Lukas Fracasso-Verner should be considered but I do not think he wants to be ranked anywhere near a pro. He seems more than happy playing on nothing but amateur events here in the northeast.
Top Americans (excluding recent MC Cup pros)
- Thread starter jokrswylde
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I've known him since he was like 10 and first started playing, he was very hungry to learn from everyone, just absorbed information. Anyone that has that much interest in the game and the backing to play all the time is only limited by natural ability. He also plays under pressure pretty well which is a major part of being able to beat good players.
If I had kids I wouldn’t put them in pool. Pool called me, my parents were drawing dead if they tried to stop me. I Did what I wanted, they knew I was unstoppable. So that’s different.
But to direct kids into pool isn’t what I’d do. If I had a kid that wanted to play like I did, I’d be supportive of that.
Johnny Archers son isn’t a pool player, good kid too. Top notch, super smart great soccer player. Hard worker, polite, well mannered. My God son. So proud of him. He didn’t choose pool. I’m glad.
While I support youth pool 1000% and good programs I personally wouldn’t force my kids into it. That’s the best way to say it
Not my best post, lots on my mind with biz right now.
Best
Fatboy
I guess I just don't care about the state of professional pool in the US anymore. The professional game appears on the cusp of a breakthrough and we have so many great players to watch and root for. So while I'm as patriotic as the next guy, if there aren't US players that can compete so be it. At this point in my life, I'm more excited about the state of the amateur game as that's where I spend most of my time.
Would it be nice if there was a revival of sorts among our US based pool-playing youths? I suppose, but I've had no trouble rooting for players such as Appleton, Pagulayan, Feijen, right along with SVB. I guess there's the fear that the US wouldn't be a continued place for tourneys in the future if we don't have top professionals. So I suppose if for no other reason, we need a champion or two to keep things alive.
Can't believe we may be entering the final phase of SVB's epic career. Hope he can stay near the top for another decade.
Would it be nice if there was a revival of sorts among our US based pool-playing youths? I suppose, but I've had no trouble rooting for players such as Appleton, Pagulayan, Feijen, right along with SVB. I guess there's the fear that the US wouldn't be a continued place for tourneys in the future if we don't have top professionals. So I suppose if for no other reason, we need a champion or two to keep things alive.
Can't believe we may be entering the final phase of SVB's epic career. Hope he can stay near the top for another decade.
I know what you mean. On many of the "how to save pool" threads, I find myself thinking to myself how robust league play is around my area....pool is doing just fine.
Good point. I guess this is where a strong family support system would have to be in place to fill in for the organization. There is a poster on here, I forget his handle, but his boy, Jin, seems to be developing a strong base for the game and his dad seems to be doing a great job. Following his progress is fun. In a situation like that, how do you discourage someone from pursuing a sport they have worked for so hard and so long?
Congrats on your godson and congrats to Scorpion on his kid! Lord knows we need more men (and women) of integrity in this world!If I had kids I wouldn’t put them in pool. Pool called me, my parents were drawing dead if they tried to stop me. I Did what I wanted, they knew I was unstoppable. So that’s different.
But to direct kids into pool isn’t what I’d do. If I had a kid that wanted to play like I did, I’d be supportive of that.
Johnny Archers son isn’t a pool player, good kid too. Top notch, super smart great soccer player. Hard worker, polite, well mannered. My God son. So proud of him. He didn’t choose pool. I’m glad.
While I support youth pool 1000% and good programs I personally wouldn’t force my kids into it. That’s the best way to say it
Not my best post, lots on my mind with biz right now.
Best
Fatboy
Johnny is doing great. Kids are both amazing, pool room going super strong. It’s never easy, but things are good.
Thx
Fatboy
100% correct. If there is no investment (which has been improving IMHO) then all you have is guys walking into a pool hall and deciding they like pool. How many of those people are both respectable and good enough to become pro and how many of those people are going to end up as bangers and short stops just trying to make a buck.
There are a lot of good people in the pool world but how many of them try to promote pool in a positive light - versus the 1000's upon 1000's of bangers and short-stop wanna-be's that only want to take your money and don't care what happens while doing so.
Poker is thriving and it’s predicated on deception and robbing everyone you can.
That’s not why pool is and will continue to struggle.
Poker also has sponsors that pump millions into it and poker does not take a physical skill to perform so any Tom, Dick, or Harry has a chance - I don't even play poker and I know a couple of people have played in WSOP events.
Pool, as a local entertainment, is doing fabulous, almost every bar I know of in my area is upgrading tables and catering to league's and tournaments, I am referring to US pool on a National level. Without those sponsors (and respected pro's) the US will continue to suffer on the world stage.
I don’t play poker either. Not my thing.
Pool rooms in some markets are thriving, sadly most markets it’s just gone and not a viable biz.
There is no doubt pool on a local scene is thriving, we can't go 1 day without seeing a match or tournament live streamed (which is good) but, if we want to start competing, and being respected, on a global level then things have to change.
I really do like what I see with Matchroom setting some standards, I don't necessarily agree with all of their standards but you have to start somewhere.
I also like what I'm seeing with some of the juniors stuff, hopefully, the stables are getting full enough that in about 5-10 years we'll see more top notch and respectable players coming to the fore-front.
I sure hope so, pool is great. Poker is cancer imo. Fun to sweat sometimes. I’ve never played poker for $ once in my life.