Posted by Eric on January 22, 2007 at 22:58

Matt "No Fail" MacPhail who finished with the 3rd highest score in the Preliminary round of 40 shots in the 2006 WPA World Artistic Pool Championships took some time to answer some questions for us.

Please check out Matt's http://www.nofailmacphail.com/ site if you have not already seen it.

Questions From yow

You took 3rd in the prelims at the 06 WC, what's it like performing BETTER than some of the BEST in the world?

	Matt MacPhail wrote:
	Even though I've finished ahead of some of the big name players in past events, this one was extra special. To see my name above Hall of Famer Mike Massey and legendary players such as Dr. Cue, Sabatian, and others made me feel real good inside. I can pass these experiences down to my kids and this type of accomplishment will stay in my family from generation to generation.

	Matt MacPhail wrote:
	Some Kid!

Matt MacPhail wrote:

I'm (27) happily married with two healthy young boys 4 months and 26 months old. My wife and I find it difficult to go out to dinner and a movie. However, I wouldn't be ranked 9th in the world if it wasn't for her. I'm the general manager for Snookers Billiard Club (www.snookersbilliards.com) located in Springfield, MA. My wife's parents have owned and operated the pool room and retail store for 18 years. I'm a certified table installer and billiard instructor. Even though I work at a pool room all week long, I sometimes never pick up a cue. Some days, I practice for 15 minutes. Only when I get together with Bruce Barthelette and Sal Conti do I get over 2 hours of practice and that's maybe once a week. I do a lot of mental practicing, I've found that to be successful.

Matt MacPhail wrote:

Of course I think we should be on next years team, without a doubt. What many people didn't realize is that there was an alternate player chosen for this past event. That player just so happened to be me. I had to learn the 100 or so shots just in case someone became ill or missed their plane flight. Yes, I could have played on the European Team. One week before the event, I had Team USA over to my Pool room to practice. We did a mock tournament, I was Team Europe and of course they ganged up on me, really it wasn't a fair match. It was a good practice day.

	Matt MacPhail wrote:
	If you must know, Boxers are my favorite. But when the laundry doesn't get done I have to resort to briefs which are at the bottom of my drawer.

	Matt MacPhail wrote:
	????????????????????????????????????????

	Matt MacPhail wrote:
	I enjoy watching everyone but you have to admit Dr. Cue is incredible to watch. He has so much energy. He's also the one who got me involved in trick shot events. He's a good friend of the family.

	Matt MacPhail wrote:
	My best tournament trick shot is the "Through the Window". I love shooting the quarter roll shots in my shows. Lets just say you'll see what I'm inventing when Trick Shot Magic comes calling.

	Matt MacPhail wrote:
	My toughest opponent is me! I feel when I'm focused and in stroke I can beat anyone. When the focus fades, meaning your brain wonders off into another planet other than the pool table, it's all down hill from there. But, I have to admit Mike Massey is my toughest opponent other than myself.

	Matt MacPhail wrote:
	On average, between a 40 hour work week, wife, and 2 kids I practice 6-10 hours. Some days I can sneak in more practice time during work hours but once I'm home, I don't have a table to practice on.

	Matt MacPhail wrote:
	I love the crowd, the more the better. I grew up playing sports and the crowd doesn't bother me at all. I usually tone them out when I'm down in my shot, but other than that it doesn't bother me to talk to them in between shots. In fact, I sometimes encourage them to cheer for me in hopes I make the shot.

	Matt MacPhail wrote:
	Of course my favorite pool hall is where I call my second home, Snookers Billiards Spfld, MA. It's a classic pool room, clean and very friendly. My second favorite pool room is somewhere in Ireland. I played a few halls there when on my honeymoon.

Posted by yow on February 02, 2007 at 01:13

It pays to know people, getting to be the alternate player is cool. Too bad nobody got sick, you coulda been on TV! j/k We'll make it oneday. I just hope that Matt, Tim, and I don't have to wait until we're 50 before they let us on TV.

-yow!