2026 Premier League Pool Player List

FeltyFran said:
Your takes on this thread have been money...since the event is 30 minutes from me I'm stoked to see all these guys play. ...

I think he's some sort of engineer which is why doesn't get to travel like the other top players, but he's absolutely a top player and probably top 5 in the world at 1 hole right now
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Nice. Engineers make a lot of money. Like German cueist Stefan Kasper (Fargo 807) and Iraqi cueist Ameer Ali (Fargo 840), he still manages to play pool at the highest level despite being a part-time player.

We must all wonder what these three fine cueists would accomplish as full-time players, but we are unlikely to ever find out. Still, we've all seen them play, and they are exceptional players that are well worth watching.
 
sjm said:
Agreed. You are about as knowledgeable as it gets on this forum when it comes to the players, but when it comes to how players are received by the fans, I am far more knowledgeable, and it is only in this sense that you are less informed than me. Unlike me, you were not in Florida to see the great fanfare received by Meglino from the Floridian fans, many of whom came just to see him. You suggested that Bergman would draw eyes, but I countered with Meglino has already drawn the eyes in Florida and the PLP is being played in Florida.. As a native Floridian, Anthony attracted a lot of attention and played well, too, eliminating both Albin Ouschan and Mario He. Add to this that his game is leaps and bounds above that of Bergman and there really is no case of any kind here for Bergman.

Agreed. I messed up on this point. Also, I had no idea Meglino had passed the others by Fargo. Thanks for the info.

Yes, the same is even more true of Bergman, but Bergman has been, for the most part, retired from competition for nearly a decade, and Meglino is, and is likely to remain, a part time player as he works full-time. The difference is that just one of them is showing the kind of excellence that merits as much as a look for Mosconi, and it isn't Bergman. That said, I'm kind of on board with your view that the invitational would be better if they catered to those that played in more WNT events. If Bergman ends up playing the bulk of this year's WNT schedule, that will certainly change my view of things, but I'll believe it when I see it.

I am not convinced of this. Yes, I know he dabbled in the Ultimate Pool bar table events in 2025 after years away from competition, and I even watched some of it, but I've got no evidence of any kind that he is still an elite player, and his no show at Derby City, played just 250 miles from where he lives, tells you that he didn't much fancy his chances. When he was a serious player, he did not miss even one Derby City Classic. In contrast, Meglino competes a lot more than Justin, recently winning an eight-ball event in Florida, and every time he shows up to a big event, he shows strong form.

Yes, I know this and it is clearly why he was chosen. Scott's a good friend of mine, but assuming he is behind this choice that is not even nearly based on merit, I fault him here. Matchroom invites were once based on merit, not connections. I miss those days.
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Jason Kirkwood would be well received in Michigan, Meglino being well received in Florida means nothing and Id be willing to bet, more people know who Kirkwood is over Meglino. Just saying
 
jasonlaus said:
Jason Kirkwood would be well received in Michigan, Meglino being well received in Florida means nothing and Id be willing to bet, more people know who Kirkwood is over Meglino. Just saying
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Highly unlikely. I actually played against Jason once in 2000 at the BCA Nationals in Las Vegas. I haven't heard his name in quite a long time. His reputation was probably earned more on the bar tables, where he was a known killer, than on the nine-footers.

Are you saying that there is a Matchroom event coming up in Michigan? If so, Jason's inclusion sounds good to me. Meglino's name recognition in Florida matters because the PLP is being played in Florida.
 
bergman has been working himself back into more public competition, playing (and winning) ultimate pool events, playing tony a big 1p match (and winning hill-hill with a tremendous out). signed up for the world 8-ball and the PLP.

positive signs. i will root for him.
 
sjm said:
Highly unlikely. I actually played against Jason once in 2000 at the BCA Nationals in Las Vegas. I haven't heard his name in quite a long time. His reputation was probably earned more on the bar tables, where he was a known killer, than on the nine-footers.

Are you saying that there is a Matchroom event coming up in Michigan? If so, Jason's inclusion sounds good to me. Meglino's name recognition in Florida matters because the PLP is being played in Florida.
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I think you fail to realize how few people watch pool, most league players won't even watch the pros which Meglino is not
 
jasonlaus said:
I think you fail to realize how few people watch pool, most league players won't even watch the pros which Meglino is not
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It was Floridian league players that showed up in droves to watch Anthony play in last year's Florida Open, a Matchroom major. He has a big following in Florida, site of the PLP.
 
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