JAM said:

Thanks for sharing your perspective on Mosconi Cup hopefuls and the idea of “numerous contenders.” I see it a bit differently, and that’s okay. We don’t have to agree on everything.

I don’t believe the majority of Americans in this event are truly chasing the Cup for ranking points. I understand you’ve been a strong supporter of the Matchroom and WNT over the years. I used to be as well. But when I started to notice what I felt was favoritism, it took some of the shine off for me. And then there was the WNT Filler prohibition, which I won't go into. You and I do agree on an aspect of the aftermath.

Even with increased prize money in U.S.-based WNT events, I’m not convinced it’s enough. A $40,000 first-place prize today doesn’t go nearly as far as it once did. Honestly, it feels comparable to $10,000 back in the ’80s. Meanwhile, the cost of living of hotels, airfare, gas, and just surviving on the road has skyrocketed. Living out of a suitcase isn’t cheap, and unless you’ve truly lived that grind, worrying about how to pay bills back home, not able to hold a full-time job due because of constant travel, going without health insurance, and sacrificing stability just to chase ranking points, it’s easy to underestimate how difficult it really is, especially for those fortunate enough to be looking at it from the comfort of an ivory tower.

Sponsorships in the U.S. often don’t provide real financial support either. Many players receive product instead of cash, which is why you see them selling and/or auctioning cues and equipment online to raise funds for expenses, and those sponsors only give product to top pros, not aspiring pros who pay their own way while keeping their bills up to date back home. And on top of all that, they still have to compete against the best players in the world, whether at home or abroad.

I could go on, just like you have, but I’ll leave it at this. We’ll have to agree to disagree on some topics.

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lfigueroa said:

...have dropped an expensive piece of chalk down the pocket of a Diamond table.

I have done it about three times and have been able to retrieve two. Now, I've kinda trained myself to be more careful but sheet-at happens. Just a couple of days ago a brand new piece of green Pyro came tumbling down the ball return -- so sad for someone but then I'm just around break even, lol.

Lou Figueroa

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ctran said:

in many situation like this, refs need to be able to anticipate the foul when players prepare for the shot.

we can see many of them are focused, cannot say they are not, but they dont or not able to anticipate the foul

for shots like jump shots, the anticipation of cueball hitting obstable ball or like finger touching balls, it is easier to anticipate than object balls close to each other or object ball close to rails and anticipating which was hit first

and that anticipation requires playing background, i think.

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tim913 said:

Not saying golfers are slow compared to pool players but it doesn’t take me four hours to put 18 balls in the hole and that’s without someone carrying my case around the table handing me my breaker, jumper , player … etc

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BobPA said:

My Shuriken Butterfly cue is kind of a turd. Not only is the pin drilled off-center, but the shaft has warped so badly the tip comes off the table around an inch when rolled...It is not longer even usable for a break cue. But for $100, what can you expect.

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