pm the next day.

OMG REALLY???

I am already on cloud nine and canNOT believe I just defeated the favorite.  WOW.  All that exhaustion and not caring and not thinking ahead WORKED again!

At this point it's about 6pm and I figure, "well, I have time to gamble."  lmao.  High Card Flush here I come.  This time I walk back and it's a HIKE but I stop in at Planet Hollywood on the way to Harrah's and play my fav casino game, and then eat a really juicy hamburger at PBR Rock Bar and Grill to reward myself for a good day of pool.

To show the distance between casinos, here is a map of the strip.  The tournament is at the Tropicana (down on the bottom), Planet Hollywood is in the middle (where I enjoyed staying last year) and this year I'm all the way up at Harrah's (top blue circle).  Wont stay there again for any tourneys held at the Tropicana I can guarantee you that, lol.  While I LOVE the strip, it made for an even more exhausting time playing pool, even if I didn't walk the entire way back and forth.  I did take the Tram 3 times, walked a lot though, and then taxis once my roommate Courtney came in for teams.  Anyway, here is the map:

I get a good nights rest (finally) but still a TAD tired.  But, NOTHING like Saturday.

This day, Sunday, is pretty difficult though as it was Mother's Day and my lovely Mom, Toni, had been passed just 2 1/2 years ago.

My goal this day was to not think ahead, though.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  I reviewed my checklist a few times (the one that I prepared for the BCAPL Texas State tourney) but otherwise just relaxed.  I ate at the Mirage buffet (MY FAV) and had their champagne Sunday brunch and then rested before heading to the Tropicana.  I knew not to WALK this day, as I wanted to be rested up as much as I could.

I got to the Tropicana about 12:15pm.  I saw that my opponent was already hitting balls.  I grabbed my cue from my teammate, Janet (she graciously kept it at the Tropicana for me so I didn't have to trek it up and down the strip every day), and I hit some balls and felt real good.

We start the match and I'm in a good mood.

My opponent's name is Jacki and she is from Virginia.  Her and her husband are good friends of a friend of mine.  As I shake her hand she says, "I feel like I already know you" as she shyly laughed a little.

She raced to 5 (and Open player) and I still raced to 6 (as as Advanced Player).  I broke first.  The 9-ball is sitting down near a pocket and I see that I can back bank the 1-ball into the 9-ball.  Risky, but the 1-ball doesn't go anywhere else, anyway.

I make it!

Then she breaks, doesn't make anything, and the 1-9 combo sets up and I make it.

I am now up 2-0 and she says, "Nice way to start out."  She wasn't being rude, she was just frustrated.

I didn't want her to feel bad, but it was how the first two games went.  I was SUPER confident and just told myself not to think of those "rolls" and instead realize that, well, this was just my time evidently.

And just like that, things turned.

I hooked myself, she got out.  I missed a tough 9-ball, she made it next.

Score 2-2, and I could tell I was trying too hard.  And she was playing really good.  Bad combo for team Melinda.

At this point, it seemed like the match was put on fast forward.  She got out really well and I missed a tough 8-ball after a REALLY great run.   I felt it slipping away, even though I was playing well.  But, I hooked myself AGAIN on a really fantastic shot, and she got ball-in-hand and ran out well and won the match 5-4.

OMGosh, I was DEFLATED.

I was really pissed and ready to play at 3pm.

I go to the tournament desk and they tell me it will be delayed.

Wait, WHAT?

Evidently the scotch doubles matches were still going on.  The match I was waiting for, hadn't even STARTED because one of the players was in the doubles tourney still.  REALLY?

I went upstairs and had a slice of their thin pizza (YUM), went back downstairs.  Still.  Nothing.  No opponent.  They hadn't even started yet - STILL!

I texted my g/f Amanda about how upset I was with the previous match and she suggested I listen to my ipod.  So I went upstairs to the couches and the beautiful sunlight and listened to Rihanna as I sat there sulking, not wanting to talk to anyone.  Just pissed.  Upset.  Disappointed.  :(

I still didn't think ahead, just thought of the missed opportunities I had in the match.

I finally went back downstairs to the convention center where all the main pool tables where about 4pm and HEY, they are finally playing!  I go sit by Joe Salazar, who runs a booth there, and I sat with him and expressed my woes.  I consider him my mental coach and we just chatted about things in general and he gave me some advice about how I played well at State, and that this experience no matter the outcome will be good for me.

Finally I had an opponent at 5pm.  Ugh.  5PM!

Unfortunately, it was against the favorite.  Yes, I had beaten her the evening before, but she is so so tough to beat.

I didn't think I would defeat her this time.  Yep, no expectations at all.  (I think you all are seeing the theme here, also.)

She gets ahead 2-0 and then 3-1, but she makes a few uncharacteristic mistakes and I tie it 3-3.  More mistakes occur and I start playing good pool!  Really smart safes, and outs.  I get ahead 5-3, but she makes a small comeback and regroups well and the score is now 5-4 me.  The last game I shit in the 3-ball.  She gets pissed.  Trying to get perfect shape on the 8-ball, I shit-in the 7-ball.  Ooops.  She's pretty livid.  I don't blame her, really.  Even though everyone would tell me later "that's 9-ball," still sucks when it happens to you.  I got out and won 6-4!

OMG I'm in the finals!!!

Really?

I feel like a winner just beating the favorite (again).  Honestly.  It felt like SUCH an accomplishment!

OMFG!  Joe was SO happy for me to persevere!  He said I learned a lot coming off a bad loss and ALSO being down in that match.  All these awesome learning experiences!

I turn in my score-sheet.  Yep, my opponent is playing scotch doubles!

I can't even begin the finals now.  I have to wait.  MORE.

Yep, I go have another slice of thin pizza.  That's what I do!  I was barely eating on the trip so indulging a little for celebration was fine by me, lol.

I had a few drinks during the course of the day, but didn't drink anymore as I wanted to feel the whole finals match, completely, with all my senses.

I watched from afar her match and it seemed to take forever.  I hit a few balls, rested my feet, listened to my ipod some more.  Just relaxed.  Nothing I could do but wait.  And try to relax while I waited.

And I tried as HARD AS I COULD to not think, "You might be a National Champion."  Now that I reflect back, I don't think it even entered my mind!  I just wanted to play pool and give a good fight, like I did NOT do the last time Jacki and I met at 1pm earlier this day. 

I didn't think ahead.  YAY me!  That has totally affected me in the past.

We finally start at 8pm and she said it, even though I was thinking it, "I'm exhausted."  At that point I knew I had a little edge.  At that point I realized she had been playing pool non-stop all day since 1pm, I had only played two matches.  AND, she still had another scotch doubles match after ours.

I felt bad, "what if it goes two-sets, she'll really be tired."

OMG did I really just think of my opponent like I always do?  Yep, I did.  BUT, that wasn't going to get in the way.  I told myself, "if it goes 2 sets, it goes 2 sets,  Melinda.  Nothing you can do."

It crossed my mind had we played the finals sooner in the day, the outcome could have been very different.

I played really good the first set and she makes a few mistakes and I capitalize.  I win 6-2 I think.

At this point, we both have to run to the bathroom.  I knew that could be my demise.  But I had to go.  I still didn't think ahead, or think of the possibilities or anything.  I just wanted to get back and play more pool.

But I could tell I got relaxed.  I could tell I felt like I had already accomplished a lot by winning the first set.  I tried so hard not to relax, but I could feel it in my body after the quick restroom break.

She tells me she hopes she gives me a better game this match, and I can see she's a little more confident and awake.  I'm saying, "noooooo" lol in my head. 

Jacki plays really, really good.  She said she had never placed well in this tourney before and that's why she was a 5, but she told me she had been gambling more in the pool room the last year and her game has gone up.  And it was obvious.

I thought of this a lot when I saw her bear down on shots and get out.  She played really well and I knew it would be a good, tough finals.

The first game I make a mistake and she capitalizes.  Next game I make a mistake and she capitalizes again.  Dang it!

Really?!

I do NOT want to go out this way.

The next game I make another mistake and I realize I'm getting tired and I go get lots of cold water to wake up.  She's running out and my heart is sinking.  She will be up 3-0 if she runs out.  That's overcome-able, but tough to overcome in reality.  She leaves herself a really long 9-ball.... and she misses it!

Wow.

Light at the end of the tunnel!

I make the 9-ball and I have more pep i my step!  Whew.  I can see she's tired and I feel bad for her, but I keep going and I win another game.  Score tired 2-2.  The cold water and getting on the scoreboard helped me so much!

I started to play really well again and found myself ahead 4-3.  We both need two.

The next game is a safety battle and for the first time in a long time, I win by three-fouling.

I'm now on the hill.

NO WAY.

I try still so VERY hard not think ahead and I did not.

I broke.

I see an out.

Really?

I ALMOST hook myself on the VERY first shot, but had enough room to make the 2-ball.  I look at my three-balls-ahead shape well and plan ahead and I can see if I get on this 6-ball okay, I will win.  I make the 3, 5, and get on the 6 ball perfectly.  Stay down Melinda!  I make the 7.  Breathe Melinda!  I make the 8ball and slide over well for the 9-ball.

I get down on the 9-ball, a short, straight-in shot.  I get back up because I'm crying.

Yep, I'm CRY-ing!

OMG I'm really about to win this tournament.  OMG.

I get down and the tears are so much in my eyes, I can't see.  I get back up.  Melinda, hold it together.

I finally shoot the 9-ball and start bawling!

I shake her hand and she asks me why I'm so emotional.  I tell her it's Mother's Day and I won it for my Mom.  :)  And plus, I add, it's a National title.

She tells me how sweet I am to dedicate it to my Mom and I hug the few friends of mine who were there (Connie and Janet and Ren and his wife).

I can't BELIEVE IT!

I post on Facebook, "I won the tourney for you, Mom.  I'm a National Champion!" 

Joe had left already by the time the first set was over, so the next morning I practically ran to tell him, "I won!" I exclaimed!  Awww, his little grasshopper doing so well!  :)

Days later, still can't believe it.  Weeks later, still can't believe it.

Official ACS photo.  Jacki (2nd) and I (1st)

Jacki was a really great opponent and I couldn't have asked for a nicer and talented opponent with a big heart and calm demeanor.  I am honored to share the podium with her!

Even as I type this.  I still can't believe it!   HOW DID I REALLY DO THAT??  

I'm Still a Tennis Amateur

I'm playing in the Scotch Doubles tourney of the BCAPL Texas State 9-Ball Championships this week here in Temple, Texas.

I am playing with a league-mate, Marty Jones.  He was always at the top of the league but this year he sits in the #1 spot for the first time (and there are close to 200 people in this league).  I played him in a little 8-ball tourney a while back and came to appreciate his game even more.  So I asked him if he would like to play with me and he said, yes.

Since I am in a rut, it made for an interesting day yesterday, tho!

It reminded me of a tennis game I played once against a friend of mine when I was in my late 20s.

She had played tennis in high school, I had not.  But we wanted some exercise so we decided tennis was the way to go and it would be fun too.

Since I hadn't ever really played tennis, but it looked simply enough to bat the ball over the short fence (net), I was all for it.

I would just hit the ball over the net.  I had no accuracy, no control, and my only goal was to get it over the net.

What did this mean?

It turns out my girlfriend got a lot more exercise in than I did!

I meant that she was running back and forth the whole time!

She was busting ass trying to hit my wild balls....while she was aiming the ball right towards me the whole time.  I recall kinda just standing there, easily hitting the ball over the net.  I hardly had to move around or run.  But her!  She was running left and right and back again and up and down and left and right trying to retrieve my balls!

We never played again, lol, but that one time.

This is how I felt yesterday in my scotch doubles matches.  My partner was getting me perfect shape; leaving me easy shots.  I was struggling and would therefore leave him really rough and tough shots a lot.  Long shots, long cuts, tough shots that required a very steady stroke, etc.  He made 99% of them tho!  But it was just like that tennis game I played 15 years ago - he was making all the tough shots and I had all the easy shots!

I noticed this about half way through the day, especially when I started to get tired and he was making all these fantastic tough shots.  I even said something to him about it and he jokingly replied he could leave me the tough ones and he could start shooting easy ones, lol.

Thank goodness he played well, while I played "decent," because we won the hotseat last night!

Finals are not scheduled because of the other events but we have to be doubles dipped and we WILL make it tough for that to happen!