Fixing the game of 9 ball.

[realkingcobra]

You asked me a question. I told you I needed to see it first in order to answer, mainly because I don't see it ever happening. If you have you have changed your mind about wanting an answer or forgotten how this started then just drop it.



Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

If I want negativity, all I need to do is post my ideas here on AZB, thats what all you do best. I have the fix for pool coming, I just wanted some feedback on a modified rack for breaking playing 9B, and seems like usual, I can't even get that from none of you except one person!!! You guys don't give feedback, you dish out criticism with every chance you get, its no wonder the sport is in the shitter in this country!!!

 

[realkingcobra]

The problem with 9 ball is everybody is trying to fix it instead of just playing and enjoying it. As far as making it a highly viewed game, your not going to get people to watch something that doesn’t interest them.

There’s a reason I don’t watch cooking shows and no matter what they do or who sponsors them I’m still not going to watch.

And to be honest with all of you, my plans are NOT based on the American viewing audience, because y' all would never truly support the sport in the first place! I'm going after the rest of the viewers around the world, OUTSIDE of the United States!

 

[realkingcobra]

And to be honest with all of you, my plans are NOT based on the American viewing audience, because y' all would never truly support the sport in the first place! I'm going after the rest of the viewers around the world, OUTSIDE of the United States!

I

The problem with 9 ball is everybody is trying to fix it instead of just playing and enjoying it. As far as making it a highly viewed game, your not going to get people to watch something that doesn’t interest them.

There’s a reason I don’t watch cooking shows and no matter what they do or who sponsors them I’m still not going to watch.

Apples to Oranges, what does your views have to do with these statistics??

13.5 million readers

Food Network is distributed to nearly 100 million U.S. households and draws over 46 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine's rate base has grown 13 times and is the No. 2 best-selling monthly magazine on the newsstand, with 13.5 million readers.Dec 17, 2020

 

[realkingcobra]

The problem with 9 ball is everybody is trying to fix it instead of just playing and enjoying it. As far as making it a highly viewed game, your not going to get people to watch something that doesn’t interest them.

There’s a reason I don’t watch cooking shows and no matter what they do or who sponsors them I’m still not going to watch.

This what happens when a sport can be organized and gain the attention of sponsor's!!

And pool players wonder why this sport is so underfunded

Cornhole down from previous live airings
ESPN averaged 232,000 for live coverage of the American Cornhole League on Saturday, down from the network's previous live ACL telecasts last December (360K) and August (359K). Additional coverage Saturday night averaged 106,000 on ESPN2

 

[sjm]

173 posts, and only 2 person has tried and commented on my rack suggestion, that's really informative!! Lots of chatter, yet no real feedback!!!

I have to say that I admire you for wanting to improve things, and I agree with most of the points you've made in this thread, but let's not act as if this thread were called "What do you think of this possible nine ball break rule?" No, the thread was called "fixing the game of nine ball" You stated that nine ball is broken and the break is the reason. You stated this as it were indisputable fact rather than a matter of opinion. Hence, you are the one that prompted many to focus on the validity, or lack thereof, of this assertion.

Put me in the group of those who feel nine ball is not broken and that it is evolving in a desirable way, although I agree with nearly all your views on the need to keep the game moving at a good pace.

At Large's stats show that, at the elite pro level, with the three point rule and the money ball on the spot, the breaker usually wins between 55% and 60% of the racks (assuming a nine foot table). I don't have a problem with the breaker having this relatively small edge in a given rack.

The long packages that I always read about on this forum never seem to happen when I'm attending a tournament or watching on stream. I've been attending nine ball tournaments live for over forty years and watching streamed pool for many years, too, and I can count the number of 5-packs or more I've ever seen on my fingers. Did you know that at the 2020 Mosconi Cup, Team USA won less than 50% of the nine ball racks in which it broke? On tough equipment, the break guarantees nothing. If the equipment befits elite players, only straight shooting and good decision making get one to the finish line, not, as some suggest, the constant presence of dog-proof layouts.

You bring a very well informed view to the forum, but so do many others.

 

[realkingcobra]

I have to say that I admire you for wanting to improve things, and I agree with most of the points you've made in this thread, but let's not act as if this thread were called "What do you think of this possible nine ball break rule?" No, the thread was called "fixing the game of nine ball" You stated that nine ball is broken and the break is the reason. You stated this as it were indisputable fact rather than a matter of opinion. Hence, you are the one that prompted many to focus on the validity, or lack thereof, of this assertion.

Put me in the group of those who feel nine ball is not broken and that it is evolving in a desirable way, although I agree with nearly all your views on the need to keep the game moving at a good pace.

At Large's stats show that, at the elite pro level, with the three point rule and the money ball on the spot, the breaker usually wins between 55% and 60% of the racks (assuming a nine foot table). I don't have a problem with the breaker having this relatively small edge in a given rack.

The long packages that I always read about on this forum never seem to happen when I'm attending a tournament or watching on stream. I've been attending nine ball tournaments live for over forty years and watching streamed pool for many years, too, and I can count the number of 5-packs or more I've ever seen on my fingers. Did you know that at the 2020 Mosconi Cup, Team USA won less than 50% of the nine ball racks in which it broke? On tough equipment, the break guarantees nothing. If the equipment befits elite players, only straight shooting and good decision making get one to the finish line, not, as some suggest, the constant presence of dog-proof layouts.

You bring a very well informed view to the forum, but so do many others.

If 9B is so perfect, then why have there been sooooo many changes done to it? Rack the 1 on the foot spot, no, don't do that, instead, rack the 9B on the spot. Magic rack, no magic rack. Break from anywhere, no, break from a break box instead, but don't let that break box get to big. Soft break, nope, no way, Cory showed the flaw in a perfect rack, so no more soft breaking. How does ONE player change the break of 9B for the entire world playing 9B? 3 balls past the side pockets to be a legal break, or is it 4 balls past the side pockets....I can't keep track. Oh yeah, let's not forget alternating breaks, and shorter races while we're at it.

Nothing wrong with 9B you say, then why on earth has the game changed so damn much, the rules are all over the place!! Tell me something will you. Can you name ONE other game of pool that has has sooooo many rule changes???

 

[realkingcobra]

If 9B is so perfect, then why have there been sooooo many changes done to it? Rack the 1 on the foot spot, no, don't do that, instead, rack the 9B on the spot. Magic rack, no magic rack. Break from anywhere, no, break from a break box instead, but don't let that break box get to big. Soft break, nope, no way, Cory showed the flaw in a perfect rack, so no more soft breaking. How does ONE player change the break of 9B for the entire world playing 9B? 3 balls past the side pockets to be a legal break, or is it 4 balls past the side pockets....I can't keep track. Oh yeah, let's not forget alternating breaks, and shorter races while we're at it.

Nothing wrong with 9B you say, then why on earth has the game changed so damn much, the rules are all over the place!! Tell me something will you. Can you name ONE other game of pool that has has sooooo many rule changes???

Call shot, no call shot. 9 on the break don't count, no, it counts, but only in certain pockets, or is it just a respot on the break....I can't keep up.....but, there's nothing wrong with 9B, really????

 

[realkingcobra]

Call shot, no call shot. 9 on the break don't count, no, it counts, but only in certain pockets, or is it just a respot on the break....I can't keep up.....but, there's nothing wrong with 9B, really????

Here's what else is wrong with pool. Tournaments, no one over a 500 Fargo rate allowed, or a 600, or even a 650, and again, no one over a 700.....because we don't like the Pros coming in an robbing the weaker players, right

Well, where's the NO PLAYERS UNDER 800 RATED ALLOWED TO PLAY???

 

[The_JV]

I want the Pros to have to work for their win in 9B, not just break and run out the same pattern over and over.

Damn, I had no idea this game was literally that easy. I must be doing something incredibly wrong.

 

[realkingcobra]

Damn, I had no idea this game was literally that easy. I must be doing something incredibly wrong.

Or maybe, American pool players just can't compete on the world stage anymore. How many American Pros have a Fargo rating of over 800???? I'll tell you how many, TWO!!!

 

[realkingcobra]

Damn, I had no idea this game was literally that easy. I must be doing something incredibly wrong.

I'll tell you something else as well. If I held a 10B round robin event, consisting of the TOP 16 players in the world, race to 21, 3hr match time limit, do you know what I'd name the event???

SVB TAKES ON THE WORLD, because NO other American player can compete on that level, how's that for my take of the American Professional pool players????

 

[realkingcobra]

I'll tell you something else as well. If I held a 10B round robin event, consisting of the TOP 16 players in the world, race to 21, 3hr match time limit, do you know what I'd name the event???

SVB TAKES ON THE WORLD, because NO other American player can compete on that level, how's that for my take of the American Professional pool players????

What you have here in America is a bunch of Pros that WANT everyone to believe they belong at the top of the sport, only problem is, they don't want to put in the WORK it takes to get to the top, they just want it HANDED to them on a silver platter, while they gamble, use drugs, drink, party, and live their lives as Professional pool player posers!! I'm not saying ALL America players fit into that category, but MOST DO!!!

 

[sjm]

If 9B is so perfect, then why have there been sooooo many changes done to it? Rack the 1 on the foot spot, no, don't do that, instead, rack the 9B on the spot. Magic rack, no magic rack. Break from anywhere, no, break from a break box instead, but don't let that break box get to big. Soft break, nope, no way, Cory showed the flaw in a perfect rack, so no more soft breaking. How does ONE player change the break of 9B for the entire world playing 9B? 3 balls past the side pockets to be a legal break, or is it 4 balls past the side pockets....I can't keep track. Oh yeah, let's not forget alternating breaks, and shorter races while we're at it.

Nothing wrong with 9B you say, then why on earth has the game changed so damn much, the rules are all over the place!! Tell me something will you. Can you name ONE other game of pool that has has sooooo many rule changes???

I don't think nine ball is perfect, and I doubt there is a game that has had so many different variations over the years.

Yes, like you, I'd prefer a standardized set of rules, but I'm resigned to the fact that it's not going to happen and I'm not bothered too much about it. I feel that call shot games like straight pool and ten ball are fan unfriendly, which is why Texas Express nine ball is the most sensible game.

All I'm saying is that Matchroom has the game's reins now. They have already demonstrated that their priorities are a) keeping the game moving quickly with a mandatory shot clock, b) refereed matches, c) neutral rackers with no reracks, eliminating racking disputes, d) arenas that are clean and very fan friendly, and e) very short intervals between stream table matches. They get worldwide TV and stream audiences in the millions for their events, and have shown that their events, several of which I've attended live, generate a lot of excitement. I'm happy about the game's direction, but understand that things are still evolving in so many ways, and things still need to improve.

Who says that the many different variations of nine ball necessarily evidences a big problem? On this point we disagree.

 

[The_JV]

Is there some kind of secret bonus if you break a threshold for the amount of times you get quoted on the forum....?

 

[realkingcobra]

I don't think nine ball is perfect, and I doubt there is a game that has had so many different variations over the years.

Yes, like you, I'd prefer a standardized set of rules, but I'm resigned to the fact that it's not going to happen and I'm not bothered too much about it. I feel that call shot games like straight pool and ten ball are fan unfriendly, which is why Texas Express nine ball is the most sensible game.

All I'm saying is that Matchroom has the game's reins now. They have already demonstrated that their priorities are a) keeping the game moving quickly with a mandatory shot clock, b) refereed matches, c) neutral rackers with no reracks, eliminating racking disputes, d) arenas that are clean and very fan friendly, and e) very short intervals between stream table matches. They get worldwide TV and stream audiences in the millions for their events, and have shown that their events, several of which I've attended live, generate a lot of excitement. I'm happy about the game's direction, but understand that things are still evolving in so many ways, and things still need to improve.

Who says that the many different variations of nine ball necessarily evidences a big problem? On this point we disagree.

If Matchroom was the answer, then why are the best players in the world still struggling to earn a living?

 

[realkingcobra]

If Matchroom was the answer, then why are the best players in the world still struggling to earn a living?

Matchroom is a promoter, NOT a sponsor, that's why. They take all the content they promote, and sell it one and done to 14 other streaming platforms as content provided, take their millions, and go home!!!

 

[sjm]

If Matchroom was the answer, then why are the best players in the world still struggling to earn a living?

It's because they are not adding more value for promoters that they struggle to make a living. In this world, you reap what you sow, and the professional pool playing community has never generated big money for event producers and sponsors.

That said, though, several new significant events have been added to the pool calendar in the last three years (e.g., The International 9-ball, the Diamond 10-ball, the World 10-ball Championship, and the Predator Championship League event). the added money at the US Open has grown quite a bit, and the money at the World 9-ball will soon grow quite a bit, as well. The best players have far more opportunity to earn a passable living than at any time in the recent past, but until they generate big money for tournament producers, they won't make the big bucks. It's that way for every pro that plays a secondary sport for a living.

The day may come when the pro pool community can add far more value and help event producers and sponsors make big money, but until that day arrives, a little growth in the prize funds available will have to suffice.

 

[realkingcobra]

Is there some kind of secret bonus if you break a threshold for the amount of times you get quoted on the forum....?

Are you new to AZB, you MUST be!!!

 

[realkingcobra]

I have to say that I admire you for wanting to improve things, and I agree with most of the points you've made in this thread, but let's not act as if this thread were called "What do you think of this possible nine ball break rule?" No, the thread was called "fixing the game of nine ball" You stated that nine ball is broken and the break is the reason. You stated this as it were indisputable fact rather than a matter of opinion. Hence, you are the one that prompted many to focus on the validity, or lack thereof, of this assertion.

Put me in the group of those who feel nine ball is not broken and that it is evolving in a desirable way, although I agree with nearly all your views on the need to keep the game moving at a good pace.

At Large's stats show that, at the elite pro level, with the three point rule and the money ball on the spot, the breaker usually wins between 55% and 60% of the racks (assuming a nine foot table). I don't have a problem with the breaker having this relatively small edge in a given rack.

The long packages that I always read about on this forum never seem to happen when I'm attending a tournament or watching on stream. I've been attending nine ball tournaments live for over forty years and watching streamed pool for many years, too, and I can count the number of 5-packs or more I've ever seen on my fingers. Did you know that at the 2020 Mosconi Cup, Team USA won less than 50% of the nine ball racks in which it broke? On tough equipment, the break guarantees nothing. If the equipment befits elite players, only straight shooting and good decision making get one to the finish line, not, as some suggest, the constant presence of dog-proof layouts.

You bring a very well informed view to the forum, but so do many others.

Sjm, tell me something will you please, what do YOU think it would take to bring in major sponsorship to this sport??

 

[sjm]

Sjm, tell me something will you please, what do YOU think it would take to bring in major sponsorship to this sport??

I really don't know, and I must leave the marketing side of the game to the proprietors and companies that do business in the industry. My career was in finance, not in marketing. I am a pool fan, not a person doing business in the pool industry.

The only view I do have is that for the game to grow, the number of people who play it must also grow, and my sense of things is that a strong pro pool product will not be enough to trigger greater participation in the sport. For this reason, I feel that improving the culture of the pool hall and finding a mechanism to introduce young people to the game and motivate them to play it are important. I also feel that pool pros must project a better image to become attractive to the masses.

Pool's biggest long term issue has been its failure to attract the demographic groups that advertisers are most trying to reach. Golf may be able to attract Cadillac and Rolex as sponsors, but pool, over the years, didn't dare even dream of reaching significant out-of-industry sponsors. If pool's reach can grow, that can change, and the challenge for those trying to bring pro pool to the next level is to make that happen. If pro pool's reach grows, it will be a much easier sell.