The best 8 year old I've ever seen shoot pool

I was at league on Wednesday and as I was walking in, I saw a young boy getting ready to break. I noticed him because he was the shortest person in the pool hall. As he got ready to break, he stood back up, chalked his cue, realigned the cue ball and then with a solid stroke, broke the balls. He broke them pretty solid and one went in.

I had to go over and watch just to see him shoot. It’s pretty rare to see a child shooting a good game of pool since it’s tough for them to even get into a pool hall to practice. He shot a mean game of pool! Very calm in demeanor, but was witty when he did speak.

He never got upset if a ball didn’t go in and didn’t act any different if a ball did go in the pocket. Very neutral with his emotions while playing. I asked him his name and he said, “Holmer. What is your name?” I said, “Jennefer. Very nice to meet you.” He was very sweet and shook my hand while introducing himself. I asked him how long he had been shooting and he said about 4 years. I then asked his age and he was 8 years old!

Oh my…he started shooting at 4 years old. His dad plays in the league and is an awesome shot. As I was talking to him, found out he had a table at home that he practices on and his dad teaches him the game – it definitely showed.

League was about to start, so I headed over to my team. We had enough players, so me and my captain were sitting out during the match. Wendy from the other team comes over and says, “Holmer would like to play a game with you if that is ok.” Um, Of course it’s ok! Holmer comes running over to the practice table that I was at and said, “You want to play a race to 6?” Ut oh, I’m thinking I’m in trouble if he knows the pool lingo. I agree to play a race to 6.

This is the crazy part. He won 3 before I won my 6 games. He won them straight up (not me giving him shots, not me scratching, just plain straight good pool). He very politely shook my hand after the match and said, “Nice game.” He looked a little sad – pretty much the same look we all have after losing a match. It’s never fun to lose. I told him he played a GREAT game and he would beat half of the people that play in our APA league. He could of easily beat me 6 to 3 – I think I just got lucky.

I would say on a scale of the 2 – 7 system in APA, he was a solid 4. He had a great eye for making his shots, knew banks much better than me, had a solid stroke, confidence, and great cuts shots. It was really amazing to watch him play and he was great at conversation throughout the match.

He said the funniest things that would make me and Wendy giggle. I have to list them! Here we go…

1. “I want to be just like Alison Fisher…BUT not turn into a girl.”
2. “I’m Alison Fisher’s biggest fan. I wonder if she gives autographs on her favorite pool ball? My favorite pool ball is the 15, do you think that is hers?”
3. “You better not break and run. I don’t mind losing, but I hate when people break and run.”
4. Wendy whispers to Holmer, “Play smart against Jennefer. She’s a 4.” He replies, “Oooooh, now you tell me!”
5. When I was at 5 wins and he was at 3, he whispers to Wendy, “I’m gonna play well and hold Jennefer at 5!” Too cute.
6. “If you don’t want to scratch on a straight in shot, us the field goal method.” (he was referring to coming off the rail and glancing the object ball into the pocket when it’s sitting smack in the middle of the pocket – when you come off the rail, the ball goes in a 90 degree angle and he called it the field goal because a field goal is 90 degrees)
7. “Do you play foosball? Do you want to play?” (I’m horrible at foosball, but played and got really lucky and won.) He then said, “You are good at everything!” (Boy is he wrong!)
8. “Do you play air hockey? Do you want to play?” (I’m really horrible at this game. He beat me pretty badly.)

Holmer is pretty competitive, but a great winner and great loser. Since he can win and lose gracefully, he will do well in whatever he chooses to do. He was so sweet, smart and witty – all at the age of 8. Amazing. He then said, “Dad says we are going, but I want to have a pool party (not swimming, but billiards) at my house in August for my birthday.” He then said, “Since I met you and Wendy, both of the teams are invited and you can meet my friends.” How sweet is that?

I’m still in awe about what a great game he plays. I expect and have a good feeling that he will be playing in some junior’s tourneys and will be a shark in the next year or two. If it was allowed for minors to play in APA, he would be one tough person to beat. Not only is he great at his shots, he plays some pretty darn good safeties. He snookered me several times to get ball in hand. He has the mental discipline and makes great decisions on the table.

Thanks again Holmer for the games…hope to play another match with you soon.