Earl Strickland: More Straight Pool

Earl Strickland said:
... There is no defense,this is total offensive straight pool.I would like to know if anybody would be intersted in seeing a tournament like this. ...
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I believe you mentioned earlier that the matches would be to 250 points. I think that's about the right length.

But I think a highest-run feature should be added. If someone runs out more than 150 balls to win the game, they continue until the next break shot, and the ball positions (cue and break ball) are recorded. Before the finals, the players with the four highest unfinished runs complete them. If the winner of the finals is on a run of more than 150 when he wins, he can continue for the run record.

If the tournament is taped by Accu-stats, I'll kick in $10,000 to the added money.
 
Danny Harriman said:
This is a wonderful idea to help promote straight pool, good thinking Earl and I just might come out of retirement to compete in what sounds to me like a great way of bringing back 14.1.
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I think with the shot clock and total offense this would be great to watch even as a non pool playing spectator would still be in awe.. seeing pro players run ball after ball after ball. Would work good for TV also.

Also Danny come out of retirement period, i like watching you play. Watched you at the UPA event here in LA, but you ended up not being able to finish the tourney.

Mack
 
This format sounds great. Way to go, Earl!! I think this game would be excellent for a whole tour, not just a special event once a year. In fact, I absolutely think this game should replace 9-ball in professional events (although admittedly I would miss smashing those balls on the break).

Danny, good luck and hope you get everything worked out.
 
k-carson said:
you need to have a table handycap the person averaging 120 on a shimmed diamond is playing better than the guy getting 125 on a loose gold crown
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Did you get over to Fiddlestix to see Corey play?
Unfortunately, you have a very good point.
The BCA could assign each table a toughness factor, a tough table would equal 1, an easy table may get a .85. Then multiply your final score by the table factor.

Tracy
 
"Quote" The BCA could assign each table a toughness factor, a tough table would equal 1, an easy table may get a .85. Then multiply your final score by the table factor.

Dont make it too involved,make it all the same tables and agree to pocket shims or just the way the table comes.
 
bobroberts said:
Dont make it too involved,make it all the same tables and agree to pocket shims or just the way the table comes.
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Exact standards? I thought of that, it would be nice, but I doubt if it will ever happen. :(

Tracy
 
Bob Jewett said:
(snip)
If the tournament is taped by Accu-stats, I'll kick in $10,000 to the added money.
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Just wanted to repeat this post, in case Earl missed it.

Nice offer, Bob. :D :D :D

Jeff Livingston
 
macguy said:
You mean it is just a ball running contest, no safty play? That makes the game more like golf or bowling, you don't actually play your opponant you just try to get to the given score in the least innings.
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Great comparison, golf or bowling. I like that. We used to play 45 ball (using a big rack). Every time we played everybody wanted to join in. Totally offensive. And with that many balls on the table it is easy to get hooked no matter how good you are.

Anyway it does parallel golf very well. Could be played either way, limited set of innings or total score.
 
pete lafond said:
Great comparison, golf or bowling. I like that. We used to play 45 ball (using a big rack). Every time we played everybody wanted to join in. Totally offensive. And with that many balls on the table it is easy to get hooked no matter how good you are.

Anyway it does parallel golf very well. Could be played either way, limited set of innings or total score.
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Thats actually the only problem I have with the game. In effect it is a totally solo game where you have no reason whatsoever to even have 2 people at the table, you could simply run a 4 day tournament and give the players all 1 break each per a day and make it exactly like golf where you dont play an opponent at all. Really if the balls rerack after a miss then the opponent has ZERO impact on the other player and does not need to be there at all. I would miss the "competition" of two players playing against each other and actually getting into battles on the table. This game is totally a solo thing where players might as well go to the table alone, do their break for the day, and then leave and let another player step up and do his break for the day, ect... It works in golf but lets face it golf gives the players alot more variables to deal with then pool and gives the viewer alot more interesting diversity in different holes and sand traps and water hazards and such.

As a fan and a player I want a game that merges the strategy and defensive/offensive mindset of one pocket yet with a ongoing scoring system like straight pool and that uses all the pockets on the table. I simply have never been able to dream up the right game without making it very different from anything out there to a point it would be a difficult transition.
 
Celtic said:
Thats actually the only problem I have with the game. In effect it is a totally solo game where you have no reason whatsoever to even have 2 people at the table, you could simply run a 4 day tournament and give the players all 1 break each per a day and make it exactly like golf where you dont play an opponent at all. Really if the balls rerack after a miss then the opponent has ZERO impact on the other player and does not need to be there at all. I would miss the "competition" of two players playing against each other and actually getting into battles on the table. This game is totally a solo thing where players might as well go to the table alone, do their break for the day, and then leave and let another player step up and do his break for the day, ect... It works in golf but lets face it golf gives the players alot more variables to deal with then pool and gives the viewer alot more interesting diversity in different holes and sand traps and water hazards and such.

As a fan and a player I want a game that merges the strategy and defensive/offensive mindset of one pocket yet with a ongoing scoring system like straight pool and that uses all the pockets on the table. I simply have never been able to dream up the right game without making it very different from anything out there to a point it would be a difficult transition.
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While you dont like the 4 day leaderboard type event I think many would. Sponsors would like it more IMO.
It would be easier for novices to pool to follow. Pool when played at Earls
level looks easy and many non pool players dont understand a safety.
In golf its easy for some to see how good someone is because a standard)par) is assign to each layout.
I would love to see a way to have a 100 or so nineball layouts and have each guy run through them each day. At the end the guy with the highest number of runouts is the winner.
With the straight pool model there would be the standard(15 points). By moving the break shot around the players and fans would get to see different
breaks and some would provide more excitement.
I love one pocket and its defense but it would be terrible to watch on tv unless one knows the game.
With the runout or all offense type games we would see a new side to some of the Pros. They would have to be more aggressive and we could see their creative sides and more exciting shots.

Mr Jewett has stepped up to the plate so hopefully something will happen.
Maybe another sponsor will see or hear about this and kick in some more dollars.
 
14.1 is fine how it is.

I love 14.1 and where I play a lot of people are starting to play the game. Even the younger players are getting into it. If your playing doesn't revolve totally around gambling it's a great game. The game would explode in popularity if it were played more by the pros. I agree with some of what Earl says; a shot clock is appropriate to keep the pace of the game running and reasonably tight pockets would help seperate the best players from the others. I don't however, advocate changing the rules and eliminating the defensive aspect which is a huge part of what makes the game great. I don't think we should "dumb down" the game. Earl's proposed game isn't really 14.1. Part of great 14.1 involves watching the saftey exchange to see who will make a slight miscalculation first and leave an opening. Strategy is a big part of the game and the game loses a lot if you take that away. It's not all about television.

Earl does have a great idea that could be used in conjunction with a 14.1 tournament and maybe be televised. Have a "high run contest" where during the tournament each player is given one or two chances on a designated table to start with a breakshot of their choice and run until they miss. The player who runs the most balls wins the "high run" prize. This would be fun to watch and could be the part that is televised initially to keep the non-playing public, most of whom will never fully understand the nuances of pocket billiards no matter what game is played, entertained. It would be pretty suspensful to watch a run in progress and see if the player can beat the previous high mark.

Whatever happens I would love to see 14.1 in it's true form come back as the championship game. I'm just a lowly, minimally skilled pool enthusiast (high run of 27) but I love 14.1. It uses all the pockets, all the balls, all the shots and all the offense and defense...it's a complete game. Give me players in tuxedos in a nice setting, behaving properly and playing a classic game anytime. I can appreciate the great shotmaking and difficulty of 9-ball played at the top level but I feel that the break is too important and I would like to see the top pros have options as to which ball they shoot at. I think 14.1 would really seperate the wheat from the chaff in professional pool. I don't know what will happen in the USA but 14.1 seems to be doing better in Europe. The Europeans are used to snooker so they are more sophisticated, patient and more willing to learn about and appreciate straight pool for what it is.
 
Bill it as "The Earl Strickland Straight Pool Tournament"! That, I'm sure, will get maximum coverage.
 
Earl Strickland said:
I have been reading what people are posting about 14.1 straight pool . Straight pool is the most difficult game if it is put in a proper perspective,meaning the table has to have small pockets and cannot play phony or have bouncy or unpredictable cushions.I believe14.1 was meant to be played with a 30 second shot clock,really small pockets and total offense.I read some one posted they did not understand how to play offensive straight pool.I will explain.There are 4 or 5 of the standard straight pool break ball shots or hash marks around the triangle .You lag for the 1st break and you choose your designated break ball area and the ball is placed on the hash mark or spot.Then you take the cue ball and position it yourself and the match begins.Every time a player misses a shot you rack up 14 balls select your break ball area and you start pocketing balls.There is no defense,this is total offensive straight pool.I would like to know if anybody would be intersted in seeing a tournament like this. And Thanks for the nice pictures.Sincerely Earl Strickland
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If one is looking for a more popular version of 14.1, one could do worse than revive Frank Oliva's "Ten-Twenty" variation. This allowed a player to pocket only 10 balls per inning, until the final inning when 20 balls would be allowed. A time clock was also used during the final inning. This variation played on television in 1958 and featured the winner returning the following week. Some of the players included Joe Diehl, Don Tozer, Charlie Cacciapaglia, Joe Procita, JimmyMoore, Irving Crane. Attached is a nice article about Frank by Jim Parker of the Illinois Billiard Club.
 
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Interesting ideas. "Total offense straight pool" wouldn't suit me because I enjoy making defensive moves and enjoy working to overcome my opponents' defensive moves. I think a player with good skills--like you, for example--will find ways to break through and string racks. You're not going to have any serious difficulty beating a guy who overemphasizes defense.

Straight pool has a great tradition of fine play, and I'd be sorry to see it replaced by a game designed to suit the tastes of competitors who don't see merit in defensive moves. As for making the game more attractive to spectators--I don't want a game that's designed for spectators; I want a game that's designed for players!

AS
 
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I think earl is on the right track big time, but it should be more balanced. If you look into what Ronnie O believes with snooker, he doesn't think slow play should be tolerated much like earl, he thinks people should be shooting in general and that matches should not come to a snails pace, but you can of course play safeties. I really think Ronnie is right on the money with his thinking. Now this may be how he plays and his thinking could be sort of biased because of that, but still I think he's right on. If we had people playing that way in pool it would have a better shot, but we have guys laboring around the table for ten minutes to do like a two inch bunt shot I mean it is totally ridiculous.
 
Earl Strickland said:
I have been reading what people are posting about 14.1 straight pool . Straight pool is the most difficult game if it is put in a proper perspective,meaning the table has to have small pockets and cannot play phony or have bouncy or unpredictable cushions.I believe14.1 was meant to be played with a 30 second shot clock,really small pockets and total offense.I read some one posted they did not understand how to play offensive straight pool.I will explain.There are 4 or 5 of the standard straight pool break ball shots or hash marks around the triangle .You lag for the 1st break and you choose your designated break ball area and the ball is placed on the hash mark or spot.Then you take the cue ball and position it yourself and the match begins.Every time a player misses a shot you rack up 14 balls select your break ball area and you start pocketing balls.There is no defense,this is total offensive straight pool.I would like to know if anybody would be intersted in seeing a tournament like this. And Thanks for the nice pictures.Sincerely Earl Strickland
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Now this is the first "pool should be like Tennis" idea I've heard that doesn't promote the participation trophy mentality such as alternating breaks for example. This doesn't punish the truly great artists of the game that put in the hard work nor reward the slackers by giving them extra opportunities that normally what not have occurred.
I agree with SVB, Earl, you're a genius!
 
Bob Jewett said:
I would like to thank Earl for starting this thread.
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Hmmm....thread started in 2005....12th annual Straight pool Challenge in 2017 at DCC...
....I wonder who actually did something about Earl's idea? :confused:

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Could it be Bob Jewett?

Melling is already a monster, Bob...now you're gonna show him some safeties? :eek:
 
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