EUROPEAN OPEN 2026, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, March 10-15

So you can take a cheap shot at Manas' visa issues stating he should "know" how to get a visa, but I can't take a cheap shot? That's a little unfair. You know it's not that simple.

Manas did better than any natural born American players at the PLP, because guess what, they weren't invited, because guess what, they currently suck compared to the rest of the world. This is a fact, not a cheap shot.

Team USA has zero visa issues, why is Gorst the only one at the European Open? Because he knows he's not dead money. So yes, I will criticize American pool.
Fair enough. I don't disagree with your assessment, but it sure seems that the ones with the visa issues always seem to be Filipinos.

I want the top Asians in every major field, and I could care less if it compromises the chances of the American born players who, as a group, have achieved little in recent times. The majors should be the best possible gathering ground for the world's most elite cueists and let the best man win. I am not on board with your suggestion that others should be happy about the absence of far too many of the world's most elite cueists. I feel the opposite. Let every single one of them play in the top events!

I've already commented that I find the American absenteeism in this event to be embarrassing and patently unfair to Matchroom Pool, which continues to increase its investment in pro pool in America. As I've said, Matchroom deserves better!

I think we are, for the most part, on the same page here, but have packaged our views differently. I am as alarmed about the decline in American pool as you are.

is there a set formula when comparing corner pockets to side pockets?? i.e. side pockets should be 1.1 times larger, or 1.2 times.

Right. Which is why I vaguely recall hearing about some side pockets on 4" corner pocket tables are actually bigger than 4.5", because otherwise they'd be simply too tough.

I don't know it as fact, just I remember hearing it somewhere.
I think Diamond bar boxes have an unusually large side pocket relative to the corners, unless Valleys have a very small side pocket relative to their corners.

EUROPEAN OPEN 2026, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, March 10-15

First big shocker. Max Lechner (Fargo 817) is ousted, 7-9, by German Hermann Hoyh (Fargo 738). I don't think Hoyh has ever beaten a top player.

Lechner appeared to plateau a few years ago. To get better, he hired Alex Lely as coach. I could see that his safety and tactical game improved. Lely also worked on getting Lechner to calm down and be more mentally focused.

It seemed to work for a bit. He had some big wins. He finished in the top eight in the Florida and Hanoi opens in 2025. But more often than not, he'd be ousted in the final 64 or final 32 at big events.

It's possible he's lost some of the bite or aggressiveness that served him well in the past. In any case, Lechner is 36 now, and like Mario He, he seems to have hit a wall.

To me Max is one of those players whose A game is awesome but whose B game is really a D game. When he’s on he’s world class, but he can turn around and be very ordinary. Most elite pros can grind out wins against even good players with their B game

Chalk similar to Taom V10?

Dr. Dave has done several U-Tube where he compared Chalks.

Bottom like IMHO is Master is great, if you Chalk for each shot.

I have been using Silver Cup, it work if I Calk between shots.

Tried V-10, Green. It was ok, but nothing special.

Use the Chalk you love.

Many many brands to choose from.
Master is great if you like blue dots all over your cue ball, especially from breaking and jumping.
For those who like playing with a clean cue ball, stick with the Taom V10.

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