WOW 14 stripes and solids??? You guys have extremely too much time on your hands!!
8-ball with 21 balls
- Thread starter jsp
- Start date
Probably not since they would be on the same line as the existing five row rack.
If they are wired to go in the corners...just move the rack forward or back. Sounds like fun. Johnnyt
I am still very interested in seeing normal 15 ball 8-ball played on one of the new Diamond 10-foots with 4 1/8th inch cut pockets by two top professionals (hopefully on TAR). I think clusters would still be an issue to a degree on a table like that, albeit obviously less so then on a bar box.
But, 21-ball (new name because it is clearly a new game) would be pretty interesting to see as well on a 10-foot Diamond table with the same 4 1/8th inch pockets as well.
But, 21-ball (new name because it is clearly a new game) would be pretty interesting to see as well on a 10-foot Diamond table with the same 4 1/8th inch pockets as well.
Why? Having the honor on the tee does not alter the dynamics of a match nearly as much as having the break does in pool. In fact, most golfers play ready golf off the tee, even in a match. And on the PGA Tour, where almost every event is contested at stroke play against the entire field, having the honor on the tee is largely meaningless.
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8-ball Style Cut-Throat
I know the OP was in the context of the pros, but some of these ideas sound cool and I wanted to add mine; 8-ball Style Cut-Throat.
For three players.
Three groups of balls, 7 balls in each group: solids, stripes, and "whites".
The "whites" group consists of 6 plain cue balls and the 8-ball.
For the actual cue ball, use a Pro Cup/measles ball.
Basically play this game like regular 8-ball with the difference being that each person has their own "final" ball. For solids it's the 7. For stripes it's the 15, and for whites, it's the 8.
The usual rules for hitting your own group of balls first, and contacting a rail still apply (after all this is about making it more challenging and/or improving your skills).
The usual rules for "call ball" vs. "call shot" still apply.
The usual rules for "cue ball fouls only" still apply
When racking, one final ball goes in the middle of the second row, one 2nd from the left in the 5th row, and one 2nd from the right in the 5th row, rack all other balls completely at random (or evenly distributed, whatever).
Table is always open after the break (that rule makes even more sense in this game).
Groups are determined in the usual way.
Scratch on break gives ball in hand anywhere on the table to the incoming player.
Pocketing any of the three final balls on the break is not a win. Spot only the "final" balls and keep shooting.
None of the following are loss of game, but all are fouls. In these situations, spot the final balls pocketed (in numerical order if more than one) and give ball in hand to the incoming player.
Pocketing your final ball early.
Pocketing any of the wrong final balls.
Pocketing your final ball in the wrong pocket.
Pocketing your final ball and scratching.
This is just off the top of my head, did I miss anything? This sounds like fun to me, I want to give it a try soon as I can.
Fatz
I know the OP was in the context of the pros, but some of these ideas sound cool and I wanted to add mine; 8-ball Style Cut-Throat.
For three players.
Three groups of balls, 7 balls in each group: solids, stripes, and "whites".
The "whites" group consists of 6 plain cue balls and the 8-ball.
For the actual cue ball, use a Pro Cup/measles ball.
Basically play this game like regular 8-ball with the difference being that each person has their own "final" ball. For solids it's the 7. For stripes it's the 15, and for whites, it's the 8.
The usual rules for hitting your own group of balls first, and contacting a rail still apply (after all this is about making it more challenging and/or improving your skills).
The usual rules for "call ball" vs. "call shot" still apply.
The usual rules for "cue ball fouls only" still apply
When racking, one final ball goes in the middle of the second row, one 2nd from the left in the 5th row, and one 2nd from the right in the 5th row, rack all other balls completely at random (or evenly distributed, whatever).
Table is always open after the break (that rule makes even more sense in this game).
Groups are determined in the usual way.
Scratch on break gives ball in hand anywhere on the table to the incoming player.
Pocketing any of the three final balls on the break is not a win. Spot only the "final" balls and keep shooting.
None of the following are loss of game, but all are fouls. In these situations, spot the final balls pocketed (in numerical order if more than one) and give ball in hand to the incoming player.
Pocketing your final ball early.
Pocketing any of the wrong final balls.
Pocketing your final ball in the wrong pocket.
Pocketing your final ball and scratching.
This is just off the top of my head, did I miss anything? This sounds like fun to me, I want to give it a try soon as I can.
Fatz
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I like this idea too. Rack all 15 balls and play 9 OR 10 ball from there. You'd have more obstacles, but you would also have more balls to play from creatively. You could carom off an extra ball to pocket a ball.
And the rule could be that you keep shooting if you make ANY ball, so you could use combos and billiards to pocket an extra ball and keep shooting. This could remove an obstacle AND allow you to keep going on the run. In a way it could make it easier at times, but you did pocket extra balls to get there. But with the extra obstacles, I'm assuming it would still be tougher overall.
I wouldn't spot extra balls made on the break, but that's a minor point.
Got to try this too.
Fatz
This could work as well. Though, the practical problem with this variation is that you need to find another 6 balls that don't resemble the other balls (red in your example). If you play it as described in the OP, then all you need are two sets of balls.
And if they get pocketed?
True Bill-Leaver (pronounced Believer)
Well, after great anticipation (in reading this post) to get home after work & the gym, dinner, mail, shower, etc., I tried it on my little 6 foot table last night, and it really added a new dimension to ordinary 8 Ball. I used my regular 15 balls, which I always rack exactly the same way (so I know what ball is going where), added 3 solid black Poker balls and 3 striped black Poker balls to the last row of 6, and I switched out my regular 8 Ball for a White 8 Ball so it wouldn't be confusing with the black Poker balls I was using. I only played 5 racks, but really want to try it with some of my friends and teammates. Very difficult to get a shot after the break because of all the traffic on my small table. The second game I played, I made 2 solids on the break and could have easily run out if I didn't Bill-Leave myself!!! (A "Bill-Leave", self-named by me & for me, is when you run out to, or almost run out to the 8 ball, but leave yourself hopelessly hooked! I'm the best there is at it!!!:grin
. So, if you get a good shot after sinking a ball or 2 on the break, it's very possible to run out if you're not me, even on a very small table. It was fun, frustrating and challenging! Can't wait till Sunday when I can play on a bigger table with other people. I think a good name for this game would be "21-8" or "Legal in all States-8" Maybe we can vote on a name for this game, any thoughts?
---Bill
Well, after great anticipation (in reading this post) to get home after work & the gym, dinner, mail, shower, etc., I tried it on my little 6 foot table last night, and it really added a new dimension to ordinary 8 Ball. I used my regular 15 balls, which I always rack exactly the same way (so I know what ball is going where), added 3 solid black Poker balls and 3 striped black Poker balls to the last row of 6, and I switched out my regular 8 Ball for a White 8 Ball so it wouldn't be confusing with the black Poker balls I was using. I only played 5 racks, but really want to try it with some of my friends and teammates. Very difficult to get a shot after the break because of all the traffic on my small table. The second game I played, I made 2 solids on the break and could have easily run out if I didn't Bill-Leave myself!!! (A "Bill-Leave", self-named by me & for me, is when you run out to, or almost run out to the 8 ball, but leave yourself hopelessly hooked! I'm the best there is at it!!!:grin
. So, if you get a good shot after sinking a ball or 2 on the break, it's very possible to run out if you're not me, even on a very small table. It was fun, frustrating and challenging! Can't wait till Sunday when I can play on a bigger table with other people. I think a good name for this game would be "21-8" or "Legal in all States-8" Maybe we can vote on a name for this game, any thoughts?---Bill
Attachments
Hey, thanks for trying it out. I would have tried it out myself if I had an extra set of balls, which I don't. With the balls you included in those pics, the name that I proposed earlier "Blackjack 8-ball" goes perfectly with it.Well, after great anticipation (in reading this post) to get home after work & the gym, dinner, mail, shower, etc., I tried it on my little 6 foot table last night, and it really added a new dimension to ordinary 8 Ball. I used my regular 15 balls, which I always rack exactly the same way (so I know what ball is going where), added 3 solid black Poker balls and 3 striped black Poker balls to the last row of 6, and I switched out my regular 8 Ball for a White 8 Ball so it wouldn't be confusing with the black Poker balls I was using. I only played 5 racks, but really want to try it with some of my friends and teammates. Very difficult to get a shot after the break because of all the traffic on my small table. The second game I played, I made 2 solids on the break and could have easily run out if I didn't Bill-Leave myself!!! (A "Bill-Leave", self-named by me & for me, is when you run out to, or almost run out to the 8 ball, but leave yourself hopelessly hooked! I'm the best there is at it!!!:grin
---Bill
Well, after great anticipation (in reading this post) to get home after work & the gym, dinner, mail, shower, etc., I tried it on my little 6 foot table last night, and it really added a new dimension to ordinary 8 Ball. I used my regular 15 balls, which I always rack exactly the same way (so I know what ball is going where), added 3 solid black Poker balls and 3 striped black Poker balls to the last row of 6, and I switched out my regular 8 Ball for a White 8 Ball so it wouldn't be confusing with the black Poker balls I was using. I only played 5 racks, but really want to try it with some of my friends and teammates. Very difficult to get a shot after the break because of all the traffic on my small table. The second game I played, I made 2 solids on the break and could have easily run out if I didn't Bill-Leave myself!!! (A "Bill-Leave", self-named by me & for me, is when you run out to, or almost run out to the 8 ball, but leave yourself hopelessly hooked! I'm the best there is at it!!!:grin
---Bill
Might be time to fork over a Bill or two and get yourself some new chalk. :thumbup:
I've been known to cut the wrapping off the side of the chalk myself so I can continue using it. Although I don't think I would take one of those pieces with me when I venture off to the pool hall.
The game of 8-ball needs no solid/striped balls, just 7 balls of one solid color and 7 balls of a different solid color (say 7 red and 7 blue balls). For this new format where 21 balls are used, I would use 10 red balls and 10 blue balls and a solid black ball for the game-winning ball. I would call the game "Black-ball". Put the black ball in the normal position in the rack but put it on the spot when racking. Same basic rules as a normal 8-ball game (if there is such a thing ). I think this game on a 9-footer would make the game a bit tougher for the worlds' best players. On a barbox, I would think it would be significantly tougher.
Good thread with LOTS of good ideas!!!
Maniac
). I think this game on a 9-footer would make the game a bit tougher for the worlds' best players. On a barbox, I would think it would be significantly tougher.Good thread with LOTS of good ideas!!!
Maniac
Well, after great anticipation (in reading this post) to get home after work & the gym, dinner, mail, shower, etc., I tried it on my little 6 foot table last night, and it really added a new dimension to ordinary 8 Ball. I used my regular 15 balls, which I always rack exactly the same way (so I know what ball is going where), added 3 solid black Poker balls and 3 striped black Poker balls to the last row of 6, and I switched out my regular 8 Ball for a White 8 Ball so it wouldn't be confusing with the black Poker balls I was using. I only played 5 racks, but really want to try it with some of my friends and teammates. Very difficult to get a shot after the break because of all the traffic on my small table. The second game I played, I made 2 solids on the break and could have easily run out if I didn't Bill-Leave myself!!! (A "Bill-Leave", self-named by me & for me, is when you run out to, or almost run out to the 8 ball, but leave yourself hopelessly hooked! I'm the best there is at it!!!:grin
---Bill
Serious Howard Stern shrine you got there on top of your ball rack.
robert1229
Registered
Or...... We can just stop playing this horrid game all together. lol
They stay down loss of turn. they would not be netural. this would bring more kicking skills into the game.