Jorgen Sandman - Part 4 The Alphabet Soup of Cue Sports: How Billiards Reached the Olympic Family)

Jorgen Sandman - Part 6 (A Pool Player with a Dream: on Survival, Service, and Legacy)

The final chapter of Jorgen Sandman’s Legends of the Cue interview brings together the personal and the historic: a lifetime of service to pool, a near-death experience, a renewed commitment to the WPA, and a simple answer to how he wants to be remembered—“as another pool player, with a dream.” Jorgen continues the Olympic conversation by explaining why pool may deserve the first true chance if billiards sports are admitted to the Games. He points to pool’s global reach, the possibility of champions from dozens of countries, and the WPA’s sanctioned participation from 128 countries as evidence that cue sports have far more international depth than many people realize. The episode then turns deeply personal. Jorgen recounts the devastating 2020 landslide in Norway that destroyed his home, moved it hundreds of meters, and took lives around him. He and his wife survived, losing nearly everything but choosing to stay in the village they loved. The global cue sports family, including the EPBF and WPA, rallied around them—an act of support that reflected the respect Jorgen had earned across decades. As the conversation closes, Jorgen discusses the current WPA, the leadership of Ishaun Singh, the importance of Predator’s support during difficult times, and why he believes the organization is again doing meaningful work for the sport. In Alli’s Rapid Rack, he reflects on his first cue, ball colors, the best advice he ever received, players he would pay to watch, Olympic discipline choices, and the future of pool. This is a fitting conclusion for fans of Jorgen Sandman, WPA history, pool governance, Olympic cue sports, Predator, international billiards, and the people whose dreams shaped the game. Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510864/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510864/support] Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com [https://www.legendsofthecue.com] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1] Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a cue sports history podcast featuring interviews with Hall of Fame members, world champions, and influential figures from across the world of cue sports—including pocket billiards, snooker, and carom disciplines such as three-cushion billiards. We highlight the people, places, and moments that have shaped the game—celebrating iconic players, memorable events, historic venues, and the brands that helped define generations of play. With a focus on the positive spirit of the sport, our goal is to create a rich, engaging, and timeless archive of stories that fans can enjoy now and for years to come. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher and Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, Legends of the Cue brings these stories to life—told in the voices of the game’s greatest figures.  Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cu...

Jorgen Sandman - Part 5 (The Olympic Dream: World Games, Brisbane, and Pool’s Global Future)

Can pool become an Olympic sport? In this fifth episode of Legends of the Cue, Jorgen Sandman offers one of the clearest explanations you will hear of where billiards sports stand in the Olympic movement, what still has to happen, and why the dream remains alive. The episode begins with the continental structure of the WPA and why organizations like the EPBF, Asian federations, BCA, African associations, and Pan-American bodies became essential to pool’s global survival. Jorgen explains why the BCA’s role in North America has always been unusual, why USA Cue Sports may be an important step, and why a more complete North American or Americas-based federation could matter for the future. From there, the conversation turns to the World Games, where billiards sports have long had a platform, and to the bigger question of Olympic inclusion. Jorgen breaks down the old limits of the Olympic Games—28 sports, 300 medals, and 10,000 athletes—and explains how newer thinking has opened the door for additional sports. He discusses Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032, the importance of host-city shortlists, and the challenge of convincing Olympic committees that billiards deserves a place. Jorgen also explains why multi-sport events matter so much: the World Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, Pan American Games, South American Games, and others all help strengthen the case for Olympic inclusion. He gives special attention to Brisbane, Australia’s Neil Robertson factor, and the strategic question of whether pool, snooker, carom, or another discipline would have the best chance. A vital episode for listeners following pool’s Olympic hopes, World Games billiards, WPA development, USA Cue Sports, and the future of international cue sports. Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510864/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510864/support] Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com [https://www.legendsofthecue.com] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1] Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a cue sports history podcast featuring interviews with Hall of Fame members, world champions, and influential figures from across the world of cue sports—including pocket billiards, snooker, and carom disciplines such as three-cushion billiards. We highlight the people, places, and moments that have shaped the game—celebrating iconic players, memorable events, historic venues, and the brands that helped define generations of play. With a focus on the positive spirit of the sport, our goal is to create a rich, engaging, and timeless archive of stories that fans can enjoy now and for years to come. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher and Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, Legends of the Cue brings these stories to life—told in the voices of the game’s greatest figures.  Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cu...

Jorgen Sandman - Part 4 The Alphabet Soup of Cue Sports: How Billiards Reached the Olympic Family)

Pool fans know eight-ball, nine-ball, ten-ball, and straight pool. But behind the games themselves is a complex world of federations, Olympic recognition, acronyms, politics, and diplomacy. In this fourth episode of Legends of the Cue, Jorgen Sandman becomes the ideal guide through the “alphabet soup” of international cue sports governance. Jorgen explains how carom, snooker, and pool first came together under one umbrella, eventually forming the World Confederation of Billiards Sports, or WCBS. He traces the historic meetings that brought the UMB, IBSF, WPBSA, and WPA into conversation, and explains why the International Olympic Committee required the entire billiards family to be united before recognition could even be considered. The story moves from Switzerland to GAISF, from rejection to acceptance, and from skepticism—“billiards is not a sport”—to eventual Olympic recognition. Jorgen shares how a glossy presentation, persistent lobbying, and years of organizational work helped billiards sports earn provisional recognition in 1996 and full recognition in 1998. He also recalls operating billiards rooms inside the Olympic Villages in Barcelona and Atlanta on behalf of Brunswick, offering coaching and trick-shot demonstrations to Olympic athletes. This episode also clarifies the differences between carom, snooker, pool, English Billiards, Pyramid, Blackball, Chinese Pool, and Heyball. Jorgen explains how these disciplines found their place within the world structure and why inclusion was often the only practical path forward. For listeners interested in cue sports governance, Olympic billiards, WPA history, WCBS, carom, snooker, Heyball, Pyramid, Blackball, and the international future of pool, this is an essential masterclass. Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510864/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510864/support] Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com [https://www.legendsofthecue.com] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1] Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a cue sports history podcast featuring interviews with Hall of Fame members, world champions, and influential figures from across the world of cue sports—including pocket billiards, snooker, and carom disciplines such as three-cushion billiards. We highlight the people, places, and moments that have shaped the game—celebrating iconic players, memorable events, historic venues, and the brands that helped define generations of play. With a focus on the positive spirit of the sport, our goal is to create a rich, engaging, and timeless archive of stories that fans can enjoy now and for years to come. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher and Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, Legends of the Cue brings these stories to life—told in the voices of the game’s greatest figures.  Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cu...

Jorgen Sandman - Part 3 (Building World Pool: The WPA, America, and the Junior Pipeline)

In this powerful third episode of Legends of the Cue, Jorgen Sandman pulls back the curtain on the creation of the World Pool-Billiard Association, the importance of American participation, and the youth development systems that helped Europe and Asia catch up to—and eventually surpass—the United States in world pool. Jorgen recounts the late-1980s conversations that led European leaders to look beyond their own borders and imagine a true global structure for pool. He explains why the WPA could not succeed without the Americans, how the BCA became involved, and how a late-night fax helped confirm that the United States would join the first WPA World Championship. It is one of the great behind-the-scenes stories in modern pool history. The discussion then turns to conflict, politics, and the fragile nature of professional pool. Jorgen shares his account of dealing with the Men’s Professional Billiard Association and Don Mackey, while Mark Wilson adds perspective on the long-term impact those years had on American men’s professional pool. The result is a frank conversation about structure, missed opportunities, and why the U.S. lost ground internationally. But this episode is also about hope and development. Jorgen and Mark discuss junior training camps, disciplined coaching, European youth championships, and the pipeline that helped produce generations of elite players. Jorgen also tells the remarkable story of bringing pool to Russia, staging a European Championship in a state circus, donating the first twelve nine-foot pool tables, and helping seed a movement that would eventually produce world-class Russian players. A must-listen for anyone interested in WPA history, American pool, European pool, junior development, Fedor Gorst, international nine-ball, and how world pool was built. Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510864/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510864/support] Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com [https://www.legendsofthecue.com] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1] Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a cue sports history podcast featuring interviews with Hall of Fame members, world champions, and influential figures from across the world of cue sports—including pocket billiards, snooker, and carom disciplines such as three-cushion billiards. We highlight the people, places, and moments that have shaped the game—celebrating iconic players, memorable events, historic venues, and the brands that helped define generations of play. With a focus on the positive spirit of the sport, our goal is to create a rich, engaging, and timeless archive of stories that fans can enjoy now and for years to come. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher and Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, Legends of the Cue brings these stories to life—told in the voices of the game’s greatest figures.  Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cu...

Jorgen Sandman - Part 2 ("Learning by Doing": Teaching Pool, Running Rooms, and Selling the Sport)

Before Jorgen Sandman became one of the most influential administrators in world pool, he was first a student, teacher, pool room operator, promoter, and believer in the power of simply getting started. In this second episode of Legends of the Cue, Jorgen explains how “learning by doing” became the motto that guided his journey from young instructor to international leader in billiards sports. The conversation begins with the games that shaped Swedish pool in its early years, especially straight pool, five-and-nine, and later eight-ball. Jorgen reflects on what coaching looked like in Sweden in the 1970s, when there were no established systems, few instructional resources, and most players learned by watching others. Drawing on lessons from ice hockey, volleyball, and his own curiosity, he built a teaching philosophy based on fundamentals: how to hold the cue, how to stand, how to observe, analyze, and communicate. Jorgen also shares candid insights from the business side of pool, including owning and operating rooms, selling products, writing about the game, and using creativity to attract new players. One standout story centers on The Color of Money, when he persuaded the Swedish film world to help promote pool by placing offers on cinema tickets—an idea that helped fill his room and generate remarkable media attention. From the Challenge Cup to early professional tournaments, this episode reveals how Jorgen used journalism, promotion, and sheer initiative to raise pool’s profile in Sweden and beyond. Essential listening for fans of pool instruction, billiards coaching, pool room history, straight pool, sports promotion, and the business of cue sports. Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510864/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510864/support] Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com [https://www.legendsofthecue.com] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1] Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a cue sports history podcast featuring interviews with Hall of Fame members, world champions, and influential figures from across the world of cue sports—including pocket billiards, snooker, and carom disciplines such as three-cushion billiards. We highlight the people, places, and moments that have shaped the game—celebrating iconic players, memorable events, historic venues, and the brands that helped define generations of play. With a focus on the positive spirit of the sport, our goal is to create a rich, engaging, and timeless archive of stories that fans can enjoy now and for years to come. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher and Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, Legends of the Cue brings these stories to life—told in the voices of the game’s greatest figures.  Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cu...