Break Box for MC was a bunch of.....

[RunoutJJ]

CRAP!!! The small break box literally made the break a disadvantage shot!! Im not saying that the Americans didnt play bad (Europe played with the same rules and equipment) but I feel that they got the SHAFT when it came to the rolls of the Cup. At one point I couldn't believe that the lucked into a safe or left nothing on the break. Say what you want but the break box should've been the size it normally is.

 

[peter_gunn]

USA requested for both teams not using cut break.

 

[tduncan]

I thought is equalized things & made for more interesting lay outs. Not just the normal stop shot routine where all the balls are layed out like cupcakes.

 

[RunoutJJ]

I thought is equalized things & made for more interesting lay outs. Not just the normal stop shot routine where all the balls are layed out like cupcakes.

Yes and no. I think the pressure and Alternate break format would stop people from stringing racks together. I feel that it really bothered every player :angry:

 

[peter_gunn]

Even with this small box good cut break can be done. But American team refuse that option, probably because other team have more experience on that type of breaking ^^

 

[itsfroze]

Liked it !

I thought the small break box, made for better games.

 

[BeiberLvr]

CRAP!!! The small break box literally made the break a disadvantage shot!! Im not saying that the Americans didnt play bad (Europe played with the same rules and equipment) but I feel that they got the SHAFT when it came to the rolls of the Cup. At one point I couldn't believe that the lucked into a safe or left nothing on the break. Say what you want but the break box should've been the size it normally is.

I've been watching every match, and keeping detailed stats which I'll post tonight.

One of the stats I didn't bother keeping was what happened after the break. But I can assure you of this, it wasn't that one sided. Both teams had plenty of dry breaks where either they left a shot at the lowest ball, or they didn't leave a shot at all.

The biggest difference is that Europe played much better in the racks where they didn't have a shot after the break. Better safety play, and better decisions when pushing.

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

I liked it. At this level of play, it made simple 9 ball far more strategic. Unfortunately for Team USA, we should have brought a keg of Calamine lotion for the poison ivey scratchfest.

Back off the speed a hair to make absolutely sure you hit the one straight on, hitting one hair above center ball, popping Mr Rocky White back 2 - 3 feet before the brakes grab, and park around headstring (where Mr One Ball typically resides). Am I being naive?

What was the % of winner breaks dry and safe wins? Vs when breaker scratches? Where's AtLarge (again, lol)

 

[sjm]

I thought the small break box, made for better games.

I loved it because it ensured that both teams got plenty of chances. It did bring defense, kicking and two way shots into play a lot, and placed a big premium on superior tactical play. In regular tournament play, weaknesses can sometimes be camouflaged by a strong break, but in this format you have to use all your skills. It's a much stiffer test than when the one is on the spot.

 

[Bambu]

I don't see why they didn't play 10 ball. That way nobody can complain about easy-out breaks, or lucky rolls.

 

[Johnnyt]

The MC rule was no cut break and hit the 1 ball head on...hard. And I love the rule. Be nice for a change to safes, kicking and trying to out move the other guy. Now if they can get a ref to rack or use the MR we're good to go IMHO. Johnnyt

 

[Joe T]

Best 9 ball break format I have ever seen. Add that 3 balls past the headstring back in (a rule I previously hated) and it'll take the cut break option out of play. I think Matchroom may have not only saved 9 ball but made it better. First 9 ball tournament I've seen where the rack wasn't the biggest factor.

 

[Black-Balled]

Daz rules that game with the cut break. USA might have got steamrolled, had it not taken that away."

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

Best 9 ball break format I have ever seen. Add that 3 balls past the headstring back in (a rule I previously hated) and it'll take the cut break option out of play. I think Matchroom may have not only saved 9 ball but made it better. First 9 ball tournament I've seen where the rack wasn't the biggest factor.

This quote from Joe "the rack secret buster" Tucker? That's just rich.

I wonder who thought this new Cup break format up... Hmmm... Does Barry have you on speed dial? :grin-square:

 

[Johnnyt]

Best 9 ball break format I have ever seen. Add that 3 balls past the headstring back in (a rule I previously hated) and it'll take the cut break option out of play. I think Matchroom may have not only saved 9 ball but made it better. First 9 ball tournament I've seen where the rack wasn't the biggest factor.

First 9 ball tournament I've seen where the rack wasn't the biggest factor.
My feelings exactly. Johnnyt
__________________

 

[Philthepockets]

Geez there I was thinking you make your own luck, at least thats what everyone on here usually tells me.

 

[Johnnyt]

I take back to use the MR with the MC breaking format. Too easy to make the wing ball. Johnnyt

 

[Rasputin]

I'd say there were two main phenomena that probably everybody realized about the break:

1) No balls going in, so this is a disadvantage for the breaker, unless a VERY powerful break is used with some luck,

2) the nineball got ALWAYS kicked by the 2ball towards the kitchen corner, or the middle, or with enough strength one cushion towards the foot corner.

Regarding point 1), Johnny Archer was smart enough to give the first break for Feijen, who then however completely outplayed Archer in every aspect of the game. Feijen also had probably the strongest (most powerful) break in the cup, and was able to make some balls out of the break, and, in fact, broke and run the table twice (which was a LOT with the break rule).

Regarding point 2), all the players acknowledged this, and there were quite a few nines done on the snap.

Something that some of you Americans might not know, is that on Eurotour, and in most of the serious tournaments in Europe, the break in 9ball has been negotiated quite a lot recently, namely on Eurotour we now have the 3-balls-in-the-kitchen rule, AND nine on the spot. In 10ball, there are break boxes in use opposite to that in the Mosconi cup (to avoid the middle pocket soft break in 10ball.)

So being comfortable with nonstandard breaks might have been an advantage for Europe. However, of course, I think only Boyes from the European team actually plays the Eurotour these days, or participates in tournaments in Europe. But maybe the captain Ruijsink had some tips to give them... he should be aware of what happens in European pool.


Edit. Oh I forgot to give my own opinion on the break rule... I think it was great, but I would like to add that the nineball should be spotted when made on the break. Well anyway, no matter what the rules are, someone is going to find a way to make balls on the break, and that's fine, it's 9ball anyway.
Oh and one more thing, personally I hate the 3 balls behind the headstring (kitchen) rule, there is too much luck and bad luck going on with that one.

 

[Colin Colenso]

Best 9 ball break format I have ever seen. Add that 3 balls past the headstring back in (a rule I previously hated) and it'll take the cut break option out of play. I think Matchroom may have not only saved 9 ball but made it better. First 9 ball tournament I've seen where the rack wasn't the biggest factor.

True, it's made 9 ball what 10 ball has been trying to achieve. I like your addition of 3 balls past the head string, to take out the cut break. That said, I'm not sure tv audiences will appreciate the skillful kicking and safety play that this form of game requires.

 

[jay helfert]

I loved it because it ensured that both teams got plenty of chances. It did bring defense, kicking and two way shots into play a lot, and paced a big premium on superior tactical play. In regular tournament play, weaknesses can sometimes be camouflaged by a strong break, but in this format you have to use all your skills. It's a much stiffer test than when the one is on the spot.

Tap Tap, right on as usual. One other important factor in negating a breaking contest was racking the balls with the nine on the spot. This way the corner ball didn't always go in and the one was not wired in the side. Like Stu said, they had to play pool here to win games and the reality was Team Europe outplayed Team USA in many racks, especially the key ones.

P.S. I don't know the actual stats on this but I suspect there were quite a few more dry breaks than successful ones where ball(s) went down. Seemed like rack after rack came up empty for both teams. Now I see the actual stats in another thread. 2/3rds of the total breaks came up empty! Almost the exact same percentage for both teams.