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World Pool Masters 2027 rankings

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jbart65 said:
Last year the China World Games drew some of the top European pros at the same time the Florida Open was being played. Filler, Woj, Maciol and Szolnoki among them.

There does not appear to be a conflict this year. WPA calendar doesn't have any other big competing men's events taking place. It will be interesting to see the Florida Open field this year. Haven't seen any indications of whether Filler will show.
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i bet he will. he has won every other WNT major except hanoi open (and spanish open, but that's an inactive tour stop).
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New to Billiard Pool. Cue stick worth question

Mlhend2008
Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a home that came with a full-size Gatty pool table in the basement. Along with the table were several cue sticks, most of which appeared to be typical recreational cues, including novelty cues with characters such as Homer Simpson on them.

However, one cue immediately stood out from the rest. It felt noticeably more solid, balanced, and well-crafted, with beautiful woodwork and an overall quality that suggested it was something special. The cue is signed "Mike Varner," and I've included photos for reference.

Unfortunately, due to a business-related move, I'm relocating to a smaller home where I won't have room for the pool table. I'm trying to learn more about this cue and determine its approximate value before deciding whether to keep it or sell it.

A few details:

• Signed "Mike Varner"
• Weight: 19.1 oz
• Straight shaft
• Straight butt
• Excellent overall condition
• Plays very well and feels exceptionally balanced

I've searched online but haven't been able to find much information about Mike Varner cues. I'm hoping someone here may recognize the maker, the style, or perhaps provide some insight into its quality, rarity, and potential value.

Part of me would like to keep it. While I've spent many years playing competitive table tennis throughout North Carolina and beyond, I'm approaching retirement age and am looking for a competitive activity that still rewards strategy, precision, skill, and practice. Pool seems like a natural fit, and I can always find a billiards room near my new home.

Any information, opinions, or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, and please forgive me if I misuse any billiards terminology. Ask me about table tennis and I can probably give a much better answer!

Mark
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SJM Trip Report: 2026 WNT UK Open a Big Hit

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sjm said:
Something I left out was that I had a chat lasting nearly half an hour with snooker crossover Gary Wilson on Day 3 of the event. He is a congenial, engaging fellow and could hardly be a better representative for our sport. Sadly, he was among several that caught Filler in dead stroke, but his play was sold up to that point.

I was so pleased to meet and get to know him.
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always seems like a honest guy. also very self critical
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What beginner pool tip do you wish you learned sooner?

J
1) Identify your goals as a pool player. If you’re a 26 year old APA-3 with a pregnant fiancée, you’re never making a Mosconi Cup team. Your peak will be some amateur level below that, and you get to choose what it is!

2) Prioritize fun, even in practice. If pool elevates itself and becomes an obsession or your top hobby, then you’ll feel ok putting in “work.” Even banging balls at Bob’s corner tavern every Thursday night is better than running drills for 2 hours one day and then putting up your cues for the next 3 years.

3)I think a common theme for experienced players is to wish that they had worked on fundamentals more at the start. However, if they literally did that, would they ever stick with pool long enough to become experienced?

We don’t start developing baseball players by having their first few years consisting solely of batting off a Tee. Kids practice twice and are thrown into T-ball games.

In this regard I think early introduction of spin is necessary, even if it’s not the optimal way to generate a pool player in a lab. The tricks you can use to move a cue ball are the “a-ha!” that’s there’s more to pool than just making shots, and this is the hook that creates the obsession.
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Dynaspheres and WNT Launch Major Partnership as the New Balls of the Tour

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Bob Jewett said:
Shop lights won't work? I play in a room with green cloth and when the six ball is on the end rail, it's a challenge. One spec I've seen is a minimum of 500 lux everywhere on the table.
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i have perfect eyesight and play in a poorly lit pool hall (centennials and dark green felt now - because it was cheaper probably.) even if i can differentiate the balls without any problem it's still an annoying lack of contrast, and it can affect cut shots on the worst lit tables. i much prefer aramith tournament/pro cup.

i probably wouldn't mind this dynasphere set in that setting tbh. a guy brought dynasphere tungstens and while they're goofy with the teal 2 and beige 6 i didn't mind the contrast.
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