Updates

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've managed to ride a 4 match losing streak down to a 5 ranking now. Last week, I was down 4-1 in a 5-5 race, but started playing better the last two games before scratching on the 8 ball to lose 5-2. I've found that wrinkling my eyebrows like Jeanette Lee does helps with my focus. We'll see if that technique holds over for the next time I play...

In other news, I've been asked to take part in Pool Synergy next month. It's basically a collection of pool bloggers that each write their own take on a given topic every month. The prompt for next month was pretty vague "10 Things...". I'm planning on writing 10 Things You Can Learn From Trick Shots. If there's anything you want to hear about in particular, let me know and I'll see if I can slide it in.

Seven up

Little late, but last week I got bumped up to a 7. Smashed my opponent 5-0 in a 5/3 race. I probably caught him on an off day. Also had a rackless night since I won the lag and the winner breaks. Apparently though, you have to be a 4 or lower to qualify for a special 'rackless night' patch. Oh well.

The 4-6-3

Sounds like a baseball double play, but those have been my handicaps each week now. So this last week I played against a 7, which made it a 6-2 race where I had to win 2. Yeah, I like my odds against anybody with that matchup. I ended up winning 2-1. My opponent missed a couple 8 balls, so maybe it shouldn't have been over so quick. We also played on bar boxes, which made it a little more interesting. Wonder what my handicap will be next week?

Pool playing robot

Check out this pool playing robot. Could be my next competitor.

League last week

Played my first match as an APA SL6 last week against an opponent of the same handicap. I got smoked 5-1. I managed to scratch in the first few games, which essentially gave them away. He gave me one back scratching when I only had one object ball left. I had a chance to get a second game but missed a difficult shot on the 8, hanging it in the pocket for him to finish off.

APA Handicap

So, the whole 'newbie starts as a 4' lasted me all of one week. I've been bumped up to a 6 already. Too bad there's a bye week this week.

Boston's a wrap

As my one or two loyal readers may know, I have made the move from Boston, MA to San Jose, CA. My 8 ball league in Boston wrapped up just before I left though, so I didn't strand my team in the middle of the season. They had just bumped up my handicap though and I finished 1-2 at that level.

As of last night, I just joined an 8-ball APA league with a friend of mine. It's mostly out of Shoreline Billiards, but there are teams from a couple of other local pool halls. I started out as a SL4 since I had never played APA before. Of course, that's a bit low for me, so I managed to win my match pretty easily over a SL6 3-1 and she wasn't really too happy about that. I'm sure she'll get me next time.