Shane says, "9 ball is too easy"

DaWizard said:
Well, I know y'all are sceptical, but this strengthens my belief that pool could use something new. Especially at the pro level. And also for viewers we could use a new game that has more dramatic moments, less predictable play, more spectacular "high light" shots.

Elimin-8-ball is a shot at this. It's regular 8 ball slowly changing to 1 pocket with a strong incentive for skill shots.

In January i'm going to organise a local tournament and see what the responses are.

I don't think Elimin-8-ball will become the dominant new game per se. But I think it's good to explore innovation. I think it would be great if a group of (computer) game designers and open minded (semi) pros would team up and brainstorm all kinds of concepts that fit certain criteria (fun, simple, exciting, innovative, fun to watch). If I had ~$10k to throw away I would organise this.
Click to expand...
Who did you use for the voice over?
 
Most great 8 ball players look at runout patterns in reverse.

Meaning they find the last ball in their group that they will shoot before the 8 is pocketed, then go backwards to their first shot.
It's always good to have an easy shot before you last ball group shot....to make sure your correctly on the 8 with minimal travel.
 
as it is, there has been the luck taken out of the game . just look at the killer list that takes all the money down in most tournaments.
no sport can survive that and keep an audience.

put more luck in so others can win or at least vie for the top spot. and then audiences get interested. if you are a big pool nut and want to just watch the best players run out with precision as your choice, so be it. but few really want that in any sporting match.

poker was slow until they raised the buyins and made the blinds go up faster so the final tables weren't a rouges row of champs. that and the internet got it on tv and off to the races with millions in prizes.
 
my fix is:
1. make the break so it is practically neutral.
2. much shorter races so more luck comes into the game
3. force players to play a fast pace.
4. raise the entry fees dramatically, so the prize money is commensurate with the tournament.
that way more less skilled people will enter as they may feel they have a chance for a big pay day. and big pay days draw audiences.
refer to poker again, as its more boring to watch than pool but the money is infinitely greater. hence, a greater interest.
 
Island Drive said:
Most great 8 ball players look at runout patterns in reverse.

Meaning they find the last ball in their group that they will shoot before the 8 is pocketed, then go backwards to their first shot.
It's always good to have an easy shot before you last ball group shot....to make sure your correctly on the 8 with minimal travel.
Click to expand...
There is actually a video somewhere of two top snooker players talking about this. I recall one of them saying it was "fascinating" (or a similar superlative) how 8 ball players look for the "key ball" before they attempt to runout. Obvious to anyone who has played and learned 8 ball, but an unused concept by elite billiards players who have not.
 
SVB has to give out tips for how to cope with early male balding. He might sell more toupees than cue sticks.
 
briankenobi said:
It being relatable to the fans is the biggest thing. It has to be something people want to watch. This is why Trickshot Magic had higher ratings then the Tournament of Champions.
Click to expand...
God to me that trash was unwatchable lol. I just couldn’t care less
 
garczar said:
A great(and SIMPLE) way to play Saratoga is short-rack with nine balls. Four solids, four stripes, 8b in the middle. Have to run your balls in order. Fun, quik and no giant list of strange rules.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a blast honestly. I

've only played the 13 ball version a few times and I’ve given a spot to some pretty weak players where I play mine in order.
 
garczar said:
You mean like the vaunted Chinese 8b and snooker?? Both games allow slop and in snooker they allow chickenshit no-rail safeties. My point is all pool/snooker games have a luck element. Trying to remove it all is pointless and pretty much impossible.
Click to expand...
Coming from a poker background I like the word variance. If not for variance poker would absolutely not exist. Every single hand would be boring and the technically most sound player would win every time.

Who wants that? Luck/Variance is a GOOD THING and anything that removes it, I’m strongly against.
 
DeadStick said:
Maybe we need a tournament game with more luck, so the masses would enter believing they have a chance against the elite players (eg the Chris Moneymaker at WSOP effect).

Having a hard time figuring out a pool game with as much luck as poker, however. Might have to involve a deck of cards lol.
Click to expand...
🙏🏼
 
nataddrho said:
(snip) .
Click to expand...
I wouldn't want to put it like that, but I do think it's hard to let go of things that were, with all the traditions and good memories. And to counter myself: should darts change? Should football change?
Well, apparently even SVB sees a problem, so my conclusion is that it is perfectly fine to explore new things. And the path of innovating is paved by failures, so I don't mind if things don't work out at first.
 
tomatoshooter said:
I think it really depends on the level of the player. It seems like in some stats I saw here recently, 8 ball had a higher runout percentage from the first offensive shot but a much lower percentage of successful breaks.

When mere mortals play, I think 8 ball is a better game because of player 1 dogs his last shot, player 2 still has to sink all of his balls. On the professional level, if people are playing sets this tends to even out more.

I think you can get "lucky"with your shot in nine ball, but in eight ball you can get lucky with your position.
Click to expand...
how is it possible for 8 ball to have a "much lower percentage of successful breaks" than 9 ball? I don`t believe that stat, it seems ridiculous.
 
Justaneng said:
My goofy made up game is 15-ball rotation split rack. Standard 9-ball rack with the 1 on the foot spot, but then rack balls 10-15 (10 in front, 15 back middle) as a 6-ball mini rack on the head spot. Standard rotation rules, whoever makes the 15 wins.
Click to expand...
This sounds like lots of fun. I’ll be trying this out tonight
 
justnum said:
Usually when men get older they get less excited by how easy something is.

Next SVB can say he practices his stroke mentally, trying to figure out the best break for him.

Not everyone strokes the same number of times and gets the desired outcome. What are good or bad tips on how to build stroke strength? Bad ones are worth trying for giggles.

Should I grip it or choke it? How about with my smooth practice strokes should I think about hitting the ball or making the pocket or how much energy do my hands need to have?

SVB says nine is easy, let him try with one hand one eye and a jittery stroke from medical conditions.

USA needs a hero to fight. Not some crybaby who complains the game is too easy.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you are kinda sore at SVB, did he refuse a free Justdum Pool Academy (I apologize, I don't remember the "official" name of your fictitious secret club)membership from you or something??
 
fastone371 said:
Sounds like you are kinda sore at SVB, did he refuse a free Justdum Pool Academy (I apologize, I don't remember the "official" name of your fictitious secret club)membership from you or something??
Click to expand...

It is a narrative US needs rescuing, it is a line that works often.

Americans can let it be SVB or a new young player arrives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top