Appealing to the masses: Short Rack Bank Pool

[iusedtoberich]

I was very aware of that and to me that's a slap in the face. The Banks is what drives the Derby. It always has. That's why they have 400 players in it. I understand Greg is trying to sell the 5 x 10's and its his ballgame, its just disappointing that he is sacrificing the banks to do it. I also think the PPV stream numbers the first few days will reflect that. I always buy the banks and 1 pocket but i won't buy the Bigfoot.

I hear you. I rarely play banks, and its my favorite game to play and watch. I'm going to enter the banks this week. My goal is to win one game

 

[Celtic]

I understand Greg is trying to sell the 5 x 10's and its his ballgame, its just disappointing that he is sacrificing the banks to do it. I also think the PPV stream numbers the first few days will reflect that. I always buy the banks and 1 pocket but i won't buy the Bigfoot.

I will be buying the Bigfoot (and betting on every match I can). The Bigfoot tourney drums up a lot of interest as can be seen from the threads, calcuttas, and action on the matches. I know people like the banks as well but I am not sure creating a banks vs Bigfoot mentality is really good for either event.

 

[Colin Colenso]

Banks offers the wow factor that is sadly rarely seen in 9 or 10 ball. That said, it lacks in other ways.

I play a rotation game which requires hitting 2 rails in addition to the pot. So if you bank 1 rail, you only need to hit 1 rail with the CB or another OB. This format has the wow factor from power pots, extreme sidespin use and banks. I play it a point per ball, racking 11 balls to start. Ball in hand for incoming player (no safes), though 2 foul push out is another way to play it... but I prefer the BIH... it's more aggressive and more fun... running 6 in a row is quite a challenge.

 

[Colin Colenso]

Banks said it. It can become a rail beating mess. At the pro level, its a good game to watch. I've hustled banks in the old days. Its tough to keep a customer when he misses bank after bank. He usually quits after a few games. Banks is a good game , but you have to like it and be good at it.
I believe that for mass appeal, American Rotation ( with a few rule changes ) can be the next great game that anyone can play and watch. Change it to all offence by making it ball in hand on any ball missed...no safetes ...if you dont pocket a ball, incoming player has ball in hand. This way , both players ( or both teams ) get to shoot balls in the hole.

You're right that banks does not suit the beginner or even intermediate player. I think the pros need to play game formats which are different to the masses.

American rotation works well for intermediate players using BIH each start of visit, but it would be a bore-fest with the pros... though better to watch than 9 and 10 ball as they are committed to potting hard shots with BIH. But it would drag on when players make 20-30 in a row.

With rotation games, you can increase the challenge by making it 0, 1, 2 or 3 rails additional to the pot. This can make it accessible to beginners through to pros at various levels of difficulty.

We need a game that challenges the best pot and position players to demonstrate their abilities more often, in a format that is understandable and adaptable for beginners.

 

[MOJOE]

I'm hoping someone will stream at least some of the banks at the Derby. Its very disappointing to me they are going to PPV stream the Bigfoot in the arena the first 3 days and backseat the banks.Lots of us around here feel that the banks IS the main event at the Derby. As for the Bigfoot I'm just not very interested in watching another rotation game played on a size table i will never play on.

I'm with crabby on this one. I personally love the banks and could care less about another rotation game, I just don't find it interesting. I loved sweating the banks matches the first few days in the TV arena. Kind of bummed with the change in priorities.

 

[bountybuddy]

Short rack bank pool has been around for at least 50 years. Lenard "Bugs" Rucker was one of the greatest short rack 9 ball bank and One Pocket players in America. He used to play 8 no count One Pocket, meaning he had to run 8 balls or none of the balls counted. I never knew him but he is one of my hero's. When I played pool 9 ball bank was my favorite game. 9 ball bank is the purest pool game there is. No safeties, no slop, no BS. Shoot well my friends.

 

[pdcue]

What about Short Rack Banks as a game to appeal to the masses, as opposed to the already tried 14.1, 8 Ball, and 9 Ball?

Anytime a banger sees a bank, they are "wow, did you see that!".

Bank Pool has tons of high powered offensive shots. Single, double, triple rail banks. Most shots are hit HARD. Lots of back and forth between opponents.

Yes, some games can take a safety turn. I think the offensive power far outweighs the safety aspect, from a mass appeal standpoint.

Even as a player, I enjoy watching banks more than any other game. There is a constant POW POW POW in that game that is not in any other.

Thoughts?

Though you make some valid points - the answer is still no.

Quite simply, the American viewing public is not interested in watching
Pool on TV.

What is it going to take to get this idea across?

Also, Olympics - Not a Chance.

Sad but true.

Dale