Yes, standardized equipment would be a big step forward. I overlooked this part of the announcement, so thanks for raising the point.
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SJM Analyzes Matchroom’s New Game Plan
- Thread starter sjm
- Start date
One thing I like about what Matchroom is doing is reaching out and working with other promoters of top events. In the past it's been my way or the highway approach but now there is a sense of working together. Eventually being a professional will be well defined and something that players will want to pursue.
I would love to see them put together a Q-school type qualifying process...
Also, are the Matchroom affiliated tourneys all 9 footers, or will they still incorporate some small table tourneys...
CaptainBly
Registered
Personally, I have always thought that the best rotation game for the pros is full rack rotation. You get more safeties, kicking, combos, caroms and better strategy. I feel that 9 ball is to boring to watch the pros play week in week out.
that applies to "players", who understand and play the game. MR is trying to attract a broader audience than just players...
Nice post SJM.
I can't believe people still think 8 ball is the game pros should be playing. It just doesn't work for them on American style pool tables anymore. The top level players just cue too well for it. I don't even care how small the pockets are -- it's just not challenging enough for them. This is why they are playing it on snooker style pockets in China, and that makes perfect sense.
9 or 10 ball is the way to go, but I suspect MR will have to tweak it here and there to get it just right.
I can't believe people still think 8 ball is the game pros should be playing. It just doesn't work for them on American style pool tables anymore. The top level players just cue too well for it. I don't even care how small the pockets are -- it's just not challenging enough for them. This is why they are playing it on snooker style pockets in China, and that makes perfect sense.
9 or 10 ball is the way to go, but I suspect MR will have to tweak it here and there to get it just right.
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No good if you're trying to cultivate average sports fan to be pool fans. Game has to be fast and somewhat exciting. The purist games like 1p, 15bRotation or 14.1 will never fly in those regards. Average sports fan, even one that plays some pool, is not going to watch any game that's full of safety battles. They want to see shots being made.
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This is the best way to play Ten Ball. Unlike 9-Ball, it is rare that you will see the ten made on the break.
So do you think it easier to run a rack of 9 ball or 8ball? I am a banger, but have ran quite a few more racks of 9ball in vastly fewer attempts than I have in 8ball. Don't really see the pros posting too many 8 ball ghost matches. I know they are different games, but I wonder what the BnR stats are for similar equipment/ tourneys..
Agreed. The most boring part of 9 ball for my wife and teenagers are the safety battles....
There's going to be safety's regardless of the game but they happen less often than in other games i mentioned. I wouldn't be against a rule where no more than 2-3 consecutive safeties would be allowed. If pool has any chance with non-hardcore pool fans it has to fast and easy to follow.
I'd call the comparison an even wash. I'm a decently strong enough player, and in both games if I have an open look and nothing overly complicated to sort out, I expect to run the rack.
More CB skill involved in 8 ball without question.
HUH?? Takes a lot more skill to move the ball around in a typical 9b runout. A lot of 8b outs the balls are close together. Its more about shooting the right pattern than having good cb movement. I know guys that play jam-up 8b that really don't have the stroke/knowledge to negotiate 9b outs. Not knocking 8b but its a different mind/skill set.
IMO most good 9b players play pretty good to excellent 8b. Often the reverse i not the case. They don't have to firepower required. 8b has turned into basically a league game. Rarely see it at higher levels or in action games. Not talking about Chinese 8b which i find to be extremely boring.
Yes Alabama Louisiana and that region on America there’s action. Best spot in America for action for a long time now. It’s a cultural thing.
Come to Los Angeles we have $5M houses, $500k cars everywhere and you can’t find $50 action. Hell playing for the time is a big bet here. Sad situation
Best
Fatboy
None of them are “easy”
I went to a rated barbox tournament one-time in Longdale,Ok. Place was owned by a guy that got rich off vending machines during the 70's-80's drilling boom. He liked to stake Matlock and also played pretty good 1p. Anyhoo, during this tournament i saw him and a chicken-fighter/poker player from the Texas panhandle play 1p on the barbox for TEN THOUSAND a game. Just your basic Bud and a shot boot scootin' redneck joint. Crazy. Used to see stuff like this a lot.Yes Alabama Louisiana and that region on America there’s action. Best spot in America for action for a long time now. It’s a cultural thing.
Come to Los Angeles we have $5M houses, $500k cars everywhere and you can’t find $50 action. Hell playing for the time is a big bet here. Sad situation
Best
Fatboy
Ok was big action for years, used to hear lots about it from Toby in Vegas in the early 90’s on the rail. There was ok action in LA up to the mid/late 90’s. Now it’s gone, I mean gone.
8 ball at high levels is not comparable to league play. Done in totally different manner.
I don't need to be right but I don't agree. In my personal opinion of how players manture. Potting comes first, loose position comes second, precise CB control third, correct pattern play last. The first two are what's required for 9 ball. The last two are required for high level 8 ball.
Geosnookery
Well-known member
This is all a step towards moving to parallel with World Snooker. One can debate a few nuts and bolts but it’s basically creating a ranking and tournament structure that is consistent. This gives confidence for companies outside of the billiards world to invest in sponsorship.
As prize money grows this will attract crossover from Pro and semi pro Snooker players. …bringing along an established fan base in UK and in China. China is ‘the’ ultimate market goal. A nine ball tournament With Ding or Yan might attract 20 million viewers in China. An established Match Room structure will also attract top Chinese 8 ball players.
Anyways, watch for a couple of top Snooker players doing PR work for Match Room. Ten to one we’ll see Mark Selby in the forefront not just because he’s the current World Snooker champion but because he’s a known figure in China.
As prize money grows this will attract crossover from Pro and semi pro Snooker players. …bringing along an established fan base in UK and in China. China is ‘the’ ultimate market goal. A nine ball tournament With Ding or Yan might attract 20 million viewers in China. An established Match Room structure will also attract top Chinese 8 ball players.
Anyways, watch for a couple of top Snooker players doing PR work for Match Room. Ten to one we’ll see Mark Selby in the forefront not just because he’s the current World Snooker champion but because he’s a known figure in China.