Reasons for "poor attendance" by US players in Qatar

B

Boddabing

Registered
Hi pool players and pool fans the world over. There are a host of reasons why alot of US players did not attend this year. Where to begin - I can't so I am going to list them and then you decide which one you want to pick OK.

1. Geo - political and fundamentalist hatred! Zion Zvi has said he would love to attend. He is a world class player but cannot because Qatar is headquarters of Hamaas and there hatred of Israelis permits any entry of any Israeli into the region. Alot of US players are disgusted at this serious infringement of equality and human rights. So they stand with Zion until the venue is moved.
2. Pouring all your energy into Mosconi Cup - how can you play the following week with that much energy spent?
3. The tournament is run very inconsistently and badly ie. players have an option of rack your own with magic rack, referees are mostly volunteers. In one match a top Chinese player had to call the referee's wandering attention back to the table to watch a close hit! No shot clock so lots of time sharking.
4. tables are Brunswick copies no copyright laws equals unethical
5. Trump just declared Jerusalem Capital of Israel = alot of pissed off fundamental radical anti semites and anti USA nutcases in a volatile terorist ridden world!

Pool in Qatar anyone?
 
What?! I doubt any US pool player would not go because any of these reasons.

US pool players only care about the nut. Nothing more. Nothing less. That’s the only reason.
 
Boddabing said:
Hi pool players and pool fans the world over. There are a host of reasons why alot of US players did not attend this year. Where to begin - I can't so I am going to list them and then you decide which one you want to pick OK.

1. Geo - political and fundamentalist hatred! Zion Zvi has said he would love to attend. He is a world class player but cannot because Qatar is headquarters of Hamaas and there hatred of Israelis permits any entry of any Israeli into the region. Alot of US players are disgusted at this serious infringement of equality and human rights. So they stand with Zion until the venue is moved.
2. Pouring all your energy into Mosconi Cup - how can you play the following week with that much energy spent?
3. The tournament is run very inconsistently and badly ie. players have an option of rack your own with magic rack, referees are mostly volunteers. In one match a top Chinese player had to call the referee's wandering attention back to the table to watch a close hit! No shot clock so lots of time sharking.
4. tables are Brunswick copies no copyright laws equals unethical
5. Trump just declared Jerusalem Capital of Israel = alot of pissed off fundamental radical anti semites and anti USA nutcases in a volatile terorist ridden world!

Pool in Qatar anyone?
Click to expand...


I'd guess it's just a money issue. Give any guy a round trip plane ticket and expense money and I'd guess they'd be there.

Lou Figueroa
we are a simple people
 
Some players may not feel comfortable going to play a tournament in the Middle East, but that's really immaterial because like others have stated it's really about the cost and potential return on investment for the player and sponsors.
 
Boddabing said:
... Pool in Qatar anyone?
Click to expand...
As others have pointed out, you seem to be out of touch with American pool.

If the US governing body for pool offered support to 20 players to be in Qatar, I think you would see 20 players there. "Support" covers things besides airfare and hotel and entry.
 
Boddabing said:
Hi pool players and pool fans the world over. There are a host of reasons why alot of US players did not attend this year. Where to begin - I can't so I am going to list them and then you decide which one you want to pick OK.

1. Geo - political and fundamentalist hatred! Zion Zvi has said he would love to attend. He is a world class player but cannot because Qatar is headquarters of Hamaas and there hatred of Israelis permits any entry of any Israeli into the region. Alot of US players are disgusted at this serious infringement of equality and human rights. So they stand with Zion until the venue is moved.
2. Pouring all your energy into Mosconi Cup - how can you play the following week with that much energy spent?
3. The tournament is run very inconsistently and badly ie. players have an option of rack your own with magic rack, referees are mostly volunteers. In one match a top Chinese player had to call the referee's wandering attention back to the table to watch a close hit! No shot clock so lots of time sharking.
4. tables are Brunswick copies no copyright laws equals unethical
5. Trump just declared Jerusalem Capital of Israel = alot of pissed off fundamental radical anti semites and anti USA nutcases in a volatile terorist ridden world!

Pool in Qatar anyone?
Click to expand...
Hamas??? Seriously? You confusing them with media outlet Al Jazeera? BTW, those tables don't look like any Brunswick i've ever seen so how could they be infringing on patents(not copyrights btw)? http://store.wiraka.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=136_156&product_id=473
 
Last edited:
Umm...

1. Zion Zvi is not American

2. Qatar allows tourists from Israel and has even openly invited Israeli athletes from other sports.

3. Qatar is not headquarters for Hamas

4. You have zero evidence that American pool players are "disgusted" by the fictional conditions you've invented.

5. Given a choice between an expensive trip overseas or playing in another tournament right in Las Vegas where the Mosconi Cup just wrapped up, where do you think 'poor' pool players would choose to go?

6. As for the "racking your own" theory. The pros rack their own at Derby City and the US Open 9-ball, and everybody shows up.

7. You think pool players are upset over copyright infringement? lol

8. And you blame lack of participation on Trump! What are you CNN?
 
denzilla171 said:
Umm...

1. Zion Zvi is not American

2. Qatar allows tourists from Israel and has even openly invited Israeli athletes from other sports.

3. Qatar is not headquarters for Hamas

4. You have zero evidence that American pool players are "disgusted" by the fictional conditions you've invented.

5. Given a choice between an expensive trip overseas or playing in another tournament right in Las Vegas where the Mosconi Cup just wrapped up, where do you think 'poor' pool players would choose to go?

6. As for the "racking your own" theory. The pros rack their own at Derby City and the US Open 9-ball, and everybody shows up.

7. You think pool players are upset over copyright infringement? lol

8. And you blame lack of participation on Trump! What are you CNN?
Click to expand...
Yep. I think #5 is probably biggest reason. Airfare is 900-2000bux(23hrs eta,btw), add in room, food, bar/entertainment(if avail. due to customs) and it gets expensive quick. Add to that the fact you're in Muslim-dominated Arab country. Staying in Vegas seems, to me anyway, to be a no-brainer.
 
I was just thinking what would keep me away -
It's a long friggin' trip and with the state of the world today I don't know that I'd
want to leave the country at all. Chances are that everything would be fine, but
still, why go half way around the world. Maybe (big maybe) if it were London,
or Rome, Athens, Paris, maybe, but Qatar, nope. Maybe if it were an invitational,
cap at 64 and I had a sponsor, but still probably not
 
Better people, better food and better beer!
hifellas-rushbeyondthelightedstage.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top