Eight Ball, Two Slices, and a Bruised Ego!

Free Pool Fridays!

I’m not the world’s greatest pool player — in fact, on most nights, I’m lucky if I can make the cue ball obey basic traffic laws — but earlier this evening I was at one of our local private clubs. Now, before you get too excited and start picturing tuxedos, cigars, and secret handshakes, let me clarify: around here, “private club” just means a place where normal folks pay $50 to $150 a year to hang out, have a drink, a bite to eat and good old fashion fun.

The crowd is great — salt-of-the-earth types. I’m a bit of a social butterfly, so I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life: welders, poets, cooks, business owners, teachers, truck drivers, doctors, investors, retired troublemakers… you name it. Everyone’s friendly, though the rare bit of drama usually comes from people who only drop by once every election cycle. I get along with most "normal" people.

Tonight, I went with a friend to play some pool and grab a $12 pizza — which, by the way, is surprisingly amazing. My other friend makes them. (If I ever disappear, check the pizza oven first. Not great for my waistline)

Illustration of pool playing

Now, I’ve played enough pool to know which end of the cue stick to hold, but that’s about it. My friend, on the other hand, plays about as often as a solar eclipse. Somehow, despite this, I barely won — and not by skill, but by divine intervention and my opponent’s questionable aim. I missed so many easy shots I started to wonder if the balls were dodging me on purpose.

Naturally, I went home and did what any self-respecting amateur would do: watched YouTube tutorials. I can put some backspin on the ball, and I can even make it twist and turn a bit, but I have no idea how or why it works — it’s basically pool mixed with witchcraft.

Apparently, this club has free pool on Fridays, so I guess that’s my new training schedule. Well, maybe not this Friday with Halloween.  If you have been ghosted on other fridays and don’t hear from me, it’s because I’m still there — practicing, missing shots, and pretending it’s all part of the plan.

Pools and Billards Overview