8 ball vs 9 ball
- Thread starter SeniorTom
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Above APA SL 6.5; 9-ball is the better game
Below 8-ball is the better game.
Below 8-ball is the better game.
wilhelm
Well-known member
I was thinking about this recently. I've played a whole lot more 9 ball than any other game, but that's only because it's what most people want to play and I've had a bellyful, to be honest. I think 8 ball can be a little bit more of a thinking man's game since you are free to plan your game however you see fit, whereas 9 ball is more of a shot-maker's game.
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
I like 9 ball, it encourages creativity, shot making, two way shots, caroms etc. A lot of people don't like the "slop" aspect of 9B but there is a method to the madness. You can get an opponent just cussing their luck but sometimes you see/feel something good. You can take a free roll at any shot as long as you keep the cb under control so they don't have much of a shot.
I also think that many players who think 9B is a lot of luck/slop just don't really understand caroms and tangent lines. Physics does what physics does as long as you hit it nicely.
8B is a fun game to. Honestly though if I'm going to play 8B I'd almost rather play 1P. Same with 10B, I'm not a fan of it and would rather play 1P if I'm wanting to play a safety oriented game. It cuts a lot of the fun out not being able to try some shots just to see what happens.
I also think that many players who think 9B is a lot of luck/slop just don't really understand caroms and tangent lines. Physics does what physics does as long as you hit it nicely.
8B is a fun game to. Honestly though if I'm going to play 8B I'd almost rather play 1P. Same with 10B, I'm not a fan of it and would rather play 1P if I'm wanting to play a safety oriented game. It cuts a lot of the fun out not being able to try some shots just to see what happens.
If it's going to be on a bar table 8 ball.
Safety play and the need to move the cueball is not the same in rotation games on the bar table.
Safety play and the need to move the cueball is not the same in rotation games on the bar table.
8 Ball is chess. Nine ball is checkers.
if I'm playing somebody who is a better shotmaker than I am, I prefer 8 Ball. If I'm a better shot maker, nine ball.
if I'm playing somebody who is a better shotmaker than I am, I prefer 8 Ball. If I'm a better shot maker, nine ball.
8-ball layouts can be so messy I sometimes find it very frustrating and unfair, particularly if you are the better player but the layout and/or haphazard / unintentional rearrangement of the balls during the game frequently allow the weaker player an opportunity to catch up and win games they otherwise wouldn’t have.
Yes, your opponent can certainly get lucky rolls in 9-ball as well, but the superior player can generally better maintain control of the game through offensive and defensive strategies, since both players always have to play at the same ball.
There was a time when the people that rearranged the furniture every shot annoyed the hell out of me! I finally realized that this was a part of their game. I accepted that this was going to happen playing them just like some people like safeties so much they will try to frustrate a shooter instead of shooting themselves when the shot risk is about the same both ways.
Once I accepted that I could expect a player to blast crap all over the table every time I let him get up there it became part of his game and didn't bother me. The unexpected was what I had let bother me. I also calmed down a lot of partners by explaining to them that rearranging things was just part of the person's game like tangling with a strong banker or kicker. Expect them to blast stuff everywhere every time they shoot and consider it a nice surprise when they don't!
Hu
I play more 9-ball and am probably better at 9-ball but prefer to play 8-ball.
I grew up in the 60’s and we thought straight pool, over 8-ball, was the game good players played. 9-ball wasn’t very popular and we were more likely to play full rack rotation than 9-ball.
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I grew up in the 60’s and we thought straight pool, over 8-ball, was the game good players played. 9-ball wasn’t very popular and we were more likely to play full rack rotation than 9-ball.
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Got interrupted during my last post, so to continue; I have always loved the different tables for 8-ball. Each player is playing a different table and that is what I love about 8-ball. Unfortunately, 9-ball is the gamble game, other than 1-pkt, and we don’t gamble on 8-ball as often.
Only three types of pool; league, friendly and gamble. Not into leagues, only have a couple of friends, so gamble it is. Would rather play a competitive 8-ball friendly than gamble at 9- ball but that doesn’t happen often enough.
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Only three types of pool; league, friendly and gamble. Not into leagues, only have a couple of friends, so gamble it is. Would rather play a competitive 8-ball friendly than gamble at 9- ball but that doesn’t happen often enough.
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tomatoshooter
Well-known member
I agree. Weak players can still make a good game out of 8 ball, as each one gets closer to the 8 there is a back and forth that doesn't happen with nine ball. And when weak players play rotation, nothing matters until the last 4 balls because they can't control the table, or even when they can put together a few good shots, they may wind up doing the work and leaving the money ball for the other guy. The problem with 8 ball is that highly skilled players can often run out too easily.
I prefer 8 ball, but I do enjoy the different challenge of 9 ball.
I have no actual preference. 8 ball is the game most played, so that's what I play. This can get tiresome so if a capable player comes along, then 9 ball or better will be the preferred game. That said, weaker players shouldn't be wasting time with full rack 8 ball. A dumbed down version out of a 9 ball rack would be far more conducive to their development. This might help their shot making as well - which seems to be what is wrong with the lower levels banging at rotation games. They are all convinced 9 ball is the more advanced game. Try explaining to them they aren't prepped to play pool at all. \o/
The more one pocket I play, the more I like 8 ball over 9 ball.
Seems like you can be a bit more strategic with 8 ball, and if you play it properly (especially against weaker opponents) you can significantly increase your chances to win.
9 ball is still great though, sometimes it's nice to not have to worry about calling calling shots or saying anything to your opponent. Just get up and shoot when it's your turn.
Seems like you can be a bit more strategic with 8 ball, and if you play it properly (especially against weaker opponents) you can significantly increase your chances to win.
9 ball is still great though, sometimes it's nice to not have to worry about calling calling shots or saying anything to your opponent. Just get up and shoot when it's your turn.
Howdy All;
When I learned (early 60's), it was Straight pool (14.1 for you younger pups), then it went to 8-ball.
Then tv needed something that would fit into 1/2 hour, There's yer 9-ball.
The games that require using yer brain are going away. It all has to happen quicker now.
What a shame. The ability to figure out a full rack of 15 balls is to difficult for the younger generations
to deal with. Shame on them! Take the time to learn how to pick apart a rack instead of busting it open
to make it easy. Lean how to think!
Sorry, it's the Memorial Day thing. I have a few to many shots of good whisky and blabber on. comes
from losing to many friends over the years and hearing how difficult games like Straight, 1-Pocket and
full rack Banks are piss me off. Suck'em up buttercup, learn and beome a Monster in yer local area.
hank
I'm goin' ta bed now.
When I learned (early 60's), it was Straight pool (14.1 for you younger pups), then it went to 8-ball.
Then tv needed something that would fit into 1/2 hour, There's yer 9-ball.
The games that require using yer brain are going away. It all has to happen quicker now.
What a shame. The ability to figure out a full rack of 15 balls is to difficult for the younger generations
to deal with. Shame on them! Take the time to learn how to pick apart a rack instead of busting it open
to make it easy. Lean how to think!
Sorry, it's the Memorial Day thing. I have a few to many shots of good whisky and blabber on. comes
from losing to many friends over the years and hearing how difficult games like Straight, 1-Pocket and
full rack Banks are piss me off. Suck'em up buttercup, learn and beome a Monster in yer local area.
hank
I'm goin' ta bed now.
DaWizard
Well-known member
I feel the same and decided to think of ways to innovate pool, using the regular set of balls. 8 and 9ball will forever be classics, but there have to be other games that are fun to play and watch.
I'm collecting ideas here:
https://forums.azbilliards.com/forums/cuesports-rules-strategies.94/
Anyone is welcome to brainstorm & critique.
I have always used a simplistic comparison. 9 ball is the young man's game and 8 ball the old man's game. 
I hear you. I break and run much more often playing 8 ball and the reason is I get a shot after the break. I just can`t get a shot after the break in 9 ball, tried everything. When I was younger it was not like that.I have always used a simplistic comparison. 9 ball is the young man's game and 8 ball the old man's game.
lol...