question about no 10 on the break

accdealer

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
hey guys, I don't make it around these forums too much anymore, let alone the poolroom, so pardon me if this question has already been asked.

I've been watching some of this 10-ball online and while I understand all of the rules, including no 10 on the break as a win, I don't totally agree.

if you make the 10 on the break, instead of spotting it, I think it should stay down and the highest numbered ball on the table should become the money ball. why should a player be punished for pocketing arguably the hardest ball in the rack to pocket?

I guess the obvious downfall to my idea is that it could become confusing as to which ball is the money ball, but then again, how many times does a player make the 10 on the break? maybe once in a race to 11 between two players with a reasonably good break?

or maybe, 10 on the break, 9 ball automatically becomes the money ball, 9+10 on the break is an automatic win. 10 racked in the middle, 9 next to either one of the two corner balls or either side of the 10.

I don't know, just an idea, but 10 ball is hard enough to get out, why add an extra ball onto the layout?
 
I actually like this idea except for I don't think you should ever win on the break. Just make the highest remaining ball on the table be the money ball. That way if you make a good break but leave a ball in the rack area it doesn't tie things up by spotting a ball into that area.

hey guys, I don't make it around these forums too much anymore, let alone the poolroom, so pardon me if this question has already been asked.

I've been watching some of this 10-ball online and while I understand all of the rules, including no 10 on the break as a win, I don't totally agree.

if you make the 10 on the break, instead of spotting it, I think it should stay down and the highest numbered ball on the table should become the money ball. why should a player be punished for pocketing arguably the hardest ball in the rack to pocket?

I guess the obvious downfall to my idea is that it could become confusing as to which ball is the money ball, but then again, how many times does a player make the 10 on the break? maybe once in a race to 11 between two players with a reasonably good break?

or maybe, 10 on the break, 9 ball automatically becomes the money ball, 9+10 on the break is an automatic win. 10 racked in the middle, 9 next to either one of the two corner balls or either side of the 10.

I don't know, just an idea, but 10 ball is hard enough to get out, why add an extra ball onto the layout?
 
I think any rule that removes luck should be considered a good thing.....When I play sets for money at 10ball (and 9ball) the rule is 'last ball legally potted is the money ball.

This stops situations like leaving the 10 in the jaws on the break shot, then a 1-10 combo is played to end the game.
 
I think any rule that removes luck should be considered a good thing.....When I play sets for money at 10ball (and 9ball) the rule is 'last ball legally potted is the money ball.

This stops situations like leaving the 10 in the jaws on the break shot, then a 1-10 combo is played to end the game.

There were a few tournaments that Grady setup where they played the game ball had to go last. His were 9 ball tournaments but I think they were called shot and the 9 had to go last.
 
10-ball tries to address some of the perceived issues of associated with 9-ball. Such as eliminating the luck factor, and making it more skill based than 9-ball.

The version of 9-ball we most commonly play is Texas Express rules 9-ball. This was the game that was chosen to showcase pool in the last 30 years. It made for good TV presentation. That's where we get TV balls and Simonis 860. Prior to that, the preferred game of skill was 14.1. On the Professional level, 9-ball have been perceived to be too easy, the luck factor too great, eclipsing skill. Corey Deuel came up with the soft break, which guaranteed him making a ball on every break. Joe Tucker came out with secrets of reading a rack, so even a league player like me can read the rack and up my chances of making the 9.
 
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10-ball tries to address some of the perceived issues of associated with 9-ball. Such as eliminating the luck factor, and making it more skill based than 9-ball.

right, I get all that, but you crush the balls and make the 10 and then it gets spotted. my though is that it should stay down and the next highest ball becomes the money ball. that way you are rewarded for a nice break without the penalty of one more ball to run and/or as someone else said spotted where it may tie up another ball.

I'm all for taking the luck factor out of the game, just thought the 10 should stay down. for example, I've gambled with people where let's say im giving them the 6 ball. if I pocket the 6 on the break it stays down until my inning is over. that way if I run out it never becomes a factor. however, if I leave the table on a miss, safety, etc it comes up so my opponent still has a shot at it. ultimately, I'm not penalized for making his money ball on the break. I have similar thoughts about 10-ball.

not to open a whole another can of worms, but is shooting a 2-way shot getting lucky? I like the 10-ball rules, eliminating some of the luck factor, but don't like that it eliminates the 2-way shot. if you're skilled enough to recognize a 2-way shot scenario and execute it, then I don't think you could be accused of getting lucky.
 
I read that 9-ball started out as a gambling game to pass the time. Gamblers used to gather in billiard parlors to pool their bets. That's how our game got the moniker pool, and why manufacturers prefer calling it pocket billiards.

In the old days, local authorities sometimes banned 9-ball as it was the game choice for gamblers. 10-ball is considered a game based on skill, and the rules codified to eliminate luck.

If you make the 10-ball on the break, your reward is to continue your turn. In 9-ball, it would be a game win.

If this was non-pool, 9-ball would be the bad drug heroin, and 10-ball is methodone. :-)

right, I get all that, but you crush the balls and make the 10 and then it gets spotted. my though is that it should stay down and the next highest ball becomes the money ball. that way you are rewarded for a nice break without the penalty of one more ball to run and/or as someone else said spotted where it may tie up another ball.

I'm all for taking the luck factor out of the game, just thought the 10 should stay down. for example, I've gambled with people where let's say im giving them the 6 ball. if I pocket the 6 on the break it stays down until my inning is over. that way if I run out it never becomes a factor. however, if I leave the table on a miss, safety, etc it comes up so my opponent still has a shot at it. ultimately, I'm not penalized for making his money ball on the break. I have similar thoughts about 10-ball.

not to open a whole another can of worms, but is shooting a 2-way shot getting lucky? I like the 10-ball rules, eliminating some of the luck factor, but don't like that it eliminates the 2-way shot. if you're skilled enough to recognize a 2-way shot scenario and execute it, then I don't think you could be accused of getting lucky.
 
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