Why Is it Named Mosconi Cup?

Geosnookery said:
It’s flourishing. It’s called Snooker and Chinese 8 ball. 9 ball is a peripheral sport...HardLy anyone plays it and fewer want to watch it. It’s boring to watch.

I don’t want to watch people fish. I like to fish myself.

American Pool as a pro sport is like softball. Second tier players. If Softball had big money then star MLB players would start playing and dominate the sport in 6 months. If American pool had big money, Snooker and Chinese 8 ball players would transition over and would be 1 to 10 in both the men and wonen rankings within a year.

American Pool is a fun to play past time. An activity. It’s like horseshoes, gocart racing and Tiddlywinks. I love it. It’s an evening out at our leagues. However, when I want to be a spectator, like 10s of millions, it’s Snooker and Chinese 8 ball. I play softball but watch MLB.

American pool is alive and well. Millions play. As a spectator sport dead and will stay dead. It’s boring..,really, really, really boring to watch. It’s as exciting as folks watching me fish.
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Well.... if you take an honest look at Snooker and Chinese 8 Ball.... they're boring as hell too.

But....... There is NOTHING on Planet Earth more boring and less spectator-friendly than poker. If you doubt me... go to a poker tournament and watch it.

They got lots of money and respect and people call them professionals.

Don't get me wrong - I agree that pool is boring. I can watch it for 1/2 tops and all I want to do is bang my head against the wall.

So.... pool HAS TO do what poker did and make something boring into something exciting. I think Mosconi Cup hit on that a little bit and now they have to go big.... REALLY BIG.
 
Geosnookery said:
American pool is alive and well. Millions play. As a spectator sport dead and will stay dead. It’s boring..,really, really, really boring to watch. It’s as exciting as folks watching me fish.
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Good point highlighting difference between spectators and players
Majority of pool promoters still don't get that. To them, their target spectators/viewers/ audience are players so they mostly market to players and seldom reach out to non-players. This type of mentality is another reason why pool is still not mainstream.
Only Matchroom gets it.
 
westcoast said:
I respect your opinion about the skill sets needed for 1 pocket and 14.1, but let’s not degrade the skills of great 9 and 10 ball players- being elite in those games takes top notch ability too.
1 pocket and straight pool are too slow to market on TV. 9 ball is a good game for TV, but they made a mistake in changing some of the ball colors.

let’s give match room some deserved credit. They are doing their best to market the sport when few others are doing so
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I didn't degrade 9 ball. It is an excellent game. World championships are a match of more than 5 games and a short set influences strategy.

This is different that a more intellectual game like 14.1 or 1P. I agree that 9 ball is a great game and that someone promoting pool is a very good thing. It could be improved. My commentary was along the lines of recommending something to improve overall following and promotion of the greatest round ball game.

I pointed out a few things that diminish its production value for me.
 
I agree watching can be boring. But, I find watching the cup exciting. Rooting for your team is fun.
Watching online two years ago was fun. USA pulled an upset. I was so excited I went to Vegas last year. The fans made it electrify. So much fun.
I would like to go next year but there was no competition this year. I don't want to go if there is such a poor showing. USA does not have to win . They just have to add some excitement to the series.
 
Here's a thought that I'd like anyone to critique. Would straight pool, but played with a 9 ball rack be better for television? Less clusters, but more break shots. People like to see balls ran fast and furious, less clutter would mean more runs. Safe breaks on 9 ball could be interesting. But I'd believe you would have to break from the headspot only to prevent shenanigans. Just a thought, what do you all think?
 
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