WNT Florida Open 2026, August 4-9, Orlando, Caribe Royale

[JAM]

him and kaci both. i made a good score in snooker after hearing that a player had lost a lot of weight. it's not the physical aspect as much as it shows determination, intention.

i like shane's chances at the USO. but the field will be tougher. more asian players, probably twice as many as in the florida open, fedor, the polish guys..

Snooker guy, was it Higgins? Mark Allen also slimmed down after John.

Both Kaci brothers have slimmed down and are playing well.

I sometimes wonder if having the crowd on your side, rooting for you, is a bonus in these events. Shane certainly was the darling of the Floride Open.

Check out Coach Johan and Classics crew on the rail, rooting for Shane, quiet by silently loud. At first, I thought they bought SVB lights, but then I realized it was their iPhones. How clever!

 

[skogstokig]

Snooker guy, was it Higgins? Mark Allen also slimmed down after John.

Both Kaci brothers have slimmed down and are playing well.

I sometimes wonder if having the crowd on your side, rooting for you, is a bonus in these events. Shane certainly was the darling of the Floride Open.

Check out Coach Johan and Classics crew on the rail, rooting for Shane, quiet by silently loud. At first, I thought they bought SVB lights, but then I realized it was their iPhones. How clever!

View attachment 923208

it was mark allen. he had probably lost 30 kg (pre-ozempic) and i booked him as soon as i heard that. won enough for a vacation trip for me and the lady. allen went on to win 3 or 4 titles after that, but today he's mostly known for the blunder on the black at the worlds..

 

[uk_9_ball_convert]

You are right on the money. Mosconi would kill everyone in 14.1 if you sent today's players back to 1950. Slow, nappy cloth, ivory balls and high-deflection wood shafts would be the bane of all of the modern players. No doubt about it.

Could they adapt? Probably. But not necessarily enough.

Pockets are smaller nowadays because they have to be. Low-deflection shafts, no-nap fast cloth and phenolic resin balls changed the game irrevocably. Accuracy is much easier than it used to be. And so is moving around the table with fast cloth and phenolic balls.

Shaw's straight pool high run, impressive as it is (and I love Jayson!), is not all that great when you consider the equipment he used. If Mosconi could come back to life in his prime with the equipment of today, I believe he would be running thousands monthly.

This is not unique to pool. Golf has a similar history. I'll never forget reading a Golf Magazine article maybe 2 decades ago or more about Jack Nicklaus' famous 1-iron shot on the 18th hole at Baltusrol in the final round of the 1967 U.S. Open.

Before the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol, Golf Magazine asked Baltusrol's reigning club champion, Rod McCrae III, a 1-handicap, to reproduce the shot. They gave him an exact replica of Nicklaus's blade 1-iron and old-style balls, with similar into-the-wind conditions.

The results make Nicklaus's shot look almost absurd:

• McCrae's first two attempts traveled only 175 and 180 yards, versus the required 238.
• Through 30 swings, he still hadn't reached the green.
• They eventually moved him 10 paces closer, and then another 10 paces closer.
• On swing 37, his ball still finished five feet short of the green.
• McCrae described the sensation of mishitting that old 1-iron as being like hitting an aluminum bat off the handle. The Golf Magazine piece's punch line was essentially that even an accomplished club champion couldn't hit the thing.

UK pool has tight pockets and everyone uses wooden cues, including Jayson Shaw when he was Blackball rules world champion. Jayson would be fine if you put him back to the Mosconi area. Do you think all the pool tables in the random shitty pubs you end up in playing in the Glasgow league have pristine super fast tournament cloth?

Do agree with the basic point that it's impossible to compare eras though as equipment/play styles/rules/culture/professionalism all change so much. People try it in every sport as it's a fun conversation, but it's not like there is an actual correct answer to any of these debates.

 

[jnwilliams]

Was great meeting you at the Florida Open. Hope to see you again somewhere on the tournament trail.

You too, Mr Stu. Thought the Florida open was a great venue. Hope to be back

 

[uk_9_ball_convert]

it was mark allen. he had probably lost 30 kg (pre-ozempic) and i booked him as soon as i heard that. won enough for a vacation trip for me and the lady. allen went on to win 3 or 4 titles after that, but today he's mostly known for the blunder on the black at the worlds..

also quite famously played his ex-girlfriend who refused to shake his hand. I'm not sure what happened between them, there is obviously a lot of bad blood, both seem quite likeable chilled people whenever I've seen them separately.

Don't think either played their best due to the atmosphere, but it was a very entertaining watch. Think it's pretty obvious if you watch it, but just to clarify this was before the weight loss

 

[sjm]

I'm betting on him to go deep at the U.S. Open. What you don't know is how hard he works to improve his game. Easily 8-10 hours a day on the table. He's a pool hall rat, making games with everyone.

Thanks for that, Jay.

It is not surprising to learn of his diligence, but from 2024-25, he made virtually no progress in adding the tactical conceptualization skills and, given his strong work ethic, it was almost certainly because he failed to give it sufficient priority in his developmental agenda. In this sense, AJ was like Chezka Centeno, who may be the most natural instinctive runner of the table in the history of women's pro pool but is still deficient in some of the conceptualization skills (if she had the tactical skills of a Karen Corr, for example, I think she'd retire with the greeatest resume of titles in the history of women's pool.)

Now that he is paying more attention to defense and general tactical conceptualization, AJ has set the stage to join the top tier one day. It will be fun to watch his continued development.

 

[nmh2008]

This is true of all the top players, as you know. Filler made a pair of really big mistakes vs Shane that cost him the match. Not the first time I have seen that from Filler.

Shane played consistently well in Florida after a rusty opener against Payne McBride that he won 9-7. And the field he beat was impressive.

I'd offer a few caveats, though.

-Souquet is way past his prime.
-Albin is no longer a top 20 player. He's been on a downward arc since fall 2024.
-FSR has lost half a gear in the past few years.
-Kaci has been inconsistent since his injury a few years ago. He has yet to rediscover his form (maybe he never will).
-Kazakis played superb in the semis but he's a grinder who's leveled off the past few years.

SVB should have beaten all of these players, and he did. Only Josh was the real challenge, and Josh had SVB down for the count.

I agree Albin isn't in the same class he was a couple years ago, but I don't think it'd have been a shocker if he'd have beat Shane. He won a world championship, albeit in a different discipline, less than a year ago

FSR is still in the elite mix of guys behind Filler & Yapp for me. He's not the guy he was in 2022/2023 but that was also one of the best runs we've ever seen.

Nobody has ever played 9 ball better than Filler, IMO.

Kaci is a polarizing figure, but when he's mentally there he's absolutely still a top player. He'll never be the most consistent player, but even post-accident he went hill-hill with Gorst when Gorst was playing better than anyone in the world. That was just 2 yrs ago

Kazakis is a similar level to Albin for me, Shane should beat him but he doesn't have to.

When the guy you meet in the championship of a major tournament is probably the 2nd worst player you played in single elimination, you had a real tough draw. Yapp's US Open run still the most impressive for me, but lots of credit to Shane

 

[jbart65]

Now that he is paying more attention to defense and general tactical conceptualization, AJ has set the stage to join the top tier one day. It will be fun to watch his continued development.

I have to believe playing in the Reyes last year was an eye opener for Manas. He got to be around great pros and Bustamante for a whole week and see how diligent they practiced and played. Carlo is one of the better tactical minds in pool and keeps in great shape. Duong is very precise. Chua is intense. And Yapp is meticulous in all facets of the game.

The third Florida Open will be back next year in early August, by the way. Frazer announced on Sunday.

 

[nmh2008]

Important to take note of the completely unrecognizable AJ Manas at the Florida Open. In this case, unrecognizable is a good thing.

We all understood that Manas came in as one of the most instinctive runners of the table we have seen in a long time. Like a Jayson Shaw or a Chezka Centeno, he seems to see the patterns almost instantaneously. Unfortunately, until this week, we saw very little tactical development in his game. Somehow, without giving it much thought, his pattern play is not far below legendary pattern players like Souquet and Appleton.

... and yet everything changed this week. He has clearly addressed some of his tactical limitations and showed some very impressive tactical conceptualization, especially against Lechner and Shaw at the Florida Open. Yes, he was completely unrecognizable, in a good way!

If Manas continues to commit himself to mastering the complementary skills needed to beat elite opponents to the shot, especially defense, he will be a force in pool with a good chance to become a top ten player in the world one day.

Manas is an incredible talent and will be a contender for a long, long time if he wants to be...

The 2/9 combo was one of the worst shot decisions I've ever seen. This is the shot a 400 fargo takes when he's playing the 650 fargo guy in a Tuesday night $10 entry fee handicap tournament at your local pool room

 

[jbart65]

I agree Albin isn't in the same class he was a couple years ago, but I don't think it'd have been a shocker if he'd have beat Shane. He won a world championship, albeit in a different discipline, less than a year ago

FSR is still in the elite mix of guys behind Filler & Yapp for me. He's not the guy he was in 2022/2023 but that was also one of the best runs we've ever seen.

Nobody has ever played 9 ball better than Filler, IMO.

Kaci is a polarizing figure, but when he's mentally there he's absolutely still a top player. He'll never be the most consistent player, but even post-accident he went hill-hill with Gorst when Gorst was playing better than anyone in the world. That was just 2 yrs ago

Kazakis is a similar level to Albin for me, Shane should beat him but he doesn't have to.

When the guy you meet in the championship of a major tournament is probably the 2nd worst player you played in single elimination, you had a real tough draw. Yapp's US Open run still the most impressive for me, but lots of credit to Shane

All true. Tough draw, but a manageable one. I was confident when watching the matches real time that Shane would beat Albin, FSR, Kaci and Kazakis. You can tell quickly when Shane is on, and he was.

I wasn't sure he could beat Filler, but right from the start, it was clear the match would be a near-run affair. When Josh missed the 7 twice, I knew he was toast.

In retrospect, I am even more impressed now with SVB than I was when he won the event. Just to think what he has done at his age. His consistency. His effort. His focus. When so many other players who are younger rise and fall.

It was funny listening to his after he won. Mentioned losing to Gorst in their 50-match challenge. You could tell it really grated on him. He said he lost 15 pounds - you could see that, too. He was in great shape.

Seems like all is well with SVB and Emily after last year's Reyes decision. He was very complimentary to her on social media.

 

[jbart65]

The 2/9 combo was one of the worst shot decisions I've ever seen. This is the shot a 400 fargo takes when he's playing the 650 fargo guy in a Tuesday night $10 entry fee handicap tournament at your local pool room

I think I mouthed to myself, you have got to be f--king kidding me! Then to slow roll it ...

Manas had controlled the table the entire tournament. Then he stopped doing so at the end of his match vs FSR.

 

[sneakynito]

Scott kept mentioning his age, like it was surprising he still played so well. One mention would have been enough. The fact is a mature Shane is playing better than ever!

I love Scott as a 1p commentator because he knows the game so well and has a lot to contribute with his analysis, road stories, etc.
But for other games when there's less to analyze and it's on him to come up with filler to keep the commentary colorful idk sometimes it can be painful.

 

[sjm]

I have to believe playing in the Reyes last year was an eye opener for Manas. He got to be around great pros and Bustamante for a whole week and see how diligent they practiced and played. Carlo is one of the better tactical minds in pool and keeps in great shape. Duong is very precise. Chua is intense. And Yapp is meticulous in all facets of the game.

The third Florida Open will be back next year in early August, by the way. Frazer announced on Sunday.

Yes, and I think he has been around Lee Van Corteza a lot, too. Lee has one of the best tactical IQs of all the Filipino players.

 

[sneakynito]

Does this answer your question? All seating at table level. Couldn't see a thing. And we had "premium seating." What a complete ripoff.

View attachment 923023

wow can't believe they thought that was ok...

 

[Jimmorrison]

Everyone keeps mentioning the seven ball, but was that really the deciding factor? Shane was ahead, until he scratched on the break, Filler took the lead. Then a few racks later, Filler scratched on the break, SVB won it from there. Looking at the break statsAtLarge, it would appear SVB outbroke the field

 

[nmh2008]

All true. Tough draw, but a manageable one. I was confident when watching the matches real time that Shane would beat Albin, FSR, Kaci and Kazakis. You can tell quickly when Shane is on, and he was.

I wasn't sure he could beat Filler, but right from the start, it was clear the match would be a near-run affair. When Josh missed the 7 twice, I knew he was toast.

In retrospect, I am even more impressed now with SVB than I was when he won the event. Just to think what he has done at his age. His consistency. His effort. His focus. When so many other players who are younger rise and fall.

It was funny listening to his after he won. Mentioned losing to Gorst in their 50-match challenge. You could tell it really grated on him. He said he lost 15 pounds - you could see that, too. He was in great shape.

Seems like all is well with SVB and Emily after last year's Reyes decision. He was very complimentary to her on social media.

Yep, the narrative around Shane is completely different if he loses to Albin in the round of 64 which was totally possible.

Ain't no rest for the wicked, looking like Shane will get Albin in the Rd of 64 and if he wins another date with Kaci in Arizona this week

 

[nmh2008]

I love Scott as a 1p commentator because he knows the game so well and has a lot to contribute with his analysis, road stories, etc.
But for other games when there's less to analyze and it's on him to come up with filler to keep the commentary colorful idk sometimes it can be painful.

Scott, Karl, and JJ all have such different styles.

Karl is totally cool with long and awkward pauses but light-hearted, funny, and a little self-deprecating.
Scott talks a lot, comes across as super complimentary and everybody's best buddy. Kind of the exact opposite of his on-table demeanor.
JJ is all business, he's not there for small talk he wants to talk about how Shane got a little funny on this 7 ball, will he settle for the long tough 8 ball or does he pound it pound it to the rail, bringing the miss into play but making the 8 & 9 ball easier.

I do like JJ best, but they are all pretty good in my opinion. This becomes obvious when you watch the abomination that is the Predator and women's announcers. Absolutely brutal

 

[jbart65]

Everyone keeps mentioning the seven ball, but was that really the deciding factor? Shane was ahead, until he scratched on the break, Filler took the lead. Then a few racks later, Filler scratched on the break, SVB won it from there. Looking at the break statsAtLarge, it would appear SVB outbroke the field

The score was 7-7 at the time of Filler's two misses on the 7.

If Filler pocketed the 7, he would have gone up 8-7, and it would have been his break.

Shane broke well, but Filler made the 1 ball on each of the eight times he broke in the match.

What was the, well, killer of Filler was a scratch on the break in game 12 when Josh was up 7-4. He never won another game.

 

[JAM]

it was mark allen. he had probably lost 30 kg (pre-ozempic) and i booked him as soon as i heard that. won enough for a vacation trip for me and the lady. allen went on to win 3 or 4 titles after that, but today he's mostly known for the blunder on the black at the worlds..

Ronnie plays Nappon tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. EDT at the China Open. I never know which Ronnie will show up, but I'd love to see him pull a "Shane."

 

[skogstokig]

Scott, Karl, and JJ all have such different styles.

Karl is totally cool with long and awkward pauses but light-hearted, funny, and a little self-deprecating.
Scott talks a lot, comes across as super complimentary and everybody's best buddy. Kind of the exact opposite of his on-table demeanor.
JJ is all business, he's not there for small talk he wants to talk about how Shane got a little funny on this 7 ball, will he settle for the long tough 8 ball or does he pound it pound it to the rail, bringing the miss into play but making the 8 & 9 ball easier.

I do like JJ best, but they are all pretty good in my opinion. This becomes obvious when you watch the abomination that is the Predator and women's announcers. Absolutely brutal

i also think JJ has the best player knowledge. if the three of them had to go on their own and start a sportsbook for pro pool, he would do best