Joe Rogan Experience #2371 - Fedor Gorst

Joe Rogan podcast. Check it out. >> The Joe Rogan Experience. >> Train by day. Joe Rogan podcast by. night. All day. >> Yeah. This uh a company called M Theory. sent this to me and uh this was when. Efron Reyes snuck into America under the. nickname Caesar Morales. >> Yeah. >> And uh won some big tournament at Reds, wherever that is. >> Probably in uh Chicago. >> I don't know. Put the headphones on, dog. Let's go. I was like,

>> you don't have to. Or we could not have. headphones. Do they feel weird to you? >> That's good. No, no, no. It's good. >> You're okay. I don't care. It doesn't. matter. It's just good if like we show a. video or something like that, >> right? >> Dude, you came that close to being two. year in a row US Open champion. [ __ ]. close. >> Yeah. Two days ago. >> I mean, I feel super tired because my. schedule has been hectic lately. >> Yeah. >> You know, I played the world. championships in Saudi where I also lost. in the finals. >> Did you play the Florida Open, too? Florida Open. I played the tournament in.

between that. So, basically, I played. back to back to back to back four. events. >> Wow. >> It's been over a months already, you. know, staying on the road constantly. playing. >> Dude, this is the real good argument. You're the best player in the world. And. if you're the best player in the world, I think you are. You got my vote. If. you're the best player in the world. today, you're the best player of all. time. >> Oh, well. I mean, it's really tough to. >> A lot of old guys talk a lot of [ __ ]. but I'm just saying. I mean, this guy on. my shirt, he certainly gets the like as. as far as like the greatest of all time,

the most achievements of all time. Efron, the Z shot, like all the crazy. stuff that he could pull off with a Q. ball. >> Did you see the shot that I made. recently? >> Uh, which one? >> The three rail kick. >> I did see that. Yeah. >> I mean, it it is tougher. It is a. tougher kick. It wasn't as as uh it. wasn't as uh you know, the situation. wasn't like it was a hill that he played. against Earl, you know, in the final. So, it's a obviously it's a much much uh. different environment, but uh the kick. that I made was sick. It was pretty.

sick. >> Well, you know what? The Filipinos put. kicking on the map, right? >> Oh, for sure. They're the best. >> Efron when he came over here, they. changed the whole game. Jose Peri was. really good at it, too. >> Carlo is the best kicker. >> Oh, so good. It's It's amazing. >> Yeah, that's the one. That's the one. >> Good thing I have a filmmaker traveling. with me everywhere filming me now. That's a crazy shot. >> Yeah, I was I was I actually lost that. match to uh Dwan Quark. >> almost made shape on the two wall too. >> Yeah, that's what's horrible when you.

make an amazing shot and then lose the. match. >> Yeah, >> that's how it goes. >> Yeah, look, it's a crazy game and the. game that you guys are playing right. now, the reason why I said I think if. you're the best player today, you're the. best player of all time because the. conditions are very different for people. who don't know, who don't play pool. Okay. If you're going to a regular bar. and you're playing on like a bar table, that those pockets might be 5 and 12 in. >> Well, also in US people are playing on. 7T tables versus we play. Sure. They're.

9 foot tables and the pockets are 4 in. And so when you get two Q balls, you try. to put them next to each other and try. to stick you can't even get close to. sticking them in a 4-in pocket. It's. really tight conditions. And I think. there's better players now than I've. ever seen in my life. And I've been. watching pool for 35 years and playing. pool for 35 years. I've never seen. better players than played today. And I. think you're the best today. So in my. book, that makes you the best of all. time. >> Well, like you said, the conditions are.

completely different. The game changed. Even though in the last three years, I. think the game changed drastically. >> Yeah. >> You know, we went uh we changed the. breaking formats. Used to be one ball on. the spot with the magic rack, no. three-point rule. So. >> all the people at home that don't play. pool go, "What the [ __ ] are they talking. about? We're talking about professional. pool, ladies and gentlemen. >> Yeah. Yeah. We have all kinds of little. little rules. >> Yeah. The nineball on the spot made a. big difference, right? >> Yeah. N spot break box. >> Yeah. When you were showing me today how. to break that way. I was like, "Oh,

that's crazy." Like you have to hit it. with draw and you have to aim towards. the back ball. Like, "Wow.". >> Yeah. Well, we we can't really say that. the the others the others, right? >> The others. >> Yeah. It's an insanely competitive uh. game now. And and shout out to. Matchroom, right? Because Match Room. with uh Done, they've done an amazing. job with boxing and a bunch of other. sports, but what they're doing with pool. is crazy. It's there's so many events. and it's all over. You can get it on.

World Nineball Tour. It's W&T.tv, right? >> Yeah. They so I think they move from. dozen to to their subscription type uh. platform. >> Amazing. It's amazing. And then there's. also their match room pool YouTube. channel which has tons of stuff on it. for free. >> It's like. >> they are elevating the game for sure and. they are the reason why pool is where. it's at today you know versus where it. was 5 years ago I think. >> Yeah it's huge. I I have friends who. send me videos now like people just. randomly find videos on Tik Tok or on. Instagram you know.

>> pull is booming on social media and you. know I I do my own social media. I have. a filmmaker that follows me everywhere. We you know try to film as much stuff. It was very funny what you did in New. York City or Atlantic City rather when. you went to that pool and you went under. skies. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That was Metron. Metron's idea. I think uh it was pretty. cheap budget. We could do it a lot. better especially when we go to Asia. I. think you know. >> you can't sneak around any pool. >> If you put me and make me look like a. grandpa or something. >> Okay. You know. >> like you'd have to get in disguise. Yeah.

>> Yeah. >> Well, their disguises are really good. today. Have you ever seen those CIA. disguises that they use? >> Uhuh. So apparently, this is a story. Apparently, um, and this was told to me. by someone who I really trust, Obama was. having a meeting with someone in, um, one of the rooms in the White House, and. he's in the middle of having this. meeting with someone who he's met before. and had conversations with before, and. then they inform him, "Mr. President, we. just want to let you know this is not.

who you think you're talking to and we. just wanted to demonstrate how good the. uh special effects makeup is and masks. are. >> This is not that person. And he was. like, "What?". >> Now, I haven't confirmed this. I I don't. have Obama's number. Well, I'm like, where I can call him up and go, "Bro, is. that real?". >> Yeah. But I believe it's real because. I've seen up close like really in like. when um uh Tony Hcliffe does Kill Tony. Um sometimes uh they have makeup artists. that dress people up and make them.

different people like they they did a. Biden one and uh. >> Kyle Dunigan played Elon Musk and I. didn't even recognize him. I was like. who's this guy? Like this is this this. is weird guy like acting weird and. they're like that's Dunigan playing Elon. Musk. I was like no way. right in front. of him. I thought it was just some. didn't look like Elon Musk. Looked like. a weird guy, but it didn't look like. him. And it looked like a person. It. didn't look like a guy in makeup. It. didn't look like a mask. It looked like. a real person that just was weird. looking. I was like, "This is crazy.".

>> Yeah, that's what we should do. And I. think it's going to be really, really. good if we do that in Asia, like Vietnam. or Philippines. >> You got to work on that voice though, son. You rush all day with that voice. >> I know. I know. I can only be like an. undercovered I don't know. >> Yeah. somebody from. >> and for people that at home go how how. could he be the number one in the world. if he just lost Aloy should be the. number one in the world he should be the. number one of all time. >> it's like long races are really what's. up right. >> well it's uh by the rankings I'm number.

one by the rankings and uh what we have. now with Metum it's two years of prize. money combined throughout all the. tournaments. >> but I think the real matches that you. play where you really get to see who's. the best and this is only for like. hardcore pool nerds. the real ones like the one you did with. Shane was like three days raced to 40. each day. 20 games total. >> Oh yeah. >> That way there's no questions. >> No. >> After three days and 120 games of pool,

you know, possibly 239. games of pool. >> That's how I almost won the first time. we played. >> Really? >> I lost I lost the first time. >> That's right. >> I lost 120 to 116. I was down and up, up. and down. >> And last day I was up by almost 15. games, I remember. And he came back and. beat me. >> Yeah, it was super impressive. But it. was even more impressive you coming back. the next year and steamrolling him. Like. you you won by quite a few games. How. many did you win by? >> Uh by uh 42, I think.

>> 42 games. Is crazy. >> 20 to 78. I think that's that was the. score. And that was for Did Do you. advertise how much that money wasn't. being? >> We were. >> gambled. >> Well, we were advertising that it was. for 50, but it was uh a little bit more. >> So, you had a bunch of other people. chuming in throwing money in. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, myself included. >> So, you don't want to say the the actual. total? >> I don't know. >> Okay. So, Okay. >> Are we allowed to?

>> I don't know. I mean, unless you're. lying to the IRS, which as a new. citizen, I would say don't do that. >> So, yeah. We'll play for 50. We'll play. for 50. >> Oh no, you're going to get in trouble. Um, you you I don't think you were a. citizen last time you were here, right? >> No, I'm not a citizen now. I have a. permanent resard. >> When do what do you have to do to become. a citizen? >> I think uh you have to be a permanent. resident for 5 years and then you can. apply if you uh follow certain rules. like you have to stay in the US for six. out of six months of the year out of the.

calendar year each year. >> Well, you better stay away from Home. Depot cuz those dudes are getting crazy. >> Yeah, >> they're snatching people up. left and. right. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, I think I think I do. everything right. You know, I pay my. taxes. Yeah. I follow I follow all the. rules. >> Well, you got to play. That's weird that. you if you're not a citizen, but still. you get to play for the Moscone Cup. That's kind of crazy. >> Well, Matchroom Matchroom changed the. rules, you know, as soon as I got the. green card. And I wasn't able to play in. any official tournaments back then. >> Right. Because you were Russian. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, the.

>> which is really crazy. >> It was really weird. >> Yeah. When you think about it, even the. first ban that we got as a Russian. athlete, uh happened because of hockey. players, the W A Vada Anti-Doping. Association. They banned all the Russian. athletes. Doesn't matter what sport. you're in. >> What? >> Yeah. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> Oh, so it had nothing to do with the. war. >> The first one happened before the war. was 2018 or 19, I think. >> All Russian athletes competing in. America. >> All Russian athletes competing. everywhere. It was everywhere. We played.

World Cup of Pool, I remember. in uh UK. under no flag. Uh but we were still able. to compete like when after the war we. were not allowed to compete anywhere. >> Wow. Wow. You know what's interesting? It. never stopped the UFC. Like not only do. Russian fighters fight in the UFC, but. they're celebrated. No one cares. >> because they're not under the Olympic. Committee, I think. >> Well, they're definitely not. It's a. professional sport, right? >> Well, and that's what happened with. Metroom, too. You know, it's a private.

company. It's not a federation or. association. They're just a private. company and they basically make their. own rules. >> I was just glad that they didn't make it. political. I'm like, you think [ __ ]. this guy is out there causing trouble? Like he's just a fighter. He's just as a. professional MMA fighter, you know? This. is this is what he does. And let's think. about that. Let's not think about what. these other people are doing that are in. the same country as him. It's not him.

>> Yeah. So the USA didn't they didn't care like. they let a bunch of like for the entire. time of the war Ukrainian guys and. Russian guys are fighting on the same. card sometimes. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Well, I'm glad that just, you know, Metroom Metroom went out of their own. way to make an offer to me and say, you. know, you can represent United States. And at the time we were playing the US. Open in Atlantic City two years ago, or. was it? Yeah, two years ago. And the. crowd is cheering for me. You know, I'm. living in the United States already. Everybody's treating me like I'm one of. their own.

>> And now it's obviously completely. different. You know, if you watch the US. Open from last week, >> everybody's supporting me. Everybody's. cheering for me. Everybody's used to me. living here. >> Cool thing about America is that it's a. nation of immigrants. >> It's like you can come over here and. just say, "I'm American now." And. everybody's like, "All right, >> try that in Poland." They're like, "You're not Polish. Get the [ __ ] out of. here.". >> You know, there's a lot of countries. like that that are like, "No, you're not. one of us." But America is like we don't. have like a nationality.

>> We're all kinds of [ __ ] So anybody can. come over here and if you do it the. right way, we we get super happy. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think I think it's great. and I'm uh I'm really really glad that. people really welcomed you with the way. the way they welcome me. >> Yeah. Well, that's also the way you. play. You know, there's there's a thing. in pool um it gets when people play a. lot and are people really into pool. It's almost like that's the only thing. that matters. The only thing that. matters is how good you play. You know, there was a Do you ever read that book.

uh Mc McGertie? It was a Robert Burns. book on a guy who lived during the. depression who's a billiards hustler. would travel around the country. >> No. >> There was a scene in that where they. were looking at the television and Nixon. was on TV and he goes, "Look at that. guy. President of the United States and. he can't make a ball.". Isn't that funny? Because you and I know. what that means. >> Yeah. >> Like that in the pool world that really. means something. >> Like if you you can't play at all. Like.

>> he's the [ __ ] president. He can't. even play. Like it it's real. It's. weird. So if you come to America, all. that they care about is if you since. it's a melting pot already and then it's. like all they care about is how good you. play and you play pretty [ __ ] good. So. >> so far. >> people just take in. so far. Well, you're playing better now than ever. before. And you're. >> I think I'm on top of my career right. now. >> What are you, 25? >> 25? >> Yeah. Come on, man. You're not even in. your prime.

>> No. Yeah, I think I'm not in my prime. I. think uh you know, I'm getting better. every year. >> I think so. You were you the match that. you had with that Filipino gentleman. before the match in the finals. What is. that guy's name? Michael. >> That was Michael B. Quarterfinals. >> Quarterfinals. Yeah. So, in that match, I was watching some of those outs and I. was like, Jesus, like it doesn't get. better pool than that. Like 4in pockets, tight competition, really good player, a.

lot of pressure, everybody's there. Single elimination at that point. >> Y. >> and you're just getting out, man. >> Yeah, the pressure the pressure is. really high. I'm not going to lie. That. sometimes even uh you can watch it on TV. and you don't see the emotions. >> Oh, I get it. I'm sure your bridge is. shaking sometimes, your back hand is. shaking sometimes, and you just got to. you just got to manage it. You just got. to handle it. >> Well, you have such a process when you. play. Like when I watch you set up for a.

ball, it's always uniform. It's It's. That's what I really enjoy watching when. a guy is like every shot it's like. >> some people find it nice and smooth. Oh, those people are [ __ ]. >> Those people are [ __ ] If they think. your style is boring, >> you play, you know, robotic, >> they'll go, they're all [ __ ] They. can eat [ __ ] Those guys, all all they. are is jealous. That's all that is. Everybody wants to play like that. Everybody wants to play like that. If. they say cuz you play too good, it's not.

fun to watch. Shut up. >> Yeah, >> I know you. That guy, whoever that guy. is, if says that, I don't want to listen. to his opinion on anything. I guarantee. you he likes shows that suck. He could get in his car and listen to. his music. It probably sucks. >> Probably. >> How do you How do you not watch like. watching someone play perfect? That's. crazy. >> Well, I I'll have to agree. >> Doesn't make any sense. But then there. are guys who play wild that it is fun to. watch like Muhammad Sufi. That guy, he. gives me anxiety.

>> Yeah. Very unique. You know, sidearm. >> sidearm barely holding on to the queue. and he just fires balls in. He runs. around the table. He like one strokes. everything and he's just getting out. from everywhere. you're like ah. >> yeah he's very very talented and you we. have a few few few guys like that you. know Oliver Ortman. >> yes I remember him. >> so he used to win you know world. championships multiple world titles uh. he was on Moscone Cup and won probably. >> Tony Drago. >> yeah Tony Drago same. >> that guy was crazy he just run around.

the table fireballs in couldn't miss. >> yeah those those guys are fun to watch. but what are we here for right you're. you're here to win you're here to run. out you're here to get perfect position. position. You're here to dominate this. very difficult table. >> Yeah, everybody's different. Everybody. has their own style. >> But under extreme pressure, it's better. to have your style like or coping chung. style or coping E style like methodical. backstroke. It's always looks the same.

Smooth delivery. And you know, I play. halfass pool, but I understand what's. going on. It's such a mind [ __ ]. >> Oh yeah. >> Every game is such a mind [ __ ] Every. time you're about to pull the trigger, you're like, "Now, no." One more stroke. Now, no. One more backstroke now. No, not yet. Not. Okay, we're ready. I hope. we're ready. Go. >> Well, you don't really have that because. we play when we play, we have shot. clock. Yeah. >> Yeah. Shot clock is brutal. >> Shot clock. Shot clock is a game changer.

for sure. >> It's hell. >> because you got to, you know, make the. decision basically right right out of. the gate. Right out of the chair. When. you're in chair, you already know what. you're going to do because you only have. 30 seconds and one extension per wreck, >> which gives you an extra 30 seconds. >> And uh sometimes the pressure is really. high when you get completely brain dead. >> You don't want to be in that position. >> I think the derby's a little bit better. They give you a little 10 more seconds. I think. >> a derby the rule is where you're as long. as you stay down on the shot, the shot.

clock doesn't doesn't. >> That's good, too. >> Yeah. >> The other thing that's brutal is the. beeps. >> Oh, yeah. when it gets down to 5 seconds before. you got to pull the And you pulled the. trigger on a nineball with one second to. go. >> Oh yeah, >> I was watching. I was like, "Oh my god, I would I would be having a heart attack. right now.". >> I almost had. almost Cup is definitely when it comes. to pressure, it's the highest pressure. you can ever. >> Well, everyone's screaming and cheering. >> Everyone is screaming. >> For people that haven't seen it before,

most pool tournaments are very, very. respectful. People will clap after you. make an out or sometimes in the middle. of a game, like if you make a really. good shot, they'll clap. If you get. great position, they'll clap. But as. soon as you drop down to shoot the next. ball, everybody gets quiet. >> Oh, yeah. >> Mosone Cup, those rules are those rules. are off the table. >> Off the table. Sometimes they shark you, you know. Yeah, >> they would be super loud and you have a. super tough nineball and that everybody. would like for example you play in UK. >> and uh 95% of the crowd is European so.

everybody's cheering for Europe. >> Yeah. >> So let's say I'm on the tough nineball. and everybody's loud and then everybody. will go like. >> and everybody would go quiet just in a. second and uh it's really really tough. to pull the trigger in that situation. >> Yeah. So, it's it's a tough environment. to play in, but uh that's what makes. this tournament special. >> Well, it's fun to watch, though. I'm so. glad that all tournaments aren't like. that, though, where you encourage people. to be [ __ ]. >> Oh, yeah. >> It's kind of weird, though, that they've.

agreed to only be an [ __ ] for one. tournament. >> Uh. >> cuz people yell out in the middle of. like you stroking a ball. >> You see the crowd getting more engaged. than more now. Like, you watch the US. Open finals, it was loud. When I played. Michael Bound on in quarterfinals, it. was kind of like that because half of. the crowd was Filipino. Well, not half, but there was a lot of a lot of guys. that were loud. >> This episode is brought to you by the. farmer's dog. I think we can all agree. that eating highly processed food for. every meal isn't optimal. So, why is.

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that because one thing that happened is. there's a rule where you're not allowed. to soft break. But soft breaking is. basically very subjective. Like a. referee can decide to call someone on it. or not call someone on it. And you. thought this guy was softreing. Yeah. >> So you said something and the Filipinos. went crazy. >> Yeah. Everybody went crazy. I had to. delete my Facebook for a couple days. because it was just bothering me. I get. I was getting notifications every. second, you know, crazy Filipino goes, "Yeah, you were sharking our player. You. did that." But yeah, I thought the guy.

was soft breaking and the rules state. that you got to make your best effort to. make a forceful break. So that's really. subjective and it's up to the referee to. make that call. >> I have a solution to that. >> Yeah. >> And it makes it more interesting too. Radar. >> Radar. Yes. Speed gun. >> Yeah. It's a easy solution. >> I agree. >> Easy solution. And it makes it. interesting. It's a new element that you. think about. >> Then you also have for example juniors. or girls. Do you make the roles the same. for them or.

>> No, it's a girl. Well, you don't They're. not playing guys, right? Well, >> girls are playing girls. W. >> Well, yeah, but on WG Tour, we It's an. open tournament, for example. >> Oh, right, right, right. I see what. you're saying. Juniors can join. >> I see. But I I thought you were talking. about young kids. Um, no, for young. kids, you'd have to have an exception. >> Exactly. >> And for girls, you'd have to have an. exception. But you would just change it. just like you know. So whatever the. speed is like what is. >> what's a good what's a good brake speed. like what do you think you break at like.

Bamante in his prime what was he like 30. miles an hour? >> Well back in the day it was different. back in the day everybody was breaking. over 20 23 24 25. >> but Boo Damonte had the craziest break. of all time when he would let the queue. go out of his fingers and then throw his. whole body into it. His timing was. crazy. You ever watched the Russian. player? His name was uh Eugenie Stalif. >> No. >> Oh, you you got to you got to watch that. stroke. It was he was even crazier. >> Really? >> Oh, yeah. It's like Roberto Gomez. >> Oh, he has crazy. >> Same thing. He's ups way up.

>> Way up. >> Yeah. That's so hard to be accurate and. do that. >> Oh yeah. I don't know how they do it. >> You have to have the most insane smooth. delivery. And again, what a mind [ __ ]. because you're about to, >> you know, you're trying to hit this one. ball square on the face and you're. throwing all of your might into it. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's how uh Shane Shane's. breaking the same way. You know, his. body moves first and then and then he. delivers. >> I'd like to know how fast he breaks when.

he breaks like 10 ball because when he. 10 ball breaks, it's pretty crazy. >> He breaks pretty hard. You know, I I. like to break with softer speed and with. more control, but he he just whacks him. So what do you think would be like a. reasonable mile per hour that you would. impose where you'd say anything slower. than that is soft braking? Is it like 15. miles an hour or two? >> I think it has to be higher. Maybe 18. And that will also push the players to. practice. For example, you wouldn't want. to break borderline 18 because it may be. under. So players will try to break.

harder. 19 closer to 19 maybe harder. than 19. Well, they used to do that. three-point rule where they would that. was very annoying where you. >> think it was very annoying. >> Yes, it was very annoying because. sometimes guys would break hard but the. referee didn't rack them that good, right? And they made a ball and then the. the opponent gets to shoot. I'm like. that's crazy. >> That's Yeah, I mean in that case, yes, I. agree. But that's a another simple. solution that's better than what we have. now. I think.

>> I think the radar is the way to go. >> Yeah, the radar is definitely the way to. go. >> Yeah. I mean, and also it's kind of. cool, you know, when you get to. >> Yeah. an extra stats you have, you know, >> and some guys bl like Shane even in. nineball when he does the cut break, he. breaks really hard. >> Kachi Kachi is the one that breaks the. hardest. >> He's a big [ __ ] dude. >> Oh, yeah. He breaks the hardest. I don't. know how he keeps the CQ ball on the. table to be honest with that speed. >> And it doesn't even look like he's. trying that hard, you know, cuz he's. such a big dude. He's just. >> Last turn he was breaking open bridge, which is even crazier. >> Yeah, people. That's one thing about.

pool though. If you want to get. spectators, you want hard breaks. >> Yeah. >> You know, like people love it from like. the color of money. When Tom Cruz breaks. and Paul Newman goes, "Who's that kid. with the sledgehammer break?". >> It's a dumb American thing. But if you. want to get like American people to tune. in, you got to break hard. >> Yeah. >> Like this is why Earl Strickland still. gets mad, >> you know? >> He gets mad at everything. >> I heard Mike Seagull talk about it, too. He's like, "Why don't they just hit it. straight on the one ball and hit it as. hard as you can?". >> Because it's no fun. He gets zero.

control that way. It's no skill really. >> I just think he's doesn't he's hasn't. had someone lay it out to him like like. the way you just did with me where you. explain it to me. This is the first time. that I had anybody explain to me that. particular break. I'm like, "Oh." And. you did it dead on. And you knew that. the cloth was a little worn because it's. a year old cloth. So you're like, "Okay, because of that, I'm gonna have to hit. it here and it'll go on the side." And. you smashed it and it went right in the. side. I was like, "Oh shit." Yeah, like. it's not it's it's very it's not.

risking. You're not like gambling. The. only thing you're gambling with is that. the ball's going across the table, but. it seems like you guys kind of have that. mostly worked out, too. >> Well, that's the thing. Everybody on the. tour is figuring out the break really. fast. Doesn't really matter what you. change in the format, the players will. figure it out. The fun thing to me uh. about your life is uh that you're. traveling all over the world playing and. then occasionally you have these. marathon gambling sessions that they. stream online and uh I've got a good.

buddy of mine Tommy uh from Connecticut. Shout out to my boy Tommy. And you know. he and I we'll like be [ __ ] texting. to each other you know like for three. days in a row while these matches are. going on. And uh I get so juiced up for. him. I get so excited about him. But. it's like that's the part of the game. that has always been the most romantic, the gambling part of the game. And I'm. glad that people aren't shying away from. that because there was a long for a long. time gambling was thought to be negative.

for professional pool. That's not the. case anymore. >> Well, it could be. It could be. >> It could be. Sure. Because you're. bringing in shady people. >> for sure. >> Well, you if you're gambling $100,000, where'd you get it? >> Where'd you get it? you know, Bob the. drug dealer came over and, you know, he. wants in, he's staking me and I if I. win, I get 40%. >> But in our case, it's different. Like. our matches that we make uh you know, there's only a couple of them that we. did. We played twice with Shane and uh.

there's also a few one pocket matches we. did, but the biggest ones were with. Shane. And uh it's only a small group of. people. It's basically just uh you know, few guys, my managers, me and same same. thing from Shane's side. So everybody. knows each other. >> Yeah, for sure. in your case, but in the. case of like highlevel gambling in pool. >> Oh, yeah. >> There's a lot of There's a lot of shady. characters. A lot of shady characters. >> A lot. >> How often do you gamble just in regular. life playing pool? Do you Because does. anybody ask for like giant spots or.

anything like that? >> Well, everybody's asking for ridiculous. games all the time, but uh I think my. gambling game my gambling days are over. and uh now I'm a tournament player. Really? >> Well, you got too good. >> Yeah. Like I played you when you were. here like two years ago and uh I. definitely play better now that I played. two years ago, but you play way better. You play even better than you would were. playing then, which is crazy. But you. were banking out and making shots. I was. like, this is so humiliating. It's so.

humbling. >> Yeah. Yeah. I do play a lot better than. I did uh two years ago, you know, >> which is hard to believe because you're. the best player in the world and you're. getting better. That's that's one of the. coolest things to me about any game or. any sport, anything is that and. especially today because there's so much. data that's available. Like say if. you're a young player and you're. learning how to play, you can watch pool. on your iPad till 3:00 in the morning. You watch matches and you learn you. learn how to play things. You learn like.

what why did he do it that way? Like oh. and then you rewind it. you go, "Oh, that none of that was available to like. Mike Seagull back in the day or Nick. Varnner, those guys.". >> Yeah. There's tons of videos on YouTube. >> There's so much so much so much. information. >> Yeah. And you can also I mean, you can. also watch it on TV. I think Metroom. Metroom has shown all those tournaments, all of the majors on TV everywhere. except US I think. >> Yeah. Yeah. And so it's just like. everything else with the new generation,

the the level just gets higher and. higher with everything unless there's. physical limitations. And with pool, it. doesn't seem like it's not like, you. know, running a 4-minute mile or, you. know, running the fastest 100 meter. >> We're all crooked. All of our backs are. crooked. >> Oh, yeah. For sure. >> You know, we're always bent over. It's. always one-sided sport. Every one-sided. sport is kind of like that. I think. >> archery is like that. >> Archery, golf, shooting. Yeah. Yeah. Your your back must be [ __ ] up. I know. you f your neck was [ __ ] up. We. brought you to ways to Well last time.

you were here. >> Yeah. Yeah. It did help. It did help for. like six to eight months, I think. And. then. >> and now it's [ __ ] with you again. >> No, now I actually found the the way, you know, I have my pre pre-match. routine. I stretch every single day. I. do work a lot with like rubber bands, resistant bands. >> What do you do with them? >> Uh basically, you know, I work on my. upper back. Oh, so like certain workouts. workouts that will take some pressure. off my neck because my neck is where I. really feel it like my upper back, shoulder blades. >> Probably have a heavy head. That's what.

it is. >> Yeah, maybe. But I did all the MRIs and. I uh did have like a bulging disc, C4, C5. >> Yeah. >> Uh that started to progress and was uh. getting worse. I went to Russia for. that. Uh, I think I was reaching out to. you at the time. >> Mhm. >> And, uh, I found a guy that helped me a. lot with, uh, like routines that we. built. And since then, knock on wood, everything was good. >> Oh, nice. Did you ever get one of those. uh, things that I was talking to you. about? Those decompression things where. you put your head in a harness and you.

like pull on the door, you set it on. your door and you can like hang by it a. little bit. Those are nice. >> Yeah. And I also, how do you call that? Uh, >> inversion table. >> Yeah, inversion table. I bought that as. Those are great, too. Yeah, >> everybody should be doing that. Everybody should be decompressing. because it get to you get to a certain. age and everybody's back is just like. you're carrying all this weight your. whole life and your back just gets. smooshed and your posture starts to suck. and then you start to get these weird. pains and decompression. And if you.

could do it and just be real vigilant. with it, you can stop a lot of problems. dead in their tracks. >> For sure. And I felt it. you know, I. haven't really paid attention to like. stretching as much as I did before this. year. And I can, you know, I can play a. lot longer even though I'm not younger. You know, I was practicing. >> You're a little baby. Shut up. >> I was I was, for example, 16, 18, I was. practicing a lot more, a lot more than I. did now. >> Yeah. >> And uh I never really had any issues. Then 20, 22, I'm practicing the same,

but I always leave the full hole with. some type of pain. and then I don't want. to go practice the next day because of. that. >> Right. Do you um The problem is it's. hard to get access to a cold plunge when. you're on the road. >> Yeah, it's really difficult. I do have. the cold plunge at home. Yeah. Sauna and. all the good stuff. >> Cold plunge is the thing, man. It just. alleviates so much inflammation. Especially if you can do it first thing. in the morning. If you can force. yourself to do it first thing in the.

morning, it is the way to go, man. It. sucks every day. But if you just do it, you get out of there. You just like. you just feel loose and free. >> Yeah. >> As and as long as you don't do it within. like two hours of you playing, you have. to wait like probably two hours for your. body to like fully warm back up again. because if you are cold, it will kind of. mess with your. >> right with the muscle too tight. >> Yeah. I was telling you the worst thing. ever for pool is lifting weights. There's nothing worse. >> I found it myself for sure.

>> It's terrible. >> For sure. You know, you know Willie. Hoppy, the old school billiard player. You never heard of him? >> Willie Hoppy? No. >> Never heard of him. You know what a a. hopp is? >> Hoppy Q? No. >> No. Okay. A Hoppy butt is like a type of. butt that doesn't have a rubber bumper. on the bottom of it. It's just flat. >> And for whatever reason, Willie Hoppy. used to prefer that kind. I think it's. named after him for some reason. Anyway, he was a famous billiards player like. the turn of the century and uh the turn.

of the other one like the early 1900s. and he wouldn't even drive a car. He. refused to do anything with his arms. He. wouldn't drive a car because it would. mess up his pool game. >> Mhm. Yeah. I mean, some some players are. super superstitious about the stuff, you. know. >> Cars back then though didn't have power. steering, so you have to think it's. probably really difficult to steer them. See if you can find a photo of Willie. Hoppy. He had the weirdest sidearm, too. Yeah. He totally side armed. >> Keith Keith McCrady. >> Exactly. It's like these guys start.

playing when they're five years old and. they can't really reach the table. correctly. >> That's That's exactly the reason why uh. for example, when I started, I I played. Russian Pyramid in the beginning and I. was always side armed because uh you. know, I wasn't tall enough. They sent me. to the pool table. >> Yeah. Look at him. >> Ain't that crazy? Sidearm. Like that's. nuts. >> Just like Mohamad Sufi. >> Yeah, that's him when he was an old man. Yeah. Just like Sufi. Weird, right? >> Yeah. It's crazy that. >> like if you ever saw someone play like. that, you'd be like, "Look at this. lemon.".

>> Yeah. You would want to play that guy if. you watch him over the ball. >> But meanwhile, if as long as you figured. out how to do it consistently, >> that's the thing in pool, you know, there's so many different variations of. the stance stroke. >> that you can overcome everything if you. practice just, you know, hundreds of. hours. Mhm. >> So, it wouldn't really matter. You know, you can play by the book, but in the. end, all that matters is how much time. do you spend at the table? >> The rivalries, the marching bands, the.

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or text hope and y467-369. In Connecticut, help is available for a. problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777. or visit ccpg.org. Please play. responsibly. On behalf of Bootill Casino. and Resort in Kansas, 21 and over, age. and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bonus bets expire 7. days after issuance. For additional. terms and responsible gaming resources, see dkg.co/audio. >> Like Shane. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Like when Shane, he's arguably the. greatest of all time. One of it's in the.

conversation for the greatest of all. time. Five-time US Open player. Hits the. ball in a way that everybody tells you. don't ever do it that way. >> Yeah, exactly. He stops at the CQ ball. instead of following through like and. letting the Q ball like slide through. He stops at the Q ball. >> He's very unique. Same as Filipinos, you. know, Filipino players, they have the. unique style of play. They're super. fluent. They're like dancing around the. table, >> but nobody plays like that. Nobody else. plays like that. >> Yeah, it's it's interesting. It's again, as long as it's repeatable. >> Yeah.

>> It's like there's a lot of things like. that. If you you're if it's repeatable, if you can do it over and over and over. again, it does. There are no rules. >> No, I mean they are written in the book. >> But how could you say that like Shane. Van Boding is doing it wrong? Like. doesn't make any sense. >> Exactly. It doesn't. >> I mean, he's probably won more. tournaments than anybody ever, right? Who Who's won the most tournaments of. all time? >> I mean, that's a good question. We were. just talking about it this morning. I. think uh Shane is definitely one of. >> might be Shane. >> It might be Shane. Shane might be the. greatest of all time right now. Yeah. I.

mean, uh, that's what Jeremy Jones says. is the greatest of all time. >> Y, >> that's his pick. >> It's, uh, what's crazy with him, too, is. the the deaf aspect that he shuts his. hearing aids off when he plays. That. must be amazing. >> That should be illegal, by the way. >> I mean, it should be. >> really. I mean, that's Listen, man. Life. gives you lemons. You make lemonade. I. know. >> the dude was born deaf. That's [ __ ]. up. >> It is. It is. But it's uh.

>> that's the advantage he gets. He could. shut them [ __ ] off. >> I mean, yeah, I guess. >> Come on, man. You can't check to see if. he has it on. Like, Shane, Shane, >> I mean, do you think we're not checking? We are checking. >> Are you checking? >> Of course. Do you say [ __ ] has. it off all the time? >> How do you know when he has it off? >> Well, because just before his match, he. goes to his phone and puts it all the. way down. >> Oh, so his phone, it's Bluetooth. So, his hearing aid is Bluetooth. >> Oh, yeah. He can control it by his. phone. Oh, that seems dirty. Cuz you're not.

allowed to wear like noise cancelling. earbuds. >> No, you're not. Earl Earl always wants. that, but uh. >> Yeah, >> they're not allowing him. >> Yeah. I remember when Earl used to wear. like gunsight glasses. >> He used to wear glasses like the kind. you wear at the range. Yeah. >> And then he he was wearing headphones. for a while, so they told him not to. Like a pilot. Yeah. Like complete. noiseancelling headphones. Ones that. look like they weigh 5 lbs. >> Yeah. And then he had he's got weights that he.

wears around his waist sometimes. He. puts. >> he's definitely a character. >> He puts weights on his elbow. He puts. tape around his fingertips. And then he makes his queue as fat as my. forearm with like whatever kind of tape. he's using on it. >> Yeah. He runs five miles every day. Does. hundreds of squats. Oh yeah. He's fit. >> Wow. Well, I mean, he's not he doesn't. look very fit, but he works out every. day or does something. >> He is he the oldest guy that's still.

super competitive. Like, how old is. Ralph Suk? Ralph Suk is still pretty. competitive. >> No, Earl is older than. >> Is he? >> Yeah. >> Right. So, I think Ralph Suk is actually. like my age. >> Yeah. >> And Earl is like in his 60s, so he's. probably the oldest guy that's like. playing competitively and winning. >> Yeah, for sure. >> Yeah. It's a [ __ ] game for young. people, son. You got to have them young. eyes to cut that ball in. >> For sure. The eyes is everything. >> Yeah. >> Um, how many guys do you know that got.

LASIC surgery? A few. A few. A lot of players wear. contacts when they play. Uh, but Lasic, Lasic has been the game changer for them. for sure. >> Now, are these young players that are. coming up, are these guys embracing like. a healthier lifestyle? Because one of. the things about pool is like it's. always been connected, at least when I. was young, it was always connected to, especially the gambling, connected to a. lot of partying, a lot of uh. amphetamines. >> Mhm.

>> Cocaine, and then, you know, just. >> Well, it's just changing. It used to be. just a game played at the bar. Now it's. a sport, you know. Uh I think uh now in. the US. uh everybody's taking the European. approach. >> more methodical more disciplined and. they treat it as a sport. >> right. >> especially the younger generation you. know they see who is more successful on. the tour. >> and if you look at top 10 right now. every one of us we try our best at.

everything you know when it comes to. food uh pre-match routines how we. practice how we treat uh pool as a. sport. So, uh, I think yes, definitely. it's changing and that's that's why the. pool is in a different place where it. was. >> Well, it's it's only because of the. promotions and they they deserve. everything. Uh, and then of course the. players, but without the promotions like. putting these events on and making them. a big deal, >> they wouldn't get all over YouTube. It. wouldn't get all over these social media. sites. But what pool really needs is.

something like you like they had the. hustler in the 1960s made pool explode. and then they had the color of money in. the 1980s made pool explode. They need. something like that like some. >> two days ago trailer on Netflix. You. haven't seen it? >> No. >> Netflix made a documentary about uh. Eddie and Barry Hearn. Uh I think it's. about their family and their their. business. And I think two or three. episodes are about pool. >> Oh well that's good. That'll help. >> Yeah, that's really good.

>> That'll help. >> Most of it is about box. I think boxing, darts, and how they started the company. But pool is big part of. >> Oh, they do darts, too. >> Darts, snooker, uh fishing, I think. And uh. >> fishing. >> Yeah. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> Like fishing tournaments? Like that kind. of [ __ ]. >> Fisher Mania. I think that's what it's. called. >> Fisher Mania. It's like bass tournaments. or something like that. What are they. catching? >> I have no idea how it works. >> I know Shane's a big fisherman, right? >> Oh, yeah. >> He goes lake trout fishing. Ice fishing. is his thing. >> Yeah, that's that's that South Dakota.

mentality. >> It's the most boring thing I think you. can do. >> It's not that bad. >> Ice all day long. >> It's actually kind of fun. >> Freeze your ass off. >> I did it a couple years ago. I caught a. trout. I was pretty jazzed up. >> Yeah. If you catch If you catch. something then Yeah, for sure. >> It's pretty cool. You know, like you're. standing on ice, so you're kind of. freaked out that you're standing on ice. and then you use a drill to drill. through the ice and then you know. exactly how much is separating you from. drowning. Mhm. >> So, you only need a few inches, but when. I was doing it was about seven, eight.

inches of ice. >> So, what do you do? Like a put you put a. tent a tent around you. >> Yeah. Most of the times that's what guys. do. They put some kind of a tent around. them and then they get a like an a drill. and they. >> they go right into the ground, >> right through the ice rather, and then. you uh have like a little net where you. scoop out new ice that forms and you. just drop your line right down there in. the hole. That sounds real fun. >> It's exciting. It's exciting when you. catch one. >> Yeah, I did. I did fish a couple times.

in my life, but uh nothing nothing. really exciting. >> The problem when you can play really. good pool is really good pool is about. as fun as anything. Like really good, which is I've always said that pool is. like an art form that only the people. that practice it can appreciate. When. you watch someone who plays really good, you're like, "Wow, that's beautiful.". Like that's beautiful. But to an average. person like, "Oh, he just made a bunch. of easy shots.". >> Exactly. Exactly. You can't really see, you know, the beauty of fundamentals.

>> Yeah. >> Possessional play, you know, >> at least with if you're explaining. jiu-jitsu to someone, at least people. kind of get it. Oh, he's going to break. his arm. Like, oh, he's he's he's. choking him. Oh, he's got his neck. But. when you. >> when you watch someone play pool and you. don't understand how difficult that. three rail position was to get perfect. on the four ball, you like watch, oh my. god, that was amazing. >> Or when they say, you know, he's in. jail, he's hooked, get just doesn't have. a shot, you know, just people, regular.

people that probably don't understand. >> They don't get it. They don't get it. And they never will. It's just like. you're going to have to play it to. understand how hard it is what that. person did. >> Yeah. >> The casual person doesn't understand, unfortunately. So what we need is more. people playing. If more people played, then more people would watch people. playing. >> I think more people start playing. >> I think so. >> I think I think I think the game grew up. quite a bunch the last couple years. >> Well, uh I know that the Top Golf people. are going to do something like that for. pool. That might be the thing. You know.

those Top Golf guys? Do you know what. Top Golf is? Yeah. So, Top Golf, you. know, where they have this thing where. you just whack the balls out into the. >> Well, they're gonna set something like. that up for pool where they have uh, you. know, some sort of a business where you. go in and play pool and it's more. attractive to young people. I don't know. exactly what their model is because it's. still going to be pool. >> I don't think you're it's going to be a. bunch of people just breaking the balls, you know, like a like because that's.

what they're doing when they're doing. Top Golf. They're just driving the ball, right? Um, I don't know exactly what. their idea is, but the same guys who. they realize like a lot of people play. pool, a lot of people play pool in bars. and if we had a really attractive place. for people to play and they're it's. probably correct. It's probably an. untapped business because people are. always looking for something fun to do. on date nights, you know. >> Yeah. So, what they do in China for. example or somewhere I've seen it in. Asia, they put like a projector above. the table and it gives you like all. kinds of different games and.

interactions while you're playing. >> What does it say? The venue, which is. being backed by investors, including. US-based venture capital firm Sharp. Alpha Advisors and the Daily Mail. Investment Arm DMG Ventures, uses pool. tables, balls, and cues from the. traditional game, but adds tracking. technology and video projections to add. bonus targets and obstacles in an. attempt to appeal to larger groups. Bonus targets and obstacles, huh? Alongside its own venues and those. operated by franchise partners, Pool. It's called Pool House. Pool House plans.

to sell its equipment to pubs, bars, and. other venues that want to update their. existing pool tables. H. >> hopefully they can create a speed gun, too. >> Yeah. So, it says Steve, I don't know. how to say his name. Jalif Jalifi. Jalifi said, uh, more people play at Top. Golf than our traditional golf courses. in the US, and we aim to make an even. greater impact on the world world of. pool. We have a strong track record. This project has been our most. challenging endeavor yet. Hm.

That's exciting. Maybe that'll do it. >> Sure. I never even heard of it. >> Well, if you get a bunch of guys that. are already really successful at doing. that with The thing about golf though is. like whacking a golf ball is really fun. >> Yeah. >> You know, it's And then if you have like. a big open pit where you can just whack. a golf ball, you got like a 100 yards. You can see how far people can whack a. golf ball and then you got a net at the. end of it. >> Yeah. Especially if you get it straight, that's the most exciting thing. >> A lot of people are going to do that. pool is like you don't know how to make. a bridge. You're holding your hand funny.

and it's like moving weird your arm and. >> I wonder how many people are going to. get frustrated. I wonder if it's the. same. >> actually. It probably Yeah, because I. suck at driving a golf ball, you know? I. don't I'm not good at I've done it. I've. played Top Golf a couple of times. I've. gone to a driving range once. It was. fun, but I'm not good at it. Yeah. Same. >> But like [ __ ] Jamie over here, that. dude's out in the garage every day. whacking balls. Every time I come here, he's out there whacking balls.

>> Yeah. >> And so you realize like there really is. like uh. there's a lot of technique just to the. drive. There's it's very similar. probably to a break shot in that regard. >> Yeah, for sure. Same. Absolutely the. same. >> I wonder if they can make something like. that. really marketable for pool. That might. be it. >> It has to be some some type of. interaction because I think I think it. would be kind of boring. >> Yeah. >> To just, you know, whack balls, pull.

balls. >> The other thing that might make pool. really big is big money. Like if the. Saudis get involved and they get crazy. and they start saying, "Okay, this this. tournament's for $3 million.". >> Well, we have we have now the World. Championships is the biggest tournament. we have on tours in Saudi, >> right? What's the what's the first. place? >> 250,000. pretty good. 25 million would. be better. >> Yeah, for sure. >> Imagine. Imagine that. >> For sure. So, those guys have so much. money. They could spend 25 million bucks. and it' be like nothing. >> They probably spent more than that on.

production. >> I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. if they spent more on production. >> They throw so much money around in. boxing. It's kind of bananas. >> Boxing for sure. For sure. And that's. where Matum is really. >> helping uh because they have those deals. for multisports. They make a deal for. boxing and that involves snooker and. pool, >> right? >> So they have the snooker tournament in. Saudi. They have the boxing event going. on as well. >> Yeah. You got to get that oil money. involved, son. Those those dudes throw. some money around cuz it's like when. people talk about the richest people in.

the world, they're like really because. their money isn't public. Like they. don't have to disclose how much money. they make. They're kings. Okay. Like. they probably laugh like, "Oh, silly. Elon thinks he's number one, you know, >> with his poultry $400 billion, you know, he's basically a popper.". >> Yeah. >> To those people. So, like they've. they've thrown an insane amount of money. into boxing. I think um it it hasn't.

been confirmed so I need to know whether. this is true or not but I think Usyk. made a hundred more than a hundred. million dollars in his last defense. against uh Daniel Dubois and I think. Dubois made in the 70s he made somewhere. around 70 I think they said Usyk made. like 130 something which is crazy $130. million for a fight. >> That's crazy. >> Bananas. >> What do you think if P goes that route? Just one-on-one matches. That would be exciting if it's for big.

big big big big money like that. I mean, if you ever saw a pool m you you imagine. shooting a nineball hill for 100. million. >> No, I can't. >> Could you imagine? >> I was shooting the N for 250,000. >> Yeah, that's right. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Glad I was straight in. >> Yeah, that was crazy. What was that. like? >> I mean, it was a crazy match against. Kachi. We played World Championships. finals. >> He was on the hill first. It was Yeah, it was Hillh Hill. >> Hill. He scratches. I get ball in hand.

>> Shaking like a leaf. >> Were you? >> Oh, yeah. It was incredible. I mean, that's the biggest tournament we ever. had, >> right? >> Biggest tournament I've ever had in my. career. You know, we only have so many. tournaments that pay those kind of. money. And it's really difficult not to. think about it when you're playing. >> Yeah. >> And uh yeah, that's definitely the. highlight of my career, you know, making. that tough eightball. I mean, it wasn't. tough, but the positional positional. play was tough because I had to go up. and down with the key ball and I landed.

right where I wanted to be. So, I was. straight in the nball. No pressure at. all. >> That's a good one for people to watch it. like, "What is this all about? Watch. that one. Watch that one and know that. they're playing for $250,000.". >> Yeah. And second place paid 100. So, it. was a 150,000 difference. >> That's a lot. >> It is a lot for one rack. A full. >> and for one nine ball. >> Yeah. That's the beautiful thing about. nineball. You could run everything and. then chunk that nine. >> Yeah. Game over.

>> It's uh it's such a mental game. >> It's a game of millimeters really. You. know, single roll this way, that way, and you're hooked. >> Yeah. >> Or you're on the right side of the ball, wrong side of the ball. >> I was listening to John Schmidt do. commentary once and he was saying how. crazy it is if you really think about. it. Every other sport that involves a. ball, it's like something is hitting the. ball. It's like you have a bat hitting. the ball or it's like no other sport has. a ball hitting a ball and then trying to.

be like really accurate over distance. >> and then making that ball move around. and get perfect for the next ball. >> Like even golf, you're hitting a ball. It's very difficult, but you're hitting. a ball. You're not hitting a ball with a. ball. Well, that's it's a whole another. element. >> So, you think pull is the most difficult. sport. in that regard? >> It might be snooker. Excuse me. Snooker. >> Snooker is boring. >> Oh, I don't think it's boring. I think. when you get a guy who's really good who.

plays, you know, >> I think it's really difficult when it. comes to like how difficult is it to. execute the shot because the the balls. are smaller. >> Mhm. The cues are thinner. The ball uh. the pockets are tinier. You know, the. table is bigger, too. >> If you watch Ronnie Sullivan play, you. can't think that that's boring. >> Of course. I mean, if of course you have. players. >> like Rooney, I mean, you can never you. can never say that it's boring. >> Yeah. >> But I think the game itself, it's just. too much safeties, nothing shots here.

and there. >> Yeah. But it's because it's so hard and. because it's so big. It's a 12 foot. [ __ ] table, which is crazy. >> Yeah. >> And the pockets are tiny and the balls. are tiny, it's a really hard game. But. when you got watch a guy like Ronnie and. he doesn't miss. >> for like 30, 40 shots in a row, you're. like, this is crazy. >> What's really crazy about snooker is. there's only, you know, four or five. countries that really play that game. But it's a lot bigger than pull. >> really. >> Pull is pull is a lot more. international. If you look at the majors.

that Metum have, look at the last 64, the last 32, you will have, you know, 20. different countries represented. >> So that's interesting that Snooker is. bigger. Like how much do they make with. like a I know they were making like. gigantic money in in the UK. Is that. still happening or is it died down a. little? >> Well, that most of the majority of the. tournaments are in the UK, I think. Uh. there's a lot of them happening now in. China as well. Uh, but I think really. Scotland, Ireland, Wales, UK, China,

that's about it. And few European. players. and they make, I would say, you know, the top top guys, they make over two, three million a year. >> Do you remember the scandal? There was a. scandal with one of the players a few. years back where they got him on hidden. camera saying that he'd be willing to. dump a match. >> Oh, yeah. There was a lot of Chinese. guys that got banned for it, too. >> Oh, really? for uh dumping a match. >> That's the problem with gambling. >> Yeah. >> Right. When gambling gets involved and.

you realize like if you get your friends. to bet on the other guy, >> that's the problem with uh I guess. getting the bookies to be involved in. tournaments as well because when the. prize money are not big, you will have. players. >> Yeah. >> thinking, you know, >> winning the tournament is nice, but I. don't have to win that. I can just lose. my round one, go through the Lither side. and take a free shot in those thousand. real fast. >> Yeah, that's unfortunate. But is that part of.

the thing of not having the kind of. money that golf has? Because I doubt. that people that play golf are dumping. on purpose. >> because there's so much money on the. line. >> Yeah, I they don't have to. >> Yeah, they don't have to. But when you. the difference between like winning and. losing is so huge and then you can. gamble on it and then you have friends. and you tell your friends like, "Listen, bet on him.". >> Yeah. >> And I'm going to make sure I lose. >> It's like too easy to make money that.

way. >> Yeah. But also, I'm pretty sure they're. always investigating. Every every big. bet is investigated. I'm pretty sure. >> I'm sure. But you don't have to do big. bets. >> No, you don't have to. Could be multiple. >> and you can have. >> could be some offshore accounts. >> Yeah, it could be you doing online you. use a VPN. I'm I'm gambling from. Vietnam, you know. >> Yeah. Yeah, you can find ways. I'm sure. But yeah, I mean it's uh it's the. problem. >> Yeah. Shady businesses, man. >> Yeah.

>> But that's also kind of the fun part of. pool, too, is that these places are kind. of shady. like they're they're like the. the outcasts of society. You know, if. you go and you watch like the finals of. the Florida Open, you look in the crowd, there's a lot of outcasts in there. A. lot of Android phones. Yeah. There's a lot of outcasts. There's. a lot of people that have spent a a. giant chunk of their life in pool rooms. And the thing about pool is if you. really get into it, you're playing it.

eight hours a day. >> Yeah. You have to. Yeah. >> If you want to get good at it, you have. to. >> It's the only way. Yeah. And it makes a. giant difference. >> And a lot of people fall in love with. the game really fast. And if you do, then you don't want to quit it. >> Yeah. >> And you just you just hit balls for. hours and hours and hours. >> I was playing my friend Jake the other. day and I said, "To get really good at. pool, you kind of have to be a piece of. [ __ ]. >> because this is why this is why. You. don't have to. I mean, obviously you're. not. And you know, and you're lucky that.

your wife plays pool, which is huge as. well. >> Oh, yeah. >> Because if she didn't, like you know. where to find me cuz I'm going to be. playing. >> Sorry. Like you you're going to ignore. most of your responsibilities if you get. really good at pool. >> It's really tough. >> Oh yeah. >> Personal life, especially with the. schedule that we have now. Like first. half of the year was okay, but now it's. just back to back. Like even after this. tournament, I have Texas Open starting. on Wednesday. From there I go to China.

Then I go to Vietnam for three weeks. From there I go to Philippines for two. weeks. India. >> Do you think the people in the. Philippines going to be mad at you still. when you get there? >> Oh, for sure. For sure. Ryes Cup that's. going to be another one. >> Oh no. >> Ry Cup is now is the rest of the world. against team Asia. That's happening in. Manila. >> So they already all the comments all the. comments if you see like Yeah. Wait. until you come to Manila. We're going to. welcome you with open arms. >> Oh no. >> Yeah. I'm going to get it. But uh that's. going to be fun. I'm sure.

Yeah. Hopefully it doesn't so doesn't. get crazy. But yeah, that that. schedule's nuts. >> Yeah. So, it's really tough to balance, you know, pool, personal life, family. >> Family, it's almost impossible. If you. have kids and you have to take them to. softball games and stuff like that's why. I said you want to be really good at. pool, you have to be a piece of [ __ ]. >> Well, hopefully I don't have to. >> You don't. I mean, listen, obviously. there's examples of people that keep it. together that are really good that still.

have a family and but and you know, spend time with their family and spend. time with their kids, but you're going. to have to manage your time because. you're going to have to you have to get. those hours in. If you're not playing. like leg legitimately, realistically, if. you want to be a top flight worldass. player, what is the minimum amount of. hours you think you have to play every. day? I think somebody said that you have. to spend 10,000 hours to get good at. anything, but I think in pull it. probably is more. >> Yeah, I think it's probably a little.

more because it's it's really comp. complex. >> Yeah, cuz if you're talking about like. top top professional player, it's not. just practicing, you know, you in you. will have to start traveling and playing. tournaments. You will have to start. playing and sparing with somebody. >> uh sparring. >> Sparring. Yeah. And uh. then uh you have to gain experience from. those tournaments. It's going to it's. going to take a lot of time. >> Yeah. And but I guess it's like anything.

that's worth doing, you know, if you. want to get good. That's one of the. reasons why it's so fun is because you. know how hard it is to do. >> Yeah. >> If it was easy to master, I think people. would probably pick it up and then. they'd eventually quit. But the problem. with the thing about pool is it take a. week off and then play again and your. arm's like what do we do here? Like. >> it seems all screwy. It doesn't want to. listen for like first hour or so and. then you finally get back in the groove. again. It's because it's so difficult.

that makes it so attractive. That's why. people get stuck playing it 8 10 hours a. day. If it was easier to play you. wouldn't play it as much. >> Right. Right. And I mean the for me the. big thing is I just always have to do. something. I have to always hit balls. because there are so many good players. now. So many good players. And if I just. stop for a moment or if I focus on. something else for I don't know short. period of time even, they'll just catch. me. >> Isn't that nuts?

>> It is. It's It's driving me crazy, but I. just can't stop. I just can't stop. >> How does it drive you crazy? Do you wake. up in the morning and feel like people. nipping at your heels? Well, like for. example now I know that Yap for example, Ojus Yap, he won the UK Open, >> Florida Open and the US Open. >> Won the US Open. He won the three out of. the last four big tournaments we've had, >> which is crazy. >> Yeah. Which is it's really really tough. to be dominant in our sport. Almost. impossible. Uh but he's just he's just.

proving that it is possible, you know. and he was on the losing end of the. match that I think I've probably watched. the most over the last year. And if you. Google it, you can find it on YouTube. Just Google nineball perfection and it's. coping Chung who's one of my favorite. players outside of you of course to. watch. He that guy is so smooth. There's. something about those guys from Taiwan. I don't know what their methodology is. in their training, but they they have.

this like smooth kind of effortless. stroke that's like hypnotizing to watch. And that dude never missed a single ball. in an 11 match defeat. He he beat him by. 11 to nothing. Never missed a ball, pocketed every shot he aimed at, and. never gave him a shot other than the. opening shot. He had one shot at the. beginning of the match, a long ass two. ball. He didn't make it and then he was.

[ __ ]. >> which is crazy. And that's Yap. That's. the guy who just won the last three. tournaments, which is so nuts about this. sport is that if the guy's winning and. the it's win or break, you might not. ever play. >> for sure. You never know. >> Like look at today, you and me. There's. like five or six games where I'm just. like standing there. I'm just waiting. for you to miss. You're not missing and. so I don't play. you're not missing and. I don't play. You don't like but at a. world class level when you're doing that. in the US Open and it's on TV and people.

are cheering every time you pocket a. nineball that's bananas. >> Yeah, that's that's uh rarely happens. >> But it was it was a very very special. moment I think because that video went. viral everywhere. >> That dude got in the zone and if you can. appreciate the zone, you got to watch. that video. Even if you only played pool. casually. shot the other guy missed. Yeah, this is. it. This is Yap. And he, boy, he chunked. it, too. He [ __ ] it up. But when you. watch this guy, this guy coping Chung.

who weighs 100 pounds. >> This is not an easy opening shot either. >> No. Combination rail first. >> It's crazy. But then from this out, he. just never misses. And you watch this. guy, like watch how [ __ ] smooth this. character is. And again, >> the dude weighs 100 pounds. Soaking wet. Yeah, >> the Q is half his body weight and he. just kind of like gently hits everything. just so smooth and effortless.

>> I remember this match cuz I was waiting. for for this match in the finals. >> Uh I was watching it in the in the. steakhouse. >> and uh it was it was pretty painful for. me to watch it. >> Was it? Well, I mean, you don't you. don't want to have somebody just not. make a single mistake and play you in. the finals, you know, it's just hurting. your confidence a little bit. >> And the reality is, you would think, well, this guy's going to win everything. from here on out. But no, >> no. >> That's what's so crazy about this sport,

as good as this guy is and as. competitive as he look how he hit that. with follow. >> Yeah, that's crazy. >> to get out for the two in the corner. That's masterful [ __ ]. >> That was really dangerous to play that. shot. I have no idea why would he even. play this. >> Well, he's got ice water in his veins, man. I'm telling you the We were talking. about this before, but there's a match. from 2018 where he plays Shane Van. Boning at the Derby and it's Shane's on. the hill. It's 10 to 10 to six and you.

think, "Oh, Shane's going to win this.". And he runs five games and out on him. and they're crazy outs like he starts. with this bananas cut shot on the four. ball to get three rail position. And. you're like, "What is he doing here?". Like, "No, the commentators don't even. know what he's doing. Is he ducking?". And he fires it in. You're like, "No. way." Like, that was that was John. Schmidt was doing commentary for it. >> I'm a big fan of Co Brothers. You know, they're genuinely good people and uh. they're putting a lot of work and uh. it's just uh amazing to watch them play. as well. >> They play so good. They play so good.

And it's also interesting to me that. these guys still play with those solid. wood shafts. like we were talking about. that earlier. It's like new technology. has gotten into the game and a lot of. players like yourself play with carbon. fiber, but it's interesting that a lot. of these guys from Taiwan in particular, they still go with those wooden shafts. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, I don't know. Uh I know that the. industry went to carbon fibers maybe.

four or five years ago and maybe some. companies were kind of like pushing the. players. You know, you kind of have to. make a switch. >> Right. Right. Right. Right. >> But I don't I don't think that's the. case now because now, for example, I find it maybe. advantageous to play with a wooden shaft. when you're playing in like a sticky. sticky pool room in Asia where the. humidity level is super high. >> Why that? >> Just because I don't know, you can move. the cub around easier or at least I.

found it easier. >> Easier. Interesting. Why easier? Because. I've heard the opposite. I've heard it's. carbon moves the ball easier. >> Not in a really sticky condition. >> H. >> I think when we play, for example, metro. tournaments, everything is brand new. cloth, brand new rails, brand new uh. balls, everything's slick, perfect. conditions. Then I think uh carbon fiber. is perfect. But I think that's the. reason why uh the Asians prefer wood as. well because the humidity level is just. over over top. was really really bouncy.

and that's that's what they they used to. play back in the day I guess and that's. what he referred to this day. >> It's such a mind [ __ ] though, isn't it? Because it's like it's all really what. you have confidence with. Obviously. anybody could play really good with. carbon fiber or anybody rather who can. play really good with carbon fiber could. play really good with wood. It's just. get it into your head what this this Q. does, the way it feels, the kind of. deflection it has. >> Yeah, it's a lot of things. You put it. in the brain computer after x amount of. months of playing with that queue and.

you know what it does. Yeah, I've been, you know, I've been experimenting with. cues. Maybe not as much as you did, but. uh I've started uh testing cues for the. company that I was working I'm working. with right now, Triple 60. We've been. doing testing for three years. So, I. know everything about like the foams, the wall thickness, what the material of. the fereral, the hardness of your tip, the weight, the balance. So, there's so. many different things that will change. the way the shaft place. And then.

there's also but there's so many. different things. It's like a magic. wand, you know. >> Yeah, >> you have to try you have to try so many. things before you actually understand. what you like and what you're looking. for. >> And uh it's uh it's not a not a easy. process. I would say. >> I remember I was uh going on one of my. rucking hikes where I put a weighted. vest on and I I go for a walk with the. dog and you and I were on the phone and. uh this is how I remember this cuz uh I.

was walking through this this wooded. area and you were telling me that the. difference between your old queue and. your new queue, you said there's a. difference of about 5%. And I was like. 5%. Like, how do you know it's 5%. You're like, all the ball balls that. I've pocketed when I when I think about. what it does and what it doesn't do, I. think my game is about 5% off. I'm like. that. >> Oh, I think I think actually Well, with. the new queue, I was winning a lot more. So, I used to I used to play. >> This is like right when you first.

changed. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, since then, since then I was. winning. >> Yeah. >> So, I guess I guess it was the truth. >> Well, it's you made it to your. specifications. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's with a longer longer. shaft because I have longer arms, long. fingers. >> Uh I do prefer a longer taper, which. doesn't really exist on the market. So, I created the shaft with a longer taper. Uh especially for shots like off the. rail, let's say one uh the the Q ball is. one diamond distance off the rail.

That's where you feel that change in uh. the taper thickness. We have the. straight taper in our shaft. >> What is the difference in the feel? What. do you feel differently? For example, the ProTaper or the conical taper, you. can feel the change of the thickness, >> right? >> The closer you go to the pin, >> right? >> We don't have that. Our our shaft is. straight. >> And so that way it doesn't give. additional resistance as the the shot. gets further, like as your bridge gets. longer, >> right? You just don't feel the change in. thickness. >> It's mind [ __ ] game.

>> Yeah, >> it is. And then we can go to deflection. The deflection is another thing. It's uh. there's so much science behind dead that. I don't I don't even know where to. start. >> Well, deflection is interesting, too, because some people use it to their. advantage. Certain deflection like like. Co, cuz his Q has a lot of Didn't you. say you hit some balls with it? >> Yeah. Yeah. Basically, you have to aim. to miss the ball to make the ball. >> Doesn't make any sense. I don't I don't.

know why would players prefer that, but. a lot of players do. I think it just. gets it in their head how to play and. then they've been playing that way for. so long that they it's just automatic. Like if they hit a ball with heavy left. hand English, they know it's going to go. off to the right, right? >> So they hit it more full with heavy left. hand English because they know by the. time the Q ball gets there, it's so they. they have it in their head, >> right? >> You know, it's just like a little. computer in your brain. It's like, okay, this distance I got to aim here. This.

distance I'm gonna aim here. Well, my in my case, I also have that we. we also have little little little. deflection. But when it's just too much, it gets really really difficult. Especially like I said when we play on. shot clock. >> Yeah. >> Pressure out there. >> and you have to pull one crazy shot and. that's hillill. >> So what the argument with that against. that would be the difference with wood. is though you get a superior feel. You.

do get a weird difference in the. feedback of the queue and some people. get very accustomed to that wood. feedback and they describe a carbon. feedback is more dull. Yeah. Like you. don't get the same sensations. >> You almost don't get no feedback. >> So I think those guys the feedback in. their hand is a part of the equation in. their mind of where that ball's going to. go. >> So when you say feedback, is it like a. vibration that you get in your hand by.

the time you hit the ball? It's just a. different feel. Like they all have a. different feel, right? Like we were. talking about Southwest, which are some. of my favorite cues of all time. They. have a solid butt. They're not cord, right? And so there's they're usually. genu generally a little heavier unless. they're um maple. Sometimes they they'll. get lower, but you very rarely see like. an 18 ounce southwest. You see a lot of. 20 ounce southwest because you know. they're ebony or cocoa or something like. that. Really heavy. >> But they have a very specific thunk to.

them. >> Yeah. the sound. >> This is like a a feel and you don't get. that feel with carbon. You get a. different feel. So, if you can get used. to that different feel, it is. it is like there's something to it, you. you definitely the ball moves less off. the line. >> Also, I mean, like I said, there's so. many different environments we play in. For example, we play in China in a pool. hole with a dirty cloth and it's super. muggy and the rails are playing super.

spongy and bouncy. Uh you would prefer. one queue compared to the other one. Yeah. And you go to, I don't know, Saudi. Arabia where it's super dry and it's. perfect conditions, everything's slick. and brand new. I prefer carbon fiber in. that case. So maybe I don't know five. years, 10 years from now, we will have. different cues for different shots, >> right? Like a golf. >> Yeah, just like a golf player. >> Could be the case. And some players.

already do that. They use some cues. For. example, when they stay close to the. vertical uh center of the CQ ball, they. use one Q and when they use side spins, they use the other queue. >> Really? >> Yeah. Some players. >> they bring Who's doing that? >> Mario. He was doing that. >> Really? >> Uh yeah, >> he brought two different cues. >> Yeah. to Saudi Arabia last year. Uh I. think some other players do that. For. example, what I do, I put the extension. on the back of my queue for some shots. >> I play without the extensions for. certain other shots. >> How much does your extension weigh? >> Uh it's super light. Like 1.5.

gets you up to like what? 195 as opposed. to 18. Is that what you play with? 18. >> You play with 19 oz. >> 19. Yeah. >> Oh. So it gets you like to 20 and a. half. >> 20 and 12. So, do you like the. additional weight for like a shot where. you have to really stay down? >> I just use it for like balance purposes. for longer shots. For example, when like. I said, I'm one diamond off the rail and. I have a long shot where I want to have. like a long follow through. I just.

simply don't have enough enough of my. queue on the back. >> Got it. >> So, I add an extra length. But, you know, it's uh lonely at the top, buddy. >> It is. >> There's only a few guys that you could. have those kind of matches with now. >> Yeah. Well, next one will be probably. Josh Filler. >> You think so? >> We're We're trying We're trying to make. it happen. >> Is he interested? >> I think he was. Uh but he's uh not. really responding to messages really. well. >> lately. I think he was interested. So he.

had a guy who was willing to back him. for a lot of money and uh they they said. well we have to do it in this place with. this rules. This is how it needs to be. done. >> Where was that? Where did they want to. do it? >> They wanted no they wanted to play it in. Vegas. >> Oh. >> like to say it's a neutral territory. >> Vegas is good. Where would you go to? Griffs. >> Uh yeah I think they wanted to do it in. Griff. >> Great place. >> Good place. Yeah. >> Oh you don't like it? I mean, uh, they wanted to like, uh, high roll.

me, >> you know. They said, "You we we play in. Vegas. You got to bet bet like a half a. million. >> or something like that." Uh, but what I. really wanted to do is basically what we. did with Shane, you know, like a $50,000. bet. Uh, play race to 120. >> Half a million's a lot. >> And what I really offered him was to. play multiple disciplines. We play like. an allaround. We play eight ball, nine. ball, 10 ball, or was it nine ball, 10.

ball, one pocket, and banks? That's what. I offer them. >> Oh, what if you a draw? >> Yeah. In case of a draw, we play uh. another set. >> But you know what I'm saying? If you. have four games, you have to play three. games. >> I mean, I'm not playing to lose. So, the more the better. >> What would you race to at each game? >> I mean, it would have to be something we. can fit in within 8 to 10 hours. So. maybe race to 30 in 10 ball, race to 30. in nine ball, race to 10 in one pocket,

and race to 10 in banks. I think it's a. good format. People will like to watch. that. I'm sure. >> and it's good for the game. >> It's good for our sport. >> It's tough to get people casuals to. watch regular pool. Getting them to. watch One Pocket, they'd rather jump in. front of a bus. >> I agree. Well, you don't like One. Pocket, you don't like it. >> I uh I watch it every fans like it for. sure. >> Yeah. Uh what was the last one I. watched? Justin Bergman played someone. for a lot of money. >> Yeah. Uh he played the guy uh what's his.

name? Little John. >> And he was giving him a crazy spot, right? >> Yeah. And he lost. >> Oh, no. He won. Justin won. Justin. >> Yeah. But it was close. >> It was really close. Yeah. >> Everybody liked the other guy. >> It was a nutty spot. I forget what the. spot was. >> 116 cuz I gave that guy 126. >> Oh, did you? >> Yeah. We actually played not too long. ago in New Orleans. How'd that go? >> I won. >> Nice. Congratulations. Do you like One Pocket? Would you prefer. or do you just play it because people.

will only gamble it? >> I think I like it because it's a good. gambling game. I don't like the game. itself. Uh I think uh the new. modifications they make in the game. where you have to respot the balls. For. example, if you get uh more than four. balls past the kitchen, the fifth ball. gets respotted back to the spot. So, it. makes the game more uh alive, more. dynamic. M. >> so you don't get those wedges where 15. balls go up table and people just play. nothing shots for hours. >> right.

>> so it's more dynamic and also derby for. example has shot clock I think one. pocket has to be played with shot clock. >> how much time they give you. >> at derby it's one minute. >> if you could make the perfect nineball. shot clock what would it be. >> I think it's good to where it's at right. now. >> 30 seconds. >> 30 seconds. >> 30 seconds with a 30 second extension. >> man Because if you make it if you make. it any any shorter, it's going to be. really difficult. >> Shorter is too difficult. But I mean the. 40 second like just a a touch just a.

touch more to think about it. >> I think I think it's good where it's at. Yeah. >> It's difficult when you have to like. switch cues. You have no extension. For. example, you jumped. So that's why you. see us grabbing both of our ques. Yeah. Throwing your queue on the side. and switching. It's really. >> difficult sometimes. That's another shot. that people hate that you got to leave. in is the jump queue when you you jumped. out. I love it. You jumped out so many. times during this US Open. There were so.

many times you got hooked where you pop. that ball in and and if you can't. appreciate that on tight pockets, a. beautiful shot where it goes airborne. and fires right into the hole and then. you get position on the next ball. >> Yeah, I think it's great. I think those. that are voting against it are those. that can't do it. >> Yeah. There's a lot of old school guys. who just they get sat in their ways and. they think that's stupid queue. It's a. little tiny queue. [ __ ] that thing. But.

>> why are there different golf clubs? Cuz. there's different shots. Why do you. break with a different queue? Cuz it's a. different shot. >> Of course. >> Like come on. >> Of course. I think I think it's uh what. gets actually new people to watch it. because it's exciting. Oh, look. This. guy jumped over this ball. He was this. close to the ball. It's amazing. It's. like a trick shot. >> And then also, it's like the cues that. people are jumping with today. They're. designed so well for that. >> Yeah. >> Like I really like that Q-Tech one. That's I think my favorite one. That one.

is And you helped design that, right? >> Uh yeah, I was involved. I was involved. Yes. >> But not anymore. >> Not anymore. I'm with a different. company. Now we're starting uh new. brand. I will be starting my own brand. really soon. >> When do you think that's going to be. available? >> My personal jump queue. >> Yeah. >> Uh probably. I would say if everything goes by the. plan maybe first quarter of next year. >> So that's the thing with pool too. It's. like when you see a guy who plays really.

good, everybody wants to play with. whatever the [ __ ] he's playing with, >> right? So it's one of in and for a sport in a. game it's like one of the most. marketable in that regard because almost. everybody when they find someone is like. whether it's Ephine or like that's why. so many companies like Mucci was. sponsoring everybody back in the day. because when these guys were playing and. they were winning everybody just wanted. to go out and buy a Mucci because you. think because it's like there's a mind.

>> it's like any sport aspect of it. tennis. Tennis is the same or golf. >> Mhm. >> You just want to have the same tennis. racket as Roger Federer. >> But don't you think there's a giant. variety in the way those things hit as. opposed to way tennis rackets hit? I. don't know cuz I don't play tennis, but. it looks the same whereas like the way. pool cues are manufactured, the. differences in the weight, the. differences in the taper, the. differences in the the shaft. composition, whether it's wood or carbon. fiber or.

>> for sure. And I think when it come when. it comes down to like a playing queue, then it's really really personal. You. know, some players like softer hits, some players like harder hits, but when. it comes to a jump queue, it's just. comes down to how effortless. the jump queue does the job, >> right? And how much how accurate you can. accurate. Yeah. >> Yeah. Um, do you have like a mental. checklist that you go through before you. execute a shot? Do you have like a. pre-shot mental preparation?

>> I do a lot of breathing breathing. technique. So, for example, I would. breathe in on the four counts, then I. hold it for like four or five, and then. I'd breathe out for like seven, eight. seconds. >> to calm myself down. >> Do you do that when you're sitting in. the chair or. >> Yeah, I do that all the time when I'm. sitting in the chair. Uh, usually I. would do like a loud breathe out when. I'm at the table sometimes just let it. out. >> Mhm. And I kind of started to show. emotions too because I just feel that's.

okay. You know, before I used to be. like, you know, I don't I can't show any. emotions because it's weakness. >> But now just. >> the Russian way. >> I just don't care now. >> You're American now. >> Yeah. I'm fully Americanized now. >> That's interesting that showing. emotions. Well, I I definitely think. that's the case when someone misses. because when someone misses and then. they whack the table with their stick, boy, that that empowers the other. player. >> Yeah, of course. It definitely does, >> of course. And that's what some of the. coaches that I've worked with uh in my.

childhood, they were all telling me, you. know, don't show any emotion. Uh you. don't want to show any weakness to your. opponent. They're going to be feeding. off of it. And that's what kind of got. stuck with. But I'm just glad that I'm. out of it right now. Well, it's the most. I think and Jeremy Jones and I were. talking about this. I think it's the. most mental game because there's this. moment of pulling the trigger, this. moment where you're making sure that. everything aligns and you just got to. keep your mind on on task and keep.

focused on the object ball. Do you look. at the Q ball before you strike or the. object ball? >> So, it really depends on the distance. between the object and Q ball. For. example, if it's when it's close to each. other, object ball and the Q ball, I. look at the Q ball list. When it's long. distance, I look at the object ball. list. >> Why is that? >> That's just uh I find it uh working for. me. You know, it's it's another thing. that's very personal for other players. You know, I think most of the people. look at the CQ ball,

but I just I just prefer that object. ball pole works better for me. >> It's interesting because it is a. preference thing. >> Yeah. So definitely a personal. preference. I feel like if you have the. straight stroke, if your stroke is. straight, you will always hit the cub. where you're intending to hit it. >> So it's more about where you're going to. hit it on the object ball. >> There's a guy named Joel Turner who was. uh I don't know if I talked to you about. this guy. He used to um be uh well he. was a sniper uh for.

like for rescue missions with police. where like someone had a hostage and he. would have to execute shots under. extreme pressure. And um he was also a. bow hunter and he realized that there. were certain mistakes that he was making. and a lot of people are making bow. hunting that had to do with anticipating. the shot and anxiety before you pull the. trigger. And that the way to work around.

that is to have a pre-shot routine in. your mind where you're talking to. yourself loudly in your head. And you. develop this pre-shot routine with very. specific things that you say to. yourself. He say like here I go like and. you know whatever whatever different. things he's got a bunch of different. steps that he said where he's talking to. himself like center your peep site. there's like a bunch of things. >> I have almost the same that's what I. wanted to ask you visualization and. meditation is really big.

>> so what do you say to yourself like when. you're about. >> my my biggest demon in my head is I'm. just scared to miss the ball I'm just. you know when I'm down on the shot. sometimes my brain goes well you're. gonna you're going to miss the shot what. are you doing you're going to miss it. for. like the way you're aiming this shot, you're going to miss it for sure. So, if. my thing is just telling to my brain. that I have to stay positive, no, I'm. going to [ __ ] make this ball. I'm. making this ball, [ __ ]. And I. uh it works for me.

>> Yeah. Well, if you think you're going to. miss, you will miss. >> Yeah. 100% works like that. >> What I was getting at is it I found a. giant crossover between that and archery. in that it's the same thing. Like if you. think you're going to miss in archery, you're going to miss. And if you think. you're going to miss in pool, you're. going to miss, >> right? >> Yeah. >> It just works like that. >> It is. It's It's crazy. It's like your. subconscious like tells you to miss. And. it's almost like the pressure is too. much, so you alleviate some of the. pressure by anticipating the the miss in.

advance, >> right? >> It's weird. So that's my question to you. is like, what is the process that you go. through to fight that off? It's just. saying I'm going to make that [ __ ]. ball. >> Well, yeah. It's an experience already. You have to you have to miss a few shots. to understand why why that happened, >> right? >> And I did I did lose a few big ones like. that. For example, I played Josh Filler. in Germany in the European Open. It was. a really really big match. You know, the. whole crowd is cheering for him.

quarterfinals of the European Open and I. I landed on the nineball. Really weird, but I'm still a big favorite to make the. shot. It was like a off angle. I was. shooting from the rail quarterfinals of. uh the European Open. I was up 98 race. to 10 and I missed the nineball just. because I was I knew that I was going to. miss the ball. >> Same things happened in Saudi. >> in uh I was I was up 10 to three. Uh I. think it was last 16. I'm almost. straight down on the nine ball, but I.

>> I just know that I'm going to miss the. ball. >> Oh no. >> I just know that. And I'm down on the. shot and I know the shot clock is. running on me. I'm like no way. I just. can't get up. I just can't get up. I. don't have enough. I don't know. I don't. have enough time. So, I missed the ball. I'm glad that I've won the match and I. won. I want to I ran the next wreck. But, it's just weird how that works. >> So, now you have those experiences and then. what do you do when that's over where. you go, okay, that can't happen again. I. got to make sure that that that mindset.

never creeps into my head again. >> So, you just have to switch your focus. to your fundamentals. That's what helps. me. For example, Nick Vandenberg, he. used to be a big player back in the day. in the Netherlands. >> He would practice sitting on his uh. couch for hours, just practice visualiz. visualization, just practice on the. table. He would imagine himself. practicing in the pool hall like. straightening shots. He wouldn't even go. and practice. >> Whoa, that's weird.

>> Well, that's a weird dude. >> Yeah, but it worked for him. Well, there's a lot of science to that in in. terms of like studies that have been. done about visualization and the. improvement and they found that p actual. real visualization when you're really. sitting down there and visualizing. counts almost as much as practice and in. some cases more and no one knows why. >> Well, visualization is really big for. us. For example, you're never going to. win the tournament without believing.

that you can actually win it, right? And. you can only believe that you can win if. you can only visual visualize that you. won that tournament, >> right? >> Which is why I say that this is like the. most mental of games. >> Yeah. >> You know, it is it's such a weird dance. that goes in your head. Like sometimes. with and again I'm not a good player. I'm halfassed. But sometimes I play. really good. Like if I get like six. hours two or three days in a row, I can. get in stroke and I start running racks.

But when I'm not and then I go to. execute, there's like this thing in my. head that like right when I'm about to. aim at the like right when I'm about to. pull the trigger, my head goes, "Don't. hit it there. Hit it here." And you're. like, "Okay, >> a touch of outside.". >> And I do it and I miss. I'm like, "Why. did you change where you were gonna hit. it like last minute? What the [ __ ] is. that?" And I've been playing pool for 30. something years. >> But sometimes that works and you're. like, I'm glad I did that. >> Yeah. Rarely. Most of the times I miss.

Most of the times when I change where. I'm going to hit last second, I miss. >> But we all do that. >> Yeah. Or when I think I'm not going to. be this accurate. Let me aim to overcut. it. And then I'm like, oh my god, you. overcut it all the length of the table, you [ __ ] idiot. If you just. accurately like hit where you thought. you were going to hit, you would have. made that ball. It's this weird, but. that's why I love the game because when. you're really playing pool, the world. goes away. It goes away. You're not.

thinking about anything. You're not. thinking about global warming. You're. not thinking about [ __ ] You're not. thinking about inflation, how much eggs. cost. You're not thinking about [ __ ]. The world goes away when you're on that. table. When you're playing, the world. goes away. That's what I like about. archery and that's what I like about. pool. They have the same quality to them. and that to do it correctly is so. difficult that it requires all of your. mind.

>> I agree. Totally agree with you. >> And unlike chess, which also requires. all of your mind, pool has the added. element that you have to execute. You. have to pull it off under pressure with. a shaky hand. >> Kind of like a mix of chess with uh I. don't know, golf, I would say. Yeah. So, well, I think it's just its. own thing. >> Well, it's an old thing for sure. >> It's it's its own thing. It's very. different than any of those other. things. Even though I don't play either. one of them, it's it's very different. than any of those other things.

And when people get into it, man, it. takes their whole [ __ ] life over. I. remember my manager had to have a. conversation with me once when I lived. in New York. He was like, I think you're. spending more time playing pool than you. are in your career. I'm like, [ __ ] he's. right. He was right. I took a whole year. off. I didn't play for a whole year and. then I came to LA and I started playing. a little bit again. I was like, "God, he. got me again." Just sunk its teeth right. back in me. >> Well, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. The amount of cues you have is.

crazy. >> And now when I'm like, if I'm talking to. someone and they're boring, I just think. about playing pool. I think about. getting out. I think here. [Laughter]. It's like my default brain. it falls. into these p but it's not really about. the it is about the game for sure but. what it's really about is sinking your. mind to something that's where the true. joy comes in sinking your mind to. something and then executing it to. perfection I think it's um.

it's some kind of a mental exercise like. akin to cardio akin to lifting weights. there's a there's a mental exercise to. it. >> also the enjoyment from developing a. skill and you just know how hard it is. >> Uh I think the enjoyment is even bigger. in that regard. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's um it's a game that I really. wish more people would appreciate. I. wonder how many people are still. listening to this podcast that are just. regular people. They're like, "What the. is he going to [ __ ] talk about pool.

with this guy for three hours?" Yep. This one's not for you. But that's the. beauty of having four podcasts a week. You can throw one of them entirely a. pool. But for pool players, there's a. lot of people that get it. It's um not like anything else. And uh. in this weird weird world of. non-physical things, in this weird world. of uh virtual things, of playing video. games, and of uh being connected with. computers, and which is all very, very.

fun. Those are all really fun to do. Um, there's a kinetic aspect to playing pool. that. I think a lot of people forgot how. satisfying and rewarding it is and how. how intriguing the game is, you know, and that's why I always chime on about. it. I think I think it's good for you, you know. >> Yeah, for sure. And actually the way for. example Vietnam marketed pool is they.

started opening pool rooms with computer. clubs. >> in the same building. >> Oh. like like a computer cafe type deal. >> type of thing. Yeah. But the huge ones. Huge ones. They have pool rooms with. hundreds of tables. >> Oh wow. >> Yeah. Vietnam. Vietnam right now is. probably the most pool playing country. in the world. >> Wow. And how long ago did this start? >> Maybe three four years ago. Really? >> That's crazy. What made it explode in. Vietnam like that?

>> I had no idea. For example, uh Hanoi. Open, the first major we had in Vietnam. three three years ago. I had no idea or. any expectations going to the event. Uh. but I always knew that I had some fans. because on Facebook like 40% of my. followers are from Vietnam, which always. which always seemed weird. >> 40%. >> Yeah. Now it's Now it's more. Now it's. more. >> Whoa. So, I went over there and I was. amazed. Amazed. Like, in Hanoi alone, there's 2,000 pool rooms in Hanoi. Just.

one city. >> 2,000? >> Yeah. >> That's crazy. What is this? The most. luxurious pool hall in Vietnam. >> That's in That's in Daang. I I've. actually been to this pool room before. >> Damn. >> But yeah, they have pool rooms with like. hundreds of tables. This is Chinese 8. volt, by the way. Yeah, that's a weird. game, right? >> It's become really, really popular. >> Hugely popular, right? >> Really popular. >> It's um very lucrative, right?

>> Yeah. Yeah. Those guys are making big. money now in uh they're called Hayball. now. >> It's called Hayball, right? It used to. be called Chinese A-ball. >> Chinese Aball. >> So, what what made that game explode in. China? They were just throwing big big. money in the game and uh it really. exploded everywhere because now all the. English and snooker players, English. 8ball players and snooker players are. traveling playing all those tournaments. there and uh maybe top 30 guys now on.

their tour making good money and they. are uh I think they are trying to get. the pool players to join them them as. well. >> A lot of guys will probably do it just. for the cheese. >> Yeah. Well, that's that's the problem. What does a big tournament in hball pay? >> The biggest one pays 750,000 for first. >> But they have almost big tournaments. every month that pay 200 300,000 for. first. >> Wow. >> And small tournaments, you know, they.

pay 50, but they're regening every two. weeks. >> But you were saying you when you went. over there, like regular dudes that you. were playing were like robbing you. >> Yeah. The competition is really high. The game is a little little bit. different. So they use pool balls, snooker type of rail. So the p the the. pocket is round. >> and they used like a snooker cloth. So. it's really thick. >> Mhm. >> And uh like hairy. >> So it's uh lot got a lot of nap to the. claw, so the ball moves slower. >> Right. >> They hit balls really hard. Is that.

because of the rounded edges? Like you. got to fire them through there. >> For example, if the ball is close to the. rail, that's probably the best way to. make the ball because you can push. through the rubber. Oh, >> kind of like a Russian pyramid type of. thing. >> Well, there's that one shot where um in. the side pockets where you can push. through the nipple of the side pocket if. it's Yeah. So, it's like. >> kind of the same thing kind of. >> cuz I watch a lot of those guys online. and they fireballs in. I'm like, this is. crazy. Like, >> yeah, the competition is really really.

high there because there's so many. players in so many pool rooms in China. that just have to ball tables and it's. it's becoming popular everywhere. And. when did that start in China? >> I would say it started like 10 years. ago, maybe even before that. >> That's great. So think about that. That. that emerges 10 years ago. So this is. only we're talking about 2015. It's not. that long ago. So that emerges 10 years. ago. And then Vietnam emerges three. years ago. >> Vietnam Vietnam is booming. But maybe I. just found it out three years ago. Maybe. it started.

>> So let's imagine that's 10 years as. well. That's still nothing. That's not. that long ago. >> Yeah. >> Like so it gives me hope that something. similar can happen in America. I think so. I think I think the audience. is different. >> How so? >> Because uh something has to happen in. order to draw the younger audience here. >> I don't know if the social media is the. answer, but in Vietnam, it's just they. don't have any bars in pool rooms. They. don't drink in pool rooms. They just.

play the game. Everybody's following. professional pool. Everybody know who. Shane Van Boning is. That's going to be. tough to get people with no bars. Exactly. People over here are a bunch of. drunks. >> Well, APA has 270,000. members. >> 270,000 US alone. >> And those are mostly bar players. >> Those are mostly bar players that play. on Fridays. And they probably don't know. who Shane Van Bodon is. >> What? That's not possible. >> It is possible. >> Come on. Really? >> Yeah. >> Really? >> They play pool in a league and they. don't know who Shane Van Bon is. I'm.

telling you, that seems insane. He plays in those bar table tournaments. sometimes. I watch. >> there used to be a lot more of them. Yeah, >> I watched some recent one from Boston. that they had some big Right. Yeah, >> that's Ultimate Pool they started. That's a company from UK. >> Oh, is it starting to Yeah, they're. starting to break through in the US as. well. >> Kind of crazy because it's a really. quick shot clock, big ass pockets, >> little ass table, and you if you miss, you're [ __ ] right? >> Because these guys are all they're all. running out. >> Justin Bergman is a wizard at that, too.

Yeah, bar table label is a different. game. >> It is. It looks easy. You look at it. like, "Oh, small table, big pockets. This is easy." But no, this if you miss. like if you get out of line and you. miss, the game's over. Yeah. The guys. are going to run out and that's. additional pressure. Yeah. >> There's more strategy in eight ball. >> All the clusters and everything's all. cluttered up together. >> Right. Right. Right. Right. >> And you can't shoot your opponent's. ball. So, you got to figure out a way to. bump them and move them and get a shot. on the eight. Do you think the eightball.

is still the most played game because of. leagues and. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Most people don't like I had a. friend here and he was like, "Uh, I play. really good pool." What do you play? You. play nineball? I was like, "No, I play. regular pool." I'm like, >> "Yeah, >> what is regular pool?" Like, "You don't. play, right?" We had a conversation. I. was like, "Okay, okay, okay. Let me. explain nineball to you." Like, "You. play eightball. It's not regular pool.". >> But it may change with Matum being. involved. It may change because they. push nineball only. >> Yeah. Well, the thing about nineball.

that's very exciting is the luck factor, >> right? >> Luck factor is huge. >> You know, when you watch a guy shoot a. ball into the corner and he hits the. rail and it bounces three rails and goes. into the side, it's [ __ ] If if you're sitting there, if you're in the chair and you were. hoping, oh, he missed, it's my chance. No, he got lucky. And that's luck is. part of it. Sometimes people [ __ ] in the. nineball and that's the whole that they. win and people like, how could that be a. win? is an accident. Like that's part of. the game. Yeah. It's part of the fun of.

the game. >> And then also you could win off the. break. That's also part of the game. >> and that drives people crazy. No, spot. that. Like. >> I think I think it's it's great. I mean. luck luck is part of any sport I think. >> I also like when when someone misses an. easy shot and then the opponent runs out. and then makes a nine on the break. >> So it's like [ __ ] you. You [ __ ] up. And the pool gods do that to you all the. time. >> Yeah, >> they do. If you miss a ball, it's kind. of weird how often times like you have.

to sit in the chair for a few racks. because the guy just gets a bunch of. like really awesome lucky breaks. You're. like, "This is terrible.". >> For sure. And you know what I also. found? When I'm winning more, I'm also. getting more lucky. >> Yeah. >> I just get the love. I miss the ball and. then the guy is absolutely hooked. >> I wonder what that is. Why is that so. reliable? Cuz it's really reliable. >> I wish I knew the answer. I would be I'd. be doing something for sure. If some. like super egghehead who studies pool. like Dr. Dave. >> like if that guy could explain this I.

would like to know because I think I. think there's a kind of science to it. and I h I think it has to do. >> I don't know what it is but I think. there's a positive. >> you're ex when you're in gear when you. you can't miss and you're in stroke and. you're firing balls and you're playing. really well you get these lucky breaks. It's weird. It's like you're putting out. positive energy, but when you're down. and you feel like [ __ ] and you're like,

"God damn it, I can't catch a break.". And then the guy misses and you're stuck. behind two balls. You're like, "God damn. it." This always happens. I wonder. I. often wonder, did you make that? Did you. manifest this? Are you manifesting good. luck with positive energy? >> That's what I do. Yeah. >> I wonder. >> That's what I do. I mean, I'm always. trying to be positive because I think. there is a benefit to it. I think. there's a real benefit like a real world. unmeasurable benefit that would probably. show up in statistics. >> but not not not even in pool. I think in.

real life it's the same. >> Yes, I think so too. Yeah, that's what I. think pool mirrors life in a lot of. ways. >> I think that's the case. >> I also think like being really generous. in real life is like really good for. you. It's really good for everybody. It's not good for just for the people. that you're being generous to, but it's. good for you, too. It's good for. everybody, >> right? >> Like more good things happen for you. when you do that. >> It's it's the same sort of principle. There's. >> karma is real.

>> It is real. It just doesn't seem like it. should be. It seems like you should be. able to figure out life on, you know, a. yellow legal pad with a pen and some. really good calculus. But no, there's. some things going on that nobody has. figured out how to put a measuring tape. to. No one's figured out how to put it. on a scale. There's some things going. on. >> Yeah, that's a difficult one. >> Yeah. And there's things going on with. your mind that uh no one is ever going. to be able to figure out. Like no one's.

ever going to be able to figure out why. some people get lucky all the time. But. there's I think there's probably. something to it. Like Ephine for. example. Um that guy used to always say. I got lucky. He was always saying I got. lucky. Meanwhile, who's more positive. than that guy when he would he would. miss. He would laugh. He would laugh and. scratch his head. Oh, yeah. Never looked. like he was mad. I would want to break. my [ __ ] stick, but he would he would. just like, "Oh, no. I missed." He'd. scratch his head and go, "Oh, no." And.

sit down and be all super positive. >> Right. >> And but he got lucky a lot. >> I agree. Maybe that's that's the case. >> Yeah. Well, that's why I wonder that's. why I wanted to ask you about your. pre-shot routine. Like what is the what. are the things you're saying to yourself. in your mind? Or is it just a lot of. experience and a lot of I'm going to. make that shot? >> Well, it's uh basically shutting down. the negative thoughts. You know, being.

positive is really difficult at times, especially when things are not going. your way. when opponent is, I don't. know, missing and [ __ ] safes on you or. fluking a few balls or just doesn't miss. any balls, it's it's really difficult to. stay positive in your chair. >> Yeah. >> So, uh you just got to focus on what you. can control and uh hope for the best. That's all I do. >> Have you ever thought about doing what. Nick Vanderberg does when he sits on a. couch? Just like visualizing running out.

while you're watching your opponent. play. I think I have that going through. my brain when I'm like listening to like. a hype up music. For example, when I'm. walking to the match and I'm like all. hyped up. >> What is hype up music for you? What are. you listening to? >> Different. Different. Depends on the. mood. Uh sometimes it's like gangster. rap. Sometimes it's. >> like What kind of gangster rap? What do. you like? >> Uh Russian. Russian stuff. >> Russian. Oh, you got to send me some. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Tell me what's good Russian. gangster rap. >> That's good for the gym. Perfect for the.

gym. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Perfect. >> Oh, nice. Uh, funk. Funk music. I like. funk. Uh, like Brazilian funk. >> I like music like that that I don't know. what they're saying. >> Right. >> I really enjoy that. >> I do understand what they're saying, but. sometimes it just doesn't make all all. that sense. So, >> Russian gangster rap. Like, can you give. me example like that we could play right. now? Like, what is a good Russian. gangster rap that Jamie could pull up? >> Uh, well, his name is Scripting It.

>> Scriptinit? Yeah. Like Scriptonite, like. Kryptonite. >> Yeah. Well, his name is Script and it is. really popular in Russia. >> See if we can find that guy. What's a. good song? >> Usually Usually it's a few remixes. Well, let me let me see. >> What's like a. >> He put me on the spot. Uh. >> I didn't even know that they had a lot. of Russian gangster rap. >> Oh yeah, for sure. I mean, it's not not great music, but it. hypes me up. Well, a lot of hype up. music is not necessarily great.

>> Guys called Eyes Gert. I don't even know. if he's popular or not. I just like his. stuff. >> Give me one script tonight, though. One. one good song that you like. >> Let me see. >> Like one like you and Josh Phil are. about to play for half a million. You're. on your way. >> So, this song is uh is not good. It has. uh cursing all over it. >> Oh, perfect. But just tell me what it. is. We'll have Jamie pull it up. Uh, Moscow loves ecstasy. Oh,

>> I bet a lot of people in Moscow do love. ecstasy. Probably pretty accurate song. You got it, Jamie? >> Yeah. Well, I mean, >> it's not written in English. >> Yeah, it's not written in English. >> I just want to hear Oh, the song. I got. to like get the right version of it cuz. it didn't. >> It's called Masqua. Masqua. >> Uh, let me do copy paste here.

>> If you want, I can have them send it to. me and I'll send it to you. >> No, that's not that's not the issue. >> Oh, okay. Literally, it's written in. >> I don't even know how to type that in. I. can't type that. Someone's saying like. it wasn't. >> Oh, right. Right. >> When I Googled it, it was on a lyric. site. >> But this also is going to get us in. trouble. So, this is going to get us in. trouble. We can't play any music. anymore. >> Oh, yeah. All right. Well, we just we'll. cut it out. >> You got to go forward a little bit.

>> I like it. >> Yeah. So, something like that. >> It sounds like he's on ecstasy, though. >> Maybe. >> I bet he is. >> Maybe. >> I mean, most of the stuff he says, you. can't even understand what he's saying. because he's so fast and he's actually. from Kazakhstan. >> Here's a translation. >> Oh, here it is. Wet asphalt, gray face. You'll find everything you need. Love or. treasure in the depths of the woods. Only the lipstick was worn off. Ceiling. starfall fingers on the temple. The eyes.

are This is all nonsense words. The eyes. are gathered together tomorrow again. West wet asphalt gray face. They're only. clouds above you. Okay, that sounds like. chat GPT wrote it. Like chat GPT to. >> the straight translation from Russian. never makes any sense. >> No. Right. Mm-m. >> Is that what is that like like learning? Well, first of all, you know how to read. it, right? So, you read what is it? Sirillic. Is that what it's called? So, um you read it and write it. Like what. is it like when you have to learn.

English? Like how much of a weird. juxiposition when you see the two. languages together? >> Well, it's I don't know. It was kind of. easy. I think English is the easiest. language to learn. >> really. >> cuz I was I was studying French in. school. I was in the French school and. uh for me it was a lot tougher to learn. French. I used to speak fluent French. before. Now I just don't don't remember. anything. >> really. >> Yeah. I actually start forgetting. Russian a little bit because I start. thinking in English because I spend so. much time here.

>> Oh. >> So I didn't learn English proper enough. but to where I can speak and understand. and you know at least have a. conversation and then I don't really. speak with anybody in Russian so I start. forgetting it. Oh no, you're a man of no. country. >> Exactly. >> That's terrible. >> That would be terrible. And if you go. back to Russia, they get mad at you that. you can't talk good. >> No, I mean I still I still talk good. Uh. I actually go to Russia at least once a. year. >> just to stay tight, >> stay close to the game,

>> still stay close to my family. >> But I would imagine like if you fell out. of Russian, like if it became. uncomfortable for you and you went over. there, that would be so weird for them. >> No. No, I mean they're fine with it. There's. a lot of. >> But listen, if say like if my daughter. moved overseas and uh went to Spain and. started speaking Spanish and then came. over to America and had a hard time. talking to me, I'd be like, "What. happened?". >> I'm not going to completely forget the.

language. Uh but it would be just that I. would be using like a lot simpler words. My vocabulary is going to be tinier, >> right? But then what if you're away for. 10 years? >> Yeah. Well, then you gain an accent and. >> and then people like, "Look at you. >> You went America on us.". >> Yeah. >> You son of a [ __ ] Do you get any heat. for coming to America? >> At first, of course, I did. You know, I've fed all my friends. My friends. actually, they supported me all the. time. So, I'm just uh I'm glad that I.

had good friends and have good friends. But uh of course, the casual fans and uh. you know, the keyboard keyboard uh. warriors. >> Yeah. >> They're always on me. I get the heat from that. But. >> because you left Russia. >> Yeah. Sell out. You know, not Born in. the USA. And. >> that's the music they always play in my. cup. >> Not Born in the USA. >> Is there a song like that? >> Well, they play the song Born in the USA. song. No, not yet.

>> Oh, not. That song is very depressing. Anyway, if you want to get patriotic, that's not like Born in the USA is a. terrible song. It's like so sad. It's. not like a like life is awesome. >> Like that that song is like depressing. It's, you know, it's about living in a. terrible part of the USA. Like you're. It's not like the American dream, >> but not really. I mean, I don't have the. heat from the Russians. Not really. I. don't have that. >> That's good.

>> There's a lot of Russian people living. in the United States. >> So, you get more heat from Americans. that are upset that you came over from. Russia? >> Not really. the Europeans. I think the. Europeans that are the most upset ones, I think, >> probably because you're now playing for. the Americans. They know that you could. [ __ ] up their whole Muscone Cup thing. >> Maybe. Maybe. >> Yeah, >> I do have a lot of uh I would say Polish. haters just because I'm Polish. Yeah, Polish. I have a lot of Polish haters. just because I was born in Russia. >> Oh, they just automatically don't like.

Russians. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's that always happens. >> Yeah. If you don't have haters, you're. not doing anything right. >> Right. You know, if you're. >> I'm sure you have a lot of them, too. >> I'm sure I do. Yeah. >> What was that crazy guy that was uh he. was trying to fight you or something? >> Oh, the liver king. Yeah, the poor. unfortunate guy. >> I don't know, man. He just got it in his. head some somehow or another that I was. responsible for what was wrong with him, that I was a bully to him, which is. crazy because all I did was point out.

what was like super obvious, like you're. lying about being on steroids. like, hey, don't lie about being on steroids. Don't be a public person and no one will. say that. It's that simple. You got to. take personal accountability for errors. that you made. I think there's some. substances involved, if I had to guess, that led down him down a bad road, unfortunately. >> But it's also fame, man. It's not, you know, I'm sure you. experienced it because you experienced a. lot of haters from in the pool world,

but fame is not what people think it's. going to be. You know, you think I'm. going to be famous and life will be. easier because people know who I am. No, life is going to be way harder because. now you're under the microscope. >> Yeah, for sure. You can't go any. >> 24 hours a day. And this is a guy in the. Brian who calls himself the liver king. who was not famous most of his life and. then decided I want to be famous and I. have this great body. So, what I'm going. to do is just like tell everybody they. have to eat liver and uh sell a bunch of. supplements. And he made a lot of money.

selling a bunch of supplements. and then. it's cannot tell the truth about. steroids. The problem with that is that. physique is not achievable in your 40s. without some help. It's just not. >> It's just not. It's just not like you. could be a freak athlete and have that. physique at 23. It's possible. There's a. few guys that can, but you have to have. superior genetics and an insane work. ethic and you have to be like really.

intelligent about how you approach your. training. Um, but once you get into your. 40s and if you didn't look like that. when you were younger, oh yeah, you're. on something. Everybody knows it. There's nothing wrong with being on. something. Like there's here's the thing. is like if you want to be an influencer. online, it's it doesn't exclude you from. taking if you're a person who takes. testosterone or any even there's guys. who have huge followings who are clearly. on anabolic steroids. They just don't.

lie about it. That's all it is. Like it. doesn't make you less famous or make. your your physique less valid. No one no. one really I mean there's going to be a. few people oh he's a juice you said head. but the reality is most people are just. like wow that's really impressive but. what people hate is when you mislead. them when you pretend you're doing. something that you're not especially if. you're you're also selling supplements. or selling a lifestyle and telling them.

you know about your ancestral tenants. it's just got to take accountability. that's you you made mistakes if you. didn't make mistakes I'd be celebrating. you if you were like this guy who's like. there's a bunch of people that we talk. about on the podcast all the time that I. know are on juice but they they don't. lie about it and no one gets upset at. them. It's real simple, >> right? >> It's just it is what it is. But that, you know, it's a guy just take take a. lot of heat and they just he also funded. I think he had at least had a part in.

funding this Netflix documentary about. him which uh I didn't watch it but I. heard it was not flattering at all and. it made him seem kind of insane and that. probably sucked. And then after that he. you know was mad at me but. I again fame is not a normal thing. It's. not normal. And if you don't have. personal sovereignty, if you don't. understand yourself, truly understand. yourself, not just trying to project an.

image of what you like people to think. of you, but who you actually are. >> That's that's where you get in trouble. with fame. And then also reading haters. and reading the comments and, you know, and and wanting people to love you, which is probably why a lot of people. get famous in the first place. There's. also like the the thing of getting. famous as a goal versus becoming famous. because of a thing you do. You know what. I mean? Like becoming famous because.

people like your comedy or your podcast. or they like the way you play pool or. they like the way you play basketball. Like that's a different thing when you. specifically go out of your way because. you want to become famous. And that's a. lot of people. It's a lot of It's really. weird that it's a lot of like very. wealthy people. I know some people that. are really wealthy and the thing that. they really want is to be famous. It's. weird. >> Just an ego egoomaniac.

>> Well, it's the thing they can't buy. It's like they can they have private. jets. They got a house here and a house. there and they got a company here and a. company there, but they really want to. be famous, >> you know? So, they they that's a lot of. those guys want to go on podcasts and. they want to like sort of like let the. world know how cool they are. It's weird. >> It is. >> You know, it's like, and then a lot of. those guys, they take the heat off the. comments and the the haters and they. don't like it. Like, Jesus Christ, I. didn't know it was going to be this. Like, yeah, that's that's what you. signed up for. You signed up.

>> the game. >> Yeah. You're on the the world theater. >> And that's uh it's a lot of eyeballs. It's a lot of lot of a lot of [ __ ]. venom tonged people out there just. wanting to say terrible things about. you. Yeah, >> can't wait for something to happen. >> And you have you have to have the same. way you have that discipline to not. allow those negative thoughts in your. head before you make a shot, you also. have to not allow other people's. negative thoughts in your head either, >> right? >> Cuz they're as valid, if not more valid. than your own negative thoughts.

>> Oh, there's so many different opinions. You know, >> this is for example, every time I make a. I don't know, bad decision to their. opinion, you know, they will always. voice it to me and say, well, you know, >> sure. And you just got to you just got to deal. with it. >> Yeah. Or not pay attention to them, which is I think the best way to do it. You you must be aware. Everyone's aware. if they [ __ ] up, and you're always aware. if people are upset at you about things, but don't [ __ ] focus on it. Don't pay.

attention. And that's where comedians. make a giant mistake, podcasters make a. giant mistake. I'm sure pool players do. it. Fighters do it in a big way. Like a. lot of fighters get real mad when they. read comments. >> Yeah. you know, and they invite trolls. to come to their gym, and some of them. even beat the trolls up, which is kind. of crazy. You know, some guys will talk. [ __ ] and they'll be so dumb that they'll. actually think that they can go to the. gym and, you know, spar with Sean. Strickland or something. >> That's the worst thing you can do. because that's what troll is wanting. That's what his goal is. He's trying to.

get to your head. >> Yeah. But if you can get him in the gym, it's worth it. >> Yeah. >> Like Sean Strickland has a bunch of. videos of guys who talk [ __ ] online. He. just beats the [ __ ] piss out of them, which is like then he wins, you know? Then it comes all full circle. Like. paying attention to the haters actually. paid off because. >> for him it's easy work. He's just he. just tunes these guys up like it's. nothing and talks [ __ ] to them while. he's kicking the [ __ ] out of them.

>> Yeah. Well, I guess in that case it. >> Yeah, but with pool it's like you don't. want to have to play some idiot who says. you suck. Like, okay, put up money. Let's play. Like they probably won't. They won't. And then you'll be talking. with them back and forth. >> What is uh the most amount of money that. you've ever gambled for? >> Uh against Shane. >> That was it. Yeah. >> So you don't want to say the full. amount, but that was the most amount. But this Joshua Filler thing, if what. they offered, if that ever happened, that would be the biggest one. >> It could be. It could be the biggest.

one. It could be the biggest one. But. also on my end, I just don't want it to. be a one match and done, >> right? I want to play, you know, if I. lose, I want to play again. If I win, I. want to play again. >> What What was he proposing in terms of a. race if it's. >> He wanted to do the same. He wanted to. do the same 120 10 ball over three days. just the same thing. >> And what would you think about that? >> I think I think yeah, we should we. should we can do that for sure. Uh but. my my my take on this was I wanted to.

play in Railard in Louisville where we. play all of our. >> spot. Yeah. Well, it's not really my. spot. It's considered. >> It's a spot you go to a lot, right? >> Not really. I go there, you know. >> Oh, I think you're lying. >> Couple times a year. >> I live 30 minutes from there. >> Oh, see that's your spot. >> But I don't I don't go there, >> son. Shut up. That's your home room. >> It's not my home room. I have a table at. home. I practice at home, >> right? But your home room where you go. to is like the place where you go that's.

near your house. That's an actual. establishment, not your home table. >> I mean, you can you can Yes. I mean, you. can say it like this, but I don't I. don't go there. I don't practice. I. never I'm never there. >> Right. I bet everybody knows your name. >> Oh, yeah. >> You walk in the door. Well, that. everybody knows your name everywhere. It. doesn't count. But, um, >> but yeah, I think. >> I can see why you wouldn't want to play. there. >> Yeah, of course. We can we can find a. neutral spot. We can find neutral spot. >> Maybe we're setting it up right here on. this podcast. >> What's the most amount you think you.

could get staked for? Uh, I will have to. >> consult. >> Yeah, I'll have to consult. >> Yeah, consult with those gentlemen. >> 3000,000 maybe. >> Could be four. >> Wow. >> It's a lot of money. >> It's a lot of money. Let's do it right. here. >> I'd be in I'd be into doing that. I. would have to tighten that table up, right? >> Yeah. Well, >> would you want it four and a quarter or. >> four and a quarter? Oh, that's another. thing he wanted to do. He wanted to only. play on a 4 inch table. M.

>> So, he wants to make it tighter. Uh, >> cuz me and Shane, we put in four and a. quarter. >> Oh, I see. >> And he thinks if he makes it tighter, I'm not going to be making as much balls. on the break and I can't control the. break. You know, it's always when you. negotiate a match like this, you always. want to have an edge, >> right? >> And little change here and there may. make the outcome different, but uh I. mean. >> I see I feel like you should do it at a. place where we can get an audience. though. >> We can. >> Yeah. But. >> it's going to be the biggest the biggest.

draw of the audience we can possibly. have. >> online for sure. What what I mean is in. person as well, like a place where. there's a lot of people that can watch. in person. >> I think me and Shane would draw a bigger. crowd, but maybe. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, probably. Shane is a huge American. hero when it comes to pool, >> right? >> But it just seems like he doesn't like. it anymore. >> With filler, it's different. You know, he's like Jake Paul. A lot of people. watch him, but they watch him because. they want him to lose. >> Really?

>> Well, I just found it like this. >> I didn't know that. I did. I'm just. hearing that for the first time now. I. thought he was beloved. >> Uh well, it's kind of changing, I think, lately. >> Why? >> Uh just uh the way he responded to a few. different things and social media makes. it uh worse. >> Oh, no. Social media stuff. Yeah, there. was a few a few uh I don't know if. you're involved with like WPA and Metro. conflicts and stuff like this.

>> Oh yeah, that's right. So there was a a. lot of weirdness where he was playing. for like what was it? WPA said you. couldn't play in a match room event or. >> is that what it was? >> Uh. >> what happened? What happened was uh. >> so we should explain to people that. don't know there's two different. competing sort of organizations. Yeah. And at one point in time if you played. for one they were telling you you can't. play for the other and everybody's like. that's kind of crazy guys like pool is. just starting to take off and don't. schedule [ __ ] at the same time as this. other one that you know is going to be.

there. Work together. So what happened. was uh WPA is implementing all those. bans and they say if you play in uh. Hanoi Open you will be banned for a. certain period of time from WPA. tournaments and all the top players at. the time we wanted to change that by. just stopping playing in WPA. tournaments. So we just all of us top 16. players or top 10 players we just don't. go to WPA tournaments. And by that move. we wanted them to change that rule. We.

wanted them to lift the band, >> right? >> So, the very next event, uh, after we. spoke with all the players, we were in. the meeting room, uh, we fly to New. Zealand and I was flying with, uh, Christina with my girlfriend at the. time. Uh, she was playing the World. Championships and there was a World. Championships for men's, which was a WPA. tournament. And, uh, we all agreed that. we're not playing there. Uh, but Josh. was there and he was playing. So he. basically decided and went against what.

he was saying in that maroon. He turned. up and uh signed up to play. It wasn't. just him. It wasn't other players. Uh. but then it just led to more like he. went on social media and tried to say. you know uh he was trying to defend. himself and say you know uh it wasn't it. was my dream to win that championships. was my uh. >> what better way to tell those other 10. guys that are the best in the world that. you're not going. All right, we're all. not going. And then you sign up. That.

means you just killed off nine or 10 of. the best players in the world and you. have a much better chance of winning. >> He did get a a lot of backlash from. that. Uh and I think to this day that. kind of stuck with him. >> I see. That makes sense. That makes. sense. He's a hell of a player though. >> Oh, he's unbelievable player. >> Yeah. And he's really young too, right? How old is he? He's a little bit older. than me, maybe 26, 27. But. >> yeah, >> he's the most fearless, the most. talented player. He's kind of like Ron. Salon of Pull. >> Yeah, he's um sometimes when he gets.

hot, it's crazy to watch where he's. spiking balls in. >> Oh, the high gear is unbelievable. Unbelievable. He would go for a long. period of time without missing any. balls. >> And the other thing about him is he. never looks like he's freaking out. Like. it it never seems to be affecting him. like he's never taking additional time. in between shots. >> No, he's a very fast fast player. Uh. >> even under extreme pressure. >> Yeah, he doesn't really fall under.

pressure and uh. >> just seems like he doesn't feel it. sometimes. So good. >> Sometimes it does feel like this. And he. was feeding off the actual like hate of. the crowd in Moscone like Mosone Cup. to. watch Las Vegas. I wasn't playing on. those years, but everybody's kind of. rooting against him and he's just. feeding off the crowd kind of like Jason. showed us. >> Wow. >> Yeah. If you can turn that into a fuel. and just run wrecks, that's uh amazing.

in my opinion. Yeah, if you can do that, if you have that kind of temperament. But it's always interesting to me when a. guy like that just seems to be so calm. under pressure and just fires balls in. Like it's almost like it's like. shocking. Like he's got a intimidating. game, >> right? >> Not that I don't think you could beat. him. It's a really good game though. >> It it is a really good game. It's top. one and two in the world or you know I. think at the very top as you see with. you know with Aloius Yap he won three.

tournaments in a row which is crazy. It's crazy to win like three majors in a. row but like you know Francisco Sanchez. Ruiz went on a a tear where he was doing. that for a while. You can you if you. look back at like the years even like 10. years from where we're at right now is. always one player winning tournaments. for like a year or two and then switches. to another player. >> like Shane won backtoback US Opens. >> or Ma Mika won back to back Darren won. Darren Appleton won backto back. It's.

always. >> they get hot. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But it's just maintaining that. It's. just so weird. Like we were talking. about Coping Chong who had that insane. match in 2023, but this year didn't play. nearly as well. >> It's really tough. I mean, life gets in. the way. >> Something, I don't know, family, business, >> or you might have a neck injury like you. had, right? Back might start bothering. you. You get sciatica. >> There's a lot of stuff that can happen. >> Yeah. But it's just that's why. highlevel pool when you watch it, you.

know, on a world stage like that when. it's executed so perfectly so fun to. watch because you know how hard it is to. get there. >> Yeah, it's harder to even stay there. >> So, um, what do you do differently now. that you're world number one? Do you do. anything differently to try to maintain. your position or is it just keep going? >> No, just keep going. I know what I what. I know what I did to get me where I'm at. right now. Why would I change it? >> Yeah. I mean, I guess unless.

>> because a lot of people they stop. because for example they had a goal, their motivation is gone, >> right? >> You know, my motivation is has always. been money really. Most of the time it. was just the money. I wanted to win as. much as I can. I was kind of from the. poorish family growing up and I always. my biggest motivation was financial. Uh. but obviously I wanted to be a world. champion and I had the dream to be a. world champion. When I won the first.

world championships, you know that that. dream was kind of gone. Now it's just. another major major major. So they. always ask me those questions were what. would it feel to you if you win another. US Open or Whirlpool Masters? Like it. would be great, but I think it would. mean a lot more when I stop playing. Like when I'd be sitting with my. grandkids and like, "Well, well, your. grandpa was a twotime world nonball. champion back in the day. It was four. railing nineball right there.". >> Why do you say it with a southern. accent? >> Well, because I live in Indiana here. I.

live in southern Indiana. >> Is that They have a southern accent in. Indiana. >> Yeah. >> Oh, that's interesting. I never even. thought of that. >> Huh. >> Yeah. >> What would you assume their accent in. Indiana would be? Depends where you are. >> Well, you're an Ohio boy, so you're. close to Kentucky. >> Depends where you are there. >> You have a accent. Cleveland's got an. accent. >> That's true. That's true. >> People have accents sort of. >> That's true. Um, but it's just. when you.

when you think about. just in general like pool's growth, I. think you're in a perfect position right. now in life. It's like if you had been. this good 20 years ago, you would be in. the same sort of trap that a lot of. those uh the older players were where. there's no real incentive to be playing. professionally. The only money that. anybody was making in pool 20, 30 years. ago, real money was in gambling, right? >> And there was a lot of guys that were.

making money gambling that weren't. placing well in tournaments. They just. and they didn't want to. They didn't. want to play in tournaments. They didn't. want to knock their action. But I think. you're in really the perfect timeline. whereas as you're getting better and as. pool's getting more and more popular, the money's getting bigger and bigger. and I think I think it's a really. awesome time for the game. >> I agree. Definitely. I definitely feel. fortunate to be in the right time in the. right era with uh the way my career was.

going to cuz like you said 20 years ago. I would have been nowhere. And it's also. the guys, the players of today, it seems. to me, and correct me if I'm wrong, but. they're much more systematic with their. training than they ever were before. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. 100% everybody's. more disciplined. Everybody is treating. as a sport. Like I said, they're not. treating it as a game. >> They're treating it like a sport, but. they're also examining all the aspects. of the game and constantly honing them. It's It's different. Like when I watch.

guys practice online, like you have a. channel where you put a lot of your. practice sessions online and you know, you get to see like there's no there's. no messing about. It's like there's. there's some serious training involved. like serious position play serious like. getting that muscle memory over and over. again and different ways to stroke a. shot. >> For example, my idol growing up was. always Neil's Neil's Fine. And he has. his own channel on YouTube as well. >> Yeah, he's great. The Terminator. >> He is the best to follow. the best. The. guy is doing uh.

visualization every day. He's he's. practicing every single day, I think. You know, he's doing his 90 minutes of. hardcore practice on the pool table. He's live streaming. He's explaining why. why would you have to practice? And if. you follow just everything he does, you. will get to a different level. 100%. >> Yeah. 100%. >> World class player, too. He's fun to. watch. >> Yeah. Super disciplined, super like a. Rafa Rafa Nadal. He's a rougher adult in. pool.

>> It's a fun time. Fun time to uh be a. pool player. And uh like I said, I think. the sky's is the limit. I think I think. the game is going to explode over the. next few years because we've watched it. get a lot bigger over the last four or. five. >> Yeah, for sure. Let's set up that filler. match. >> Yeah, man. I'll do commentary. How about. that? >> Get match room involved. >> Just set it up somewhere in Austin and. I'll do it. Let's do it. >> Do it somewhere where we can have a. crowd in person, though. That's what I. was getting at. Like, you're going to.

have a crowd online, but it'd be cool if. you had a lot of people there in person. >> All right. You got it. We We'll set it. up. >> Okay. Well, I want to see it. So, listen, congratulations on everything. It's been uh cool following you and uh. seeing what happened over the last time. you were here and uh watching you just. get better and better. >> Yeah. Thank you so much for having me, Joe. >> My pleasure, my brother. Uh tell. everybody if they want to follow you. Um, what's your Instagram? >> My Instagram has a weird name called. Janage. Uh, but I have Facebook mostly.

I spend a lot of my time on Facebook, Tik Tok. >> Oh, this is a question I wanted to ask. you. Your name you some people say. Fedor, some people say Federer, but in. Russian is it Fodor? >> Fedor. >> Okay, that's what I thought because. people were correcting me. I'm like, I. don't I think you're both wrong. I think. it's. >> theater. >> Yeah, a lot of them. >> I've heard Feder. I've heard and when I. was calling you Fedor, people are going, "Oh, he's saying that because Fedor. Melonenko." I'm like, "Yeah, well that's. kind of the accepted American. pronunciation of Fodor, though." So, I I.

wanted to ask you if it was Fodor. >> Yeah. Yeah, it is. But I knew I was. right. >> Right. But nobody called me like that. >> Okay, Fodor. That's who you are from now. on, bro. >> Let's play some pool and then we'll get. something to eat. All right. Bye, everybody. Bye-bye. [Music].