CHAPTERS
Meeting Fedor Gorst: a 22-year-old pool prodigy and the impact of Russian athlete bans
Joe introduces Fedor Gorst as the first professional pool player on the show and explores where Fedor fits among the world’s best. They discuss how bans on Russian athletes after the Ukraine invasion limited Fedor’s tournament participation and ranking points, and why enforcement varies by sport.
From Moscow to Derby City Classic: Fedor’s first U.S. run at 16
Fedor recounts his first trip to the U.S. in 2016, brought by a sponsor to the Derby City Classic. Joe frames Derby City as a massive, character-filled “hustler’s convention,” and shares how he personally discovered pool through injury and local gambling rooms.
Action vs tournaments: high-stakes one-pocket, ‘spots,’ and tilt
Joe probes the gambling side of pool and Fedor details his biggest win, including betting by the rack and adjusting handicaps. Joe explains one-pocket rules and how ‘spots’ (handicaps) make mismatched games competitive, while they both talk about the psychology of losing big money.
Russian Pyramid vs American pool: tables, pockets, fundamentals, and stance
They dive into Russian Pyramid—its 12-foot table, tiny pockets, and demanding fundamentals—contrasting it with American pool’s varied styles and forgiving pockets. The conversation shifts to technique: stance, knee bend, tall-player adjustments, and how early habits stick.
Coaching culture: Russia’s structured training vs the U.S. bar-room tradition
Fedor contrasts Russia and other countries that treat cue sports like formal athletics with coaches and facilities, versus the U.S. perception of pool as bar entertainment. He explains rotating coaches to keep improving and how elite instruction (including a national-team coach) accelerated his development.
Europe tours, tragedy, hustling at 13, and the sponsor who changed everything
Fedor describes starting Eurotour young, self-funding early travel, and the hardship following his father’s death. A hustling story in a Moscow poolroom leads to an unexpected sponsorship offer that helped launch his international career.
Perfect sets, Magic Rack debates, and the economics of modern pool growth
Joe praises a recent ‘perfect’ 10-ball set against Oscar Dominguez and breaks down why the Magic Rack changes break predictability. They widen to pool’s financial realities, recent growth via streaming and Matchroom, and Joe’s idea to host/commentate matches on YouTube.
Earl Strickland, cue extensions, and gear choices (shafts, weight, deflection)
Joe plays and discusses his Earl Strickland impression, then they analyze Earl’s eccentric training aids and equipment. The conversation expands into cue technology—extensions, carbon fiber vs wood, tip sizes, cue weight, and how deflection affects aiming with English.
Training like a pro: practice structure, breaking tools, and ‘break is 80%’ in rotation
Fedor outlines how he practices differently in and out of tournament season, including drills for break, jump, and kicking. They discuss break-training devices, modern racking rules, and how formats and equipment have made the break shot increasingly dominant in nine- and ten-ball.
Pressure, routines, and performance enhancers: beta blockers, Adderall, and ‘the Buddy Hall pause’
They explore the mental side of pool: nerves, breathing, and how one shot can decide everything. Fedor explains his preshot routine and pausing on the backswing, then they move into drug testing, beta blockers, stimulants in action matches, and how substances can alter perception and endurance.
Philippines pool culture: shark-proof crowds, powder on rails, and gambling intensity
Fedor and Joe paint a vivid picture of Filipino action rooms: dense crowds, constant distractions, powder everywhere, and nonstop betting. They argue that growing up in chaotic conditions can forge elite focus and stroke quality, and they define ‘sharking’ as intentional distraction.
The dark side of action: hustling moves, weapons stories, and underworld money
They shift to the hazards of gambling culture: manipulation over rules, stolen equipment, and disputes about breaks and readiness. Fedor shares a story of a friend facing gunfire over a small debt, while Joe connects action to criminal backers, drug money, and dangerous environments.
Pool history and legends: fake names, road stories, and the romance (and cost) of the hustle
Joe recounts old-school road culture—aliases like Efren’s ‘Cesar Morales’—and recommends classic pool books that document hustling life. The tone mixes admiration for the characters with tragedy and caution, including the death of Tony Annigoni and how brutal the road can be.
Modern formats and fan appeal: Mosconi Cup energy, shootouts, and growing the sport
They evaluate spectator-friendly formats like the Mosconi Cup’s short races and Predator’s shootouts, balancing entertainment against pure skill expression. Fedor explains how shootouts can decide big money despite near-perfect play, while both agree variety can help expand the audience.
What’s next for Fedor: green card plans, U.S. schedule, bar-table culture, and long-term goals
Fedor shares upcoming tournaments, explains why he dislikes bar-table events despite big Calcuttas, and describes the rough vibe of certain stops on the circuit. They close on immigration logistics, the idea of representing the U.S., and Fedor’s goal of steady improvement rather than chasing a single ranking milestone.
