8ball vs 9ball. Which game is more difficult?

[Flex]

We have a local Friday night tourny where the winner of the lag chooses 8 or 9 ball. When a low ranked player is matched up against a high ranked player, the low ranked player will almost always choose 9-ball...the high ranked player will choose 8-ball. I believe it takes more skill to run an 8 ball rack. Luck can play a much greater roll in 9-ball.

Steve

If I had to choose which of the two games I'd play against a world beater, it would be 8 ball. Why? Because of the greater sets of options I'd usually have when coming to the table. In a game of 9 ball, miss one shot, and if the balls are all open, and he has a decent shot on the lowest ball, that dude's out.

Whereas in 8 ball, there are plenty of options to really muck up the table if need be, yet for a better player breaking balls loose from clusters is usually fraught with fewer problems than doing so in 9 ball.

I agree that strategy is often more apparent in 8 ball, and I like that. Out thinking one's opponent has its benefits psychologically too.

Flex

 

[Flex]

I agree, and if you add in last pocket...

Against a really good player, I don't think adding last pocket will slow them down all that much. It may slow down the moment of the runout, but it won't unduly disable a good player. It just adds an additional complicating element to a runout.

 

[Cornerman]

My friend have been debating this the last few weeks. I personally think 9ball is more difficult since your position play need to be better to set up your shots. On the other side of the coin you can hit a simple combo shot and make the 9ball and win.

Anyways, I thought I would get opinions from some people on this board.

Thanks in advance!

This question comes up every two or three or four months. Check the SEARCH feature.

But, here's my answer: Neither. If some people say 9-ball, and other say 8-ball, it should be obvious that neither is harder. The harder game for the individual will point to where s/he needs more work or needs more hours playing that particular game.

Fred <~~~ thinks pool is hard enough without having to rate each game.

 

[mantis99]

personally, I can't believe there is much debate. But to each his own opinion of course, I respect that.

For me, 8-ball is a much harder game! here's why.


That's funny. I would have made the same comment about 9 ball. The average Joe will run many more balls in 8 ball than 9 ball. Most people who aren't that good play 8 ball because it is an easier game, especially on a 9 foot table. The simple fact of having that many more balls to play position on, or shoot at if you mess up position makes it much easier. If you miss position by an inch in 9 ball, your turn may be over, miss it in 8 ball, and their may be another ball to play.

 

[mantis99]

We have a local Friday night tourny where the winner of the lag chooses 8 or 9 ball. When a low ranked player is matched up against a high ranked player, the low ranked player will almost always choose 9-ball...the high ranked player will choose 8-ball. I believe it takes more skill to run an 8 ball rack. Luck can play a much greater roll in 9-ball.

Steve

Assuming an open rack on an 8 or 9 foot table, I run out at least 2 to 1 in8 ball vs 9 ball, and I would consider myself a C to C+ player. I don't have the experience you do, but I just can't see 8 ball as being harder.

 

[BPG24]

My friend have been debating this the last few weeks. I personally think 9ball is more difficult since your position play need to be better to set up your shots. On the other side of the coin you can hit a simple combo shot and make the 9ball and win.

Anyways, I thought I would get opinions from some people on this board.

Thanks in advance!

5 or 6 years ago, I used to SWEAR that 9 ball was a more difficult game. Then I finally realized that there is sooooooo much more strategy in ball in hand 8 ball that it almost isn't comparable. I am talking about the two games on a big table only. Not enough years of comparison on the small box yet for me to decide.

 

[KMRUNOUT]

personally, I can't believe there is much debate. But to each his own opinion of course, I respect that.

For me, 8-ball is a much harder game! here's why.

both games require precise cue ball positioning, and excellent safety play when necessary. However, safetys are often more difficult and require more creativity in 8ball. Also, position play is more difficult and less obvious at times with 8ball with the extra traffic and clusters. This is relevant for both bar tables and big boxes.

In addition to the extra skill and consistancy required to play 8ball at a high level, there is the aspect of strategy. Strategy is almost non-existant in 9ball. IMO its limited to choosing between 2 position routes, or deciding between a risky offensive shot and a defensive one. I know a lot of people will take offense with that comment, however I really believe that 8 ball is much more-so a thinking mans game - when played at a high level that is! There are ten ways to run every 8ball rack, and it really depends on a player's exact skill set, preferences and experience.

comments?
Jon

You hit the nail on the head. 8 ball is a significantly more complex game than 9-ball. You don't have to be especially creative in 9 ball and pattern play is basically non-existent (there is only 1 sequence to run the balls). 8 Ball generally requires much more precise position play. If you think of 8 ball as being easier because you can "run more balls", you probably have not learned how to play 8 ball yet. If by "long runs" you are talking in terms of racks, then ok, you are probably pretty solid. ;-) 8 Ball at a high level depends on a lot of pinpoint position, great ability to see patterns that produce high percentage runouts, more creativity in the safety game, and I'd say a monster break is more useful in 8 ball than it is in 9 ball. More than anything, 8 ball requires you to learn how to NOT run the balls. It takes most 8-ball players years (and many never get it) to move beyond the concept of "shoot every available ball into a hole as soon as possible and hope I can solve my problem at the end".

9 ball at a high level depends on consistent ball pocketing with a good feel for position routes that come up time and again. You need to be able to easily identify the path for the cueball to gain a proper angle for your next shot, and you need to dependably be able to offer a wide range of stroking power while accurately pocketing the ball. In 9 ball, pretty good position is usually good enough, provided you have a decent angle. 9 ball also depends on a very accurate, repeatable break, and huge power is not really a big advantage.

My $0.02
KMRUNOUT

 

[KMRUNOUT]

Assuming an open rack on an 8 or 9 foot table, I run out at least 2 to 1 in8 ball vs 9 ball, and I would consider myself a C to C+ player. I don't have the experience you do, but I just can't see 8 ball as being harder.

Mantis,

With all due respect, this comment makes it sound like you don't play very strong 8-ball competition. I say this because in most games of 8 ball, the phase of the game you refer to as "an open rack" does not occur until either 1) some one attempts to runout and fails, or 2)someone misses an easy shot in the beginning. Since many games of 8 ball have issues on the table to start, you need to factor the whole process of getting to an open rack into the equation. Thinking in terms of which game is likely to make a runout easier does not really capture the essence of each game. 8 ball is certainly WAY easier to runout when the table is wide open. The point is, learning how to not let it get that way unless it is YOU who is running out is what makes 8 ball tougher. Once you get to be a stonger player so that running an open rack of 9 ball is more about bearing down and not missing, rather than working through the position play, I doubt you will still think 9 ball is harder. 8 ball is only harder assuming that you have a sound set of position skills and dependable ball pocketing.

No offense intended, just food for thought.

Thanks,

KMRUNOUT

 

[joepwins8]

SIMPLE GAME!! 8-ball big-table & 9-ball bar table

HARDER GAME!! Biggggggg table 9-ball & 8-ball bar box

Anybody that is a good player (A or Above) knows once you master 9-ball, 8-ball is way easier!! Most Players below A-speed will beg to differ because they basically do not understand!!
Learn 9-ball first and 8-ball will be easier!
Learn 8-ball first and 9-ball will be way harder!

"Smokin Joe"

 

[Straw_Hat]

i'll put my .02 in also..

i once thought 8 ball was easier, but as i find myself getting better I find that 9 ball is a WAY easier game..

9 ball tells you how to run out, and 8 ball you have to figure out the best route. also tell me honestly how often you see someone string a 3 pack or more of 8 ball. while 9 ball you can pretty much expect it with someone that's breaking good.

at one time i almost hated 8 ball, but now i love 8 ball.. but if it comes down to it, i'm a much better 9 ball player just because i will get out a lot more.. but if you put me against a rack running machine we can have a good mental game of 8 ball and i can compete with those i can't touch playing 9 sometimes.

 

[Danktrees]

Given the choice, I'd much rather play 8-ball-as long as we're playing by something resembling real rules. Call ball and pocket and no slop on the money ball makes the difference for me. I realize 9-ball can definitely be more scientific as far as position play, since it's play by-the-numbers, but we're also starting a rack with 6 less balls, so there's less traffic, especially on a barbox. Also, safety play IMO is a little tougher in 8-ball, since you have to hide the CB from a whole group, rather than just one ball. Just my opinion.
Bill

i find 8 ball is a lot easier on a barbox than 9 ball is. on a barbox i can run out in 8 ball a lot easier than i can with 9 ball. i think 9 ball on a barbox is a lot harder because of the reduced space which results in u running over the angle u need a lot easier and a lot more frequently.

also, i think for pros 8 ball is harder due to increase traffic but for us amateurs 9 ball is harder. pros can play position a lot easier than we can which is probably why 9 ball is easy for them while 8 ball is harder. so the only problem they have is the traffic. most amateurs screw up position and cant get back in line as easily which makes 8 ball easier because u have more stuff to shoot at even when u mess up position.

 

[grindz]

It all depends at what level you play.

Play 8 ball ghost and then 9 ball ghost and see.........

td

 

[Mike the Bike]

For money 6 ball is the best, no safety play, miss and lose.

8 ball is the nearest to 14.1, or as we say, real pool.

9 ball teaches you 9 ball, let's face it girls play it on TV.

mike

 

[TXsouthpaw]

and having mutliple balls to shoot at in 8 ball makes the game harder not easeir. More decisions to make. 9 ball tells u the order to play them. 8 ball you gotta think.

and like someone else said. It also depends on what table your playing this. barbox or 9footer.

 

[TheNewSharkster]

This question comes up every two or three or four months. Check the SEARCH feature.

Sorry but some subjects can be discussed more than once. This is a message board and as such this is the place for a debate such as this.

 

[okinawa77]

That's the quickest way to lose a game of 9 ball against a decent player. Going for the cheese when it's not reasonable is usually the way to sell out. How do I know? I'm guilty of doing it too often, and the result is frequently the one I mentioned.

Flex

The same can be said for 8 ball. Miss the run out, and you'll leave your opponent an easier out.

Here's the way I see it.

9 ball gets easier as each game progresses because there are less balls serving as obstacles.
8 ball gets harder as each game progresses because there are less of your set of balls available to shoot at (pocket), and your opponent's balls serve as obstacles.

 

[okinawa77]

We have a local Friday night tourny where the winner of the lag chooses 8 or 9 ball. When a low ranked player is matched up against a high ranked player, the low ranked player will almost always choose 9-ball...the high ranked player will choose 8-ball. I believe it takes more skill to run an 8 ball rack. Luck can play a much greater roll in 9-ball.

Steve

Yep, those are smart choices. Lower ranked players have an advantage in 9 ball. If your opponent consistently runs 6 balls, and you consistently run 3 balls....let the higher skill level player clear the first 6 balls, and wait for your turn.....at the last 3 balls of each rack.

But...there are cases where opting to play 8B against a higher ranked player is an advantage. If you know that, that particular player primarily plays 9B, then you can beat that player in 8B.
Some 9B players get stuck on pocketing balls and getting singular shape.
Most 8B players know how to block pockets, and it usually drives 9B players crazy. They tend to get out of stroke/rhythm, and just aren't used to as many innings. Since they usually only plan for shape on one ball (the next in sequence), if they get out of shape on the ball they planned for....they may not have a clear shot. 8B players usually shoot for shape on 2 or more balls.

 

[hilla_hilla]

Yep, those are smart choices. Lower ranked players have an advantage in 9 ball. If your opponent consistently runs 6 balls, and you consistently run 3 balls....let the higher skill level player clear the first 6 balls, and wait for your turn.....at the last 3 balls of each rack.

But...there are cases where opting to play 8B against a higher ranked player is an advantage. If you know that, that particular player primarily plays 9B, then you can beat that player in 8B.
Some 9B players get stuck on pocketing balls and getting singular shape.
Most 8B players know how to block pockets, and it usually drives 9B players crazy. They tend to get out of stroke/rhythm, and just aren't used to as many innings. Since they usually only plan for shape on one ball (the next in sequence), if they get out of shape on the ball they planned for....they may not have a clear shot. 8B players usually shoot for shape on 2 or more balls.

I feel like in 9 ball when I play against a better player I am doing nothing except keeping my seat warm with no way to defend myself.

Being a lower ranked player I think it is easier to defend myself playing bar table 8 ball. Typically, when I play against a better player I use a softer break and let it come down to strategy and safety play. I don't always win but sometimes I get lucky .

 

[okinawa77]

I feel like in 9 ball when I play against a better player I am doing nothing except keeping my seat warm with no way to defend myself.

Being a lower ranked player I think it is easier to defend myself playing bar table 8 ball. Typically, when I play against a better player I use a softer break and let it come down to strategy and safety play. I don't always win but sometimes I get lucky .

Have you tried this strategy?:
At the beginning of the rack, tie up the 6 and 7 with all the others open.
Most players hate to play safeties (more so for 9B players). Let them clear the balls and bust out the 6/7. Only having to run 4 open balls should increase your odds of winning the game.

If you are playing a B&R player, and you are not a B&R player, a good strategy is to play good safeties on every shot....until your opponent gets out of stroke...or forfeits.
(edit): If you are just playing casually (not competing), then I wouldn't play the safety strategy.....unless you really hate that person...

P.S. Your are definitely right about 8B bar box. If you are good at safeties, and not so good at pocketing balls, then you can make high SL players cry like babies on a bar box.

 

[softshot]

I like box 8 because it contains elements of all pool games..

you get 9 ball: shot making and tough shape... sometimes

you get straight pool: cluster breaking, tight position, and pattern play ... sometimes

you get one pocket: slow rolling to block a hole, and buried cue ball no shot safeties. sometimes

you get banks: the only way to avoid the traffic and sink your ball and get shape is to bank. sometimes

it has everything a shooter wants and you need all the skills to play it well

it also has a mental strategy that rivals one pocket in complexity.

its all things to all people

Bangers love it

Pro's love it

everyone knows how to play a form of it..

It's pure pool

Box 8 is what keeps pool alive.

JMHO