A lot of low opinions on 9 ball, me included, what about 8?

[DogsPlayingPool]

No, you can't. In most current pro 10-ball tournaments if you call the shot and you miss your opponent can make you shoot again.

I know that some East coast events like the Tony Robles stops play option on all misses, but I disagree that most pro events are played this way. The SBE did for a year or two but the last SBE was played by WPA rules. So was the US Open 10 Ball - option to pass it back ONLY if a ball falls on a miss (BCAPL rules). And obviously, the World Championships would be played by WPA rules. I believe the World Standardized rules (WPA) is still the most prevalent rule set for professional tournaments, especially major events.

 

[tomnan24]

I'm guessing I'm somewhere around a c- player. I have run out 8 ball numerous times but have never run out 1-9 in 9 ball, thus I have much more respect for good 9 ball players than I do good 8 ball players.

 

[Oregonmeds]

The reason 9 ball increased in popularity is really the luck factor. At least at the lower levels it's a benefit more than a hinderance. If you switched all local tournaments to 8 ball, I'd bet your tournament dries up pretty quickly. You say the pot only gets to $100 in your local tourney, so I'm guessing that's 10 guys or less.

You need real noobs to enter your tournament or it's just back to the 4 top players in your local place playing each other for 10 freakin' dollars. They'd be robbin the tournament and the less experienced player doesn't even feel like lady luck could help him out.

It's one of the beauties of nine ball for local tournaments and quick cash play. There is an element of fortune (I won't call it luck) in nine ball. Sure, it's not the purest game and best game to discern skill level, it's the best for local tourney's and small time gambling fun.

No on average there's 15-20 people and sometimes 30 max on a really heavy night with just 5 maybe 6 tables to play on, all 8' tables. Payout is low because entry is only $5, and they pay to 3rd place minimum plus last woman standing also, with a very large field they pay to 4th or whatever to keep the top payout down. It's not b and below, but they try to discourage true a players and draw in plenty of b even c with the with the wider lower payouts and small entry's. Top players from the wider area aren't going to travel any distance to get there just to take home $100 generally. At $5 entry it's just a fun local night that doesn't cost any more than if you rented a table, in fact much less, so lower ranked players really never feel like they're getting cheated every night.

I enoy these payout levels the most because it's more fun for everyone and all pretty much locals that are friends rather than heated competition with a bunch of sharking aholes from all over the place.

I'm not a true A player or don't consider myself one ranked barely a 7 on my best days, but I do get excluded from many b and below events for winning too often. Not long ago I played a b and below that had 8 and 9 ball tournaments back to back and won them both, then was told I couldn't return unless I took some absurd handicap. It wasn't right really because several of those guys played at my level. This local place I play now most often has 4 people in my skill level, two just above me that can usually beat me in any long race, so I'm not always in the money and it's a good test of skill except for the luck factor of race to 2 or 3 when often anything can happen.

 

[laserbrn]

Oh I definitely agree. I used to go around playing them 4 or 5 days a week by traveling around within 30 miles. It was great fun and I got to know a lot of people. Those are the kinds of tournaments though where those "dead money" guys/gals that just put in because it's cheaper than table time actually have a shot. I think if they felt like they didn't even have a shot, they'd stop coming out to play.

It's not great if you're a top, top player. It's going to be harder to rob the tournament if it's raise to 3 nine ball and they make you go to 5 or some other attempt to make it even.

But if if you're just out having fun you can get lucky on a few games, play your heart out, make the shots when you need to, then you just might be able to walk away the victor someday! But generally you'll still find that the same 4 or 5 guys/gals are usually at the top.

 

[Richardson]

You ever seen a 9 ball player want to play call pocket ?

You ever seen a 8 ball player want to play slop counts ?

I think that settles my opinion of which game is better.

I would rather play 1pkt.

 

[Siz]

I'm guessing I'm somewhere around a c- player. I have run out 8 ball numerous times but have never run out 1-9 in 9 ball, thus I have much more respect for good 9 ball players than I do good 8 ball players.

Good summary.

 

[Aaron_S]

I have posted the same thing many times here in the past, but I personally don't think either game (8-ball or 9-ball) is fit for professional competitive play. Luck plays a considerable role in both games - slop and lucky safeties in 9-ball, and the fact that you can run yourself out of position 2 or 3 times in an 8-ball rack, find a different ball to shoot, and get out anyway. The cream will still usually rise to the top, but I think it's less likely in these two games than it is in 14.1, rotation, or even 10-ball. I do like the fact that 8-ball brings all 15 balls into play, and I like the fact that 9-ball forces you to control whitey at all times. Both games are fun for recreational play, but that's about as far as it goes for me personally.

Aaron

 

[Jimbojim]

One thing is for sure. 8-ball is mentally more tiring than 9-ball. You don't play safe in 8-ball, you play strategic and I think there is a difference to it. 9-ball is a game of nerves and pressure handling, missing a ball makes you realize that you did all the work for your opponent so he can just run the last 2 or 3 balls. The pressure of missing a shot in 9-ball is huge compared to 8-ball because there are usually more clusters and more often than not, one of your opponent's ball is stuck somewhere along with one of your own so you have always that security.

I prefer 9/10-ball and 14.1 over 8-ball but I don't mind it sometimes.

 

[paksat]

I know that some East coast events like the Tony Robles stops play option on all misses, but I disagree that most pro events are played this way. The SBE did for a year or two but the last SBE was played by WPA rules. So was the US Open 10 Ball - option to pass it back ONLY if a ball falls on a miss (BCAPL rules). And obviously, the World Championships would be played by WPA rules. I believe the World Standardized rules (WPA) is still the most prevalent rule set for professional tournaments, especially major events.

Why? Is not LUCK when you call a pocket, you miss but you missed so badly that you manage to put your opponent in a tough spot behind some ball that you had no intention of being behind? And now, that opponent has to shoot that shot with the most sour taste in his mouth.

That needs to be eliminated.

 

[John Brumback]

For me,I like the thinking games.imo,9ball does not take much thinking.
It's self explainatory.It's right there In front of you.Not many options.Runout or play safe.Now 8ball,You had better do ALOT of thinking before you shoot the first shot.There's alot to 8ball,not so much with 9ball.
It has just about ran It's course.IMO It's one of the dumbest pool games ever Invented.Say you make a poor bad dumb shot,now just stick the cball
against another ball and your opp.has to just kick up In the air and hope.What a game.Even when I have one some pretty big 9ball tournys,( at least one major,Lex,Ky all star,In 2000 beating Alex P. In the finals) I knew how many good rolls I had got to get through a big tough feild like that.Alot
of good rolls,a few 9balls on the break a few slopped In balls,ect ect.
Here's a good one...I'm playing Johhny Archer last year at the dcc,I'm playing good,haven't missed a ball.Well (he dogs 2 balls straight In) In a little race to 7 and gets lucky and dead hooks me both times.I lose the match 7 to 5.Yep,real great game ya got there.Oh well,I'll just stick to the men's game.8ball,Onepocket and banks.I'm not going to get Into all the crap about trying to get 9balls to frezze together when racking.Well onemore,The racking or the lacking there of, might be the hardest part of playing 9ball.John B.

 

[Siz]

For me,I like the thinking games.imo,9ball does not take much thinking.
It's self explainatory.It's right there In front of you.Not many options.Runout or play safe.Now 8ball,You had better do ALOT of thinking before you shoot the first shot.

I agree. But the problem is that not many people want to watch someone thinking. I think that this is a big reason why 9/10 ball is more popular to watch than 8 ball. Which means that 9 /10 ball is where the most money is.

 

[John Brumback]

I agree. But the problem is that not many people want to watch someone thinking. I think that this is a big reason why 9/10 ball is more popular to watch than 8 ball. Which means that 9 /10 ball is where the most money is.

Ok,I agree with that to a point,but what about ole Kevin Trudou.I know he's a crook and everything( stills owes my backer some $) but he was pretty darn smart using the game of 8ball I think.John B.

 

[Posmanic]

I don't have issues with either, as long as there played correctly, ie no slop in 8 ball ect. But personally I prefer 10 ball as to be it is the best of both worlds being call pocket and rotation, though most local tournys are playing 10 ball like 9 ball with slop ><! I'm a B player so not great, yes i can break and run in 9 ball 8 ball and 10 ball, but not often. but that dosent make me dislike a game, i grew up around 8 ball switched to 9 ball for tournys. and recently (as in the last two years) to 10 ball for a greater challenge.

My current time allotment 10 Ball > 14.1 > 9 Ball > 8 Ball > American Snooker > Euro Snooker

 

[supergreenman]

I agree. But the problem is that not many people want to watch someone thinking. I think that this is a big reason why 9/10 ball is more popular to watch than 8 ball. Which means that 9 /10 ball is where the most money is.

What money? From TV? Like that happens. Even the WPBA (pretty much the only pool on tv) has to pay to have their events broadcast.

What I did find interesting about 9 ball for the first time in a long time was the Clash of the Titans using APA rules format. Perhaps there's some redeeming qualities in 9ball after all.

But this is off topic. The thread wasn't about what is better for tv or where the money is. it was about why there's low opinions about 9 ball.

Fact is, playing 9 ball is like watching paint dry. It is truly not the game pros should be playing. Since TV is not really an issue, 1 Pocket or 14.1 are both much better tests of skill. And if you don't think 1 pocket allows you to let your stroke out like 9 ball try watching a couple dozen Efren 1p matches.

 

[BasementDweller]

What money? From TV? Like that happens. Even the WPBA (pretty much the only pool on tv) has to pay to have their events broadcast.

What I did find interesting about 9 ball for the first time in a long time was the Clash of the Titans using APA rules format. Perhaps there's some redeeming qualities in 9ball after all.

But this is off topic. The thread wasn't about what is better for tv or where the money is. it was about why there's low opinions about 9 ball.

Fact is, playing 9 ball is like watching paint dry. It is truly not the game pros should be playing. Since TV is not really an issue, 1 Pocket or 14.1 are both much better tests of skill. And if you don't think 1 pocket allows you to let your stroke out like 9 ball try watching a couple dozen Efren 1p matches.

9 ball is like watching paint dry??? You want to watch paint dry, try watching some bangers play 1 pocket. That can be brutal. We all like watching Efren play 1 pocket but in my opinion lesser players need to let their game's mature a bit before taking this game on.

I know a lot of people like 14.1 but it will NEVER again be the main game.

I do think there are problems with 9 ball at the pro level. The short races along with the luck factor make it a bit of a joke IMO. I do think 10 ball is better for them.

At the local level, I still like playing in 9 ball tourney's and I'm going to try to play a little more 8 ball to see if I need to reformulate some of my opinions of it.

 

[Scott Lee]

The Renfro...Not doubting you, and just curious...where did you get that info? I've been in that room, and imo 300 people wouldn't fit (and if it's true, that place had to be packed wall to wall). The 'official' statement was signed by about 50 witnesses.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

It wasn't a passion then... It is stated Mosconi had an audience of around 300 to watch the exhibition in which he set the 526 mark...

 

[Pete]

The Renfro...Not doubting you, and just curious...where did you get that info? I've been in that room, and imo 300 people wouldn't fit (and if it's true, that place had to be packed wall to wall). The 'official' statement was signed by about 50 witnesses.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

But Scott, the table he palyed on was a 8 foot, so more might have fit

Pete

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

Why? Is not LUCK when you call a pocket, you miss but you missed so badly that you manage to put your opponent in a tough spot behind some ball that you had no intention of being behind? And now, that opponent has to shoot that shot with the most sour taste in his mouth.

That needs to be eliminated.

paksat, I wasn't debating the merits of the two-way shot in 10 Ball. But it had been stated that this is not allowed in 10 Ball and I was simply stating that according to the rules it is legal to play this two-way shot.

BTW, in a planned 2-way shot you ARE intending to be behind a ball and leave your opponent in a tough spot - it is not an accident. I guess the argument in favor of allowing the 2-way shot in 10 Ball is that if you are attempting a difficult shot and miss but leave your opponent hooked then you have actually well executed what you planned on doing - getting shape on the NEXT ball if you had made the hard shot but leaving your opponent hooked on the EXISTING ball if you miss. So perhaps you shouldn't be penalized when you did properly execute your plan. I agree though that not all shots have 2-way opportunities and therefore there will be many times where the player was just trying to make the ball, missed, and left his opponent safe "by luck". But you can't have both so to give the option to the incoming player on ALL misses would be to take away this 2-way shot and I believe there are some merits to leaving it in as part of the game.

As far as whether it should be eliminated, maybe but I'm not set on that. Yes, a player can be "rewarded" for a miss but on the other hand I like the strategic aspect of this 2-way shot. Also, the allowance of this shot probably results in some situations where a player will attempt a difficult shot such as a bank rather than ducking on most everything except relatively easy shots.

So while I see your point, I also enjoy seeing players try to make difficult shots to keep an out going rather than playing safe all the time on everything other than a sure thing. But I understand what you're saying.

 

[Luxury]

Ok,I agree with that to a point,but what about ole Kevin Trudou.I know he's a crook and everything( stills owes my backer some $) but he was pretty darn smart using the game of 8ball I think.John B.

He wasn't smart to choose eight ball with NO shot clock. Other than the finals you always saw 5 people watching each match and they looked like they were bored out of their minds. And these were the highlights!

 

[supergreenman]

9 ball is like watching paint dry??? You want to watch paint dry, try watching some bangers play 1 pocket. That can be brutal. We all like watching Efren play 1 pocket but in my opinion lesser players need to let their game's mature a bit before taking this game on.

I know a lot of people like 14.1 but it will NEVER again be the main game.

I do think there are problems with 9 ball at the pro level. The short races along with the luck factor make it a bit of a joke IMO. I do think 10 ball is better for them.

At the local level, I still like playing in 9 ball tourney's and I'm going to try to play a little more 8 ball to see if I need to reformulate some of my opinions of it.

If you'll note in my post, I said PLAYING 9ball was like watching paint dry, not watching 9ball.

1Pocket is an exciting game to play. I could care less if it's boring to watch (although I can't say it's boring for me).