Team USA Still in the Lead

JAM said:
My thoughts are because we have no governing body of professional pool, no professional tour. The BCA divorced itself from professional pool. It's an industry vendor organization now.

The cost of traveling overseas is expensive, and when the payouts in 2016 are the same as they were in the '80s, yet the cost of living has quadrupled, it is just not feasible, except for maybe a handful of Americans who have sponsors/stakehorses who pay their way.

In 1980s, an American could make a living playing pool -- barely. In 2016, it's a rich man's high. That's all it is. Those who have passion will continue to play and sacrifice a lot to follow their pool dreams.

I hope it changes, though. I'm not sure what needs to happen. But it's all about the money, IMO. American pros get little to no respect. Just a quick read on this forum tells the story. Who would want to invest in that? :(
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The real strengths I see are in the local tours like the Mezz West tour and the Predator New York tour. They obviously have to grow but they're the right way to start.
 
BRussell said:
The real strengths I see are in the local tours like the Mezz West tour and the Predator New York tour. They obviously have to grow but they're the right way to start.
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Some of the tours now have handicaps for pros, and some tours have banned pros.

I do like the Joss Tour. :)
 
Often what separates the creame de la creame, in any competition, is the ability to adjust.

As someone who plays a few 9ball bar tournaments (race to 2) every week, strategy must be adjusted for those short races where anything can and does end up happening. When it does, you can blame the short race or the luck factor, or you can be honest and adjust yourself so that you can fade all that next week. I've chosen the latter and have been successful numerous times.

The MC is a TEAM event. Team USA doesn't really act like a team so it should be no surprise that they don't play like one. Even our best player (Shane) isn't really a team player. He's got his own drumbeat and although he seems to be a positive example, he doesn't really display leadership at MC events.


When you have a smaller pool of talent/skill, there is a greater chance that you'll be rubbing up against your peers more often than if you are in a much larger pool. To me, top US players do not seek each other out enough to rub up against. IMO, they would improve their skills as well as personal bonds if they did. Then the US might have a real team, ready for any and all challenges.
 
Bank it said:
No what those sports have is the rules they have always had. Pool is not tennis, basketball, football or any other sport, it's pool, it's different & should remain that way. You want "your fair turn", go play one of those sports, don't change a sports rules to make it more palatable to your delicate sensibilities snowflake, leave it to those that are attracted to that kind of challenge
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Actually for quite a few decades, there was a center court jump ball in basketball after every goal. And football teams routinely chose the option of kicking off again after their opponents had scored.

End of irrelevant history lesson.
 
JAM said:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I don't necessarily agree with all of them, especially the action v. tournament play, but it's nice to read someone share their opinion in a comprehensive manner.

I do agree that the MC format favors the European style of play -- short races to 5 and slop counts. Of course, the equipment is kind of interesting this year. :o
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Please define the amount of racks that should be played in a race that would favor americans. 11 ? 13 ? 15 ? 19 ?

Shane just lost 9 ball Worlds to Albin. In what you'd call a "normal race". Or maybe you like those TAR type of races to 100. Wouldnt be surprised.


Americans compete against the same players year after year. Where are Bergman, Woodward, Dechaine when tournaments are being played in PH and all over the world ? They are in their backyard playing with eachother. How can you get better when you face the same scrubs over and over again ?

So yea, make all the excuses that you want. Even with the pockets this big, Fireball cant make a simple 2 9 combo.
 
In related news, Kleenex stock is up 23%.

Lots of crying about short races and bucket pockets. Telling me all of the Joe 6-packs here wouldn't be claiming to run those tables all day? Bunch of weak, worthless excuses.

As for gambling.. there's a reason some broke players sit around talking about it when they can't get the dangling carrot in a tournament.

I know, i know.. find a safe place, because words hurt. :thumbup:

Hey, remember that one time the states fought the brits? Lol. The present day called.. they miss you.
 
In reality the MC is a very long match, with a potential of twenty one Races to Five! In a typical MC, anywhere from 140 to 160 games of pool are played. This is NOT a short match by any means. The only difference between this and the so-called full length matches is that more than one player is involved for each side. They are playing a match Race to Eleven, with single sets of Race to Five. That's a lot of pool any way you look at it!

In this format the best team will usually win. Once upon a time it was the USA, with players like Rempe, Varner, Strickland, Davenport and Archer. They were clearly the superior players at that time and won easily year after year. All that has changed over the last decade and now the Europe teams with Appleton, Immonen, Hohmann, Souquet, Feijen, Boyes, Van Den Berg, etc. are clearly the better teams. And that's really how it is folks. :groucho:
 
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JAM said:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I don't necessarily agree with all of them, especially the action v. tournament play, but it's nice to read someone share their opinion in a comprehensive manner.

I do agree that the MC format favors the European style of play -- short races to 5 and slop counts. Of course, the equipment is kind of interesting this year. :o
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"Huge pockets" (you)

Action player (Rodney)

Same guy " Hahaha, leave it anywhere I can make it hahaha". Proceeds to miss the shot.

Do you not see the problem here which is in fact, the main problem for americans ? The mentality.
 
vladmin said:
"Huge pockets" (you)

Action player (Rodney)

Same guy " Hahaha, leave it anywhere I can make it hahaha". Proceeds to miss the shot.

Do you not see the problem here which is in fact, the main problem for americans ? The mentality.
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Canadians have really gone far in the pool world, haven't they? Who's their claim to fame? I can count them on one hand.
 
JAM said:
Canadians have really gone far in the pool world, haven't they? Who's their claim to fame? I can count them on one hand.
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The fact that I reside in Canada has nothing to do with the topic. Yet again you fail to see whats obvious or to accept reality. Continue to enjoy life in that tiny box of yours.

Overall it will be 11-11. And next year you can take this thread and frame it.
 
vladmin said:
The fact that I reside in Canada has nothing to do with the topic. Yet again you fail to see whats obvious or to accept reality. Continue to enjoy life in that tiny box of yours.

Overall it will be 11-11. And next year you can take this thread and frame it.
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Well, tie always goes to the winner, number one. That's how I started this thread to begin with.

Number two, let's not forget that Mosconi, the name of this event, is an American player. :D
 
JAM said:
Well, tie always goes to the winner, number one. That's how I started this thread to begin with.

Number two, let's not forget that Mosconi, the name of this event, is an American player. :D
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They're changing the name next year to the Souquet Cup, lol.
 
While I do enjoy the enthusiasm that the above posts, but I guess I am different than most Americans.

There is no disgrace in losing, and I will accept no excuses, you either win or lose. Making excuses for losing to me, sounds childish.

If the EU plays better and wins great. If the USA plays better and wins great.

The disgrace and disgust for me was Earl Strickland acting an ass in previous MC.

Win or lose, do it with class. Shake their hands and tell em wait until next year.

Ken
 
How is this the 23rd Mosconi Cup and there will only be 22 years accounted for?
12 - 10 =22
11 - 11 =22
 
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