Marcel Eckardt picked up his first cue at 19 in a small German village, then landed a spot at one of only two pool clubs in all of Germany where he could serve his voluntary social year. By 23, he was the youngest referee ever to join Snooker's elite A squad. By 30, he was the youngest to officiate a World Snooker Championship final. Now 15 years into his career, he's refereed both snooker and nine ball world championship finals and witnessed nine maximum breaks, including Ronnie O'Sullivan's record 15th. We discuss what separates professional players from amateurs (and it's not what you think), the one habit top players abandon right before they choke, why pool has too many disciplines for its own good, the visualization routine every club player ignores, and what the sport needs to reach a wider audience.
Find Marcel on social media or catch him at the next World Snooker Tour or Matchroom Pool event.