8cree said:

So, some of Al's tourneys weren't at 5in that you know of?

Wasn't the standard pocket size at the time, 5in though?

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maha said:

its like using physics to explain how to walk. or arguing how to explain walking to someone,

its chemistry
, the chemistry of your brain
when you learn through experimentation and repetition, then that's when you know just how to do it.
and can do it without making costly mistakes.

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fastone371 said:

Very nice spread, Jay. So are you living permanently in the Philippines now??

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skor said:

Cool. nice room.
The pictures could be misleading but it looks like you need better lights over the table.

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GideonF said:

Let’s not forget that Alison Fisher and Earl Strickland were the best players in the world using the old Cuetec cues (which were not very good).

That said, other than Filler, I can’t think of any top pro that is using CF that seems to have been pressured to use it. I mean they are getting paid to use them but I don’t get the sense that they’d rather use wood.

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Jaden said:

You shouldn't be looking at what those types of players are playing with. Bangers will be bangers. You should look at what the top players are playing with. The modern stroke and style lends itself to low deflection. Holding the back of the cue, bridging farther back, these are indicators of where the pivot point sits on their shafts and cues.

I don't think you'll see any modern top player that is using old style high deflection shafts. An argument could be made for using wood ld shafts, but there is really no benefit to them over cf except feel and most of those are going to feel deader than the cf because of how ld is achieved.

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jbart65 said:

Let's turn to Woodward, who recently said he hasn’t been motivated to play pool “since before Covid.”

The best reasons to pick him are his unquestionable talent and his experience playing in the Mosconi. It’s not his performance or attitude.

Woodward didn't just have an off-year. The number of events he’s played in are among the fewest of any year since he became pro. The first time he’ll leave the U.S. this year for an event outside the country is the 10-Ball Championship in Vietnam next week.

As a result, Woodward’s earnings are on track to be the lowest since 2013 if the pandemic year is omitted. And the biggest chunk of what he earned in 2026 was being part of a three-man team at the World Team Championships.

Big wins? None in 9 ball this year. None, nada, zippo. He got knocked out early in the Florida and U.S. opens and didn’t look especially good. He has ZERO wins over a top 100 Fargo player in 9 ball in 2026.

His only good wins in individual play this year were in 8 ball. He beat Justin Bergman, Carlos Biado and Oliver Szolnoki before bowing out in the final 16 at the World 8-ball Championship.

His performance this year was bad enough. But his effort was even worse. He admitted to not practicing much before recent tournaments. Sjm probably didn’t see or read Woodward’s remarks, but here’s what he said during the U.S. Open.

https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/mosconi-reyes-wpm-rankings.589389/post-8501520

Woodward said he is motivated now. He said the other day he hopes he makes the Mosconi team. He knows he is in danger of being left off, missing out on some guaranteed money and perhaps losing sponsors.

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jbart65 said:

You can be dogged at times, sjm. Very dogged! The only thing I agree with you with is the part I put in bold.

Like I said, dogged!

There is only one young U.S. player actually eligible by WNT rules whose inclusion might not hurt so bad. Sam Henderson. He might be able to hang with the big boys.

There are no others, as of now, sjm.

Fracasso-Verner would have fit, but he's hurt. Nathan Childress would be the next-best option, but he's a big step down from Bergman-Woodward-Thorpe. Payne McBride? Nope. He's not even on the WNT rankings list for U.S players. Shane Wolford? Hasn't played in enough events to be eligible. Nor has any other young player not listed here.

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iusedtoberich said:

I play with CF now. The only advantage I see is it is much more durable. No dings whatsoever in 5 years of play. My wood shaft, even when I was trying to be super careful (I am clumsy), had a bunch of tiny dings in one year's time.

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skor said:

Doesn’t matter, if they are unplayable they would have not won or even use them

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