Chinese pool is starting to spread beyond China’s borders. Also referred as Chinese 8-ball or Heyball, this cue sport now attracts some of the best billiard players from all over the world.
This surge in popularity is no coincidence. Chinese pool is a great combination of all the major cue sports.
To talk about it, we interviewed Gareth Potts, multiple Chinese 8-ball World Masters Champion.
This first of 6 episodes tackles the ever-growing excitement around this sport and the key to mastering the game.
A cue sport like no other “It's a mixture of all of the 3 cue sport disciplines: the Snooker, the American pool, the English pool. You have a really tight snooker-like pocket. You have an American sized pool ball, a large pool ball, and at the end of the day, it's still Eightball. And I think the pure excitement is the fact that there's live TV like no other cue sport, especially in China. And the last one is the prize money. The prize money now in China has overtaken all of the cue sports in the world.”
A perfect playing surface “At Eightball, we're playing cannons, we're playing nudges, we're playing doubles. All of these things are a huge part of Eightball. In my opinion, what makes the Strachan cloth the best is because of the napped cloth it gives the grip to the cue ball, which enables me to pot the cue ball exactly where I want to.”
The most historic title in nineball pool returns — and 14 former US Open champions are heading back to the table to chase it down once again.
The 2025 US Open Pool Championship, set for August 18–23 at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City, will feature one of the most decorated and star-studded fields in the tournament’s 48-year history. With a record $500,000 prize fund and $100,000 to the winner, the stage is set for a showdown between past legends and modern greats.
At the heart of it all is defending champion Fedor Gorst, who will aim to go back-to-back after his dominant run in 2024. Hot on his heels will be two of the most successful players in US Open history — Shane Van Boening and Earl Strickland, both five-time champions and tied for the most career US Open titles. Their legacies are already cemented, but another title would set a new all-time record.
Joining them are some of the biggest names of the last three decades.
From 5–10 August, the Florida Open Pool Championship makes its thrilling debut, bringing 256 of the world’s best players to Orlando for six action-packed days of nineball. And leading the charge on home turf? Every single member of last year’s Team USA.
Posted By admin on Monday, June 16 2025 @ 22:59:51 UTC (228 reads)
Read More... | 4212 bytes more | comments? |
Carlo Biado: One More Shot at History
CARLO BIADO: ONE MORE SHOT AT HISTORY
It’s been nearly a decade since Carlo Biado ascended to the pinnacle of world pool. In 2017, the Filipino star captured the World Pool Championship, etching his name into the sport’s history books and delivering a moment of pride for an entire nation.
A year later, he came agonisingly close to defending the title, reaching the final once again. Since then, while the trophy has remained just out of reach, Biado’s fire has never faded.
“To me, the World Pool Championship is everything,” Biado says. “It was always my dream—not just to play in it, but to win it. That victory changed my life, and even now, I still think about it. I remember the moment so clearly. It felt like something out of a dream.”
But the journey to that dream wasn’t easy. Biado had tasted heartbreak before. In 2015, he lost to Ko Pin Yi in the Last 32 —a loss that taught him lessons he would carry two years later.
“When I lost to Ko Pin Yi in 2015, I really felt the pressure. I struggled to play my game,” he admits. “But that match taught me a lot—how to handle nerves, how to be ready for the biggest moments. By 2017, I was still nervous in the final, but I was able to enjoy it. That made all the difference.”
But when the opportunity finally came, Biado seized it with every ounce of composure he had—and with it, a lifetime of memories.
Posted By admin on Monday, June 16 2025 @ 21:35:51 UTC (185 reads)
Read More... | 4867 bytes more | comments? |
WNT Launches Inaugural Philippines Open Pool Championship
THRILLER IN MANILA: WORLD NINEBALL TOUR LAUNCHES
INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP – 21–26 OCTOBER
The World Nineball Tour continues its global expansion with the launch of the first-ever Philippines Open Pool Championship, a brand-new Matchroom Major taking place 21–26 October 2025 at Gateway Mall, Quezon City, Manila — right in the heart of the capital.
In partnership with Puyat Sports, the Philippines Open follows hot on the heels of the Reyes Cup (16–19 October), making Manila the hub of world-class pool this October. The event will be broadcast live on One Sport, WNT TV, and through the World Nineball Tour’s global partners, bringing the action to fans both locally and worldwide.
A landmark moment for the sport in Southeast Asia, this historic tournament puts the Philippines — one of nineball’s most passionate nations — firmly on the Tour’s centre stage. Top international stars will battle it out in what promises to be a thrilling new chapter in the World Nineball Tour calendar.
With Manila joining global host cities like Hanoi, Orlando, and London, this latest addition further strengthens the Tour’s international presence and cements the Philippines’ status as a powerhouse in professional pool. It also offers homegrown talent a rare opportunity to shine in front of a roaring local crowd.
Posted By admin on Monday, June 16 2025 @ 10:55:28 UTC (180 reads)
Read More... | 4624 bytes more | comments? |
Day 3 Results - Austrian Open - Fortunski is king of the Alps!
Fortunski is king of the Alps!
14th June 2025
POLAND’S MIESKO FORTUNSKI claimed his third Euro Tour crown as he defeated countryman Wojciech Szewczyk 11-7 to claim the PREDATOR Austrian Open. He can now add this to the 2016 Italian Open and Tampere Open from 2023 but for Szewczyk, the hunt for his first Euro Tour title must continue.
Taking place in the picturesque Alpine town of St Johann im Pongau, the final itself stayed close until the mid-point when Fortunski began to edge away as he led 8-4, needing three more for glory. To his great credit, Szewczyk staged something of a comeback as he took the score to 7-9, to give his opponent something to think about.
However, sensing this was his time, Fortunski closed out the match to add the beautiful trophy to his Euro Tour collection. The Pole enjoyed the more comfortable ride to the final as he overpowered surprise package Ugur Turku and then No.1 ranked player Stefan Kasper in the quarters and semi-finals respectively.
Afterwards he was thrilled with his success; “I’m feeling amazing. It was a really nice atmosphere to play here for the people who watched and I’m very happy. I think that was a better match for me than the semi-final and I felt better on the table. I was more confident so I’m happy with that.
“It’s never easy to play against a friend from the national team so of course I’m happy because I won but there are no words for him right now except full respect. I have an eight-hour car journey home now but with this trophy!” he added.
Posted By admin on Friday, June 13 2025 @ 13:02:42 UTC (390 reads)
Read More... | 12992 bytes more | comments? |
Three Stops Before The Crown Jewel Of Nineball In Jeddah
JULY HEATS UP WITH OVER $1M ON THE LINE IN WORLD NINEBALL TOUR EVENTS
$1,092,000 Total Prize Fund Across All Events – Including $92,000 from Ranking Stops in Vietnam & Dubai
This July, the World Nineball Tour turns up the intensity with a massive $1,092,000 in total prize money on offer across multiple global events—$92,000 of which is up for grabs in two crucial WNT Ranking Events in Vietnam and the UAE.
These tournaments are more than just warm-ups—they are the final proving grounds before the sport’s most prestigious showdown: the 2025 World Pool Championship in Jeddah (21–26 July). Players will be battling for every point, every dollar, and every ounce of momentum heading into the season’s grand finale.
Both ranking events will be shown on WNT TV– don’t wait, sign up now to watch every moment of the action.
Posted By admin on Friday, June 13 2025 @ 02:26:34 UTC (141 reads)
Read More... | 3442 bytes more | comments? |
Predator Austrian Open starts tomorrow!
Preview - 2025 Predator Austrian Open
THE PREDATOR EURO TOUR series returns to its most picturesque hunting ground as the PREDATOR Austrian Open in both Open and Women’s divisions gets underway this Thursday, 12th June in St Johann im Pongau.
The defending Open champion is Syrian star Mohammad Soufi who claimed his second Euro Tour crown, defeating Tobias Bongers in the final match. Veronika Halliday took down the Women’s division last year, beating Pia Filler in an all-German final. Both champions will be here this week to try and repeat their feats of 2024.
Albin: ‘It Would Be Awesome To Win Here Again’
It is the Euro Tour’s 15th visit to the Austrian town nestled in the mountains and offering sweeping Alpine panoramas. The home contingent numbers 24 players including strong contenders Mario He and Max Lechner and also looking to make a return to the Euro Tour winner’s circle is two-time WPA World 9-ball Champion, Albin Ouschan.
Ouschan first won on the Euro Tour way back in 2012 in Sarajevo and then again in Leende in 2015. Despite less appearances in more recent times, he’s back this season looking to improve on a 17th place finish in Treviso and a 5th in Tallinn.
He said, “It doesn’t feel so different playing in my home country but it does feel different playing in my home town (Klagenfurt). I’ve won here in St Johann already. I won the European Championships here but that was a long time ago and it’s always something different but on the other hand it makes me proud to play at home. It’s a beautiful country and I love that people come and see our country. It’s a great feeling to have a tournament here.
“I’m actually feeling quite confident, feeling quite good. I took some time off to prepare and I did some changes in my technique which obviously needed a lot of work and I’m really looking forward to this event. It’s a long time since I’ve played 9-ball breaking from the side. It’s a great venue in a great little city and it’s going to be an awesome tournament.
Posted By admin on Thursday, June 12 2025 @ 05:42:38 UTC (162 reads)
Read More... | 5249 bytes more | comments? |
Breakthrough Wins For Labutis And Kaçi | WNT Ranking
BREAKTHROUGH WINS FOR LABUTIS AND KAÇI | WNT RANKING
Pijus Labutis and Kledio Kaçi have both etched their names onto the 2025 World Nineball Tour winners’ list, each capturing their maiden WNT Ranking titles in consecutive events across Europe.
NEVER MISS A MOMENT – STREAM EVERY MATCH LIVE ON WNT TV
Labutis struck first in Tallinn, Estonia, with a composed performance at the Mezz Hill-Hill Estonia Open—defeating home favourite Casper Matikainen 11-7 in the final. The Lithuanian has long looked poised for a breakthrough, following semi-final runs at the 2024 UK Open and the 2025 European Open in March.
Now up to No.13 in the WNT Rankings, he’s eyeing a place in the top 10 for the first time in his career. His first title comes as no surprise and could well be the first of many for the 27-year-old.
Posted By admin on Thursday, June 12 2025 @ 05:16:56 UTC (150 reads)
Read More... | 3026 bytes more | comments? |
Reyes Cup Set For Electrifying Return To Manila, October 16–19
REYES CUP SET FOR ELECTRIFYING RETURN TO MANILA
The countdown begins for Team Asia’s first-ever title defence
The World Nineball Tour, in partnership with Puyat Sports, is thrilled to announce the return of the Reyes Cup — set to light up Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila once again from October 16–19, 2025. Broadcast live on One Sports and WNT TV, the four-day team clash promises even greater firepower, intensity, and drama, as Team Asia prepares to defend their crown on home soil.
TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON – SIGN UP FOR ALERTS HERE
The full list of broadcast partners will be announced soon.
Following its explosive debut in 2024, where Team Asia clinched a commanding 11–6 victory in front of a raucous home crowd, the Reyes Cup is back for its second edition — and with it, the return of the electric team format that has captured the hearts of fans across the world.
Inspired by the legendary Efren "Bata" Reyes, the Reyes Cup honours the Philippines’ deep-rooted passion for cue sports while showcasing the finest talent from across Asia in a high-energy team environment. Among those chasing Reyes Cup glory, 2024 MVP Aloysius Yapp currently tops the Race to the Reyes Cup for Team Asia — and will be looking to return as a key force this October.
The tournament follows the same thrilling four-day format as the prestigious Mosconi Cup, and in just one year has established itself as a major highlight on the global pool calendar drawing huge crowds in Manila and millions of viewers worldwide. With rivalries reignited and pride on the line, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium is expected to be packed to the rafters once again.
Efren Reyes, said: "Last year was very special — to see Team Asia win the first Reyes Cup in front of our home crowd was unforgettable. The atmosphere was amazing, and I’m so happy the tournament is coming back to Manila! It was an honour to serve as captain last year, and I’ll be cheering the team on as they go for back-to-back titles."
PRO9 has established an outstanding reputation as Europes No.1 source for information on American Pool in the UK and Europe.
Upcoming tournament details, prompt match reporting, exclusive images by talented photographers, superb articles by expert pundits, active pool related forums, player profiles and a very sophisticated membership - basically, an incredible information resource for the American style game in Europe.
Since it launched, PRO9 has become compulsory reading, not just for the UKs pool players, but to hundreds and thousands of pool obsessives from around the world every single day.
PRO9s members range from professional pool players, cue-sports enthusiasts, club managers, tournament organisers, pool fans and aficionados, as well as various "movers and shakers" in the cue-sports field, including entrepreneurs in the wholesale and retail sector, as well as magazine editors and television sports promoters.
Growing more and more popular every single year, PRO9 is the best placed vehicle for the promotion of your pool club, billiards brand, associated products, services and opportunities in the truly massive pan-European billiard market.
If you qre reading this, you should check out www.Pro9.co.uk for yourself! Please use these logos and text in your links to www.Pro9.co.uk - thank you.
Forum rules: No advertising, no links to businesses/shops/eBay, no swearing, respect our sponsors and each other, no hate!
