We went to an annual charity event yesterday in Laurel, MD, with proceeds going to a college fund for the daughter of a beloved Maryland player who passed. With 24 players, there were 4 groups of 6 players. The players who came -- VAP, Pookie, David Hunt from Richmond, Ryan "Genie Man" McCreesh, Keith McCready, BCA Instructor Doug Sharp, Young Gun Brandon Shuff, just to name a few -- seemed to enjoy the format. Don Purdman made a cameo appearance, and NineballCC and her daughter came as well to enjoy the festivities. 
NineballCC's daughter is only 7 years old and now has her own cuestick. She can barely reach the height of the table. Keith helped her with her stance a few weeks ago at a Hampton Ridge event, and the little cutey pie remembered everything. Her focus and concentration is strong, and she's got a really good eye. The youngster has actually developed a stroke now. She played pool non-stop the whole day and was having a ball! Watch out, NineballCC, you've got a champion in the making.
Nick Prinsloo, the volunteer tournament director, explained the rules of the 10-ball ring game format at the players' meeting. Each player gets 10 chips. When they lose their chips, they move to the losers' bracker or get knocked out in the double-elimination format. After a period of time, the ante doubles, until there are three remaining players, who then move up the chart to the next round.
As a railbird, I noticed the players seemed more relaxed and had fun. However, the rules for this 10-ball double-elimination format are extensive. This 10-ball ring game format was a pilot event, just to see how it worked out. With 24 players in a double-elimination format, with the ante doubling periodically, I think the general consensus was that a single-elimination format would be better due to time constraints.
Nick did a great job keeping the rounds moving, and his computer software worked GREAT, randomly picking the shooting order of the players in each ring game.
Relating to 10-ball, I've gotta say that I saw very few, if any, run-outs from the break, unlike 9-ball. In essence, the luck factor of a 10-ball ring game, much like 9-ball is today, prevails. The players, though, seemed to like the relaxed atmosphere, and everybody got a chance at the table. As a spectator, it was very entertaining. As a player trying to advance the charts, I think it was a little frustrating. When you only get to shoot one time out of six in a ring game, it is difficult to stay in stroke or develop any kind of rhythm. Ring games are great spectator events, definitely enjoyable, but I'm not sure I like the ring game concept for a competitive venue.
For the first time out of the gate, it went smoothly, thanks to Nick Prinsloo and that software of his. I like the 10-ball ring game format, but competitively speaking, it's definitely a crap shoot and the BEST player may not win because of the variety of luck factors associated with ring games. JMHO, FWIW!
JAM
NineballCC's daughter is only 7 years old and now has her own cuestick. She can barely reach the height of the table. Keith helped her with her stance a few weeks ago at a Hampton Ridge event, and the little cutey pie remembered everything. Her focus and concentration is strong, and she's got a really good eye. The youngster has actually developed a stroke now. She played pool non-stop the whole day and was having a ball! Watch out, NineballCC, you've got a champion in the making.
Nick Prinsloo, the volunteer tournament director, explained the rules of the 10-ball ring game format at the players' meeting. Each player gets 10 chips. When they lose their chips, they move to the losers' bracker or get knocked out in the double-elimination format. After a period of time, the ante doubles, until there are three remaining players, who then move up the chart to the next round.
As a railbird, I noticed the players seemed more relaxed and had fun. However, the rules for this 10-ball double-elimination format are extensive. This 10-ball ring game format was a pilot event, just to see how it worked out. With 24 players in a double-elimination format, with the ante doubling periodically, I think the general consensus was that a single-elimination format would be better due to time constraints.
Nick did a great job keeping the rounds moving, and his computer software worked GREAT, randomly picking the shooting order of the players in each ring game.
Relating to 10-ball, I've gotta say that I saw very few, if any, run-outs from the break, unlike 9-ball. In essence, the luck factor of a 10-ball ring game, much like 9-ball is today, prevails. The players, though, seemed to like the relaxed atmosphere, and everybody got a chance at the table. As a spectator, it was very entertaining. As a player trying to advance the charts, I think it was a little frustrating. When you only get to shoot one time out of six in a ring game, it is difficult to stay in stroke or develop any kind of rhythm. Ring games are great spectator events, definitely enjoyable, but I'm not sure I like the ring game concept for a competitive venue.
For the first time out of the gate, it went smoothly, thanks to Nick Prinsloo and that software of his. I like the 10-ball ring game format, but competitively speaking, it's definitely a crap shoot and the BEST player may not win because of the variety of luck factors associated with ring games. JMHO, FWIW!
JAM
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