Pat "Princess" Davis

July 19, 2010 by Scott Rodriguez

First off, congratulations for winning an AM Singles title at Nationals, with a two scoop dip no less! How did that go down for those of us who didn't see it? Was it an epic finals battle, or did you roll him pretty quickly?

It was probably the best match I've ever played. Randy was playing his ass off all weekend and any mistake either one of us made the other exploited. Mix that with the fact it was 3:30 in the morning it was a very tough match. He rolled my ass for top of winners so I went into the match feeling a bit overwhelmed but tried to keep my cool and it worked out. Every time I thought I had him pounded and checked out he check back in. All in all a good match. 5 games. 2 straight in the first set and 3 games in the second. He's a good player and definitely deserved to be there.

Once you went into the loser's, did you feel like you still had a shot to come all the way back? Do you change your mindset or approach to the game in any way once going to the losers side?

Honestly I was so pissed when I went into the losers there’s no way I wasn't going to come back. The entire weekend I had "come close" to doing something relevant but let it slip away. The guy I played for 3rd or better I pounded in about 5 minutes. I don't really know if anything changed, maybe I just had more steam than the rest of the people in the tourney room at the time but there was no way I wasn't going to play in that finals match.

You had a pretty great Nationals tournament in terms of results, did you ever get worn out playing so much? If so, what are some of the things you do to keep your energy and motivation up through the long waits?

I got worn down pretty bad. My body is still feeling out of whack from playing so many matches. I just figure if you're going to drive all the way out there and pay a shit load of money to play, you might as well leave it all on the table. Coming home upset feeling like you could have done more is a bad feeling. To keep my energy through the long waits I ate, which is new for me at tourneys. Usually I neglect it but didn't this time and it paid off. It's different being an amateur, rookie, beginner, or expert at these than being a pro or higher. You play in so many events and have so many matches that it can really wear on you. Even more than that, you get lost in the brackets. Joe and I went to the table in a lot of our matches and didn't even know what event we were competing. I used a lot of the Colorado players and their support for motivation along with the goals I set forth for myself and my partners. The real long waits I just went to the hotel room and watched the brackets from my computer while I lied in bed and watched movies.

What other tour tips can you offer some of the newer players thinking about touring reading this?

EAT AND DRINK A TON OF WATER! On the table don't be afraid of who you are playing. There’s nothing abnormal that anyone else is going to do. They might have a boring or flashy game and they might hit their shit harder or faster but when it comes down to it the goal of the game is to put the little ball in the hole and stop the other team from doing it before you do. Off the table watch people whose games complement yours and see what you can implement into your game that might make you more successful. That being said don't change the way you play and the stuff you have been working on because that is what you're best at. If you try to relearn foosball at a big event you might as well hand your money to Mary Moore then head home.

You and Joe are always battling it out in doubles events - which do you prefer....singles or doubles, and why?

Doubles hands down. I like the team aspect. I’m good at singles but in doubles everything is controllable. If you lose in doubles there’s no excuses. Slop could have been blocked. Switches could have been made. In singles there are so many variables that can change the outcome of a game and it doesn't always reflect the skill of the two opponents. Joe and I have worked our asses off to become an actual team. We work well together and win a lot just because of that. Look at all the teams that start pointing fingers. They never win anything and are probably better than us.

Speaking of the Big Pickle - how come he gives you such a hard time in singles? Is it because he knows your game, or just because you get flustered playing a best friend?

We've played more foosball together in practice and against each other that its a coin flip. He knows what every fake, every hitch and every head game means with me. There’s no question when it comes to us he has a better head. Its brains vs. braun. I don't get flustered playing him though, it just pisses me off when he beats me because I think I’m better than he is. (yeah, I know I’m a cocky asshole)

Where did you get the inspiration for your high adrenaline style of play? Not a lot of players tic tac the ball around that fast on the 5 bar....in fact, no one in Denver plays that speed.

I HATE BORING FOOSBALL. That’s my inspiration. I think starting in Greeley gave me the advantage of being off the radar when I was first learning to play. But at the same time I got to play with a bunch of lunatics. Rick Reese's psychotic defense showed me that foosball can be played fast. Dave Miller being a jerk off and taking advantage of mental let downs by beginners helped me keep my guard up. Then in 2005 I think we had the NoCo classic that Tony Spree came to. Saw that and wanted to do it. That’s when my game took off.

Eff you! Boring foosball rocks! lol

You've been using that rapid fire mindset for quite a while now. When I first saw you play, I thought you were trying to run before you could walk and wasn't the biggest fan, but you really kept with it and have become a force to be reckoned with. Would you suggest newcomers start off learning to play the way you did, or would you advise they learn a slow methodical game first?

My advice to beginners is to see what you like and do it. Sticky plays the methodical game and it pounds people. Tony plays the flashy game and it pounds people. There’s no question that you need to learn the essentials first. (Wall pass, lane pass, shot, roller defense, pull defense, goalie shot) But after, that let your game adapt to your personality. It’s crazy how a lot of foosball is about personality. Seriously, Sticky Foot mellow guy, controlled game. Cheese, playful personality, more unorthodox game. You can even see it in the beginners. Marc Brubaker, developing a rapid style of play, spunkier personality. Slice controlled game very controlled and cool headed guy. I’m rambling.....

Despite your speedy style, I have seen you slow things up and take your time....how hard is it for you to switch gears like that? How long do you wait in a match before you make an adjustment and take a different approach to the game?

I get very pissed off in games and fight with myself. Once I finally beat myself and accept that I’m probably not going to win going 100 miles an hour I start to slow down a bit. It helps in doubles having partners that control me. The first 4 years of my career Joe told me not to think and just do and he would do all the thinking for both of us. Now that he's not doing that I have to be a big boy and do it on my own. Kinda sucks now that I have to actually think.

Do you have a go to pass or shot that you use when it's an important match point?

When I’m no braining it 2 to 2 pass. Pull roller shot after like .2 seconds :)

When I’m thinking, not really because I’m reading the defense. Spoiler alert: Colorado foosball players don't exploit this information or I’m gonna have to change it then slap you for believing me.

I’m pretty sure you going pullside isn’t news to anyone. lol

Were there any matches over Nationals weekend that you were kicking yourself afterwards? Like...."If only I had done this.....if only I had done that...."

Yeah, too many to count. I was in, I think, 9 events and I only won one event and I lost a match in that one. I don't like losing. One particular in mind. I was playing David Vick in pro singles for 7/8 I beat his ass in the first game and was up 4-1 in the second and lost. There’s a lot of stuff I could have done different. That match still pisses me off, I don't want to talk about it.

Both you and Joe have such completely contrasting styles of play - do you find you click with more controlled players.....or do you just play the same game no matter who you play with?

Well no matter who I play with I try to play my game. Now that you mention it, it does seem that way though. I guess the most important factor is that I pick my partners. I play with people who are my friends and that I trust both on and off the table and want to be around. Up in Greeley at our local draw we'd get 4 to 8 teams a week. I think the names Dave Miller and Jim (Hannibal) B. stick out in my mind most. It was miserable playing with those guys and I haven't really enjoyed playing in draws because of that. I think it’s by chance that most of my team mates are more controlled. Besides, how many players are as out of control as I am? Next to some of the dump crap I try on a table the random drunk chick bar hack looks controlled.

You're such a good sport on the table, which I think is key in raising one's game....has it always been that way?

That's funny because I was probably a better sport when I was new to the game and humble. I understood I got beat because I was new and sucked or won because I had a good partner or was lucky. As my game has progressed, its gotten harder to accept defeat. Winning has always come natural to me. I don't usually over celebrate that because I think it’s what I should be doing. Being a good sport definitely does raise your game but when you lose its probably one of the most difficult things to go through graciously.

Has there ever been a match in a DYP or tour stop where you've just completely lose your cool? Details!

Not that I remember. When I was at UNC whenever pickle and I lost tournaments I would just get retarded drunk so I might have but those memories have been erased tequila. I've seen A LOT of people try to literally fight Joe because of the areal though. That shot worked wonders on foosball players.

Do you have any hysterical stories you've been a part of on tour? Hopefully you do, otherwise this is a really awkward question.

I’m so bad at stories.... Okay I got three. The first two happened at the NoCo classic last one in Vegas my first ever tour event. First: I was playing goalie in semi-pro dubs with Baller I think. I had a fat dip in and hadn't spit in like 25 minutes. I went to shoot the ball against Tommie. Did the Baller exhale and spit chew all over the table. Took like 20 minutes to clean.

Second: Rick Reese and I are playing Shelly and Tony in open dubs for the finals. Tony calls a time out and Rick stops and goes, wait that’s your third timeout. Everyone paused. Tony got pissed and gave me a technical. My heart was racing and I think I completely flubbed the shot. I call an immediate timeout and Tony goes, that’s your third timeout. My heart stopped. Being a new rookie and having the best player in the game tell you that you're a cheater scared the hell outta me. He paused and goes "you see how that feels" I just turned bright red and decided to try and breathe again.

Third: First time in Vegas, first time on tour Bear, Eric Allen, and Kid dared me to run across the strip. Before they got the words out of there mouth I was half way across the street and almost got hit by two cabs. They paid up though.

If you could go back in time to beginner Princess....what would you tell him about this game?

It doesn't all come at once. I’m still having to tell myself that. I want to be one of the best in this game. I don't want to get lost in the ranks. I think I can do it. I just have to remember that every match is one step closer and is extra experience. I would also tell him that you have 15 seconds to shoot on the 3 rod because that idiot only uses like 4 most of the time.

Wait....how'd you get the nickname Princess anyway?

A couple reasons: In high school before baseball and football game I would cut my arm and put the blood on my face to get fired up. This reminded Pickle, Chase, Jordan, and Justin of one of those semi-suicidal gothic high school girls who cut themselves for attention. They always seem to have screen names like dark princess 666. Combine that with the fact that when I first started I hit the ball like a pansy they started yelling "hit the ball princess." From there the name just kinda stuck. The look I get from people when they hear my name is princess for the first time is classic. haha

Do you have any "nemesis'" out there, locally or nationally? Like....is there someone who you really enjoy beating or hate losing to? And don't say "everyone!" I know we all have people we love beating more than others! CO Foos wants NAMES!

Locally: Nail, Ryan Knapton, and obviously Pickle. Nail and I always battle a ton. Knapton's game kind of developed in NoCo and so I feel semi responsible for helping establish his game. And Pickle just sucks to lose to. That’s why I play with him. I know how you all feel when you lose to him. :)

Nationally: Chad Loseberg and Teddy Sprouse. I feel like both of them are in the same talent pool I’m in and we're always meeting late in brackets to knock each other out.

Who are some of your favorite players to watch?

Tony Spree: Who doesn't like watching him play?

Sticky: His game is so retarded and simple and he makes people look stupid.

Shelly: She's the juggernaut of all women footers in my opinion. Plus she had a huge impact and still does on my game.

If you could team up with any player, any rank for OD.....who would it be and why?

I would play with the most interesting man in the world from the Dos X's commercials. I figure we'd probably be able to win worlds together without even stepping up to a table. haha. No, I’m gonna have to say Pickle. I know it sounds retarded but he's my teammate. My game is at its best when we're on the table together. If I chose a PM I'd just be a backpack. Where’s the glory in that?

You've pretty much accomplished all there is to accomplish at a SP level....what do you think you need to do as a player to take it to the next level? Do you see yourself doing that?

I definitely see myself doing that. I guess just keep getting better and putting up results on tour. Rank is just a number. It means nothing really. I think I’m probably already at the next level or should be soon. The only way my game is going to get there is to play the best at this game. Colorado is the place to do it. The player base here is awesome at every level and I have respect for a lot of the games that this state has to offer.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions....congrats again on the big time showing!

Thanks bro. Go team Colorado. Next year we dominate everyone.

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