First I would like to say to Dr. Bill(wincardona), thank you for the advice, coming from a retired hustler, ( Hustlers never retire, they just age like every one else) now blogger/commentator I don't really know if your still on the job or not though, saying that you need 9/7 stuff, because I would not even play you WITH 9/7 :frus.GETTING 10/7 is where we would could start,( I see that you are taking my advice on ...matching up better... if I could get the backing because I know I'm not in your price range on my own money. When I was younger I was a bigger donkey then now, If you was to ask people in my area about me now, TIGHT, and NITTY are used ALL THE TIME as apposed to FISH, which having a family now compared to being a single kid living at home with mommy will change the way u gamble or you will not have a family long, much rather have my beautiful family than the respect of a bunch of hustlers. ( But you can have both)
My 5th match was my toughest win(AND MY LAST), because this guy plays closer to my speed than anybody that I faced the whole tourny. He is a shortstop and I'm not going to say his name because he is not TV table known yet(NOT LIKE I AM), but I'm thinking he would not like me to put him out there like that. For a few years I have been kinda ducking this guy in a way, I want 9/7 and he don't want to work that hard for that few hundred dollar score. I think I can play him 8/7ish, if I played my perfect game, but that only happens when all the stars line up(NEVER), and I feel good knowing I know my limits(SOME WHAT). I found myself hoping he did good in the mini tourny the night before, it got over about 5am, our match was at 10am, he got 4th, and was there on time though. I did not play in it for that reason, I was doing so good in main tourny, that I felt I needed to rest for my big day 3, never before has that happened to me it felt great(ALMOST LIKE A REAL POOL PLAYER).
I knew that the first game was going to be the one, and it was, if I win I'm going to beat him, if I lose it he will win the set. It had it all good shooting, bad shooting, lucky safes, great safes, everything you want in a good one pocket game. It lasted about a hour, while the last two didn't last 30min combined. I can't recall any shots from that match maybe because I was trying so hard to beat him that 1st game the rest is a blurr, but when it was over he did say to me that he was not going to try and come looking for me any more, that made me feel better than beating an older Buddy Hall, or two champions that took me lightly(or was not using there right equipment).
My next two matches I lose to two great players but I was in them, STAY TUNED!!!
For those who forgot (as I did), Jason is referring to Ryan Stone-- the 2nd place finisher.
BTW, our friend from Gulfport, Benny Conway, Jr., who says he "can't play one-pocket" finished at the 5th level, tied with Ike Runnels, Darren Appleton and Danny Smith!
Doc
Sorry I have not posted in awhile been busy trying to make some money before(working) and during the annual Mobile tourney(gambling). I did okay BUT not as good as I should have done(WHOLE DIFFERENT THREAD ALTOGETHER)!
I knew I was in the money and when I saw that I had to play Ryan I was happy and not so all in one, we played in 07' at the Derby if I would have beat him then I would have got to play Ralf Souquet for like 17th place, but besides the fact that he is better than me something happened in the first game that did not help my chances in the match. During the 1st game the ball count was 5 or 6 to 2 his favor, as I was trying to mount a come back I was down on a long rail straight back bank and Larry Nevel with his headphones in bends down on the table behind me and his butt literally shot my shot for me, yep I missed, just like if I was gambling I just said go ahead Ryan. I probably had other options, but never having played in a big tourney before I did not pursue them. I lost that game, and the set 3 to 1. I heard later I think that Ryan placed higher than SVB in all 3 events that year, so I was not too disappointed in 26th place for my 1st big tourney.
I talked to Ryan a bit before our match, and he did not remember 07', O BUT I DID, and i was super pumped to try and beat him this year, but I was also super nervous, more so than in any other match so far. The 1st game was back and fourth for a bit then he just out moved me for the win, then I get the 2nd game it was a tight down to last ball. After me getting it even I started to think I had a chance, and thats all it takes for me to go into straight dog it mode. I need 3 and I have two balls within 3" of my hole and he makes a game losing shot by making a ball and turning the cue ball loose where it stops in inch away from the spot, and when he puts up the ball that went in the side the cue ball and spot ball where about 1/4" away from one another, leaving me a off angle combo, but they were so close that I was worried about fouling, being nervous and not wanting to foul I missed the combo, then on his shot he clears my pocket completely.STICK A FORK IN ME I WAS DONE! My mental game has beat me almost as much as my matching up skills, and even though I have gotten better at one pocket since 07', mentally I still can't beat myself if U know what I mean.
Yes I wanted to win but if I had to pick the guy that I wanted to beat me it is Ryan, he is a class act, great playing, champ. Good shooting Ryan.
Straight to the buy back booth I go to get to play Corey Deuel, Stay Tuned!!!
Hey Doc...I played Benny Jr. some One Pocket 11 yrs. ago at Fatso's Billiards in Tampa Fla. when I spent that winter traveling around Fla...:heh
... but I heard that a couple local shortstops were left that I've played and did well against before, Benny Conway Jr., and Daniel McKinney(Lil D), I was hoping to draw them, but I drew Corey instead. Actually after I lost to Corey, Lil D beats him and comes in 5th, while Benny comes in 10th, ...
You did fantastic, Jace! But I hadn't realized that "Little D" is Daniel McKenney. Isn't he from Hattiesburg? Wow! I thought he was strictly a rotation player. He finished at 4th/5th with Ochoa. And Benny finished 6th/9th.
http://www.southernclassictournament.com/
Y'all were in some tall cotton!
Doc
Little D lived in Tn for a couple of years getting taugt 1 hole from Justin Cone and Billy Young.