My derby report:
This was my second year attending the Derby, and it was fantastic for a bunch of reasons.
1. My tournament Play: I made it to the 4th round this year (including my buy back). One round from the money. I realize this is not great by some of your standards, but since I lost in the first round last year, this was a two steps in the right direction for me.
My first loss was when I drew Nick Van Den Berg, who played on the European Mosconi cup team. Even in the loss, I am pleased with how I played. The first game went to 6-6. I left him uptable by the corner after pocketing a ball there and he back cut the spot shot, well..... Like a pro.
The second game I scratched on the break and he ran 6. I got a shot and ran a 6 back on him
. Then I double kissed a ball while clearing it from the bottom rail near his hole and he got out.
Third game was a boxing match early and it was 1-1 I think. At one point, he had 2 balls on the short rail near his hole and the 1 ball was about a 1:2 inch from the long rail on his side 1/2 way to the first diamond. He had me by my hole locked up against the 12 ball. I one rail kicked the cue off of the long rail cross to his side and brought it to rest after just touching the one into the rail and brought it to rest safely. I was thrilled and looked up to see the Mike Massey was watching our match, and he gave me the "nice shot" head nod. You know the nod!! I think that was a major highlight for me lol. Anyway, after more boxing, I was up table and tried to play him in his corner off the stack, but scratched. He ran 8 and out. So while I lost, it was still a great match IMO.
My second loss with a guy named tiger cass sucked. It was the one match that I played poorly this week IMO, and I think that I was "popping up" out of my shots. Just made several unforced errors. Oh well. I'll fix that next year. Tiger went on to play Bernie P next and they had a serious battle, with Bernie notching the win I believe.
I also got in the one pocket mini last night (just 25 bucks!) and made it to the second round.
2. The sweating:
It cannot be overstated that if you are a serious pool fan, you MUST get to the Derby sometime. I don't think there is anywhere else in the world where you see literally every top player right there a playing each other. For example during my match the tables around me were: Efren, bustamonte, frost, Appleton, and Ike Runnels. It is just awesome! And watching all of the non pros who shoot the numbers off of the balls gambling for thousands is great too. The barking and betting is like an adrenaline circus.
3. The Socializing:
I got to meet and hang out with several of the 1p.org members and that was really a highlight. NHSteve, Miller, onepockethacker, the Ghost, Bernie P, and Col. Bill I recall. It was great meeting you all. I even got to play some 1 hole with Tom Wirth. (Thanks for taking it easy on me Tom). I still want to diagram the 4 rail kick off the bottom the the stack that you called and executed perfectly!
I was even lucky enough to be "Banking with the Beard" this morning! He kicked my ass but I did hit him with one nice 4 and out early for my only win lol.
I also matched up with a guy from my area who I've never caught and won a couple hundred, so that helps.
Lastly, I want to say again..... GET to the DERBY!!!!!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This was my second year attending the Derby, and it was fantastic for a bunch of reasons.
1. My tournament Play: I made it to the 4th round this year (including my buy back). One round from the money. I realize this is not great by some of your standards, but since I lost in the first round last year, this was a two steps in the right direction for me.
My first loss was when I drew Nick Van Den Berg, who played on the European Mosconi cup team. Even in the loss, I am pleased with how I played. The first game went to 6-6. I left him uptable by the corner after pocketing a ball there and he back cut the spot shot, well..... Like a pro.
The second game I scratched on the break and he ran 6. I got a shot and ran a 6 back on him
. Then I double kissed a ball while clearing it from the bottom rail near his hole and he got out. Third game was a boxing match early and it was 1-1 I think. At one point, he had 2 balls on the short rail near his hole and the 1 ball was about a 1:2 inch from the long rail on his side 1/2 way to the first diamond. He had me by my hole locked up against the 12 ball. I one rail kicked the cue off of the long rail cross to his side and brought it to rest after just touching the one into the rail and brought it to rest safely
. I was thrilled and looked up to see the Mike Massey was watching our match, and he gave me the "nice shot" head nod. You know the nod!! I think that was a major highlight for me lol. Anyway, after more boxing, I was up table and tried to play him in his corner off the stack, but scratched. He ran 8 and out. So while I lost, it was still a great match IMO. My second loss with a guy named tiger cass sucked. It was the one match that I played poorly this week IMO, and I think that I was "popping up" out of my shots. Just made several unforced errors. Oh well. I'll fix that next year. Tiger went on to play Bernie P next and they had a serious battle, with Bernie notching the win I believe.
I also got in the one pocket mini last night (just 25 bucks!) and made it to the second round.
2. The sweating:
It cannot be overstated that if you are a serious pool fan, you MUST get to the Derby sometime. I don't think there is anywhere else in the world where you see literally every top player right there a playing each other. For example during my match the tables around me were: Efren, bustamonte, frost, Appleton, and Ike Runnels. It is just awesome! And watching all of the non pros who shoot the numbers off of the balls gambling for thousands is great too. The barking and betting is like an adrenaline circus.
3. The Socializing:
I got to meet and hang out with several of the 1p.org members and that was really a highlight. NHSteve, Miller, onepockethacker, the Ghost, Bernie P, and Col. Bill I recall. It was great meeting you all. I even got to play some 1 hole with Tom Wirth. (Thanks for taking it easy on me Tom). I still want to diagram the 4 rail kick off the bottom the the stack that you called and executed perfectly!
I was even lucky enough to be "Banking with the Beard" this morning! He kicked my ass but I did hit him with one nice 4 and out early for my only win lol.
I also matched up with a guy from my area who I've never caught and won a couple hundred, so that helps
. Lastly, I want to say again..... GET to the DERBY!!!!!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
