2010 Atlanta Billiard Show (Atlanta, GA)

I took a break from playing pool all summer. This was my first event back and only had a couple days of practice. This was great venue since it was only 20mins away from my house and the tables are the same as what I have in my basement. The entry was $75, race to 5, best 2 of 3 sets, with a modified double elimination format. The tourney drew just under a hundred players. In my first match, I drew one of the toughest players in Atlanta; John Maikke [Asian John]. I jumped out of the gate with a quick 5-1 win; I got a couple rolls and ran out two racks. In the next set, I lost control of my cue ball, too often, and lost 5-3. In the last set, John took control early. I only had a few trips to the table. I lost the final set 5-2. Since it was a modified double elimination tourney, I got put on the b-side, got a bye, then got put back onto the a-side playing Jesse Middlebrooks, one of the top money players in Georgia. He slaughtered me in the first set 5-2. He only gave up the table twice, which I converted. However, I did scratch on the break twice. In the next set, we had a perfect match of run outs; 2-2. But then I got a couple bad rolls followed with a dry break which allowed him to beat me again 5-2. I really enjoyed playing him, since I liked his aggressive style of play. The next day, I played in a free Bobble Ball tourney. Odd event. Won my first match and lost my next; got hooked by the Bobble Ball three times, when I was shooting the nine-ball, which sealed my fate. Good event. Hope its back next year!