I think 11 is too long for the long-run marketability of the game. Fine for the semis and final, but not the start of a big open. If luck is a worry, sets would seem to be the way to go.
Morra and Shaw on MR break rules and pocket size
- Thread starter jbart65
- Start date
A lot of fans seem to hate luck in sports. I don't. Like you said, it makes the game more interesting. That is why I like golden breaks (though I am not sure I would allow on hill-hill).
I am very much on board with SJM on what should be the determining factor for MR rules: largely public appeal, not solely pro player satisfaction.
Right now on OnePocket.org there is a recollection of Jack Hines. It lists the URL for a match between Jack and Earl Strickland. This match is played on a table, I’m guessing, with generous pockets and old cloth. It’s like The Gunfight at the OK Corral, except that it has fewer dull, quiet moments than the gunfight did.
Take a look and see for yourself if a promoter could sell this version of nine ball to the general public.
Right now on OnePocket.org there is a recollection of Jack Hines. It lists the URL for a match between Jack and Earl Strickland. This match is played on a table, I’m guessing, with generous pockets and old cloth. It’s like The Gunfight at the OK Corral, except that it has fewer dull, quiet moments than the gunfight did.
Take a look and see for yourself if a promoter could sell this version of nine ball to the general public.
what year was that? the tom storm match
At the Worlds in Chicago 90's.
Do you really want the best player for the week to be identified by luck?
I don't think lots of break and runs happen or or have happened regularly as you define it, not now and not in memory for that matter. Atlarge's stats would tell the tale. I think Earl's famous race to 120 vs Efren in their prime only produced one four pack if I recall. Big packages, then and now remain a noteworthy feat, not the norm.
Personally, I think we are continuing to solve problems that don't exist.
Maybe the pockets aren't too big....maybe the balls are. Smaller pockets plus smaller balls equals, uh, another game not played in the states actually....
Maybe ban simonis and similar cloth and bring back the nap baybee!
Perhaps, but I think the current break rules are fine. Most players are getting the one ball in consistently, but it appears that fewer balls are going in on the break and the odds of good position on the next shot seem lower than in the past.
I am less concerned about the break rules than the pocket size and shot clock.
If one or two lucky shots help a player win a match, the other player must have given him too many opportunities.
Luck in a game like pool may be unfair, but it's why 9-ball is more fun to watch than 10-ball in my view.
In any case, luck is involved in all sports. And there is no doubt it adds drama, fair or not.
i disagree, something had to be done. when filler won the worlds the main table BNR rate was around 50%. when shane won it was around 45%, don't remember exactly, on 4.25" pockets. the level of play today is CRAZY high and it's not going down. TPA tells the same story. combine that with a promotor's will to have a (broadcast-wise) palatable race length that still provides competition, and tough equipment and tough break rules makes sense.
To be honest, this debate has been going on for decades now. I even took a pool here eons ago about pocket size...I'd guess 12 years ago now....it got a massive amount of replies and kind of took on a life of its own. Fast forward to now, and I don't think pocket size matters much at this point. I don't think it will bring viewers or $ to the sport regardless at this point.
Pretty nutty logic isn't...?
Personally I want the best player = the player who missed the least.
Didn't work in the previous decades. What makes you think it would work now...?
From my thread on that match:
Break-and-run packages:
Reyes' 40 B&R games consisted of six 3-packs (1 on Day 1, 1 on Day 2, and 4 on Day 3), four 2-packs and 14 singles.
Strickland's 40 B&R games consisted of one 5-pack (on Day 3), one 4-pack (Day 2), two 3-packs (1 on Day 2 and 1 on Day 3), four 2-packs, and 17 singles.
Reyes' B&R percentage was 33% (40 of 120) and Strickland's was 34% (40 of 117).Unfortunately, I didn't hear any mention of pocket sizes for that table. But the table certainly was "generous" on lots of shots.
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That was against Pagulayan in 2018 at Freezer's Ice House 10-Ball Challenge. The table was a Diamond and was said to have 4 1/8" corners!