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Guys, I’ve said multiple times I know luck will always exist in the game. My point is slight rule modifications would drastically reduce it, creating an improved game of skill. I’ll still play either way, and I’ll still shit in balls along with my opponents 😂 But we should always think about...

Respectfully, I still do not understand why anyone would have an aversion to calling shots and safes in a competitive game. If the shot doesn’t go in the pocket you intended, that’s a mistake. You should not benefit from fate or happenstance that the cue ball or object ball falls in a flukey...

Theoretically, it shouldn’t count. However, as a human, I have a limited amount of bandwidth to dedicate to communicating where and how the object ball will be pocketed before every shot, so I’ll settle for simply calling the pocket and disregard the route that gets it there 😂 That’s the amount...

Not a bad suggestion, and I’ve actually played the “if you miss, your opponent gets ball in hand” rule as practice. Appreciate the write up.

I’m not advocating that a missed ball be treated as a foul, but it should always be treated as a mistake - not as a flukey benefit by inadvertently snookering your opponent and forcing ball in hand. Not saying that happens often in the pros, but in principle a miss should never be rewarded in...

Interesting perspective and I guess that’s where we disagree. If you miss a ball (a critical error), I shouldn’t ever have to come with a hero kick/jump just to make legal contact - with a high probability of fouling and giving you ball in hand. You’re getting a golden reward for a missed ball...

This aligns with my philosophy on the game, as well. Watching a 9 ball match as a spectator might be more exciting because it leaves room for more uncertainty, but as a skill game, 10 ball call shot/call safe creates less room for ambiguity and that in itself makes it a more pure game IMO. I...

Right - but these rules also negate slop shots and a significant amount of lucky rolls. I’d sacrifice two way shots for that, personally.

The mistake was the missed shot. In this example, it was not my intent to rattle the ball in the pocket, and let’s say my cue ball speed was off and I snooker it behind a group of balls unintentionally. Yes, it was technically a “legal” shot but my application of spin/speed/aim was executed...

Fair point. I think call shot/call foul 10 ball has its place if you’re looking for a more competitive experience with another serious player. However, 9 ball would be a better fit for a more exciting, fun and “relaxed” game - and more suited for spectators. There’s not a one size fits all...

Thanks, Garczar - I didn’t realize this variation already existed as call shot/call safe 10 ball. I think this sounds fun!

You are correct - I’m not a pro level or shortstop level player. The people in my pool room (and myself) often get lucky in games like 9 ball via unintentional lucky rolls which wildly swing the momentum. Calling shots prevents this and provides a significant benefit for mere mortals.

I’ve been playing a lot of 10 ball lately because I enjoy calling shots. That takes a significant amount of luck out of the game (as an amateur player). However, there’s still plenty of rolls to be had. For example, if I rattle an object ball and my cue ball unintentionally lands wedged behind...

Same here, the springs definitely get in the way for certain shots, and they’re quite taut so I don’t think they’d take well to bending.

Great idea and I’m sure that’d be a much more professional end product. Unfortunately, I don’t have the expertise to accomplish that, lol.

I recently purchased a 9’ slate tournament-style table from Facebook Marketplace to practice in my garage. The table plays great but the only issue is the pockets are quite wide (5”). I purchased the Practice Pro pocket reducers from Amazon for a quick solution for tighter pockets. These worked...

Apart from the consternation that a low-hanging shirt touching (or not touching) a ball might cause in league matches, I think all ball fouls would be an enjoyable addition to the game. It forces the shooter to be more exact when cueing over or around balls and makes position play to a...

I bought a 12.4mm carbon fiber Rhino shaft (Q-loc joint, Rhino’s version of Uniloc) over a year ago. Played with it everyday since and I love it. I changed the tip a couple times to experiment but didn’t have any problems with the Rhino tip that came with it. I even bought the Rhino break shaft...