Why 8 ball can be such a great game .

It can be.

I agree, 8 Ball must be a great game, I think it is probably the first game most players learn. Who knows how many play it every week, what with all the league and bar play it is the most popular game.

A small bar box with big pockets and a game of 8 Ball. It gives every one a chance to make a ball as they are all there in a small playing surface and there are a bunch of balls to choose from. I think it makes players feel good to run some balls, heck it makes us all feel good.

Put the same players on a 9' table and shoot 9 or 10 Ball and many would find shooting pool a little harder and less fun. But, the masses love "Bar Box 8 Ball" because it is the easiest game to play and it is truly Americas most popular pool game!

Good for them. It just ain't for me under those circumstances.
 
Rotation 8 ball seems like it would be a good game. Must be tough on a bar box.
 
I said it before, and ill say it again. why do you call it such a great game because a lower level player beat an upper level player? I don't get it, but its not surprising to me, because as I said before...8ball IS THE ONLY GAME where an average player can beat a player that is much much better than him, why? I personally know why but i don't want to get to it, you can go figure that out by yourself, if you call this a great because a C player can beat A player in a game, then good for you, but in my book it isn't, the game is broken, more than 9ball actually. you can be much better than your opponent and still lose, only can be seen with 8ball.

can be seen on 9ball aswell, but with 8ball it's more severe. hell even a D player can beat A player on 8ball.
 
asbani said:
I said it before, and ill say it again. why do you call it such a great game because a lower level player beat an upper level player? I don't get it, but its not surprising to me, because as I said before...8ball IS THE ONLY GAME where an average player can beat a player that is much much better than him, why? I personally know why but i don't want to get to it, you can go figure that out by yourself, if you call this a great because a C player can beat A player in a game, then good for you, but in my book it isn't, the game is broken, more than 9ball actually. you can be much better than your opponent and still lose, only can be seen with 8ball.

can be seen on 9ball aswell, but with 8ball it's more severe. hell even a D player can beat A player on 8ball.
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This^ yeah, all the way!
 
Well...

I sure don't mean to come across as looking down on those that have fun playing 8 Ball and I am glad the game exists as so many enjoy it.

I am an amateur player and constantly blow games that a very good player would run out on. It does not stop me from having fun playing 8 Ball or any pool game.

This week end I make the annual trip to an 8 Ball tournament in Anchorage. I don't expect to win, but I try hard not to loose the first 2 matches.
 
asbani said:
I said it before, and ill say it again. why do you call it such a great game because a lower level player beat an upper level player? I don't get it, but its not surprising to me, because as I said before...8ball IS THE ONLY GAME where an average player can beat a player that is much much better than him, why? I personally know why but i don't want to get to it, you can go figure that out by yourself, if you call this a great because a C player can beat A player in a game, then good for you, but in my book it isn't, the game is broken, more than 9ball actually. you can be much better than your opponent and still lose, only can be seen with 8ball.

can be seen on 9ball aswell, but with 8ball it's more severe. hell even a D player can beat A player on 8ball.
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If the goal is to grow pool, then that is EXACTLY why it's a great game. Giving amateurs a better chance to win is a recipe for success, kinda like poker.

I don't care if pool grows at all, but I think this is what the OP was getting at.
 
I like rotation better. Don't mind 8 ball though.
Someone had a great quote on here before.
"I won a game of 8 ball the other night. Didn't even have to get out of my chair!" Lol
 
easy-e said:
If the goal is to grow pool, then that is EXACTLY why it's a great game. Giving amateurs a better chance to win is a recipe for success, kinda like poker.

I don't care if pool grows at all, but I think this is what the OP was getting at.
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You got a point there man, and you are absolutely right, perhaps new players would like the game better with 8ball.
 
What I was thinking is that Rotation 8 ball could be the "Pro" version. It's still recognizable to anyone as 8 ball yet more difficult for a Pro. Your average bar player has no idea of pattern play anyway so the rotation aspect would hardly be noticed. Solids and stripes and the 8 ball last almost anyone knows.
 
DaveM said:
What I was thinking is that Rotation 8 ball could be the "Pro" version. It's still recognizable to anyone as 8 ball yet more difficult for a Pro. Your average bar player has no idea of pattern play anyway so the rotation aspect would hardly be noticed. Solids and stripes and the 8 ball last almost anyone knows.
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I play this sometimes when I'm playing a lesser player, only they don't usually know I'm doing it. I'll make my suit in order, then the 8 ball. Sometimes I get a funny look when I make tough shape to get on the next ball when a stop shot could have left an easy shot on a different ball.
 
When we started out playing (after buying our first cues) we started with 8ball because it's what we knew.
When we read about other games 9ball was a revelation to me (we still started with 8ball to warm up and then moved on to 9). I loved it so much and position play started to work slowly. I still remember the first full table draw (off a bank, though).

Then we found 14.1 and we even were able to continue 2 racks. What a great feeling.
Sinking 17 (or so) balls in a row. Absolut record that still stands today for us.

Somehow we're back a lot to 8ball again as it's kind of a mix of 14.1 and 9 and you can do all funky stuff with it (play rotation,too).

When somebody joins we play "conspiracy" which is what it's known in English countries as "cutthroat" but a little different.
We use preassigned balls, for example and sinking or playing own balls is not allowed and there is no spotting back balls.
Sometimes there is an actual conspiracy of 2 players against one, so that name is better :p

In the end 8ball can be a very balancing game over different skill levels, and this is a nice feature.

Cheers,
M
 
M.G. said:
When we started out playing (after buying our first cues) we started with 8ball because it's what we knew.
When we read about other games 9ball was a revelation to me (we still started with 8ball to warm up and then moved on to 9). I loved it so much and position play started to work slowly. I still remember the first full table draw (off a bank, though).

Then we found 14.1 and we even were able to continue 2 racks. What a great feeling.
Sinking 17 (or so) balls in a row. Absolut record that still stands today for us.

Somehow we're back a lot to 8ball again as it's kind of a mix of 14.1 and 9 and you can do all funky stuff with it (play rotation,too).

When somebody joins we play "conspiracy" which is what it's known in English countries as "cutthroat" but a little different.
We use preassigned balls, for example and sinking or playing own balls is not allowed and there is no spotting back balls.
Sometimes there is an actual conspiracy of 2 players against one, so that name is better :p

In the end 8ball can be a very balancing game over different skill levels, and this is a nice feature.

Cheers,
M
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I agree. 8 ball is a great game in a social context, as it is more balancing over skill levels as you mentioned. I think that's why it's the ubiquitous pool game known the world over. But in a competitive context, especially at a higher skill level, the game is far from ideal and there are many other games that are a better measure of skill.
 
8 ball is and always will be, the only pool game, that appeals to the masses.:thumbup:
 
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