I don't dislike the rule either and I understand the reasoning behind it. The inconsistency that AtLarge mentions is too much of an issue though to make it fair. But I guess we see how it plays out - it would maybe change the way a handful of shots on the 9 are played.
2017 US Open 9-Ball Championship
- Thread starter kkdanamatt
- Start date
I like the rule as well. It doesn't come up enough to be a monumental change, but it makes it different than scratching and pocketing the 9 essentially being an automatic loss.
I think the US Open has kept the break rules consistent for a couple years now, and they've found what works for them. That's ok with me. At the World Cup of Pool Matchroom went back to the traditional 1 on the spot, break from anywhere, no 3 point rule and that worked for them. However, they also had a referee racking with a traditional rack which seemed to keep the soft break out of it.
I think the US Open has kept the break rules consistent for a couple years now, and they've found what works for them. That's ok with me. At the World Cup of Pool Matchroom went back to the traditional 1 on the spot, break from anywhere, no 3 point rule and that worked for them. However, they also had a referee racking with a traditional rack which seemed to keep the soft break out of it.
Except scratching on the 8 is an automatic loss. And in 99% of the time scratching on the 7 or 6 is a loss in pro level. So making the 9 then scratching should not be better for the person fouling than making the 8 or 7 and then scratching. All balls should spot if made and then you scratch or none.
The rules/conditions have changed a bit each year recently. Examples:
2014 -- changed from racking the 1-ball on the spot to the 9-ball on the spot
2015 -- changed from a triangle rack to a template
2016 -- changed from using mid-table to using the head string for the 3-point rule
2017 -- changing from passing (base of ball) the head string to touching (edge of ball) the head string for the 3-point rule
Pretty much the only 9 ball tournament I watch and that is mainly due to the break rules. BTW, what is everyone's opinion of calling the 9 ball? The league I play in does this to eliminate the 9 ball being slopped as a rack winner. Would the Us Open ever consider this?
This seems like a bad idea since it would discourage exciting/interesting two-way shots.
I see your point, but based on Karl's post earlier I think the actually point is to add some extra level of excitement. Given how rarely the situation probably occurs I'm not sure it's worth the bother, but just looking at the rule from a technical or "fairness" point of view wasn't the intention.
I have to laugh at the response to a 9-ball rule change, especially the charges of it being unfair. Wagons Hoah!!! We're talking about 9-ball here, the hackiest game known to mankind. What other game, in or outside of pool, can a player horrendously miss a shot only to have another ball find a pocket and you keep shooting? And if it's the money ball that drops, you win the game. Or you miss your intended pocket, but the object ball somehow finds another pocket. Keep shooting. What other pool game can a player just whack the crap out of the object ball and hope something good happens? I can't think of another competition with those types of ridiculous rewards for incompetence and sheer luck.
There is nothing fair about 9 ball, regardless what kind of rules you play. When played at the highest level, it can be a thing of beauty, but all the things I mentioned above still holds. We all know 9 ball was made for TV, and most competitions made for TV are frauds.
So folks, just accept the game for what it is - the worst pool game ever to come down the line. Thankfully we have a fair version of the game - it's called 10 ball.
There is nothing fair about 9 ball, regardless what kind of rules you play. When played at the highest level, it can be a thing of beauty, but all the things I mentioned above still holds. We all know 9 ball was made for TV, and most competitions made for TV are frauds.
So folks, just accept the game for what it is - the worst pool game ever to come down the line. Thankfully we have a fair version of the game - it's called 10 ball.
This is correct.
As it stands, having a rule in place that may never be enforced is like buying snow tires for your car when you live in Miami.
stupid..because................
if 9ball foul instances are barely occuring at a rate of one per event as mentioned by the tournament director, why waste as much time as you have already creating a new rule?
if 9ball foul instances are barely occuring at a rate of one per event as mentioned by the tournament director, why waste as much time as you have already creating a new rule?
Can't believe they have the 3 ball passed the head string rule again, so many arguments over that. I can't even count how many times players hit them 27-28mph and make a ball or two and have balls just not come back or hit the point and it's an illegal break. Once again it's a luck contest and who is going to get lucky and have the better break or get lucky on the 1.
An excellent idea. :thumbup:At the very least...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HAVE REFS RACK ALL MATCHES ON THE FINAL DAY, OR ALL STREAMED MATCHES.
This is supposed to be one of the most prestigious pool events, and it's an absolute shame that players are racking their own.
Everything else looks good though
Texas Express rules are what made the game great.
Thanks to all you pool fans who have commented on the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship rules for 2017. Your opinions do matter.
As I mentioned in my opening post, rules in all sports undergo constant revisions as sports evolve.
Pool games, including 9-Ball, are no exceptions.
Some pool championships in the past were invitationals, not opens.
Only white men could compete.
Pool championships were traditionally played on 5 x 10 foot tables. When the 9 foot table became the standard, many players and fans were outraged.
Cloth specifications and colors have changed. Blue, not green, is now standard.
The balls are no longer ivory (banned) or clay. Their colors have changed (for TV viewing).
The pocket sizes have changed. They may vary from one table manufacturer to another.
Players no longer have to wear suits and ties.
Advertising on clothing was banned. Now, sponsors require players to display their logos on their shirts.
Players are no longer allowed to smoke.
We now have air-conditioned rooms and heated 3-cushion tables.
Racks have assumed a new look...plastic, wood, aluminum, fiber templates, etc.
Cues have morphed...we now have break cues, jump cues, extensions, non-deflecting and carbon fiber shafts, and a wide variety of tips that were unknown a few decades ago.
Even the manufacturing of chalk has taken on a new role in cue sports.
You get the point: almost nothing has remained static in cue sports and probably never will.
The U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship is sanctioned by, and therefore, uses the World Pool Association rules as our basic structure.
Within that framework, we have designated the spotting of the 9-Ball on a foul, racking the 9-Ball on the spot, and the break box dimensions, to raise the level of competition and increase the enjoyment of our fans.
Everything else is straight out of the WPA rule book.
Thanks again, for your support of the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship.
Karl Kantrowitz, Tournament Director
2017 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship
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Barry died. Accu-stats now runs the event. They have for a couple yrs. now. Barry's son and daughter still run QMasters.
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