What a year...

Between The Joss Turning Stone Classic VII and Turning Stone Classic IX (one calendar year), I played in 45 tournaments. Here is the breakdown: 8 Women's Pro Events, 1 Tri-State Tour Event, 3 Major 14.1 Events, 2 Women's State events, 8 Joss NE Tour events, and a whopping 23 Blaze Pro-Am Tour events.

I am officially patting myself on the back.

Last year, at the EnjoyPool.com event in Las Vegas, I asked Mike Davis for advice about how to become a better player. I like talking with Mike because he is brutally honest when he talks about pool. For example, I once said to him: "I'm thinking about playing John-Doe-over-there. What do you think about his game?" His reply: "That guy? He's terrible. Yeah, he sucks. You probably need the seven."

He told me that if I wanted to be a serious tournament player, I should play in as many tournaments as possible. Ok. Seemed pretty obvious. Then he mentioned that he plays in as many as 50 tournaments a year. In my head, the advice went from "Play in as many tournaments as possible" to "Play in as many tournaments as is physically possible."

Looking at this past year, I would have to say that Mike was right. Playing in that many tournaments really did help my game. I can tell that I have gotten better, other people have told me that I have gotten better and my results have gotten better. Now I might only need the eight-ball from that guy who sucks.

I am really going to enjoy this tournament-free Labor Day weekend. I have earned it.


LIZ

Top Ten List #1

Growing up in the 1980's, I hold a special place in my heart for Letterman-style top-ten lists, even though the novelty of them wore off around the same time my parents bought me my first Cabbage Patch Kid.

Recently, Rob Pole -- a friend of mine and owner of Skyline Billiards -- accused me of not actually liking pool-players. I think he took offense at the phrase "degenerate scum", which I use, regularly, as a term of endearment. So, since he has been helping me with my break, I thought I would show him how truly instructive my life around pool-players has been.

Here are the top ten things I have learned at the pool hall:

10. Everybody misses sometimes
9. The fastest way to get rid of someone you don't like is to lend them money
8. You should always crack a window if you are going to sleep in your car
7. Chivalry isn't dead -- I haven't been allowed to buy a drink or open a door in about two years
6. Mullets aren't extinct, they're just endangered
5. How to combinate
4. A high-four-and-a-half is just as good as a high-five (that's a joke about the legion of pool-players that are missing fingers or parts of fingers - courtesy of Keith. Uhh... the joke is courtesy of Keith... he has nothing to do with the missing fingers... at least I don't think he does.)
3. I have a nice butt
2. Playing good is much better than playing well

and the number one thing I have learned at the pool hall...

1. It doesn't matter what you look like or how many teeth you have -- good pool is sexy


LIZ

P.S. I'm not sure how or when it happened, but in the last year I, myself, have completed the transition from "person who plays pool" to "pool-player". Please pray for my soul :)

Gimme a Break...

Right now I am off to the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Turning Stone Classic at the Turning Stone Hotel and Casino in Verona, New York. If you see me there, come say "hi" and introduce yourself. CAUTION: If I look pissed-off, don't ask me how my match went, I am liable to hurt you.

Once I get home it will be time to do some intensive training on my break. I hit the balls about as hard as a nine-year-old girl can hit you with her red plastic purse. All kidding aside, my break is truly out of sync with the quality of the rest of my game. It often feels like I have to play twice as well in order to make up for it.

LIZ

P.S. If you are anywhere near New York City this week, be sure to check out the Sang Lee International Open 3-Cushion tournament. It is being held at Carom Cafe in Flushing and will feature the world's best 3-Cushion players.

FNJFP

If you are a pool-player in the Mid-Atlantic United States and you have ever traveled to a tournament you will know my pain when I write these words: New Jersey Turnpike.
(Better known to me as the "f@#king New Jersey F@#kpike". Because I'm a lady.)

Over the years I have played in the Northeast Women's Tour, the Chesapeake Area Tour, the Tiger Planet Pool Tour, Maryland 14.1 events and in the Blaze Pro-Am tour. These organizations hold events in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. As a New York City resident, pretty much any road trip south requires a ride on the afore-mentioned FNJFP. I estimate that I have taken at least 75 pool-related round-trip rides on the beast.

I thought that it would be fresh and clever to blog about the Turnpike. Then I searched Google with the the keywords "New Jersey Turnpike" and "hate" (also "f@#k the") and found a glut of pre-existing rants. I don't really have anything new or interesting to add to their litany of complaints so I'll just offer a little prayer for any of my pool brethren or "sistren" who might be out there on the stanky asphalt tonight.

My friend and fellow pro, Sueyen Rhee (a Virginia resident), sowed the seeds of my FNJFP hatred after her own vow never to drive the Turnpike for a pool tournament ever, ever again. A vow she recently broke in order to play in the WPBA US Open in Rhode Island. She was understandably heart-broken.

Here is a picture of us at the Florida Classic:



I think there is a creepy resemblance between us and the Shining twins:




Come play pool with us, Danny. Forever... and ever... and ever...

LIZ