#2371 - Fedor Gorst
In this episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, professional pool player Fedor Gorst discusses the evolving landscape of professional pool as it transitions from its gambling roots to a legitimate professional sport. Gorst explores how organizations like Matchroom are transforming the sport through televised events and streaming partnerships, while also examining the challenges pool faces in overcoming its traditional gambling associations.
The conversation delves into the physical and psychological demands of professional pool, with Gorst sharing insights about pressure management techniques and physical conditioning required for tournament play. He and Rogan also examine how the sport is attracting younger audiences, particularly in Asian markets where innovative approaches combine pool with modern entertainment venues, and how increased prize money is helping to legitimize professional pool.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Aug 27, 2025 episode of the The Joe Rogan Experience
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
1-Page Summary
Evolving Professional Pool Landscape and Its Impact
Professional pool is undergoing a significant transformation, with experts Joe Rogan and Fedor Gorst discussing its evolution from a gambling-focused activity to a serious professional sport. The growth is particularly evident in places like Vietnam, where Hanoi alone houses 2,000 pool rooms.
Professional Pool's Modern Development
Matchroom has emerged as a key player in transforming professional pool through large-scale events and streaming partnerships. According to Gorst, major pool tournaments are now televised globally, except in the US. The organization has secured significant deals, including events in Saudi Arabia, though their dominance has led to conflicts with traditional organizations like the WPA.
Pool players, especially the younger generation, are approaching the sport with increased professionalism. Gorst describes how elite players now employ various training methods, including visualization and positional training, demonstrating a shift toward a more serious, sports-like approach.
Psychological Aspects of Top Pool Players
The mental demands of professional pool are intense, particularly in high-stakes environments like the Moscone Cup. Gorst reveals his techniques for managing pressure, including specific breathing exercises and positive self-talk. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining self-belief while acknowledging that luck plays a role in the sport.
The physical toll of professional pool is significant, with Gorst discussing his personal routine of stretching, resistance bands, and recovery methods like sauna and cold plunge to maintain peak condition during grueling tournament schedules.
Pool's Potential to Become Mainstream
The sport is finding innovative ways to attract younger audiences, particularly in Asia. According to Gorst, China has introduced interactive elements like projected targets above tables, while Vietnam has successfully combined pool rooms with computer gaming spaces.
However, pool faces challenges in overcoming its traditional association with gambling. Rogan and Gorst discuss how this reputation, along with incidents of match-fixing, has affected the sport's image. They note that while gambling remains an issue, professional settings and increased prize money are helping to legitimize the sport.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Matchroom is a prominent sports promotion company that has played a significant role in elevating professional pool through organizing large-scale events and forming strategic partnerships for broadcasting. They have helped bring professional pool to a global audience through televised tournaments and streaming platforms, contributing to the sport's growth and visibility. Matchroom's involvement has led to the commercialization and professionalization of pool, attracting top players and increasing the sport's appeal to a wider audience. Their influence has sometimes caused tensions with traditional pool organizations due to their innovative approach and dominance in the industry.
- In professional pool training, players utilize various methods such as visualization and positional training to enhance their skills. Visualization involves mentally rehearsing shots and scenarios, while positional training focuses on improving cue ball control and planning for subsequent shots. These techniques help players develop precision, strategy, and consistency in their gameplay. Additionally, physical conditioning through routines like stretching, resistance training, and recovery practices like sauna sessions and cold plunges are crucial for maintaining peak performance during demanding tournament schedules.
- Professional pool demands intense mental focus due to the strategic nature of the game, requiring players to plan shots in advance and adapt to changing game situations. Players must manage pressure effectively, employing techniques like controlled breathing and positive self-talk to stay composed during high-stakes competitions. Physically, players need to maintain good fitness levels to endure long tournament schedules, often incorporating stretching, resistance training, and recovery methods like sauna sessions to stay in peak condition. The combination of mental acuity and physical stamina is crucial for professional pool players to perform consistently at a high level in competitive settings.
- Innovative ways pool is attracting younger audiences include interactive elements like projected targets above tables in China and combining pool rooms with computer gaming spaces in Vietnam. These approaches aim to blend traditional pool with modern technology and entertainment to engage a younger demographic. By incorporating interactive and tech-savvy elements, the sport seeks to appeal to a generation accustomed to digital experiences. This strategy aligns with efforts to make pool more dynamic and appealing in a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.
- The traditional association of pool with gambling has created a perception that the sport is primarily linked to betting and chance rather than skill and athleticism. Match-fixing incidents in pool have further reinforced these negative perceptions, casting doubt on the integrity of competitive play and undermining the credibility of professional pool as a legitimate sport. Efforts to distance the sport from its gambling roots and address issues of match-fixing are crucial for professional pool to gain wider acceptance and recognition as a mainstream sport.
Counterarguments
- While Matchroom is influential, other organizations and promoters also contribute to the sport's development, and their roles should not be overlooked.
- Televised tournaments are important, but the lack of broadcasting in the US, a major market, could indicate challenges in mainstream acceptance.
- Professional training methods are becoming more common, but not all successful players may subscribe to such regimented approaches, relying instead on natural talent and experience.
- The mental techniques employed by top players, while helpful, may not work for everyone, and some players might find success with different psychological strategies.
- Physical conditioning is emphasized, but the importance of talent, strategy, and skill in pool should not be understated in comparison to physical fitness.
- Innovative ways to attract younger audiences are commendable, but they may also dilute the traditional aspects of the sport that appeal to purists.
- The association with gambling and match-fixing is a significant challenge, and it may take more than professional settings and increased prize money to fully address these issues.
- The push to legitimize pool as a professional sport might alienate some amateur players and fans who appreciate the game's more casual and accessible roots.
Get access to the context and additional materials
Evolving Professional Pool Landscape and Its Impact
The landscape of professional pool is undergoing significant transformation, driven by increased professionalism, training discipline, and new business models promoting the sport on a larger scale. Experts like Joe Rogan and Fedor Gorst discuss the evolution of pool from a game associated primarily with gambling to a serious discipline with growing popular interest.
Recent Growth and Transformation of Professional Pool
Pool playing in Vietnam, particularly in Hanoi, which has 2,000 pool rooms, demonstrates the game's rapid growth. Joe Rogan recalls that there was no real incentive to play pool professionally 20-30 years ago, but now there is more money in professional play.
Matchroom's Influence Through Media, Prize Money, and Tournaments
Matchroom has been pivotal in changing professional pool through their large-scale events and association with streaming services like DAZN. For instance, their creation of WNT TV has made the game widely accessible. Rogan and Gorst highlight Matchroom's significant decisions that affect the sport's landscape, such as rule modifications in major tournaments. Matchroom offered Gorst a position to represent the United States, and the warm reception he received at the US Open in Atlantic City shows increasing support for international players.
With Matchroom, the game has benefitted from increased media presence, and Gorst mentions that major pool tournaments are now televised everywhere except the US. Matchroom has made strides in promoting sports like boxing, snooker, and pool by securing big money deals, including events in Saudi Arabia.
Conflicts have arisen between pool organizations like WPA and Matchroom, leading to disputes over player participation in tournaments, with top players, including Gorst, boycotting WPA events.
Increasing Professionalism and Training of Top Pool Players
The professionalism of pool players, especially the younger generation, is on the rise, treating the game as a serious sport with disciplined training regimens. Gorst notes the importance of continuous practice given the increasing competition.
Elite players focus on various training methods, including visualization and positional training. Gorst specifically mentions his idol, Neil's Fine, who practices visualization and daily pool table training. These practices indicate a shift towards a more serious, sports-like approach to pool, which includes preparation and strategy.
Pool's Potential as a Popular Spectator Sport
The game of Chine ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Evolving Professional Pool Landscape and Its Impact
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While the professional pool is gaining popularity, it may still face challenges in competing with more established sports for viewership and sponsorship.
- The growth of pool in Vietnam might not necessarily reflect a global trend; different regions may experience varying levels of interest and investment in the sport.
- The influence of Matchroom could be seen as monopolizing the sport, which might stifle competition and innovation from other organizations.
- Televising pool tournaments everywhere except the US could indicate a lack of interest or market challenges within the US sports broadcasting industry.
- Disputes between pool organizations could fragment the sport and confuse fans, potentially harming its growth and professional image.
- The increased professionalism of players, while positive, may not be enough to attract a broader audience without significant marketing and exposure.
- The comparison of pool to sports like darts and snooker may not account for cultural and historical differences that affect their popularity.
- The assumption that ...
Actionables
- You can start a casual pool league with friends to contribute to the sport's growing popularity. Gather a group of friends who enjoy pool or are curious about it, and organize regular meetups at local pool halls. This not only supports local businesses but also helps to foster a community around the sport, encouraging others to take it more seriously.
- Explore the potential of pool as a spectator sport by hosting viewing parties for major tournaments. Since tournaments are now more accessible through streaming services, you can invite friends over or coordinate with a local bar to stream a big pool event. This can help increase interest in the sport and create a fan base similar to those of other niche sports.
- Encourage young players by volunteering to mentor ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Psychological Aspects of Top Pool Players
The psychological components involved in the high-stakes world of professional pool are essential to understanding what makes top competitors like Fedor Gorst perform under pressure. The Moscone Cup, one of the most tense environments in pool, requires players to maintain intense focus amidst a chaotic atmosphere.
Pressure and Focus In Top-level Competition
Fedor's Routine For Managing Anxiety and Negative Thoughts
Kaya Henderson recounts what it's like at the Moscone Cup, where the audience screams and cheers, creating a challenging environment for players. Fedor Gorst speaks on the pressure of competing after watching an opponent not make a single mistake, and how it impacts his confidence. He maintains his poise by focusing on fundamentals and employing specific breathing techniques, breathing in and holding his breath, then exhaling slowly to calm himself down. Gorst often battles fear when taking shots and actively talks himself into believing he will succeed. He also acknowledges learning from missed shots, focusing on controlling what he can, and staying positive.
Luck and Momentum in Pool: How Top Players Control These Factors
Professional players like Gorst acknowledge that pool, similar to chess and golf, requires executing skills under pressure. Despite facing high tension, maintaining self-belief is key, as is allowing oneself to express emotions, which Gorst once considered a weakness. Regarding luck, there's an acceptance that while it's a part of any sport, having a positive mindset seems to increase fortunate occurrences. Joe Rogan compares the players' ability to maintain calm to that of a sniper, emphasizing the crossover in mental fortitude required for precision under pressure.
Maintaining Form and Motivation Over a Grueling Schedule
The mental toll of professional pool isn't just about enduring ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Psychological Aspects of Top Pool Players
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can integrate visualization exercises into your daily routine to enhance self-belief and performance under pressure. Start by setting aside 10 minutes each day to close your eyes and vividly imagine yourself succeeding in a challenging situation, whether it's giving a presentation at work or playing a competitive sport. The key is to feel the emotions associated with success, such as confidence and joy, to reinforce the belief in your ability to overcome obstacles.
- Develop a personalized pre-event ritual to manage anxiety and maintain a positive mindset. This could involve a series of steps you follow before entering a stressful situation, like listening to a specific song that uplifts you, performing a short series of stretches to release tension, or repeating a personal mantra that centers you. Tailor this ritual to what resonates with you and practice it consistently to create a sense of familiarity and control.
- Create a balance between your ambitions and personal life ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Pool's Potential to Become Mainstream
As the traditional game of pool vies for a place in the mainstream, discussions around marketing strategies and overcoming its niche reputation suggest that with thoughtful innovation and engagement, pool could attract a wider, younger audience.
Broaden Marketing to Attract Casual and Younger Audiences
Pool's Expansion in Asia via Internet Cafes and Gaming
Pool has seen innovative expansion in Asia, particularly in China and Vietnam, by making the game more interactive. In China, projectors above pool tables add bonus targets and obstacles, enhancing the player experience. Vietnam has combined pool rooms with computer clubs, creating venues that integrate pool with computer gaming—a concept that appeals to a younger, tech-savvy crowd.
Impact of High-Profile Tv/Streaming Deals and Documentary Projects
Fedor Gorst notes major pool tournaments are now broadcast on TV, signaling the sport's potential growth through media exposure. Additionally, a Netflix documentary about Eddie and Barry Hearn includes episodes on pool, suggesting that streaming services can elevate the sport's profile. Moreover, the success of hayball in China, possibly due to substantial financial investments, indicates the profound impact of high-profile monetary influxes, including potential TV or streaming deals. Gorst mentions that Ultimate Pool, a UK company, is breaking through in the US market, which supports the positive effect high-profile streaming deals have on the popularization of the sport.
Barriers to Pool Popularity: Niche Appeal & Reputation
Overcoming Pool's Association With Gambling and Unsavory Elements
The gambling aspect, often linked to pool, was thought to be undermining professional pool's image. Fedor Gorst conveys that, while gambling is associated with unsavory characters, professional settings mitigate these negative connotations. The concept of infusing pool with tracking technology and video projections could bring the sport up to date. Pool House's initiative to sell modern pool equipment to various venues indicates efforts to refresh the game's image.
Joe Rogan and Gorst touch on how gambling can tarnish cue sports' reputation. They discuss a scandal involving a player caught on camera willing to fix a match, highlighting the challenges faced by pool in distancing itself from its gambling associations. Gorst speaks to the issue of low prize money pus ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Pool's Potential to Become Mainstream
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While innovation can attract a younger audience, it may alienate traditional players who appreciate the classic nature of pool.
- The integration of pool with technology and gaming might dilute the skill-based aspect of the sport that purists value.
- Broadcasting pool tournaments and documentaries could increase visibility, but it doesn't guarantee a sustained interest unless the content is engaging and relatable to a broad audience.
- High-profile investments and media deals may help popularize pool, but they could also lead to commercialization that might compromise the integrity of the game.
- Modernizing pool's image to distance it from gambling might not address the underlying issues related to the sport's betting culture.
- Efforts to refresh the game's im ...
Actionables
- You can start a blog or social media page dedicated to showcasing the modern side of pool, focusing on the sport's strategy and skill rather than its past associations. By creating content that highlights the athleticism, precision, and mental aspects of pool, you contribute to reshaping its image. For example, post slow-motion videos that break down impressive shots or interviews with players who talk about their training routines.
- Consider organizing casual, family-friendly pool meetups in your community to introduce the game to new audiences. By partnering with local cafes or community centers, you can create events that are less about competition and more about learning and enjoying the game. These events could include mini-tutorials for beginners, fun challenges that don't involve gambling, and showcasing creative versions of pool that incorporate elements from other popular games.
- Engage with pool content creators online by commenting, sharing, and participating in discus ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
