I went back to the Pool Room yesterday for my typical Monday Night Pool. Dean is out of town for the week, and Hafid had prior plans, so I was left on my own. Given that I really enjoy playing down there, it’s not really that much of a bother. I like the company of Dean and Hafid, but my main purpose in playing on Monday and Wednesday nights is pool. It ain’t no social call for me, it’s all about pool.

While there, I found out that the guy who delivered unto me my first defeat at the APA 8-ball tournament on Sunday went on to win the whole thing. The guy who delivered unto me my second defeat got, appropriately enough, second place. I talked to a few people, and the general consensus is that the overall winner, ranked 3, should have been ranked anywhere from 6 to 9 (I think I was wrong in saying the ranking is from 1 – 8). Basically, he was given a free ride through the tournament… easy money.

As is typical, if I don’t know anyone on the quarter bar boxes, I’ll get a rack and play the 9′ tables. I’ll run through a few racks warming up, then settle down into some me vs. the table Straight Pool (aka, Equal Offense). I wasn’t there but 20 minutes when Chris, our local cuemaker/repairer shows up with his wife, Sherry. He had a present for me! A brass marker with my name engraved on it, that I can us in place of quarters to mark my place in line on bar boxes! No longer will I have to remember which quarter is mine, I’ll just find the one with my name on it! :)

Chris and I play a quick game to 50, which he won by 5… fairly impressive given that he hadn’t played 14:1 in 8 years. While Chris and I are playing, another Straight Pool fan by the name of Joe shows up, and he takes on Chris. An older guy (I’m 30)… Joe is a good shot, and a patient player. It’s refreshing to find a kindred Straight Pool spirit. I love the game, but unfortunately it’s just not that popular right now. Joe beats Chris and I step back up. I ended up winning, though I can’t remember the spread. The most notable thing about the game is that I just could not miss long shots. Any shot where there was over 6′ between the cue and the object ball, no matter the cut required was dead on. Needless to say, I was quite happy with my shooting. Joe and I also talked, albeit briefly and noncommittal, about trying to get a Straight Pool league going. While that would be extremely cool, I just don’t think there’s enough interest.

Joe had to go, so I went over to play the bar boxes with Ray who arrived late in our 14:1 matches. I was invited to a ring game by some of the better players, but I just felt more like playing for fun, rather than money, even pocket change.