Alernate Break

C

cigarmikl

Registered
Why are pool tournaments alternate break. If you are good enough to win the game then you should continue breaking. To me it's a BS. If you can't run out when it's your turn why should you get the break. Game has gone to hell. Opinions.
 
It’s like tennis, baseball, basketball,
Football, etc. You score, it’s my turn.

Otherwise there is 14.1
 
cigarmikl said:
Why are pool tournaments alternate break. If you are good enough to win the game then you should continue breaking. To me it's a BS. If you can't run out when it's your turn why should you get the break. Game has gone to hell. Opinions.
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SOME tournaments are alternate break. Especially short race ones.

It's to equalize the game so each player has a chance at the table, each was has benefits and drawbacks. There is no perfect way to do it. Even the pro players agreed many years ago that if you have races to like 13 winner break is OK, shorter it's fine to do alternate break. In a bunch of Accu-Stats matches from the 80s and 90s they talk about it in the commentary. Even races to 11 they thought were a bit short for a pro player match, and now we have events with races to 5, 7, 9.
 
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... because there is so much rack fixing. The rack mechanics have made alternate break necessary in rack your own events.

There is absolutely no need for alternate break when there is a neutral racker, which is, thankfully, a growing trend in our game.
 
I have no problem with winner break in top pro events. In regional events where you have a lot of part-time players alternate break really helps with field size. A lot of players won't spend money to travel, hotel, gas, food etc. if they think they may not get to shoot. The Midwest 9-ball Tour has been going for over 20+ yrs and they get good turnouts especially at Olathe,Ks. They've always been alt. break. Puts the pressure on the breaker to hold serve. I've seen a ton of great matches with this format.
 
I play in unaffiliated leagues. We always use alternate breaks in 8 ball and 9 ball. Not everyone is a pro and this gives everyone a chance to break. We also add a couple other optional rules that a player can use or not at their discretion...such as a an object ball needing to touch a rail. Better players will call a foul on themselves but not required. Same with accidently nudging a ball, etc. No money involved so more sportsmanship.

We play 9 ball differently in one league. Shooter leaves the table after the break. This completely changes the nature of the game. Results in a soft Snooker-like break and adds a whole layer of strategy.
 
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