depends on what you mean with flow. filler ran the set out at DCC against shane, then almost did the same against fedor until he conceded, because the break box was so wide. with WNT break rules/box it's tougher to do that, but matches can still have flow
Alex P vs Mick Hill in the Finals of a Chinese table 9 ball tournament
- Thread starter Positively Ralf
- Start date
depends on what you mean with flow. filler ran the set out at DCC against shane, then almost did the same against fedor until he conceded, because the break box was so wide. with WNT break rules/box it's tougher to do that, but matches can still have flow
Lot of people are giving hard time for C8 or in this case C9 as a game. Ofc everyone is entitled to have an opinion but mine is that it's an awesome game. Note that im now speaking of players perspective not spectators.
My Fargo rate is 710 and i find it fascinating how difficult the game is and how you get that nice feeling of every runout you make, which aint the case with pool anymore.
Also the tactical aspect of the game is very nice IMO.
My Fargo rate is 710 and i find it fascinating how difficult the game is and how you get that nice feeling of every runout you make, which aint the case with pool anymore.
Also the tactical aspect of the game is very nice IMO.
Compared to Ch.8b/9b it sure does. There's no comparison in the two games other than there being 9 balls on the table.
You can't equate difficult to entertaining. Its dull to watch due to it being 'cinch' pool taken to its zenith. As far as playing i don't think anyone under 675ish FR should even attempt it. If a couple JoeBanger players tried this one game would easily be over an hour. What you said about the game is true but those aspects don't lead to it being a fun and widely played game. Its always going to be a Chinese niche specialty game.
I was in Chengdu for the Heyball event and thought I would offer up some random opinions that I (currently) have as a counterpoint to some of the above comments 
1. All the pool halls I saw were basically filled with 9ft snooker tables (ie these) and some 12 footers. This is basically the table any local person there plays on.
2. The clubs are busy and more and more are opening every day, so there is local appetite for the game.
3. I saw a lot of people play a gambling ring game with 7 balls on the table, with no safeties allowed (you can pass it back if you are snookered) and similar points to the 9 ball scoring.
4. Even though it is a very hard table I saw a lot of average people playing and having fun as a casual night out event (though to be fair the club tables are not to tournament standards).
5. I have a relatively weak break but I don't have a problem with the 4 point rule (apart from achieving the 4 points that is) - it's just a rule and therefore part of the game. I have a bigger problem with giving a top female pro a one ball handicap (though, to be fair, I do view that as my problem to solve and not something to take up with the organisers).
6. The challenging nature of the game makes it super interesting to me. The concentration required even on "easy" shots and the pressure you feel as things get close are insane.
7. Even very one sided matches can be fun, I practiced for a few hours with Maks Benko (15yo who beat Corey) and it was both an educational and humbling experience.
8. Most of the competitions are structured as two separate qualifying tournaments (a Chinese player one and an International one (incl. Taiwan and HK) to get 16 players from each before drawing for the last stage with 32 players. Chinese players tournament and International players tournament.
9. There were lots of Chinese TikToker's doing live commentary on matches even in the qualifying rounds - I'm guessing these people have significant followers and are making enough money to justify travelling to these events without playing in them.
10. A Chinese player started practicing next to me in the dedicated practice area. He hit the same straight shot for one hour (it was not one of the easy shots either). Someone else was re-positioning the ball and passing the cue ball back to him, so his cadence was full on. He then started to change the angle for 30 mins before moving on to break shots for 15 mins. Only after all that did he start to play 8 ball. I asked his spotter (manager?) and found out he basically does this same routine everyday and the total routine is about 5 hours long. Now whether this is optimal or not I don't know, but I do know that this is his occupation! All the better Chinese players seem to have this type of work ethic (perhaps coming from the acadamies). It looks like the pro scene in China is larger than the rest of the world and can actually support a greater number of them with pool being their primary income source.
11. They are ramping up the Heyball tournaments, there is one in Malaysia at the moment (might have already finished), and there will be a bigger one on the Mainland from June 21st. I believe there are several tournaments planned for Australia later in the year. (I've also attached the Duya (9ball) event list.)
1. All the pool halls I saw were basically filled with 9ft snooker tables (ie these) and some 12 footers. This is basically the table any local person there plays on.
2. The clubs are busy and more and more are opening every day, so there is local appetite for the game.
3. I saw a lot of people play a gambling ring game with 7 balls on the table, with no safeties allowed (you can pass it back if you are snookered) and similar points to the 9 ball scoring.
4. Even though it is a very hard table I saw a lot of average people playing and having fun as a casual night out event (though to be fair the club tables are not to tournament standards).
5. I have a relatively weak break but I don't have a problem with the 4 point rule (apart from achieving the 4 points that is) - it's just a rule and therefore part of the game. I have a bigger problem with giving a top female pro a one ball handicap (though, to be fair, I do view that as my problem to solve and not something to take up with the organisers).
6. The challenging nature of the game makes it super interesting to me. The concentration required even on "easy" shots and the pressure you feel as things get close are insane.
7. Even very one sided matches can be fun, I practiced for a few hours with Maks Benko (15yo who beat Corey) and it was both an educational and humbling experience.
8. Most of the competitions are structured as two separate qualifying tournaments (a Chinese player one and an International one (incl. Taiwan and HK) to get 16 players from each before drawing for the last stage with 32 players. Chinese players tournament and International players tournament.
9. There were lots of Chinese TikToker's doing live commentary on matches even in the qualifying rounds - I'm guessing these people have significant followers and are making enough money to justify travelling to these events without playing in them.
10. A Chinese player started practicing next to me in the dedicated practice area. He hit the same straight shot for one hour (it was not one of the easy shots either). Someone else was re-positioning the ball and passing the cue ball back to him, so his cadence was full on. He then started to change the angle for 30 mins before moving on to break shots for 15 mins. Only after all that did he start to play 8 ball. I asked his spotter (manager?) and found out he basically does this same routine everyday and the total routine is about 5 hours long. Now whether this is optimal or not I don't know, but I do know that this is his occupation! All the better Chinese players seem to have this type of work ethic (perhaps coming from the acadamies). It looks like the pro scene in China is larger than the rest of the world and can actually support a greater number of them with pool being their primary income source.
11. They are ramping up the Heyball tournaments, there is one in Malaysia at the moment (might have already finished), and there will be a bigger one on the Mainland from June 21st. I believe there are several tournaments planned for Australia later in the year. (I've also attached the Duya (9ball) event list.)
Attachments
Reed Foley
New member
You would like Starched BilliardsFWB. Fla.
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
Yes, correct. Exceptions being Shanghai, Nanjing, Xiamen, Guangzhou, where there are specific clubs/franchises catering to the American game (these generally have snooker and Chinese 8 sections still). There's like 1000 Chinese table halls for every 1 American tabled hall I'd guess.I was in Chengdu for the Heyball event and thought I would offer up some random opinions that I (currently) have as a counterpoint to some of the above comments
1. All the pool halls I saw were basically filled with 9ft snooker tables (ie these) and some 12 footers. This is basically the table any local person there plays on.
Absolutely, they open like 7/11 corner stores... franchises like KK, 7+1, DJH etc
Zhuifen can be played with any number of balls, they usually use cards to keep score. Most common is probably 4ball. I like to play 9ball.
Yes, people go to beat the balls around, and take great enjoyment from talking shit and applauding flukes. I love watching people play here. There's a clear gap between these having fun, and those taking it 'seriously'
Yes, lots opt to break into the second ball and deal with the fact there will be clusters. The top players are going 100% head on and hoping for the best, or most commonly at the headball from the side rail and looking to squeeze it into the side. Giving the female players a ball is pure sexist garbage and I hope they do away with it... Though this is "man land", and they need something to spare their ego in case the female destroys them...
Love watching a good battle. DuYa is quality. If you are into cuesports, it's great to leave on in the background during the day. Reminds me of growing up when my dad would leave the snooker on all day.
Sometimes on these tables, you have a day where things click, and it feels like any old table. On a bad day, it will humble even the best.
I sometimes think there is an element of manipulation/manufacturing outcomes in this stage. I think the seeding and qualification process needs work.
YES. It's big business. I personally love watching Xue Zhengqi (who murdered me 9-2 the time I played him). His live streaming and content is entertaining. He's not one of these people whisked off to special billiards training from a young age. Just an ordinary talented human making big $$$$
Serious players are stoic, committed and made of sterner stuff than I ever will be. Humans made of ice.
There are also tons (and I mean tons) of smaller tournaments (with huge payouts by American standards) more than you could possibly fit into your calendar. I probably make one every two months given that I am an ordinary working man who just so happens to be OK at pool. I wish I had the time to dedicate like in point 10 that you made. Someone could pay me, manage me and I had time to be in all these events like these dudes. I'd for sure prefer it to my 9 to 5
Good points and I hope you enjoyed your time in Chengdu. It's a fun city!
Last edited:
Do you expect anyone to read all that?
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
People who are interested will read it. Same way I read and appreciated the person who posted their experience. I shared some comments back. That's how forums work.
Haven't had a "your post is too long" comment in a while
I was doing so well...You don't have to take out your reading monocle, you can just get back to your usual negative comments
Will do chairman maoPeople who are interested will read it. Same way I read and appreciated the person who posted their experience. I shared some comments back. That's how forums work.
Haven't had a "your post is too long" comment in a while
You don't have to take out your reading monocle, you can just get back to your usual negative comments
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
谢谢你，同志
ngtvd
New member
You definitely get the 6 if you're coming into a thread to disparage the literal thing people are having a discussion about. Add in some generic store brand ignorance, clown shoe behavior and I hope it gets better for you.
Chinese 9 tables are not easy to play on. I heard SVB said he got humbled after trying one of the tournaments a while back. I wonder if that Zheng Yubo dude played. He seems like the legend of C8B
Chinese 9 tables are not easy to play on. I heard SVB said he got humbled after trying one of the tournaments a while back. I wonder if that Zheng Yubo dude played. He seems like the legend of C8B
No question the wonder boobies get in the way. As such though, the tables make better practice tools than playing fields.
do you expect anyone to read your post?
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
Think he was out relatively early doors in this particular event. He is a total legend. I think Chu Bing Jie and Xue Zhengqi are currently the two top dogs running 9balls on green tables (one factually, and the other popular opinion)
I speak Goo Goh. I think hey is Chinese for black.
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
黑八 // 黑球 - Black eight // black ball - C8 and C9 can work, but they generally just say 'Duya nine ball' (九球 - 9 ball)
Green baize (napped cloth)
Doesn't matter
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
correct
