Recent content by sjm

Good post. Two things that are true: a) there are things we don't yet understand (Stonehenge and the Pyramids are good examples) and b) some of what we think we know will be proven incorrect sometime in the future, much in the way that Copernicus proved in 1543 that the widely accepted...

I think some people are placed onto this earth just to make the rest of us feel really smart. In a way, we owe all of them a debt of gratitude.

Yes, well done.

In truth, the pros are sitting it out. Just 4 of the 83 carrying a Fargo of 800+ are in the field, Two of them are paired and, by every right, should win it, but handicapping bar table matches is not really what I do. If Team USA wins at the Mosconi this year, I expect many of the top players...

Yes, that's probably so.

This is really not accurate. The most recent Predator PBS event was Vietnam, and just about all the name players were there. Similarly, at the first Predator PBS of the year in Las Vegas, virtually every elite player was there. Same is true of Predator St Louis.

For those that want to see a Predator event in which most of the Mosconi players are present, consider going to the Predator Jacksonville event, to be played from 12/14-20.

Ah, the conspiracy theorists are in session again. In truth, Predator and Matchroom have done a great job in 2026 of avoiding schedule clashes. This one is unfortunate, but only ten players are affected. Not that big a deal. Neither Matchroom nor Predator, nor the players are served well...

This is fact, not conjecture. Greg Sullivan has made the comment on numerous occasions that the Derby is an open event geared to the amateur and semi-pro player more than the pro. It was always his intention for it to be this way. Nonetheless, the importance of the pro players to keeping...

On the eight-footer, I'd ballpark that at about 550.

I'd venture a guess that Predator's event was scheduled first. The Mosconi is, typically, a week later than this. The 2025 Mosconi Cup took place from 12/3-6, so many, myself included and possibly Predator, were surprised by the timing here and expected the Mosconi a week later.

Unfortunate clash in the schedule with the Mosconi Cup, 11/27-30, meaning that many of the most elite won't be there. Even so, this should be a good event. Nice lineup of events for sure.

Yeah, payouts could be a little better for sure, but they did increase last year, with winners getting $20,000 in each division. To be fair, the event is not set up to give the amateurs/semi-pros a good chance to make a profit. Many of the ones I know don't even exercise the buy back. If you...

You'll be missed, my friend, but I'll do whatever it takes to have a grand old time without you. There are many who prefer to stay in New Albany. Plenty of good food there and just eight miles away from the Derby.

Don't forget Bella Roma, Bob, the excellent Italian restaurant in which you and I dined once in New Albany. Very reasonably priced and the food is excellent.