Break Stats -- 2026 World 8-Ball Championship, April 2026

Great work as always. And thank you for compiling this.

If I'm reading it right, seems to me that being the first player to make a ball was worth 68 or 65% to win the game. Little lower than most of us would assume! Everyone always talking about how easy the game is for the pros they never miss and always run out etc etc. Not so fast...

I wish there were more 8 ball events. Always fun to watch(and play) imo
I know it doesn't seem to be the popular opinion, but 8-ball is my favorite game to do commentary. And I know it sounds bold, but top amateur players know better how to play 8-ball better than the pros. The pros execute so well that clear mistake in pattern play and percentage play are masked. If amateur players tried some of weird patterns these pros do, they'd never get there. I guess I"m saying that professional 8-ball tournaments deserve better commentary to make the whole experience better.

PBS St Louis 2026 (Men’s World 8 Ball Championship, Mixed Doubles, Women’s Open, Bank Pool), 1-8 April, Half Million Prize Fund

Here is a clip of the winning shot.

Here is a video by Sharivari with a breakdown. Login to view embedded media

Relaxed vs raised shoulder?

In regards to my butt hand being too far back, is my bridge length off or am I okay using the same bridge length while trying to keep my forearm closer to 90 degrees?

And I like the idea of only using backswing length to determine shot speed, unless it's like a very soft touch safety like you mention. I have a semi conscious tendency to grip the cue harder on faster shots (particularly draw shots) and I have to work on not doing that.
I don't see any issue with the shoulder in the video. There is far too much fidgeting going on after you get down on the shot. Once you get down on the shot all you should be doing is confirming your aim with your eyes, then a few practice strokes, and pull the trigger. As Bob Jewett said from that video I would say you need to work on your rhythm the most.

Relaxed vs raised shoulder?

Well, there are those that say you need perfect mechanics to play well. Then again there’s a lot of great players that have quirks or flaws in their mechanics, solid proof that if you play 6,8,10 hours a day you can make anything work.

As mentioned in a previous post, it’s finding something that you can produce repeatedly, the same every time, and be comfortable doing it. That’s what this game is all about, repeatability.

You mention having “your chin right over the cue” being a “good habit”, according to who? I mean, there’s a shit ton of instructors that are of the belief the “SPF” method they teach as the be all, end all, “proper way”. I personally don’t understand how a stroke can be fluid with a pause introduced into it, it seems diametrically opposed IMO.

Everyone’s different, I have a very upright stance, one feather stroke and then I’m at the ball, and I’ve been told I can dab it pretty good. My point is, phrases you used in your OP, “most good players” do this or that is fallacy to a point. Most good players have a repeatable stroke, stay down, and get through the shot fully. Eddie Taylor used to say “be true and follow through”.
A stroke that changes direction will never be "fluid". If you watch many of the high level pro's they have a pause on their back stroke. Skyler Woodward is one of the few who doesn't have a pause and his stroke looks rushed, not "fluid". You have to release one muscle and tense another to stop the backstroke and start the forward stroke, the purpose of that pause is give each muscle a little time to do their thing.

Playing Pool after 50?

I was playing my best pool at 40. I was playing some of my worst pool when I was 50. But, that was mostly because my battle with the yips.

That said, the challenges are at 59... my back and my eyes. So, I've been working out my core more, so that helps with the back. But there are still shots I can't reach that when I was younger and more limber/flexible, I really didn't have a problem.

PBS St Louis 2026 (Men’s World 8 Ball Championship, Mixed Doubles, Women’s Open, Bank Pool), 1-8 April, Half Million Prize Fund

Hell, i've watched a TON of sports over the last 50+yrs where the commentators interrupted each other when sitting side-by-side. Non issue imo. I never thought that this was a problem in this latest event. Nitpicking something that didn't cost a quarter is a tad lame to me.

I was trying to nit pick - indeed the only criticism I had about the broadcast was the direction (not showing the CB). I was just trying to explain a difference that makes it harder for the Predator commentators than the WNT commentators.

Playing Pool after 50?

Doesn't look like a 70-year-old stroke to me! But I know a couple of 70+ players with really good games. Maybe we need to redefine how we think about that. Matlock seems to drag himself around the table pretty well still.
My 'Ease of Stroke' has been a Key Element of my 3C game since the first year (63) I started!

I get the Most amount of effect, from the least amount of effort/force!

With just one eye for the last 6 years, I've only been to a PR twice since 2019!

Believe it or not, I still have 90% of my stroke, I just don't have any depth perception!

Filter

Back
Top