9-Ball Ring Game Rules

[Poolfiend]

I constantly get into arguments with people around here regarding spotting balls in ring games. It's not like we are playing for huge dollars (5 and 5), but it seems that there are a few different theories on spotting balls after scratches before the money balls. Here is the sticking point:

I used to play in Seattle and generally the rule where I played up their was if you made the five and scratched, you spotted the four and the five. If you made the nine and scratched, you spotted the 7, 8 and 9. Now, here in SLC, they only spot the money ball.

What are the rules where you play? What do you like/dislike about them?

On a side note, constantly playing in ring games is screwing up my 9 ball game. I was practicing the other day and found myself getting straight in on the 5 a lot. Especially if there were balls tied up after the five. I have carried the ring game mentality into my 9 ball game. Gotta fix that.

 

[Aaron_S]

Rules vary around here, but generally speaking we don't spot any additional balls when a money ball is brought up, and, in the case of a 9-ball ring-game, when a money ball is made out of turn, we only spot the 5 if the 1 is still up, and we only spot the 9 if the 5 is still up. I personally prefer 10-ball ring-games, and I also like spotting the money balls until they fall in order, even it it means spotting a ball 4 times. When it comes to ring-games, though, it seems that the only thing you can count on is that the rules will be different pretty much everywhere you go. I generally play in 3 different towns, each about 25 miles apart, and the ring-game rules are a little different in each place, and everybody thinks their rules are the best.

I just tell 'em to quit their *****in' and flip it up!


Good rolls,

Aaron

 

[klockdoc]

Similar here as Aaron states. All balls stay down. From the break on. If the 5 is made any time it stays down, but, can be played either way. Players choice.

Some players don't consider the game over till the 9 is pocketed.

We spot the nine only if 9 is scratched on.

Never heard of spotting a ball after it has been legally made, much less two..

I like when I win. Hate when I lose. Also, we have switched more to 10 ball because of easy runs by players in 9 ball.

 

[Poolfiend]

Thanks for the responses. You've confirmed what I figured. Rules are different all over. I guess you just need to get the rules straight before you start playing. A couple weeks ago I told one of the guys in the game that we played with different rules and that we had spot a ball before the 9 ball. He flipped out! He jsut couldn't believe that someone actually played differently that he had always played and wasn't willing to listen to any rationale as to why maybe another set of rules could work. Whatever, as long as everyone is playing by the same set of rules it shouldn't matter.

 

[vinmaps]

Y Ring Game

There's only one reason to play in a Ring Game--and it's not to make money. You need to match up with one person to intend to win money. No, the reason to play a Ring Game is to sharpen your game, and most importantly, not to take away from the few pool spectators that remain the very exciting 9-ball game where all kinds of shots are attempted, not just the smart shots.

Structure your Rules around this single criteria.

I have the Rules for this kind of Ring game if you're interested.

I1PL

 

[dfweyer]

These rule are quite similar here also.... if a foul occurs that upcoming player can make the fouling shooter attempt again. Also if a scratch occurs they also have this option. A scratch is BIH in the kitchen with the lowest ball spotted IF in the kitchen. Is this also similar?

 

[BPG24]

I constantly get into arguments with people around here regarding spotting balls in ring games. It's not like we are playing for huge dollars (5 and 5), but it seems that there are a few different theories on spotting balls after scratches before the money balls. Here is the sticking point:

I used to play in Seattle and generally the rule where I played up their was if you made the five and scratched, you spotted the four and the five. If you made the nine and scratched, you spotted the 7, 8 and 9. Now, here in SLC, they only spot the money ball.

What are the rules where you play? What do you like/dislike about them?

On a side note, constantly playing in ring games is screwing up my 9 ball game. I was practicing the other day and found myself getting straight in on the 5 a lot. Especially if there were balls tied up after the five. I have carried the ring game mentality into my 9 ball game. Gotta fix that.

I have never heard of spotting the ball before the foul, or spotting 2 balls before the foul...

Spotting the actual ball that the foul occured on is correct as far as I am concerned

We also play where you can make the 9 as many times as you want before the 5 goes down...

 

[okinawa77]

There's only one reason to play in a Ring Game--and it's not to make money. You need to match up with one person to intend to win money. No, the reason to play a Ring Game is to sharpen your game, and most importantly, not to take away from the few pool spectators that remain the very exciting 9-ball game where all kinds of shots are attempted, not just the smart shots.

Structure your Rules around this single criteria.

I have the Rules for this kind of Ring game if you're interested.

I1PL

Not make money on a ring game? Are you serious?
You must not be playing it right. The 5 or 9 is spotted if it is potted while shooting at a lower numbered ball. If you can pot the 5 or 9 while missing the 1 ball on every shot, you can perpetually keep getting paid until everyone is out of money.

 

[vinmaps]

Variations

These rule are quite similar here also.... if a foul occurs that upcoming player can make the fouling shooter attempt again. Also if a scratch occurs they also have this option. A scratch is BIH in the kitchen with the lowest ball spotted IF in the kitchen. Is this also similar?

I'm sure there are many variations on the ring Game rules. But, if they all support the criteria of Sharpening One's Game, then it's a "good" Rule.

 

[vinmaps]

OK77,

These rule are quite similar here also.... if a foul occurs that upcoming player can make the fouling shooter attempt again. Also if a scratch occurs they also have this option. A scratch is BIH in the kitchen with the lowest ball spotted IF in the kitchen. Is this also similar?

I'm sure there are many variations on the ring Game rules. But, if they all support the criteria of Sharpening One's Game, then it's a "good" Rule.

 

[Aaron_S]

I have the Rules for this kind of Ring game if you're interested.

Please do post the rules for your variation of the game. We're always looking to learn new games here at AZB.

Thanks,

Aaron

 

[vinmaps]

Not make money on a ring game? Are you serious?
You must not be playing it right. The 5 or 9 is spotted if it is potted while shooting at a lower numbered ball. If you can pot the 5 or 9 while missing the 1 ball on every shot, you can perpetually keep getting paid until everyone is out of money.

Dude, how much would you risk playing a Liability Ring Game with two people you never met, or worse yet, have met and think you know well?
Take some time to think,
fg

 

[vinmaps]

Surely

Please do post the rules for your variation of the game. We're always looking to learn new games here at AZB.

Thanks,

Aaron

I will. Ring Games could help one's tournament game along with reawakening the fun of 9-ball.

 

[Poolfiend]

Gambling

OK77,

I'm sure there are many variations on the ring Game rules. But, if they all support the criteria of Sharpening One's Game, then it's a "good" Rule.

The only reason I have ever played a ring game is to gamble and that is the only reason I can ever see myself playing in that format. However, I can see how it could sharpen the offensive portion of your game. It does cause you to go for offensive shots in a pressure situation where you would normally play safe. For me it has actually hurt my 9 ball game a little. But that's me.

 

[okinawa77]

Dude, how much would you risk playing a Liability Ring Game with two people you never met, or worse yet, have met and think you know well?
Take some time to think,
fg

Do you think I would go into a game with people I haven't scoped out? I know the pool hall owners in my area and the people that work there. I know how good the players are. I also know that in ring games, most high skill level players usually play worse than in a one on one race. Most of the players here try to play ring games like normal 9 ball, but knowing how to take advantage of the ring game rules will get you paid. Carom players do very well in ring games. Have you ever played a $5 for 5 ball and $10 for 9 ball ring game and get paid over $150 in one game?

 

[Poolfiend]

ring a ding ding

Do you think I would go into a game with people I haven't scoped out? I know the pool hall owners in my area and the people that work there. I know how good the players are. I also know that in ring games, most high skill level players usually play worse than in a one on one race. Most of the players here try to play ring games like normal 9 ball, but knowing how to take advantage of the ring game rules will get you paid. Carom players do very well in ring games. Have you ever played a $5 for 5 ball and $10 for 9 ball ring game and get paid over $150 in one game?

Nice, how many players? The most money balls I have seen in one game was 6 (2 fives and 4 nines). It was a four man ring game and luckily we were only playing $2 - $2 because I was on the losing end.

 

[vinmaps]

The Exact Opposite

The only reason I have ever played a ring game is to gamble and that is the only reason I can ever see myself playing in that format. However, I can see how it could sharpen the offensive portion of your game. It does cause you to go for offensive shots in a pressure situation where you would normally play safe. For me it has actually hurt my 9 ball game a little. But that's me.

The Exact opposite is really the case. The Liability Ring Game enhances your safety play. Think it through.
fg

 

[Poolfiend]

hmm

The Exact opposite is really the case. The Liability Ring Game enhances your safety play. Think it through.
fg

Ok, I've thought it through. Unless a "Liability" ring game is different than what I am used to, I can't see how a game where safeties are against the rules is going to enhance your safety play. I must be an idiot. Please enlighten me.

 

[vinmaps]

No Idiots

Ok, I've thought it through. Unless a "Liability" ring game is different than what I am used to, I can't see how a game where safeties are against the rules is going to enhance your safety play. I must be an idiot. Please enlighten me.

There are no idiots, just different perspectives. So, here we go:
You're in a $x/$2x Ring Game--you fill in the dollar amount that makes you sweat--that's x dollars on the 5-ball and 2x dollars on the 9. You have a dilemma in front of you at the table: a touchy cut shot on the 4-ball. If you make it there's a good shot on the 5, but the 8 & 9 are in a problem cluster with the 7 near it. You can lay down the 4 and play it safe, or make the next two balls for some cash and then deal with the options for the last three. These decision processes are exactly what the pros go through.
An extra bit of strategy that exists in 3-person Ring Games ONLY is this: If you lock up the player ahead of you, he may likely give the player ahead of him BIH and all the money. Rather, you need to know the style of the player ahead of you and leave him in a position where you figure he would lock up the guy behind you. A lot of times in tournament play, it is better to leave your opponent long instead of hooked. Why do you think that is?
fg

 

[Poolfiend]

analysis

There are no idiots, just different perspectives. So, here we go:
You're in a $x/$2x Ring Game--you fill in the dollar amount that makes you sweat--that's x dollars on the 5-ball and 2x dollars on the 9. You have a dilemma in front of you at the table: a touchy cut shot on the 4-ball. If you make it there's a good shot on the 5, but the 8 & 9 are in a problem cluster with the 7 near it. You can lay down the 4 and play it safe, or make the next two balls for some cash and then deal with the options for the last three. These decision processes are exactly what the pros go through.
An extra bit of strategy that exists in 3-person Ring Games ONLY is this: If you lock up the player ahead of you, he may likely give the player ahead of him BIH and all the money. Rather, you need to know the style of the player ahead of you and leave him in a position where you figure he would lock up the guy behind you. A lot of times in tournament play, it is better to leave your opponent long instead of hooked. Why do you think that is?
fg

I see the problem. There is a disconnect in the game we are talking about. When I say "ring game" I am talking about a game with more than two players, where safety play is strictly prohibited. If you play an intentional safe you have to shoot again. If you do it again in the same session you will likely be asked to leave the game. The only safety strategy is playing a safe and making it look like you were attempting to pocket the ball. This can get you into the situation you described where the 3rd player takes down the cash, but sometimes it is the best option. The games I play in the money is never high enough to really consider this. I would normally just spray and pray.

The first scenario you describe above is a two player game with money on the 5 and the nine. I don't consider that a ring game.