And they did toughen it up with the 4 inch pockets. I've seen plenty of misses from big name players in the last year. But the match keeps moving at a decent pace. I think Matchroom has found a good balance.
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SJM – My Thoughts on WPA’s Actions
- Thread starter sjm
- Start date
When you mentioned Snooker and Carom. I went back in time.
In Charlotte NC between 1975 and 1978 I was a teenager who found out he could make money playing
pool, so naturally I went everywhere (on foot and bicycle) to every room I could find. There were a lot of
places that when you walked in had only been painted when they opened and the patina on the walls and the
grit from places people touched would tell how long the place had been there.
A great deal of them had at least one snooker table.
Carom wasn't well repesented but those places were ancient. Pool was like this game that had been around
forever and if went in and played in the back if no one was around, you could get beer too!
Demand doesn't exist in Europe the same way if does in the USA...
Otherwise, it would have been done by now.
I would love to know more about the player numbers in Europe.
When I was in Ireland and Spain I didn't see much in the way of rooms to play in
so I had to wonder where the influx of players are coming from.
Matchroom can always up the pressure.
Instead of representing your country, represent a Matchroom designated sponsor.
Matchroom sponsors could then be poolrooms/people that can host and screen players for competition.
This means Matchroom would create a database of potential players that apply for sponsorship. Then sponsors can pick and choose.
The player base is in Europe. What is odd is the lack of recreational or non federation play in Europe. It is tightly controlled like US pharma drugs.
It wouldn't have to be Matchroom. It could be like one of those online gig economy websites. For pool it would be sponsor a player from the third world for a year.
I am trying to connect demand with supply.
The player numbers don't really exist in terms of actual research and data.
Pool is the main choice of billiards on mainland Europe. However it isn't like the USA where families will get together and make a night out, playing pool.
Portugal, Spain both have excellent pool leagues. If they were to join together and pull resources alongside Germany and France then things could change rapidly.
Something like the SBX simply doesn't exist in Europe because the footfall isn't there.
Demand would have to be created which takes time (and €€€) but it can be done.
The Spanish open would be a great place to start by having both professional and amateur events running simultaneously.
Your quote "It is tightly controlled like US pharma drugs."
Made me giggle
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What I love about the USA (re; sports) is its Entrepreneur spirit and understanding of sponsorship and franchising.
With more transatlantic visionaries and business partnerships working together then Europe will be the beneficiary, which 8n turn will benefit USA and the rest of world.
This element is key!
The test isn't the 1 ball, it's getting good on the 2 ball that's now randomly place within the rack.
The smaller MR break box was also meant to make the CB more of a flier if players opted to attempt the direct 1 in the side cut break. ...and it does to some extent. A lot of top players have moved away from the rock hard tips on their breakers and are opting for something softer to control the CB with greater ease. I noted that Gorst was carrying 2 breakers during the USopen. When asked he explained it had a softer tip for this purpose.
The reality is the old 1 on spot was even easier. Wing ball more of a given then the current 1 in the side. The CB could be plopped right in the middle of the table with the full hit on the 1. ...and the 1 ball could be directed to the top corner the breaker was shooting from. Making the beginning of a pattern routine.
IMO 9 ball still hasn't been smoothed out to a solid game just yet. ...and not that rules aren't changing. Just the configuration of the break.
Fans should be playing whatever rules the pros use. Fans shouldn't be determining how the pro game is played.
Put it on tv/streaming and see what happens. Great game designed for GAMBLING. Snooze-fest to watch even for most pool fans.
at the spanish open there was an amateur event running simultaneously
Was this the FSR Junior Open or was there a third event?
I’ve watched a lot on uTube. It’s slow. I agree but so are 18 holes of televised golf and professional baseball. One pocket also requires a knowledge of banks which requires a lot of trial and error to some extent.
Here's a quote from the news feed:
The 2023 World Cup of Pool will take place at the esteemed Pazo de Ferias y Congresos de Lugo, which will also host the 31st Galician Team Pool Billiards Championship. With over 1,000 players participating, this tournament is considered the largest in Europe, providing an exciting backdrop for the World Cup of Pool. Additionally, the inaugural Spanish Pool Open Championship will take place prior to the World Cup of Pool.