This is especially annoying when there's a 30-second shot clock and the "rubbernecking" outgoing player is in the way of the incoming shooter, whose precious time is winding off of the clock!
No safeties in nine ball
- Thread starter book collector
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If the penalty for missing is not severe(BIH) missing can still be a more calculated risk. Not making a ball and giving Ball in Hand may be a defensive move as well. More that one cluster lets say. In the end the best shooter with more knowledge and cue ball control will win out. Obviously longer races.
Not if the clock operator knows what he is doing.
Some of the safeties are amazing shots also. Two shot shoot out was the best game, but it takes too long for TV. The game they play now is a good compromise. I also liked the format where any time you didn't make a ball, the other player could make you keep shooting. That way the only person you could play safety on would be yourself.
One of my irrational hopes is that with on-line retail displacing a good chunk of mini-mall space, that lease prices will drop some making pool halls a more profitable idea. However this also requires the building owners to work with potential pool hall owners to find terms that work. Right now it seems mini-mall owners are content with with having an empty building for years.,
Might be an interesting format for a local weekly 9-ball tournament and would drastically speed up the entire tournament, but would certainly not work for pro level events, unless possibly pockets were tightened up to like 3-3/4”. Then it might be interesting one time just to see how it plays out.
VTEC John
Active member
VTEC John
Active member
With respect, I have to disagree with your analysis. My answer to the question, "Why is pool failing?" is that pool has always been failing. It has never "succeeded," i.e., become mainstream. Color of Money, etc., were simply temporary bumps in popularity IMO. Personally, I think pool can only reach a certain, low level of popularity for one reason above all others, having to do with the nature of the game. That is, it's a sport in which one has to achieve a fairly high level of competency to appreciate it, enjoy and become hooked on it. That's a high bar that many people reach, but not enough people, so it never becomes mainstream. And I wouldn't bring up golf in comparison, because hacker or ace, it's easier to become an enthusiast.
A great safety is an amazing shot.
Escaping from a great safety is an amazing shot.
Both take great skill. Why would you want to take skill out of the game?
snookered_again
Well-known member
I sometimes wonder why so many people put so much weight towards "professional " pool players. An extremely small percentage of pool players is professional. Tournament play is more advanced but many also play on tables where they don't permit jumping because the owner doesn't want to get stung with new cloth costs. I realize it's common on higher skill levels but if you owned a public pool hall where any kid can rent a table, would you allow it? You can be sure the kid isn't paying for a new cloth should he slip up. The hall I grew up in and around never allowed it , with the exception of tournaments.. I remember he explained that he allowed it then, becuause they are more experienced...
Many watch hockey and those guys really slam each other, then I see kids checking like that in street hockey and in that case its' just basically an act of violence.
Many watch hockey and those guys really slam each other, then I see kids checking like that in street hockey and in that case its' just basically an act of violence.
snookered_again
Well-known member
I agree safeties are part of the game as is sinking a 9 by way of a combo. All tht is really important is that the players themselves agree on any modification to the rules, then its ok. Some who play in leagues or tournaments will want to to play by those rules as they want their practice to be as similar to "real" play as possible.
L.S. Dennis
Well-known member
snookered_again
Well-known member
I dont know the rules of 7 ball. Hooking is a big part of snooker and one of the reasons I love it. It becomes a bit like a game of chess with deeper thought and the intent changes as one on the loosing side "needs hooks" to win. Its a way to be mean to your friends but in a fun way
Now I may not be as familiar with 9 ball as some odf the ore serious players, and maybe if I play it more Ill be more in tune with the strategy of play, I just feel snooker creates even more of a situation where hooking is a big part of the action and strategy. It is part of the game in 9 ball and the thread was about 9 ball not snooker.
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L.S. Dennis
Well-known member
John makes some very good points as do others on this never ending subject. The fact is pool can't continue to rely on films like The Hustler and The Color of Money to give theses temporary bounces. The answer, if there Is an answer will inevitably fall to Matchroom or some other similar entity to help it along. Good luck to them,
snookered_again
Well-known member
snookered_again
Well-known member
a lot may be area specific. if you are in an area of expensive real estate its getting harder to make a go of things. I imagine in New York or 90210 there arent; a lot of snooker tables or that playing would be expensive but in lets say Cleveland where all the civilized people ran away from downtown , maybe it can still be a bit more affordable to the average wage earner.
my take is that with the rate young people are staring at tiny phone screens they may not have the eyesight as they get a bit older. Bars suffered a lot with smoking bylaws and such, I personally won't go there to spend my money and be told where to stand. Same for concerts, They got so controlled I just won't go anymore myself.
At least with pool, its something you can play without being an athlete and a lot of elders continue to enjoy it longer into their elderly years than other more physically demanding sports.
my take is that with the rate young people are staring at tiny phone screens they may not have the eyesight as they get a bit older. Bars suffered a lot with smoking bylaws and such, I personally won't go there to spend my money and be told where to stand. Same for concerts, They got so controlled I just won't go anymore myself.
At least with pool, its something you can play without being an athlete and a lot of elders continue to enjoy it longer into their elderly years than other more physically demanding sports.
You've asked a good question.
As I see it, the reason the focus is on the pros is that there is no real need for total standardization at the amateur level. Amateurs are the back bone of the pool world and they should play a game that they enjoy the most. I don't think the wear and tear caused by jump cues is terribly significant, but you make a good point. Each poolroom owner must decide for themselves. Masse's, near vertical strokes of the cueball, do cause great wear and tear on the equipment, and that's why they are not permitted in many pool playing venues. A strange, but important, dynamic in recent decades is that the increasing use of the jump stick has greatly reduced the need for use of the masse shot.
Pros, on the other hand, should play by a set of rules that caters to what the public will most enjoy watching. What the pros want and what viewers want is nearly never the same thing, but those who produce pro pool must manage the marketability of the pro pool product.
snookered_again
Well-known member
It would probably be a rare occurrence that a pro or very experienced player tears the cloth by trying to do a masse shot. An inexperienced player who is trying to do masse shots might slip up. I'm sure we have all seen the results.
I dont own a jump cue or know much about them. some of the more experienced players I play with do them. can the difference of a jump shot cue be explained? different tip? Im always afraid to try, maybe I will on my own table where any damage is my problem.
I dont own a jump cue or know much about them. some of the more experienced players I play with do them. can the difference of a jump shot cue be explained? different tip? Im always afraid to try, maybe I will on my own table where any damage is my problem.