Summer’s coming
Posted at 5:05 AM, May 31, 2008 to Online pool
I played pool a couple times this week with friends of mine. I’m taking more time to do stuff outdoors now that the weather’s getting warmer around here. I went on a couple bike rides and played some soccer. As far as the pool outing, I was trying to explain aiming and banking systems to my friends. I guess I do a lot of things by feel, but I find it useful to try to explain things to other people and can help me realize some things that I’m doing subconciously. But there are also definitely certain shots I have trouble with and taking the time to apply an aiming system in these situations I find helpful.
Diamond Eight Billiards Open
Posted at 7:03 PM, May 25, 2008 to Online pool
I won the Diamond Eight Billiards Open!!! I started out rather poor, as did the other competitors, trying to adjust to the lively rails on the Gandy tables. Stacy and Stefan Mendrick had home table advantage, but it was tempered from not being the usual table they play on. I practiced on the table I ended up playing on, so I was able to get a few shots down. I made a break with decent prop/novelty and follow disciplines. Stefan started coming back in the stroke and jump disciplines, but I was able to make just enough shots to stay ahead and ended up beating him by four points in the end. Stacy came in an admirable third place, her highest finish in a tournament. She also did a great job as tournament director to make sure everything ran smoothly.
It was tough waking up so early for a 3 hour drive there, play, and drive 3 hours back. But that’s no excuse for my not-so-great performance. I did make Draw #4 which I had honed before the tournament though. The Gandy tables apparently have rubber shimmed pockets so balls tend to rattle out if you hit the facing too hard, so I had to adjust the Over and Under shot and move the object ball closer to the rail. I was lucky I was able to straighten my stroke out and make it on my first attempt. I even made Draw #1, which I always have trouble with. Draw #5 didn’t go for me though.
If any of you get to the area, Diamond Eight Billiards is a nice pool hall to visit. There are 11 9-foot Gandys and a billiard (carom) table, along with 8 or so 7-footers.
Practice for Diamond 8
Posted at 8:02 PM, May 22, 2008 to Online pool
I practiced last night for the Diamond 8 Billiards Classic. I didn’t do as well as I had hoped, especially for being on a table I should know so well. The tournament is small (I think there are only 6 people signed up so far) and it’s only a one day event without the masse discipline. I think I’m doing better with the Power Draw shot now that I’ve moved the cue ball and object ball closer together (probably about 1/4 inch or so). Draw #4 is also getting better for the same reason. I start with the balls about 1mm apart. I’m still having issues with Draw #1 because I can’t aim/stroke/draw straight. I’ll have to figure out something else where I can use some angle instead. And I’m not sure how I should shoot Stroke #5 anymore. The classic way seems ok, but I miscue a lot or don’t get as much spin as I need. The new way, with the balls lined up on the short rail, seem to increase the chance for a kiss too much.
LA Photos
Posted at 5:50 AM, May 21, 2008 to Online pool
Pictures from my LA commercial shoot can be found here:
http://www.trickshottim.com/radiantpics/radiantpage1.html
Check out what I had to wear for it! Stylin’!
Back from LA
Posted at 3:18 AM, May 16, 2008 to Online pool
Just got back from the commercial shoot for Radiant Pictures and QP Corporation. I had to get all dressed up and everything (I’ll post pictures soon) in a hot pink shirt, pink jacket, and red jeans. It was pretty crazy. I ended up having to set up the Smiley Face shot where five balls are set up in an arc near the center of the table and each one goes in to a different pocket on the shot. The talent, Masaharu Fukuyama, is a good player and was able to make the shot on most of the takes. We’ll see what the final version turns out like. My hands may or may not end up making an appearance, but it was pretty exciting nonetheless, especially just to see how the filming and production worked.