Svb us open
- Thread starter Gsitz89
- Start date
Shane is up 9-7, race to 13, must win by 2.
Here's the updates thread:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=293010&page=33
Congratulations to Shane. He played great and deserved to win.
However, watching this finals allowed me greater understanding as to why some people think that the game of 9 ball is currently broken. It was pretty much a break and run contest for both guys. Two things could improve the game:
1. Make the 9 ball rack on the point so that the wing ball doesn't fly in almost every time
2. Play major tournaments on tougher equipment- those pockets were too big for guys of this caliber- if you shoot it down the rail at pocket speed it will always go.
However, watching this finals allowed me greater understanding as to why some people think that the game of 9 ball is currently broken. It was pretty much a break and run contest for both guys. Two things could improve the game:
1. Make the 9 ball rack on the point so that the wing ball doesn't fly in almost every time
2. Play major tournaments on tougher equipment- those pockets were too big for guys of this caliber- if you shoot it down the rail at pocket speed it will always go.
I agree. Either move the rack or use the magic rack so that the wing ball is consistent for both players instead of a racking contest. Pockets at this level needs to be at 4 inch or slightly less - that way we will be able to see more tactical battles when players get out of line.
Anyways, Shane broke good, ran out some tough racks, he deserved the win no matter what. Congrats!
Wow if you guys think that this is so easy then I have a challenge for you. If you can set the balls up the same way and run out the racks as a B or A player then you can say that they are too easy.
I often do this to challenge myself. Pick racks that the pros have run out and try them with no pressure at all and see how you do. If you don't run out then imagine you are in the finals of the US Open facing a bonafide champion and ask yourself how it would go.
I often do this to challenge myself. Pick racks that the pros have run out and try them with no pressure at all and see how you do. If you don't run out then imagine you are in the finals of the US Open facing a bonafide champion and ask yourself how it would go.
I never said I'm a very good player. I am not capable of doing that.
I know it isn't easy unless you are a top level player. Orcollo and SVB are without a doubt top players. The game needs to be more challenging for these top guys- such as the Hard Times finals in Bellflower this year- 10 ball with very tough pockets makes it much more challenging.
Svb and us open 9-ball
These were 4.5 pockets.
They are tough enough.
It is only in the last generation of players that these pockets would be accused of being too easy.
Some of these shots made are off the charts in difficulty.
Make the pockets tougher and you see too many safety battles.
Truth is - the top pros are THAT much better than other mortals.
Even the 2 nd tier pros cannot get there.
I agree that the break is becoming 'more critical'. But this is 9-ball (slop).
10-ball is a different game than 9-ball.
Also, remember. Most players struggled with the break. Svb had a handle on it the whole time. Today - he was the better player.
Mark Griffin
These were 4.5 pockets.
They are tough enough.
It is only in the last generation of players that these pockets would be accused of being too easy.
Some of these shots made are off the charts in difficulty.
Make the pockets tougher and you see too many safety battles.
Truth is - the top pros are THAT much better than other mortals.
Even the 2 nd tier pros cannot get there.
I agree that the break is becoming 'more critical'. But this is 9-ball (slop).
10-ball is a different game than 9-ball.
Also, remember. Most players struggled with the break. Svb had a handle on it the whole time. Today - he was the better player.
Mark Griffin
Point taken. Shane made some ridiculous shots today and definitely deserved to win. You mentioned that most players struggled with their breaks and SVB probably nailed in the wing ball on 90% of his breaks - do you this it was a result of him knowing how to rack the balls for the particular table, or was it the result of his execution?
I know you didnt ask me but this question always make me think of an example. Donny Mills and Corey are capable of making the wing ball virtually 100% of the time when they are on. I have seen them rack for someone tell them exactly how to hit it and they can't do it anywhere near the same rate.
It takes more than just the rack (not talking about a gaffe rack). The player still has to execute the shot at the right speed and in the right spot. I have seen numerous pro's try to duplicate Corey's soft break and most give up mumbling about "It must be the rack".
No problem, your input is welcomed! My theory is that its both the rack and the execution. But there's not much to complain about Shane making the wing ball 100% today. He breaks them hard and attempts to park the cue ball at the center of the table, which is what I personally like and I am sure most would agree with me.
No, it's the result of Shane putting in 1,000's of hours shooting & studying one shot in particular, the break shot
Why does it have to be more challenging? This is 9-Ball we're talking about, not 10-Ball, 14.1, or One-Pocket. Most people do want to see a run-out contest when they're watching 9-Ball. They don't want to see a tactical battle, and they don't want to see players hanging balls in tiny pockets. They want to see shot making. They want to see fast-paced action. That's why sets like those in the U.S. Open are called "races."
If people want to see "tactical" battles, they can always go watch One-Pocket tournaments. Which reminds me, I've always considered it funny how sets in One-Pocket are still called "races." Nobody in that game - with the exception of Scott Frost - ever races anywhere.
Roger
tobybutton
Registered
imo all that needs to change is winner breaks, its the same as saying winner serves in tennis. very unfair and one of the most ridiculous rules in sport, not to mention very bad for tv as there is less chance of a hill hill match which is what the fans want. alternate breaks has to be brought in for all tournaments imo!
So, 14.1 should be played in such a way that you have to play safe after running 14 balls too then right?..because it just wouldn't be fair if a player could actually run 150 and out right
tobybutton
Registered
So, 14.1 should be played in such a way that you have to play safe after running 14 balls too then right?..because it just wouldn't be fair if a player could actually run 150 and out right
no idea. never played 14.1 and have also never seen it televised on tv. viewers want to see a fair go for both players and the level these guys play at they run far to many racks to play a winner breaks format. orcullo could not have done much more against svb today. had the potential to be an all time classic match imo with an alternate break format. i cant think of another sport that has such an unfair advantage.
I'd love to see a 9-ball tournament played on diamonds using the league cut pockets. Diamonds because there is no better.....FACT not opinion I think it would be fun to see the 64 best in the world, or close to it, and invite some faces from the past, and play races to 15, double elim. Refs rack the balls, one ball on the spot. Bigger pockets, winner breaks. I can see Mike Sigel, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall, Danny Medina, Kim Davenport, David Howard, hell even Howard Vickery getting ready. If you said who's Howard Vickery? I'm smirking right now.
Come on guys, remember watching these guys at the sands back in the 90's running 4-7 racks in a row? I'm 33, I may have one if not the biggest accu-stats collections in the world and almost all if not all the sands matches on tape (yes tape). But some of you, even the pureists have to remember watching and enjoying it? Am I the only one?
Bryan
I think it would be fun to see the 64 best in the world, or close to it, and invite some faces from the past, and play races to 15, double elim. Refs rack the balls, one ball on the spot. Bigger pockets, winner breaks. I can see Mike Sigel, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall, Danny Medina, Kim Davenport, David Howard, hell even Howard Vickery getting ready. If you said who's Howard Vickery? I'm smirking right now.Come on guys, remember watching these guys at the sands back in the 90's running 4-7 racks in a row? I'm 33, I may have one if not the biggest accu-stats collections in the world and almost all if not all the sands matches on tape (yes tape). But some of you, even the pureists have to remember watching and enjoying it? Am I the only one?
Bryan
I'd love to see a 9-ball tournament played on diamonds using the league cut pockets. Diamonds because there is no better.....FACT not opinion
Come on guys, remember watching these guys at the sands back in the 90's running 4-7 racks in a row? I'm 33, I may have one if not the biggest accu-stats collections in the world and almost all if not all the sands matches on tape (yes tape). But some of you, even the pureists have to remember watching and enjoying it? Am I the only one?
Bryan
u dont think the 4.5 inch pockets on the us open are big enough?