Eck's Saloon Tournament, Friday, Jan. 28th, 2011

Many of the players who come to the Candlelight Tavern talk about a tournament that is held at Eck's Saloon in Lakewood near Kipling and Hampden.  My friend Sarah agreed earlier in the week to meet me there.  We were unsure of whether our significant others, Killian and Dave, would join us.  Both of them decided to join us and we all played in the tournament.  The bar itself was huge with a variety of games/entertainment options.  When Dave and I first arrived, we ran into Jerry, who told us about what to expect.  Dave and I warmed up and played doubles with some of the other players.  Killian and Sarah arrived a little later and the tournament started at 8:30.  Ryan Acuna was there and told us this was a good tournament for us to begin playing; however, I'm not so sure of that.  Our first game was good competition, but unfortunately we lost both games in a row.  At one point we were ahead, but it didn't last long.  We ended up playing Killian and Sarah and won, but then we lost to Chris Lopez and his partner.  There were 20 teams!  Nothing like feeling like the small fish in a big pond.  Killian left a little early because he had to work the next morning.  Sarah stayed and hung out with us.  Well hopefully we fair better at our next tournament!

Girls Rule, Boys Drool.....

Finding women who will even attempt to play foosball is difficult, much less women who would like to play it for hours at a time.  I have the pleasure of having a friend named Sarah who understands my love for the game and enjoys playing as much as possible.  She and her boyfriend, Killian, love the game so much they bought their own table.  At Sarah's suggestions, last night we ventured out to find some foosers.

Around 9:30 pm, several skilled players showed up at the Candlelight Tavern.  Mike, Eric, Brent, Juan, Matt, Shawn, and Dale were all ready to play.  You know its serious game time when the wraps come out and there are several sets of quarters lined up for the next game.  It can be intimidating playing some of these guys, but it forces you to up your game.  Sarah's boyfriend Killian and I had an unexpected win against Eric and Brent that made me smile.  Killian played in the front and I was in the back.  Making shots from the back got my blood pumping.  Sarah played with various partners and stepped up her game.  She seemed to be catching every ball!  A large blonde, curly-haired guy named Jesse showed up and won several games with Dale as his partner.  He said he hadn't played in 3 years, but you wouldn't have guessed that by his game.  Other foosers seemed to know him from the past.  His ambition and excitement were off the charts, so when Sarah and I challenged them, I really wanted a win.  While we made a few shots, we did not prevail.  Matt and I gave it our best shot against Jesse and Dale, but also lost. 

I am so glad Sarah has a love for the game and constantly wants to learn more shots, techniques, ball control, etc...  Her energy motivates me to continue learning and be the best I can be.  It is my hope that one day there are as many women players as there were men at the table last night.

Foosball in Breckenridge

Saturday, January 8, 2011 was an exciting day and night for me, my husband, and friends.  We were invited to stay with friends at a condo in Dillon, CO.  We arrived Friday evening and got to play foosball down the road from the condo.  The tables were well maintained and we had a great time challenging each other.  The bar owner, Tony, played a few games with us which we appreciated.  He clearly had a love for the game and quick reflexes.  Saturday we went snowboarding all day and were physically tired by the end of the day.  After a long day riding, we sat in the hot tub and pool and relaxed a bit.  Around 8:30 pm, after taking a nap, we headed to Breckenridge for some more foosball.  After a few drinks and some deep-fried macaroni and cheese triangles at the Mother Loaded Bar, we were almost ready to go back to the condo.  Fortunately, Ryan Knapton and Kristin Nuss showed up and we were able to play until the bar closed.  They arrived with an entourage of other foosers and it was clear we were the odd balls.  After we proved ourselves on the table, the group became friendlier.  Ryan remembered me from the one and only tournament I entered in July of 2007.  I guess I did alright then.  My husband Dave and I stepped up to the plate and were able to come home with several wins.  It was great meeting new foosers and we enjoyed the friendly competition.  My husband convinced me to ask for Kristin's phone number since we know very few women who play.  I dreamed about foosball and the great night we had.  This trip might just be my motivation to play in another tournament.  Breckenridge, Ryan, and Kristin may have lit my foosball fire!

Foosball Love Story

The Candlelight Tavern is a small neighborhood bar near Washington Park in Denver, Colorado.  It's a great place to relax and unwind after a long work day.  One of the best parts of the bar is that it is a gamer's haven with foosball, pool, shuffle board, darts, bowling, and golden tee.  In December of 2003, I developed a love for the game of foosball.  That love intensified when I met my husband and he too shared my passion.  He first saw me at the foosball table and asked me to be his partner.  A few months later, we bought the foosball table we met on and now it sits in our entertainment room in the basement.  A few years later, my husband proposed where me met at a newer foosball table.  We love the Candlelight Tavern almost as much as foosball and I am so thankful for all the good fortune I have experienced because of foosball.  I am starting this blog as a way to honor the game I love and share the joy I have enperienced because of it.  In addition, I hope to promote this game and encourage more women to learn to play.

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