Well, this Derby City Classic is in the books for another year.
This was an interesting trip for me this year, in that I was curious to see how I would follow up on a previously successful year at the DCC (for me that is).
I have been playing and practicing with regularity in recent months, but as I age, I am beginning to see my ball making abilities decline, albeit very slowly. However, I feel that my moving skills have improved approximately a full ball in the last 12 months.
So going in, I was very confident especially given that I do 90% of my playing a 4 1/8" Diamond. I absolutely love the DCC Diamonds with fresh cloth, but it does require a few hours of play to get comfortable.
My first match was drawn against Ralf Souquet. Obviously Ralf is a champion 8 and 9 ball player but I did'nt recall him placing top in any recent One Pocket events and so I felt I had a reasonable chance if I played my game against him. I felt I moved very well against him, running 6 balls in each of the 3 games that I won. I lost one game due to a scratch when he ran a typically Ralfesque 8 and out.
The only critique I would have regarding Ralf's game is that he appears to be reluctant to take an intentional foul when he was in a jam.
So I was feeling confident heading into my next match with Daryl Gable, who I took for granted as a non One Pocket known player....big, big mistake on my part. He completely out banked and outplayed me for a 1-3 loss.
I did win my 3rd round match 3-1 with Robert Sowa after I hit a strange patch of missing a couple of easy balls, not sure why, but it happens I guess.
My 4th round opponent was a familiar face for me, Rafael Martinez (coincidently, we both had played each other 3 previous times in the previous 18 months at the DCC and US Open). I had beaten him 2 out 3 in those matches so I was feeling pretty good about the draw.
With Rafael, as many of you know, you end up having to play a totally different game against him due to his level of aggression/creativity. In other words, he is one of the most dangerous players I have played at his level.
In our past 2 meetings, it became apparent that I just needed to be very patient and wait for him to shoot an off the wall shot, and so intended to stick with same game plan for this match.
I played very well against Rafael but he played the best of our 4 meetings, alas with no opportunity providing 'circus shots', and he took the match 3-1. This was without doubt the most conservative and tight I have ever seen Rafael play. He squeezed me tight and deserved the win.
So....a 4th rd exit. I thought I would be highly disappointed, but in the end I was happy with my play. My learned lesson was to take every unknown opponent as a top player and not take anything for granted.
I did get a chance to play in the old Action Room (just one table with spectator seating all around). This table had 4" pockets and was without doubt the toughest table I've ever played on, given the standard Diamond pocket shelves. This turned out to be 7 hours of pure heaven matching up with a great player from Des Moines.
I also got into some other action with our own Jtompilot (great guy and tough competitor) and Sergio Perez. I did try to get a game with the One Pocket Ghost, but his negotiating skills outweigh his moving skills
...if that's possible:lol:lol. Maybe next year.
So, another year under the belt. I will go back to one pocket drawing board, continue to eek out new shots and a stronger mental state of mind....and hopefully live to see another Derby.
I would like to reiterate my thanks for the One Pocket. Org nomination and especially to Steve Booth who puts in a tremendous amount of hours for all our benefit.
Thanks!
Bernie Pettipiece.
This was an interesting trip for me this year, in that I was curious to see how I would follow up on a previously successful year at the DCC (for me that is).
I have been playing and practicing with regularity in recent months, but as I age, I am beginning to see my ball making abilities decline, albeit very slowly. However, I feel that my moving skills have improved approximately a full ball in the last 12 months.
So going in, I was very confident especially given that I do 90% of my playing a 4 1/8" Diamond. I absolutely love the DCC Diamonds with fresh cloth, but it does require a few hours of play to get comfortable.
My first match was drawn against Ralf Souquet. Obviously Ralf is a champion 8 and 9 ball player but I did'nt recall him placing top in any recent One Pocket events and so I felt I had a reasonable chance if I played my game against him. I felt I moved very well against him, running 6 balls in each of the 3 games that I won. I lost one game due to a scratch when he ran a typically Ralfesque 8 and out.
The only critique I would have regarding Ralf's game is that he appears to be reluctant to take an intentional foul when he was in a jam.
So I was feeling confident heading into my next match with Daryl Gable, who I took for granted as a non One Pocket known player....big, big mistake on my part. He completely out banked and outplayed me for a 1-3 loss.
I did win my 3rd round match 3-1 with Robert Sowa after I hit a strange patch of missing a couple of easy balls, not sure why, but it happens I guess.
My 4th round opponent was a familiar face for me, Rafael Martinez (coincidently, we both had played each other 3 previous times in the previous 18 months at the DCC and US Open). I had beaten him 2 out 3 in those matches so I was feeling pretty good about the draw.
With Rafael, as many of you know, you end up having to play a totally different game against him due to his level of aggression/creativity. In other words, he is one of the most dangerous players I have played at his level.
In our past 2 meetings, it became apparent that I just needed to be very patient and wait for him to shoot an off the wall shot, and so intended to stick with same game plan for this match.
I played very well against Rafael but he played the best of our 4 meetings, alas with no opportunity providing 'circus shots', and he took the match 3-1. This was without doubt the most conservative and tight I have ever seen Rafael play. He squeezed me tight and deserved the win.
So....a 4th rd exit. I thought I would be highly disappointed, but in the end I was happy with my play. My learned lesson was to take every unknown opponent as a top player and not take anything for granted.
I did get a chance to play in the old Action Room (just one table with spectator seating all around). This table had 4" pockets and was without doubt the toughest table I've ever played on, given the standard Diamond pocket shelves. This turned out to be 7 hours of pure heaven matching up with a great player from Des Moines.
I also got into some other action with our own Jtompilot (great guy and tough competitor) and Sergio Perez. I did try to get a game with the One Pocket Ghost, but his negotiating skills outweigh his moving skills
...if that's possible:lol:lol. Maybe next year.So, another year under the belt. I will go back to one pocket drawing board, continue to eek out new shots and a stronger mental state of mind....and hopefully live to see another Derby.
I would like to reiterate my thanks for the One Pocket. Org nomination and especially to Steve Booth who puts in a tremendous amount of hours for all our benefit.
Thanks!
Bernie Pettipiece.
