Bonus ball professional league announced

[sjm]

The game itself was kind of interesting, although I'm not buying the claim that the position play in this game is substantially more difficult than in other pool games. Still, there is clearly a great amount of skill required to play this game well, and the video gives a nice sampling of how it's done. The game, like one pocket, has an end game all of its own, and the end game brings a lot of creativity into the play. Still, I see a danger that the end game will sometimes include a laborious sequence in which the player with the lead plays it supersafe to ensure victory, and such sequences could, I fear, make the game less watchable.

I loved the uniforms, which definitely add some excitement to the event.

I thought the commentary was unusually poor, filled with cliches and poorly explained claims about the game's challenges. Bonus ball is actually a pretty cool game, but when announcers spoke of how it can be played at all levels, it seemed an unsupported and unexplored claim. The three-pocket version of bonus ball is certainly too difficult for most amateurs, and it has a strategic element to it brought on by the fact that one's opponent cannot shoot balls into certain pockets. That same strategic element will not be present for amateurs playing an easier type of bonus ball, and I always fear it when pros have their rules and amateurs theirs in any pool discipline.

On the whole, however, I definitely see some positives here, and wish everybody involved with bonus ball every possible success. Bonus ball looks like fun and is definitely challenging.

 

[krupa]

To all the pople knocking this game i have one question for you. What have YOU done to help this game grow. We know how bad the state of the game is right now and if you dont then you need to take your blinders off. I hope this goes well and after talking to most of the Toronto team they too feel this will work.

If you havent played Bonus ball i sugguest you try it before knocking it.

I don't think anyone has actually "knocked" the game in this thread. It's great that the players are on-board but this is meant to be a spectator-thing and as potential customers/spectators/fans, we're just voicing constructive criticism.

 

[lee brett]

The main knocker is cleary, a new t shirt for you should say "you're a tit", we now why you don't like it, so if you got nothing good to say, then say nothing at all. Cleary don't be a tit all your life.

 

[joelpope]

The game itself was kind of interesting, although I'm not buying the claim that the position play in this game is substantially more difficult than in other pool games. Still, there is clearly a great amount of skill required to play this game well, and the video gives a nice sampling of how it's done. The game, like one pocket, has an end game all of its own, and the end game brings a lot of creativity into the play. Still, I see a danger that the end game will sometimes include a laborious sequence in which the player with the lead plays it supersafe to ensure victory, and such sequences could, I fear, make the game less watchable.

I loved the uniforms, which definitely add some excitement to the event.

I thought the commentary was unusually poor, filled with cliches and poorly explained claims about the game's challenges. Bonus ball is actually a pretty cool game, but when announcers spoke of how it can be played at all levels, it seemed an unsupported and unexplored claim. The three-pocket version of bonus ball is certainly too difficult for most amateurs, and it has a strategic element to it brought on by the fact that one's opponent cannot shoot balls into certain pockets. That same strategic element will not be present for amateurs playing an easier type of bonus ball, and I always fear it when pros have their rules and amateurs theirs in any pool discipline.

On the whole, however, I definitely see some positives here, and wish everybody involved with bonus ball every possible success. Bonus ball looks like fun and is definitely challenging.

Position play is harder if you play with pro rules of only three pockets per team. Pretty much the same if each players gets to use all six pockets

 

[weakfingers]

I think it's an interesting concept, but really gets confusing for the audience mainly since the team's pockets are in a zig-zag kind of fashion. I like the fast shot clock.

I think the rules are pretty solid, game is overpriced, but could be played with 1-4 on solids and 10-13 for stripes, using the 8 as the "bonus" ball.

 

[Fast Lenny]

The game itself was kind of interesting, although I'm not buying the claim that the position play in this game is substantially more difficult than in other pool games. Still, there is clearly a great amount of skill required to play this game well, and the video gives a nice sampling of how it's done. The game, like one pocket, has an end game all of its own, and the end game brings a lot of creativity into the play. Still, I see a danger that the end game will sometimes include a laborious sequence in which the player with the lead plays it supersafe to ensure victory, and such sequences could, I fear, make the game less watchable.

I loved the uniforms, which definitely add some excitement to the event.

I thought the commentary was unusually poor, filled with cliches and poorly explained claims about the game's challenges. Bonus ball is actually a pretty cool game, but when announcers spoke of how it can be played at all levels, it seemed an unsupported and unexplored claim. The three-pocket version of bonus ball is certainly too difficult for most amateurs, and it has a strategic element to it brought on by the fact that one's opponent cannot shoot balls into certain pockets. That same strategic element will not be present for amateurs playing an easier type of bonus ball, and I always fear it when pros have their rules and amateurs theirs in any pool discipline.

On the whole, however, I definitely see some positives here, and wish everybody involved with bonus ball every possible success. Bonus ball looks like fun and is definitely challenging.

Hopefully the shot clock and match clock should not let that happen. The 6 pocket version of the game is for amateurs and this 3 pocket version is for better players, you can handicap it by a player going to more points and or just using 3 pockets while the other uses 6. I think the position play is very important when you get down to the last few balls as your options become less. Thanks for a fair and honest review of it.

 

[Fast Lenny]

I think it's an interesting concept, but really gets confusing for the audience mainly since the team's pockets are in a zig-zag kind of fashion. I like the fast shot clock.

I think the rules are pretty solid, game is overpriced, but could be played with 1-4 on solids and 10-13 for stripes, using the 8 as the "bonus" ball.

Just remember the team on the left has the two left hand corner pockets and the team on the right has the right hand corner pockets and the sides are opposite.

 

[cleary]

The main knocker is cleary, a new t shirt for you should say "you're a tit", we now why you don't like it, so if you got nothing good to say, then say nothing at all. Cleary don't be a tit all your life.

From what I've seen, it's pretty silly. Changing the rules of pool doesn't make it more watchable. Adding stupid team names and funny looking jerseys doesn't make it more creditable. And girls with miniskirts simply makes it funny.

I'm not a knocker, I'm realistic. Pool is a slow game and hard to watch unless you're really into pool to begin with. At a football game, the crowd is going crazy the entire time. It's fun to be there if you know anything about football or not. I have no idea how nobody else realizes this.

Call me what you want but I'm being real. I'm also not involved with Bonus Ball and not in on the heist like yourself. I hope you get a few pennies. You'll need it so in 6 years, looking back on how silly you all look, you wont feel as embarrassed.

 

[JAM]

It appears a few danglers have fallen from Saskatchewan's testicles. :wink:

Personally, I'm happy to see anybody do something positive for pool. Nothing can put pool down any lower on the totem pole at this juncture, so the only direction is up.

Maybe for Bonus Ball to succeed, it should not give a damn what naysayers think and just do this--> HERE!

 

[iusedtoberich]

Hey Lenny, were those really 5x10 tables? The announcers said they were several times in that 10 min clip. Comparing the tables to the players and the cues, it looks like a standard GC5 9 footer.

 

[asmith74]

I like playing the game and watching the game but I have to agree, the team names and jerseys make it seem silly. Also, $200 for the set? Ouch. Just use 4 solid, 4 striped and the 8 ball. Save some money and have some fun playing.

 

[cleary]

but I have to agree, the team names and jerseys make it seem silly.

Like putting whip cream on a hot dog.

 

[Fast Lenny]

Hey Lenny, were those really 5x10 tables? The announcers said they were several times in that 10 min clip. Comparing the tables to the players and the cues, it looks like a standard GC5 9 footer.

No 4 1/2 by 9, I believe they might be doing 10 foot tables but cannot say for sure.

 

[bdorman]

I'm going to try to get some of my friends to play bonus ball...with some changes, of course:

1. We'll use our existing equipment (solids, stripes, 8-ball and CB) and existing table.
2. No shot clock. We're old guys and don't hurry for anything.
3. We'll start with the 3-pocket version, but might go to 6-pocket if 3-pocket is too frustrating.
4. Call out the score each time you pocket a ball. Just like tennis and volleyball.
4. With our group, lack of colorful commentary is never a problem.
5. But where do I get the two ball spotters, and do they need to be one blond and one brunette?

Seriously, I'm glad to see anyone trying to popularize pool and wish the promoters all the best. We'll give it a try.

 

[JD_Hogg]

How much will the weekly PPVs cost?

 

[vpbb123]

Larry Chiborak has made every effort to launch a professional league and he is doing it with his own real money! Will it succeed? Nobody really knows but a lot of people really hope it does. Bonus Ball is simply the game of choice because just is that good. People view a preview and say rules this and rules that. I have trained hundreds of players and usually after three or more games, the game rules are totally understood and simple. They are the way they are for a reason and all will understand if you give it a chance. I don't doubt they will be tweaked as time goes on. They have been by the world best players!

Game sets are what they are. Like anything else, the prices will go down when quantity and quality go down. Everyone can go to Walmart and by the old traditional balls for next to nothing but this game was designed for the serious player, they want Aramith balls. I don't know anyone that enjoys driving a muscle car with a 1900 model T body. Nobody cares if you play Snooker without stripes and solids so why do Bonus Ball players have to use them. This is an alternative. It's each players choice.

We have our programmers setting up the new HD Full version to play at www.playbonusball.com tonight. It is for education purposes and Nathan and crew did a fantastic job in the offices of our Bonus Ball studios! The new arena is being completed as I type and will give Nathan a better visual for his cameras!

Larry is taking a shot at this and he is doing his best. You can't please everyone but you can please the majority. I believe that this is a great start and I wish him and the players well. They need this more than anything and only fans can make this a success! Larry passionately believe in this project. Although I designed and worked feverishly to get Bonus Ball on the map, he invented the first version. It was his vision and a vision that I shared with him! Let's say, I loved the game so much that I had to own it! I am real happy with Nathan's first videos and I hope to see may more. It's a beginning and I hope for Larry sake, it works out for him! I know, I am ready to fly to Las Vegas and witness history! Enjoy!

Barry Bremner
Vice-president of Bonus Ball

 

[vpbb123]

As far as the PPV prices, I don't have that info but I am thinking it will be real inexpensive. Larry has two other FREE previews coming out with all top players and all the players names will be released in the near future! This is what Larry asked me to do and respect his decision. (Don't like it) We don't always agree but have managed to work together thus far! LOL This is all I can release today but go to facebook and add me as a friend! I'm the fellow with the Vegas show girl in the picture, on the left! LOL I have to get the new HD Version loaded for everyone to watch tonight! My email box is exploding with questions and such. Please be patient with us! There are two of us and a million things to do! Our programmer in New York has a temporary splash page for Larry's www.wpbl.tv site and I have my www.playbonusball.com site ready to serve you! The press release is also up on AZ and many other sites! I expect the information to keep flowing until Larry's Nov. 8th launch!

Thank you!

 

[JCIN]

If they can get 32 players to spend six months in Vegas without killing each other, going on strike or going completely bust it will be an amazing achievement in itself and one to be commended. I'm sure someone has had the idea to shoot a reality show behind the scenes and I think that would increase the chances of a success a great deal. I would sweat that for sure.

Production quality of the promo was good and I expect it will improve with stats and overlays. It wasnt clear in the PR if all the matches will be live or recorded so I'm curious to see how the whole PPV model works out. If they have four live matches a week thats a lot of PPV's a month. Pricing will play a big factor in how that works out. I haven't seen any industry sponsors attached to this yet so I'm curious to see if anyone gets on board supporting it financially. Same goes for sponsors outside the industry.

Opinions on commentary are subjective so no matter what anyone does someone will not care for it. In the beginning they will spend a lot time explaining the basics of the game I think.

Now that November 8th is the firm start date it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. A lot of people call me a hater for talking about the holes I see in it and thats fine. I honestly would love to see something like BB be a success for the simple fact it would benefit the industry and players as a whole. The bottom line is they have to do it. All the internet ra-ra in the world won't matter either way when the rubber meets the road.

Everybody loves a winner so if they get it rolling I see it working well. The flip side is that its a tough mountain climb to reach that tipping point. I'll watch it to see what its all about.

 

[jason]

It appears a few danglers have fallen from Saskatchewan's testicles. :wink:

Personally, I'm happy to see anybody do something positive for pool. Nothing can put pool down any lower on the totem pole at this juncture, so the only direction is up.

Maybe for Bonus Ball to succeed, it should not give a damn what naysayers think and just do this--> HERE!

I'm with you Jam, the formulas of the past have failed the pool world. Something positive for pool is great for all involved. Let's embrase something radical (like a new game) and give it an honest chance. Only time will tell if Bonus Ball will succeed. Traditionalist are always opposed to change, but everything has to start somewhere.

 

[vpbb123]

When we put on our first professional event it was a huge success! We sold sponsorship to many huge corporations but none of them where billiards related. We did not take an entry fee and we paid the players cash before they left the building and treated them like pros! We need and intend to proceed this way! Besides the odd fool that rips everything good on forums, it's all been positive. Criticism is positive if it is warranted. We can't announce the players until they have signed our agreements and that is just smart business sense on everyone's part. I can tell you, we have a hundred players wanting in if one says no! Watching any top player playing Bonus Ball is entertaining, even if the play Advanced league or not! The shots that this game forces out of you is the difference between this game and that game!

The balls could be the old traditional one's and you can use them if you wish. Matters not to us! What matters is that this game shows the billiard world that uniforms and teams and STATISTICS are important to be look at as professionals. These are just mute points. It's the way the league is going.

Having cities to promote to is common sense but building 12 state of the art venues is not feasible. That is why we chose Las Vegas as the center of the WPBL. Each team will have a name such as the Chicago Rockets, Atlanta Scorpions, Phoenix Flames etc. and uniforms and each team will have a schedule. Just like other professional sports. Relax everybody. Nothing unique here. Bonus Ball is not unique either. The game is the mixture of all other games and not one thing is really new. It's just better structured for top players and this includes anyone that desires to play strategic pool without boring an audience to death! LOL

I love all games and I play all games. I don't want to hurt the other games, I just want a piece of the untapped market of players that leave the game after mastering eight ball to the higher levels. It can't be argued that the top level leagues are always the small numbers. I believe, such as my case, they don't want to play the same thing over and over forever. This game will challenge them for sure! It also makes you a way better player!

Keep all the good or bad reviews coming in, Cleary, Im still waiting for you to say something intelligent! :wink:

Barry Bremner
Vice-president of Bonus Ball