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The curtain has fallen on 2025 and it is time to review the year in pro pool. I will touch on pool politics but my focus will be on 2025 in men’s competition. I 2025 in Men’s Tournament Play 1st Quarter: Corteza won at Turning Stone. At Derby City, Gorst won bank pool, 1-pocket, and Master of...

Obviously, I am incredibly late to the party, but I stayed in London for many days after the Mosconi and have finally arrived home. For me, it is now time to reflect. Perhaps the Mosconi Cup buzz is gone by now and many will not care what I have to say. I have not read any of the Mosconi...

Just spent ten days at the International Open in St Augustine, Florida. Here is what it was like. Friday, November 14 Arrived 4:30 PM. Matches I saw were Morra’s one pocket win over Shuff and Pongers’ 14.1 win over Mario He. I caught up with a few pros briefly, but the only pro with whom I had...

Just got back from Atlantic City where I enjoyed all six days of the US Open 9ball event. It is the easiest event of the year for me, just over two hours by car from New York City. As so much has been written about the play already on AZB, I will skip over it. Aloysius Yapp’s accomplishment of...

I just returned from six glorious days in Orlando where I watched the inaugural Matchroom Florida Open. The pool was fantastic, and Aloysius Yapp played a brilliant final to capture the title, but I would rather use this post to reflect on the event itself. The Magnitude of the Moment I believe...

Just experienced ten great days at the Derby. Here is what it was like to be there. Day 1, Fri, 1/17 Got to the hotel by 5:00 PM. After claiming my credentials, I began to greet friends inside and outside the arena. I sweated the Filler vs DeLuna 10ball match and then saw Chinahov vs Morra...

As 2024 in pool fades into the sunset, let us size it up. It began in disarray, as WPA edicts of 2023 had male pros scrambling. Most signed with Matchroom. I will touch on pool politics, but this thread will focus on 2024 in competition. I The Year in Tournament Play 1st Quarter: Gorst won...

After nine days of sweating the International in St Augustine, I drove to Orlando for the Mosconi, hoping that I had four more days of endurance in me, knowing I’d be in a shambles after thirteen days of sweating pool. I will omit the Mosconi Cup match details as they have been covered in other...

On Friday evening, November 29, the annual BCA Hall of Fame dinner kicked off what will be a five-day weekend here in Orlando. Kudos to Emily Frazer for allowing this event to kick off Mosconi week. I was pleased to be in attendance. Rookie emcee Freddie Agnir, Cornerman in these AZB parts...

I just completed nine days at the International Open. My focus in this post will be on the pro events. Sunday, November 17 I arrived at the venue in the early afternoon. After I checked in, I caught up with Pijus Labutis, Mario He and Wiktor Zielinski, all of whom seemed in good spirits. After...

I just got home from the US Open in Atlantic City and it was wonderful. Here is what it was like to be there. I Overview The first four days had four table sections with area referees, and if you made the effort, you could always find a great match in progress. On day five, most of the...

Yes, the thread title here represents a very strong statement. After all, Ga Young Kim is surely one of the ten best players in the history of women’s pro pool. I’d probably put her at #6, but that’s a debate for another day. Obviously, Chezka Centeno is not yet mentionable with Ga Young Kim...

I have just experienced nine memorable days at the Derby City Classic and I will share what it was like to be there. Before doing so, however, I’ll take note that Diamond butchered the event for a second straight year, and few were on hand when the Master of the Table was decided and even fewer...

As the curtain drops on 2023 in pro pool, let us reflect on a year in which the conception of new events and prize money growth were overshadowed by political actions that divided our sport. I The Year in Tournament Play 1st Quarter: Shaw opened January by winning Turning Stone. At Derby City...

Greetings. I spent four more days in London after the completion of the Mosconi Cup, so I just got home to New York. That explains the lateness of my trip report. I have not read any of the postings on AZB pertaining to the Mosconi Cup, so I may well be repeating what others have said, for which...

The 2023 International Open is now in the rearview mirror, and I'll share what it was like to be there. I saw the last two days of the American 14.1 and Mario He’s memorable victory, but then it was on to the International, a highlight on the American pool calendar. As usual, Pat Fleming set up...

Let me preface my remarks by saying that I may not have all the facts, but I have enough of them to assess the current situation. Let me add that I know another thread on this subject exists already, but I feel I am taking analysis of the subject matter in a very different direction and that is...

I haven't begun a thread in four months, but here goes. I attended all six days of the just completed US Open 9ball. SJM – Closing Thoughts on the 2023 US Open As I posted each day in the US Open thread, I’ll skip over the details of the play. Ko Ping Chung was amazing and was the most...

Although the UK Open is many days in the rearview mirror, I spent several more days in London after attending, so this is my first chance to share some of my thoughts on the event. I attended the 2022 UK Open, as well, and it was a fine event held back a bit by an inadequate setup towards the...

I just got back from the 2023 edition of the Derby City Classic. Here’s how it went. Friday, 1/20, Derby City Day 1 Arrived at the hotel at about 2:30. In the Bigfoot, I missed SVB’s win over Eberle but was just on time to see Shaw’s win over Woodward. I also caught Gomez’ win over Pagulayan...