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Houston, we have a pickleball team. Major League Pickleball is expanding to 21 franchises in 2027, with the Houston Hammers officially joining the party. New owner, new city, new identity. And for a franchise that's changed names five times since 2021, let's hope this one sticks. We've got the full story below.

In This Issue:
— New unwritten rules of pickleball
— Is Ben Johns losing his grip?
— The real price of playing pro

Everything's bigger in Texas.

Played in a PPA tournament? Congrats. That doesn't necessarily make you a pro. Zane Navratil has some strong opinions on the subject, including why he thinks there are only 60–75 actual pros in the sport. His criteria? Let's just say your bank account matters more than your DUPR. Nico the Lefty weighs in on the latest PicklePod.

Tired of getting bullied by big hitters at the kitchen? Stop just blocking their attacks and start punching back. The punch volley is your secret weapon for sending bangers scrambling toward the baseline. Here are five keys to getting it right.

There's a theory floating around that pickleball is most fun when you're just good enough to be dangerous. Beyond 3.5? It's all rating anxiety, selective open play, and taking yourself way too seriously. Our followers have some hilarious thoughts on the subject.

Think being a professional pickleball player is all prize money and podium finishes? APP pro Seone Mendez recently broke down the costs of competing in Louisville: $1,725 in expenses, $934 in after-tax winnings, and a $791 loss. And that's with her $480 entry fee waived. Ouch.

There's the official rulebook. And then there's the other rulebook. The one nobody gives you, but everyone expects you to follow.

Pro Zane Navratil breaks down 12 unwritten rules of pickleball, including a few he thinks belong in the trash.

Here's your crash course in not being that player at open play:

And that's just scratching the surface.

➡️ Get all 12 unwritten rules before your next open-play session.

Do you end points or build them? Be honest. It decides which Nightblade you should be playing.

Power and control are different games. (Most players pick the one they wish they were.)

The Nightblade 001 is a power paddle, tuned for faster energy return. The Nightblade 002 is a control paddle, tuned for a steadier feel and longer ball dwell.

Same full-foam platform, both $149.99, with a 30-day trial to find out if you were right.

Pick the one that matches your game, not your ego.

Grab yours today and use code THEDINK for 10% off.

Four straight losses. Zero titles. And suddenly, the most dominant force in men's doubles is looking surprisingly mortal.

On the latest PicklePod, Zane Navratil and Nico the Lefty break down Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio's recent struggles, including their latest loss to Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin in Hong Kong.

Zane went full film-room detective, analyzing every point of the final. His findings? Johns isn't attacking enough, and he's making too many mistakes when he does. Not exactly a winning combination.

So who's the best men's doubles team right now? The guys debate whether Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu have officially taken the throne.

Also on the docket: Chris Haworth's singles slump, a rising Australian star, the questionable accuracy of AI line-calling, and a surprisingly heated debate over what actually qualifies someone as a "pro" pickleball player.

➡️ Watch the full episode here.

New city. New owner. New name. Same franchise that's been reinventing itself since 2021.

Major League Pickleball is growing to 21 teams in 2027, with the Houston Hammers joining the party under new owner Hugh Zhang.

Formerly the Nashville Chefs (and before that, the Frisco Pandas, Frisco Clean Cause, Clean Cause, and Team Clean — try to keep up), the franchise is returning after sitting out 2026.

But this is more than a fresh coat of paint. The Hammers plan to host an MLP event in Houston next season, plus field junior and senior teams.

The big question? Who's actually playing for them? Roster acquisition details, keeper deadlines, and draft plans are still TBD.

One thing's certain: Houston is back in the big leagues.

➡️ Get the full story.

Almost every amateur player is still trying to play offense from the transition zone. A reset is the smarter shot, and most players can’t hit a good one under pressure.

PPA pro Eric Roddy says developing a two-handed backhand can transform your resets, counters, and dinks. It forces your paddle out in front and gets you lower, two things your reset probably needs.

Here's why you need a twoey.

Apparently, the most controversial shot in pickleball is the one that comes out of your mouth.

The screaming debate refuses to die, and now there's a push to make excessive celebrations a punishable offense. But who decides what's too loud? And why are women getting called out for screaming while men get away with trash-talking at the kitchen?

Our guy Erik Tice has a hot take: Pickleball needs personalities, not a noise ordinance.

There's a difference between celebrating a winner and screaming in someone's face. The trick is drawing that line without turning referees into the decibel police.

➡️ Here's why the proposed crackdown could backfire.

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