Hey Neil - Florida Men's Pro Tour

[audiopro]

It is May 7 - 8 in Melbourne at Players Billiard Club. You gonna be there?

[Neil]

Yup, I will be there both days. I talked to Joe yesterday and he made sure that my name was on the list. Let me know who you are, I will buy you a beer!

[audiopro]

Awesome.. Looks like I will finally get a chance to meet ya!

It sure is gonna be hard to pick you out from everyone else though!! :twisted:

So you are playing, or marketing?

[neil]

I will be there playing, but visiting Aurora Road Bill. next door.

[audiopro]

Very good sir! Look forward to meeting the famous Neil Fujiwara!! 8)

[DZ314]

I want to meet Neil sometime, he sounds like a fun guy to be around. :D

[Neil]

I am not famous, nor fun. I just buy a lot of beer and shoot pool :)

[spartan]

neil youre being modest. you are a A+ player. you plsy great.

[Neil]

I would like to play better of course, if you think you play great then you won't ever strive to improve.

It's all about having fun..............and winning of course!!

[spartan]

i dont play great. im a B player. i dont practice enough. i play alot but i dont practice drills that much anymore.

[audiopro]

I am not famous, nor fun. I just buy a lot of beer and shoot pool :)

My bad.. Infamous!!! :twisted:

[DZ314]

I am not famous, nor fun. I just buy a lot of beer and shoot pool :)

BS, you are more fun that you give yourself credit for similar to the fact that you are a better player than you give yourself credit for. I understand why you think that way, because you don't want to become complacent.

[Neil]

Very true, there is always something in my game which I could do better. I may have to work on my confidence a little, which is what I am trying to do competing as much as I can in the highest level tournaments that I can afford.

[skor]

Neil,
When Thorsten Hohmann gets back from Europe tell him I said that he has one mean straight pool game in him, his 9ball game has improved a lot as well he playes with a lot more confidence then he did a year ago

[DZ314]

Very true, there is always something in my game which I could do better. I may have to work on my confidence a little, which is what I am trying to do competing as much as I can in the highest level tournaments that I can afford.

That is a very wise move. I need to play in more local tournaments myself, but I have a lot going on such a family time, my golf league, modding the car, etc. There isn't enough time for everything lol! :lol:

[Neil]

Will do. It is awesome that both of us did well this weekend. Jeff Scott of Bankshots put me in the tournament and of course is the host for Thorsten here in Jacksonville, so it was a great weekend for him.

He was there the entire weekend and was very supportive, he is a great guy.

[skor]

I saw him today playing 9 ball, he let his opponent to get to the table twice after two safe plays, he run out on the other racks winning 9 - 0 !!

And last night he won the Europeen 14.1 championship, I got to see the semi final when he run 125 and out !!

This guy is going to be the next Oliver Ortmann

[Neil]

The best part about all of this is that I am lucky enough to be his practice partner here in Jacksonville. It has done WONDERS for my game.

His straight pool game is awesome, I don't know about his 8 ball game though.

[spartan]

thorsten plays great straight pool. plays great 8 ball too i hear. i think hes won the euro 8 ball champ twice.

[Neil]

He likes to practice 9-ball or straight pool, he doesn't like it when I suggest 10-ball for some reason. I believe 10-ball to be a better game, especially if you are practicing for 9-ball.

To each his own I guess.

[skor]

the balls spread different in 10ball and I guess he wants to practice what he plays most these days and the break and the way the balls spread is different in 9ball

BTW european pool championships 8BALL SEMI FINALS starts any minute, you can check the free live stream at:
http://www.europeanpoolchampionships.com/livestream.asp

[Neil]

Yes they do spread differently, but harder in my opinion which is going to make it easier when you do play 9-ball. Since the break is easier in 9-ball and well established, I don't think breaking 10-ball will affect it.

I guess it's sort of like baseball players that swing heavier bats to warm up and those damn golf swing trainers that have a really heavy head to help you strengthen the muscles you use.

[audiopro]

BTW european pool championships 8BALL SEMI FINALS starts any minute, you can check the free live stream at:
http://www.europeanpoolchampionships.com/livestream.asp

Nice.. Watching it now!!

[DZ314]

Same here, sweet!

[DZ314]

Finals are starting looks like. :)

[DEATHTRON]

Thorsten is #1 in my video game...I cant beat him for the life of me.

Zach

[DZ314]

Which video game?

[DEATHTRON]

world championship pool 2k4 on the xbox...i think its on ps2 also.

[ThePoolHustler]

world championship pool 2k4 on the xbox...i think its on ps2 also.

I have this game also, but it's not that great. UGH! Virtul Pool is coming to XBOX soon.

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/244284.asp

[Neil]

I can't wait till Thorsten gets back in town, he text messaged me this morning. I bet he has a thousand cool stories to tell!

[DEATHTRON]

Why are they racking my hand.....Neil, its awesome you two are friends, I envy you.

Zach

[Neil]

I am very lucky, he is a great person to practice with and he is always serious about making his game better.

[skor]

After watching him play in last week, what do you mean by saying "practice with him", do you mean you rack for him, I mean the guy doesn't miss unless he plays safe......

Neil, I'm just kidding, I'm sure your game has got better since you practice with him :wink:

BTW why do you post as a guest in the last few weeks ?
are you still working for predator ?

[Neil]

Yes, I still work for them, but the forum is being difficult and I don't like loggin in every time I come back to the site. I don't know why it started doing it, but it is very annoying.

We play sets usually, he wins the majority of them but every once in a while I am able to win a set..........when I shark him like crazy.

[DZ314]

Neil, it was giving me a problem like that as well until I realized that they changed the URL. You probably have a favorite saved which is linking to the old link. Try saving the message board page as a favorite again, if it asks you to replace it say yes. I did that and I don't get logged out anymore.

[DEATHTRON]

Neil, do you two most usually play....do you ever say, get some pointers from him?

Zach

[Neil Fujiwara]

DZ314: You sir, are a genius.........problem solved. Thank you very much.

He does not show me shots, but he does give me some feedback on my stroke and some ideas. He also put me through the tests that they do in Germany for the team.

[DZ314]

Thanks Neil, I grew tired of logging in every time after a few days and decided to really check out what was going on and I noticed that when I went from the seybert's homepage that the URL in the address bar was different. My favorite was linking to some IP address, and the link from the homepage linked to just seyberts.com/phpBB2

[DEATHTRON]

I see...what type of drills do they do?

Zach

[Neil Fujiwara]

All types: Bank drills, cue ball only drills, big/ small position drills, target drills.

The hardest ones for me that helped me the most when I started really focusing on them were the drills where the cue ball was frozen to the rail. There are 3 drills in particular that give you major confidence once you start completing them or at least coming close.

[DZ314]

I need to work on those shots, when the cue ball is frozen to a rail. I am not very confident when I have a shot like that.

[Neil Fujiwara]

That is the beauty of the drills, they show you exactly where you can improve.

[DZ314]

That's right, no guesswork involved. :)

[audiopro]

Good Lord am I glad Neil finally got his login issue fixed!!! Thanks Cory for pointing him in the right direction!!!

And I hate CB rail frozen shots as well. I prefer shooting over balls even!

[DZ314]

No prob Greg, and I agree. Shooting over a ball is something that I prefer to cb frozen to rail, right now anyway.

[skor]

I rather shoot a ball frozen to a rail then shooting over a ball, I guess it's because I'm better at it, if I'll practice shooting over a ball I'll won't have any problems there either ;)

[Neil Fujiwara]

I have small hands, so bridging over a ball is always a pain. So is having to be more careful to not move the impeding ball for risk of fouling.

[DEATHTRON]

Ive got rather large hands compared to the rest of my body, so getting over ball isnt a big deal for me...only problem is making them.

Zach

[skor]

...only problem is making them.

Zach

Dahhh..... I don't have a problem hitting the OB, it's making it and controling the cue ball, I succeed making more balls and controling the CB on shots that the CB is frozen to a rail

[cebuboy]

Neil, do you play money games or have you played money games before? And if you did, did it help your game?

Thanks! :)

[Neil Fujiwara]

I went on the road in 2000, followed the Billiard Channel tour across the country. I only played in one event, the first one, and drew one of the guys that I just traveled 3100 miles with from LA. What luck huh?

After that I just gambled here and there picking off players in neighboring cities to the big tournament. I would have to say yes, it did help. Playing on different equipment all the time makes you evaluate situations constantly so you don't get complacent.

It is hard to gauge how much because I also learned a few things from the 2 players I was with. When I came back I went to the Reno tournament and did the best I ever have. I also beat Santos, John Kucharo and placed 5/6th in the Sacramento tournament that is right after Reno. I was hitting the ball pretty sporty at the time.

I gamble very rarely these days, we all pretty much get along in town so we don't battle. Drills in my opinion will help your game out more since it is about structure and focus with measurement..........not about cash, how well you match up and how your opponent plays.

To a certain degree I guess it depends on why you play the game: To make money or to achieve a certain level?

I don't think pro athletes in any sport gamble at their respective games to get better, they get better through practice, hard work and good coaching.

[French Billiards]

Neil wrote:
Playing on different equipment all the time makes you evaluate situations constantly so you don't get complacent.

I guess you mean tables by "different equipment"? What in your opinion are good tables :?: :?: :?:

[dags_lax]

It's all in the upkeep. A Gold Crown may be a jewel in one location yet 50 miles down the road, ina differnt town, it may be a piece of sh*t.

[cebuboy]

Thanks, Neil.

You made me realize a few things about my game. :)

[Neil Fujiwara]

Dags: Good point, also it depends on the setup. There are many places where every table plays differently even though they were all done by the same person with the same tools at the same time. That is why table mechanics like Ernesto and Mark Gregory are in high demand, you know how your table is going to play when they are done.

Also, when you are on the road you have to learn how to play with house cues, which will teach you a lot. The time where I learned the most about how things worked is when I DIDN'T own a cue and had to borrow them. Every cue was different and you have to learn to adjust everything to try and achieve the desired result.

[ThePoolHustler]

Dags: Good point, also it depends on the setup. There are many places where every table plays differently even though they were all done by the same person with the same tools at the same time. That is why table mechanics like Ernesto and Mark Gregory are in high demand, you know how your table is going to play when they are done.

Also, when you are on the road you have to learn how to play with house cues, which will teach you a lot. The time where I learned the most about how things worked is when I DIDN'T own a cue and had to borrow them. Every cue was different and you have to learn to adjust everything to try and achieve the desired result.

I've played my best pool with house cues. There is just something about them.

8) 8) 8) 8)

[DEATHTRON]

I second that...Ive told Greg many months ago that I was thinking of having a house cue cut down and a joint installed. I think this is why my old dufferin was the best cue i ever shot with...its essentially a house cue cut in half. So im in search for another after LWW got one for $16.

Zach

[spartan]

do you like it because it dosent have a wrap?

[ThePoolHustler]

I second that...Ive told Greg many months ago that I was thinking of having a house cue cut down and a joint installed. I think this is why my old dufferin was the best cue i ever shot with...its essentially a house cue cut in half. So im in search for another after LWW got one for $16.

Zach

Hey Zach...

I've thought about doing this too. I've mentioned it on here before, but everyone thought I was nuts for wanting to cut a house cue in half and install a joint. Oh well! Maybe we should go into business together. lol

When you find a house cue with a joint installed let me know.

[mechmat]

Not to steer anyone towards another board, but there's a guy on easypooltutor who makes cues who has mentioned that he has made sneaky petes for people out of house cues. If you're serious about it you might want to pm him, his name on there is qbilder.

[skor]

Not to steer anyone towards another board, but there's a guy on easypooltutor who makes cues who has mentioned that he has made sneaky petes for people out of house cues. If you're serious about it you might want to pm him, his name on there is qbilder.

Bob Dzuricky makes sneaky pete from house cues
http://www.dzcues.com/sneaky_petes.htm

Most cue-smiths will do this job, they'll cut a one piece cue and insert a joint

[DEATHTRON]

Ya...Im really looking for a dufferin just like my old one for a "beater" cue i guess you could say.

[ThePoolHustler]

I may have my dad do this for me. I will buy a house cue, most likely a Dufferin, and then have him cut it in half and install a joint. I can get the parts for the joint online. This should be a pretty easy task for him.

Not to steer anyone towards another board, but there's a guy on easypooltutor who makes cues who has mentioned that he has made sneaky petes for people out of house cues. If you're serious about it you might want to pm him, his name on there is qbilder.

Bob Dzuricky makes sneaky pete from house cues
http://www.dzcues.com/sneaky_petes.htm

Most cue-smiths will do this job, they'll cut a one piece cue and insert a joint

I just looked at the link and he crossed out the "Plain Sneakey Pete (butt made from bar cue)" and marked it no longer available. Also, he said he replaced the shaft with a custom shaft instead of using the one that was cut from the cue. Not that this is a bad thing, but it wouldn't really play that much like a regular house cue.

[Neil Fujiwara]

Well, it's getting closer, any other board members going to make it?

[audiopro]

Neil, whatever happened to Christy? Have not seen her post in a while...

[Neil Fujiwara]

She doesn't work at the place where she used to sit on the internet all day, it was an intern program that ended abruptly.

I see her every now and then, mainly at bigger local tournaments but not much more than that. I don't have a clue to where she is working now, but I am sure she is doing something somewhere.

[audiopro]

She was also working at the pool hall if I remember correctly...

Well, hope all is well with her...

I will give ya a ring Saturday. Any idea what your schedule looks like for the day?

[Neil Fujiwara]

She doesn't work at the pool hall either, I don't think many of the original staff do since they changed owners.

I will be driving up on Saturday morning, probably get there at about 11am. Then we do nothing but sit around till about 2pm when they start play, they don't have posted match times so you have to stay there and fade the action.

If you like we can go and have lunch, my GF and her friend might be there so we can maybe eat something nice.

[audiopro]

Sounds like a plan! Food is always a weclome substance after a 3 hour drive..

[Neil Fujiwara]

That and a restroom.

[audiopro]

Hey Neil, buddy of mine who is going up said he called Players and they said they are starting play promptly after 9???

[Neil Fujiwara]

I will call them today and verify, thanks for the heads up.

[audiopro]

No prob... Let me know if plans change..

[Neil Fujiwara]

Play starts at 1pm, just like the flyer.

[audiopro]

Wierd, I wonder why she would have told him 9.. Perhaps she was talking about something else?

[Neil Fujiwara]

Maybe that's what time they are going to open that day, or start practice.

[audiopro]

Possibly... Oh well, as long as you are covered... :)

[Neil Fujiwara]

Yeah, I still need to book my room, gosh am I procrastinating a lot this week.

[audiopro]

lol.. I just talked to my buddy and he decided to call them back. He spoke to a girl, and she said she told him already, 9 is when they start.. So he asked to speak to manager, Pete.. Pete said, no she is clueless. It starts at 1, with a players meeting a little before that..

[Neil Fujiwara]

She is just trying to drum up more business and tips. If people get there at 9 they have to wait, so they might eat and play pool till it starts.

These guys one time thought I did that on purpose. We went to the pool hall at 12 since I told them the tournament started then, but it actually started at 3pm. Since we were there we started playing a cheap ring game for practice. Well, I ended up winning all the money and they were hot saying that I told them the wrong time on purpose and planned to get them in a ring game.

Damn pool players.

[DZ314]

Neil the hustler. :lol:

[audiopro]

These guys one time thought I did that on purpose. We went to the pool hall at 12 since I told them the tournament started then, but it actually started at 3pm. Since we were there we started playing a cheap ring game for practice. Well, I ended up winning all the money and they were hot saying that I told them the wrong time on purpose and planned to get them in a ring game.

Damn pool players.

ha ha ha!! That is the most excellent story!!! 8)

[Neil Fujiwara]

It was an accident, I swear!!

[audiopro]

Well if we get a chance to play, it will NOT be for money!! lol...

[Neil Fujiwara]

We probably won't unfortunately, that place in notoriously small so there won't be any open tables for practice.

[DZ314]

LOL, come on Greg. Play him a set, race to 7 for $250. :lol:

[Neil Fujiwara]

That's a short race for $250, I would rather race to 11 personally.

[DZ314]

That's a short race for $250, I would rather race to 11 personally.

Hey, we want him to have a chance right? Oh wait, nvm. :lol:

[Neil Fujiwara]

7 is a short race, a couple rolls here and there and the set is over. The longer the race the better odds the better player has. Not saying that I am better, but if you are going to beat me you are going to beat me, not out-roll me.

[DZ314]

I know dude, which is precisely why I said race to 7. A short race would give a lesser-skilled player a more sporting chance against a higher-skilled opponent. I know that you would prefer a longer match, of course.

[Neil Fujiwara]

Who knows, I may be getting hustled and I may be the one that wants the shorter race.

[DZ314]

That's right, it is very complex. :twisted:

[Neil Fujiwara]

It's like that scene in "The Princess Bride" with the Sicilian.

[DZ314]

Inconceivable!!!! Yes, that scene is a great comparison!

[Neil Fujiwara]

Except that I don't want to be the Sicilian, that guy got on my nerves.

[DZ314]

Same here, he was very condescending and mouthy. I don't like people like that.

[audiopro]

Trust me Neil, I'd be lucky to win 1 out of eleven against you!

Yeah, I have been told there will be no chance of challenge matches or anything there.. I was thinking possibly hitting a different pool hall afterwards or something...

[Neil Fujiwara]

I don't know if there is another pool hall around, and the matches last all day. I guess we will have to play it by ear.

[audiopro]

Exactly. If ya get knocked out early on.. he he.. j/k... :twisted:

[Neil Fujiwara]

You never know, I have gone two and out in tournaments before. Last tournament I only lost one match by 2 games and lost the whole ball of wax. It wasn't even that much of an extended set either, only 1 game longer.

[audiopro]

I think it would be very cool to see you whoop some arse this weekend... Hope ya have your A game on, and stay focused...

I've never been to a major event like this. So without a doubt, I will be in for a treat of some really good pool to watch.

[Neil Fujiwara]

You should come up to the Jacksonville tournament next month also, there will be a lot of International players in attendance.

I whooped some butt last tournament, let's see if I can do it again this weekend. No matter what you won't be disappointed with the play this weekend, there will be some talent there for sure.

[audiopro]

Well I went up this weekend to watch the Tourney. I was not able to stay long as I hate an engagement with the woman, but I did stay long enough to see Neil spank his first opponent. The tourney is 10 ball, so it made for some interesting viewing. Earl Strickland was there, as well Buddy Hall, who Neil texted me later saying he lost to. Fortunately it is a double elim, so hopefully the next match will go better.

Anyway, it was a pleasure to meet ya Neil. Definitely a cool down to earth guy.

On a side note, I went to another pool hall tonight, shot like donkey dung for a while. So I left, and went to the one I went to Friday night, much better place. Well, I kicked ass after getting there. Actually somewhat scary, because I am afraid it wont last, then I am gonna be pissed when I am not playing like a 7 anymore.. :(

We'll see...

[DEATHTRON]

Pictures Greg? What did we tell you about pictures.....

[audiopro]

My camera is not even remotely unpacked... Nothing is.. :(

[DEATHTRON]

Tsk tsk tsk...we will let it go this time though Greg.

[Neil Fujiwara]

Come to think of it I had a camera in the car, but never thought to use it, my bad. We could have taken pictures of Greg, his car, the people at the buffet.........and oh, maybe some of the great pool players that showed up.

Earl, Rodney, Robb Saez, Ray Martin, Buddy Hall..........there was a lot of talent there this weekend.

[DZ314]

Come to think of it I had a camera in the car, but never thought to use it, my bad. We could have taken pictures of Greg, his car, the people at the buffet.........and oh, maybe some of the great pool players that showed up.

Earl, Rodney, Robb Saez, Ray Martin, Buddy Hall..........there was a lot of talent there this weekend.

You guys suck!!!! :twisted: Next time get some pics!!! :twisted:

[Neil Fujiwara]

Will do, I apologize. Seeing professionals or celebrities never really got me excited, so I don't think to grab pictures or autographs. I will try to get better at it though, just don't yell at me for my lack of photography skills.

[DZ314]

Will do, I apologize. Seeing professionals or celebrities never really got me excited, so I don't think to grab pictures or autographs. I will try to get better at it though, just don't yell at me for my lack of photography skills.

I don't jump around like a freak about them either, but it is nice to have some pics to remember the times. Apology accepted, and I promise that I won't yell at you over your photography skills. :wink:

[audiopro]

I don't jump around like a freak about them either, but it is nice to have some pics to remember the times. Apology accepted, and I promise that I won't yell at you over your photography skills. :wink:

You are so lying Cory!! You know you jump around like a freak!!!

Yeah, we definitely should have gotten some pics of people in the buffet. Especially that HUGE guy who could barely breath while eating!! Melbourne is a... Umm.. Unique town... :?

[DZ314]

LOL, so there was a huge guy who couldn't breathe while he was eating? He was huffing and puffing as he stuffed his face? :lol:

[Neil Fujiwara]

Hey Greg, you remember what BUFFET stand for? I can't say it while I am on the clock.

[DZ314]

Hey Greg, you remember what BUFFET stand for? I can't say it while I am on the clock.

PM me lol :lol:

[audiopro]

We'll go G Rated on this..

Big Ugly Fat Folks Eating Together :twisted:

[spartan]

cory told me. lol you are very bad neil j/k.

[audiopro]

Neil would never say such a thing!!! :D

[skor]

wow I didn't know they named a food service style after me :twisted:
axcept the Ugly maybe we could change that to Ultra 8)

[audiopro]

Ultra-Skor!!

But are you still genuine skor?

[skor]

Ultra-Skor!!

But are you still genuine skor?

every inch of my 6tf. is ultra-genuine :twisted:

[Neil Fujiwara]

Don't forget to trademark it otherwise some else might use your name and call themselves the REAL Skor.

[audiopro]

Would the REAL Slim Shady please stand up?

[LWW]

If he became a haberdasher he could market the Tie Skor! :lol:

LWW