Top 5 debates among pool players
You're not a serious pool player unless you've come across at least one of these debates.
IF YOU’VE PLAYED POOL LONG ENOUGH, there’s no doubt you’ve heard all sorts of opinions about anything related to the game. Perhaps you were part of many passionate debates even. Sometimes it’s about the little stuff — the placement of chalk on the table, the time clock, pocket size, etc. But then there are some topics that crop up again and again, and roil players into the fiercest of debates.
Carbon fiber shafts vs. maple shafts — which performs better? Before we get into it, let’s just take a moment to appreciate the technological advancements when it comes to pool playing equipment, especially on the shaft of the cue. The art and science of selecting and treating maple wood used to vary among cue makers. Then came the wave of low-deflection “revolution” and now, of course, C.F. is all the rage. Most L.D. shafts are made by gluing together “slices” of maple wood (imagine a pie) then hallowing out the front few inches to lower the end mass. With a C.F. shaft the material is much stronger and stiffer yet very lightweight. According to Dr. Dave, the main benefit to a C.F. shaft is not performance but durability and maintenance.
Women vs. men — who plays better? A lot of great pool depends on mastering techniques, and both men and women are able to achieve that. However, it is a fact that the two genders have physical differences. For example, men usually have the ability to develop more muscle mass, which in turn can improve their breaking and cueing power. So if the type of pool game depends on those factors then it’s likely that men will have an advantage, however slight.
Snooker vs. pool — which is harder? A similar debate comes up comparing various types of pool games: 14.1, 8 Ball, 9 Ball, 10 Ball, one pocket, etc. Snooker is played on a 12” x 6” table (comfortably sleeps a few adults) with thinner cues, more balls which are also smaller, and narrower (rounded) pockets. In pool there’s a saying, “play the table,” but in snooker it seems the table plays you…
Who is the money game king? If you really think about it, this is quite an odd debate topic because no other sport can relate. Perhaps it has something to do with pool’s unsavory backroom gambling image (which many people and organizations are doing their best to change, mind you). But if the debate centers around the added pressure from money matches, then how’s that different than a professional tournament which prize money is on the line?
Who is the GOAT of cue sports? There are plenty of elite players to choose from, but if you didn’t name Efren “Bata” Reyes (also nicknamed “The Magician”) then you’d better come up with a strong argument. Not only is he a genius at pool and also carom billiards, but most importantly it’s how he had elevated the game overall with his extraordinary talent.
MATCHROOM ANNOUNCES WORLD NINEBALL TOUR (WNT). This isn’t a surprise but still a major announcement. Matchroom had already published a 2023 Nineball schedule so this is probably to formalize/organize it into a tour. The company is applying its highly successful formula in snooker (the “World Snooker Tour”) and darts to Nineball.
SUPER BILLIARDS EXPO RUNS APRIL 13-16. The SBX is one of the annual pool events which attract lots of attention because of the exhibitors and all the tournaments, for amateurs and pros. It is also held in Philadelphia which attracts attendees from many of the New England pool hotspots like NYC.
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