2026 DCC 9-Ball Discussion

[AtLarge]

Thought I'd start a place for miscellaneous discussion.

After the first two 9-Ball matches streamed on the arena table, I note that:

• The absence of a shot clock has already slowed things down. The pace of play in the first match was slower than in any of the matches on the arena table last year. And starting a bit late plus the slow pace of play meant the second match started more than an hour later than the planned time.​

• The break box for the last 3 years was two full diamonds wide. Now they have switched to the Matchroom/WNT box, about 8" to each side of the long string.​

 

[FrankieD]

Was the 9 on the spot last year as well?

 

[JPB2]

If Derby isn’t a WNT ranking event, why use their break box? I guess if they like how it actually works.

 

[skogstokig]

If Derby isn’t a WNT ranking event, why use their break box? I guess if they like how it actually works.

because it's been too easy for the top guns with wider box

 

[JPB2]

because it's been too easy for the top guns with wider box

Sort of what I figured. Compromise and stick with race to 9 instead of 7 as Derby was. In the old days of race to 7 and no break box etc…. Somehow Efren was always there at the end. Same thing today. This is a consistent discussion. But I’d rather see Filler or SVB run a six pack than dry breaks and nit pool. People generally think there are more break and runs - at any given level - than there really are. If the last six in the tournament consistently put up 7 or 8 packs or start running sets, I’ll reconsider.

 

[skogstokig]

Sort of what I figured. Compromise and stick with race to 9 instead of 7 as Derby was. In the old days of race to 7 and no break box etc…. Somehow Efren was always there at the end. Same thing today. This is a consistent discussion. But I’d rather see Filler or SVB run a six pack than dry breaks and nit pool. People generally think there are more break and runs - at any given level - than there really are. If the last six in the tournament consistently put up 7 or 8 packs or start running sets, I’ll reconsider.

filler did against svb and fedor last year. i imagine that's why they widened the box, most top guns would rather play for it than lag for it. it's possible the pro turnout would be even lower with your suggested break rules

 

[skogstokig]

• The absence of a shot clock has already slowed things down. The pace of play in the first match was slower than in any of the matches on the arena table last year. And starting a bit late plus the slow pace of play meant the second match started more than an hour later than the planned time.​

this is a travesty. they can't put slow ass players like macbride on the tv table if they're not gonna have a shot clock

 

[Oikawa]

A 623 fargo (Aki Pöyhönen) just won a 797 fargo (Mateusz Sniegocki), Aki was up 7-1, then 8-2, then Sniegocki won 5 in a row to get to 8-7, with Aki taking the win at 9-7. Pretty insane to think that a 623 is 7-1 up against a 797, must be rarer than 1/1000.

 

[AtLarge]

Was the 9 on the spot last year as well?

Yes, 9 on the spot at DCC every year starting with 2019.

 

[bpeacock]

A 623 fargo (Aki Pöyhönen) just won a 797 fargo (Mateusz Sniegocki), Aki was up 7-1, then 8-2, then Sniegocki won 5 in a row to get to 8-7, with Aki taking the win at 9-7. Pretty insane to think that a 623 is 7-1 up against a 797, must be rarer than 1/1000.

Long odds for sure!

 

[Poolmanis]

I played Aki many times and he is very good player when he plays more. He can play perfect sometimes. Only real weakness that he is too agressive because he has such good stroke and offensive skills. Also at least when i gambled sometimes with him he needed to play fast and loose. He can´t change rhytm so he rush sometimes on crucial moments.

 

[BeiberLvr]

because it's been too easy for the top guns with wider box

Is it also too easy for the top amateurs (relative to them breaking with the smaller box)?

If so, maybe the solution is to only use the wider box on the non-TV tables. Increase BNR % and speed up matches when a shot clock isn't available.

 

[jeephawk]

I have emailed about this, but noticing when trying to watch some of the recordings there are many that you can't access - SVB's match being one - have been doing some random sampling this morning now they are all showing green and supposedly available.

 

[skogstokig]

Is it also too easy for the top amateurs (relative to them breaking with the smaller box)?

If so, maybe the solution is to only use the wider box on the non-TV tables. Increase BNR % and speed up matches when a shot clock isn't available.

presumably not. could be a good solution

 

[Oikawa]

I played Aki many times and he is very good player when he plays more. He can play perfect sometimes. Only real weakness that he is too agressive because he has such good stroke and offensive skills. Also at least when i gambled sometimes with him he needed to play fast and loose. He can´t change rhytm so he rush sometimes on crucial moments.

I have seen him play once in real life and he was very good indeed, defo looked more like a 650-660 than a 620. But I watched the stream and he (Aki) missed many routine (for a 620) pots, Mateusz had the worst luck of his life + he also missed some routine (for a 800) pots and played poor position or scratched many times in key positions. The way Aki played he wouldn't have won it 999/1000 of the time for sure. Maybe even worse odds.

 

[Dimeball]

filler did against svb and fedor last year. i imagine that's why they widened the box, most top guns would rather play for it than lag for it. it's possible the pro turnout would be even lower with your suggested break rules

I think you are right:

Changing the rules year on year because someone put the work in more than others, which translates to he / she actually EARNED it, is complete garbage. Simple everyone gets a trophy teaching another generation "oh don't worry boo boo, we'll make it easier for you so you don't have to work so hard and do it yourself". YUK. (not saying anyone works harder than SVB, chill LOL)

As far as turnout. I think many pros choose not to play for a couple reasons. First, in all honesty, the payouts are not that good all things considered, secondly, this event is absolutely grueling, it's a ton of play every day over several days to get into the money which costs, reward vs payout thinking... also similar to why you don't see players like Albin playing races to 100-120. Poor man's head would explode because he focuses so hard.

anyway, have a nice day guys.

 

[Island Drive]

I think you are right:

Changing the rules year on year because someone put the work in more than others, which translates to he / she actually EARNED it, is complete garbage. Simple everyone gets a trophy teaching another generation "oh don't worry boo boo, we'll make it easier for you so you don't have to work so hard and do it yourself". YUK. (not saying anyone works harder than SVB, chill LOL)

As far as turnout. I think many pros choose not to play for a couple reasons. First, in all honesty, the payouts are not that good all things considered, secondly, this event is absolutely grueling, it's a ton of play every day over several days to get into the money which costs, reward vs payout thinking... also similar to why you don't see players like Albin playing races to 100-120. Poor man's head would explode because he focuses so hard.

anyway, have a nice day guys.

True, but that's how she rolls.
The quirks of great players, not the comical but the ones that Bleed out character through the tip, that's for me.
I do enjoy his game when he's On.

 

[mrshifty]

Do they have anything posted as they have in prior years showing where everyone is at, as far as buy backs, and what round they are in? Or did they decide that they failed miserably at keeping it updated and decided not to do it at all?