Blackjack said:
This is an interesting topic. Even though I haven't played in years I have not lost my screaming desire to express every opinion that enters my brain. But I have no opinion on this because I've never seen 12 ball played. I learned how to play with rotation, but there's a lot of luck to that game, a lot of slamming the balls around, especially when you're just learning how to play.
On mere conjecture it seems 12 ball has some potential. As I say, I've never seen it played, but would assume at top level there might be some imaginative safety play early in the game with all those balls on the table. I like the idea that certain elements of 14.1 or other games might be drawn into the game of 9 ball - more clusters to deal with, potential caroms and so forth - things guys who play only 9 ball might not see so readily. But of course, once you get past ball #3 you're playing 9 ball all over again. But if playing with 12 balls brings the elements of other games into 9 ball, to me that is a good thing. I want to see a game that produces a more definitive champion.
Tommy Joe
