Recent content by Matt_H

  1. Matt_H

    Could straight pool thrive with a gimmick format?

    7' tables are a rare breed in England, maybe limited to SAM coin-ops found in bowling alleys. They cost £1.50 a game so a half decent race to anything isn't cheap. Plus, chavvy kids dressed in black North Face tracksuits and Air Max trainers take 20 minutes to get through a rack of 8 ball. I...
  2. Matt_H

    Could straight pool thrive with a gimmick format?

    I create this thread knowing full well that die hard straight pool players will think I'm trying to dilute their beautiful game. I live in the UK and am a UK 9 & 10 ball player currently on a self-imposed hiatus, mainly because I can't afford to replace my warped cues (this should change in the...
  3. Matt_H

    Ultimate Pool USA 2026 Iowa

    I'll be honest. For me the novelty of the 8 ball format was starting to wear thin. The barbox 10 ball will keep me invested in future events, if UPUSA opt to keep it of course.
  4. Matt_H

    OB Cues?

    Quit playing late 2021, it was a snap-decision. Put my case in the boot of my car then realized I wasn't looking forward to playing so I didn't bother. Left my case in said boot, containing a Poison Bolt full cue and an OB1 shaft which I screwed in to a Universal. In January 2022 I arranged a...
  5. Matt_H

    Predator Men's 10 Ball JAX

    The young lady on the right, Abigail Davies, is one of the Sky Sports UK presenting team, specializes in the world darts scene and hosts a podcast on chucking tungsten. She's sometimes used as a reporter for English Premier League "soccer" matches (not the big games though, more your Burnley v...
  6. Matt_H

    Mosconi Cup 2025, Dec. 3-6, Alexandra Palace, London

    A Brit here. I've taken an interest in the MC since the days of Lou Bouterra representing the States. I take no pleasure in seeing how one-sided this event has become, and in recent years I have been put off by crowd behaviour and by how Matchroom seem keen to build fake animosity through the...
  7. Matt_H

    Mosconi Cup 2025, Dec. 3-6, Alexandra Palace, London

    Maybe if they play Mosconi format but using Ultimate Pool USA table, clock and rules they would have a shout.
  8. Matt_H

    Pool Jokes

    Two guys are playing pool in their local club when a hearse passes outside. The player at the table sees the hearse, puts his cue down and bows his head. Thirty seconds later he picks his cue up and continues his inning. At the end of the rack the other player says "that was very nice of you, to...
  9. Matt_H

    American pool in London?

    Off the top of my head: London Snooker (Tooting) Spots & Stripes (Redhill) Raging Ball (St Albans, Greenford and High Wycombe). Spots and Stripes plays host to two GB9 tour stops a year. Slightly outside of London but good set-up. London Snooker hosts "London's Finest" pool events. Raging...
  10. Matt_H

    3 things you would change about pool

    These will never happen, but... 1) Max 2 cues in use per match. Player has to decide on whether they bring a break cue or jump cue. 2) Chess clock. Players rack their own and clock runs while they rack (should reduce 2 minute racking). 3) Centennials as official Matchroom ball set, on green cloth.
  11. Matt_H

    West Midlands Anyone fancy match 9 ball.Im from Wolverhampton can travel.

    Hi Roger. I haven't played for two years but might be able to help. Firstly, Wolverhampton isn't exactly a hot bed of American pool. Rileys closed a few years back, only for it to reopen as The Centre Spot under new ownership. However, that has closed too. I know to only two other bars with...
  12. Matt_H

    Documentary Celebrating 30 Years Of The Mosconi Cup To Air On Sky Sports

    Well that served as nothing more than a thirty minute commercial for this year's Mosconi. Slightly disapointed. My first Mosconi experience was the White/Higgins doubles match with Sid Waddell's genius commentary, which would've been around 1996/7 (there was some footage of those first few...
  13. Matt_H

    Fix 9 Ball Break Shot/Answer

    I like this. Or even breaking from wherever the cueball comes to rest after potting the nine, with 4 balls hitting a rail rule applied (only works winner-breaks). Very few breakshots would be the same and would make position off the moneyball crucial. Wins by 3-fouls or combos and you break...
  14. Matt_H

    MISCUES … Should the Rules be Changed to Make Them FOULS?

    The video within the opening post shows what we don't see in real-time, and for that I commend the post. The rules of 8, 9 and 10 ball pool will most likely mean that a miscue results in a foul for other reasons (failure to hit a rail after contact, failure to hit lowest ball/solid or stripe, a...
  15. Matt_H

    Finals, European 14.1 Championships 2023

    Not including the Mosconi Cup and Juniors, MR were afiliated with over 40 events scheduled for this calendar year, granted in various continents. I absolutely agree with you and there was always going to be toes trodden on. I still cant decide if Miss Fraser loves pool or the lifestyle that...
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