It’s time for New Mexico to make its mark. We’ve built up a credible pong scene here in the 505, and now we need to take it to the next level. The championships are first up, and after that we’re taking this show on the road!
2010 Southwest Beer Pong Championships
After so much talk it’s finally time to throw a big one here in ABQ. I’ve long wanted to put on a tournament in Albuquerque which would be more than a simple random seed, double-elim sort of event. Part of the reason people love playing in the large-scale tournaments like the WSOBP is because of the different format. You are guaranteed more games, and you’re seeded appropriately (so great teams don’t end up knocking each other out early in the tournament).
This tournament will consist of two parts. The first half will be made up of preliminary games. Each team will play six games against random opponents. After tracking wins and cup differential, all teams will be sorted by rank. The top 16 teams will then advance to the second half of the tournament, which will take the form of a double elimination bracket. All winners bracket games will be best-of-three series. All losers bracket games will be single-elimination. So basically if you advance to the second half of the tournament you are guaranteed an additional three games at least.
The tournament will take place in the Radisson Hotel & Waterpark on Saturday, June 26th. It will be an all-day event starting at 2:00. Registration will take place from 12:00-1:30. If you haven’t registered online for the discounted price, I would recommend doing that soon.
Weekly Tournaments
On June 7th, SWBP started hosting Monday night beer pong tournaments at Fox & Hound. The venue has graciously offered us their upstairs mezzanine to have our tournaments. This means fewer people walking around the playing field, which is pretty damn nice in my opinion. I’m extremely hopeful that having two tournaments a week will build the talent level of the 505 to the point that we can really make a run at the Series in January.
Best of the West
The east coast has been running a squad-based tournament every year for the past few years known as the Beast of the East. It basically consists of regions/states putting together teams of 10 to compete against other regions/states, in an attempt to determine who offers the best players. Until this year only the east coast has been able to offer this kind of a tournament. This year, both the Midwest as well as the West Coast will be putting on similar tournaments. NorCal and AZ are teaming up to put on this year’s Best of the West, which is going to take place in Tempe, AZ on July 24th. It’s taken us a while to put NM’s roster together, but we should have enough interest to field two teams:
We’re still trying to finalize team 2’s roster, so if you are interested in playing, get in touch with Huff. Wish us luck as we take on the rest of the region!
Clawless Strategy: Shooting Technique
Every single player in this game has their own particular method of shooting. Most people know the three basic shots: the arch, the bullet, and the bounce. In case you are unfamiliar, the arch involves a high release the sends the ball straight down into the target; the bullet consists of a low-release, straight shot into the cup; and the bounce is that dreaded slow shot in which the shooter bounces the ball once or twice on the table before making it into the cup. Players’ shots can generally be placed into one of these three categories, but anyone can tell you there’s a lot more to a shot than that.
First, there’s the stance. Where do you stand in relation to the table? Some players get right up to the edge of the table. Others (probably harkening back to their elbow rules days) stand a foot or so back. Some stand with one foot forward, while others face the table directly. It’s all about finding what’s comfortable.
Next, how do you hold the ball? Many players, when starting out, don’t even think about this, but the more you play and the more you attempt to perfect your shot, the more important this becomes. There are players (like Arizona’s Adam) who will hold the ball and rotate it until there’s nothing but the blank side of the ball facing him. A common practice you’ll see anywhere is dunking the ball in a cup before shooting. This probably originates from house party days when it is customary to clean the ball before shooting, so why do people still do it? A lot of players (myself included) like a little water on the ball to keep it from slipping out of your fingers when shooting.
Next is the lean. Ever since the WSOBP eliminated the common elbow rule, players have been taking advantage of the lean, but some newbies still struggle with the practice. Players used to elbow rules sometimes think the game will become amazingly easy if they lean. Once they attempt a few shots, however, they quickly learn there is a learning curve to the lean. Balance is key, and in a game in which many players drink, that can often be a problem. Many players maintain balance by keeping both feet firmly planted on the ground. True leaners, however, get the most out of the lean by lifting one leg in counterbalance. It takes practice to maintain your footing when making those crucial shots, but most leaners would never go back.
Finally we come to release, the most important step in a shot. This is the point that practice pays off. Removing mechanics and forethought, release is all about feel. The best shooters have practiced and played enough that this part of the shot occurs naturally. Just like bowling or darts, it’s about follow-through, repetition, and smooth movements. Some players maintain tense arms, creating as few differentiating movements as possible, while others have shots in which every muscle from the shoulder to the tips of the fingers move. As it often does, this comes down to Yoda. There is no try. If you try to make the cup, you will usually fail. If your shot is natural enough, and feels right, you will succeed.
Team Review: Tobacco Road
Tobacco Road has been around since almost the beginning of the competitive pong scene in Albuquerque, but had failed to really make their mark. It always seemed like bad luck that these two talented players never took home a win. Well all that was washed away when they were the first team to take first place at Fox & Hound. Most would say that Brent has the skill while Huff has the charm, but nobody would say that they haven’t proven themselves as a team to watch out for.
Players:
Adam Huff
Age: 24
Occupation: Basketball Coach
Brent Harrison
Age:25
Occupation: Server
When did you guys first start playing together?
Brent: I would have to say that our first time playing together is when we became roommates. august of 2008 but it was an off and on thing!
Huff: First started playing I believe my sophmore year of college at a house party.
What’s the best part about your team?
Brent: Huff, just because he is nonchalant about his looks. The service is always GREAT with him around.
Huff: When Brent drinks his hair spray and is making every cup
What’s the worst?
Brent: The worst?! I do not think there is anything critically bad but sometimes we get stuck on the easiest of racks.
Huff: When Brent doesnt drink hairspray and were both off...or when he beats me in singles.
Any pregame rituals?
Brent: Yes, we usually have to get some apps before we play.
Huff: Fist bump mainly, maybe a drink.
What do you do to get better as a team?
Brent: I think everyone else should get worse, so we would be better. Since that won't happen we just need to play more.
Huff: Practice against each other, just play.
Who do you most fear or hate playing against? Why?
Brent: Jeremy "Undecided" P. I do not like playing him since I do not fear him. Well you never know when he is going to throw the ball. I mean it ranges from 3 to 8 fake shots before he releases the ball. Also, he gets into Huff's head with him throwing his body to the floor and tantrums.
Huff: Hate playing probably Poon Stars (no I didnt misspell it). For some reason just cant beat those guys, even in cash games.
Who is your biggest beer pong influence?
Brent: I really do not have one but the ones that taught me were Dan and Huff.
Huff: Dont have one, just play as something to do.
What has been your best beer pong experience?
Brent: I would have to say Huff and I beating Kyle and Gary at one of our FAMOUS pong tournaments. That game went into OT and we ran 3 cups on them to win. It was one of the best pong games I was involved in but the rules were not official WSOP.
Huff: Putting on tournaments/drunk fests as the original tournament hosts and beating Kyle/Gary in my own finals!
How do you think New Mexico will do in the Best of the West tournament?
Brent: Well, I have not had the chance to check the final roster. I would like to believe we can take top 3 easily. We have some talent here in Albuquerque area that can compete with any team.
Huff: I think New Mexico can do pretty good. Ive havent seen much other competition but we definately drink the most so why couldnt we be the best beer pong players!! And dont forget, every one needs to do the A HUFF!!!
Well guys we have a lot coming up this summer. The championships in June, the Best of the West in July, satellites for King of Cups and the WSOBP will most likely follow shortly thereafter. Keep your heads in the game, New Mexico is going places!
-Clawless
2010 Southwest Beer Pong Championships
After so much talk it’s finally time to throw a big one here in ABQ. I’ve long wanted to put on a tournament in Albuquerque which would be more than a simple random seed, double-elim sort of event. Part of the reason people love playing in the large-scale tournaments like the WSOBP is because of the different format. You are guaranteed more games, and you’re seeded appropriately (so great teams don’t end up knocking each other out early in the tournament).
This tournament will consist of two parts. The first half will be made up of preliminary games. Each team will play six games against random opponents. After tracking wins and cup differential, all teams will be sorted by rank. The top 16 teams will then advance to the second half of the tournament, which will take the form of a double elimination bracket. All winners bracket games will be best-of-three series. All losers bracket games will be single-elimination. So basically if you advance to the second half of the tournament you are guaranteed an additional three games at least.
The tournament will take place in the Radisson Hotel & Waterpark on Saturday, June 26th. It will be an all-day event starting at 2:00. Registration will take place from 12:00-1:30. If you haven’t registered online for the discounted price, I would recommend doing that soon.
Weekly Tournaments
On June 7th, SWBP started hosting Monday night beer pong tournaments at Fox & Hound. The venue has graciously offered us their upstairs mezzanine to have our tournaments. This means fewer people walking around the playing field, which is pretty damn nice in my opinion. I’m extremely hopeful that having two tournaments a week will build the talent level of the 505 to the point that we can really make a run at the Series in January.
Best of the West
The east coast has been running a squad-based tournament every year for the past few years known as the Beast of the East. It basically consists of regions/states putting together teams of 10 to compete against other regions/states, in an attempt to determine who offers the best players. Until this year only the east coast has been able to offer this kind of a tournament. This year, both the Midwest as well as the West Coast will be putting on similar tournaments. NorCal and AZ are teaming up to put on this year’s Best of the West, which is going to take place in Tempe, AZ on July 24th. It’s taken us a while to put NM’s roster together, but we should have enough interest to field two teams:
NM Team 1
1. Clawless (captain)
2. AJ Weddington
3. Kyle Sweetland
4. Ted “dbag” Wallace
5. Gabe Montoya
6. Jack Smothers
7. Beth G.
8. Brent Harrison
9. John Dubois
10. Josh Rogers
NM Team 2
1. Adam Huff (captain)
2. David Dominguez
3. Adam Holbrook
4. Casey Landis
5. David Glaser
6. Sonny Amparan
7. Donovan Livingston
8. ???
9. ???
10. ???
We’re still trying to finalize team 2’s roster, so if you are interested in playing, get in touch with Huff. Wish us luck as we take on the rest of the region!
Clawless Strategy: Shooting Technique
Every single player in this game has their own particular method of shooting. Most people know the three basic shots: the arch, the bullet, and the bounce. In case you are unfamiliar, the arch involves a high release the sends the ball straight down into the target; the bullet consists of a low-release, straight shot into the cup; and the bounce is that dreaded slow shot in which the shooter bounces the ball once or twice on the table before making it into the cup. Players’ shots can generally be placed into one of these three categories, but anyone can tell you there’s a lot more to a shot than that.
First, there’s the stance. Where do you stand in relation to the table? Some players get right up to the edge of the table. Others (probably harkening back to their elbow rules days) stand a foot or so back. Some stand with one foot forward, while others face the table directly. It’s all about finding what’s comfortable.
Next, how do you hold the ball? Many players, when starting out, don’t even think about this, but the more you play and the more you attempt to perfect your shot, the more important this becomes. There are players (like Arizona’s Adam) who will hold the ball and rotate it until there’s nothing but the blank side of the ball facing him. A common practice you’ll see anywhere is dunking the ball in a cup before shooting. This probably originates from house party days when it is customary to clean the ball before shooting, so why do people still do it? A lot of players (myself included) like a little water on the ball to keep it from slipping out of your fingers when shooting.
Next is the lean. Ever since the WSOBP eliminated the common elbow rule, players have been taking advantage of the lean, but some newbies still struggle with the practice. Players used to elbow rules sometimes think the game will become amazingly easy if they lean. Once they attempt a few shots, however, they quickly learn there is a learning curve to the lean. Balance is key, and in a game in which many players drink, that can often be a problem. Many players maintain balance by keeping both feet firmly planted on the ground. True leaners, however, get the most out of the lean by lifting one leg in counterbalance. It takes practice to maintain your footing when making those crucial shots, but most leaners would never go back.
Finally we come to release, the most important step in a shot. This is the point that practice pays off. Removing mechanics and forethought, release is all about feel. The best shooters have practiced and played enough that this part of the shot occurs naturally. Just like bowling or darts, it’s about follow-through, repetition, and smooth movements. Some players maintain tense arms, creating as few differentiating movements as possible, while others have shots in which every muscle from the shoulder to the tips of the fingers move. As it often does, this comes down to Yoda. There is no try. If you try to make the cup, you will usually fail. If your shot is natural enough, and feels right, you will succeed.
Team Review: Tobacco Road
Tobacco Road has been around since almost the beginning of the competitive pong scene in Albuquerque, but had failed to really make their mark. It always seemed like bad luck that these two talented players never took home a win. Well all that was washed away when they were the first team to take first place at Fox & Hound. Most would say that Brent has the skill while Huff has the charm, but nobody would say that they haven’t proven themselves as a team to watch out for.
Players:
Adam Huff
Age: 24
Occupation: Basketball Coach
Brent Harrison
Age:25
Occupation: Server
When did you guys first start playing together?
Brent: I would have to say that our first time playing together is when we became roommates. august of 2008 but it was an off and on thing!
Huff: First started playing I believe my sophmore year of college at a house party.
What’s the best part about your team?
Brent: Huff, just because he is nonchalant about his looks. The service is always GREAT with him around.
Huff: When Brent drinks his hair spray and is making every cup
What’s the worst?
Brent: The worst?! I do not think there is anything critically bad but sometimes we get stuck on the easiest of racks.
Huff: When Brent doesnt drink hairspray and were both off...or when he beats me in singles.
Any pregame rituals?
Brent: Yes, we usually have to get some apps before we play.
Huff: Fist bump mainly, maybe a drink.
What do you do to get better as a team?
Brent: I think everyone else should get worse, so we would be better. Since that won't happen we just need to play more.
Huff: Practice against each other, just play.
Who do you most fear or hate playing against? Why?
Brent: Jeremy "Undecided" P. I do not like playing him since I do not fear him. Well you never know when he is going to throw the ball. I mean it ranges from 3 to 8 fake shots before he releases the ball. Also, he gets into Huff's head with him throwing his body to the floor and tantrums.
Huff: Hate playing probably Poon Stars (no I didnt misspell it). For some reason just cant beat those guys, even in cash games.
Who is your biggest beer pong influence?
Brent: I really do not have one but the ones that taught me were Dan and Huff.
Huff: Dont have one, just play as something to do.
What has been your best beer pong experience?
Brent: I would have to say Huff and I beating Kyle and Gary at one of our FAMOUS pong tournaments. That game went into OT and we ran 3 cups on them to win. It was one of the best pong games I was involved in but the rules were not official WSOP.
Huff: Putting on tournaments/drunk fests as the original tournament hosts and beating Kyle/Gary in my own finals!
How do you think New Mexico will do in the Best of the West tournament?
Brent: Well, I have not had the chance to check the final roster. I would like to believe we can take top 3 easily. We have some talent here in Albuquerque area that can compete with any team.
Huff: I think New Mexico can do pretty good. Ive havent seen much other competition but we definately drink the most so why couldnt we be the best beer pong players!! And dont forget, every one needs to do the A HUFF!!!
Well guys we have a lot coming up this summer. The championships in June, the Best of the West in July, satellites for King of Cups and the WSOBP will most likely follow shortly thereafter. Keep your heads in the game, New Mexico is going places!
-Clawless
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Upcoming Events
WSOBP 8 Satellite Tournament
February 4th, 2012
Southwest Beer Pong
Spectators Sports Bar
Guy/Guy Teams: $50
Guy/Girl Teams: $40
Girl/Girl Teams: $30
Preregistration Discount Here
Albuquerque, NM
February 4th, 2012
Southwest Beer Pong
Spectators Sports Bar
Guy/Guy Teams: $50
Guy/Girl Teams: $40
Girl/Girl Teams: $30
Preregistration Discount Here
Albuquerque, NM
2012 Southwest Beer Pong Championships
August 3rd-5th, 2012
Southwest Beer Pong
Spectators Sports Bar
Friday: WSOBP 8 Satellite
Saturday: $5k Doubles Main Event
Sunday: Singles Championships
Albuquerque, NM
August 3rd-5th, 2012
Southwest Beer Pong
Spectators Sports Bar
Friday: WSOBP 8 Satellite
Saturday: $5k Doubles Main Event
Sunday: Singles Championships
Albuquerque, NM