I’m pretty busy this afternoon with post-processing photos, but I just wanted to post about something that happened at the pool hall last night.
First off, let me remind you that I recently changed everything about my pool playing. On Friday, I played and was seriously contemplating going back because it was just murderous. I realized now that I was too focused on my body and didn’t really focus on the shot. And that’s fine – I expected to get worse before I got better, but it’s tough to accept that sometimes. Friday night, we went to the pool hall and I played a little better.
Last night we went back to the pool hall and had a little bit of time to warm up before our game partners arrived. Apparently, it was just what I needed. After everyone was warmed up, we racked up a 10-ball rack and I broke. Got a good spread, made a ball on the break but the 1 was nearly married to the 3. Good for me it was wired to the corner pocket. After some consideration, I took the shot and sank the 3, leaving a longer than I wanted shot on the 1. The 2 was sitting good after that. I took a lot of time lining up for the 1, but I made it and stopped the cue ball. After that, things get a little hazy in my memory as to where each ball was because we played for the next 7 hours. heh.
The major point of this entry though is that first rack… I ran the entire rack! I got a few rolls and had to make a few difficult shots, but I used my stroke when I needed to, and I played smarter position than I have in a while. I’m learning (strangely enough) just how useful center-ball is. I’m seeing the tangent lines easier and I getting better at controlling my speed. Although I came up short on the 10 and left myself with a pretty thin cut, I still rattled it in. I could not believe it. I still can’t believe it! I WISH I had the video camera with me. I meant to bring it, but in a rush decision to get there on time I just forgot to grab it.
The rest of the night we played teams and/or ring games, which, in my opinion, are a sure-fire way NOT to get in-stroke, so no other game was as impressive. Although I played pretty well all night, winning more games than losing, I also missed a lot of shots I shouldn’t have.
Still, I had a great time, and again, thanks to Gene and Gary for showing me even more tricks and sharing their knowledge with me.
This is one of my goals for this year – I want run a rack at least once a week.