Thoughts on Pool in 2025

mnorwood

Moon
Silver Member
Another thread on pocket size got me to thinking and I didn’t want to high jack that thread with a bunch of unrelated thoughts so here I go with my own thread. I know this is a topic that gets hit more times than a stray dog on the I 10 freeway but I stepped away from the game for a while and now I would to flesh out my viewpoint now that I have had time to digest what matchroom is doing.

While I think that matchroom does a much better job at presenting the game than ever before I still think it needs to be tinkered with some. Many believe that making the pockets 3.9 changes the game too much and makes it too hard. Well I think matchroom shouldn’t stop there. I have always agreed with Earl. The pockets should be tough, the table should be a 5x10 and I think the game should be on slower cloth. To earls point this would allow the elite players who have more knowledge, shot making ability and physical fitness to separate from the rest of the field. If making it this hard slowed the matches I would propose shortening the races. This could also be playing conditions that would make 8 ball less of a run out game. You could then experiment with all yellow and red ball sets to make it an easier viewing experience.

As for the amateur game big table tough pocket competitive pool is dead and will never return. There isn’t enough of the dead horse to take a swing at.

At the very least I wish there was a streamer out there willing to test the playing conditions I mentioned with 8 ball.
 
Most places don't have room for 9footers so 10 foot isn't happening. Maybe things need to go the other way - 8 ball on a 6foot table with a 30 second shotclock and no stinking jump cues.
 
As for the amateur game big table tough pocket competitive pool is dead and will never return. There isn’t enough of the dead horse to take a swing at.

At the very least I wish there was a streamer out there willing to test the playing conditions I mentioned with 8 ball.
I don't have much thought of pool on the professional levels since it looks like it is doing well. I have to agree the big table game is near dead and the only thing keeping it alive are the casual players They will even choose the smaller table over the bigger table if they can tell the difference after initially walking in. A lot of them can't tell the difference unless the two are side by side.
 
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