Dennis vs Ko (My Review)
- Thread starter BeiberLvr
- Start date
10 ball is all about controlling the table, especially for multiple racks. Despite what his backer was saying, I didn't think Dennis was breaking well. His break was often uncontrolled. Ko had the better break. This was offset by Dennis' unbelievable shotmaking. Best I've ever seen considering the tight pockets.
The difference in this match was the safety battle. Dennis seemed to get the best of the safety battle. Also, at the end Ko hung too many balls and blew some easy shots. I suspect the grind finally got to him. It was a great match and I am thankful it was on a tight table. The safety game was genius on both sides.
The difference in this match was the safety battle. Dennis seemed to get the best of the safety battle. Also, at the end Ko hung too many balls and blew some easy shots. I suspect the grind finally got to him. It was a great match and I am thankful it was on a tight table. The safety game was genius on both sides.
Part of me hears where you are coming from.
You want someone to beat you on an honest table.
But for matches like this, that are then sold to the public, it makes it ridiculously boring.
Nothing sold to the public other than 1pocket should be on 4" pockets.
4 1/4" pockets are fine.
But 4" pockets make pool the most boring thing to watch.
Not that it makes any difference what the public thinks cause none of us were in the box playing for the money.
But from a viewers perspective. It just slows down the game, and makes it like watching molasses.
Who wants to watch that?
Not I.
I actually think that with players of this caliber it makes it more interesting to see them deal with such challenging conditions. I have tremendous admiration for their ability to play at a high level on such conditions.
Besides, it is not like they looked like total garbage on such equipment. They still ran racks on occasion, but it took total concentration which I find enjoyable to watch. Dennis in particular is fascinating to watch on such equipment because he makes it look easy- he shoots so straight.
Toward the end of the match Dennis sped up his pace of play. I think he is enjoyable to watch because of how precise his shot making and position play are. The level of play he was able to achieve on such demanding equipment deserves much appreciation rather than derision.
I'd rather see more then less.
I attended just one of the three sessions of this match.
For me, the 4" pocket size was OK, but as we saw in the days of the TAR matches, crazy tight pockets suit only the very most elite, and by that I mean the best 25 players in the world. I recall an Oscar vs Raj TAR match about four year ago in which there were so many misses, it was unwatchable.
Ko has a better break than Orcullo and a bit more firepower. That said, the tighter table, on average, will give a greater reward to the better pattern player and the better defensive player than they'd enjoy on looser equipment. In each case, that would be Orcullo, and his superior pattern play, defensive play and skillful use of two way shots carried the day. The tight equipment was just what the doctor ordered for Dennis. On a loose table, I think Ko would be a very slight favorite.
Both players are champions of the highest order and put on a memorable show.
I am not and never have been a fan of the race to 100, but agree with those who suggest that spread out over three days, stamina was not a big issue. Thousands of amateurs can play, and have played, nine hours of pool for three straight days without fatigue becoming an issue, including this poster who is 25 pounds overweight.
For me, the 4" pocket size was OK, but as we saw in the days of the TAR matches, crazy tight pockets suit only the very most elite, and by that I mean the best 25 players in the world. I recall an Oscar vs Raj TAR match about four year ago in which there were so many misses, it was unwatchable.
Ko has a better break than Orcullo and a bit more firepower. That said, the tighter table, on average, will give a greater reward to the better pattern player and the better defensive player than they'd enjoy on looser equipment. In each case, that would be Orcullo, and his superior pattern play, defensive play and skillful use of two way shots carried the day. The tight equipment was just what the doctor ordered for Dennis. On a loose table, I think Ko would be a very slight favorite.
Both players are champions of the highest order and put on a memorable show.
I am not and never have been a fan of the race to 100, but agree with those who suggest that spread out over three days, stamina was not a big issue. Thousands of amateurs can play, and have played, nine hours of pool for three straight days without fatigue becoming an issue, including this poster who is 25 pounds overweight.
This is perfect. For public entertainment, there really is a better product to be displayed as Superstar states.
We all know these guys can get deliberate, bear down, and play exact in both offense and safety play. And in a race to 30, this matchup and table works fine. But in a race to 100, it's nice to see aggressive offense, creative play, and raw firepower. 4.5" pockets would've opened up these guys a bit more.
And let's be honest, how many of us stayed glued to the screen with the match? Much momentum was lost in the methodical play both offensive and defensive required to navigate that table.
I bought day 1 and 3, but only focused on about 4 or 5 hours total. The entertainment factor was lost a bit. Now the accu stats invitational, I was glued from start to finish when I could watch. The table just made it more entertaining Imo
I like to see them face challenges. John Doe A player (not saying I can do it- I'm a D player at best) can run racks on loose equipment. Tight tables like the one they played on separate the great from the super-elite. It is truly amazing how skilled these guys are to make this table look something conquerable.
That's cool.
Just personally, I'd rather see explosive dynamic pool when watching short rack rotation games.
If I wanted to see a bunch of balls hanging in the jaws, or strategy, I'll just watch some 1pocket or 8ball.
The tighter the pockets get, the slower and more boring the game, and to me, that is the antipathy of excitement.
Did you watch the end of the match? I thought that Ko's comeback from 12 down to 2 down was pretty exciting (granted I didn't watch the first two days).
I also couldn't believe how fast Dennis was playing his last 12-15 wins. He picked the pace up dramatically, at times he looked like Earl running around the table, I haven't ever seen him play that pace before in a big match.
I personally would rather watch some one day matches where the races are to 21. I think that is long enough to generally even out the roles and guarantee that the best player on that day wins.
A couple of quick thoughts.
first of all I really respect your opinion because you are obviously a pro level player and probably played more big money matches than anyone in the US.
Second, I agree that the game is a lot easier when played on pockets bigger than 4.0.. but playing on something between 4 1/2 and 4.0 is still plenty tight to punish shots that are generally missed. It also allows the players to go for more creative shots etc..
Third, in basketball we don't lower the goal because LeBron can jump so high. We just watch him dunk the ball an applaud. We also don't make the goals smaller when Curry is shooting because he has better form than anybody else just so we can test his ability. We just love watching him shoot the lights out all over the court. We don't ask Bolt to run 120 instead of 100 because he's faster than anybody else… What makes all of these interesting is not that the goal size/height/length… its the fact that they are having to compete against competition who is equally talented on the same equipment. Lebron and Curry have to try to put the ball in the basket when being covered by Leonard or Allen. Bolt has to outrun the other fastest men in the world etc..
In other words, yea, its easy for a guy like Dennis to shred a 4.5 inch table.. but can he shred the table as well as Ko can when playing against him. I think that you are competing against the other players ability, not the toughness of the table.
Love that! Lol
Well stated :clapping:
Great analogy. The cup size is the same in golf....goal size the same in...etc etc
Yet, our pool professionals are constantly pressed to compete not only against each other, but also against varying sizes of pockets.
Let's stick to 4.5" and cheer the run outs.
I watched the match on the second day. Dennis was breaking well on that day. To say that Dennis lacks offensive fire power is crazy. I've watched him dismantle world champions on super tight equipment like this.
In fact Dennis is known throughout the world as one of the premier shot makers in the game. I will have to say I've seen both of these players play better before. Each match like this has its own dynamics.
In fact you don't make it out of the Philippines as the guy most known for taking down the cash without superb talent and ability.
10-ball should be more than just a breaking contest
I think 4" pockets limit any game. They force precision in pocketing but with the drawback that they cut off tons of shots and position routes that would otherwise be playable.
My table is 4.25" and it's tough. There are shots that players forgo on my table because of the increased difficulty factor.
Conversely a safety on my table truly becomes simply leaving a guy a long shot on the rail.
Historically, 9ball WAS about who figured out the break.
1st guy to figure it out was off to the races.
And then the other guy would figure it out, and then it would be about who put the most packages together, with anyone capable of running away with it at any moment.
10ball came around cause the 9ball break was too easy.
And now they figured out that break too.
Rotation games should be about explosive pool.
Shouldn't be about who can play safe all day long, or conditions that prevent players from opening up and hitting a gear.
It should be all about superior firepower.
No wonder pool went down the toilet in the past 20 years. Everything that is exciting about the game is getting systematically cut out of it.
It's also about who is making the game.
Shane breaks better than Dennis.
Dennis is better after the break than Shane.
Each one would prefer a table that plays to their biggest strengths.
When it's your money on the line, you don't care what the people watching at home think.