pharaoh68 said:
With all due respect Jedi, you are just plain wrong. 8 ball is painfully easy. It is a game designed to be easy. It presents the shooter with numerous options every time he/she steps to the table. 8 ball is by far the easiest table game next to bumper pool.
I'll disagree.. the same reasoning could be used to say that 9-ball is easier since your next shot is decided for you. I'm by no means an A-player, but I can pot-and-hide all day long on a 9-ball rack.. much easier said than done on an 8-ball table. 8-ball makes you choose a path and attempt to follow it, you may get out of line and try for another ball.. but everyone knows what happens when shape starts getting out of line, it typically just gets worse and worse.
9-ball is either a matter of banging around a few balls or shoot-and-hide.. add to that the slop factor. Most players run fewer 9-ball racks because they play less 9-ball and defensive shots are more easily come by.
8-ball is slightly more difficult for the strategy involved and the need to be able to move (or move around) obstacles on the table.. as well as being able to create clusters for your opponent.
You must be watching way too much bar pool to say that every turn at the table presents numerous opportunities. Maybe if they're left open, sure.. otherwise they're suppose to be left with what the last shooter wanted them to shoot at. And if they miss their shot and slop something in, their turn is over. And no slopping the money ball.
Not trying to sound snippy, but don't rag on my game.
Yes, a great break in 8 can be easy to run, but you still have to run them.. a great break in 9 can leave 5 or 6 balls left (what obstacles?) or even an x-9 combo. You tell me which is more difficult.. and open 5 balls to run that can include slop, or 5 open balls with another 5-7 opponent balls on the table?
