McCready bingeing!

[jbart65]

You can set the conditions so that the top few win at the highest percentage possible. Or you can have more balanced competition, more parity, and the money getting spread around a little. The idea is that the popularity and profitability put more money in the top players’ pockets over time. The top guys still win more and place higher more. Regardless of conditions they still do well. If you want the sport to get more eyeballs, you need more parity. The NFL is the poster child for this. Everything is set up to make it difficult to dominate. The best organizations and teams still do better, but they have to have key players and really do a partial rebuild every offseason. But multiple fan bases have teams that can at least get to the playoffs.

Football is obviously different from pool. But pretty much any team sport/ league has to balance the competition. In that sense it isn’t pure. But it is more entertaining and profitable than it would otherwise be.

The difficult conditions will more accurately and consistently identify the very best players. OK. But if that is all there is, it won’t be popular or Provide the best players more money in the long run. the Ultimate Pool set up is an example. It was more than OK that our Easy E could prevail over Bergman. Short races on normal to easy equipment have their place In the scheme of things and make for better viewing.

Pool has never been a big TV sport in the US and probably never will be. I don't think making pro pool any easier will get more eyeballs. The best players in the world actually do make pool look easy.

But if MR could just capture a tiny percentage of the American public, that's still a lot of eyeballs and money.

In any case, the bigger potential audience is, of course, overseas, especially in Asia.

***

Does pool need more parity? I'd argue it already does.

Consider the winner of all the big Matchroom Open tournaments (256 players) since 2022. There has only been one repeat winner:

Johan Chua
Fedor Gorst
Mickey Krause
Robbie Capito
Jayson Shaw
Ko Ping Chung
David Alcaide
Dang Jin Hu
Eklent Kaci
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz
Joshua Filler
Alban Ouschan
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz
Shane Van Boening

***

The NFL, for all the talk of parity, actually has a top-heavy history.

Just nine teams have won 32 of the 58 NFL Super Bowls (58%).

Just four teams have won 22 of the 58 SBs (38%).

NBA is no different. Nine of 32 teams have the last 25 championships. The Celtics and Lakers have won 35 of 77 titles (45%).

 

[pt109]

Or Gorina.

Both are correct.

 

[pt109]

Bingo! Players from Keith's era were not one-trick ponies and could play all games. Keith, much to my surprise, won money on the snooker table when we were together, but from what I understand, there used to be ring games on snooker tables in California all the time.

First time I went on the road, we ran into a snooker table at Baker's in Tampa, Florida. That's where I met Grady Mathews. The regulars were playing a ring game on the snooker table, and my partner went bust. You could go five, six, and seven games without ever getting a shot, but yet you have to fork over $100 each time to the winner. Brutal action but nice if you can win at it.

All this "today's players are better than players from yesteryear" is not a statistically significant comparison. The equipment was much different, to include the game rules and what's considered the "gaffe" cues, e.g. jump cues and the black shafts. Even the cloth was different. Maybe a better comparision is players of today, especially the one-trick ponies, could not survive on the equipment, hardware, and rules from days gone by.

As an aside, I remember a tournament at Ultimate Billiards in Connecticut on the Joss NE 9-Ball Tour, which at that time had quite a few champions competing on a regular basis. The pool room owner put brand-new cloth on the tables, and it begain with a "G." I can't remember the name without going througn my pool archives, but it was really fast, too fast for most. Keith had no trouble adjusting because that's what road players do when on the road. You have to adjust quickly to strange equipment.

Keith made it to the finals against Ronnie Alcano. It took the railbirds longer to jockey for position and find a seat to sweat the finals match than it did for the duration of the match itself, 9 to zero. Keith wins in less than 20 minutes. A short time later, Ronnie Alcano defeated Ralf Souquet to win the World 9-Ball Championship in Philippines.

View attachment 808460

Jen….the cloth is

It was probably Basalt…….quicker than 760….because of a tighter weave.
For the people that seem to long for the old thick cloth, it was being used because it was cheaper, and the balls went airborne on power shots.
On the faster cloth, you could hit a power shot sweeter, and the balls tended to stay on the table….what I liked about is more things were possible. And this cloth was available long ago, I played 9-ball at Baker’s in Tampa in the late 60s on carom cloth, fell in love with it.
Many players don’t seem to realize that the great action days at the Rack in Detroit, everybody was playing on fast cloth, Gil Elias was a former carom tournament player. When Gil died, the room reverted to horse blankets for cloth and I lost my enthusiasm for that place.

 

[JPB2]

Pool has never been a big TV sport in the US and probably never will be. I don't think making pro pool any easier will get more eyeballs. The best players in the world actually do make pool look easy.

But if MR could just capture a tiny percentage of the American public, that's still a lot of eyeballs and money.

In any case, the bigger potential audience is, of course, overseas, especially in Asia.

***

Does pool need more parity? I'd argue it already does.

Consider the winner of all the big Matchroom Open tournaments (256 players) since 2022. There has only been one repeat winner:

Johan Chua
Fedor Gorst
Mickey Krause
Robbie Capito
Jayson Shaw
Ko Ping Chung
David Alcaide
Dang Jin Hu
Eklent Kaci
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz
Joshua Filler
Alban Ouschan
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz
Shane Van Boening

***

The NFL, for all the talk of parity, actually has a top-heavy history.

Just nine teams have won 32 of the 58 NFL Super Bowls (58%).

Just four teams have won 22 of the 58 SBs (38%).

NBA is no different. Nine of 32 teams have the last 25 championships. The Celtics and Lakers have won 35 of 77 titles (45%).

Some good points. Do you know how the WPA events compare. The biggest factor leading to parity in pool is probably match play itself. Anytime relatively close competitors play a match of a limited duration there is variance. Pool probably has less than some other sports. Not sure. Double elimination formats probably reduce parity/ variance right? Just a couple thoughts.

As far as being a spectator sport, pool isn’t great. For me, a big reason I play is that I can play - I’d rather play than watch. Sure, I watch too, but…. This year I saw parts of the Super Bowl because I was playing a pool tournament while it was on. I wasn’t going to watch something at the expense of participating.

 

[Welder84]

IIRC he adopted that side-arm stroke 'cause he started so young and was too short to stroke any other way. Damn straight he could play, and gamble, at all gam

You can learn a lot from the old Accu-stats videos. McCready certainly knows all the angles and little finesse shots. You can clearly see that when this guy was on, the game looks easy. He has an ability to get back in line when he's slightly off, that is very remarkable. This is one of the many reasons why it is a great learning opportunity for non-pros. An entertaining player all around.

Right.

A couple things made a big impression.
1. He broke the balls extremely well
2. He was very very creative
3 He moved the cue ball effortlessly
4 He played one pocket extremely well also

 

[Mensabum]

Bingo! Players from Keith's era were not one-trick ponies and could play all games. Keith, much to my surprise, won money on the snooker table when we were together, but from what I understand, there used to be ring games on snooker tables in California all the time.

First time I went on the road, we ran into a snooker table at Baker's in Tampa, Florida. That's where I met Grady Mathews. The regulars were playing a ring game on the snooker table, and my partner went bust. You could go five, six, and seven games without ever getting a shot, but yet you have to fork over $100 each time to the winner. Brutal action but nice if you can win at it.

All this "today's players are better than players from yesteryear" is not a statistically significant comparison. The equipment was much different, to include the game rules and what's considered the "gaffe" cues, e.g. jump cues and the black shafts. Even the cloth was different. Maybe a better comparision is players of today, especially the one-trick ponies, could not survive on the equipment, hardware, and rules from days gone by.

As an aside, I remember a tournament at Ultimate Billiards in Connecticut on the Joss NE 9-Ball Tour, which at that time had quite a few champions competing on a regular basis. The pool room owner put brand-new cloth on the tables, and it begain with a "G." I can't remember the name without going througn my pool archives, but it was really fast, too fast for most. Keith had no trouble adjusting because that's what road players do when on the road. You have to adjust quickly to strange equipment.

Keith made it to the finals against Ronnie Alcano. It took the railbirds longer to jockey for position and find a seat to sweat the finals match than it did for the duration of the match itself, 9 to zero. Keith wins in less than 20 minutes. A short time later, Ronnie Alcano defeated Ralf Souquet to win the World 9-Ball Championship in Philippines.

View attachment 808460

Great story. It's even worse when your playing $50 on the 5 as well. If and when you got a shot,
Better not miss.

 

[skogstokig]

Jen….the cloth is View attachment 808495 View attachment 808496
It was probably Basalt…….quicker than 760….because of a tighter weave.
For the people that seem to long for the old thick cloth, it was being used because it was cheaper, and the balls went airborne on power shots.
On the faster cloth, you could hit a power shot sweeter, and the balls tended to stay on the table….what I liked about is more things were possible. And this cloth was available long ago, I played 9-ball at Baker’s in Tampa in the late 60s on carom cloth, fell in love with it.
Many players don’t seem to realize that the great action days at the Rack in Detroit, everybody was playing on fast cloth, Gil Elias was a former carom tournament player. When Gil died, the room reverted to horse blankets for cloth and I lost my enthusiasm for that place.

no way.. the nostalgiacs on here told me they were playing on gravel. with cues whittled in a lumber yard

 

[Mensabum]

As you might imagine, I could write on and on about the persona of Keith McCready. If you're on Facebook, this is one of the funniest games and explain why railbirds and players are like enjoy watching "The Keith McCready Show."

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153528786768020

He looks good Jen. Better than he has in a long time. Kudos to you both!!

 

[jalapus logan]

View attachment 808444

Is it just me, or did they deify Keith and even coronate him with an angelic halo?

 

[jalapus logan]

Have to part ways with you here. The 4" pockets turn 9 ball into a different game, something between snooker and 10 ball. 9 ball is more about watching packages and games that move more quickly. It is like the difference between watching basketball and golf. Of course the British are going to change it to look more like what they are more familiar with, because it is their market they are primarily selling to. But that crap isn't US pool, or 9 ball. Will I still watch? Heck yes. But they are not far from making it unwatchable for me.

Without fans, there is no sponsorship, there is no money, and there is no point.

Yeah, but this is 'Murica, and we are allowed to do all the dumb shit we want. If we want to slow a fast paced game like 9 ball down, we will. If we want to make a jumbo sized Mini Cooper, dammit, we will.

We will freedumb as hard as we want to pal!

 

[jalapus logan]

no way.. the nostalgiacs on here told me they were playing on gravel. with cues whittled in a lumber yard

And the balls had to roll uphill to be pocketed.

 

[Badpenguin]

Yeah, but this is 'Murica, and we are allowed to do all the dumb shit we want. If we want to slow a fast paced game like 9 ball down, we will. If we want to make a jumbo sized Mini Cooper, dammit, we will.

We will freedumb as hard as we want to pal!

Except it isn't 'Murica doing it, it is the UK (matchroom).

 

[jalapus logan]

Except it isn't 'Murica doing it, it is the UK (matchroom).

UK is only awaiting being on the ever lengthening Murica annexation list.....so you are right, but for how long?

 

[trob]

All this "today's players are better than players from yesteryear" is not a statistically significant comparison. The equipment was much different, to include the game rules and what's considered the "gaffe" cues, e.g. jump cues and the black shafts. Even the cloth was different. Maybe a better comparision is players of today, especially the one-trick ponies, could not survive on the equipment, hardware, and rules from days gone by.

You can say about most sports jam.. it’s hard to compare tiger woods to say bobby jones. golf was totally different then From the equipment to the courses. Everything evolves.. not always for the better..but it does evolve.

 

[Fatboy]

Is it just me, or did they deify Keith and even coronate him with an angelic halo?

That’s a good find. I didn’t notice that.

I’m sure glad I took those pics, normally i’m not a picture taker. That night I was on my game and didn’t slip up.

 

[Callaghan]

Keith is bar none my favorite player to watch. I revisit his match against Reyes in the 1988 Brunswick 9 ball event regularly. I’d pay five grand to take a Time Machine back to the early 80s to watch him grind in a serious money match.

 

[Taxi]

Great story. It's even worse when your playing $50 on the 5 as well. If and when you got a shot,
Better not miss.

I would've loved to have seen some of those payball ring games in the 70's when Keith and Denny Searcy were butting heads. Since they were both A-level California players back in the 70's, I'm sure there were many such occasions. I never saw anyone better than Searcy at payball, but then I've only seen Keith on a pool table.

 

[Mensabum]

Is it just me, or did they deify Keith and even coronate him with an angelic halo?

Any player of his caliber deserves their written blowjob.

 

[Mensabum]

And the balls had to roll uphill to be pocketed.

Both ways - thru the snow.
I'm in the Midwest and it's all I can think about right now.

 

[Bavafongoul]

Exactly. The tight pocket proponents need to understand that it makes for a less interesting spectator event. It is a better test at the highest levels, fine. watching 10 ball with WPA rules on tight equipment is purgatory. You know you will get to see something better someday and the match will eventually end, but you suffer while it is on. i Know some people like the super tough conditions to watch. But if you want a broader audience it isn’t the way to go IMO.

I enjoy watching a professional not dominate the table because of tight pockets. It makes them miss and know what?
It does the same thing to me. So the pros and I share that same experience and frustration. I also enjoy watching pro
golfers struggle in bad weather like last Thursday 1st round of the Genesis Open played at Torrey Pines because of the
LA fires. Conditions were cold, rainy and windy and about a dozen players shot under par in a128 player field and 4 under was the lowest score. Only 3 birdies were made on the par 5’s and none of the players reached the greens in two. Players came up short on the par 3’s, and all the chips and putts. In other words, they played like mere mortals.

Then the weekend came and the course dried out, the sun came out, the winds were calm and birdies and eagles were pretty commonplace. It was more enjoyable watching the players struggle and fight to get par than sink 10’ eagle putts.

Watching players on videos with ginormous pockets is hardly exciting. My high run is on a Gold Crown with 5” CP when I was in my 30’s but I can’t come close to doing it with the pockets I play on today. 1/2 - 3/4” of an inch smaller makes a difference. It is harder to run the table in 14.1, 10 ball, 8 ball and 9 ball as well.

However, harder cuts both ways and means I’ll likely get to shoot again after I miss. Now I might have to sit for a rack or two but I’ll get another chance. With 5” pockets, my match could be over before I did get to shoot again.

Whether I’m watching the pros, or my choice as well, the harder it is, the more enjoyable it becomes. If I could play on a 10’ six legged table with 4 1/4” pockets, that would be my ideal setup. Tight pockets will make you a better player if you don’t succumb to the frustration at the outset. After you start to run racks, everything changes and you see the table for what it is & how far to go before playing a devilish safety instead of attempting a tough shot because you failed to get shape. After playing on tight table for years, no pool table seems too hard except a 12’ table which is insane.