Know better... Jorge Tejerina

A pleasure to be able to interview today Asturian player pool Jorge Tejerina,. We have known more about his story and his enormous passion for pool. A great example to follow :-)

How long is your passion for the pool?

He was about 14 years and played in a game room near my house. There was a table of 8 feet that was in bad shape, but that did not matter. Little by little I liked the pool until today, and I hope to never lose enthusiasm for playing pool

What are you most passionate about this sport?

The ability to improve. When you think you can not play better, is when you really start to see the complexity of the sport, and in my case to enjoy even more practicing. After the human side, the possibility of meeting people is infinite, especially competing.

What are the modalities you practice?

Mainly Ball 8, 9 and 10. Of all  I prefer 10-Ball, I think is the most challenging of all pool games series.

What cue brand do you usually play? What do you change to another?

Now my jump break cue is a Fuel, cheap but effective, and the game is a Fury, with which I feel very comfortable. The shaft is not laminated, I prefer it, and the tip is Lamui M brown. I only would change for original Balabuhska, but I can not afford

How often do you play each week? Do you think it is enough to improve your game?

I usually play twice a week. I know that's not enough, but now it's all I can afford me. I think between 8 and 10 hours per week is sufficient to maintain a competitive level, but to actually improve would require the presence of a teacher 20 hours a week. Furthermore, the competition is very important

What club do you play normally? Do you think that is well conditioned to tplay pool?

I plan in Snooker Club Oviedo, in Anubis Pool (Oviedo)  and + Ke Pool (Oviedo). I think there are well prepared to play pool, the tables are not bad, you can always improve, but I understand that these times of crisis is not possible to invest large amounts of money on this. In general there are good facilities in Asturias

What do you think should make pool clubs to attract more players?

It is difficult, as I said in the previous answer, but I think more internet promotion and social networking would be a good way. Also reduce the cost of training for the player, re-creating passion for the sport and also help more local competition. In Asturias, Juan Exposito, is doing a great job of spreading the pool, with a series of competitions, such as the Asturian Ranking Pool and the two leagues. The most important thing is that the pool is leading to places where people in Asturias who are not familiar with this sport can see top players competing for the Pool Championship of Asturias, playing it in a shopping center with a lot of people in Oviedo

What was your best game or tournament?

A lot of good games, but as for tournaments, ranking Longoni asturgallego season 98/99 in 3rd category, which gave me the a place for which it was my first Championship of Spain. After I have very good memories of many such tournaments marathon in Aviles, Gijon and Oviedo with good results. Remember one in Avilés, opening of a pool bar called Pool Sabugo, attended by many of the best players of Asturias of the time. I made it to the final, which lost against Hector Luna, Champion of Asturias 2013.

Have you always had confidence in your game or, on the contrary, you have had moments of doubt?

I consider myself a very competitive at all levels. Iin the pool is good, but to be handled with care. Doubts many, but confidence in my game prevails.

Have you had the opportunity to compete outside of Spain?

I lived in the UK for several years and have had the opportunity to play some tournaments locally, always with good experiences. For a few months I also had the opportunity and privilege to train with Imran Majid, No. 1 of Britain

What is the player that you look to try to improve your game?

Well, in the last 20 years, there are 3 players that have changed the pool and snooker forever and I noticed that a lot. Are Ronnie O'Sullivan "The Rocket", Earl "The Pearl" Strickland, and the greatest pool player of all time, Efren "Bata" Reyes. More recently I notice Shane Van Boening Darren Appleton, and here in Spain, David Alcaide, Paquito Diaz and Juan Carlos Exposito from which I learn a lot to have him here in Asturias.

Tell us a story that has happened playing pool

I remember once, a few months to start this race in the pool, I do not know how I was called to go to a tournament referee 1st national category, held at a hotel in Oviedo. On arrival I was told that due to lack of players I should play, and surprise, when I see that I was supposed to face for me was one of the best of Asturias of the time, Francisco Javier Abad. The match was a 5 wins, I managed to beat 4, do not remember how, but I guess playing well jee ... And I remember the last game that other players were watching, I said things like "If you win you pay dinner ... "and things like that ... I remember I missed a jump ball, and then the adventure just beginner 3rd against 1st teacher ... But it's a good pool memory that I have

How do you see the health of the sport in Spain now?

As for sports scores better than ever, but in the official organizational aspect and a little worse, it´s my opinion. This is not to offend anyone. In Spain we have great players who can compete at the highest level, as Alcaide, Paquito, Exposito, Fran Sánchez, etc..

Why do you think that there are less players participation in national tournaments?

The crisis is hitting everyone and everything and the pool is no exception. I think the average cost of a tournament or national ranking are very high for the pocket of many players, including myself, that being unemployed right now it is very difficult to play everything I want

Where do you think can be the solution?

I'm just a player, hoping to compete again, both here in Asturias and national level, and why not outside of Spain. Also why I think there are other solutions to be put on the table, so that all who want to play, we can, and trust that they will.

Why do you think that in Spain the pool is not a sport attractive to the media?

Just do not move the money that makes that people are interested in the transmission of a sport. We called minority sport, but wherever you go to Spain, I always see people playing pool.

What would you say to young people that was encouraged to practice?

That is very nice, both to practice and to see, you can help develop other skills and abilities that you meet many people, it's fun, and it forces you to improve in each game, which I think is good for then apply it in life

Is there anything you'd like to add...

To thank everyone who made me to get closer to the world of pool, as Jorge Domingues "El Portu" taught me so much, and all of those who learned how Fran Abad, Jorge Gutierrez, Julio Cesar, Olalla, Macos Infiesta, Marcos Corujo , Poldo Nuño, etc ... I can not name them all, but if you want to remember some who are no longer with us, as Eduardo Cobian and Pablo Carretero, wherever they are, thanks. Also thank Jesus Fernandez of Longoni.

Thank you very much to Poolmania for this great opportunity to express myself on the subject that I like "Pool". Viva Pool and initiatives like yours. Luck to you and we must continue to support our great players, so the pool in our country continues to grow. We have relieves for Alcaide, Paquito in the near future, and that is very good. Thanks and see you on the tables.

Thank you very much Jorge for the time you have spent to interview :-)