A game I'd like to see the pros play

B

bdorman

Dead money
Silver Member
My friends and I play a version of 8-ball that I think would be a good game for professional tournaments. The only difference in this version is that you have to bank one ball of your group; if you don't, you have to bank the 8-ball. It adds a challenging twist to the game. (All the other rules of 8-ball remain the same as far as I know them).

Yes, there are still break-and-runs, but not nearly as frequently as in regular 8-ball. It's a lot of fun to play position for a bank shot; not something you'd normally do. Or take a chance on a 3-railer because it leaves the CB safe. Or passing up an easy cut shot because it's a very makable bank. It's certainly improved my banking.

I think it would be a good pro tournament game because:

1) everyone is familiar with 8-ball. This just adds the need to make a bank. It's easy to understand. Try explaining one pocket to a casual player :boring2:

2) it results in more innings, not the boring BnRs that pro games are known for.

I'd like to hear your thoughts.
 
Don't know about pro's but I'm adding it into my game rotation!
 
I would love to see the pros play this game, or any game on one of the 50 different sport channels that choose to show arm wrestling, poker, crossfit games, battlefrog, and the WNBA over pool. It amazes me that pool can't get on TV.
 
Interesting. Still gonna stick with one pocket but that's a pretty good idea you have there. Gonna try it in the garage next time the kids want to play. Thanks
 
bdorman.. I like your version of one bank 8 ball.
We allow banks.. or rail first kick shots (if the pocket is on a different rail or the CB hits multiple rails)

.
 
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drv4 said:
I would love to see the pros play this game, or any game on one of the 50 different sport channels that choose to show arm wrestling, poker, crossfit games, battlefrog, and the WNBA over pool. It amazes me that pool can't get on TV.
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Exactly! A TV-ready pool game has to be one that everyone's basically familiar with, but isn't boring either because it's just BnRs (nine-ball) or safety play (one-pocket). Don't get me wrong, I like both of those games but they're not spectator-friendly.

(I give Bonus Ball a lot of credit for trying to make pool a TV sport, but starting our with a game that no one knows, doomed it to failure.)

It would be great if some of the AZB shortstops/almostpros/pros would play the game and report back whether it's challenging enough to result in multiple innings per game. At my level of play it results in multiple innings, but I'm not sure it would for the pros.
 
drv4 said:
I would love to see the pros play this game, or any game on one of the 50 different sport channels that choose to show arm wrestling, poker, crossfit games, battlefrog, and the WNBA over pool. It amazes me that pool can't get on TV.
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I've been asking myself this aswell. Hell, pro darts gets more air time on TV.
 
drv4 said:
I would love to see the pros play this game, or any game on one of the 50 different sport channels that choose to show arm wrestling, poker, crossfit games, battlefrog, and the WNBA over pool. It amazes me that pool can't get on TV.
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Of all the things you mentioned, only two are actual sports. So I'd say they belong on a sports channel more than pool.

I play badminton. An actual sport. It gets less airtime than pool. I realize pool fans feel jaded, but there are other actual sports out there that get less airtime than "parlour games".
 
I'd like to see them play more than pool

Snooker
Carom-there are other games than just 3c

Even when I do see pool pros playing 3c they're just hitting the ball way to hard/full on almost every attempt with a 12inch bridge
like most who dont follow carom
So it doesn't make any fun to watch ,
 
Bank One 8 Ball is good. It was among a list of games and variations an old buddy and I played on his home table.

Another funny one, Hot 8. It's a mix of 8 Ball and 9 Ball sort of. Play with the 1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11,and 12 ball. Open break, pick solids or stripes, shoot your group in rotation. 8 ball last to win.
Can also add Bank One rule to this as well.
 
Ralph Kramden said:
bdorman.. I like your version of one bank 8 ball.
We allow banks.. or rail first kick shots (if the pocket is on a different rail or the CB hits multiple rails).
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If you need to bank the 8 ball, and the 8 ball is in the pocket jaws, you can kick at it.
Hitting a rail nearest the 8 ball isn't allowed. Any rail first except by the pocket is OK.

Above applies to any table with no ball return...

Pocket the 8 and play for shape on the spot, for tables with returns or drop pockets.

.
 
At the local Senior center, the common game is 1 & 15 8-Ball. The one must go in one side and the 15 in the other.

I played at another center in Nebraska where they played the 1 & 15 in the sides, but the sides weren't designated. Either can claim a side pocket with their group and the opponent must make their ball in the other side pocket. The 8-ball had to be banked in the last pocket. There were many drawn out games.

A friend and I played a few games of solids must be pocketed on one side of the table, and Stripes on the other. The 8-ball could go into any pocket. It was interesting. I want to play it again soon.
 
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I like playing on the little table with this rule plus the make the 8 where you made your last group ball rule. These two rules combined make each rack pretty interesting especially when you hatch all your chickens a little early and wait too late to bank.
 
Ralph Kramden said:
We allow banks.. or rail first kick shots (if the pocket is on a different rail or the CB hits multiple rails)

.
Click to expand...

We've played with the idea of counting a kick shot as your required bank, but it was too easy when you had a ball in the jaws of the pocket (unless you're like me, and your CB follows the OB into the pocket :angry: )
 
3/5/8. I was introduced to this gem this last year. Any ball is shot but you must bank the

3 the 5 and the 8 to win. Simple and pretty fun. Shoot 2, bank, shoot one, bank, shoot

two and bank for the win. I was told it is played in southern Illinois.
 
noMoreSchon said:
3/5/8. I was introduced to this gem this last year. Any ball is shot but you must bank the

3 the 5 and the 8 to win. Simple and pretty fun. Shoot 2, bank, shoot one, bank, shoot

two and bank for the win. I was told it is played in southern Illinois.
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I think that is substantially more difficult than the One-Bank Eight-Ball that we play. Not only do you have to bank two balls...you have to bank specific balls (the third and fifth ball).

We have enough trouble remembering "Did I make my bank?" :D
 
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