Best finishes: I have tripled twice in my life at $1000+ tournaments, one in Louisville and one in Lexington KY. I have always thought of that as my home-away-from-home state as far as the mental advantage goes.
I have a national title in Expert DBLS- the US Open- and 3rd in World Expert DBLS.
I have Open Singles and Doubles titles from mainly the midwest, although, I took 2nd out of 250 singles players in a Oklahoma Expert Singles Nationals (I consider that one of my better feats, considering I went to the loser's bracket in round 3).
Best Advise: Play anyone and everyone who you think might beat you as many times as possible, until you make them want to play you just as bad.