Pro 8 ball tourny

[MIKE ROBERTS]

I recently watched an eight ball pro event that was streamed by Big Truck. Being an older fan I am not fond of the nine and ten ball games due to their defensive nature. The eight ball I watched had a run out mentality, there were safeties played but only when no other choice. Just thought if you like run out pool try watching an pro eight ball event.

 

[Colormegone2002]

I totally agree about the run out nature of 8. Also, I hate the luck factor
involved in 9 ball. Plus as you stated, "all the safety play" gets boring to me.
I'm a true fan of 8 ball and I wish they held more for the "pros".

I'm also a fan of 14.1 as well. Maybe they could work a few more of those in!

 

[hang-the-9]

I think there is more safety play and "moving" in general in 8 ball than 9 ball, usually you have clusters to work on, other balls in the way, and players don't start the game run till they are pretty sure they can run out, since a mistake or miss late in the game in 8 ball is almost a certain loss vs a good and equally skilled opponent.

I love winning 8 ball games by outthinking my opponent, sometimes by leaving them open shots that are basically traps where they are forced to use the angle I leave them to try to break out a cluster for me while making it hard to get shape on their ball, or playing a tricky but well done safe when I may have only a single ball to hide behind and try to block off several of their balls at once.

 

[AtLarge]

I think there is more safety play and "moving" in general in 8 ball than 9 ball ...

For safeties by pros, that's backward -- safeties are far more common in 9-Ball than in 8-Ball.

• 2015 WPA World 9-Ball Championship (Sept. 2015, 9-footers, Magic Rack) -- about 34% of the 340 games I tracked involved one or more safeties.

• Turning Stone Classic XXIV 9-Ball Open (Aug. 2015, 9-footer, wooden triangle) -- about 44% of the 317 games I tracked involved one or more safeties.

• 2015 US Open 8-Ball Championship (July 2015, 7-footer, Magic Rack) -- Only 5 of the 233 games I tracked (2.1%) involved one or more safeties.

• 2014 CSI Invitational 8-Ball Championship (July 2014, 9-footer, Magic Rack)) -- Only 7 of the 218 games I tracked (3.2%) involved one or more safeties.


For lower-level players, I'd guess (though I have no data) that the frequency of safeties in 8-Ball would be considerably higher than what is shown here for pros.

 

[ideologist]

For lower-level players, I'd guess (though I have no data) that the frequency of safeties in 8-Ball would be considerably higher than what is shown here for pros.

Yep. For the pros, if they don't break and run out, you almost should mark them for an error.

 

[westcoast]

I like watching 8 ball for the pros from time to time but they are so good that it looks too simple. They break and run so easily. 10 ball challenges them more.

 

[spartan]

8 ball

Love playing 8 ball cos that is game of choice amongst bar patrons, amateurs newbies
It is easily the most popular pool game in world. Go to any part of world , bars pubs all are variations of 8 ball
Rotation 9 ball are for more accomplished players
IMHO, if there were more 8 ball tourneys in world , it will attract more viewers and fans
What they can do it toughen the tables equipment to make it harder for pros.
Then we may have a long shot at a TV product for the masses

 

[Txstang1]

Love playing 8 ball cos that is game of choice amongst bar patrons, amateurs newbies
It is easily the most popular pool game in world. Go to any part of world , bars pubs all are variations of 8 ball
Rotation 9 ball are for more accomplished players
IMHO, if there were more 8 ball tourneys in world , it will attract more viewers and fans
What they can do it toughen the tables equipment to make it harder for pros.
Then we may have a long shot at a TV product for the masses

100% agree, and i don't even really like to play 8 ball that much.

 

[supergreenman]

I recently watched an eight ball pro event that was streamed by Big Truck. Being an older fan I am not fond of the nine and ten ball games due to their defensive nature. The eight ball I watched had a run out mentality, there were safeties played but only when no other choice. Just thought if you like run out pool try watching an pro eight ball event.

What size were the tables? 8 ball is a run out game even at the amateur/league level.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

For safeties by pros, that's backward -- safeties are far more common in 9-Ball than in 8-Ball.

• 2015 WPA World 9-Ball Championship (Sept. 2015, 9-footers, Magic Rack) -- about 34% of the 340 games I tracked involved one or more safeties.

• Turning Stone Classic XXIV 9-Ball Open (Aug. 2015, 9-footer, wooden triangle) -- about 44% of the 317 games I tracked involved one or more safeties.

• 2015 US Open 8-Ball Championship (July 2015, 7-footer, Magic Rack) -- Only 5 of the 233 games I tracked (2.1%) involved one or more safeties.

• 2014 CSI Invitational 8-Ball Championship (July 2014, 9-footer, Magic Rack)) -- Only 7 of the 218 games I tracked (3.2%) involved one or more safeties.


For lower-level players, I'd guess (though I have no data) that the frequency of safeties in 8-Ball would be considerably higher than what is shown here for pros.

Without AtLarge's access to statistics, I have to agree. On the pro level, there are far fewer safeties in 8ball than 9ball. But, just because there's more defense in 9ball doesn't make it a more strategic game. If anything, it's the exact opposite. In 9ball, your choices are very limited. You only have one ball to shoot at and a small range of choices on position. In 8ball, you have to devise your own pattern with the assumption that any mistake leading to a turn-over, even if your inning ends with a safety, could cost you the game.

The truth is, in 8ball, if you break, make a ball and proceed to pocket most of your group and fail to run out, your odds of winning diminish to less than 10%. What's more, with every ball you pocket, the table gets more and more difficult as opposed to 9ball where the layouts typically get easier.

That said, both games have position-play demands. They're just different. In 9ball, you're often forced to use a lot of spin, make tough shots and go long routes to get position. In 8ball, precision is key. You need to nail an exact spot on the table with the full understanding that an inch too much or too little will cost you. I love 8ball and will often go out of my way to play in large events (preferably not related to the APA).

 

[Bigtruck]

For safeties by pros, that's backward -- safeties are far more common in 9-Ball than in 8-Ball.

• 2015 WPA World 9-Ball Championship (Sept. 2015, 9-footers, Magic Rack) -- about 34% of the 340 games I tracked involved one or more safeties.

• Turning Stone Classic XXIV 9-Ball Open (Aug. 2015, 9-footer, wooden triangle) -- about 44% of the 317 games I tracked involved one or more safeties.

• 2015 US Open 8-Ball Championship (July 2015, 7-footer, Magic Rack) -- Only 5 of the 233 games I tracked (2.1%) involved one or more safeties.

• 2014 CSI Invitational 8-Ball Championship (July 2014, 9-footer, Magic Rack)) -- Only 7 of the 218 games I tracked (3.2%) involved one or more safeties.


For lower-level players, I'd guess (though I have no data) that the frequency of safeties in 8-Ball would be considerably higher than what is shown here for pros.

I would really like to see the stats with the rules that the Pros have been playing.

Take what you make the most of
No jump cues.

In December we have a big table Pro 8 ball event from HighPockets Memphis,Tn.

Ray

 

[david(tx)]

I like watching 8 ball for the pros from time to time but they are so good that it looks too simple. They break and run so easily. 10 ball challenges them more.

Here is a game that forces more safety play , playing 8 ball but playing your ball suit in rotation . Don't know why they are using 13 balls except to speed it up . Would be same playing full rack .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrTshWsXWzo