The Thinking On Bigfoot Slop

[sjm]

I still haven't heard what kind of creative two-way shots are commonly seen that would be lost in a call-shot game. Call-shot/call-safe, yes, but not when just having to call the pocket and the ball you want to fall into it.

I gave two examples in post #78.

 

[Sloppy Pockets]

Well said. Nobody plays more multi-purpose or multi-option shots than Reyes or uses billiard knowledge more creatively to give himself some extra chances for a good result. Unless you allow him to call things like "I'm banking the seven but using left English to myself a better chance to double bank it I miss" or "I'm playing the three ball but will try to carom in the eight, too, in case I miss the three, and will use a speed that ensures that I get some shape whether I make one of them or both" you're asking the most creative player that ever screwed a cue together to think a little less about his shot design. That would be pool's great loss.

We all put a little spin on banks to give it a second chance at the opposite hole, but that's only because slop is allowed. Nothing terribly creative about a shot everybody knows. Same with the other shot you mentioned. Efren's The Magician because he actually makes them more often than most, not because no one else sees them. Still, a miss is a miss. I can't see how pool in enriched by being rewarded for missing the shot you intend to make.

Both of those shots could come up in a game of 14.1 as well. Would straight pool be an even better game if we allowed slop (or "non-called shot" as some would euphemize it)?

 

[BeiberLvr]

We all put a little spin on banks to give it a second chance at the opposite hole, but that's only because slop is allowed. Nothing terribly creative about a shot everybody knows. Same with the other shot you mentioned. Efren's The Magician because he actually makes them more often than most, not because no one else sees them. Still, a miss is a miss. I can't see how pool in enriched by being rewarded for missing the shot you intend to make.

Both of those shots could come up in a game of 14.1 as well. Would straight pool be an even better game if we allowed slop (or "non-called shot" as some would euphemize it)?

Great points.

There's a little bit of luck in every creative shot, but there's a huge difference in being creative, and just being lucky. It seems a lot of people in this thread don't understand that.

 

[Paul Schofield]

Great points.

There's a little bit of luck in every creative shot, but there's a huge difference in being creative, and just being lucky. It seems a lot of people in this thread don't understand that.

I understand completely. Have you ever heard of the Hail Mary Pass? Here is the most successful sport on the planet and one of the most exciting plays in all of sports. That ball bounces all over the place in the end zone with the hope, by chance, it winds up in the right hands. There are many comparables. Let luck happen. Recognize it or not, luck has an element of skill. It is exciting and entertaining.

If a player is at the table, and just because there is no plausible shot, safe, or way to win, I don't think that he should be denied a chance to win...after all, his opponent did allow him back to the table.

 

[Island Drive]

Efren's "Z" shot against Strickland is arguably one of the most famous kick shots in 9-ball. Are you saying he wouldn't have attempted this shot if he had to call the pocket? In interviews later on he said he was just trying to hit it, but he knew it had a chance of going in. Knowing that, why wouldn't he have just said "5 ball, corner pocket" and accepted the slim chance he had of actually making it?

I still haven't heard what kind of creative two-way shots are commonly seen that would be lost in a call-shot game. Call-shot/call-safe, yes, but not when just having to call the pocket and the ball you want to fall into it.

There are Many creative two shot situations, how about when you intent to kick a ball cross side but you made it two rails cross side, that happens Allot. When a particular game becomes too predictable, what's the fun in that. Pain is one of the BEST teachers in life, squeaky clean is like Too much Seattle rain. .

 

[Straightpool_99]

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[Paul Schofield]

I would actually prefer for the ten ball to count on the break, since it is rarely made on the 10' Diamond tables. But this is one rule where I listen to the majority of the players and have agreed to take winning on the break out of the contest.

I have run my last 34 events with "No short games" for both Eight-Ball and Nine-Ball. In Eight-Ball. someone has to legally pocket the 8-ball to win the game. The 8-ball just spots at either end (incoming shooters choice). In Nine-Ball, the player just spots the 9-ball, either end (his choice) and continues to shoot.

I say, "Let's not have a quick path to victory. Play every game out." I am not sure if this takes some excitement and chance out of a match but it seems to make the competition better. The players seem to be more satisfied with the tournament experience.