I had just witnessed one of the most painful match in 9-ball some hours ago. it's between Django and Nick. and to tell you how much it pains me to see these two players appear helpless while waiting for a chance at the table. surely, if either player makes a ball on the break it's almost an automatic runout. unless by a streak of misfortune, that player scratches, fouls, miscues, misses and doesn't make a ball (which is not often especially when a soft break is utilized) on the break. it doesn't matter whether your opponent is a high caliber opponent or not, as long as you make a ball on the break and have an easy layout (most often in a soft break). for some people, there is nothing wrong with this kind of strategy as long as it works and able to take advantage and adapt to the conditions. but of course, we sacrifice to witness some great 9 ball action rather suffer to watch an easy methodical layout runout in every rack because of this. most often, nothing spectacular. but does it work for the audience and the players? as some of you and I would agree, 9 Ball is an evolving game. and I won't be surprised if they make the game more difficult or challenging especially to these high caliber players playing in the WPC. inorder for it to survive and interesting, I believe some modifications are necessary. some suggestions might look silly, but it's not that far-fetch to achieve or implement. as long as it makes the game more challenging.
I wouldn't mind if the player zero-in on that contact point on the one as long as it is not hit softly. care to put a radar gun on the table? wouldn't mind it. maybe they should set a speed standard which should be met on every break, not below it. a break below that limit can be considered as a foul. so to those players with weak breaks, better start practicing asap.
slow table cloth also eliminates the possibility of the balls to spread out widely. every player would be forced to break as strong as he can to avoid clustered balls or a tight rack.
a shot clock I believe is necessary. this is to avoid players of eating too much time and be aware that this is a game between two people.
ball racking. putting the remaining 7 balls in a standard order which prohibits the player to take advantage of an easy layout. thereby making the game more challenging.
for me, these are more logical or acceptable and necessary modifications for 9-ball, inorder for it to remain intertaining and interesting.
I like 9 ball and I don't want it to die out or people to lose interest in it due to the growing methodical trend of slowbreaking. my honest observation is, the game now is more being played in a more slow and boring phase than it was more interesting to watch. just my cents.
I wouldn't mind if the player zero-in on that contact point on the one as long as it is not hit softly. care to put a radar gun on the table? wouldn't mind it. maybe they should set a speed standard which should be met on every break, not below it. a break below that limit can be considered as a foul. so to those players with weak breaks, better start practicing asap.
slow table cloth also eliminates the possibility of the balls to spread out widely. every player would be forced to break as strong as he can to avoid clustered balls or a tight rack.
a shot clock I believe is necessary. this is to avoid players of eating too much time and be aware that this is a game between two people.
ball racking. putting the remaining 7 balls in a standard order which prohibits the player to take advantage of an easy layout. thereby making the game more challenging.
for me, these are more logical or acceptable and necessary modifications for 9-ball, inorder for it to remain intertaining and interesting.
I like 9 ball and I don't want it to die out or people to lose interest in it due to the growing methodical trend of slowbreaking. my honest observation is, the game now is more being played in a more slow and boring phase than it was more interesting to watch. just my cents.
