Rodney Morris Challenges the Top 25 European Players

[CJ Wiley]

The Mosconi Cup will be a whole different story this year

I would like anyone to tell me,who has ever seen any of those European players you mantioned that have ever played for 20 or 25K.I am from Europe and I am in pool for more than 20years and traveled all Europe all way thru and have been on most tournaments and events and have never seen any high stack match.Never seen any gambling match for more than 10k per set,and I mean never and have never heard of one neither.

I've always wondered why there isn't any high stakes gambling there. Rodney would play for less if it came down to it, I'm pretty sure he thinks he can win against anyone playing for money in a long set......especially playing rules that limit the "luck factor".

There's simply no one that's much of a favorite in a gambling match against him, Dennis, Johnny, or Shane for that matter. Earl, in his prime was better than all of them playing 'Two Shot Shoot Out' 9 Ball. No one to this day runs as many racks on a 9' table as Earl Strickland did, and that's a fact.......he also did it for more money than anyone in the history of the sport. I have a video we're getting ready to release that proves that beyond any doubt.

The Mosconi Cup will be a whole different story this year, I'd make the Americans the favorite and will be looking to bet on it as soon as a real line is posted. The new way of breaking will make a huge difference.....physically and mentally (not to mention confidence too).

 

[BeiberLvr]

The Mosconi Cup will be a whole different story this year, I'd make the Americans the favorite and will be looking to bet on it as soon as a real line is posted. The new way of breaking will make a huge difference.....physically and mentally (not to mention confidence too).

Unlike the Americans in previous years, I wouldn't be surprised if those on the Euro team have actually practiced the different break.

In any case, go US!

 

[BeiberLvr]

It almost certainly isn't by almost anyone's definition, but I could understand that many people think all challenge matches are gambling even if they aren't. So many people still think this about TAR when actually they've been using the prize fund challenge match format for a long time now. So in that respect I could understand why Thorsten wouldn't want anyone to have the perception that he was gambling. Based on what I've read I know that is important to his own moral/ethical/professional code.

Simply put, gambling in a heads up situation would require that one party walks away with nothing.

TAR is not gambling. It's great stuff, but not gambling.

 

[CJ Wiley]

you don't hit the one ball head on...you cut it with low, spinning english and hope

Unlike the Americans in previous years, I wouldn't be surprised if those on the Euro team have actually practiced the different break.

In any case, go US!

The American players practiced the "cut break" quite a bit last year, but it's still not our forte. It just goes against our every instinct when it comes to breaking because you don't hit the one ball head on...you cut it with low, spinning english and hope you get lucky.

The "different break" is simply where you hit the ball hard, from a "break box". There's no "trick" to it, but it does require power......and the American team clearly has the best power breaks......this really can't be argued, it's "common knowledge".

I still think it'll be close because of the "race to 5 format," - there's a LOT of luck in short races, so anything can happen, I would still make the USA Team the favorite and would recommend betting on it if there's any odds favoring the European team.

 

[markgw]

Once again, wise words from a pretty decent shortstop! :smile:
Stu can only run a few racks at 14.1, but that doesn't stop him from making astute observations about pool. I like this guy! :thumbup:

The funny part is not one single European has accepted Rodney's offer to play the top 25 players for 20k in races to 30. I thought at least one would take him up on that considering he's will to travel to Europe to play on a neutral table.. Kind of shocking, but Rodney is a really tough money player so I get it....

 

[BeiberLvr]

The American players practiced the "cut break" quite a bit last year, but it's still not our forte. It just goes against our every instinct when it comes to breaking because you don't hit the one ball head on...you cut it with low, spinning english and hope you get lucky.

The "different break" is simply where you hit the ball hard, from a "break box". There's no "trick" to it, but it does require power......and the American team clearly has the best power breaks......this really can't be argued, it's "common knowledge".

I still think it'll be close because of the "race to 5 format," - there's a LOT of luck in short races, so anything can happen, I would still make the USA Team the favorite and would recommend betting on it if there's any odds favoring the European team.

Right now, Bovada as the USA as even money.

 

[punter]

No, it's not. Not at all actually.

I agree, the challenge matches are just a two person tournament. And TH plays in tournaments, so what's the problem.

I would really be curious as to what problem he has with gambling.

 

[SakuJack]

you cut it with low, spinning english and hope you get lucky.

This kind of attitude sums up why you've struggled with that break so much. Do you think the Euro team are "hoping they get lucky"?

 

[Ken_4fun]

The American players practiced the "cut break" quite a bit last year, but it's still not our forte. It just goes against our every instinct when it comes to breaking because you don't hit the one ball head on...you cut it with low, spinning english and hope you get lucky.

The "different break" is simply where you hit the ball hard, from a "break box". There's no "trick" to it, but it does require power......and the American team clearly has the best power breaks......this really can't be argued, it's "common knowledge".

I still think it'll be close because of the "race to 5 format," - there's a LOT of luck in short races, so anything can happen, I would still make the USA Team the favorite and would recommend betting on it if there's any odds favoring the European team.

Maybe they should have included the best player in the US on the break?

Oh yeah, they didnt want the best team.

Corey is the best on the break analysis and execution of it.

Ken

 

[CJ Wiley]

Is consistent luck a skill? Yes, yes it most certainly is.

This kind of attitude sums up why you've struggled with that break so much. Do you think the Euro team are "hoping they get lucky"?

Yes, the "cut break" has a great deal of luck involved because of the path of the cue ball. Is consistent luck a skill? Yes, yes it most certainly is. 'The Game is the Inner Teacher'

 

[CJ Wiley]

Corey will also be on the top of our list to use in our TV Shows here in DFW Texas

Maybe they should have included the best player in the US on the break?

Oh yeah, they didnt want the best team.

Corey is the best on the break analysis and execution of it.

Ken

I like Corey and he went out of his way to help me when I was struggling in Tunica. He actually had the courage to tell me the truth, that if I didn't lose 20 pounds I would NEVER play well again.......Hunter Lombardo said the same thing and I owe them both a debt of gratitude. "The Truth Will Set Us Free" - (within 5 weeks the 20 pounds was gone)

Shane, Dennis, Earl, Rodney, and Johnny are the best breakers in the United States.....Mike D. also breaks well, but he had two subpar Mosconi Cups in a row and {he will tell you himself} it's appropriate that he sit out a year.

I do believe Mike will be back next year and do very well, but after two bad experiences most coaches will bench the player for a while to let them gather their composure.....this was NOT a punishment for Mike, this was the right thing to do, in my opinion as last year's coach.

Corey is a GREAT player and will also be back next year, unfortunately there was only 5 spots and he came in #6....this is just the breaks in life, it's sometimes "not fair"....however, life does have a way of making it up and you will see Corey in rare form this weekend on the TAR broadcast.......Corey will also be on the top of our list to use in the upcoming TV Shows here in Dallas/Ft. Worth.....he's a great representative for the Game in our opinion and will achieve many great things in the near future. 'The Game is the Inner Teacher'

 

[Ken_4fun]

I like Corey and he went out of his way to help me when I was struggling in Tunica. He actually had the courage to tell me the truth, that if I didn't lose 20 pounds I would NEVER play well again.......Hunter Lombardo said the same thing and I owe them both a debt of gratitude. "The Truth Will Set Us Free" - (within 5 weeks the 20 pounds was gone)

Shane, Dennis, Earl, Rodney, and Johnny are the best breakers in the United States.....Mike D. also breaks well, but he had two subpar Mosconi Cups in a row and {he will tell you himself} it's appropriate that he sit out a year.

I do believe Mike will be back next year and do very well, but after two bad experiences most coaches will bench the player for a while to let them gather their composure.....this was NOT a punishment for Mike, this was the right thing to do, in my opinion as last year's coach.

Corey is a GREAT player and will also be back next year, unfortunately there was only 5 spots and he came in #6....this is just the breaks in life, it's sometimes "not fair"....however, life does have a way of making it up and you will see Corey in rare form this weekend on the TAR broadcast.......Corey will also be on the top of our list to use in the upcoming TV Shows here in Dallas/Ft. Worth.....he's a great representative for the Game in our opinion and will achieve many great things in the near future. 'The Game is the Inner Teacher'

Maybe you need to ask Earl about how good Corey breaks.....(Especially at Romines).

Sometimes the teacher needs to learn a lesson.

Ken

 

[Pathetic Shark]

Yes, the "cut break" has a great deal of luck involved because of the path of the cue ball.

What do you mean?

 

[Spimp13]

rodney has like 6000 girls chasing him

Man that's gotta be tough to fade!!! All in good fun here Jay Z style

 

[CJ Wiley]

he just didn't express it in a professional manner.

Maybe you need to ask Earl about how good Corey breaks.....(Especially at Romines).

Sometimes the teacher needs to learn a lesson.

Ken

Earl stood up for what he thought was right, just like you do....is he right, or are you? I'm not condoning Earl's behaviour, I wasn't there, however I do believe he had a valid point about the break shot.....he just didn't express it in a professional manner.....this can't be argued, nor should it be.

I would guess you think you are and he thinks he is.....the truth is there's always THREE positions to every argument, there's your position, the "other guy's" position and the Truth.......none of us know what the Truth really is, we just have our own perception of it.

The "soft break" was not good for 9 Ball, and many of the greatest players in history will agree with this statement.....Johnny Archer just wrote something about this very thing on Face Book last week.....and Johnny knows more about pool at that particular time than anyone else I know.

 

[Ken_4fun]

..he just didn't express it in a professional manner.....this can't be argued, nor should it be.

Don’t make me SJD on ya. You missed my entire point.

My point is I have heard Billy Incardona, Danny Dileberto, and many, many others is NOBODY reads the rack for the break better than Corey.

Now I know lots of folks think they know more than these guys, but the facts speak for themselves.

This isn’t the BS high school Oprah psychology of the truth is somewhere in the middle. Give me a break. Sounds like someone has been spending too much time on Facebook.

Corey mastered it first, it wasn’t "luck", or "hoping" to get a shot. It was effectively reading the rack and making the appropriate break to win the game. To say it was anything else sounds like sour grapes and cheapens the efforts to find a better way than the players you mentioned above that go up there never look at the rack and see how hard they break the balls.

I just don’t get the bromance with Earl. Earl’s accomplishments speak for themselves. But his failures are just as epic.

Teachers need to get out of the lounge and get in the real world; it isn’t the 80's anymore. Corey has moved the breaking to a new level. Some teachers should become a student.

Ken

 

[CJ Wiley]

check the rack.....this is like seeing the flop playing poker. imho

Don’t make me SJD on ya. You missed my entire point.

My point is I have heard Billy Incardona, Danny Dileberto, and many, many others is NOBODY reads the rack for the break better than Corey.



Ken

Your opinion is duly noted, just remember that in the Mosconi Cup you can't "read" and make them re rack and if you try to study their rack they will politely tell you to break the balls. We are talking in terms of the Mosconi Cup, and these are the facts.

I am very close to Corey and I "real eyes" what he knows about the rack. Joe Tucker was preaching this gospel back in the 90s and no one would listen.....except for a chosen few, and I wan't one of them......I don't care about reading, or manipulating the rack, it's my opinion that Pros should not rack OR be allowed to check the rack.....this is like seeing the flop playing poker. imho

 

[KMRUNOUT]

Your opinion is duly noted, just remember that in the Mosconi Cup you can't "read" and make them re rack and if you try to study their rack they will politely tell you to break the balls. We are talking in terms of the Mosconi Cup, and these are the facts.

I am very close to Corey and I "real eyes" what he knows about the rack. Joe Tucker was preaching this gospel back in the 90s and no one would listen.....except for a chosen few, and I wan't one of them......I don't care about reading, or manipulating the rack, it's my opinion that Pros should not rack OR be allowed to check the rack.....this is like seeing the flop playing poker. imho

CJ,

As a former team captain I imagine you would know (I don't): in the Mosconi Cup, are you saying that you are not allowed to *check* the rack? I can understand the concept that you must accept it, but you can't even look at it? What would Willie Mosconi say if he *thought* he spotted a dead ball in the pack playing 14.1 and as he went over to inspect it, he was told "Sorry, you can't look closely...you just have to hit and hope...afterall, this is a *professional* match".

From my point of view, the break is a skill shot. Understanding the gaps is part of the game...and part of breaking effectively. I bet that you could set up a contest between the best breaker in the world (take your pick) and some B player who knows how to read the rack. The pro can't look at the rack, and the B player can. Who is gonna make more balls on the break? (Now this is assuming that the balls are racked "pretty good", not perfect).

I play in a local tourney every week. It is small money, and I am usually the strongest player. There is no handicap. In my mind, the "spot" I give the other players is that I will never ask for a re-rack. Usually by the end of the night, I will have received maybe 2 or 3 good racks, and 20 or 30 total disasters. BUT...I've learned how to make balls pretty consistently even with the disasters. Do you think this is wrong? Should I just not even look at the rack and just cross my fingers and allow my opponents racking skills to determine my success in the tourney?

I'm asking seriously, not trying to create conflict. I'm curious how the "don't look at the rack" idea plays out. I feel like it is basically just deciding to ignore a particular aspect of the game.

What do you think?

KMRUNOUT

 

[Neil]

Your opinion is duly noted, just remember that in the Mosconi Cup you can't "read" and make them re rack and if you try to study their rack they will politely tell you to break the balls. We are talking in terms of the Mosconi Cup, and these are the facts.

I am very close to Corey and I "real eyes" what he knows about the rack. Joe Tucker was preaching this gospel back in the 90s and no one would listen.....except for a chosen few, and I wan't one of them......I don't care about reading, or manipulating the rack, it's my opinion that Pros should not rack OR be allowed to check the rack.....this is like seeing the flop playing poker. imho

That is one of the most ignorant statements I have read on here. So, as a pro, you want to take the skill out (the skill you were too lazy too learn), and just make it a crapshoot. Yet, you keep talking about how pushout has so much skill and strategy, then turn around and want to take all the skill out of the break. Doesn't make any sense at all.

 

[Pathetic Shark]

That is one of the most ignorant statements I have read on here. So, as a pro, you want to take the skill out (the skill you were too lazy too learn), and just make it a crapshoot. Yet, you keep talking about how pushout has so much skill and strategy, then turn around and want to take all the skill out of the break. Doesn't make any sense at all.

Makes a load of sense to me.

Racking in pool is a farce. I can understand pros taking an age over it, but this filters down to all levels, with even rank amateurs checking and rechecking. This attracts NOBODY to the game.

Rack the damn balls and get on with it already.

20 sec shot clock on all shots. 60 second shot clock on the rack, from last ball to break.