9 ball

I played 9 ball with my friend George today. He was a good player umpteen years ago when he was younger, and he is still pretty good. I enjoy playing with him because it is a challenge if he is on his game. Mostly I play 8 ball so when I start with 9 ball I have to get my self in a different mindset. The big problem with George is,
when I start to get my game together and beat him he implodes. Once that happens he becomes wild. A ballbanger I call him. He tries to get lucky but it rarely works.

We played for about 2 hours and pretty much split the games. Next week it will be the same old-same old. In many ways he is still living in the 20th Century and will reject new rules like "ball in hand." Or, what he calls non-regulation tables. He has a tendency to be a little ridgid in his thinking. He does not know it, but that is how I beat him. But, I do like to play with him.