mosconi

[sjm]

I think it's just as well. Even beating Team England, which would likely consist of Darren Appleton, Chris Melling, Mark Gray, Karl Boyes and Darryl Peach, would be a very tall order. The population of the US is more than five times that of England, and I'll bet the US has 100 nine ball players for every one nine ball player in England.

 

[Taco]

I think it's just as well. Even beating Team England, which would likely consist of Darren Appleton, Chris Melling, Mark Gray, Karl Boyes and Darryl Peach, would be a very tall order. The population of the US is more than five times that of England, and I'll bet the US has 100 nine ball players for every one nine ball player in England.

Yes, having lived in both places I think that 100 to 1 is a pretty good guess. And I agree that beating Team England would be a tall order. Personally, I think the advantage that UK players have, if they have one, is that they grew up playing snooker. When you learn to pocket balls on a snooker table a pool table must seem easy. In any event, hat's off to them. There are some terrific British players, including the ones you mentioned.

 

[meximan2469]

I think it's just as well. Even beating Team England, which would likely consist of Darren Appleton, Chris Melling, Mark Gray, Karl Boyes and Darryl Peach, would be a very tall order. The population of the US is more than five times that of England, and I'll bet the US has 100 nine ball players for every one nine ball player in England.

I'd put my $$$ on England in that one..... I'd really like to see them try the World Team Championships again...where they had 4-6 man teams from each country.....which England won BTW.

 

[vladmin]

This is so funny...for years when the US was on top there were no comments about fairness or not. Everyone was bragging about the US team, they did this, they did that.

Now that the Europeans have finally the ability to compete it's unfair...seriously

 

[dan bennicas]

Willie Mosconi/Dan Bennicas


Willie didn't hate 9-ball! Back in the day 9-ball tournament were few and far between, he he loved all billiard games, including billiards, and one-pocket. Straight pool, of course was his best because that's what most players played back then and as most of you know very few have played at his level, even today. IMHO Willie was the greatest but he once told me that Ralf Greenleaf was the greatest!
Dan Bennicas

 

[Donny Lutz]

9-ball favorite?

Not sure I understand your first point, but I'm willing to read if you could elaborate a little more. As for the second more pertinent question, well thats easy. In General, spectators of this era would prefer to watch 9B over straight pool. Basically, the game is nine ball to generate more interest from spectators. I know its the MOSCONI cup, but seriously money talks, and nine ball is where its at (comparatively speaking that is).

I'm not so sure that the majority of American viewers would choose 9-ball. Eight-ball is far and away the favorite of league players (over a million in this country) and casual players.

Personally, I'd like to see some 9-ball, 8-ball, 14-1, carom and 3-cushion pro events, THAT ARE ACTUALLY SCHEDULED AND SHOWN WHEN SCHEDULED, AND SHOW THE ENTIRE MATCHES.
Incidentally, NFL, NBA, MLB and NASCAR were not always big money-makers. They were marketed brilliantly by the corporations who profit from their popularity. Among Americans over 18, far more play pool than play the big $ sports. Pool (and many other sports) could be big $, if properly organized and marketed.

Donny L
BCA/ACS Instructor
Gainesville, Fl

 

[billbOK]

I'm not so sure that the majority of American viewers would choose 9-ball. Eight-ball is far and away the favorite of league players (over a million in this country) and casual players.

Personally, I'd like to see some 9-ball, 8-ball, 14-1, carom and 3-cushion pro events, THAT ARE ACTUALLY SCHEDULED AND SHOWN WHEN SCHEDULED, AND SHOW THE ENTIRE MATCHES.
Incidentally, NFL, NBA, MLB and NASCAR were not always big money-makers. They were marketed brilliantly by the corporations who profit from their popularity. Among Americans over 18, far more play pool than play the big $ sports. Pool (and many other sports) could be big $, if properly organized and marketed.

Donny L
BCA/ACS Instructor
Gainesville, Fl

8 ball is painfull to watch on TV, as most of other games. 9 ball is the most TV friendly game, right there with snooker and 3 cushion.

 

[Nostroke]

Yes, having lived in both places I think that 100 to 1 is a pretty good guess. And I agree that beating Team England would be a tall order. Personally, I think the advantage that UK players have, if they have one, is that they grew up playing snooker. When you learn to pocket balls on a snooker table a pool table must seem easy. In any event, hat's off to them. There are some terrific British players, including the ones you mentioned.

Melling and Appleton were not Snooker Players-English 8 Ball-smaller balls- bar box size table from what i saw over there. Ralf and Neills have always been 9 ball/straight pool players and i think VDB too so perhaps none of their team have a snooker background.