Banks Ring Game

[Fred Agnir]

At this point, the Banks Ring Game has probably reported.

In the past, I've said that other than 8-ball, that banks should be on TV for the sake of the general audience. I may have to retract that opinion.

Something went wrong, and IMO, the banks ring game needed some tweaks. They played full rack banks, X amount per ball made (every ball was a money ball), with the amount raising every so often. The problem is that pockets being tight with the shelf relatively deep, balls were jawing deep into the pockets. The rules allowed the players to 3-rail kick (not including the short kicked rail) to score. That's too much of a departure IMO from the game of banks. I don't know what the solution is, but that isn't it. The first two racks had every player 3-rail kicking at the last three or four balls. And they weren't hitting them. It was disappointing, and a little boring to have the best banking players in the world fail to kick in a hanger.

I actually left in the middle of the third rack. Nobody had banked in more than two in a row. And when I left, a lot of other people had also given up on it.

Anyway, long and short, nobody had banked in more than two until the last player Brian Gregg shut the door on Shannon Daulton banking 6 or 7 in a row according to late night reporting.

The bank ring needs some tweaks. I'm sure Grady and others will have do whatever they can to make sure they don't lose their hardcore fans in the middle of a match again.

JMHO,

Fred

 

[Worminator]

“The bank ring needs some tweaks” might be the understatement of the year (albeit we are only 2+ weeks into the year ).

My friend and I were really excited about this event. We got some good seats and were prepared to watch a great event. Unfortunately, the game was not well thought out in advance. It seemed to be a “fly by the seat of your pants” approach to a match that was touted as a potential break-through event for the game of bank pool and TV. I agree with Fred, banks could be a format that the general TV audience could enjoy. The format that was played last night was not the format that would be accepted by the general public. Grady made an absolute fool of himself by promoting this event and then whining about the rules he himself put into place. Obviously, the rules had not been clearly defined to the players before the ring game started. After the crowd was pumped up for the start of the event (they even had NASCAR driver Tony Stewart there to help kick off the event), the audience had to endure thirty minutes of the players asking questions and trying to understand the rules to a game Grady set-up, and even he didn’t understand how the game was going work. It was a total debacle at that point. Several people around us got up and left making statements like “this is a joke”. Grady was finally overruled on his original rule addressing how they were to play the game if the incoming player had “no shot”. The original rule was that the referee could determine if a player had “no shot” and could move the cue ball to a position where the player had a 30% chance to make a bank…no room for interpretation there, right? The players quickly rejected that rule, and decided that a “push out” would be allowed. The next few times Grady came to the table the crowd was rewarded with him whining about not having a shot. One time he put himself in that position after pocketing a bank and still wanted a push out. At this point more people were leaving the arena area, and my friend and I were seriously discussing doing the same.

They finally made through the first rack with no player making more than two banks in a row. The main reason for this was the fact that they were playing full rack banks. The table was too cluttered to allow the players to really let their bank stroke out. Most of you who know banks, know that full rack bank pool requires a lot of safety play. This format was supposed to an aggressive game with no safeties. It was painfully obvious to everyone sitting around me, if they were looking for an aggressive game of banks; it had to be a short rack bank game to open up the table and the player’s strokes.

At this point Grady senses the crowd was getting restless, and the players were getting frustrated (my friend ran into one of the players in the restroom during a break, and he was not happy about how disorganized the event was). Grady jumps up in the middle of the game and proclaims, “I’ll bet $500 that someone will run 6 banks or more before the match is over”! Now the game is disrupted again while everyone figures out who wants a piece of that action and who is going to hold the money, etc. I’m sure all the potential TV sponsors will love that move. All this time I’m looking over at Tony Stewart, who races every weekend during the NASCAR season for $1,000,000+, and he has a look on his face like, what the heck am I doing involved with this rinky-dink event. My buddy and I had enough and went to watch the Efren and Santos match.

Obliviously, this is my take of the event. I did hear the same thing that Fred stated about the match picking up after the fourth rack. The sad part is…the first three racks turned many people away. It will be interesting to see what part, if any; of this ring game makes it to TV and/or video. There will need to be some serious editing of the match.

 

[yobagua]

Every one knows of the Wright brothers but forgets about all the guys who spent their money and time trying to invent the flying machine. You know youve seen their funny folly's on film crashing back down to earth. However without them there would be no Wright brothers.
Give Grady a break! He is trying to invent a new aspect to spectator interest in the game. He has so succeeded with the Ring Game. I think the bank Ring game could be something for our future. It certainly is more interesting than watching guys running rack after rack of 9 ball. Give him time to perfect it. It could become a perfect pool/money game.
I hope that people like Grady and Rob Sykora do continue to add to this great game and not let the naysayers pull you down. Youve already done wonders for the game.

 

[RunArak]

I was one of the folks watching the Banks Ring Game last night as well and found it to be extremely disappointing. I also saw the game in the same way that Worminator saw it, Very disappointing.
They may want to work out the details before the event takes place. Yeah, the idea is great but it definitely needs some work. I must say that I could not wait to get there but after a couple of dreadful racks, I could take no more.
Regardless, it was nice to hear that Brian G. came back and put on a show at the end. Wish that I would have seen that.
Short rack would have made it much more entertaining and may have allowed the players to get on a roll a bit earlier. I am sure that the outcome would have been different with the short rack, but who knows.
I am sure it will be better next time... I certainly hope so!

 

[watchez]

Maybe a test run of this 'bank ring game' with Grady & some of his cronies should have been in order to iron the kinks out.

I don't think they shouldve rolled out if there was no bank. I think they should've put a ball on the spot or the middle of the table if you didn't have a shot. If Grady wanted to roll out after he made a bank & then didn't have a shot, that is ridiculous.

If Tony Fargo would've been involved in the game, I am sure that it would have been before the last rack that someone made 6 in a row.

 

[bignasty]

much agreed

i agree tony fargo is in my opinion the best banker on the planet. i watched him bank out from everywhere. literally.he offered a world champ evan playin 1 handed. and the champ declined.foolish i beleive,but never the less declined. anyone know why he wasnt in the banks ring game. thanks

 

[Pelican]

anyone know why he wasnt in the banks ring game. thanks

Possibly he didn't have a stakehorse. Also he does not like full rack banks.

Later, Pel

 

[lewdo26]

Wow!

That's funny. I thought the Ring Bank Pool game was one of the single best matches I've seen. Brian Gregg coming from behind at $700 to about Shannon's $12,000 was truly phenomenal. He banks 7 balls in 1 inning and 13 balls in 2 innings! My guess is that the detractors didn't stick around long enough to see that, which is their loss. They've missed a really spectacular finale. I am not alone in holding that opinion either, since I heard people saying the Shannon-Gregg endgame was the best pool they had ever seen.
As for the rules, yeah, maybe there was a little tweaking at the beginning. And maybe a short rack of banks would create a more offensive atmosphere, although banks will always be a game with a lot of safety play. I couldn't care less about what this ghost that everyone is so concerned about, "the general public", would think of Grady's effort. Grady's stuff is made by poolplayers, for poolplayers. If ESPN won't pick it up, maybe it's because they are too busy with their hotdog-eating contests. Indeed, I wouldn't expect their audience to appreciate the beauty of safety play.

 

[satman]

The bank ring games rules still need a little tweaking, but I personally found it more exciting than the 10 ball. Maybe they should change the 10 ball ring to Payball, like so much for the 3,5,7, and the 10 ball pays double. Respot all money balls that are made out of turn. It would create more action and some more creative shots when there is a money ball close to a hole. Brian Gregg is a friend of mine and I get to play him quite a bit. I suggested to him several months ago to get in the Gulf Coast Bank game as he has a strong offensive game when he hits that gear. I guess I should apologize to him for I had pretty much given up hope when he started that run. After bank #4 in that first string I saw him come to life and make an astonishing comeback against in my opinion the best bank pool player alive today. I feel for Shannon, but a better ending you could not write. I had Brian figured at a 8-1 or 9-1 shot to win. For those of you who left, I feel for you. The entire crowd went wild when he called the 3 rails cross corner bank and rolled it dead in the middle of the pocket toward the end of his run. I will order the DVD from Accustats, even though I saw the match live. Congratulations to my friend Brian Gregg, great shooting. Sam

 

[LastTwo]

The bank ring games rules still need a little tweaking, but I personally found it more exciting than the 10 ball. Maybe they should change the 10 ball ring to Payball, like so much for the 3,5,7, and the 10 ball pays double. Respot all money balls that are made out of turn. It would create more action and some more creative shots when there is a money ball close to a hole. Brian Gregg is a friend of mine and I get to play him quite a bit. I suggested to him several months ago to get in the Gulf Coast Bank game as he has a strong offensive game when he hits that gear. I guess I should apologize to him for I had pretty much given up hope when he started that run. After bank #4 in that first string I saw him come to life and make an astonishing comeback against in my opinion the best bank pool player alive today. I feel for Shannon, but a better ending you could not write. I had Brian figured at a 8-1 or 9-1 shot to win. For those of you who left, I feel for you. The entire crowd went wild when he called the 3 rails cross corner bank and rolled it dead in the middle of the pocket toward the end of his run. I will order the DVD from Accustats, even though I saw the match live. Congratulations to my friend Brian Gregg, great shooting. Sam

Satman, why am I hearing all of these rumors that Brian Gregg was being a real drunk asshole and nitt after his bank pool win? Did you see any of that or are they lies?

 

[satman]

I didn't see Brian being an a-hole, but I didn't spend all my time in the bar where the action tables were either. I also don't recall seeing Brian drunk but that is possible also as I spent a lot of time in the tournament room and my hotel room. I do know he was flying high off the adrenaline from the ring game. As far as being an A-hole in the action room, so what, there are a lot of guys at all the tournaments that spout off and never get matched up with what they want. As far as his measly little bank-roll, He works for a living, and although he does get staked,not everyone at a tournament carries 20 or 30 G's. Brian is my friend and even if he got drunk and got out of line, he'll still be my friend. He has always been courteous and honest with everyone I've seen him play in the last 10 years or so. Sam

 

[Grady]

I didn't see Brian being an a-hole, but I didn't spend all my time in the bar where the action tables were either. I also don't recall seeing Brian drunk but that is possible also as I spent a lot of time in the tournament room and my hotel room. I do know he was flying high off the adrenaline from the ring game. As far as being an A-hole in the action room, so what, there are a lot of guys at all the tournaments that spout off and never get matched up with what they want. As far as his measly little bank-roll, He works for a living, and although he does get staked,not everyone at a tournament carries 20 or 30 G's. Brian is my friend and even if he got drunk and got out of line, he'll still be my friend. He has always been courteous and honest with everyone I've seen him play in the last 10 years or so. Sam

I shouldn't have played in the Bank Pool Ring Game. The problems started because I allowed others to offer suggestions on how the format and the rules should be.I had a Bank ring game last month in Gulfport and there wasn't a single problem.
OK, some people did leave early but what about the 350 folks who watched Brian's great comeback? Is it really necessary to pick out every little detail about what some of you internet posters perceive to have been wrong? You don't think the positives outweigh the negatives?
I even get accused of whining? If I were getting paid for my efforts criticizm of an intelligent nature would be welcomed.As things stand, I don't even feel like going back to the DCC.Go ahead and criticize that!!!

 

[satman]

Grady, I understand your frustration. Don't give up on us. The bank ring game is much more exciting than the 10-ball. I was talking with my friend and he agreed. You also must understand that some people don't realize, banking 2 in a row in that situation is still a decent run. Not everyone is a bank pool fan either. As far as the test run with the pushout, at first I didn't like it, but after thinking about it, it could be ok. I agree they maybe should have consulted you about the rule changes, but if it helps the game, let's see what happens. My friends and I really enjoyed sitting and chatting with you. Sam

 

[OldHasBeen]

The proof is in the pudding.

I have never been a fan of Bank Pool as a game. I have always considered it a shot, not a game. I watched some of the bank pool ring game but had to get up to find out what else was going on. In other words, it didn’t hold my attention. I may be way wrong in saying this, but I don't think I saw ANY other side Bank Games going on during the entire week. WHY?
I don't think Grady did anything wrong. Far from it. I think Grady is one of the best assets we have going for us.
TY & GL

 

[Fred Agnir]

I may be way wrong in saying this, but I don't think I saw ANY other side Bank Games going on during the entire week.

There was a lot actually Tom. More full-rack than short rack, however. And maybe more before the one-pocket tourney started.

Fred

 

[yobagua]

Grady I dont understand how you give more attention to the negative than the positive. Every time I have met you at events I have always gone up to you just to thank you for all you have done for us and the game. You sir have single handily kept up the running of games of one pocket, straight pool, serious rules 9 ball, and now Banks.
Over Martin Luther King day I was reminded that when King made his "I have a dream" speech. The major media like the Washington Post and Time criticized King for his rhetoric and alluded to the point that he was losing his ability to lead. That speech became a Classic. And those criticizers are all living under a rock or should be. Im not equating you with the great King but you do see my analogy.
Yes we all have an ego. But lets look 10, 20, or 50 years down the road. You sir will be remembered as a giant in this field. Oh yeah you have all the negators, the whiners, the nits, and the losers who couldnt generate any capital. But it is you who have made a significant contribution to the memory and history of this game. Please do not give up. I want to see you back at next years DCC. So do many others. We are the majority