Can't find the video of Deuel vs Immonen
- Thread starter Maniac
- Start date
An historic match, even though it's probably one of the worst matches ever, and is arguably the worst ever final of a major event in America. I remember it well.
This match, played in 2001, proved the beginning of the end for the soft break and for that reason alone this match should be celebrated. Hence, if you didn't see it back then, I can understand why you'd want to see it.
This match, played in 2001, proved the beginning of the end for the soft break and for that reason alone this match should be celebrated. Hence, if you didn't see it back then, I can understand why you'd want to see it.
Last edited:
http://store.accu-stats.com/9-ball/u-s-open-championships/2001-u-s-open/
Here it is. It was never on youtube or any of the free sites...
Here it is. It was never on youtube or any of the free sites...
Thanks. I've seen it before, but I don't remember how it was shown or who put it out there. I can tell you that I saw it on a free stream or video.
The only memory I have of it is the sour look on Mika's face for most of the match (but this isn't why I want to watch it again though).
Maniac
Amen, brother.
I agree. After years and years of doing it one way a person discovers a better way, wins using it, and then they make rules against it. What ever happened to progress???
Breaking from the box I don't have a big problem with, but this break rule where any combination of 3 balls must be pocketed and/or put past the head string is a crock of sh*t. A breaker makes a ball, puts another ball past the head string and gives up the table??? Pure BS in my opinion.
Maniac (don't fix it if it ain't broke)
The problem is that some innovations change the game significantly. There has been a long history of this in cue sports, from carom billiards (multiple times) to English billiards (multiple times) to, now, nine ball. You have to strike a balance between tradition an innovation. I don't think there is a good solution for 9 ball yet.
I think somebody posted it on YouTube years ago in violation of copyright
Agreed that the soft break requires a great amount of skill and that Corey mastered it more than anyone else. Karen Corr also mastered it and gave her WPBA foes a big serving of soft breaking. More power to her.
The problem, as most saw it back then, was that the soft break made the game more boring to watch, offering slower and more repetitious play. It was outlawed for the reason that the hard break made the game more exciting.
I think they did the right thing.
The soft break and magic rack is extremely detrimental to 9 ball. If you watch the matches from that US open where Deuel won, you'll notice that a lot of games were ended by playing early combinations. He was barely breaking them apart at all. The matches were boring as hell.
Even Grady commentating couldn't save this God awful final. I'm by no means an Immonen fan boy. I respect his game, only met him once, he was reserved but friendly. Nothing went right for him in this match, it's hard to watch, even when you're not rooting for somebody.
The solution to 9-ball is longer races and winner breaks.
Make the races to 21, or more.
I haven't seen anybody run 21 racks in a row yet in a tournament.
The short races are crap shoots and alternate break is BS. The winner should never have to give up the table until they miss.
I think this video will give you pleasure as well. Jason Shaw beats Mika Immonen 9 - 1 in one of the fastest matches I've ever seen.
https://youtu.be/ULhZJvrV9zQ
There is a solution but I've only seen in used once. The nine ball is racked on the spot and you must break from the opposite spot. The soft break will not work so well (or at all) now.
Yeah, they’ve definitely won over a ton more fans by increasing the break speed in 9b. We have millions tuning in on ESPN daily.
Seems pool was televised when they were soft breaking. Now, they’re hitting them harder, and have even less fans watching. Face it, to the casual observer, pool is boring, regardless of break speed, break rules, and template/rack debates.