We've had the Asian invasion and the European invasion into pool, now i think we are in the middle of a British invasion into the top echelons of pool
It's already started with Darren Appleton, Karl Boyes and Darryl Peach amongst others but there has been a change in the UK pool scene which is going to lead to more talent switching cuesports
Firstly the GB9 9ball tour in england has really started to take off and secondly, the decline of english style pool. Both Darren and Karl came from the World rules english pool world, Darren was one of the top players for a decade. You know the game played on smaller tables with those small red and yellow balls. It's actually the game i play most. Whilst it looks easy, it is not, the pockets are tiny compared to american 9ball tables and you need really precise cueball control to manoveur around 15 balls on a small table. Most of the top players play a bit of snooker too, so potting is not problem, even when going onto the bigger 9ball tables.
And one advantage that players having switching from this type of pool to american pool over snooker players switchin to american pool is the break. You need a good break for english pool and it translates well with some adjustment to american pool.
Chris Melling and Mick Hill are two double world champions in the english pool game who are starting to play more american pool. Both have monster breaks. Chris has already done quite well, having a good showing at the world championships a few weeks ago. I feel Chris and Mick have the best chance of reaching the heights of Darren and Karl in the next few years. Always takes a while to lean the nuiances of a new game even if you do have the cueing fundamentals.
Anyway if the decline of english pool continues in england and 9ball continues to grow, your going to see a lot of talent come onto the global scene. England are good at indoor sports because the weather's so shite
And with snooker heavily established in england (when i say england, i should really say Britain), your going to see technically sound cueists playing 9ball and the knowledge of the older players will start to filter down to give them more of an all round game (your Imran Majids etc)
It's going to be an interesting next few years in the pool world and american players will have to lift their game if they want to retain any level of dominance.
It's already started with Darren Appleton, Karl Boyes and Darryl Peach amongst others but there has been a change in the UK pool scene which is going to lead to more talent switching cuesports
Firstly the GB9 9ball tour in england has really started to take off and secondly, the decline of english style pool. Both Darren and Karl came from the World rules english pool world, Darren was one of the top players for a decade. You know the game played on smaller tables with those small red and yellow balls. It's actually the game i play most. Whilst it looks easy, it is not, the pockets are tiny compared to american 9ball tables and you need really precise cueball control to manoveur around 15 balls on a small table. Most of the top players play a bit of snooker too, so potting is not problem, even when going onto the bigger 9ball tables.
And one advantage that players having switching from this type of pool to american pool over snooker players switchin to american pool is the break. You need a good break for english pool and it translates well with some adjustment to american pool.
Chris Melling and Mick Hill are two double world champions in the english pool game who are starting to play more american pool. Both have monster breaks. Chris has already done quite well, having a good showing at the world championships a few weeks ago. I feel Chris and Mick have the best chance of reaching the heights of Darren and Karl in the next few years. Always takes a while to lean the nuiances of a new game even if you do have the cueing fundamentals.
Anyway if the decline of english pool continues in england and 9ball continues to grow, your going to see a lot of talent come onto the global scene. England are good at indoor sports because the weather's so shite
And with snooker heavily established in england (when i say england, i should really say Britain), your going to see technically sound cueists playing 9ball and the knowledge of the older players will start to filter down to give them more of an all round game (your Imran Majids etc)
It's going to be an interesting next few years in the pool world and american players will have to lift their game if they want to retain any level of dominance.
