World Pool Championships 2025, July 21-26, Jeddah

Over the years, I have seen no evidence that having a longer shot clock increases the level of play. All a longer shot clock brings is slow play.

Two of the slowest players of the modern era are Ralf Souquet and Eklent Kaci. When they play off the shot clock, they take forever and play well. When they play on the shot clock, they play just as well. This week, Kledio Kaci, another notoriously slow player, played the best pool he has ever played and the thirty-second shot clock was in use.

The intuitive argument that if decisions at the pool table are made more slowly, those decisions will be better, does not hold up to scrutiny.

The players, as a group, have proven over and over that they can make accurate decisions quickly, but give them forever to shoot and that's exactly how long they will take.
I agree
I think that the shot clock brings the best out of them.
At this level, the first option that comes to mind by intuition is usually the right one.

World Pool Championships 2025, July 21-26, Jeddah

To be honest, it feels to me that Fedor is fiddling too much with equipment, extension on cue, extension in pocket, two jump cues, it's all too much. He need to get his focus back on the game. He is a great player but he is all over the place, also with his vlogging and the long races he had this year.
The man is trying to earn a living. He is human and will have off days , not as many off days as you but still.

World Pool Championships 2025, July 21-26, Jeddah

Emily, big kaci and Fred had this discussion. Kaci said no clock on the last match, of course Fred disagreed. Emily didn't think it was a good idea either
It comes down to whether you want people to watch pool or not. Emily won't compromise the quality of the professional pool product to cater to the whimsical and ridiculous request of a player.

World Pool Championships 2025, July 21-26, Jeddah

I’d really like to see a longer shot clock in the finals. This is a tournament to decide who is the best/world champion. I want to see the best players playing their best. There is no more matches after the finals so no super hurry to finish. I hated seeing two greats not be able to be as great as they could be because of that.
Emily, big kaci and Fred had this discussion. Kaci said no clock on the last match, of course Fred disagreed. Emily didn't think it was a good idea either

Cork wrap opinion?

If the cork gets dry, a tiny bit of oil (I would use walnut) should fix it up. Never been a problem for me in 35 years. Couldn't care less if my heirs get a good price on my cue, only care about how it plays for me.

Thank you kindly.

p.s. store one's wine on it side, to prevent cork drying there.

World Pool Championships 2025, July 21-26, Jeddah

In all fairness, Earl didn't have to deal with the insane playing field now. Taiwan and Europe weren't powerhouses then..The Philippines didn't have a dozen monsters yet.
If you took a look at the fields that were produced in Cardiff, you would not say this. Earl's win in 2002 was against a field of absolute beasts. The fields were internationally diverse by then.

List of pro players who stick to wood as their playing shaft

What you pay for a watch has little to do with anything other than do you like the look, not because it’s more accurate.
The price you pay for a cue has little to do with how good a pool player you are. It really comes down to what you want.

Agreed there, though it's the watch features, materials, and movement grade that drive prices much higher than the basic models. My personal collection includes these guys:

Watch Collection - db6mIoA.jpeg

World Pool Championships 2025, July 21-26, Jeddah

I’d really like to see a longer shot clock in the finals. This is a tournament to decide who is the best/world champion. I want to see the best players playing their best. There is no more matches after the finals so no super hurry to finish. I hated seeing two greats not be able to be as great as they could be because of that.
Over the years, I have seen no evidence that having a longer shot clock increases the level of play. All a longer shot clock brings is slow play.

Two of the slowest players of the modern era are Ralf Souquet and Eklent Kaci. When they play off the shot clock, they take forever and play well. When they play on the shot clock, they play just as well. This week, Kledio Kaci, another notoriously slow player, played the best pool he has ever played and the thirty-second shot clock was in use.

The intuitive argument that if decisions at the pool table are made more slowly, those decisions will be better, does not hold up to scrutiny.

The players, as a group, have proven over and over that they can make accurate decisions quickly, but give them forever to shoot and that's exactly how long they will take.

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