In another thread JAM mentioned the "eternal" racking dilemma in 9-ball, and stated that was a topic for another thread.
Everybody is complaining about how the racking issues ruins 9 ball. Slug racks, dead corner ball, soft breaks, whatever..
From what I have observed from watching tournaments arranged by Matchroom lately - at least the Mosconi Cup - it seems like they have done a good job in eliminating most of the problems.
The following break rules are in force:
- The balls are racked higher, with the 9ball on the spot - avoids automatic corner ball.
- 2 ball is always placed at the bottom of the rack - avoids an important pattern rack ball issue.
- The players have to use the break-box, cant break from the side, again avoids the automatic corner ball.
- The 3-point rule is used, meaning that a total of at least 3 object balls either have to be pocketed on the break or have to cross the kitchen line. This to avoid soft-break.
Its looks like the players are struggling to achieve a consistent break with these rules. So at least in pro-tournaments, why should it be so hard to enforce them? Hopefully posters who has played / participated / coached in recent Matchroom tournaments (PLAGUE, where are you?) can chime in on this.
One disadvantage could be that since 9ball is a game where the lesser player more often can beat the better player than e.g. in 10ball - these rules could actually scare away some players from joining tournaments.
There are many players who join because they feel they have a chance to beat a pro or two in "all-luck 9ball". So the more difficult we make it, the less likely it will be that these players can succeed..
Everybody is complaining about how the racking issues ruins 9 ball. Slug racks, dead corner ball, soft breaks, whatever..
From what I have observed from watching tournaments arranged by Matchroom lately - at least the Mosconi Cup - it seems like they have done a good job in eliminating most of the problems.
The following break rules are in force:
- The balls are racked higher, with the 9ball on the spot - avoids automatic corner ball.
- 2 ball is always placed at the bottom of the rack - avoids an important pattern rack ball issue.
- The players have to use the break-box, cant break from the side, again avoids the automatic corner ball.
- The 3-point rule is used, meaning that a total of at least 3 object balls either have to be pocketed on the break or have to cross the kitchen line. This to avoid soft-break.
Its looks like the players are struggling to achieve a consistent break with these rules. So at least in pro-tournaments, why should it be so hard to enforce them? Hopefully posters who has played / participated / coached in recent Matchroom tournaments (PLAGUE, where are you?) can chime in on this.
One disadvantage could be that since 9ball is a game where the lesser player more often can beat the better player than e.g. in 10ball - these rules could actually scare away some players from joining tournaments.
There are many players who join because they feel they have a chance to beat a pro or two in "all-luck 9ball". So the more difficult we make it, the less likely it will be that these players can succeed..