CALL 9 vs WILD 9?

P

Porter

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
There is a debate in our state association as to which to use.

I am in Arkansas.

What leagues or tournements are using the call 9?

What are the most widely used rules? BCA? Texas Express?

Our state has been playing call 9 for several years and there is a debate on wheather to keep it or go to the wild 9.


Opinions are appreciated.

Porter
 
In my area it is mix of BCA and Texas Express. I would love to see the game go to all call 9, but it is seldom played that way.

1-P
 
I find this a very interesting topic because it has come several times locally. Oddly enough, even those who complain about 9-ball being slop pool will not support a rule change for a called 9.

I think it is interesting that most pro tournaments don't use a called 9.

1-P
 
But how often does a top player really make a wild 9 when it is not on the break. I would be willing to bet that you could examine every match at an event like the US Open and not see one slopped in 9 if you didn't count the breaks.

Mike
 
AzHousePro said:
But how often does a top player really make a wild 9 when it is not on the break. I would be willing to bet that you could examine every match at an event like the US Open and not see one slopped in 9 if you didn't count the breaks.

Mike
Click to expand...

Good point, but you could make the same claim of most rules at the pro level. When was the last time you saw a three foul rule used in a pro tournament? And I have seen pro tournaments that did use the called 9.

I don't want to argue the point, I just find it odd.

1-P
 
I think a three foul happens more often than a slopped 9 amongst the pros. Not at the average bar players level, a slopped 9 happens many more times as often as a 3 foul.

Mike
 
I don't know

Mike

I have seen more than a few 9 balls spotted up in the past few years that we have had this rule , and by some pretty good players. Most often when a 1 rail turns into a 2 rail, or when a tough break out is being shot. Double kiss........

Our rule is that if the 9 goes in an uncalled pocket, and it is the only ball pocketed, then the 9 spots and the other player has an option to shot or pass it back. The Q ball is not moved, and it is not a foul. It is treated just like a push.

I don't like this rule because if any other ball is slopped, you keep shooting. But if you slop the 9, it gives the other player an advantage when a ball was made without a foul having accured.

Opinion?

Porter
 
Personally, I like the call-9 rule. There is more room for strategy in call-9. If I had to play a weaker player, I'd rather play him/her call-9. I play some people that also play carom pretty good. They ride the 9 better than most and it's not slop but they don't exactly call it either.

Rick
 
Call 9 will benifit the better player, as In a rated tourny the begginers look to roll the 9 , o.k. on pro level .It is working o.k. why change? STICK
 
I'm in Arkansas too.

Everyone I know and play uses the call 9
calling your shots is the way to go IMOP
anyone can bust balls around the table and make one in
It take talent to call your shots and then pocket the ball.
 
The wild 9 keeps the weaker players entering the weekly tournaments. By smashing the balls they think they have a better chance against the better players. And occassionaly it does work out that way. Jake
 
Porter,

I gave this some thought last night after my initial response and realize there are two questions to be answered;

1. How would you like to see 9-ball played?
2. What rules do you want to play under?

To the first question, I would like to the rules changed to make 9-ball a call shot game, period. If 9-ball must be the Championship game of pool, then rules should reflect the fact that it is a game of skill, not slop. Whether it should be the Championship game is a topic of a whole other discussion, but assuming that it is, let's make it appear to be based on skill.

Regarding question 2, I would always want to see 9-ball played under the existing rules so that 9-ball doesn't end up like 8-ball with different rules in every room. BCA and Texas Express are very close, so take you pick and go with it, but I would not want to advocate any local rule changes that differ from those two.

So, my point is that I would advocate a rule change to make 9-ball a call shot game, but until that time, I would hope that 9-ball is played under the current rules.

Just my opinion.

1-P
 
For any players rated C or above, calling the 9 would make very little difference in their game.
Other than on the breaks, most players know when they have a chance to make the 9 on a shot. Although some shots are low percentage, a player could still call the 9. There is no penalty for missing. Completely slopping in the 9, with no clue that it was going to happen, is very rare for any average player.

Rich R.
 
AzHousePro said:
But how often does a top player really make a wild 9 when it is not on the break. I would be willing to bet that you could examine every match at an event like the US Open and not see one slopped in 9 if you didn't count the breaks.

Mike
Click to expand...

Actually, check out the 2002 US Open finals. I think this qualifies as a pro tournament. Alex Pagulayan most definitely slops a 9 in against Ralf Souquet. It definitely happens, though I agree rarely. I doubt it is enough to effect any outcomes (Pagulayan lost that match anyway). Still, no one likes a 9 slopped in against them, and I don't think any good player comes to the table hoping they can somehow slop it in. So why not have it called?

Kerry
 
Leave it wild...if it's call you will find players calling the nine on any shots where it only has the remotest chance of going but what the heck they might as well call it somewhere......I like it the way it is. When it's wild you don't have to explain yourself to every Tom, Dick and Harry.....:) :)
 
Cheesmouse,
You make a very good point. I can't say I have ever had a problem with the way it is. Honestly, I'd say the slop 9's I make these days are rare, as are the 9's that get slopped in against me. It would be very irritating to constantly have to call it. Plus, you might see something that your opponent doesn't. If you don't call it, you can be a little more relaxed about the shot, since if you totally miss the nine you can pretend you were not really trying for it ;-)

Kerry
 
We are proud of California cheese - slop the 9. The better player can get more matches if slop is allowed.
 
Isnt slop an art form??especially when done by a master of the game.I always enjoy seeing a lesser player slop around the table only to "choke"on the money ball and lose,deserved justice?
 
the possibility of a slop or a combinations for the 9 are there to draw the suckers in. Good players don't do neither (usually).
 
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