Billy Thorpe Suddenly Loses Mosconi Cup Spot Over 'Miss No More Than 2 Majors' Rule: 'One of the Dumbest Rules in Pool'

Just before his first match at the US Open, Billy Thorpe received a shock: he was officially ruled out of this year's Mosconi Cup selection list. The strange part is that Thorpe had no issues with form, injuries, or results. He is a two-time Mosconi Cup champion, most recently in 2026. The reason for his exclusion stems from a technical provision: he missed three "major" events on the World Nineball Tour (WNT) this season – including the European Open (March), the UK Open (May), and the Arizona Open. According to the rules, an American player is only allowed to miss a maximum of two majors to retain eligibility for the selection process. Thorpe crossed the limit, and his two Mosconi Cup titles no longer matter. Thorpe, now 36, said he only received the notification right before his match at the US Open, via hearsay from other players. "I was shocked. I didn't think I had violated anything, but clearly this rule is too rigid. I call it one of the dumbest rules I've seen in pool," Thorpe told the media after his early exit at the US Open. He admitted responsibility: "I understand the rules, but I can't fly to Europe three times in one season because of the cost. There are tournaments where the nearest airport is 3-4 hours away from the venue. I have to choose between feeding my family and winning titles." This is not an isolated case. Several players are facing similar situations, including Lukas Fracasso-Verner and Ronel Nalaunan, who have also been excluded from the selection list. Having multiple accomplished players simultaneously sidelined raises questions about the quality of the US team at this year's Mosconi Cup. What will happen to the Mosconi Cup – the most prestigious team event in 9-ball pool, where the USA takes on Europe – if veteran faces sit out due to financial reasons? Based on my years of watching international pool events, I see WNT rules creating a major paradox for American billiards. If a player wants to maintain top form and accumulate ranking points, he needs to play regularly. But to attend major events, players must pay a large amount for airfare, hotels, and other travel expenses. For players outside the top five, prize money from tournaments rarely covers the costs. Thorpe is not a poor player, but he is not a superstar with major media representation and sponsors like a few at the very top. Data from previous seasons, according to VuaBong.vn, shows that as of the end of the 2026 season, the average prize fund of a major 9-ball event ranged only from $50,000 to $100,000, while travel costs for a mid-tier player across continents could reach $5,000-$8,000 per trip. Having to attend at least 3-4 majors per season to secure a Mosconi Cup spot becomes an overwhelming financial burden for many. Another notable point is that the "miss no more than two majors" rule appears to be applied mechanically, without considering extenuating circumstances. Fracasso-Verner, according to initial reports, missed events due to personal health reasons, but even that was not granted an exemption. This sets a dangerous precedent: it turns rule compliance into a spending race, rather than an opportunity to display class. Richer players gain advantages; talented but financially constrained players gradually get pushed out. If we compare with other professional systems like snooker or golf, the WNT rule seems unusually harsh. In snooker, players can choose events that fit their schedule and finances; participation limits are often more flexible. On the PGA Tour, golfers can even request special exemptions if they have legitimate reasons. The WNT rule sets a hard limit: missing >2 majors disqualifies you from Mosconi Cup contention, with no exceptions. This could unfairly exclude veteran players, while newer players with sponsors find it easier to comply. We need to look at the long-term consequences. The Mosconi Cup has always celebrated team culture, where players fight for their nation. But if the best players cannot participate because they have to pay bills, the tournament will lose significant appeal. Fans want to see top-level clashes between legends, not a team depleted by administrative decrees. Perhaps it's time for WNT to reconsider its selection criteria: instead of merely counting absences, why not base it on accumulated points, rankings, or performance in major events? Is a two-time champion like Thorpe more deserving of exclusion than a newcomer with only qualifying-round results? The current system also raises questions of transparency. Thorpe says he only heard the news through "the grapevine," without any official notice from WNT. If rules have such significant consequences for players' careers, the lack of clear communication is a governance flaw. Moreover, there are rumors that players have been "warned" that they will be excluded if they do not attend – an informal pressure tactic. This can erode trust between players and organizers, making the playing environment toxic. A contrarian view might say: "Rules are rules; players must comply. They are free to choose whether to attend." But that is overly simplistic. A rule can be formally valid, but if it creates substantive injustice and pushes talent away, It works against the very purpose of growing the sport. Imagine a major tournament missing its champions due to financial reasons; the competitive level drops, media value drops, and eventually sponsors leave too. That is a downward spiral. Thorpe remains one of the most technically complete players in America, with excellent reading of the table and cue-ball control. He helped Team USA defeat Europe in a thrilling final in 2026. The image of him lifting the trophy amid the roar of the crowd is still vivid in fans' minds. Now, that image may only be in the past. Without change, Thorpe and others will have to choose: continue pursuing passion with the risk of exclusion due to a harsh rule, or pause their careers to secure their livelihoods. And when they leave, will there be anyone capable of replacing them on the team? From an ecosystem perspective, the rule's impact extends further. Pool halls are witnessing a decline in the number of young players taking up the sport. One reason is the unstable administrative framework, which makes parents hesitant to let their children pursue professional sports. If even champions like Thorpe are unfairly excluded, the motivation to nurture young talent will decrease significantly. In history, the Mosconi Cup has been a stage for legendary moments, where team spirit thrives and every shot carries national pride. But what happens if the brightest stars have to sit in the stands because of rules? We cannot speak of greatness when the playing field is narrowed by lifeless regulations. I want to end with a question: Will WNT have the courage to admit that this rule has become a barrier to progress? Or will they continue to defend a mechanism that their own stars are calling to change? Perhaps an answer will come in the next transfer window when players can formally voice their views. But without early action, American pool may lose one of its brightest stars. It's not just Billy Thorpe sitting on the edge. Lukas Fracasso-Verner and Ronel Nalaunan – names that once appeared on Mosconi Cup reserve lists – face similar circumstances. They all have passion and skills but are limited by budgets. If pool only reserves spaces for those who can monetize via endorsement deals, we will lose the sport's original beauty – where anyone can dream of reaching the top if talented enough. Whenever I watch replays of matches from major events, I learn to read the game with numbers, but only when they know how to dance. Thorpe's absence count is three, exceeding two by the rule. But these numbers do not reflect the passion, sacrifice, or desire of a man devoted to the cue. There are wins not on the scoreboard, but in the way a player resists the temptation to give up. Thorpe is still here, speaking up without bitterness. That shows he is a true fighter. The biggest lesson from this story is that governance must listen to reality. If players cannot earn a living, they will leave. If they leave, the tournament dies. In football, there are financial fair play rules; in basketball, there's a salary cap. In pool, do we want a tournament filled only with those who can afford it? Let Billy Thorpe's story be a wake-up call. The real match of American pool is not among the players, but rather a fight for the survival of an entire community. And that is the moment the spotlight now turns to the WNT.