Fedor Gorst vs Tkon Nguyen race to 120 is Live

no matter who wins these matches are a lie to what they really are. if its fun for you to watch then pay for it like going to the movies. maybe this guy will win then they can have a big re match and you can really pay some more to see it.

does anyone think someone plays as well when getting paid to play as when they are getting paid only if they win.
or even care what happens.
 
no matter who wins these matches are a lie to what they really are. if its fun for you to watch then pay for it like going to the movies. maybe this guy will win then they can have a big re match and you can really pay some more to see it.

does anyone think someone plays as well when getting paid to play as when they are getting paid only if they win.
or even care what happens.
I don't really know what this post means.

All I know is, having watched Gorst and Tkon quite a bit in the past year or two, both players are playing at a high level.

I don't really care how much money is involved or who has staked what. I just like watching good pool. I was actually interested before this event to see how Tkon would hold up against Fedor's relentlessness. And he's done better than I expected.
 
does anyone think someone plays as well when getting paid to play as when they are getting paid only if they win.
or even care what happens.
There are always a few, but it is hard to fathom.

Only the very wealthy professionals can afford to play for pride. See golf's Ryder Cup, a gathering of millionaires who can afford to play for pride. Of course, they are more than sufficiently compensated by the international brand recognition earned through participation, as tens of millions watch the event on television.

Pride doesn't pay the bills. Fedor has more incentive to keep this match close than to win by the 120-75 score of which he is easily capable. He is beloved in Vietnam and mercilessly beating up on one of their own is not the way to cement that love.
 
There are always a few, but it is hard to fathom.

Only the very wealthy professionals can afford to play for pride. See golf's Ryder Cup, a gathering of millionaires who can afford to play for pride. Of course, they are more than sufficiently compensated by the international brand recognition earned through participation, as tens of millions watch the event on television.

Pride doesn't pay the bills. Fedor has more incentive to keep this match close than to win by the 120-75 score of which he is easily capable. He is beloved in Vietnam and mercilessly beating up on one of their own is not the way to cement that love.

Obviously, you've never been involved in competitive sports...
Pride and the need to win and excel are in the DNA of every professional athlete.
Both players are getting paid; there are 40K in total prize money. I'm sure that the winner gets more than the loser.
I can't understand how a shady gambling match in a dark, smoky pool room and maybe streamed with amateur tools at best is better than such a production.
 
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There are always a few, but it is hard to fathom.

Only the very wealthy professionals can afford to play for pride. See golf's Ryder Cup, a gathering of millionaires who can afford to play for pride. Of course, they are more than sufficiently compensated by the international brand recognition earned through participation, as tens of millions watch the event on television.

Pride doesn't pay the bills. Fedor has more incentive to keep this match close than to win by the 120-75 score of which he is easily capable. He is beloved in Vietnam and mercilessly beating up on one of their own is not the way to cement that love.
Anyone can afford to play for pride, sjm. You just can't earn a living from playing for pride alone, I agree. At least that's what I take your comments to mean.

Having watched extended parts of the match, I can say emphatically Fedor is playing at an extremely high level. He has not made many mistakes after a rough early start.

Tkon is keeping it close because he is also playing very well. Not because Gorst is gifting him to keep it close. I see zero evidence of that.

If anything, I think most fans, including Vietnamese ones, would be disappointed if not angered if Gorst purposefully let up on Tkon to keep the match close. It would be very cynical and unprofessional imo.

I don't think Gorst is either. He always wants to win and win convincingly, like top pros in any sport.
 
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Obviously, you've never been involved in competitive sports...
Yes, I am not a professional athlete.
Pride and the need to win and excel are in the DNA of every professional athlete.
Sounds like you do not spend much time around pool professionals.
Both players are getting paid; there are 40K in total prize money. I'm sure that the winner gets more than the loser.
Highly unlikely. I'm sure the appearance fees were predetermined.
I can't understand how a shady gambling match in a dark, smoky pool room and maybe streamed with amateur tools at best is better than such a production.
Agreed. All action matches are, similarly, of little to no interest to me. It is the world of legitimate pro competition alone that interests me. When all the game's greats gather to fight for a prize that only one of them can win, you find out who the real champions are. Greatness is measured in titles, and titles alone.
 
Yes, I am not a professional athlete.

Sounds like you do not spend much time around pool professionals.

Highly unlikely. I'm sure the appearance fees were predetermined.

Agreed. All action matches are, similarly, of little to no interest to me. It is the world of legitimate pro competition alone that interests me. When all the game's greats gather to fight for a prize that only one of them can win, you find out who the real champions are. Greatness is measured in titles, and titles alone.
I've been around enough pro players to know that if it's not worth their while, they won't play. So if these guys play, then it is ;-)
I also know that if they decide to play, they will play their best.
I'm sure that Fedor was paid to come and play, but that's besides prize money. I'm also sure that it's good for him and his brand to do this match (even for free).

I also prefer tournament formats; still, it's a fun pastime. I wouldn't stop my life to watch this, or any other pool event for that matter.

Greatness can be measured in many aspects, not just titles. There are plenty of examples from different aspects of art and sports that are considered great with no or very little titles but with a glorified career and legacy.
 
The pockets look loose to me. For today's top players, 9 ball is too easy on a loose table. Switch to 10 ball with tight pockets and you'll see the separation between these two players.
 
greatness is measured in titles as that is how to keep score.

success is measure in dollars won. and great success is in dollars kept.

you can have all the worlds titles but if you are broke at 50 years old you certainly are not a success, although may be happy.
 
I've been around enough pro players to know that if it's not worth their while, they won't play. So if these guys play, then it is ;-)
I also know that if they decide to play, they will play their best.
I have served in official capacities in professional sports, including board of director positions, and our experiences are different. I'm not sure I have ever met a pro athlete that is motivated to play to their highest gear when no money rides on the outcome of a competition. No, not even one.
I'm sure that Fedor was paid to come and play, but that's besides prize money. I'm also sure that it's good for him and his brand to do this match (even for free).
Now we are on the same page. As I already noted in my Ryder Cup example, brand building is what exhibitions like these are all about. Of course, he was paid to come and play, and no, there is no announced prize money to the winner. At no point did I suggest that he was unwise to participate, but his motive to play to his highest gear is zero.
I also prefer tournament formats; still, it's a fun pastime. I wouldn't stop my life to watch this, or any other pool event for that matter.
Ditto, and I don't tell others what they should find entertaining. Each should watch according to his or her own taste.
Greatness can be measured in many aspects, not just titles. There are plenty of examples from different aspects of art and sports that are considered great with no or very little titles but with a glorified career and legacy.
Yes, but in pro sports, unlike in many other areas of life, greatness tends to be quantifiable. With a few exceptions, sports are about stats and accomplishments in the arena of battle. In our sport, in which titles is about the only stat of which we tend to keep track, none of those inducted in the BCA Hall of Fame greatest player category got there on the basis of anything but their "on the table" performance and results.
 
some people enjoy stuff even if it incudes make belief, like pro wrestling. i'm not gonna judge that, even though it's not my thing. the tell sign here is ahn tuan not getting a spot. he needs the 8, or 20+ points, and not asking for it shows there's no serious money invested
 
End of day 2, score is 60-54 to Fedor
Not bad for the nobody unknown player who is a sure looser...
So, with the scores posted in this thread, we have (Gorst's score first):

Day 1 -- 30-22
Day 2 -- 30-32
2-Day Total -- 60-54
 
I've said it before and I'll say it again, God bless people who enjoy these exhibitions. These things are equally boring as the first day of matches at WNT tournaments.
 
un fortunately they post a cash number they are playing for but never what they are really gambling for.

not all of course, but much of these are more exhibitions than gambling matches as far as the cash prize.

i would certainly rather watch tony's site with him playing and giving great advice than two players playing with possibly no skin in the game or very little from a backer, running out 9 or ten ball over and over on a stream.
Luckily, nobody is forcing you too.

Thanks for adding value to the thread
 
Fedor won at least the 6 game lead he had just today with his jump cue. He is the strongest pro with a jump cue....probably could run a rack with one.

I jumped 3 in a row versus one of the old guys who hates jumping. Had steam coning out his ears after 2 jumps....and he totally lost it on the 3rd.
The shit that happens that you never forget.
 
no matter who wins these matches are a lie to what they really are. if its fun for you to watch then pay for it like going to the movies. maybe this guy will win then they can have a big re match and you can really pay some more to see it.

does anyone think someone plays as well when getting paid to play as when they are getting paid only if they win.
or even care what happens.
I think with these guys, they all hate to lose.

That said there's guys like orcollo, svb and others that can push themselves to another level to make ridiculous comebacks.
 
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