When I found out that I'd be coming to Seattle I nearly panicked. All of my friends there know me as an 8-ball player, but my 8-ball game sucks donkey dicks. As soon as I found out about the trip I stopped my regular banking practice and started an 8-ball practice regimen like I haven't done in years.

Well that practice paid off. Sort of. What ended up happening is that I played okay, but not great. Good enough to win, but not good enough to make my opponents cry or break their cues. Can't win 'em all, isn't that the saying?

On Saturday, The Sports Pub (my old Kent WA hangout) was quite crowded and I ended up playing some scotch-doubles with Gene against a couple of 5-6 level players. Gene and I won nearly every game in so-so fashion. It was expected by everyone but me, since I'm the only one who's known how bad my non-banking skills have become. I usually made the shots I should have made, and I usually left the cueball where Gene had a decent followup shot. This was a relief for me as I was geniunely concerned that I'd miss every time I shot.

The next afternoon Gene and I went to a pool hall to play against each other without the distractions and rhythm-breaking that partners play provides.

Our original plan was to play one-pocket, and we did play five or six games of that, with each of us winning two or three. At one point I missed a couple of easy shots and felt my alignment going away. I asked Gene if we could play one game of banks so I could get my stroke back. One game turned into several, and banks is all we played for the next four hours.

We were playing on a Gold Crown IV, the first time I've had that pleasure. And what a pleasure it was. Now I love my Diamond table, but it's pretty well known by those who've tried it that Diamonds bank weird. Banks go short no matter how shallow the angle. You can get used to it, but it just seems weird.

This Gold Crown banked the way a table should. Shortening up at steep angles but letting the ball go long at shallow angles or at low speeds.

I went into a state that's about as close as you can get to dead stroke playing bank pool. I made a zillion 3s, a few 4s, and even a 5 or two. Gene kept saying he was enjoying the games, and I certainly was, so we kept playing.

I didn't get the serious straight-shot making practice I'd been planning on, but I did get to spend several hours playing with someone who enjoys playing as much as I do. To top it off I was fortunate enough to play quite well while I was at it.