Would this variation of 8-ball work?

[bdorman]

As a beginner I thought 9- and 10-ball were the best games. But lately I've played some 8-ball and I think it is very interesting. It's a lot more like chess where I've got my soldiers and you've got yours.

But what would happen if we made it even more like a chess game: I make my move, then you make yours. Players alternate shots. The only rule is that you have to hit one of your balls first and at least one ball must either pocket or hit a rail. A foul results in ball-in-hand behind either the headstring or footstring shooting at a ball that is outside the kitchen (and whatever you call the corresponding footstring area).

So, I try to make my solid but leave you with no shot on a stripe. If I'm successful you've got no pocketable shot on a stripe, but maybe you can improve the position of a stripe and leave me with no shot on my solids.

Like any game, novices would play full-on offense and never think about defense. But intermediate and above players could balance offense and defense to make for very interesting matches.

I think I''l play this against myself tomorrow and see how it feels. Could be interesting.

Your thoughts?

 

[Guapo]

I like the idea of it but I think the flaw might lie in the alternating shots in the end game part of it. Sure, you're safety play will have to be there but some games will simply be won by who has a first shot at the eight ball.

Much like lower skill level play but the alternating shots amplifies this IMO.

 

[MSchaffer]

I can't remember where I saw this, but it was probably on this forum at some point, but the best variation I've played of 8ball was to replace the 8 ball with a 2nd cue ball. Each player uses their own cue ball...all other rules of 8 ball apply.

 

[Scott Lee]

Damaru...If you mention that person again, you will be banned for life! LOL

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

I like the idea but IMHO we should first explore some popular bar 8 ball versions before making new ones. Remember no BiH rules, poolkiller's concept etc.?

 

[MahnaMahna]

Damaru...If you mention that person again, you will be banned for life! LOL

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

He is poolkiller, and has been banned for life.

 

[thommy]

Sounds to me like you would enjoy one pocket:grin:

 

[mista335]

I was just thinking the other day that there just wasn't enough variations in 8-ball rules.

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

I can't remember where I saw this, but it was probably on this forum at some point, but the best variation I've played of 8ball was to replace the 8 ball with a 2nd cue ball. Each player uses their own cue ball...all other rules of 8 ball apply.

Sorry, not sure I get this. How do you win the game?

 

[MahnaMahna]

And he's gone.

 

[brizglace]

This is my favorite variation of 8-ball:


--- New 8-ball ---

CHANGES:
- It's more interesting for good players.
- The beginning is a mixing of 8-ball and 9-ball.
- It's more difficult to do a ball after the break.
- It's more defensive at beginning.
- Push out is permit.
- You must pocket 1-ball to have solids or 9-ball to have stripes.
- You can use 1-ball or 9-ball to pocket any balls except 8-ball.

With this change, when you play safe, you must hide
the 1 ball and 9 ball in same time. lol
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


* POCKET 1-BALL OR 9-BALL ON THE BREAK *
If you pocket 1-ball, you have solids.
If you pocket 9-ball, you have stripes.
If you pocket 1-ball and 9-ball, you have choice.
If you scratch in same time, (1) cue ball in hand anywhere on the table
for the other player, (2) table is open, (3) you must touch or pocket 1-ball
or 9-ball otherwise it is a foul.


* SCRATCH ON A LEGAL BREAK *
If a player scratches on a legal break shot, (1) all balls pocketed
remain pocketed (exception, the 8-ball: see official 8-ball rule), (2) it is a
foul, (3) the table is open.
Please Note: The incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.


* PUSH OUT *
After the break, push out is permit. (see push out in official 9-ball rule)


* OPEN TABLE *
The table is "open" when the choice of groups (stripes or solids) has
not yet been determined. When the table is open, you must touch or pocket
1-ball or 9-ball in first otherwise it is foul.
You can touch 1-ball or 9-ball in first to pocket any ball except 8-ball,
if you do that, table is still open and you can continue with 1-ball or 9-ball.


* CHOICE OF GROUP *
You must legally pocket 1-ball to have solids or 9-ball to have stripes.
After, the other player can pocket his balls in any order without begin
with 1-ball or 9-ball.


* COMBINATION AND KISS SHOTS *
Combination shots are allowed; however, the 8-ball can't be used
as a first ball. You can touch 1-ball or 9-ball in first to pocket
any ball except 8-ball, if you do that, you can continue to play.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[bdorman]

I tried a couple of rounds of Alternating Shot 8-Ball this morning. It isn't like playing 8-ball at all; it's much more strategic...much more like chess.

I can't remember where I saw this, but it was probably on this forum at some point, but the best variation I've played of 8ball was to replace the 8 ball with a 2nd cue ball. Each player uses their own cue ball...all other rules of 8 ball apply.

I want to try this too. With the added rule that either player can shoot at anytime. First one to pocket all his balls wins. Race to the finish! I think my teenage nephews would love it.

I like the idea of it but I think the flaw might lie in the alternating shots in the end game part of it. Sure, you're safety play will have to be there but some games will simply be won by who has a first shot at the eight ball.

Right you are. Positioning safeties gets harder and harder as balls go down and first one with a shot on the 8 has the advantage. I found the key was to force a safety that forces your opponent to leave you with a decent shot. But like regular 8-ball, the more of your balls you pocket the tougher the table becomes, especially when your opponent uses his turn to block your path to the pocket.

Sounds to me like you would enjoy one pocket:grin:

This version does share some the of same strategies as one-pocket, except it's six-pocket. I've watched some one-pocket matches on youtube but haven't tried it yet because 1) my shot-making isn't good enough yet, and 2) I don't think I could find anyone to play with.

After I play a few more "ghost" rounds, I'll try to get one of the guys to play it with me. I suspect that having only one pair of eyes looking at the table is very limiting. Thanks for your thoughts.