THE INDEPENDENT CUE SPORTS JOURNALEDITION 001 / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
Pool. People.
The whole game.
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ON THE WIREJacksonville to host inaugural PBS All Stars ↗120 STORIES. ONE GAME.
Gorst adds a first China Open title
THE BIG STORY

Gorst adds a first China Open title

An unbeaten run in Shanghai. Another major chapter in the American star's career.

WORLD TOUR / Sep 15, 2026 ↗
Sanchez Ruiz wins a second US Open in a decider
World Tour

Sanchez Ruiz wins a second US Open in a decider

Francisco Sanchez Ruiz defeated Robbie Capito 13–12 to claim his second US Open title. The Spaniard, previously champion in 2022, became the tenth multiple winner in the tournament's history after a final that came down to the last possible rack.

Aug 31, 2026 • News brief
Feijen named Europe captain for Mosconi Cup
World Tour

Feijen named Europe captain for Mosconi Cup

Niels Feijen will lead Europe at the 2026 Mosconi Cup in Orlando. The former player and eight-time cup winner takes the captaincy as Europe seeks a seventh consecutive team victory. The competition is scheduled for November 27–30 at Caribe Royale.

Sep 8, 2026 • News brief
THE GAME DOESN'T STOP AT THE FINAL RACK.Champions. Challengers. The stories in between.Read every story ↗

The latest.

All news ↗
Makhani fights back for JIC junior crown
Junior Pool

Makhani fights back for JIC junior crown

Jas Makhani recovered through the elimination bracket to take the boys' 20U title at Junior International Championships Stop 8. The September 11–13 meeting also produced two girls' division wins for Tanvee Vallem, while Hyatt claimed the boys' 14U competition.

Sep 19, 2026 • News brief
Television brings professional pool to a broader audience
Industry

Television brings professional pool to a broader audience

An AZBilliards feature examines how televised matches and more structured tournaments are changing the way audiences follow pool. Its discussion includes the visibility created by ESPN2's coverage of the 2026 US Open final, alongside the growing interest surrounding professional nineball.

Sep 19, 2026 • News brief
Van Boening takes the Stevie Chan Memorial
Regional

Van Boening takes the Stevie Chan Memorial

Shane Van Boening won the fourth Stevie Chan Memorial after a run through the one-loss bracket. Piazza's in Aurora, Colorado hosted the September 11–13 tournament, which attracted 171 players and offered $5,000 in added money.

Sep 17, 2026 • News brief
Benoit stays unbeaten in South Carolina
Women's Pool

Benoit stays unbeaten in South Carolina

Ashley Benoit defeated Nikki Brown in the final to capture the Palmetto State Women's Championship. The Spartanburg tournament drew 26 competitors. Benoit also overcame Christy Norris on her way to the final, completing the event without a defeat.

Sep 16, 2026 • News brief
Denkha completes a US snooker three-peat
Snooker

Denkha completes a US snooker three-peat

Renat Denkha retained the United States national snooker championship for a third consecutive year. Playing at the PABSA Academy in Santa Clara, California, he faced a demanding challenge from Hasanain Alsultani before securing another national title.

Sep 16, 2026 • News brief
Gilbert returns to the winner's circle
Regional

Gilbert returns to the winner's circle

Jesse Gilbert claimed a TOP Tour event at Dot's Cue Club in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. His unbeaten route to the hot seat marked a notable return to tournament results for a player whose earlier recorded cash finish dated back to 2006.

Sep 16, 2026 • News brief
The preparation lessons shared by precision games
Game & Practice

The preparation lessons shared by precision games

A feature on tournament preparation explores the overlap between pool and poker. Its focus is the deliberate work players do before competition: building repeatable habits, preparing mentally and sustaining attention during long events. The comparison is about preparation rather than similarities in playing technique.

Sep 15, 2026 • News brief
Jacksonville to host inaugural PBS All Stars
World Tour

Jacksonville to host inaugural PBS All Stars

The Predator Pro Billiard Series has announced a new season-ending All Stars event for December 15–20, 2026. Jacksonville's Hyatt Regency Riverfront will host men's and women's competitors across singles, doubles and mixed doubles during the six-day programme.

Sep 15, 2026 • News brief
Joss Tour begins its 30th season in Maine
Regional

Joss Tour begins its 30th season in Maine

The Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour announced Waterville, Maine as the opening stop of its 2026–27 season. TJ's Classic Billiards was named host for September 19–20, with $2,000 added to the event as the regional series enters its 30th season.

Sep 14, 2026 • News brief
A BIGGER STAGE

Women's game.

All women's pool ↗
Benoit stays unbeaten in South Carolina
Women's Pool

Benoit stays unbeaten in South Carolina

Ashley Benoit defeated Nikki Brown in the final to capture the Palmetto State Women's Championship. The Spartanburg tournament drew 26 competitors. Benoit also overcame Christy Norris on her way to the final, completing the event without a defeat.

Sep 16, 2026 • News brief
MacDonald strengthens her NWPA season lead
Women's Pool

MacDonald strengthens her NWPA season lead

Kathie MacDonald went unbeaten at Northwest Women's Pool Association Stop 5 in Spokane. The result was her third undefeated tournament victory of the season, alongside second- and third-place finishes, placing her in a strong position in the tour's annual standings.

Sep 12, 2026 • News brief
Kibaroglu retains the Texas Open women's crown
Women's Pool

Kibaroglu retains the Texas Open women's crown

Eylul Kibaroglu successfully defended her Texas Open women's title, defeating Aryana Lynch. The women's event formed part of the Labor Day championship programme at Skinny Bob's in Round Rock, Texas, alongside the nineball and one-pocket competitions.

Sep 10, 2026 • News brief
Pao wins the second WPBA Signature Series stop
Women's Pool

Pao wins the second WPBA Signature Series stop

Caroline Pao won Pechauer WPBA Signature Series Stop 2 after coming through the one-loss bracket. The August 27–30 event attracted 80 entrants. The series is designed for eligible WPBA competitors with Fargo ratings at or below 650.

Sep 5, 2026 • News brief

Next generation.

Junior pool ↗
Makhani fights back for JIC junior crown
Junior Pool

Makhani fights back for JIC junior crown

Jas Makhani recovered through the elimination bracket to take the boys' 20U title at Junior International Championships Stop 8. The September 11–13 meeting also produced two girls' division wins for Tanvee Vallem, while Hyatt claimed the boys' 14U competition.

Sep 19, 2026 • News brief
Marcinkowski takes the EEBC junior championship
Junior Pool

Marcinkowski takes the EEBC junior championship

Ksawery Marcinkowski won the seventh EEBC Junior Championship in Debica. He defeated Adam Palczynski 5–1 in the nineball final, completing an event that brought young competitors from across Europe together for the junior title.

Aug 15, 2026 • News brief
WPA publishes its position on youth prize money
Junior Pool

WPA publishes its position on youth prize money

The World Pool Association issued a statement opposing cash prizes in competitions exclusively for under-19 athletes. The announcement framed its position around education, player welfare and long-term participation, and encouraged continental federations and members to support those objectives.

Aug 14, 2026 • News brief
BETWEEN MATCHES

Understand
the game.

Practice, preparation and the small decisions that make a difference.

Inside the game ↗
GAME & PRACTICE

The preparation lessons shared by precision games

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GAME & PRACTICE

Digital tools find a supporting role in practice

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GAME & PRACTICE

The fine margins behind an unpredictable break

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