The First At-Home Pool Competition
Char sinks her last ball before shooting for the win in Round 1.
***For this post, text in black is narrated by Louis while text in purple represents comments by Char.***
After the infamous pool challenge on Char’s 39th Birthday and the subsequent Rematch, we decided it was a game we would enjoy for years to come. So in typical Char and Louis fashion, we wanted to figure out a way to do it for little or no money. We were already in the midst of converting the back room of our house into a music and game room so we located a pool table for next to nothing and decided to build out the room around that centerpiece. The whole family has loved having it!
In addition to the lighthearted family fun and games, Char and I play each other competitively – and once we got used to the new table, it was time for me to challenge Char again in the first at-home pool competition, hopefully with different results than those of the Rematch.
Louis surveys the table
Yes sir! Rematch after rematch after rematch and I shall forever hold the title of CHAMPION!! I will NEVER let you win! *grin* OK, I may, just perhaps, begin to feel sorry for you and allow you a win or two sometimes. Just don’t get too used to it, ok?
The night started off poorly for me *insert Char’s infamous baby whine here* as Char took early wins in Rounds 1 and 2, sinking some nice shots along the way. *Nice doesn’t even say exactly how UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING my shots were, dude!* I have to say, having a pool table at home certainly makes you a better player. We were making a few shots with ease that we were struggling with in previous games. But that’s not to say there weren’t still some humorous shots worthy of teasing and taunting. Especially Char’s breaks. Even when she wins a game, I can still hold this fact over her: Char just can’t break. It’s not uncommon for after-match bantering to go something like this:
Char: Wooo Hoooo! I WIN!!!!!! And I thought you said something about you winning tonight? What was that? Hmmmmm?
Louis: Yeah, well at least I can break.
*Tis true…tis true… My breaks really ARE quite pathetic* Let’s be honest here. I may not be able to break with the almighty power of slammage however I am actually quite a remarkable player. After all, it seems every game (well, except for the ones when I truly whoop your catookas) we are neck to neck until I finally finish you off and cream you! Pathetic breaks….ok, you got me there. But power kickin’ I got!!! *love you!*
Feeling a little pressure, I took Round 3 much to Char’s disappointment. *after my last paragraph I shall hang my head in shame…… and whine like a sad little puppy……. * The next two rounds were split between us, both being lost on scratch. So with the night standing at 3-2, we started Round 6. About 3/4 of the way through the game, it occurred to me that we didn’t actually say this was a Best of 7 competition. Now Char will tell you that I “changed it from a Best of 7 to a Best of 9″ *HE DID!!* because I lost what would have been the last game. But Char will also tell you she’s better than me at pool, which is just not the case. Of course, having the pool table at home now, she will realize this soon enough… 
Char makes a corner pocket shot.
*Cough Cough* Honey. Sweetheart. Darling. Handsome Husband of MINE! Care to take back that last statement or are you planning on eating a little crow? I can learn how to cook it anyway you like, dear. *grin*
Either way, we agreed to play on to a Best of 9. *I believe, HE agreed…. I am just a woman who loves to please her man* *insert smirky face and giggle*
But there’s also some explaining to do about Round 6. At the time, we did acknowledge that Char won Round 6 and went up 4-2. WOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!! But here’s how it happened… I was left with two stripes on the table and Char had only the 6 ball left. The 8 ball was sitting near the corner pocket. She called both the 6 and 8 in a combo shot. I had never seen this happen before, but she indeed sank both balls and claimed victory. And it was an impressive shot. *Sho Nuff was!!! * We moved to the next round with Char in the lead 4-2 and only needing one more win.
Now… something about this didn’t sit right with me so I looked up the official rules. Clearly stated under the category LOSS OF GAME, we read:
LOSS OF GAME. A player loses the game if he commits any of the following infractions:
a. Fouls when pocketing the 8-ball (exception: see 8-Ball Pocketed On The Break).
b. Pockets the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls.
c. Jumps the 8-ball off the table at any time.
d. Pockets the 8-ball in a pocket other than the one designated.
e. Pockets the 8-ball when it is not the legal object ball.
The cue ball sits near the corner pocket after Char sank her 6 ball and the 8 ball on a combo shot. While we thought she had won the game with this impressive move, we now know this was an illegal shot.
Hmmmm. What does part B say again? Pocket the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls? And what category does that fall under? Doesn’t it say, “LOSS OF GAME?” So while we called the round for Char, it is clear that I actually won that round and tied the night at 3 rounds apiece. So keep that in mind as we continue…
Seems like my wonderful husband had to seek out an extra win for himself, doesn’t it? LOL Sorry babe, we both called it a win so it stays a win. *insert Louis hanging his head in shame and whining like a puppy now* *LOVE YOU! Heh heh heh…..
I won the next round, giving us the thought that I was preparing a comeback as the night stood at 4-3, Char still in the lead. But in actuality, as we now know after reading the aforementioned rule, this was actually my fourth win and the score should have been 3-4 with me in the lead.
Admittedly, I lost the 8th Round on a scratch. Sad, I know… but it happens. So Char claimed victory and she assumed she had retained her pool championship with a 5-3 evening. We now know, however, that the night was only tied at 4 games apiece.
Are you still holding on to that *not-so-much-a-win*? LOL OK, sweetheart. I see your needs and I shall give this to you….. There, 4-4…feel better, babe??
So the first At-Home Pool Competition was filled with all the drama and intrigue of a political scandal and all the conspiracy and competition of a corrupt and questionable boxing match.
NOT SO FAST! Char's victory in Round 6 must be overturned!
LOL You don’t say? I have to publicly say…….. I have the most fun playing with you even if you ARE scandalouis!! *grin*
End result: Char keeps her pool championship only because she already held it before the night began… she didn’t hang on to it by winning the first At-Home challenge. You can be assured we’ll have to settle this one in the near future…
VICTORY!!! Gimme a V… gimme an I….gimme a C….gimme a T…..gimme an O…… gimme an R……..gimme a Y….what’s that spell?? Char-VICTORY!!! *insert my Victory dance here while howling in pure delight*
All kidding aside, the music and game room is coming along nicely and it was so nice to be able to play with my wife in the comfort of our own home. I look forward to finishing the room out – and that project, too, will be a post for the Traveling Twosome, under “While At Home.”
Honey, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Playing with you is the most fun I have ever had! Thank you for being such a wonderful husband and my best friend!! I LOVE YOU!!!
*** To view the photo gallery for this match, click here ***
Addendum to my post after reading Char’s comments: Char, I find it most interesting that you are going to “give me” the 4-4 score for the night. If you had lost on an illegal shot, you’d be telling me how I didn’t really win, right? You’re not “giving me” Round 6… I won it – according to the rules of the game! See what I mean, people, by “political scandal” or “corrupt boxing match?” And then, you go on here and talk about your amazing shots and crow-eating and all that? Getting a little over confident, dear? It was 4-4, afterall. Ok, Char, let’s settle it this week. You name the night. Best of 9. I’m looking forward to watching you have to write a post about how you lost the pool championship when forced to play by the rules. 
Oh, and I love you, too.
Ummmmmm, OK, babe!!!! You have me chuckling like crazy!!! It’s a DEAL!! You’re ON!!! REMATCH!!!! When? Perhaps Thursday night when you get home from work. A nice HM dinner, special made by me, and then……… I challenge you once again to another REMATCH! I love you soooooo much!!! Folks, those who know us know how much FUN we have together. Those who haven’t had the pleasure……. I’m so sorry. You are truly missing out on some great times and great laughter!!! Louis…. Thursday night. This is an invitation to a special dinner for you and me and an evening of fun filled gaming adventure!!! You game, my dear?
Ok folks! It looks like we’re on – tomorrow night we’ll settle this….. stay tuned……
*** The rematch was held – click here to find out who came out on top… ***
