Archer vs. Shaw right now
- Thread starter Sloppy Pockets
- Start date
Yes, I do like it. A lot.:smile:
I have to admit, you got it right on this. As a player this game is way beyond my speed, but as a spectator I think this delivers a much more enjoyable game to watch. Kinda like baseball as opposed to Home Run Derby. A whole lot more going, and a better test of real pool ability. And, of course, I really like the Diamond 10' table. Loose your focus and you pay the price.
Aside from the rules of play, I really enjoyed the whole Accu-Stats production. The lighting, camera angles and stream quality were superb. The ref was polished and classy, addressing the players as "Mr. Archer" and "Mr. Shaw", and he called out the shots and safeties in a manner like the great straight pool matches of yesteryear. The players themselves were dressed nicely and carried themselves with poise and dignity.
More of this is exactly what pool needs. Kudos to Mr. Fleming for delivering such an enjoyable evening for us all.
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I was wrong in my prediction, I figured Archer would have prevailed.
I"m glad, it's not about anyone "being right," it's about how to elevate the Game for everyone's enjoyment. I couldn't watch the stream, but I"m sure it was some "jam up"" pool, I was wrong in my prediction, I figured Archer would have prevailed.
The "Two Way Shot" is what really separates the great from the greatest players. When you see this strategy done at the highest levels it's a thing of beauty to witness. I look forward to the day there's no more "kicking".
There are shots that will come up that few have ever seen before, and it takes years to be able to master this type of Game. I don't usually watch pool on the computer, however, I would watch two great players battling for the first shot playing "Two Shot Roll Out".
I"m glad, it's not about anyone "being right," it's about how to elevate the Game for everyone's enjoyment. I couldn't watch the stream, but I"m sure it was some "jam up"" pool, I was wrong in my prediction, I figured Archer would have prevailed.
The "Two Way Shot" is what really separates the great from the greatest players. When you see this strategy done at the highest levels it's a thing of beauty to witness. I look forward to the day there's no more "kicking".
There are shots that will come up that few have ever seen before, and it takes years to be able to master this type of Game. I don't usually watch pool on the computer, however, I would watch two great players battling for the first shot playing "Two Shot Roll Out".
Shaw is a beast. I was watching a stream of him warming up, knocking them around on the 14.1 table before a match...he was just jacking around, firing them in at about 20 mph intight pockets; hardly missed. The balls were drilling the pockets where God and physics say it isn't possible. He reminds me of Stalev with his style of play, except I think he's MUCH better. This kid can really play, I give it about a year and he'll be winning everything. Shane, meet your new nemesis!
Under the Accu-Stats "Arena Rules," the player who has the next shot after the break has the option to push out or have his opponent push out. Were they not using those rules?
Not entirely. The exceptions:
- Jump cues weren't allowed, but Archer's cue extension was.
- No Magic Ball Rack was used, but the ref did a fine job for most of the match.
- Not sure about the rule calling for spotting the 10 and shooting from the kitchen on fouls while playing the 10-Ball as I don't recall that happening.
- There may have been a Sudden-Sudden Death rule is place, but it never came to that so I'm not sure.
Everything else was according to the arena rules best I could tell.
No more kicking???
Kicking may very well be the most skillful part of the whole game. It's interesting that you would want to eliminate it.
I think the Shaw vs. Archer match just showed that you are overthinking this. If you get rid of kicking you are just going to ensure that the youngest, straightest shooter is going to win. Not the crafty veteran that is so much smarter than the young whipper snapper.
So many people try to turn pool (in all its forms) into this really cerebral exchange. I don't even care if you are talking about 1 pocket -- it's not rocket science. You can't set up a game where someone is going to be so much craftier that their opponent that they are going to have some great advantage (I'm talking about at the top level). Ultimately it comes down to execution.
Every top notch pool player that I have run into is pretty smart when it comes to calculating percentages. It's not something you have to study for years to understand.
Getting rid of kicking? No thanks. One of the greatest shots of all time was Efren kicking that ball in against Earl.
Why don't we just get on with it already and start playing 15 ball rotation?