Playing sets vs races

DaWizard

DaWizard

Well-known member
The World Cup of Darts just finished and they play sets: first to win X sets. Every set is a best of 5 legs (games).

In pool we usually play a race to X games.

The advantage of playing sets is that players have fresh chances every new set.

Any experience with tournaments where pool is played as sets? Is there a reason we don't/hardly play sets?
 
Super billiards expo does it like tennis, no?
PBA (Korean 3c billiards) also does it.

Im not a big fan of it. Lame to lose when you win more games (make more points/ PBA) than your opponent.
 
DaWizard said:
The World Cup of Darts just finished and they play sets: first to win X sets. Every set is a best of 5 legs (games).

In pool we usually play a race to X games.

The advantage of playing sets is that players have fresh chances every new set.

Any experience with tournaments where pool is played as sets? Is there a reason we don't/hardly play sets?
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Semantics are clogging the plumbing here. A 'set' in pool terms is usually a race to X # of games, say a 'race to seven'. What you're proposing is a 'match' made up of multiple 'sets' as in a 3-out-of-5 set match. I'd much rather watch this than LONG races to 50+ games.
 
In general, I prefer races. Of course, the Mosconi gives us a race to eleven sets, and that seems to keep everyone interested.

A few years ago, Kaci and Pagulayan found that sets can be the solution to the snoozefest offered by really long races. They played race to three sets, with each race being a race to 21 (if memory serves). Even I, who has never watched a full race to 100, could watch that!

In pool, I like to see the player that wins more racks win the match, and with sets that may or may not happen.
 
sjm said:
In general, I prefer races. Of course, the Mosconi gives us a race to eleven sets, and that seems to keep everyone interested.

A few years ago, Kaci and Pagulayan found that sets can be the solution to the snoozefest offered by really long races. They played race to three sets, with each race being a race to 21 (if memory serves). Even I, who has never watched a full race to 100, could watch that!

In pool, I like to see the player that wins more racks win the match, and with sets that may or may not happen.
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A 'race' is a 'set'. 3/5-4/7 set matches would far better viewing, especially if trying to get more viewers, than one long set. Much more drama. Imagine tennis if they just played one long race to 21 or something. No one would watch.
 
rexus31 said:
Isn't Predator already doing this in their events? Multiple sets making up a match?
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Yep. They've 'tweaked' the rules to make it better. I really like the format. In Stage2 play now they play a 3rd set if first two are split. Shootout happens if tied at 3-3 in third set. Stage1 still has shootout if match is tied 1-1. Lot of drama, quik matches. Great format for fans. A buddy played in a couple and he said anytime a Shootout was in progress the place just came alive. PPS player guide: https://probilliardseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-USPBS-Player-Guide-Final.pdf
 
garczar said:
Yep. They've 'tweaked' the rules to make it better. I really like the format. In Stage2 play now they play a 3rd set if first two are split. Shootout happens if tied at 3-3 in third set. Stage1 still has shootout if match is tied 1-1. Lot of drama, quik matches. Great format for fans. A buddy played in a couple and he said anytime a Shootout was in progress the place just came alive. PPS player guide: https://probilliardseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-USPBS-Player-Guide-Final.pdf
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I enjoy this format a lot. It was fun to watch in person because fans would flock to the area where a shootout was happening. I also like how the format makes it so no player ever feels they are out of it.
 
I still like watching single 'race' matches as long they aren't too long. Race to 11/13 is fine, any longer and i'd rather watch multiple shorter race matches. The long races to 50+ i have zero interest in watching.
 
When players are just sitting in the room and they don't know how to socialize, that is downtime that can be used.

In other sports the downtime can be used for a slow clap, T&F are individuals but have a group celebration. Runners might cheer. Football players get massages. Baseball players spit.

Cue athletes end up OD in the bathroom. Its sad.

In pool unscrewing the cue stick is lame. In pool it should lets take a picture or selfie, everyone is taking selfies. If its not allowed after a world competition match live, then why have the kids compete?

Let them have fun, professional photographers should be out of sight.
 
justnum said:
When players are just sitting in the room and they don't know how to socialize, that is downtime that can be used.

In other sports the downtime can be used for a slow clap, T&F are individuals but have a group celebration.

In pool unscrewing the cue stick is lame. In pool it should lets take a picture or selfie, everyone is taking selfies. If its not allowed after a world competition match live, then why have the kids compete?

Let them have fun, professional photographers should be out of sight.
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WTF?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? More delusional chatgpt nonsense.
 
garczar said:
WTF??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
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I have been a pro pool fan for decades. I don't just want to sit at the event like its church.

I want a vicarious life, like my love life.

Do you know how much educators get heckled? And its by everyone.
 
justnum said:
I have been a pro pool fan for decades. I don't just want to sit at the event like its church.

I want a vicarious life, like my love life.

Do you know how much educators get heckled? And its by everyone.
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Please get lost.
 
I was thinking instead of, say, a race to 10, which is min 10, max 19 racks, players could also play a race to 3 sets.

Race to 3 sets, each set Bo5 racks:
Each set is best of 5 racks. So that is min 9 racks and max 25 racks.

Or shoot out at 2-2. That's min 9 racks, max 20 + shoot out.
 
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DaWizard said:
I was thinking instead of, say, a race to 10, which is min 10, max 19 racks, players could also play a race to 3 sets.

Each set is best of 5 racks. So that is min 9 racks and max 25 racks.

Or shoot out at 2-2. That's min 9 racks, max 20 + shoot out.
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Huh?? I'm still confused here, kinda like the rules to that goofy game you dreamed up. ;) A race/set are same thing. Stop mixing/matching the terms. What you are proposing are 'matches' made up of multiple 'sets/races'. Have to keep it fairly short/simple if you want anyone other than die-hards to watch or TD's to manage on time.
 
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Baseball is fun because there are 3 strikes to an out or 1 hit for a homerun.

The outcomes of what happens between are clear.

Pool does not have that continuum between most defensive strategy and most offensive strategy.

Its more like volleyball for the beginners, any hit is a good hit based on the ref.

A game to nine ball, first to the 3, first to the 6 and whoever gets the 9. That is a more manageable score progression.

Of the three game balls make 2.
 
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