Southern Classic 2013 Trip Report

lfigueroa

Verified Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2004
Messages
2,493
Tunica is always fun.

I drove down for a couple of days and had a great time, playing pool, seeing many old friends, and eating (and drinking) too well. I chatted with Greg Sullivan about the future of pool at casinos, BB, and the pro player situation (and watched him be very cool with Richie Richardson). I ate dinner one night at the ’37 bar, sitting across the way from Danny Diliberto and Al Metzinger (thanks again, Al!)

The pool was tough. I was told there were almost 130 players in the 1pocket, down from 150 something the previous year. I lost to Michael Dolawder of Orlando 2-3 (bobbled my set ball at 2-1) and fellow St. Louisian, Justin Bergman, 0-3. Not to take anything away from my opponents but I always struggle after practicing on an old GC3 and then traveling to play on Diamonds. I must have missed close to a half a dozen baby, “electric chair,” cross table banks, that would repeatedly come up a ball short. I’d be down on the shot and say to myself “Self, shoot it long” and still could not get the ball wide enough. And the speed of the tables is near impossible for me. It’s as though I could not hit the ball soft enough and several times, on touchy safety play, watched helplessly as the cue ball rolled a diamond or more past it’s intended resting spot, which, for all intents and purposes, is the 1pocket equivalent of committing seppuku.

Still, it was a great time playing, sweating some of the money matches in the action room, watching players never seen before like Wang, as well as some of the real road dogs like Cliff, and Ike who came up to me and conveyed greetings from Monsignor Lavin. (Thanks John. You must have really put “the fear” into Ike because he said “you insisted.”) And, it was good to see Vivian Villareal and Melissa Little get into the mix, seeing the pros like SVB and Corey Duel walk by left and right, and warming up on the table next to Efren, who, to this day, still shows an almost child-like enjoyment of the game.

Chatting at the casino Dunkin’ Donuts with Greg Sullivan, it was hard to listen to him talk about some of what has transpired lately in the world of pool and how some of the pros have behaved (to say nothing of the guys operating out of Las Vegas). I’m not comfortable sharing much of it but, if you’re willing to take me at my word, let me just say that some of these guys have acted shamefully.

I will share one quick story from dinner with Danny and Al. They were sitting across from me at the bar and we were all enjoying some pretty fabulous cooking coming out of the kitchen and Danny asked if I was a pool player. And I said, “Yes.” And he asked, “What’s your name?” And I replied “Lou Figueroa” and he said, “Never heard of you.” And so then I started talking about being at the US Open One Pocket tournaments up in Kalamazoo and the Louisville DCC at the Executive West, and listening to Danny on Accu-Stats, and how Al is always sitting front row on the tapes in his trademark white Panama hat, with his wife Marsha always at his side (who passed a few years ago) and suddenly Al said, “”You’re the guy with the three-piece cue!” And we talked about the Sheldon Lebow three-piece I used for many years when traveling (until my wife graciously bought me a “travel” Ginacue for our 25th anniversary.

All of which led to a great discussion on pool.

I had the chance to ask Danny about his infamous $20K match with Ronnie Allen, hear him tell some great Jack Cooney, Jimmy Reid, and Billy Incardona stories, his opinion of aiming systems (you don’t want to know :), his DVD commentary and who his favorite co-commentator is/was. And so Danny is on a roll telling stories, and I stop him at one point and tell him, “You know, I love your commentary, Danny, except for one thing.” And he said, “What’s that?” And I warned him, “You’re not going to like it.” And he insisted, “Tell me!”

So I told him: “I don’t know how many times I’ve heard you say during a 1pocket match that you’re doing commentary on, and a guy plays a safety and you say, ‘Ah. He didn’t do much there.’ Or similarly, ‘That was just a survival shot.’ And Danny, I’m sitting at home watching this and saying to the screen, ‘There was nothing else he could do.’” And Danny responded, “I feel there’s always something you can do.” And I say, “Sure. From the booth that’s easy to say. But sometimes you just have to accept what the table affords you and I think you could phrase your commentary so it doesn’t sound so negative.” And you know what he said? He said. “OK. I’m going to change that. Thank you for saying that. And when that comes up, I’m going to say it was because of my conversation with Lou Figueroa.”

How cool is that?

And so, I went to the Southern Classic, got beat up -- can’t say I really played badly (or exceptionally) -- but as always there are the shots, and strategies, and techniques, and most importantly, things to learn about yourself that make an experience like this invaluable. Bitter truth be told, there’s really no other way to learn some things about your pool game (and your mental pool game) other than the school of hard knocks. All of it makes you a smarter player, a tougher player, and a better prepared player for the future. It’s a tough dish to swallow and right about now it’s tasting pretty salty, but I guess that’s “the seasoning” we often talk about here.

Lou Figueroa
 
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usblues

Verified Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Messages
1,328
From
St Paul,Mn
That was...

That was...

....an excellent overview of the way it is/was Lou.We all been waiting for the news from Tunica and appreciate you taking the time to share your take on the action.Reading your story is like picking up a newspaper and reading about last night's boxing match or horserace from the proverbial "man in the street" who was there when it mattered most.From suits and style to t-shirts and tennis shoes,the main game keeps on rolling along with its siren song to the stars in the bars with their cars and cash.Everyone wants to take care of whitey,but whitey has a black heart beneath that Mae West smile.Thanks again and I'll bet that old GC is looking pretty good today,cheers,James
 

Cal

Verified Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2004
Messages
266
From
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Southern Classic 2013 Trip

Southern Classic 2013 Trip

Tunica is always fun.

I drove down for a couple of days and had a great time, playing pool, seeing many old friends, and eating (and drinking) too well. I chatted with Greg Sullivan about the future of pool at casinos, BB, and the pro player situation (and watched him be very cool with Richie Richardson). I ate dinner one night at the ’37 bar, sitting across the way from Danny Diliberto and Al Metzinger (thanks again, Al!)

The pool was tough. I was told there were almost 130 players in the 1pocket, down from 150 something the previous year. I lost to Michael Dolawder of Orlando 2-3 (bobbled my set ball at 2-1) and fellow St. Louisian, Justin Bergman, 0-3. Not to take anything away from my opponents but I always struggle after practicing on an old GC3 and then traveling to play on Diamonds. I must have missed close to a half a dozen baby, “electric chair,” cross table banks, that would repeatedly come up a ball short. I’d be down on the shot and say to myself “Self, shoot it long” and still could not get the ball wide enough. And the speed of the tables is near impossible for me. It’s as though I could not hit the ball soft enough and several times, on touchy safety play, watched helplessly as the cue ball rolled a diamond or more past it’s intended resting spot, which, for all intents and purposes, is the 1pocket equivalent of committing seppuku.

Still, it was a great time playing, sweating some of the money matches in the action room, watching players never seen before like Wang, as well as some of the real road dogs like Cliff and Ike (who came up to me and conveyed greetings from Monsignor Lavin. (Thanks John. You must have really put “the fear” into Ike because he said “you insisted.”) And, it was good to see Vivian Villareal and Melissa Little get into the mix, seeing the pros like SVB and Corey Duel walk by left and right, and warming up on the table next to Efren, who, to this day, still shows an almost child-like enjoyment of the game.

Chatting at the casino Dunkin’ Donuts with Greg Sullivan, it was hard to listen to him talk about some of what has transpired lately in the world of pool and how some of the pros have behaved (to say nothing of the guys operating out of Las Vegas). I’m not comfortable sharing much of it but, if you’re willing to take me at my word, let me just say that some of these guys have acted shamefully.

I will share one quick story from dinner with Danny and Al. They were sitting across from me at the bar and we were all enjoying some pretty fabulous cooking coming out of the kitchen and Danny asked if I was a pool player. And I said, “Yes.” And he asked, “What’s your name?” And I replied “Lou Figueroa” and he said, “Never heard of you.” And so then I started talking about being at the US Open One Pocket tournaments up in Kalamazoo and the Louisville DCC at the Executive West, and listening to Danny on Accu-Stats, and how Al is always sitting front row on the tapes in his trademark white Panama hat, with his wife Marsha always at his side (who passed a few years ago) and suddenly Al said, “”You’re the guy with the three-piece cue!” And we talked about the Sheldon Lebow three-piece I used for many years when traveling (until my wife graciously bought me a “travel” Ginacue for our 25th anniversary.

All of which led to a great discussion on pool.

I had the chance to ask Danny about his infamous $20K match with Ronnie Allen, hear him tell some great Jack Cooney, Jimmy Reid, and Billy Incardona stories, his opinion of aiming systems (you don’t want to know :), his DVD commentary and who his favorite co-commentator is/was. And so Danny is on a roll telling stories, and I stop him at one point and tell him, “You know, I love your commentary, Danny, except for one thing.” And he said, “What’s that?” And I warned him, “You’re not going to like it.” And he insisted, “Tell me!”

So I told him: “I don’t know how many times I’ve heard you say during a 1pocket match that you’re doing commentary on, and a guy plays a safety and you say, ‘Ah. He didn’t do much there.’ Or similarly, ‘That was just a survival shot.’ And Danny, I’m sitting at home watching this and saying to the screen, ‘There was nothing else he could do.’” And Danny responded, “I feel there’s always something you can do.” And I say, “Sure. From the booth that’s easy to say. But sometimes you just have to accept what the table affords you and I think you could phrase your commentary so it doesn’t sound so negative.” And you know what he said? He said. “OK. I’m going to change that. Thank you for saying that. And when that comes up, I’m going to say it was because of my conversation with Lou Figueroa.”

How cool is that?

And so, I went to the Southern Classic, got beat up -- can’t say I really played badly (or exceptionally) -- but as always there are the shots, and strategies, and techniques, and most importantly, things to learn about yourself that make an experience like this invaluable. Bitter truth be told, there’s really no other way to learn some things about your pool game (and your mental pool game) other than the school of hard knocks. All of it makes you a smarter player, a tougher player, and a better prepared player for the future. It’s a tough dish to swallow and right about now it’s tasting pretty salty, but I guess that’s “the seasoning” we often talk about here.

Lou Figueroa

I had to miss this one because of health reasons, listening you made me really want to be there . Its a great tournament, when you mention Al Metzinger , I can tell you he is a one class guy who does a lot for pool,. give him my regards . Have a great time for me :) thanks for the update
 

NH Steve

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Joined
Apr 25, 2004
Messages
12,281
From
New Hampshire
Southern Classic 2013 Trip Report

Fantastic read Lou! I wish I could have gone myself but reading this I felt like a little of me was there. Thanks!!
 

lfigueroa

Verified Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2004
Messages
2,493
Nice post Lou.

I'm traveling thru St. Louis now. I'll give you a ring on my next trip in July.


Thanks, Jim. Let me know. I've got a couple of trips coming up (Colorado and Vegas) but if I'm around would love to play.

Lou Figueroa
 

lfigueroa

Verified Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2004
Messages
2,493
....an excellent overview of the way it is/was Lou.We all been waiting for the news from Tunica and appreciate you taking the time to share your take on the action.Reading your story is like picking up a newspaper and reading about last night's boxing match or horserace from the proverbial "man in the street" who was there when it mattered most.From suits and style to t-shirts and tennis shoes,the main game keeps on rolling along with its siren song to the stars in the bars with their cars and cash.Everyone wants to take care of whitey,but whitey has a black heart beneath that Mae West smile.Thanks again and I'll bet that old GC is looking pretty good today,cheers,James


You know, James, I've been writing these trip reports for, well, almost 15 years now. I do it because I enjoy writing and I know a lot of guys who cannot get away enjoy the George Plimpton-like accounts of a guy like me jumping into a shark tank. Thanks for taking the time to acknowledge.

As to the GC, funny thing. I went back to the old girl yesterday afternoon and concentrated on what I believed to be the central problems I experienced at the SC. So for like 3 hours I was just working out a number of mechanical issues. And then I decided to practice a little 14.1 and ran 111. So yes, the GC is looking pretty good right about now :)

Lou Figueroa
 

lfigueroa

Verified Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2004
Messages
2,493
I had to miss this one because of health reasons, listening you made me really want to be there . Its a great tournament, when you mention Al Metzinger , I can tell you he is a one class guy who does a lot for pool,. give him my regards . Have a great time for me :) thanks for the update


You're welcome, Cal. Sorry you couldn't make it this year.

And you're right: Al is first boat all the way.

Lou Figueroa
 

usblues

Verified Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Messages
1,328
From
St Paul,Mn
Oh Oh......

Oh Oh......

.......a run of 111 on a GC111.Rod Serling could make an episode from that,cheers,James
 
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