Bar Table Tourney Essential - Token Holder

When playing in big bar table tournaments (like for BCAPL State or BCAPL Nationals), one needs to carry around a lot of tokens/coins all week/weekend. I don't like to carry the tokens loose in my pockets (can't play pool with things in my pockets) and I don't like them loose in my purse or cue case (tough to dig blindly trying to grab a token all the time).

I tried the m&m holders many years back, but tokens didn't fit in them; quarters yes, tokens no.
My FAVORITE solution is the Coin Holder that Samm Diep has for sell on her online store. It is large enough to fit BCA/Diamond tokens! Here is a pic of it:


You can go to her website and order it today before you go to Vegas! $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00. I checked with Samm and she can ship up until May 10th (that's when she herself leaves for Vegas).

HOWEVER! You can also buy these IN Vegas! :) There are three vendors that will be at the BCAPL Nationals that will have them for sale:

• Omega,
  
• Frank's Center, and
  
• PoolDawg.
  

I bought mine a few years ago at my friend Mike's booth, Omega Billiards. P.S. I don't leave home without it!

Respect

The other day I was trying to figure out why I am able to compete against some female opponents that my friends can't stand to play. There are some players that really get on the nerves of my friends and my friends get upset and frustrated. Usually it's the antics during a match that bother them the most:

• they have a really crappy attitude
  
• they act like they are better than everyone else
  
• they shout out after they win matches
  
• they hand pump their fist some times
  
• they throw temper tantrums
  
• they make snide comments during their matches to their opponents
  
• they make rude comments while watching matches
  
• they wish out loud for bad rolls for their opponent

While I play these same players, I am able to easily just play pool against them, instead of letting mental angst get in my way about their rude attitude and bitchy demeanor at the table. I don't get mad at them for who they are; I don't let their actions affect me.

I finally figured out WHY: I respect their game. Yep, I really really do.

The people I am describing above all still play well. Just because they have a "different" demeanor at the table than the polite player we prefer to play, I still respect their game and their ability because they play well.

Do I wish I didn't have to see all these crazy antics and hear rude comments? You betcha! But, I try to not let their attitude get in the way of the competition. I know I need to show up with a strong mental attitude to play these players and I just try to accept their antics.

Admittedly, sometimes when my mental strength is not strong (for whatever reason) their antics have been known to upset me during a match. But I know ahead of time about their possible actions so I usually prepare for it.

I think it's tough for some peeps to accept that "players with attitudes" can also be good players. I have no issue fully admitting they can play well.

Update: BCAPL 8Ball Championships Checklist

Almost one full week til I fly to my favorite tournament: BCAPL National 8 Ball Championships!

Let's check out the checklist and see how I'm doing:

(note: some of items below are newly added from my original checklist)

• Plane Ticket bought - check
• Room Reservation made - check
• Pick-Up arranged - to do
• Singles entry fee mailed in before late fee deadline - check
• Scotch Doubles entry fee mailed in, too - check
• Getting excited - check!
• Team name decided on - WTH - check (yes, that's our team name, "WTH")
  
• Team shirts bought -check
• Team shirts embroidered - check
• Team entry sent in - Captain did that - check
• Practice 8 ball with Coy Lee - 2 out of 3 sessions completed.
  
• Review Play Your Best 8 Ball and Play Your Best Pool - check
• Review my notes that I prepared in the past for 8ball tourneys - not yet
  
• Watch Straight Pool DVDs - check
• Read a mental/strategy book - check
• Get sleep a week before I go - hope to!
• Pack - still too early for that, lol!
• Make hair, nail and botox appts - check
• Try out a sunless (spray-on) tan before I go - check
• Print out rules to go over on the plane - check
• Print out itinerary - check
• Go grocery shopping for Mom - to do
• Ensure all Mom's prescriptions are filled - check
• Do arm curls a few weeks before to help my break -check
• Practice my fundamentals one more time before I go - to do