Just a little bit rusty

Tried my hand at a pool tournament today.  Last time I played in this tournament (or *any* pool tournament) was 21 months ago.  I won it back then, as I had won it twice before.

This time, I went undefeated in the two warm-up matches, and undefeated in the 6 matches to get into the finals, and then missed two shots to lose and come in second.  Bummer, of course, but I really wasn't figuring I was going to win it all this time as I had done zero serious practice in almost two years!

I also noticed that I was nervous before the tournament and for several of the first matches.  It's really important to play in tournaments and match-ups to get "tournament tough".

The next tournament is in 3 months.  I should practice...


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WTF?

It sure has been a long time since I've had any real competition.  


Don't get me wrong... there are players out there who could offer real competition, but I just haven't gone looking for it.  And that's because my game is off, and that's because I haven't been practicing, and that's because I have been doing other stuff.  


It's not just that I haven't been practicing... I haven't even picked up a cue in weeks!  







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Johnny Archer and Nick Varner hanging out at the Fun House

Two of the greatest pool players in the history of the game just happened to be hanging out at FastMikie's Fun House, and here we see them in a lighter moment, just foolin' around with a trick shot that involves both of them shooting at the same time. Third time's a charm!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB6JM6twWSw

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Kamui chalk version 1.21 is awesome!

Kamui has just released a new chalk compound, version 1.21, which is a follow-on product to the previous release, the introductory version 0.98, and the one I tested about a year ago.


Disclaimer:  I am not getting anything for my review except the one piece of chalk they sent me in the mail. 


Review:  The best chalk just got better.  Worth the price if you value your game.  It feels right going on, and the hit is better, with or without extreme english.  It all comes down to being able to deliver a confident stroke when you need it.  That's priceless.  You could use cheaper chalk, but why?






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San Diego Area Pool Tournaments

http://www.sandiegopooltournaments.com 

Power is striking true

I ran across this great quote and thought of my lesson with Johnny Archer on how to execute the best break in 9-ball (video link: http://youtu.be/Ffkl-zp96N8):

"Power is not revealed by striking hard or often,

 but by striking true." 

Honore de Balzac

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Best practice drill.

I haven't been competing much lately, and that means that I sure haven't been practicing much either.  So I would have to admit that my skills tend to deteriorate.  


But then, all I need to do to get back into stroke quickly is to focus on this practice drill.  It is, beyond any doubt, the best all round exercise.





The rules are simple enough:
1.  All balls must go directly into the corner pocket. 
2.  The cue ball must touch the bottom rail, but not any other rail or other ball.
3.  Start with ball in hand. 
4.  Pocket all balls in sequence 1-9.


This video was shot a few years ago when I was just starting to get the hang of it.  I was shooting slow and very deliberately, learning how the most minute differences in where and how the cue ball is hit can make big differences in position.  


Try it!  If I can do it, so can you.  It just takes practice...


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Cutest cueists: Anastasia Luppova

I just ran across this photo in a list of "The 100 Hottest Sports Pics Ever" (link).  Here's how she is described in that list:

"She may be known as Miss Billiards 2009, but Russian sensation Anastasia Luppova doesn't need a resume to attract the camera.

While she can clearly work the pockets, it's Luppova's beauty that garners respect."

I haven't met her, but she could play on my table anytime...

From the size of the balls in the photo, she must be playing Russian pool.

This is just the latest in my series featuring "Cutest Cueists".  To see the others, click here, and enjoy!

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Why I Didn't Compete in the US Open 9-ball Tournament

It was a lazy Saturday afternoon and foggy by the beach, perfect for hanging out in the newly remodeled Fun House and watching the US Open 9-ball finals.  What a great show Appleton put on, easily winning for the second time in a row.  


Each shot of his match appeared so perfect that it almost seemed to require no effort at all.  Some of the shots were truly extraordinary, so I had to go to my table and try them myself.  What I learned from the experience (as if I hadn't already learned it many times before) is that while I can make those great shots, I just can't do it consistently.  And, of course, that makes all the difference in the world.  Another reason for not competing in these marathon tournaments is the enormous stress it puts on one's body.  My physical conditioning is just not up to it.  


While I'm on the subject of reasons (excuses?), there's the hotel food I'd have to endure (I'm a vegetarian).  And don't get me started on the rigors of air travel.  I'm sure the weather was awful too; I'm so spoiled by SoCal climate.


And that's why I didn't go to the Big Show...


While standing at the foot of my table (9' Brunswick Gold Crown IV, with Simonis 760 cloth) I can watch the tournament on two 65" plasma (Panasonic) screens, streaming through my MacBook Air and redirected to these external monitors.  The High Definition webcast was amazingly clear on these screens.


I had the "best seat in the house"!




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Pool Comes to a Quiet Mind

The new, improved Fun House is spectacular.  The new wood floors and minimalist theme are calming and yet very strong.  


Late into the night, with quiet all around, save the distant sounds of the surf, and in solitude, I sense every shot with maximum attention.


It just doesn't get much better than this.






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The Illusion of Winning

Scott Adams, the creator of the wildly popular Dilbert cartoon series, is a pool player of some considerable skill, it seems. Although I have never seen him shoot a ball, his post describes a deep understanding of what it takes to excel at the game.  I couldn't have said it better myself, so click here and read it yourself.


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Pool Has Returned to My Life

FastMikie's Fun House remodel project has turned the corner!

The pool table (Brunswick Gold Crown IV) has been re-assembled and re-clothed (Simonis 760 Tournament Blue) with the excellent assistance of Steve Leistikow. Thanks, Steve, it plays flawlessly!  

To celebrate, I spent a few hours just hitting one table full after another, getting back in stroke, and enjoying it a lot.  Next up was a "Shoeless Pool Tournament" with a couple of friends.  The "shoeless" stipulation is to protect the new, spectacular wood floors as well as to help give it a shine while walking around the table (socks required).

I sure am enjoying the new space, and the table, a Ton.  And I'm looking forward to having a lot more friends over in the coming weeks and months to shoot some pool, talk business, and plan Global Domination, as usual...

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Pool Table Goes Here (soon)...

The new, improved FastMikie's Fun House is ever-so-slowly advancing toward completion!  The new floors have been installed, and as you can see, they are outrageously awesome.  The walls are painted.  Nice!  And, soon the pool table will be re-installed.  Happy Days!

If I ever stop shooting pool, I'm going to convert the space into a yoga studio:  FastMikie's Seaside Downward Dog Yoga Emporium. Imagine the possibilities...

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