Props to Bonus Ball

jay helfert

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
Gold Member
Silver Member
Yes, you heard right. I am giving big props to Larry Chiborak and the entire Bonus Ball team. I think it was great that they put together a Charity match to benefit Philippine hurricane victims and invited Warren Kiamco, Dennis Orcollo and Carlo Biado to play against a Bonus Ball all-star team (Thorsten, Darren and John Morra).

I watched the semifinal match last night so I could learn a little about how the game is played and tonight I watched the entire charity match. After these two matches, I've concluded that Bonus Ball is a good game with a lot of strategy and skill involved. I've gained a new appreciation for this game now that I've seen it in action. Excellent commentary last night by Scott Frost and today by Jeremy Jones. They both offered concise and accurate analysis of the play throughout the matches. Steve Strain does a good job of keeping the flow going and he handles the interviews and other chores of a host expertly.

The television coverage is also well done with good camera angles and clear, crisp reception all the way from start to finish. So they've done a lot of things right imo. Now that I've had a chance to see BB in action, they've won me over. It's a good game and not that hard to follow once you watch a couple of games. I hope they can continue into a second season, as the team concept is a good one and makes for exciting situations. Like someone else said, it's kind of like a mini Mosconi Cup with many teams instead of only two.

Thanks again to Larry for persevering through all the obstacles and staying on course. I hope in the future they can correct some of the errors made in this first season with scheduling etc. and make BB into something big for professional pool.

P.S. The Bonus Ball girls are a nice plus (not too hard on these old eyes) and Michaela Tabb is a GREAT referee as always!
 
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I agree with all of the above. I really think they have something positive cooking. One other thing I've noticed. I think the game plays much better due in large part to opening up the pockets a little. Pockets on a pool table that are less than 4 inches are a gaff. Now they are challenging but not ridiculous. Helps improve the flow tremendously over the earlier product.

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I keep hoping Bonus Ball and Joe Tuckers game and Mike Siegels venture all take off and do well.
Pool needs a booster shot and it needs it quick.
These are the people trying to make it different , so no matter what our personal agendas are , we should at least find one of them to support.
I'm amazed that they can be donating after so many hardships, but to me it's a great gesture and I'm going to find some way to do my part.
 
Agreed. Thanks to the WPBL for this.

Good business, too, for the 36 that made up the first twelve Bonus Ball teams lacked way too many of the game's truly elite.

In fact, of those finishing in the top 16 at the 2013 World 9-ball championship, only one of them was a Bonus Ball original, and that would be World Champion Hohmann, whose presence in the WPBL finals tomorrow night surely doesn't surprise anybody.

Even considering Americans alone, our two top finishers in last month's Derby City 9-ball event, Van Boening and Dechaine are not found on anybody's WPBL roster.

If the WPBL is moving in the direction of having the world's best rather than just a handful of American-based superstars supplemented by regional stars of American pool, then I'm very pleased to hear it.

If Bonus Ball's reach is to become worldwide, I think we all have something to celebrate here. Sounds promising.
 
jay helfert said:
Yes, you heard right. I am giving big props to Larry Chiborak and the entire Bonus Ball team. I think it was great that they put together a Charity match to benefit Philippine hurricane victims and invited Warren Kiamco, Dennis Orcollo and Carlo Biado to play against a Bonus Ball all-star team (Thorsten, Darren and John Morra).

I watched the semifinal match last night so I could learn a little about how the game is played and tonight I watched the entire charity match. After these two matches, I've concluded that Bonus Ball is a good game with a lot of strategy and skill involved. I've gained a new appreciation for this game now that I've seem it in action. Excellent commentary last night by Scott Frost and today by Jeremy Jones. They both offered concise and accurate analysis of the play throughout the matches. Steve Strain does a good job of keeping the flow going and he handles the interviews and other chores of a host expertly.

The television coverage is also well done with good camera angles and clear, crisp reception all the way from start to finish. So they've done a lot of things right imo. Now that I've had a chance to see BB in action, they've won me over. It's a good game and not that hard to follow once you watch a couple of games. I hope they can continue into a second season, as the team concept is a good one and makes for exciting situations. Like someone else said, it's kind of like a mini Mosconi Cup with many teams instead of only two.

Thanks again to Larry for persevering through all the obstacles and staying on course. I hope in the future they can correct some of the errors made in this first season with scheduling etc. and make BB into something big for professional pool.

P.S. The Bonus Ball girls are a nice plus (not too hard on these old eyes) and Michaela Tabb is a GREAT referee as always!
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This totally makes me happy to hear you say you dig the game now Jay. It won me over also and I had a very closed minded attitude toward it, without even giving it any chance at all.

Dennis Hatch came to our show in Las Vegas the other night and mentioned he would be in the semi finals of bonus ball so I said what the heck I will sweat his match. I couldn't believe how exciting the match was.

This is a really good game that incorporates a lot of the games we are used to, all rolled into one. One pocket knowledge is necessary in this game and banking skills are also helpful. Cueball control is a must, and of course shot making. I agreed with everything else you said about the production, commentary and team aspect...

Rock On Jay!!!
 
sjm said:
Agreed. Thanks to the WPBL for this.

Good business, too, for the 36 that made up the first twelve Bonus Ball teams lacked way too many of the game's truly elite.

In fact, of those finishing in the top 16 at the 2013 World 9-ball championship, only one of them was a Bonus Ball original, and that would be World Champion Hohmann, whose presence in the WPBL finals tomorrow night surely doesn't surprise anybody.

Even considering Americans alone, our two top finishers in last month's Derby City 9-ball event, Van Boening and Dechaine are not found on anybody's WPBL roster.

If the WPBL is moving in the direction of having the world's best rather than just a handful of American-based superstars supplemented by regional stars of American pool, then I'm very pleased to hear it.

If Bonus Ball's reach is to become worldwide, I think we all have something to celebrate here. Sounds promising.
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I think they are headed in the right direction as far as being an international event with Mika, Ralf, Darren and Thorsten, as well as filipinos Warren Kiamco and Jose Parica. I'm sure they will try to add to this list next year if they are able to continue.
 
Only thing I disagree with is the something about the first season. I thought we were past that. But if the people involved are forgiving then so am I. ps I havnt watched shet
 
jay helfert said:
I am giving big props to Larry Chiborak and the entire Bonus Ball team...
Thanks again to Larry for persevering through all the obstacles and staying on course. I hope in the future they can correct some of the errors made in this first season with scheduling etc. and make BB into something big for professional pool.
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Indeed, Jay. Glad to hear an "old timer" like you has come around.

When many on here were bad-mouthing Larry just because things
were going according to THEIR immediate expectations was when he seemed to reassess
his circumstances, and did as you said, PRESERVERED and STAYED ON COURSE.

No doubt, previous business errors will be corrected.
Already I could personally descry that the dynamics of the semi-final
matches were slightly optimized when compared to the first few matches we saw at the beginning of the season.

My feeling is that Bonus Ball has raised the bar in our industry.
As with any other industry I feel BB even compelled Mike Sigel's tour to begin.
That's what we need in pool. Something to motivate and promote innovation!!!!!

Get on the Bonus Ball Bus, folks! I hope the haters have finally seen the light.

At least the Bonus Ball bashing has finally stopped.
For Christ Sake! What an embarrassing time for this forum.
 
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Winning over the folks on this forum is important. We are the heart and soul of the game and there is not many of us left. I understand the haters with what this industry has been through at least in this country.

Getting the nod from leaders like sjm,Jay and many others on this board will certainly not hurt BB's chances. We are the people who play and follow the game and there are many who follow us!
 
Hawk said:
Who won tonight?
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Team Philippines! They trailed 4-2 and caught up at 4-4. Dennis won a close match to give them the lead at 5-4. Carlo and Warren took over then, both running 30 and out for a 9-4 victory!

Some very cool award ceremonies by a local woman who heads up the Philippine charity in Vegas. She also sang our national anthem and the Philippine national anthem prior to the start of the match. All in all a good show all around!
 
jay helfert said:
I think they are headed in the right direction as far as being an international event with Mika, Ralf, Darren and Thorsten, as well as filipinos Warren Kiamco and Jose Parica. I'm sure they will try to add to this list next year if they are able to continue.
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Right on, Jay. Things seem to be developing nicely here.
 
I hated the game at first but now like it. Its exciting. I love watching the players talking over the shots; puts a whole team approach into the game. Only thing I don't like is the shirts they wear with the big a** emblems and numbers. If they made that a little classier looking then I think it would be better. Everything else seems to be first rate from the production to the facilities.
 

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Bonus ball is fine I suppose. I even played the game a bit to try it out. Its OK, but I much prefer the traditional suite of games personally. I guess that if bonus ball is the game for the pros, then count me out, as I have no interest I. Watching. I'm not at all trying to be negative, just an honest opinion here. There are very few tournaments worth tuning in for as it is, so if bonus ball becomes the lions share of what is available, then I'm fine with that, but I will spend my recreational time in other ways.

Good luck with the venture. I really mean that. But I would much prefer watching and playing 14.1, rotation based games, one pocket and banks. I do not feel the need to try to blend them into one game. Just how I see it though. Again, best of luck...
 
I enjoyed watching the replays of the semi finals. Definitely a lot strategy involved. Scott Frost commentating did a great job. He absolutely was spot on in his assessments of some of the shot selection - especially the poor decisions that came back to haunt the team.

Listening to the players was great. No doubt that Shannon D's one pocket expertise is a huge plus for the Atlanta team.
 
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