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2026 Mosconi Cup Team USA

N
sjm said:
It was a few years ago, but a European poster guessed that there are ten nine ball players in America for every one of them in Europe. Might only be five for one now, but the only reason we haven't been beating Europe is poor player development, not a lack of players.

What matters is how many nine ball players you have, not how many people you have. Team USA would probably destroy Team India in a Mosconi style match, despite India's 1.5 billion population.

I don't think the answer is to make excuses and start hunting for smaller game but, instead, to raise our level to where it belongs.
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I don't disagree with your take on the need for 'player development'. That, alone, is probably the biggest differentiator between Europe and USA.

And my intent was not to 'make excuses' or 'look for a smaller game' but instead to point out the futility of the USA hoping to overtake all of Europe given the current state of player development and overall interest at a high level.

And to further drive home the point, I use your 'USA vs India' example. You are certainly correct that a team USA should dominate a 'Team India'. But a more apt comparison to the Mosconi format would be 'Team USA vs Team Asia'. I think we know how that would go.
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2011 Dan Prather Original - "Elegant Eight Point" 1 of 2 - One Owner From New

jumunjo
Hey everyone,

Up for sale is a truly special piece of cue-making history that I am hoping to pass along to a serious collector who appreciates Dan’s legendary work.

This is a 2011 Dan Prather Original "Elegant Eight Point" (Numbered 1 of 2).

I am the original owner and bought this cue brand new. For a while, it was my main player, so it has spent some time on the tables, but it has been incredibly well cared for. FInally the time has come to sell it. it has been in "Cue Closet" for the last 5 years and just dosn't get used.

Specs & Details:
  • Maker: Dan Prather (Signed "By Dan Prather '2011'")
  • Series: "Elegant Eight point 1/2" written on the opposite splice.
  • Design: Stunning 8-point construction with sharp mitered points into a beautiful purpleheart forearm.
  • Veneers: Vibrant triple-stack veneers in teal/cyan, natural, and black.
  • Butt Sleeve: Perfectly mirrored reverse points matching the forearm design.
  • Wrap: Black and white speck pressed Irish linen.
  • Shafts: Comes with one original, custom-matched Prather shaft with matching collar.
Condition:
I would describe it as being in good, honest condition. It is not a pristine museum closet queen, as it was played with, but there are no major flaws. There are only a few light knocks/dings entirely contained within the clear finish coat—none of them go through to the actual wood. Everything is straight, tight, and plays beautifully.
Ideally, I would love to see this go to a dedicated collector who understands how rare a fully signed, late-career numbered run by Dan really is.

Price: Open to serious offers over $2000

Buyer Peace of Mind:
I want the next owner to be completely confident in what they are buying. Before any shipping or final payment, I am more than happy to do a full video inspection (via FaceTime, WhatsApp, or recorded video) to show you the cue under a light, roll it, and walk you through it in detail.
I’m happy to chat about the cue, provide more details, or send over specific high-res photos to interested buyers. Drop me a PM if you want to talk! finally the cue is available to view at Players Place, West ashley, SC (just outside of Charleston).


Thanks for looking.

Pictures taken 11/05/26

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2026 Mosconi Cup Team USA

J
sjm said:
For me, the real problem is that Europe's two biggest stars seem to be at the very top of their game right now.
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Filler wasn't super in the Reyes Cup. FSR was, but he's been shaky in the past.

Team USA has to be consistent and they have to play with more mental acumen. I have got to believe having a good coach again will help.

The key, of course, is just to be competitive on Day 1 and not fall behind so much.
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2026 Mosconi Cup Team USA

S
sjm said:
It was a few years ago, but a European poster guessed that there are ten nine ball players in America for every one of them in Europe. Might only be five for one now, but the only reason we haven't been beating Europe is poor player development, not a lack of players.

What matters is how many nine ball players you have, not how many people you have.
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is that league players?
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2026 Mosconi Cup Team USA

J
sjm said:
I'm with you on Payne McBride. He's committed to the process. He's not there yet, but he has a habit of hanging tough with the stars of the game, though not often beating them. For example, in a match I watched, Payne pushed Pijus Labutis to the limit at the US Open 9ball, reaching 6-6 before Pijus caught the proverbial gear. He also gave SVB a stiff 9-7 test in Stage 1 at the Florida Open a few months ago, during a week in which SVB would go on to win the title. I'm not sure whether Payne has turned 20 yet, but he's on a good trajectory.

Also, Laz shot well over .900 TPA in the final of the Junior event at the International Open, playing on the same crazy-tight table the pros used in their late rounds. Strong player, great potential, but it's not yet clear he wants to pursue a career in pro pool.
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I have high hopes for McBride. He didn't start playing until fairly late, even though he's just 20, but he's shown a steady arc of improvement.

As for Laz Martinez, he has said he wanted to make pro pool his career. But I have to guess he doesn't have the financial means. What else would explain him not playing in the US open even though it was in Texas this year?

He won the junior U.S. Open held by Matchroom two or three years ago in Atlantic City. He's also won a Predator junior event. Yet he's been scarce on the pro circuit otherwise. He does seem to play a lot of money matches.

Too bad. He is probably the most talented American player under 20.
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2026 Mosconi Cup Team USA

sjm
NevadaP said:
Yes, exactly!! And I don't know why we (USA) are so upset when we continually lose to 'Europe'. Europe has many, many nations to select from, and in many of those nations, pool is more popular that in the USA.

If the USA were to dominate Europe in the Mosconi Cup, that would be 'news'.

More competitive would be USA vs. 'Great Britain' or 'USA vs Germany'.
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It was a few years ago, but a European poster guessed that there are ten nine ball players in America for every one of them in Europe. Might only be five for one now, but the only reason we haven't been beating Europe is poor player development, not a lack of players.

What matters is how many nine ball players you have, not how many people you have. Team USA would probably destroy Team India in a Mosconi style match, despite India's 1.5 billion population.

I don't think the answer is to make excuses and start hunting for smaller game but, instead, to raise our level to where it belongs.
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CJ Wiley: flat earther

ShootingArts
jokrswylde said:
Well to be specific, Cro-Magnons are us, H. sapiens. We outcompeted the neanderthals due to our increased cranium (bigger brain), although more and more evidence supports that interbreeding between the species was common. But yes, there is still plenty of neanderthal DNA in those of european ancestry.
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Yes, DNA research has proven that we tagged pretty much anything we could catch!

Another possible throwback, I went to school with a boy three years or so younger nicknamed Apey. Even the teachers called him that. The reason was simple, when he ran he ran naturally on his knuckles. By the third grade or so they had pretty much broke him of the habit. Always wondered how it developed to begin with. I heard he walked on feet and knuckles after crawling and before walking erect. True or not, I don't know. I do know he would go flying down the halls on feet and knuckles!

Hu
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