This crazy incident happened almost a year ago. I found myself telling a friend about it over the weekend, and mentioned I had always meant to share it in my blog. He said, "You should!"
So, here I am.
Here I am about to tell you a crazy story about something that happened during a straight pool match, that to this day is still very shocking to me.
Several of my friends play in the local straight pool league in the area. A situation came up during one of the matches, and the guy who it happened to, I'll call him NYPD, actually vented about it on a public forum. So, I'm not really sharing anything that is a secret, BUT if you haven't heard this story, it's quite appalling.
NYPD was playing against someone I'll call, The Critic .
They are in the "better" division so they race to 150 points in straight pool.
During the match, the score was 97 to 40-something, NYPD's favor. He was
up at the table and he had two balls left, both balls were in the rack area.
He
pocketed one of the balls, made the cue ball come off the bottom rail bumping
the other ball out of the rack area into a great break shot position. But he also
kept the cue ball in the rack area, so that he could have ball in
hand.
When you leave the cueball in the rack area on your last ball, you get ball in hand behind the head string. This is a great part of the game that can help you get good shape for breakout balls.
There is no rack lines on the table, and the cue ball rolled close to the
edge of the rack area. But he knew it was IN the rack area because of the marks on the cloth (it is
easy to tell with the worn out cloth on the tables where the rack area is).
NYPD goes over to write down his score while The Critic starts to rack. NYPD looks up and sees
that he has a different rack then what they had been using for the whole match!
This out-of-nowhere rack is a thin, wood rack. His son had brought in with him to play his match on another
table.
They had been using a plastic house rack which has a lip on the bottom that
makes the rack wider. They had been using it the ENTIRE time. Now all of a sudden The Critic starts to use the thin rack.
"With the score being what it was, it meant we had used the house rack for 9
racks up to that point," NPYD explains.
The Critic racks the balls and tells NYPD that the cue ball is not
in the rack......
"I couldn't believe the Bull he was trying to get away with," NYPD expresses.
NYPD told him that he protested the different rack, which of course ticked of The Critic. He threw the wood rack back under the next table and re-racked using the
plastic rack.
NYPD got cue ball in hand and finished off the match 150 to 68.
NYPD shared, "I wish
that i could of beat him even better. "
Now, this is only one side to the story, obivously. But I do not know any reason to all of a sudden start using a different rack.... if I hear why, I will update this plog post, tho.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Standing in the Way
Competition is a very tough thing, in reality. For those of us who are friends with our competitors, and for those of us who don't have a killer instinct all the time, competition can be tough on our souls.
Especially when awards and titles are on the line - FOR OUR FRIENDS.
Two weekends ago is the perfect example. And I'll also throw in a league night from last season as a comparison, along with the 2002 World Championship finals and the NFL.
At the OB Cues Ladies Tour stop in Dallas in early December, I alluded that Kim Pierce was in contention for the Tour Championship title. Also in contention was my bff Amanda Lampert. Orietta Strickland had a chance also, but hers was the slimmest chance. The real test would be between Amanda and Kim, who were only 50 points apart going into the final stop.
The "Tour Champion" title is one not many women have achieved on the tour. Three women have won it 11 times between themselves: five times in a row by Leslie Anne Rogers, then two times in a row by Heather Pulford, and then four times in a row by Lisa Marr. So, they kept many other women at bay from the title. With Leslie moving to Japan 7 years ago, Heather in California the last few years, and Lisa taking a hiatus from pool in the middle of this season, it allowed for a new champ to be crowned. Also, that person would get all their entry fees paid next year. Which is a nice bonus for such a strong title!
A lot of people (Kim and Amanda included) tried to figure out the statistics of how they would have to finish to see who would win the crown. But even though Amanda was only 50 points behind Kim, Kim would earn even more points at this stop. The points race was VERY tight! If they happened to TIE with points, they would have a play-off. BTW, the top points are: 200 for first place, then 160, 125, 100, 80, 65 and 50 points for 9th place.
Kim was put in the one-loss side by me, and then a round later, Amanda was on the one-loss side also. On the one-loss side, ironically, Amanda and Kim ran into each other. This would pretty much be a do or die situation for Amanda. If she didn't win, Kim for sure would get the title. If she did defeat Kim, she would still have to win several matches to secure the crown.
Amanda defeated Kim and gave herself a chance at the title! But Kim earned 50 points for 9th place. Now that meant Amanda would have to win by more than 100 points to win the title.
After Amanda defeated Kim, she had to wait almost 12 hours to play her next match Sunday morning against a very tough player (Orietta Stickland) for 7th place. I think it would be immense pressure to even TRY to sleep with all the thoughts of what I needed to do to win the title.
The TDs figured out Amanda needed to place 3rd to win the title, and if she placed 4th, Kim and Amanda would be tied in points and they would have to have a playoff.
I also don't know how Kim slept. It was now out of her hands, but she had to be restless with the unknowns, I'm sure. She would come to the tourney on Sunday and sweat it out all day and see what would happen.
As I mentioned before, I was on the winners side til Sunday. As I reviewed the brackets, I noticed that if I lost my first match Sunday morning, I would have to play Amanda if she defeated Orietta.
I actually worried about it. I didn't want to stand in her way of the title, but I wouldn't just give up, so I would still fight to win. BUT, I didn't want to be put in that position at all. I fully admit it. I understand pressure and wants and desires of competition, esp when titles are on the line, so to play someone who is gunning for something like that is pretty tough on those of us without a killer instinct.
I won my Sunday morning match (somehow) against Jennifer Kraber, and then SHE had to play Amanda next, as Amanda defeated Orietta 7-2 decisively.
Jennifer and Amanda went back and forth and back and forth.
The match goes 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6. Everyone in the entire room is eyeing the match (including those playing their own matches, like myself, lol), as we all know the title is on the line.
Eventually, at hill-hill, Jennifer runs out from the 3ball to win the final game. This put Amanda in 5th place, which meant Kim won the title. And as Jennifer made the final 9ball, I looked over at Kim, who was sitting far away, but close enough to see the match. Her head fell into her hands and she started weeping. Meanwhile, Amanda held it together and immediately got on her ipad, but she was disappointed.
Pics were taken of Kim, announcements were made of her title, and she posted all over facebook - just as I would have done! I was very proud of her, but at the same time disappointed for Amanda as I knew she fought so so hard for the title all weekend.
All of the matches Amanda and Kim played all weekend were crucial. Each and every one of them were key to the points, to the race, to the title, to the player.
But what surprised me was that the opponents who played them felt pressure, too.
Someone who played Kim expressed to me they felt bad having to play her. They said if they beat her, she might lose the title. But, we all still felt we had to fight and not give up, even though we FELT bad about it.
Even when I played Kim I felt bad for winning, but I could live with it because it was on the winner's side and I knew she could do well on the one-loss side. Kim is never out til she's out!
Jennifer told Amanda and I something very interesting later on in the day.
Jennifer said she was told right before her match with Amanda that the crown was pretty much on the line with that match. If Jennifer won, Amanda would not win the title. If she WON the match against Jennifer, that would put her in 4th place, and then Kim and Amanda would at least tie and have a playoff. Or, Amanda could go on to place higher and win it outright.
So when Jennifer played her, she also felt the pressure or uneasiness about the situation.
She told Amanda and I, "Right before the match, I was told about the points and how close it was. I called my boyfriend who is my tough-love confidante and told him the situation. His response was. 'what are you there for?' " Which gave Jennifer the mental okay to fight and win and not worry about what is at stake for Amanda.
I found it very comforting, as weird as that sounds, that Jennifer also felt the same way I did had I had to play either of these players on the one-loss side.
Neither player would want us to GIVE them matches, they want to win everything with pure sweat, good play, and determination; no gimmees.
But I was surprised at the amount of pressure it put on their opponents all weekend long.
This happened to me at the last night of my women's league season last Oct. Before the match started a friend told me she was in contention for the Top Shooter, but she would have to win 4 out of the 5 games. When she met up with me last that night, I felt SO badly for going for the run out. I wanted to dog it, but in my heart I was SO torn. I couldn't just give her the win by dogging it; I had to still play MY game. It would not be fair to the other person in contention.
I felt SO much pressure as I made ball after ball. I eventually screwed up shape. "Whew! I may not win, but I tried to win," lol, I told myself. But I banked my last ball well for shape and ended up winning. I felt SO badly! I hugged her and said, "I am so sorry."
"What for?"
"Because of the Top Shooter...."
"OH! I already won that two games ago - the other person lost most of her matches tonight and I already won it."
Oh thank God!
I told her it crossed my mind to maybe let her win and she told me, "Don't EVER do that."
Pressure to COMPETE well is sometimes tougher than we realize. Notice I didn't just say "pressure to WIN" is tough.
I know this is no comparison, but take for example the last two weekends in the NFL where players have lost their lives. The teammates of the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs go on the field, playing their little hearts out for their lost teammates and friends, but their opponents don't just GIVE them the wins. They still fight, no matter what; fight hard. These two heartbroken teams want to win SO badly, but their opponents still play hard and tough, even though they also know their opponents are playing FOR their deceased friends.
It also reminds me of what happened in 2002. Earl Strickland and Francisco Bustamante were fighting it out in the finals at the 2002 World Pool Championship. But it was what had happened 3 days earlier that was on a lot of people's mind. Francisco's 7 month old daughter had passed away suddenly. I know how Francisco played - he played FOR his daughter; in her honor. But how could Earl fathom to defeat Francisco in his worst hour? Granted, Francisco had played all three days up until the finals to meet Earl even after that horrific news, but I think it would be very tough for me to play my hardest knowing that he just lost his child. Earl had never won the title, so he focused on that. Earl won 17-15, even trailing at one point.
I realize life and death is no comparison to awards, but the point is that no matter what is at stake, opponents still need to compete, no matter what is on the line. I had not seen in a long time how much pressure there was on the OPPONENTS, not just the people fighting and yearning for the titles/wins.
Especially when awards and titles are on the line - FOR OUR FRIENDS.
Two weekends ago is the perfect example. And I'll also throw in a league night from last season as a comparison, along with the 2002 World Championship finals and the NFL.
At the OB Cues Ladies Tour stop in Dallas in early December, I alluded that Kim Pierce was in contention for the Tour Championship title. Also in contention was my bff Amanda Lampert. Orietta Strickland had a chance also, but hers was the slimmest chance. The real test would be between Amanda and Kim, who were only 50 points apart going into the final stop.
The "Tour Champion" title is one not many women have achieved on the tour. Three women have won it 11 times between themselves: five times in a row by Leslie Anne Rogers, then two times in a row by Heather Pulford, and then four times in a row by Lisa Marr. So, they kept many other women at bay from the title. With Leslie moving to Japan 7 years ago, Heather in California the last few years, and Lisa taking a hiatus from pool in the middle of this season, it allowed for a new champ to be crowned. Also, that person would get all their entry fees paid next year. Which is a nice bonus for such a strong title!
A lot of people (Kim and Amanda included) tried to figure out the statistics of how they would have to finish to see who would win the crown. But even though Amanda was only 50 points behind Kim, Kim would earn even more points at this stop. The points race was VERY tight! If they happened to TIE with points, they would have a play-off. BTW, the top points are: 200 for first place, then 160, 125, 100, 80, 65 and 50 points for 9th place.
Kim was put in the one-loss side by me, and then a round later, Amanda was on the one-loss side also. On the one-loss side, ironically, Amanda and Kim ran into each other. This would pretty much be a do or die situation for Amanda. If she didn't win, Kim for sure would get the title. If she did defeat Kim, she would still have to win several matches to secure the crown.
Amanda defeated Kim and gave herself a chance at the title! But Kim earned 50 points for 9th place. Now that meant Amanda would have to win by more than 100 points to win the title.
After Amanda defeated Kim, she had to wait almost 12 hours to play her next match Sunday morning against a very tough player (Orietta Stickland) for 7th place. I think it would be immense pressure to even TRY to sleep with all the thoughts of what I needed to do to win the title.
The TDs figured out Amanda needed to place 3rd to win the title, and if she placed 4th, Kim and Amanda would be tied in points and they would have to have a playoff.
I also don't know how Kim slept. It was now out of her hands, but she had to be restless with the unknowns, I'm sure. She would come to the tourney on Sunday and sweat it out all day and see what would happen.
As I mentioned before, I was on the winners side til Sunday. As I reviewed the brackets, I noticed that if I lost my first match Sunday morning, I would have to play Amanda if she defeated Orietta.
I actually worried about it. I didn't want to stand in her way of the title, but I wouldn't just give up, so I would still fight to win. BUT, I didn't want to be put in that position at all. I fully admit it. I understand pressure and wants and desires of competition, esp when titles are on the line, so to play someone who is gunning for something like that is pretty tough on those of us without a killer instinct.
I won my Sunday morning match (somehow) against Jennifer Kraber, and then SHE had to play Amanda next, as Amanda defeated Orietta 7-2 decisively.
Jennifer and Amanda went back and forth and back and forth.
The match goes 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6. Everyone in the entire room is eyeing the match (including those playing their own matches, like myself, lol), as we all know the title is on the line.
Eventually, at hill-hill, Jennifer runs out from the 3ball to win the final game. This put Amanda in 5th place, which meant Kim won the title. And as Jennifer made the final 9ball, I looked over at Kim, who was sitting far away, but close enough to see the match. Her head fell into her hands and she started weeping. Meanwhile, Amanda held it together and immediately got on her ipad, but she was disappointed.
Pics were taken of Kim, announcements were made of her title, and she posted all over facebook - just as I would have done! I was very proud of her, but at the same time disappointed for Amanda as I knew she fought so so hard for the title all weekend.
All of the matches Amanda and Kim played all weekend were crucial. Each and every one of them were key to the points, to the race, to the title, to the player.
But what surprised me was that the opponents who played them felt pressure, too.
Someone who played Kim expressed to me they felt bad having to play her. They said if they beat her, she might lose the title. But, we all still felt we had to fight and not give up, even though we FELT bad about it.
Even when I played Kim I felt bad for winning, but I could live with it because it was on the winner's side and I knew she could do well on the one-loss side. Kim is never out til she's out!
Jennifer told Amanda and I something very interesting later on in the day.
Jennifer said she was told right before her match with Amanda that the crown was pretty much on the line with that match. If Jennifer won, Amanda would not win the title. If she WON the match against Jennifer, that would put her in 4th place, and then Kim and Amanda would at least tie and have a playoff. Or, Amanda could go on to place higher and win it outright.
So when Jennifer played her, she also felt the pressure or uneasiness about the situation.
She told Amanda and I, "Right before the match, I was told about the points and how close it was. I called my boyfriend who is my tough-love confidante and told him the situation. His response was. 'what are you there for?' " Which gave Jennifer the mental okay to fight and win and not worry about what is at stake for Amanda.
I found it very comforting, as weird as that sounds, that Jennifer also felt the same way I did had I had to play either of these players on the one-loss side.
Neither player would want us to GIVE them matches, they want to win everything with pure sweat, good play, and determination; no gimmees.
But I was surprised at the amount of pressure it put on their opponents all weekend long.
This happened to me at the last night of my women's league season last Oct. Before the match started a friend told me she was in contention for the Top Shooter, but she would have to win 4 out of the 5 games. When she met up with me last that night, I felt SO badly for going for the run out. I wanted to dog it, but in my heart I was SO torn. I couldn't just give her the win by dogging it; I had to still play MY game. It would not be fair to the other person in contention.
I felt SO much pressure as I made ball after ball. I eventually screwed up shape. "Whew! I may not win, but I tried to win," lol, I told myself. But I banked my last ball well for shape and ended up winning. I felt SO badly! I hugged her and said, "I am so sorry."
"What for?"
"Because of the Top Shooter...."
"OH! I already won that two games ago - the other person lost most of her matches tonight and I already won it."
Oh thank God!
I told her it crossed my mind to maybe let her win and she told me, "Don't EVER do that."
Pressure to COMPETE well is sometimes tougher than we realize. Notice I didn't just say "pressure to WIN" is tough.
I know this is no comparison, but take for example the last two weekends in the NFL where players have lost their lives. The teammates of the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs go on the field, playing their little hearts out for their lost teammates and friends, but their opponents don't just GIVE them the wins. They still fight, no matter what; fight hard. These two heartbroken teams want to win SO badly, but their opponents still play hard and tough, even though they also know their opponents are playing FOR their deceased friends.
It also reminds me of what happened in 2002. Earl Strickland and Francisco Bustamante were fighting it out in the finals at the 2002 World Pool Championship. But it was what had happened 3 days earlier that was on a lot of people's mind. Francisco's 7 month old daughter had passed away suddenly. I know how Francisco played - he played FOR his daughter; in her honor. But how could Earl fathom to defeat Francisco in his worst hour? Granted, Francisco had played all three days up until the finals to meet Earl even after that horrific news, but I think it would be very tough for me to play my hardest knowing that he just lost his child. Earl had never won the title, so he focused on that. Earl won 17-15, even trailing at one point.
I realize life and death is no comparison to awards, but the point is that no matter what is at stake, opponents still need to compete, no matter what is on the line. I had not seen in a long time how much pressure there was on the OPPONENTS, not just the people fighting and yearning for the titles/wins.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
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.... :)
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.... :)
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