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Nov 15, 2004 :: The Four Stages of Pool
Thoughts from The Monk
I attended the US Amateur Championships this past week in Berlin, Connecticut and was impressed with the fine group of players who competed in the event. I ran into many past students and friends from all across this country. I was most impressed by the way it was run. The APA can take pride in the first class presentation of pool in its finest form. This was a group of great players who play for the love of the game.
I saw break and runs at a level of our pros. I saw safeties that rank among the best, and run outs with world class style and speed. But the most impressive was the class of players. Rarely was a referee called in to rule on a shot. The players themselves called fouls when one was committed. In fact, I did not see a referee in the entire place.
The game of pool has always been a gentlemen’s sport, played by gentlemen for the love of the game. The APA managed to bring the love of the game back into our sport. I recommend you plan to attend the US Amateur Championships next year if you get the chance. I will be there with several students.
I then went out to Reno for the American CueSports Nine Ball Championships at the Silver Legacy Casino. This was a first class event as well. These players were competing for the love of money. Sammantha managed to finish in the fifth-sixth spot. She played very well. In the women’s division they allowed a master to play as long as they spotted the open players two games on the wire. Sammantha ran into a “master.” This was the only match where a referee was called in to rule on a shot. The master asked for a referee six times in six different games. She did everything she could to disrupt Sammantha’s rhythm. It is a sad thing when a skilled player resorts to this type of sharking. Sammantha did not allow this to bother her as she won the match nine to three. I long for the day when we can get back to the gentleman’s way of competing. Those who get caught up in the competition for the title, lose out on the real art of pocket billiards.
