Flakeandrun
Well-known member
I don't often play Chinese-8 ball, but was given a pleasant reminder that it is actually a really fun game this weekend. I competed in a pretty chilled out mixed doubles event, with handicapping according to a scale created by the organizer. The venue was enormous, 50+ Chinese-8 tables, 3 American tables and 5 Snooker tables (I would post more pictures, but it's too much effort to red line all the faces/respect privacy).
The players are ranked DD to A+, then S and S+ class, based on criteria that translates pretty ambiguously. Each ranking is assigned a number of racks, then the total needed to win a game is a culmination of the two players ranking Vs. the other pairing. Sounds complicated, and it was for my small brain. But I just played and let my partner figure it out (D was 1 rack required - S+ was 10). It was cool to see some of the local top players that pop up in WeChat videos playing ridiculous shots.
Got knocked out in the first round (A/C vs. C/C pairing). We were 2-0 up, needing the 8 in rack three, and my partner bottled it. We then lost 3 in a row, taking the game to the 8 each time. We won one more, before we got knocked out (I sank the 8 early in the final rack trying to cannon into a cluster, and to be honest, this was great as I could see my partner was quite down about his performance - taking it a little too seriously).
Getting knocked out was actually a much more fun experience for me, as the tables were 'free play' after this. Free tea, free table time and loads of players of different ability mingling or watching other players play. I was labelled as 'A' and did not play in such a manner at all in the doubles game. A combination of re-adjusting to the tables and style of play, and the odd language barrier issue.
After we lost the game, I had a chance to play a wide variety of people and enjoyed myself, probably playing a few racks of 'A' standard towards the end. I enjoyed playing a couple of S/S+ ranked players and watching how they think, or plan the table. Taking a couple of racks, or even playing and losing a decent rack against them is always a serotonin boost.
Chinese-8 is an interesting game, and I think the enjoyment and standard of play is very much dictated by the 'match-up'. It's a much more thoughtful, cautious game than 8-ball on an American table. The cushions are lightning, and are crucial in maneuvering of the balls. Speed control can seem incredibly unusual at first, with shots rebounding twice as fast as you played them onto the cushion. Safety and percentage play can be fascinating to watch. As can watching high-level players slamming balls down the rail into the outside knuckle of the corner pocket and watching them rattle in.
The atmosphere was very friendly, and there were groups of players from different districts mingling or making small bets on 'HORSE' style shot-making games. After free-play for a few hours, and watching the tournament finish, a few different groups went their separate ways for dinner (big fan of a Dongbei iron pot).
Very much a game for existing cue sports enthusiasts to enjoy, or domestic audiences to rally behind and cheer about (a bit like American football 'world championships' are for Americans). I much prefer the comfort of the American table, and also the speed of play. But I am much more inclined to take up offers from friends to play Chinese-8 now, rather than dragging them to play 8/9/10-ball at my local.
The players are ranked DD to A+, then S and S+ class, based on criteria that translates pretty ambiguously. Each ranking is assigned a number of racks, then the total needed to win a game is a culmination of the two players ranking Vs. the other pairing. Sounds complicated, and it was for my small brain. But I just played and let my partner figure it out (D was 1 rack required - S+ was 10). It was cool to see some of the local top players that pop up in WeChat videos playing ridiculous shots.
Got knocked out in the first round (A/C vs. C/C pairing). We were 2-0 up, needing the 8 in rack three, and my partner bottled it. We then lost 3 in a row, taking the game to the 8 each time. We won one more, before we got knocked out (I sank the 8 early in the final rack trying to cannon into a cluster, and to be honest, this was great as I could see my partner was quite down about his performance - taking it a little too seriously).
Getting knocked out was actually a much more fun experience for me, as the tables were 'free play' after this. Free tea, free table time and loads of players of different ability mingling or watching other players play. I was labelled as 'A' and did not play in such a manner at all in the doubles game. A combination of re-adjusting to the tables and style of play, and the odd language barrier issue.
After we lost the game, I had a chance to play a wide variety of people and enjoyed myself, probably playing a few racks of 'A' standard towards the end. I enjoyed playing a couple of S/S+ ranked players and watching how they think, or plan the table. Taking a couple of racks, or even playing and losing a decent rack against them is always a serotonin boost.
Chinese-8 is an interesting game, and I think the enjoyment and standard of play is very much dictated by the 'match-up'. It's a much more thoughtful, cautious game than 8-ball on an American table. The cushions are lightning, and are crucial in maneuvering of the balls. Speed control can seem incredibly unusual at first, with shots rebounding twice as fast as you played them onto the cushion. Safety and percentage play can be fascinating to watch. As can watching high-level players slamming balls down the rail into the outside knuckle of the corner pocket and watching them rattle in.
The atmosphere was very friendly, and there were groups of players from different districts mingling or making small bets on 'HORSE' style shot-making games. After free-play for a few hours, and watching the tournament finish, a few different groups went their separate ways for dinner (big fan of a Dongbei iron pot).
Very much a game for existing cue sports enthusiasts to enjoy, or domestic audiences to rally behind and cheer about (a bit like American football 'world championships' are for Americans). I much prefer the comfort of the American table, and also the speed of play. But I am much more inclined to take up offers from friends to play Chinese-8 now, rather than dragging them to play 8/9/10-ball at my local.
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