10 Ball: Use official rules or 9 ball rules?

fast&loose designs

fast&loose designs

Chris Santana
Silver Member
Hey everyone. So I know that 10 ball rules vary from 9 ball, and I wanted to see what the general consensus was on rules used in local tournaments?

It would make sense that the pro events use official 10 ball call shot rules, but is it common at the local, B and C level events? I would imagine that few people fully understand 10 ball rules, and play most of the time by 9 ball rules (ball in hand, slop, incoming player must shoot after being left with no shot after a miss).

It is also important to note that this will be a bar box weekly tournament. Any thoughts? I would rather play 9 ball rules, unless the general consensus is that official 10 ball rules should and always do apply when playing 10 ball.
 
Doesn't matter

I play different places different ways... at the end of the day, as long as the rules being used are clearly defined prior to anyone signing up for the tournament, that's their choice whether they play or not.

I see advantages and disadvantages to both.
 
Called shot... Incoming players plays where it lies.. Slopped ball incoming player has the option... Call shot and call safe kills the creativity of the 2way shot and sterilizes the game.....
 
If you wanted people to play a 9ball-like game, then just hold a 9ball tournament.

The only real reason to play ten ball is because it's a different game with different rules.
If you play it like 9b then you can just cut to the chase and play actual 9b,
this will greatly improve your tournament. Why?

A: one less ball to run = faster matches
B: balls fly in easier with the diamond-shaped rack = faster matches
C: Even casual players know 9b rules, there won't be a lot of confusion or arguments.
Whereas 10b with "unusual" rules will be confusing and lead to problems.
So playing a popular game with widely known rules = faster matches.

Note - I'm not actually trying to convince you to switch to a 9b tournament.
I'm just saying there's absolutely no point or advantage to playing 10b with slop rules.

Play real 10b, or play 9b, don't play some weird mix.

PS to freddie: I know, I know :/
 
CreeDo said:
If you wanted people to play a 9ball-like game, then just hold a 9ball tournament.

The only real reason to play ten ball is because it's a different game with different rules.
If you play it like 9b then you can just cut to the chase and play actual 9b,
this will greatly improve your tournament. Why?

A: one less ball to run = faster matches
B: balls fly in easier with the diamond-shaped rack = faster matches
C: Even casual players know 9b rules, there won't be a lot of confusion or arguments.
Whereas 10b with "unusual" rules will be confusing and lead to problems.
So playing a popular game with widely known rules = faster matches.

Note - I'm not actually trying to convince you to switch to a 9b tournament.
I'm just saying there's absolutely no point or advantage to playing 10b with slop rules.

Play real 10b, or play 9b, don't play some weird mix.

PS to freddie: I know, I know :/
Click to expand...


I agree 100% with this. If you're playing with 9ball rules, you're basically negating almost all of the value of 10ball. The added ball makes minimal difference. Personally, I think the official rules of 10ball make a great product. I'm not sure if it will ever really represent a large portion of tournaments out there but it's becoming more and more popular among professionals and high-level amateurs. The only overwhelming downside to official 10ball is that the games take longer which will compromise the length of your sets but there's no doubt in my mind that it yields a better test of skill.
 
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