What would you guys do, rules wise, to change pro pool?

Positively Ralf

Positively Ralf

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm curious to know what people on here have come up with, as rules suggestions, on how to change the professional game for the better.

As much as I do not like 9 ball much, it's pretty much the standard for all big tournaments these days. But after last years US Open and the rules implemented there, I ask myself why more tournaments here in the US have not adopted those rules. Everyone seemed to have the same opinion that it was better than the current 9 balls rules.

Any other suggestions? Or is everyone pretty much happy with the way things have been for the last 2 decades or so?
 
I really like the US Open rules. All tourneys should also have shot clocks like Mosconi Cup.
 
Don't you have to have a "professional game" before you can change it to make it better?

If pool were like golf, and the average player spend $35 per day on pool related equipment (equivalent to a sleeve of golf balls, some tees, and a couple of towels per year), the problem would solve itself.

But in the interest of getting the ball rolling::

Want to garner interest in professional pool? Change to a game where there are at least 35 shots per rack.
 
Positively Ralf said:
I'm curious to know what people on here have come up with, as rules suggestions, on how to change the professional game for the better.

As much as I do not like 9 ball much, it's pretty much the standard for all big tournaments these days. But after last years US Open and the rules implemented there, I ask myself why more tournaments here in the US have not adopted those rules. Everyone seemed to have the same opinion that it was better than the current 9 balls rules.

Any other suggestions? Or is everyone pretty much happy with the way things have been for the last 2 decades or so?
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Time to go all 10ball, all the time. Play call shot(no call safe), 10b combo's/carom's ok also. The new WPA 10b rule where 10b has to go last takes excitement out, imo.
 
I don't know what the new U.S. open rules are, but here's mine.
Old school.

Rack the 1 on the spot.
Break the balls anyway you want.
9 or 10 go's in you win.
Winner breaks. Lets see some packs run.
No fricken jump cues.
 
I agree that the standard game should be 10 ball with races at least to 12 and 30 second shot clock (one extension per rack). I'm not sure how I feel about alternating or winner break- mixed emotions about that.
 
Only use three balls, make them a little larger, heat the table, no pockets, and dress nicely :)

I would like to add that I think Chinese eight ball is going to be part of the future.
 
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I would take it back to the early 80s.....

2 shot shootout rules
Slow cloth
Winner breaks
Race to 11 minimum, finals 15 or more

When you realize a lot of the rule changes over the years were meant to make the game more palatable for a broad/nonplaying tv audience, and not to actually make the game better....... Its really easy to pick a starting place to go back to IMO....

Back to the 80s..... :thumbup:

tenor.gif
 
If we have to play 9 ball (instead of 10 Ball).

1. Winner Breaks
2. 9 Ball On the Spot - Break from two inner diamonds
3. Defined Starting Pattern of Racking (Always the same and made as tough as possible)
4. 3 Balls made or past head string (loss of turn / or incoming player can hand back) - Not ball in hand
5. One jump shot and time extension allowed per rack (jump cues allowed because the industry likes to sell stuff)
6. All call shot. No slop. Call safety not required. Allows for two way shots to nothing.
7. You can't jump from your own shape (if you hook yourself you can't jump out of trouble). No jumping after push (either player)
 
If the future of pool must be 9 or 10 ball, then I'm done. So f'ing boring! Kinda like watching Rembrandt paint by numbers. Pool is a collection of games, not just the most boring ones like 9 or 10 ball.
 
measureman said:
I don't know what the new U.S. open rules are, but here's mine.
Old school.

Rack the 1 on the spot.
Break the balls anyway you want.
9 or 10 go's in you win.
Winner breaks. Lets see some packs run.
No fricken jump cues.
Click to expand...

Make it slower cloth, minimum races of 11, throw in two-shot push-out instead of one-foul BIH and you got a real game going.
 
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Nick B said:
If we have to play 9 ball (instead of 10 Ball).

1. Winner Breaks
2. 9 Ball On the Spot - Break from two inner diamonds
3. Defined Starting Pattern of Racking (Always the same and made as tough as possible)
4. 3 Balls made or past head string (loss of turn / or incoming player can hand back) - Not ball in hand
5. One jump shot and time extension allowed per rack (jump cues allowed because the industry likes to sell stuff)
6. All call shot. No slop. Call safety not required. Allows for two way shots to nothing.
7. You can't jump from your own shape (if you hook yourself you can't jump out of trouble). No jumping after push (either player)
Click to expand...

I like these, except for #3 and #4.
#3: The defined rack pattern will have players train for that pattern, resulting in the exact same rack being played out rack after rack. Talk about booohhhh---ring.

#4: this is known as the three point rule, it's there to prevent soft breaks and it is the most retarded rule of them all. Many times I've seen a player clearly breaking with lots of power, only to have the balls kicking eachother away of the headstring so that none or just one passes it. If you want to ensure that players break hard, use a device to measure breakspeed or the sound the break makes -- if above a certain decibel level, you're good. There are apps for your phone that can measure this, although I do understand that rule would not be all that easy to implement in tournaments.
 
One pocket and banks references are irrelevant. Great games but not remotely pure so they aren't pool in any recognisable sense of the word in a professional context. Players who are offended by this are missing the point of playing these games.

8 ball- WPA rules are perfect
9 ball - rules are fine too but the professional rotation game should be 10 ball
10 ball - rules are fine as they are but I like the early combo as an option - either rule is fine though and both are fine for giggles and money but whichever way the WPA falls is fine as an official rule to be used in professional competitions all of the time without waivers.

The rules are there. Pro pool has them and doesn't need new ones. It needs tournaments that are organised with the players in mind.

And alternate break. There are pros and cons of winner breaks but the pros have zero place in tournament play.
 
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Changing the pro game for the better, in which way? More interest, more money, less luck involved, making it a more pure way to play, etc.?
 
jalapus logan said:
If the future of pool must be 9 or 10 ball, then I'm done. So f'ing boring! Kinda like watching Rembrandt paint by numbers. Pool is a collection of games, not just the most boring ones like 9 or 10 ball.
Click to expand...

I can't argue with this.
 
hotelyorba said:
I like these, except for #3 and #4.
#3: The defined rack pattern will have players train for that pattern, resulting in the exact same rack being played out rack after rack. Talk about booohhhh---ring.

#4: this is known as the three point rule, it's there to prevent soft breaks and it is the most retarded rule of them all. Many times I've seen a player clearly breaking with lots of power, only to have the balls kicking eachother away of the headstring so that none or just one passes it. If you want to ensure that players break hard, use a device to measure breakspeed or the sound the break makes -- if above a certain decibel level, you're good. There are apps for your phone that can measure this, although I do understand that rule would not be all that easy to implement in tournaments.
Click to expand...

As a comment:
#3 I know what you mean but with the hard break this should go away. Better than the players putting up some "fake" random rack

#4 We can't be using Radar Guns or Phone Apps at every table. I wan't to eliminate the semi-hard cut break with the one in the side.
I want this: https://youtu.be/gub7UnPpYTA?t=1489
 
Opponent seated and quiet when not his shot is a big one, especially during racking. No winning on break shot.
 
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