8 ball

[lewdo26]

I don't wish to draw anyone's ire or harp on something that has already been discussed to death, but I just had to make this post:

Yesterday I was watching a tape from the accu-stats 2001 8 ball invitational - Archer [7] v. Reyes [8] - till 3 in the AM. Though both of them goofed on a few shots, it was still an amazing match.

All I could think of was, there is no way that 9 ball is more complex or taxing of a pro's skills than this. Don't get me wrong, I still think that 8 ball is an inferior test of skill compared to one pocket, banks or straight pool. But I keep hearing people tell me that 9 ball takes more skill and I just don't see it.

Probably all of you on this forum are more knowledgeable than me, but tell me if I'm wrong: In 8 ball, proper management of problem balls is the key. Knowing when and how to break a cluster and management of the positional layout of the table can get complicated. Often times there is only one shot-making order for the run out. Which in fact means you're playing a kind of a rotational game, only now your oponents balls are in the way. Safeties? Forget it, now you are not playing safe on a single ball, snookering won't do, and you'll have to stick the cb on very minute areas of the table.

Usually, when you see folks shooting at bars, they'll run their free balls and chase their problem ball around the table over many innings. That makes the game seem unfair to the better player because running 6 balls and not getting out is a recepie for disaster. That's one complaint I hear. But that only happens without proper management of problem balls.

Something else I hear is that the game is too short, only 8 balls. Then explain to me why even Efren in that match was taking more time in running out than most pros at 9 ball. It seems to me that is because there is a lot of thinking involved. In 9 ball, most patterns are evident for pros. It's just too easy for them. They just wipe the table 1, 2, 3.

My humble verdict: 8 ball is at least on par with 9 ball as a test of skill and strategic talent. Now you guys can send my verdict up in flames.

 

[Wally in Cincy]

...My humble verdict: 8 ball is at least on par with 9 ball as a test of skill and strategic talent.....

Yes. At least.

I would like to see some 8-ball on tv. It might appeal to the casual player more than 9-ball, as long as the games did not involve protracted safety battles.

 

[lewdo26]

Indeed

I have said this before and I will say it again: 8 ball is a more difficult 'thinking' game and 9 ball requires more skills, like being able to shoot long shots, being able to 'spin' the ball 2 or 3 rails, things that don't come up guite so often in 8 ball.

Yes. The way I think of it, 8 ball is more strategically difficult, whereas 9 ball is more tactically difficult. By the way, whitewolf, please don't hesitate to 'blabb'. Your input is certainly appreciated.

 

[almer]

Yes. At least.

I would like to see some 8-ball on tv. It might appeal to the casual player more than 9-ball, as long as the games did not involve protracted safety battles.

I have 2 strong 9 ball players on my master 8 ball team,they both have problems on the bar tables.They dont take the obvious to me anyways patterns.One has 5 eros,the other 4,these guys can win at 9 ball,race to 5 with 1 turn at the table.If you look at 8 ball masters in Vegas you see many pros do not win the tourney,an example this year,vnea,Gabe Owen,Larry Neville.The break is the most important shot in 8 ball.With a open table even a b player can run out sometimes.I think 8 ball is a whole different mindset,in a race to 5 i cant remember not getting to the table at least a few times against even the best players.Now most tourneys are loser or alt breaks.

 

[catscradle]

Yes. At least.

I would like to see some 8-ball on tv. It might appeal to the casual player more than 9-ball, as long as the games did not involve protracted safety battles.

I have a pretty fair number of the tapes from the tournament in 2001. The most interesting game is one between Efren and Busta where they have to dance around for a few innings rearranging their balls to get out. I don't know if it would be rightly be called safety play because they weren't trying to leave each other lockup safe, but just not in a place to break the problem balls out. The first one to get a chance was Busta, he had a very tough breakout and failed. Efren then came to the table with an impossible break out and succeeded, no wonder they call him "The Magician".