MattPoland said:

I think we have to remember what’s needed for a win, and it’s not necessarily who is picked for the 5th man slot. If we had won these matches (which should have been feasible) we’d be up 9-5 instead of down 9-5. The fate of the cup doesn’t rest in Billy’s hands View attachment 862637

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This could also be framed as a reason to replace the entire team with younger more motivated players.

westcoast said:

why is Team USA sending the same exact team that got trounced last year? May as well switch up 1-2 guys

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Because the reason they lost last year was primarily down to Shane and Fedor.

They were dreadful.

sciarco said:

Yes ur right but I'm not learning anything from knowing who the top 20 are i already knew that .You learn from watching better players and practice in my opinion.

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Your not the only one following the thread?

TTT

jasonlaus said:

You're not that out of loop are you?

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Maybe..

why is Team USA sending the same exact team that got trounced last year? May as well switch up 1-2 guys

MattPoland said:

And it’s funny between Billy and Oscar given Oscar didn’t play much of anything all year and has an abysmal MC record. I don’t think Oscar has ever won a singles match and two out of his three doubles wins were in 2009. His only real claim to the spot was being snubbed last year.

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If they were playing a big money nine ball match who are you taking? I wouldn’t be betting on a blowout but I would be on Oscar. I think it would be a good match to make actually.

Looks great. I'm jealous that you have the space. I have a table in my garage, but I need short cues for shots too close to the rail as it is tight quarters on each side. Length-wise, plenty of space, but not width

skor said:

It is what it is and it'll stay that way until America will start to accept pool as a sport.

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An interesting comment that is reminiscent of what Barry Hearn said in his 2013 BCA Hall of Fame acceptance speech. He related how little respect for pool he encountered when he spoke with programming executives at ESPN.

Bob Jewett said:

View attachment 862709

Well, he got me at least twice. Stolen from FB

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This is exactly why we let the subconscious shoot the shot for us and stay TF out of the way of shot execution. It knows how to figure it out.

Well, he got me at least twice. Stolen from FB

jay helfert said:

They play good though. That's what matters most to me. I always did like a tough table though. Separates the men from the boys. The Anniversary was by far the most beautiful table imo. It was also the heaviest with over one inch slate and a super heavy frame. Played great for a seventy year old table!

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They play super good. The Ox is the best to look at in my opinion. Followed by the Wolf and then the Accura. I like the rails on the Victory (shorter and flat, similar to the Ox), but the 'V' style stand/legs is gross.

jbart65 said:

Our best players simply need to play better.

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Exactly!

It's not about strategy and it's not about teamwork. It's not about the pairings. It's not about in-match coaching. It's not even about mental game. It's not about the lag, either. OK, have I covered all the lame excuses we get year after year for sustained futility?

It's about preparation so that Team USA can play better. They must practice, to the max, the skills that have failed Team USA year after year after year. The biggest failure has been in defense and all the complementary skills used to beat Team Europe to the shot.

Without the right preparation, Team USA won't play better and will need Europe to bring its "C" game to win the Cup. With the right preparation, maybe they will have a chance if Europe bring its "B" game. If Europe brings its "A" game, forget about it.

Team USA does not feature even one player than won a WNT major in 2025. Team Europe, contrastingly, has European Open champion Filler, Hanoi Open winner Labutis, and Philippines Open winner Alcaide. These guys have prevailed when the heat was turned up highest this year.

Pool's biggest myth: Anyone can win a race to five so anyone can win the Mosconi.

Years of observation at the Mosconi say it is otherwise. The Mosconi is not a sprint but a marathon and, while possible, it is awfully tough for a true underdog to get over the finish line. It is hard to win eleven matches!

On the bright side, the Mosconi Cup is such a great event that even if the team match is not competititve. the entertainment value is always there.

Bump up.

HawaiianEye said:

How and when was it "last seen in Hawaii"?
Did someone in Hawaii buy it, steal it, or what?

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Sold at auction.
Buyer lived in Hawaii, I'm sure I still have record of sale, take some time to dig it out.

It's said string removed and replaced with gray shark skin.
I'd like to bring the cue home.

U-turn