It BLOWS MY MIND that Neils, Chris Melling and Karl Boyes have this totally backwards and goofy thought process when it comes to racking.
These guys treat the rack reading, pattern racking etc like steroid use in baseball. An advantage. The definition of which is 'a condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable or superior position.' An advantage is getting ball in hand after the break while your opponent has to play as is. The conditions and circumstances in pool are as near to even as you can get, especially in an alternate break format. Both players have access to the same equipment, same table, same balls, lighting etc. Its like the kids playing call of duty online *****ing about the other guy using the best gun in the game. Meanwhile they both have access to it and even the pros in online gaming use the best and do as much as they can to win.
The reality is that its not the handful of players that know the rack or the patterns that are the problem, its the ones that don't. During the W9B it was pretty clear that Ko pattern racked and Shane may have but mixed at least 2-3 balls around. Does that make Ko a criminal? No. If the rules allowed I'm sure Shane would have done the same thing. They didn't so the ref got called in. Pure and simple.
When the goal is winning and there is no violation of clearly stated rules, a professional's job is to do everything it takes to win, as long as it does not interfere with the other player. Racking your own however you want, doesn't interfere with the other player. Racking for them and giving them a slug rack does.
The same goes for the break except its even clearer because other than the soft break and break box, there aren't really any rules. One player having a powerful and consistent break with great cue ball control is not an advantage over the other player. Its a learned tool to combat the game itself.
Golfers who hit the ball farther than others either just have the ability or put the time in. Did Tiger Woods win because of his driver lol? An advantage would be one out driving the other because of a piece of technology, not technique.
Players that attribute their opponents victories as having some sort of advantage is a joke. "Well, he just won because he played safe" "They only won because they won the lag" "That guy wins because of his break"
Unless there is something stopping a player from learning and utilizing the same techniques or skills as another, especially at the professional level, then the gloves are off. Its an excuse not to improve or practice.
Want to break near Shane and Ko's level? Then practice for 4-6 hours a day like he does/did. Want to have as good of cue ball control as Alex or Dennis? Then work on every possible aspect of cueball control that you can. Otherwise sit down and **** *** **** **
Pool players break the balls hard the way Ko, Shane, Alex, Wu, De Luna and others do is ENTERTAINING! Its also entertaining to watch a winner break format and see a champ put an 8 pack on somebody. Alternate break on a big table has a lot of value and controversy as well when it comes to entertainment.
It seems like a lot of these pros are their own worst enemies and really hinder the game more than help it.
These guys treat the rack reading, pattern racking etc like steroid use in baseball. An advantage. The definition of which is 'a condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable or superior position.' An advantage is getting ball in hand after the break while your opponent has to play as is. The conditions and circumstances in pool are as near to even as you can get, especially in an alternate break format. Both players have access to the same equipment, same table, same balls, lighting etc. Its like the kids playing call of duty online *****ing about the other guy using the best gun in the game. Meanwhile they both have access to it and even the pros in online gaming use the best and do as much as they can to win.
The reality is that its not the handful of players that know the rack or the patterns that are the problem, its the ones that don't. During the W9B it was pretty clear that Ko pattern racked and Shane may have but mixed at least 2-3 balls around. Does that make Ko a criminal? No. If the rules allowed I'm sure Shane would have done the same thing. They didn't so the ref got called in. Pure and simple.
When the goal is winning and there is no violation of clearly stated rules, a professional's job is to do everything it takes to win, as long as it does not interfere with the other player. Racking your own however you want, doesn't interfere with the other player. Racking for them and giving them a slug rack does.
The same goes for the break except its even clearer because other than the soft break and break box, there aren't really any rules. One player having a powerful and consistent break with great cue ball control is not an advantage over the other player. Its a learned tool to combat the game itself.
Golfers who hit the ball farther than others either just have the ability or put the time in. Did Tiger Woods win because of his driver lol? An advantage would be one out driving the other because of a piece of technology, not technique.
Players that attribute their opponents victories as having some sort of advantage is a joke. "Well, he just won because he played safe" "They only won because they won the lag" "That guy wins because of his break"
Unless there is something stopping a player from learning and utilizing the same techniques or skills as another, especially at the professional level, then the gloves are off. Its an excuse not to improve or practice.
Want to break near Shane and Ko's level? Then practice for 4-6 hours a day like he does/did. Want to have as good of cue ball control as Alex or Dennis? Then work on every possible aspect of cueball control that you can. Otherwise sit down and **** *** **** **
Pool players break the balls hard the way Ko, Shane, Alex, Wu, De Luna and others do is ENTERTAINING! Its also entertaining to watch a winner break format and see a champ put an 8 pack on somebody. Alternate break on a big table has a lot of value and controversy as well when it comes to entertainment.
It seems like a lot of these pros are their own worst enemies and really hinder the game more than help it.