The great thing about Mosconi Cup

[(((Satori)))]

The great thing about the cup is the atmosphere of the event. That's what we need in the US imo if we want to generate fans. That's the type of event people want to go to. An event where they can have fun.

Imagine how boring an NBA game would be if all they did was play basketball. There is a lot of planning that goes into creating an exciting atmosphere at an NBA game and the cup has succeeded in achieving a similar fan friendly event.

As far as the players go... it doesn't matter if they are cool and collected like Kevin Durant and SVB or animated and excited like Russell Westbrook and Earl Strickland... they will both please the crowd because the event is fun. Who would have thought that pool could be fun and entertaining huh?

This sport ain't dead yet. It would be cool to see an atmosphere like that built here in the US imo. I think if we can generate the fans then other good things will follow. What do you think?

 

[hang-the-9]

The great thing about the cup is the atmosphere of the event. That's what we need in the US imo if we want to generate fans. That's the type of event people want to go to. An event where they can have fun.

Imagine how boring an NBA game would be if all they did was play basketball. There is a lot of planning that goes into creating an exciting atmosphere at an NBA game and the cup has succeeded in achieving a similar fan friendly event.

As far as the players go... it doesn't matter if they are cool and collected like Kevin Durant and SVB or animated and excited like Russell Westbrook and Earl Strickland... they will both please the crowd because the event is fun. Who would have thought that pool could be fun and entertaining huh?

This sport ain't dead yet. It would be cool to see an atmosphere like that built here in the US imo. I think if we can generate the fans then other good things will follow. What do you think?

Team competition is key, the only thing Bonus Ball really messed up was trying a new game. If it was 8 ball they could have tons of people watching and maybe going to the events. Challenge of Champions type stuff also in casinos, every time I went to it there were lines waiting to get to the seating area.

The main key is "my town vs your town" not so much player vs player. Most of us may not have any idea who the Olympic Table Tennis stars are but we sure know it's US vs China or whatever and we want the US to win.

 

[ineedaspot]

The great thing about the cup is the atmosphere of the event. That's what we need in the US imo if we want to generate fans. That's the type of event people want to go to. An event where they can have fun.

Imagine how boring an NBA game would be if all they did was play basketball. There is a lot of planning that goes into creating an exciting atmosphere at an NBA game and the cup has succeeded in achieving a similar fan friendly event.

As far as the players go... it doesn't matter if they are cool and collected like Kevin Durant and SVB or animated and excited like Russell Westbrook and Earl Strickland... they will both please the crowd because the event is fun. Who would have thought that pool could be fun and entertaining huh?

This sport ain't dead yet. It would be cool to see an atmosphere like that built here in the US imo. I think if we can generate the fans then other good things will follow. What do you think?

The big thing is that the fans really care about who wins. This is because of the US vs Europe rivalry and the tradition of the event. It's one of the key things that makes sports fun to watch, and it's the same in any sport. Would anyone watch a basketball scrimmage between two teams nobody has heard of? No, except for maybe some hardcore basketball fanatics. But Miami versus San Antonio for the title, everyone wants to see that.

Problem is, it's kind of a catch-22. In order for people to care, there has to be prestige and tradition, but there's no prestige and tradition because nobody cares about pool.

One thing Mosconi Cup does show, though, is that pool can be incredibly exciting to watch, in the right circumstances.

The short races help too. Pressure is on from the very beginning.

 

[King T]

You got that right!!

Team competition is key, the only thing Bonus Ball really messed up was trying a new game. If it was 8 ball they could have tons of people watching and maybe going to the events. Challenge of Champions type stuff also in casinos, every time I went to it there were lines waiting to get to the seating area.

The main key is "my town vs your town" not so much player vs player. Most of us may not have any idea who the Olympic Table Tennis stars are but we sure know it's US vs China or whatever and we want the US to win.

You are 100% correct!!! Just having two guys at the table discussing the next shot brings a different dynamic to the game. I had some friends over watching the event, none of them play pool, but they were all interested in idea that one player wanted the other "to do it a certain way" and what would happen when it didn't turn out as planned. Its the interaction between players that adds something to viewing pool.

 

[sjm]

The best thing about the Mosconi is the short races. Lots of critical shots and no lead is safe in any match.

No doubt, as usual, somebody will conclude that it's the team concept that makes the Mosconi what it is, but they'll be mistaken. Team play is not inherently exciting, but short races are.

Race to five, alternate break means everyone gets to play and the matches are tension-filled. Only Matchroom seems to understand that this is the kind of pool that fans enjoy the most. Kudos to Matchroom for dropping the illegal break rule, too. Give the fans a game they recognize --- that's how it's done.

 

[StraightPoolIU]

The best thing about the Mosconi is the short races. Lots of critical shots and no lead is safe in any match.

No doubt, as usual, somebody will conclude that it's the team concept that makes the Mosconi what it is, but they'll be mistaken. Team play is not inherently exciting, but short races are.

Race to five, alternate break means everyone gets to play and the matches are tension-filled. Only Matchroom seems to understand that this is the kind of pool that fans enjoy the most. Kudos to Matchroom for dropping the illegal break rule, too. Give the fans a game they recognize --- that's how it's down.

I agree with this 100 percent. A race as short as 5 doesn't give as much time for rolls to even out, but it ramps up the pressure 10 fold. That in itself is exciting. Astute observation about the eliminating the illegal break rule too. Not only does it confuse casual viewers, but the problem it's supposed to solve (soft breaks) can be combated by using the traditional rack without tapping the balls into place. I believe that is why we have not seen soft breaks in this event. Another thing that Matchroom gets right is neutral racker with no permission to ask for a rerack.

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

Yeah. Like they could have Kiss and Dance cams.

Earl could jump up on a table and dance with JA.

Actually, fight Cams would work better.

 

[arps]

the great thing about it is the fans already cheer when players lag.

 

[Colin Colenso]

The best thing about the Mosconi is the short races. Lots of critical shots and no lead is safe in any match.

No doubt, as usual, somebody will conclude that it's the team concept that makes the Mosconi what it is, but they'll be mistaken. Team play is not inherently exciting, but short races are.

Race to five, alternate break means everyone gets to play and the matches are tension-filled. Only Matchroom seems to understand that this is the kind of pool that fans enjoy the most. Kudos to Matchroom for dropping the illegal break rule, too. Give the fans a game they recognize --- that's how it's down.

I was just about to say that Stu, and add that a crowd is needed.

Darts is a perfect example! Big crowds having fun watching short races... or legs as they call them. A race to 10,001 would have the best thrower win more often, but the short legs make it more a test of nerve under pressure with moments of celebration every 5 mins or so.

In Mosconi Cup, each frame is like a leg in darts, each match a set, for the team.

 

[sjm]

I was just about to say that Stu, and add that a crowd is needed.

Darts is a perfect example! Big crowds having fun watching short races... or legs as they call them. A race to 10,001 would have the best thrower win more often, but the short legs make it more a test of nerve under pressure with moments of celebration every 5 mins or so.

In Mosconi Cup, each frame is like a leg in darts, each match a set, for the team.

The darts comparison is a good one. Excited players and excited fans have added up to success in darts.