Alternate Break or Winner Break
- Thread starter Aaron_S
- Start date
From a player's standpoint, winner breaks will be the favorite.
However from a fan's perspective, alternate breaks would be better. This gives the fans a chance to see both players.
Personally, I like winner breaks. I feel why should a player get to the table to break even when he lost the previous rack?
However from a fan's perspective, alternate breaks would be better. This gives the fans a chance to see both players.
Personally, I like winner breaks. I feel why should a player get to the table to break even when he lost the previous rack?
Aaron_S said:
short race>6 or less=alternate breaks.
long race>7 or more=winner breaks.
This is a tough one for me. When I am playing I prefer a "winner breaks" format. If I went to a tournament and paid $$$ for V.I.P. seating to watch my favorite player, and it was a winner breaks format and he/she lost the lag and the opponent was in dead stroke and won the race 7-0 and my favorite player never got to the table, then I would favor an "alternate break" format 
!!!
Maniac
!!!Maniac
Maniac said:This is a tough one for me. When I am playing I prefer a "winner breaks" format. If I went to a tournament and paid $$$ for V.I.P. seating to watch my favorite player, and it was a winner breaks format and he/she lost the lag and the opponent was in dead stroke and won the race 7-0 and my favorite player never got to the table, then I would favor an "alternate break" format
Maniac
Absolutely, and that's why I specified "playing". Alternate breaks is obviously better for spectators, but I was curious to find out if anybody actually perfers to play that way, and if so, why.
Aaron
I'm a fan and I HATE alternate breakes!!
Here is the thing.... I think pool would be way more exciting if all the tourny's were winner break. I'd love to see someone put up 9 in a row to win a finals match in a race to 9, or have someone put up 8 come up dry on the break then never get back to the table as the other guy puts up 9. That would be awesome!
I think more players would go for more shots too as they are in great stroke from staying at the table longer.
I'm sure lots of people like seeing the drag out matchs that alt break can offer, but a hill hill match in alt break is not as exciting as hill hill with winner break.
Just my 2 cents.
Cheez Dawg said:From a player's standpoint, winner breaks will be the favorite.
However from a fan's perspective, alternate breaks would be better. This gives the fans a chance to see both players.
Personally, I like winner breaks. I feel why should a player get to the table to break even when he lost the previous rack?
Here is the thing.... I think pool would be way more exciting if all the tourny's were winner break. I'd love to see someone put up 9 in a row to win a finals match in a race to 9, or have someone put up 8 come up dry on the break then never get back to the table as the other guy puts up 9. That would be awesome!
I think more players would go for more shots too as they are in great stroke from staying at the table longer.
I'm sure lots of people like seeing the drag out matchs that alt break can offer, but a hill hill match in alt break is not as exciting as hill hill with winner break.
Just my 2 cents.
Aaron_S said:
If I am competing against good players, I like the "Winner Breaks" game. I can make a ball on the break & possibly get out or play safe at an opportune time.
If I am competing against lesser skilled players, "Alternate Breaks" works for me. The "lesser skilled Player" generally breaks up the rack, with no balls pocketed. I then have the choice of making a ball, playing safe or Pushing out. That puts my opponent on the defense.
J
jimmymac
Guest
I prefer Alt. breaks this way if I loss it's my fault, I can say I did not have a chance in a tournament. However playing heads up for the cash I've got to go with winner break.
Totally agree.Cheez Dawg said:From a player's standpoint, winner breaks will be the favorite.
However from a fan's perspective, alternate breaks would be better. This gives the fans a chance to see both players.
Personally, I like winner breaks. I feel why should a player get to the table to break even when he lost the previous rack?
I personally like 'winner breaks'. But voted differently.
S
Scottster
Guest
My Idea, once again..
I have posted my Breaking format concept for 9-ball 10-ball or 8-ball before, but I will post it again.
I call it the "Pro-Competition" format (pro-comp for short).
This format has the best of both, winner and alternate breaks.
The format is alternate break, with a 3-rack run limit per inning.
So if player "A" comes to the table after Player "B" misses on his break and wins that game, Player "A" can now break and run three racks before Player "B" comes back to the table resulting in a 4 game swing in the match.
After running the third consecutive rack, the break is then returned back to Player "B".
Once a player misses that ends the inning of course, therefore if Player "A" has run a rack, misses or plays safe, and still wins the game. Player "B" will be breaking the next game because his break inning came to an end.
The Pro-Comp format has many benefits for the player and the fans.
A player always has an opportunity at the table and the opportunity to make a strong comeback in a match. Unlike in alternate break in a race to nine when the score is 7-3, a comeback is unlikely. If the player can string 3 racks together, he is right back in the match applying the pressure to his opponent to see what he can do next at the table.
The fans like to see racks run and this format will allow for that, plus exciting competition.
I have posted my Breaking format concept for 9-ball 10-ball or 8-ball before, but I will post it again.
I call it the "Pro-Competition" format (pro-comp for short).
This format has the best of both, winner and alternate breaks.
The format is alternate break, with a 3-rack run limit per inning.
So if player "A" comes to the table after Player "B" misses on his break and wins that game, Player "A" can now break and run three racks before Player "B" comes back to the table resulting in a 4 game swing in the match.
After running the third consecutive rack, the break is then returned back to Player "B".
Once a player misses that ends the inning of course, therefore if Player "A" has run a rack, misses or plays safe, and still wins the game. Player "B" will be breaking the next game because his break inning came to an end.
The Pro-Comp format has many benefits for the player and the fans.
A player always has an opportunity at the table and the opportunity to make a strong comeback in a match. Unlike in alternate break in a race to nine when the score is 7-3, a comeback is unlikely. If the player can string 3 racks together, he is right back in the match applying the pressure to his opponent to see what he can do next at the table.
The fans like to see racks run and this format will allow for that, plus exciting competition.
Scottster said:
This sounds like a good idea to me, especially in tournaments where the races are a bit shorter, like to 5 or less.
BTW, I noticed that you're from Lee's Summit; were you by chance at the MO State 9-Ball Championship this weekend? I left at about 11:00 last night, and still haven't heard who ended up winning it.
S
Scottster
Guest
Hi Aaron,
Columbia filled up before I got my entry in. So I played at Shooter's in the Midwest 9-ball tour. I too am waiting to hear who won.
In regards to the break format, with a shorter race I would make it a 2 rack run limit per inning.
Columbia filled up before I got my entry in. So I played at Shooter's in the Midwest 9-ball tour. I too am waiting to hear who won.
In regards to the break format, with a shorter race I would make it a 2 rack run limit per inning.
For PRO events like the US Open.... Winner Breaks.
I love to see those guys string racks..... six packs are awesome.
For the weekend or monthly local tournaments.. I like the loser break format...
I always liked it when the 'losers' broke it wide open for the easy runout.
I love to see those guys string racks..... six packs are awesome.
For the weekend or monthly local tournaments.. I like the loser break format...
I always liked it when the 'losers' broke it wide open for the easy runout.
Scottster said:
Yeah, that was the story with quite a few players this year. They had 96 entries this time, and they turned several players away, including Mike Banks Jr. I've had a couple of close calls over the years, so now I usually hand-deliver my entry form (I'm only 30 miles away) as soon as I get it.
I can't tell you who won it, but it was down to three when I left. Steve Matlock was in the hotseat, and Don Crump and some other guy who's name I can't remember right now were squaring off to determine the winner of the loser's bracket. I think Chuck ended up in 4th. It was a pretty strong field overall this year since they changed the eligibility rules again. If I find out who won, I'll let you know.
Aaron
I'm still not really sure on this one, I voted for alternate. My suggestion would be alternate breaks for the earlier rounds with the shorter races, and winner breaks from race to 9 and longer.
gr. Dave
gr. Dave
Alternate breaks.
I dislike winner breaks because it lets a top player stay in stroke while you sit on in your chair dying to get to the table. Winner breaks is not an even contest between top players. Whoever starts the ball rolling is usually going to win. I played in the Florida Pro tour in Melbourne and had to play a top player that won the toss and ran 7 straight racks to win the match. How would you feel if this happened to you? I would have at least like to got to the table just once to get my moneys worth. Since most all tournaments on TV have switched to alternate breaks it makes for a more even match, even between the top players.
I dislike winner breaks because it lets a top player stay in stroke while you sit on in your chair dying to get to the table. Winner breaks is not an even contest between top players. Whoever starts the ball rolling is usually going to win. I played in the Florida Pro tour in Melbourne and had to play a top player that won the toss and ran 7 straight racks to win the match. How would you feel if this happened to you? I would have at least like to got to the table just once to get my moneys worth. Since most all tournaments on TV have switched to alternate breaks it makes for a more even match, even between the top players.
Winner breaks
About ten years ago in the PBT, races to 13, Roger Griffiths was behind 12-0, when he ran "12 racks back" and had weird scratch on the break of his 13th. His opponent ran the last rack!!! Most people still want to see the HOME RUNS when they go to the Ball Game.
About ten years ago in the PBT, races to 13, Roger Griffiths was behind 12-0, when he ran "12 racks back" and had weird scratch on the break of his 13th. His opponent ran the last rack!!! Most people still want to see the HOME RUNS when they go to the Ball Game.