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

I saw some posts about bar tables and I do believe this actually have something to do with it. America is filled with bar tables and I remember playing in one for two sets and my game in 9ft tables detoriorated, I can't imagine guys who play this barbox table for a week or two what would happen to their game? I also think Europeans never lay hands on bar tables ever which is why theyre strong in 9ft.

If you also think about the ol' american us teams who used to play in the past tours, jim rempe, mike siegel, nick varner, earl the pearl, I think all their tours were on 9ft and they always practice on 9ft, I dont think they played on barbox did they? I might be wrong but I am guessing here that in the 80s, 90s the 9ft table were so big that pro players just kept playing on 9ft.
 
Small tables/big pockets and handicap leagues/tournaments have more to do with the overall lack of talent in American pool, but it doesn't explain why we always get our asses kicked in this event.

Every player on team US spends the majority of their time playing on big tables.
 
Attitude and antics aside, I think it's time to admit that Earl Strickland might actually be one of the 5 best Americans for this event...........

Scott said it best during the last match - it felt like every single ball could be missed
 
I've been away from pool for a bit and haven't watched this year. I can't stomach watching guys dog it any more. I've done it enough myself, so it's no longer fun watching others do it. I just feel bad for them. Guess I've grown old and soft.

I think it's time to pull the plug on this whole concept. There's no help in sight for the U.S. side.
 
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skor said:
In order to get a different team, more Americans need to attend WNT events and score some points.

Yes, it costs money to travel and compete, it’s the same for everyone on this planet
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Maybe the Oscar, Lukas Jeremy Sossei and others figured that you can spend the time and money, but will never be picked once you don't earn the points. The picks are reserved for buddies in the USA ... and there you have the problem my fellow countrymen.
 
IMO, at this level of competition, you do not waltz in and play on equipment that is as different as these tables -- pockets and cloth (don't know about the balls and any secret sauce being used to polish them), without a few weeks to dial them in.

Our guys have the talent but don't do the prep.

"The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win."
Bobby Knight

Lou Figueroa
 
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All joking aside, this cut shot from Billy might have been the worst shot I've ever seen on a Matchroom broadcast, apart from maybe some of those 1st round US Open matches with the random 520 Fargo guy from like Danville, Virginia who happened to draw Fedor or Shane
 
datnodude said:
I don't think table size is the problem, America just doesn't put resources into billiards like other countries do.

If I ever achieve enough money, I'll run a training center for the youth
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Not all countries pour money into pool. lot of it is self investment and private community investments.
 
nmh2008 said:
Attitude and antics aside, I think it's time to admit that Earl Strickland might actually be one of the 5 best Americans for this event...........

Scott said it best during the last match - it felt like every single ball could be missed
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Yup
Plus Hatch and Morris....just let it fly.
 
garczar said:
You say this like its a new thing. The US hasn't been a factor, with the exception of one player, in int'l. big table pool for 15yrs or so. We all know and debate the reasons but it is what it is and its not changing anytime soon. If you can figure out how to get people back on 9ft's in big numbers you're a genius.
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I know it's not a new thing and yet we still get arguments against it.
when I say "bar box mentality" it's not just the table itself, it's the mentality of people that look at pool as a game / bar game and not a sport. Even serious players who play in league don't understand that it's a sport.
Bar boxes are OK for amateurs but if you want to strive higher, you have to leave that behind.

You can't expect a business (pool room / bar) owner to act against good business. Tables with big pockets were bangers can run 2-3 balls is good business, 7ft tables are good business (as long as people play on them).
That leaves the players community to take care of them selves, get a small space, put one or two (depends on the size of the community) pro tables, 9 ft. with 4 inch pockets and make a place that players can practice, run small tournaments. Be in touch with other similar communities and compete against each other. How do you thing Germany got to be so good?
Make it clean and safe and bring the kids to play and learn, keep the gamblers and money games out.
It's a joint owned and operated kind of facility and setting up such a place might be cheaper in the long run than to go to a bar or club.
Don't expect that anyone who set up such a place will become a world champion but with the right guidance, on of the kids just might.
 
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