packages

trustyrusty

trustyrusty

I'm better with a wedge!
Silver Member
It seems like most tourneys aren't giving anyone the chance to put up a package on his/her opponent by choosing an alternate break format. What started this trend, and how can it go away? WINNER breaks please!! Nothing worse for killing someone's rhythm than breaking and running and then having to rack and sit! rant over....

since this thread is about packages - I need some help....anyone willing to help me wrap some? I'm helpless with wrapping paper :sorry:
 
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I like it because it lets myself, who is normally dead money in a tournament, get a chance to actually play! Which means, more people will enter, which means a bigger payout.

So, which would you prefer to win if the entry fee was the same? A tournament with 20 people where you can run out your entire set or a tournament with 64 people with alternating breaks?

Brian
 
trustyrusty said:
It seems like most tourneys aren't giving anyone the chance to put up a package on his/her opponent by choosing an alternate break format. What started this trend, and how can it go away? WINNER breaks please!! Nothing worse for killing someone's rhythm that breaking and running and then having to rack and sit! rant over....

since this thread is about packages - I need some help....anyone willing to help me wrap some? I'm helpless with wrapping paper :sorry:
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I'd be glad to help you with the wrapping. I'm pretty good at it. Just send all your gifts to my house. PM me for my address ;)

P.S. Only thing worse than loser breaks is playing in a handicapped tournament were you don't even get to break at all!!!
 
What started it ? Whining from too many players that just got a package laid on 'em !
Sorry , y'all , but if it's your misfortune to draw Earl , just consider yourself fortunate enough to have a front row seat as he puts away 10 in a row !
There really aren't that many players that can perform like that , so , IMHO , alternate breaks addresses a problem which isn't that prevalent ! Take your turn at the table , IF you GET one , and try to earn a break . . . . :cool:
 
btoneill said:
I like it because it lets myself, who is normally dead money in a tournament, get a chance to actually play! Which means, more people will enter, which means a bigger payout.

So, which would you prefer to win if the entry fee was the same? A tournament with 20 people where you can run out your entire set or a tournament with 64 people with alternating breaks?

Brian
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I have never run out an entire set (heck, I'm lucky to run two balls in a row :wink: ), nor have I had an entire set run out on me....that aside; if 44 more folks will enter a tourney just because it's alternate breaks instead of winner breaks...WOW! Honestly, playing against MUCH better players than myself, I'd rather play winner breaks. In case I do happen to win a game, I can keep my rhythm; instead of trying to "hold serve" breaking every other rack. If my opponent does happen to hang a big number on me off the opening break...good on him. I don't mind losing to someone who played near perfectly, and maybe next time I can return the favor :cool:
 
trustyrusty said:
I have never run out an entire set (heck, I'm lucky to run two balls in a row :wink: ), nor have I had an entire set run out on me....that aside; if 44 more folks will enter a tourney just because it's alternate breaks instead of winner breaks...WOW! Honestly, playing against MUCH better players than myself, I'd rather play winner breaks. In case I do happen to win a game, I can keep my rhythm; instead of trying to "hold serve" breaking every other rack. If my opponent does happen to hang a big number on me off the opening break...good on him. I don't mind losing to someone who played near perfectly, and maybe next time I can return the favor :cool:
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I've never had someone run out on me completely either, but, I have had in a race to 7 been down 2-4 and had the next person run 3 racks... While I enjoy watching it, still don't like the feeling... As for the numbers, I just pulled those out of my ass, but, personally I am more likely to enter a tournament that is alternate break because I feel I'll have a better chance.

Brian
 
BasementDweller said:
P.S. Only thing worse than loser breaks is playing in a handicapped tournament were you don't even get to break at all!!!
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funny you mentioned loser breaks....I play in a handicapped league that does that. LOL....that is worse, but last night I had a breakless night. :eek: :cool:
 
Lisp on

This thread isn't about what I thought it was going to be about

Lisp off

Rusty, IMHO it's a good measure that may actually be more intended to take away racking disputes......a few local events here have gone this direction.....alternate break, rack your own, 9 is spotted if made on the break.....truthfully, I like it.....you no longer have somebody gazing at your rack for minutes on end, matches seem to go quicker this way....also helps to recount the score if there is a question around whether somebody moved the penny or not....
 
Big Perm said:
Lisp on

This thread isn't about what I thought it was going to be about

Lisp off

Rusty, IMHO it's a good measure that may actually be more intended to take away racking disputes......a few local events here have gone this direction.....alternate break, rack your own, 9 is spotted if made on the break.....truthfully, I like it.....you no longer have somebody gazing at your rack for minutes on end, matches seem to go quicker this way....also helps to recount the score if there is a question around whether somebody moved the penny or not....
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Theriousthly, I knew you'd open a thread titled packageth...thilly boy. :eek:
 
I'm not terribly fond of alternate breaks, but...

Turnout to tournaments featuring alternate breaks is far superior to the ones featuring winner breaks. The chum (sorry, ahem, amateurs) have spoken & if they're going to enter a tournament they want a real chance of winning (at least in their eyes).

So, do you want a chance to run packages or a chance at a nice payday?
 
TimKrazyMon said:
The chum (sorry, ahem, amateurs) have spoken & if they're going to enter a tournament they want a real chance of winning (at least in their eyes).
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I prefer the term "dead money" to chum thank you very much! :)

And, I don't think it gives me any better chance of winning, what it does it give me a chance to actually "play" pool for my entry fee instead of watching it!

Brian
 
TimKrazyMon said:
Turnout to tournaments featuring alternate breaks is far superior to the ones featuring winner breaks. The chum (sorry, ahem, amateurs) have spoken & if they're going to enter a tournament they want a real chance of winning (at least in their eyes).

So, do you want a chance to run packages or a chance at a nice payday?
Click to expand...

Since I couldn't care less what the tourney PAYS....I'll go with winner breaks personally. lol. I know, I know, I'm WAY in the minority on that one. :o
 
trustyrusty said:
Since I couldn't care less what the tourney PAYS....I'll go with winner breaks personally. lol. I know, I know, I'm WAY in the minority on that one. :o
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OMG! I'm am so writing down this date! A pool player who doesn't care what a tournament pays? This can NOT be true! Pool is only about how much money you can make! :rolleyes: LOL

Brian
 
btoneill said:
OMG! I'm am so writing down this date! A pool player who doesn't care what a tournament pays? This can NOT be true! Pool is only about how much money you can make! :rolleyes: LOL

Brian
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That may be why I'm considered a golfer that plays pool....:p

Just 2 months ago I played in a local tourney (yep, alternate breaks, but shortish races - to 5) that I have yet to win outright. This night I put both the faves in the losers side, and lost the hotseat match to an equal (speed wise) hill/hill. Well, I beat one of the faves again to make it into the finals, and VERY RELUCTANTLY split (it was already close to 2 am)! I still wanted to beat the guy who beat me for the hotseat, and woulda settled for NO money to do so, but the owner didn't want to close up that late (I had to double-dip him)......money schmoney, I'm gonna win that tourney some day. lol
 
trustyrusty said:
That may be why I'm considered a golfer that plays pool....:p

Just 2 months ago I played in a local tourney (yep, alternate breaks, but shortish races - to 5) that I have yet to win outright. This night I put both the faves in the losers side, and lost the hotseat match to an equal (speed wise) hill/hill. Well, I beat one of the faves again to make it into the finals, and VERY RELUCTANTLY split (it was already close to 2 am)! I still wanted to beat the guy who beat me for the hotseat, and woulda settled for NO money to do so, but the owner didn't want to close up that late (I had to double-dip him)......money schmoney, I'm gonna win that tourney some day. lol
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First time I made it to the finals in the Friday night tournament at my local pool hall in Charlotte I had 2 losses left and my opponent had one left (it was a cool handicap system they used). The person asked if I wanted to split it because it was getting late, but the difference between splitting it and getting 2nd place money was I think $40. So, I went for the glory, and won the first game to win it :) The girl who runs the tournament said afterwards she would have slapped me if I had done the split (she's a good friend, I used to run the tournament when she couldn't make it).

Brian
 
Alternate break is the only way to separate the best from the rest. Roger Federer would never lose if he served every game. Both players get their turn. Baseball, each team bats. Football, you score, you kick to the other team. The best that on that day, in that match, or game will win. Same with every other sport. Each team or individual is given an opportunity to prevail. As it should be, especially in pool. You can get your A kicked 7-1, and not play a bad shot. You should not lose a match by not having played it, amateur or pro. The break isn't necessarily an advantage anyway. But, it does present a better chance for either player to win, if they get that chance, and that's the point.
 
I can see both sides, but I don't have the problem with alternate break like some of you guys do. From a players standpoint at least I know I get to participate in the match. Say I draw Earl in the first round of a pro-am. Yeah, that's great and would be a wonderful experience, but if I hardly get to the table except to kick at balls, then I really didn't participate in the match at all and that sort of would take away from the experience. On the other hand, he can beat me 9-2 but if I had a B&R against him that is something I can tell the grand kids about.

From a playing standpoint I can also see alternate break in tournaments with shorter races (i.e. the Mosconi Cup). It gives both players a fair chance to get into the match.

From a spectator's perspective I love to see a guy put up packages. On the other hand when watching two pros play I also like to see a fair bit of both players.

In a longer race challenge match like the TAR events, winner breaks is the way to go. Both guys will get their chances.
 
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