8 ball is like a game of chess

ChicagoRJ said:
Nah, you were right.

8-ball is a LOT like chess in certain ways. Sometimes I have to sacrifice a "ball" to try and win, sometimes I block "you" from being able to shoot one of your balls, or push a ball in your path so you can't move that ball into a pocket. I play safe, and hide when needed, and wait till later to make my move, just like in chess. And sometimes I set up the balls into position, and don't make any until they are all in place, and then make my move.

If you chose the wrong pattern in 8-ball, it's a lot harder to win, and most times you will come up short. Thus, you can shoot lights out, but my god, if you don't find the key ball, find a pocket for the 8, and don't shoot the clusters at the right time and with the right ball and makind sure you have an insurance ball, you gonna lost more then you win. You know, kinda like CHESS :)

And if idiot Chess "masters" don't like it, all the more better :p
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That's what I was thinking. I was trying to compare 8 ball to a game that uses strategy.

Maybe I should've compared 8 ball to bowling because of the strategy used in that game :o.
This IS a pool forum.. Someone like Efren may not play chess but he's a GM of pool strategy.

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Always thought that 8 ball, when played well and correctly, is more like 14.1 than chess.
 
philly said:
Always thought that 8 ball, when played well and correctly, is more like 14.1 than chess.
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Folks use the term "chess" due to the use of strategy. And there is plenty of strategy in 8ball, not as much as 1P, but it's there. Chess is a high level game of strategy, so of course, folks are going to use it as the "measuring stick".

Just go ask George Bush (as played by Will Ferrell) there is plenty of "strategery" involved. :p
 
..hmm, didn’t experience many chess moves last night other than get up, drop
quarter’s, watched a great break and then sit down. Our opponents had a 9-bca that
was lights out with a 50 for the night with 3 0’s on our side of the ledger. Before the
match I was pushing an upcoming match scenario where the higher strength would yield
the break and points, whereas; the 8 strength shooters gives the 7 strength the break
and 1 point - the most the 8 strength shooter can win is 9 points, starting at -1, while,
the 7 strength shooter could win up to 11 points, starting at +1. It was mostly the only
humorous part of the evening.
Still think the game having boundaries' gives the attention to/for skills to be appreciated.
 
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Ralph Kramden said:
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This 8 ball version is played on a 9' table using 15 balls... http://sites.google.com/site/poolandbilliard/Home/1-2-eight

The 8 ball pocket is limited to the balls in each pocket... There's opening, middlegame, and endgame scenarios.

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I admit I didn't read your OP carefully, nor did I click on the link that describes the alternative version of 8-ball. From the other posts, I don't think anyone else did either.

But I finally did read the description of "1-2-eight", and it's a pretty interesting version of 8-ball, but it has some major flaws. The first one being that the game requires a drop pocket table. It's still possible to play this on a table with a ball return, but it will be cumbersome to say the least.

Also, I see many situations where players would commit an intentional foul by prematurely shooting at the 8-ball to place the 8 in the jaws of a pocket that is "dead" for his opponent.

For example, I break the balls and make one solid, resulting in a tough layout. Instead of attempting the difficult run out, I shoot at the 8-ball such that rests in the jaws of the pocket where I made the lone solid. Assuming there is no way the 8 can be freed from the jaws without pocketing it even with BIH, then my opponent is already screwed.
 
9Ballr said:
That takes the cake....
Someone who knows nothing about chess - less the rules - hehehehe....
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Riiiight, I don't know the rules of chess. I think I learned those at like 5.
What takes the case is folks so sensitive that nobody can dare compare anything to their little game. What the chess experts failed to realize, and it's not surprising, but it's a compliment to the difficulty of playing chess.

Folks compare stuff to baseball all the time, but I don't go all ape shit over it :p
 
jsp said:
I admit I didn't read your OP carefully, nor did I click on the link that describes the alternative version of 8-ball. From the other posts, I don't think anyone else did either.

But I finally did read the description of "1-2-eight", and it's a pretty interesting version of 8-ball, but it has some major flaws. The first one being that the game requires a drop pocket table. It's still possible to play this on a table with a ball return, but it will be cumbersome to say the least.

Also, I see many situations where players would commit an intentional foul by prematurely shooting at the 8-ball to place the 8 in the jaws of a pocket that is "dead" for his opponent.

For example, I break the balls and make one solid, resulting in a tough layout. Instead of attempting the difficult run out, I shoot at the 8-ball such that rests in the jaws of the pocket where I made the lone solid. Assuming there is no way the 8 can be freed from the jaws without pocketing it even with BIH, then my opponent is already screwed.
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jsp - When I condensed the rules some of the lines were deleted. What happens to the 8 if it's contacted
first, before all of your 7 ball group pockets, was in one of those deleted lines. I've now replaced that line.

Until your balls pocket, contacting the 8 ball first is BIH, and the 8 spots.... http://sites.google.com/site/poolandbilliard/Home/1-2-eight

The game was written for drop pocket tables. If it's a ball return table, different coins for each ball can be
placed under the rail. Maybe use (dimes - pennies) next to the pocket for the ball count. That might work.

Regards, Carl

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Ralph Kramden said:
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jsp - When I condensed the rules some of the lines were deleted. What happens to the 8 if it's contacted
first, before all of your 7 ball group pockets, was in one of those deleted lines. I've now replaced that line.

Until your balls pocket, contacting the 8 ball first is BIH, and the 8 spots.... http://sites.google.com/site/poolandbilliard/Home/1-2-eight

The game was written for drop pocket tables. If it's a ball return table, different coins for each ball can be
placed under the rail. Maybe use (dimes - pennies) next to the pocket for the ball count. That might work.

Regards, Carl

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Okay, that rule certainly helps a bit...but not entirely. It doesn't fix some of the accidental situations that will come up if the 8 ball happens to nestle in the jaws of an illegal pocket.

For example, I break the balls and the 8 ball rests in the jaws of a pocket with no balls. Assuming it's impossible to kick the 8 ball out, the game becomes unwinnable.

Or, my opponent misses a shot and the 8 ball accidentally gets kicked in the jaws of a pocket with one of your opponent's balls but none of your own. It becomes an unwinnable game for you.
 
jsp said:
Okay, that rule certainly helps a bit...but not entirely. It doesn't fix some of the accidental situations that will come up if the 8 ball happens to nestle in the jaws of an illegal pocket.

For example, I break the balls and the 8 ball rests in the jaws of a pocket with no balls. Assuming it's impossible to kick the 8 ball out, the game becomes unwinnable.

Or, my opponent misses a shot and the 8 ball accidentally gets kicked in the jaws of a pocket with one of your opponent's balls but none of your own. It becomes an unwinnable game for you.
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jsp - I think I have a solution to your examples above. Take a look... http://sites.google.com/site/poolandbilliard/Home/1-2-eight

Stalemate - A situation where no progress can be made, or no advancement is possible... Regards, Carl

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Ralph Kramden said:
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I've heard 8 ball and chess are similar because of your strategy of play.
That's somewhat true but there's more strategy in this version of 8 ball.

Here's a chess game scenario for this version of 8 ball: ....This Checkmate is the ball count for the pockets.

You have 2 balls in both the foot end table pockets. I have 3 balls and 2 balls in those same 2 end pockets.

You rattle a ball and it hangs deep in one of the pockets, but you've left yourself perfect shape on the eight.

I'm on the 8, with a shallow cut in the pocket that's holding 3 of my balls, but instead of cutting, I bank the 8.

The 8 slow rolls across the table and knocks your last ball into the pocket. The 8 ball is now inside the jaws.

You too are on the 8 ball. The CB has rolled up table and you have to hit the 8, but are you gonna' win? No.

Just like chess it's Checkmate.. Why? Click this link... http://sites.google.com/site/poolandbilliard/Home/1-2-eight.
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Ralph Kramden said:
OK guys let's try another scenario.. Unlike a regular game of 8 ball, this game only allows the 8 go into pockets that contain 1 or 2 of your own ball group.
Your opponents 7 ball group has to do the same thing. If a pocket is empty, or holds 3 or more of your balls, you can not pocket your 8 ball in that pocket.

This game is closer to chess, where you eliminate chess pieces. In this game you can eliminate an opponents ball, and by doing so eliminate a pocket.

Scenario 2: Let's say your opponent has a pocket holding 3 balls... He can not pocket the 8 in a pocket with 3 of his balls. That is a dead pocket for him.
He has another pocket holding 2 balls. He can pocket the 8 in the pocket with 2 of his balls, and there are 4 more pockets with a potential for the 8 ball.

He has 5 balls in 2 pockets.. 3 in a dead pocket to him, and two in a live pocket for the 8. The 4 empty pockets can become a live pocket if a ball pockets.

You can't foul, but you can bump one of his balls on a combo into the pocket holding 2 balls. That will eliminate both the live pocket and another pocket.

He now has 2 pockets with 3 balls and 1 ball left for a pocket. I bet you get a rise out of him when his pocket for the 8 and 2 more went to only 1 pocket.

There are more scenarios that I could mention. Just like eliminating chessmen, you can eliminate pockets, by eliminating the opponents balls.. Play well.
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I've never seen anyone who posts like you; with such evenly length sentences.
 
DeadMenChalking said:
I've never seen anyone who posts like you; with such evenly length sentences.
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Inaction said:
Maybe he can justify why he does this.
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Most people will cut pizzas into 6 or 8 slices, instead of 5 or 7. I cut mine into 8.
I must be normal.
And I like to cut a hole in the middle of pancakes for my syrup. Most folks don't.
And I like to tear cupcakes in half to make a frosting sandwich. Most folks don't.
I must be abnormal too.

Sometimes sentences need to be scrolled if large images are attached to posts <<<<<
I like keeping sentences brief but sweet, and really not very long. Freaky ain't it.

It's not how it's written, but how the content of what's written is perceived by all.
The stories are true, but the names are fictitious... Criticisms always welcomed.

Play well.

PS: And one more thing.. I'll edit almost everything.. Like now, and maybe later. :thumbup:

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If you've played 8 ball this way, there are some game winning strategies.

If a ball is in both pockets on 1 table end, herd balls to the opposite end.
Try to make balls in as many pockets as possible when the game starts.
The more pockets with your balls, the more pockets you'll have for the 8.

Try to pocket balls in each pocket. A 2nd ball in a pocket is no advantage.
If you pocket 2 balls into 1 pocket, keep other balls away from the pocket.
If your opponent combos 1 of your balls into that pocket it's Dead for you.
A 2 ball pocket is ok, but only have a 3 ball pocket when you can run out.

Never combo your opponents ball into an empty pocket and make it Live.
If the opponent has a 1 ball pocket, try to bump 1 more ball in the pocket.
His pockets already Live. 1 more ball eliminates a future pocket for the 8.
If he has a 2 ball pocket, bumping one more ball in eliminates the pocket.

If you eliminate your opponents balls you'll limit his pockets for the 8 ball.

1-2-Eight Rules: ... http://sites.google.com/site/poolandbilliard/Home/1-2-eight

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