What a great time at the derby this year. Great to see our 1p.org crew as usual, and there were many of us. Crab man, Cincy, chicagofats, ChicagoMike, Hardmix, Johnnytronic and his lovely wife, chicagoMike, Jerry, poolandpokerman (Tom), Bernie, Catkins, KollegeDave, Miller, Col Bille, JR, JB, Peter, and I know I missing a few.
ACTION:
I arrived Saturday and was immediately set upon by Crabbcatjohn, who had talked me into giving up 9/7-10/8. We played a race to 3 and I got lucky to get the cheese. That set was probably the best I played all week. I feel like the longer I am at Derby the more hesitant my stroke becomes using those cueballs. Crazy I know. Sometime after that ChicagoFats and I matched up a couple times and he took it easy on me since I don’t think he slept the entire derby. As Chincykid mentioned we also locked horns. Also Luckily as he mentioned he scratched a million times which is likely the only reason I faded the spot he talked me into lol. I was also able to hit some with Johnnytronic (I escaped even) and Johnny from Memphis who shoots straight as well as rifle fast (Even but doesn’t count since we didn’t gamble lol). Also got to sweat some 25k a game 1p and Tommy Medina getting 13-4 from Alex for big money.
Tournament play:
1st match I played a guy who Cincy knows who apparently owns a pool room in Ohio. Nice guy and he shot very straight but I was banking really well and moved well enough to get the win. Second match I played our own Col Bille. Bille really took his time and looked at every option before shooting. In addition to making good choices he executed very well when he did pull the trigger. It was 2-1 him when I had 2 chances to pocket easy balls to take the match to Hill-Hill and I dogged both shots. One being Ball in hand with three balls out in the open. Ugh. That said, Bille deserved the win as he was the better player! Bille your work with Mary is really paying off and was a pleasure to watch! Bought back in. Last match I played Cam Salim. A German monster young gun who beat Danny Smith last year for 40K. I figured he doesn’t know 1P so I would squeeze and frustrate him into taking bad shots. Didn’t happen. To his credit he played incredibly patiently. I did have him in the dentist chair (heh) with a 5-2 lead the first game and balls heading uptable. That game took an hour because he refused to take a flier! Anytime he got a bank or shot he drained it and he actually came back to win the game 8-5. Second game he had a 2-0 lead when he left me a bank which I made and ran a 5 (my highlight of the match lol). I ended up winning that game. 1-1. Next two games he just played super patiently and never missed a ball and beat me 3-1. Nice guy though and fun match.
The venue:
Only downside for me was the smoke. The casino is now right outside the main tournament room and is smoking so I did have a sore throat by the end. Aside from that I liked the food (New Pho place was great) and had no issues with the tournament at all. I’m grateful it exists. Again he highlight for me is spending time with all the Bro’s I have met on this site. What a fantastic time! If you have never been it is a must for Pool fans. There were plenty of action tables available this year also.
ACTION:
I arrived Saturday and was immediately set upon by Crabbcatjohn, who had talked me into giving up 9/7-10/8. We played a race to 3 and I got lucky to get the cheese. That set was probably the best I played all week. I feel like the longer I am at Derby the more hesitant my stroke becomes using those cueballs. Crazy I know. Sometime after that ChicagoFats and I matched up a couple times and he took it easy on me since I don’t think he slept the entire derby. As Chincykid mentioned we also locked horns. Also Luckily as he mentioned he scratched a million times which is likely the only reason I faded the spot he talked me into lol. I was also able to hit some with Johnnytronic (I escaped even) and Johnny from Memphis who shoots straight as well as rifle fast (Even but doesn’t count since we didn’t gamble lol). Also got to sweat some 25k a game 1p and Tommy Medina getting 13-4 from Alex for big money.
Tournament play:
1st match I played a guy who Cincy knows who apparently owns a pool room in Ohio. Nice guy and he shot very straight but I was banking really well and moved well enough to get the win. Second match I played our own Col Bille. Bille really took his time and looked at every option before shooting. In addition to making good choices he executed very well when he did pull the trigger. It was 2-1 him when I had 2 chances to pocket easy balls to take the match to Hill-Hill and I dogged both shots. One being Ball in hand with three balls out in the open. Ugh. That said, Bille deserved the win as he was the better player! Bille your work with Mary is really paying off and was a pleasure to watch! Bought back in. Last match I played Cam Salim. A German monster young gun who beat Danny Smith last year for 40K. I figured he doesn’t know 1P so I would squeeze and frustrate him into taking bad shots. Didn’t happen. To his credit he played incredibly patiently. I did have him in the dentist chair (heh) with a 5-2 lead the first game and balls heading uptable. That game took an hour because he refused to take a flier! Anytime he got a bank or shot he drained it and he actually came back to win the game 8-5. Second game he had a 2-0 lead when he left me a bank which I made and ran a 5 (my highlight of the match lol). I ended up winning that game. 1-1. Next two games he just played super patiently and never missed a ball and beat me 3-1. Nice guy though and fun match.
The venue:
Only downside for me was the smoke. The casino is now right outside the main tournament room and is smoking so I did have a sore throat by the end. Aside from that I liked the food (New Pho place was great) and had no issues with the tournament at all. I’m grateful it exists. Again he highlight for me is spending time with all the Bro’s I have met on this site. What a fantastic time! If you have never been it is a must for Pool fans. There were plenty of action tables available this year also.