10-Ball versus 9-Ball

jnav447

jnav447

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In another thread, our friend Donovan expressed his desire that 10-ball replace 9-ball as the game of choice in tournements. I was going to comment, but realized I'm not sure I'm armed with enough info to speak on the subject, hence this thread. All wise owls and wiseacres are encouraged to comment.
 
I don't like 9 ball or 10 ball as a competitive game. The fact that you can run 8 or 9 balls and lose because your opponent made the 10 or 9 ball, whatever the case may be, cheapens the game.

If you want to play a rotation game in competition, play ROTATION. You score spoints for every ball that you make, so no one ball will decide the game. This makes the game much more interesting.
 
I don't know much but it seems like the break is less of a factor in 10 ball than it is in 9.
 
10 ball was my introduction to competitive pool. I prefere it over 9ball as it makes it more difficult, but still neither would be my choice for tournament play. 8ball baby :D your time has come.
 
hilla_hilla said:
I don't know much but it seems like the break is less of a factor in 10 ball than it is in 9.
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That seems to be the big difference...it's very rare to see someone make the 10 on the break.
Steve
 
I like 10 ball better right now because;

#1 There are no dead wing balls! Which means getting a perfect rack in 10 ball is far less important than it is in 9 ball. A player that racks real good in 9 ball is at a disadvantage when playing a player that really (honestly) can't rack that good. That shouldn't be the case.

#2 There is usually more balls on the table after the break which means there's usually more play involved, better positioning, kicking and safeties skills required.

Steve I don't think it's that rare to see a 10 on the break, I think it actually goes a little easier than a 9 ball, so whatever game we play we're better off changing that rule.

9 ball isn't bad if we make it rack your own, spot a 9 if it goes OTB (either spot, shooters choice) and you're not allowed to check racks (eliminates arguements) but you have to realize that this is truely going to be a break & run out competition but there might not be anything wrong with that.
 
If the IPT were to wipe all rotation games right off of the competitive map, I'd be fine with it.

Games like straight pool, one-pocket and 8-ball, by making you decide what order to play the balls in, are more interesting to watch and to play.

Therefore, of 9-ball and 10-ball, the one I prefer is 8-ball (LOL)!

I truly believe that if the IPT makes it big and become the game's highest level of competition over the long-haul, the world of regional pool, which is where pro skills will be developed and honed, will embrace 8-ball. Under that scenario, nine ball would fade as a competitive discipline. Wishful thinking, I suspect.

If forced to choose between 9-ball and 10-ball as the mainstream pro game, I'd take 10-ball, entirely for reason #2 as noted by Joe T.
 
The Break in Ten ball, actually puts emphasis on the Big Break. The weak hit cut break is eliminated and the accurate control of whitey, combined with the power of a big break becomes advantages.
As of yet, I have not seen a consistant ball pocketed in a certain pocket (Maybe the One in the side, But I have not spent alot of time tryin to pocket the one off the break in ten ball, like in nine ball.)
My Roots derive from Nine ball, and One Pocket. I am an advocate for rotation games. I would really like to see 10 ball become the rotation game of tournaments, played with Texas Express Rules (on Nine Foot Tables...). With Alternate break, with a three consecutive rack run per inning, then forfeit the break to the opponent after the third consecutive rack.
Adding that tenth ball changes so much. Players with weaker breaks may not like 10 ball because the balls wont spread as easy as it does in 9 ball, which then leads to saftety play and strategy. Ten Ball... Has it all.
 
Cameron Smith said:
I don't like 9 ball or 10 ball as a competitive game. The fact that you can run 8 or 9 balls and lose because your opponent made the 10 or 9 ball, whatever the case may be, cheapens the game.

If you want to play a rotation game in competition, play ROTATION. You score spoints for every ball that you make, so no one ball will decide the game. This makes the game much more interesting.
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This won't work. Example:
7 & 9 ball are tied up. I simple run to the 7 do a little wipe off safety and don't care. 6 points, open shooting have a nice day. You want to win finish?

Oh and think about it. One ball does decide the game. In rotation/straight/1 pocket it's the one that puts you over.

Baseball/Football/Horseshoes it's no different it's been that way since the beginning of time.

Nick
 
Thanks for the kudos, jnav447. As I stated in the other thread, I first heard of this from Joe Tucker. If you have ever seen his Racking Secrets videos or his book, you would know that 10-ball breaks are tougher and require more skill and power. AS far as runs, I really don't see that one ball makes too much of a difference. However, it does take rack issues out of the equation. Watch the video or read the book and learn that skill and luck have nothing to do with 9-ball breaks.

Most of us have seen 5 or 6 9-ball breaks in a row (I've had a 6-pack and a few 5's myself), but I don't know anyone who has seen this in 10-ball (at least not personally). It is because "most" lose racks in 9 ball are good things for the breaker and it is tough to rack then truly tight. In 10-ball there are most no benefits from the rack being loose.

Would switching to 10-ball increase good runs to win games and not the breaks of bad racks. Only a serious study would say for sure, but I would bet on it. However right now, problems with 9-ball or not, 9-ball sells. Money is a major factor and I think it would take a huge campaign to change this.

JMO
 
Nick B said:
This won't work. Example:
7 & 9 ball are tied up. I simple run to the 7 do a little wipe off safety and don't care. 6 points, open shooting have a nice day. You want to win finish?

Oh and think about it. One ball does decide the game. In rotation/straight/1 pocket it's the one that puts you over.

Baseball/Football/Horseshoes it's no different it's been that way since the beginning of time.

Nick
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I didn't quite understand the first half of your post so I will just respond to the second.

Of course there will eventually be one ball that will win the game. But my point is that there is not a single pivotal ball in Rotation, 14.1 or One pocket. If I run 149 in straight pool and miss, my opponent still has to make 150 balls to win. If I run 7 balls in One pocket my opponent still needs to make 8 balls to win. If I run 7 balls in 8 ball my opponent still needs to run the rack.

However if I run 8 balls playing nine ball, then my opponent needs only to pocket one ball to win the rack.

In another scenario my opponent breaks dry and leaves me without a shot. I play safe leaving him with a tough long pot. He misses which leads to me running 8 balls. I miss leaving the 9 ball hanging in the jaws of the pocket. I pocketed 80% of my shots, where as my opponent pocketed 50% yet he wins. This doesn't seem right to me.
 
Donovan said:
AS far as runs, I really don't see that one ball makes too much of a difference.
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I must disagree Donovan. I made that same comment to a friend in a pool room once, and he was a math teacher. I had to sit there for an hour while he proved how wrong I was!:D I think it came out to about 18% more difficult to run a 10 ball rack than 9 ball, all things considered.

You should hear what he sais about miss percentages as runs increase....maybe thats why I can't run 100:D
Gerry
 
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