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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...

SJM Sizes up 2022 in Pro Pool As the curtain drops on 2022 in pro pool, let’s reflect. In January, Matchroom unveiled a new 9ball tour and Predator announced expansion of its global 10ball series. So far, so good. I The Year in Tournament Play 1st Quarter: In January, Jayson Shaw won the...

I just experienced seven days at the International and I’ll file this trip report. I did not attend the one pocket, except for a bit at the end, so I’ll omit it. Monday, October 31 The 9-ball and 10-ball began. I didn’t watch entire nine-ball matches, preferring to watch bits and pieces. I saw...

At last, I'm home from the US Open. Here's how it went. Sunday, October 9 I arrived at Harrah’s and had a chance to chat briefly with each of these US Open entrants: Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz, Tony Robles, Jayson Shaw, Elliot Sanderson, Alex Kazakis, Mika Immonen, and a few others. I went to bed...

I just returned from five days at the World Games in which I attended all sessions of the billiards events. The venue was magnificent, with four tables side by side, one for each of men’s nine-ball, women’s nine-ball, carom and snooker. The tables were well spaced, the seating was ample, and...

Today, Jeanette Lee turns 51 years old. We all know of her struggles and of the courage which she has maintained through such difficult times. She remains a towering presence in our sport and has given so much to pool over the years. I'm proud to count her as my friend of more than 25 years...