Earl's comments about 8 ball

[bruin70]

Not doubt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The pros have always been in a position to play the game of the common man, and have never even come close to moving in that direction.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and there would be a lot of motivation for him to praise any other game that offered ample remuneration to professional pool players.

exactly.............and it IS disingenuous for those very reasons. however it's merely a player playing politics, so it's no big deal, and just something for us to write about

 

[jay helfert]

I am so excited that I'll have the opportunity to play the magnificent game of one-handed bank pool.

Well, that's what I'm guessing Earl would say if a one-handed bank pool tour with very big purses started up .

Good answer! These guys would play on the floor if the money was right.
And BIG money (like the IPT is promising) is what might get the publics attention. And the media too.
Who cares about someone winning ten grand in a pool tournament? That's barely peanuts in terms of a pro sport.
If the PGA golf tour had $50,000 purses no one would care how good Tiger was.
Conversely if Pool had million dollar purses, a lot more people would care who's winning them. Case in point, Poker puts some million dollar events on TV and makes stars out of the top dogs.

 

[jay helfert]

Does anyone think that the no jump stick rule will be a factor? I suppose it could be, but it doesn't seem to be a big deal in the 8-ball tournaments I enter.

Fred

Sure it's a factor. It places a premium on the ability to kick the balls. I look for strong filipino showings, if they get in.

 

[jay helfert]

What seems like many moons ago when I spent time in a pool room trying to play the game, I really don't recall anyone having a jump cue. I think I knew of only 2 people that had a break jump cue. Life can & will go on w/out a jump cue folks.

It seems as if I remember someone telling me a long time ago that it's tougher to jump on simonis cloth....is this right? I don't know how or why that came about but just now thinking about jumping balls, I recall having heard that. Is there any truth to that? If there is, then using a full cue to jump on a felt table shouldn't be that hard....for the people that can play. The only people that need to "sweat" this slow cloth, no jump cue play, are the ones that RELY on the simonis cloth to do part of their work when it comes to getting shape & the ones that spent their time learning how to jump with a jump cue instead of learning how to kick or at least use a full cue to jump with. JMO

Correct, Simoniz has less nap and is slicker. Consequently harder to jump balls on. Earl, among others, can jump quite well with a full length cue.
He should like this rule a lot.

 

[jay helfert]

I talked to a pro recently who said that a lot of them were happy about the new slow cloth because the fast stuff allows players with weaker strokes to move the ball around easily, while on the slow cloth you really have to stroke the ball. This of course also forces a more accurate aim, due to the added spin and force necessary much more often on the slow cloth.
I think a lot of the top pro's get frustrated when taken out in a tournament they're playing great in, by seemingly inferior competition that happens to get a few rolls and gets way out of line but simply goes around the table ten times with center ball.
Add to that six more balls to clog up the lanes as well as the more complicated strategies of 8-ball, and you get something that could be very beautiful to watch and perhaps a better test of who is playing the best that day.
He was of course also excited about the money, but then again, who wouldn't be.
Samy

In the old days the best players had the best strokes. They could do more with the cue ball and had more options.

 

[jay helfert]

Not doubt, I'm speculating a bit here, Fred. Where were all the professional proponents of eight ball before the IPT venture? The pros have always been in a position to play the game of the common man, and have never even come close to moving in that direction.

Earl plays superb eight ball, but that doesn't prove he loves it. Perhaps he does and perhaps he doesn't. Whatever he feels about the game, though, Earl is smart, and knows that he can be one of the big winners if the IPT venture is successful.

In short, there is ample motivation for Earl to make these comments about eight ball regardless of how he feels about the game, and there would be a lot of motivation for him to praise any other game that offered ample remuneration to professional pool players.

Let's see how King Earl acts when he gets dumped on his butt in an Eight Ball match on the IPT. I'm betting he finds something to whine about.

 

[JAM]

Let's see how King Earl acts when he gets dumped on his butt in an Eight Ball match on the IPT. I'm betting he finds something to whine about.

One thing that distinguishes "King Earl" from the rest is his ability to play all games. I am going to go out on a limb here and say that I believe Earl Strickland will shine in the 8-ball arena on that slow nap cloth. He's got the stroke, has the ability, and will be a formidable opponent.

Matter of fact, the new IPT tour will be provide opportunities to players like Earl to strive for perfection because there's a lot of money on the line. One great win could change these players' lives for the better, and every single one of them will be giving it their all.

For the first time in the history of pool, one won't have to come in third or fourth place to break even on expenses. The IPT is a golden opportunity to pool players who have devoted their life to the game. I think including the Hall of Famers in the IPT tournament in Orlando coming up in the November-December time frame was very fitting.

With five U.S. Open wins and six world championship titles, Earl is going to be a tough opponent. Coming in fourth place at the U.S. Open this year in that field was a very strong accomplishment. As they say in the Field of Dreams, build it and they will come. EVERYBODY is focused on the IPT, and it is truly history in the making. Long live the IPT, and I can't wait to see how this baby unfolds!

JAM

 

[pinkisntwell]

9ball has to go, all this silly obsession with breaking and racking, break cues, Sardo racks, whatever. That's not pool.

I think 8ball is better.

 

[Bobby]

One thing that distinguishes "King Earl" from the rest is his ability to play all games. I am going to go out on a limb here and say that I believe Earl Strickland will shine in the 8-ball arena on that slow nap cloth. He's got the stroke, has the ability, and will be a formidable opponent.

Matter of fact, the new IPT tour will be provide opportunities to players like Earl to strive for perfection because there's a lot of money on the line. One great win could change these players' lives for the better, and every single one of them will be giving it their all.

For the first time in the history of pool, one won't have to come in third or fourth place to break even on expenses. The IPT is a golden opportunity to pool players who have devoted their life to the game. I think including the Hall of Famers in the IPT tournament in Orlando coming up in the November-December time frame was very fitting.

With five U.S. Open wins and six world championship titles, Earl is going to be a tough opponent. Coming in fourth place at the U.S. Open this year in that field was a very strong accomplishment. As they say in the Field of Dreams, build it and they will come. EVERYBODY is focused on the IPT, and it is truly history in the making. Long live the IPT, and I can't wait to see how this baby unfolds!

JAM

I agree that Earl will shine in 8-ball with the slow
cloth. His stroke is tremendous. I think that we'll
see a lot of the older players that played on slow
cloth years ago doing well, such as Earl, Efren,
Varner, Sigel, Keith (Is he playing?), Parica etc.
I saw a tape from a tournament from 1987 or 1988 with
Strickland playing Reyes on a slow cloth and the way
they stroked the ball you'd have thought it was fast
860 Simonis.

 

[JAM]

I agree that Earl will shine in 8-ball with the slow
cloth. His stroke is tremendous. I think that we'll
see a lot of the older players that played on slow
cloth years ago doing well, such as Earl, Efren,
Varner, Sigel, Keith (Is he playing?), Parica etc.
I saw a tape from a tournament from 1987 or 1988 with
Strickland playing Reyes on a slow cloth and the way
they stroked the ball you'd have thought it was fast
860 Simonis.

Stroke is what it's all about with that slow nap cloth!

And yes, Keith is currently still playing pool. (LOL)

JAM

 

[Bobby]

Stroke is what it's all about with that slow nap cloth!

And yes, Keith is currently still playing pool. (LOL)

JAM

LOL...I meant is he going to play in the IPT?

 

[jay helfert]

One thing that distinguishes "King Earl" from the rest is his ability to play all games. I am going to go out on a limb here and say that I believe Earl Strickland will shine in the 8-ball arena on that slow nap cloth. He's got the stroke, has the ability, and will be a formidable opponent.

Matter of fact, the new IPT tour will be provide opportunities to players like Earl to strive for perfection because there's a lot of money on the line. One great win could change these players' lives for the better, and every single one of them will be giving it their all.

For the first time in the history of pool, one won't have to come in third or fourth place to break even on expenses. The IPT is a golden opportunity to pool players who have devoted their life to the game. I think including the Hall of Famers in the IPT tournament in Orlando coming up in the November-December time frame was very fitting.

With five U.S. Open wins and six world championship titles, Earl is going to be a tough opponent. Coming in fourth place at the U.S. Open this year in that field was a very strong accomplishment. As they say in the Field of Dreams, build it and they will come. EVERYBODY is focused on the IPT, and it is truly history in the making. Long live the IPT, and I can't wait to see how this baby unfolds!

JAM

I see the same opportunities that you do. Great for the young players, and a little late for the senior set. But as they say, better late than never. I just hope that these guys appreciate this opportunity and don't do anything stupid to blow it. It wouldn't be the first time that pool players were their own worst enemies. Other opportunities have come and gone because of poor decision making by the players and their designated "leadership".
Earl definitely has a chance at any game and on any equipment. He has an amazing capacity to adjust to the conditions whatever they are. As long as he can keep his emotions in check, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

 

[jay helfert]

9ball has to go, all this silly obsession with breaking and racking, break cues, Sardo racks, whatever. That's not pool.

I think 8ball is better.

For that one reason more than any other, I totally agree with you.
The racking wars that have gone on for years are a joke.

 

[predator]

I practice in a room with high humidity of over 60%, so our tables are very slow despite using Simonis. I play competitive matches in a pool room with super quick tables and quick pinball like rails. It really is like night and day difference.

It is easier for me to play on a slower table. You can let your stroke out more, there's more margin for error. Yes, moving the cueball is easier on fast tables, but speed control becomes more difficult if you're not an expert on slow soft strokes.

Can't believe any player would have trouble with slower cloths. Maybe some ladies will have trouble pulling long draws, but those type of shots really don't(shouldn't) come up in 8ball very often.

 

[buddha162]

Can't believe any player would have trouble with slower cloths. Maybe some ladies will have trouble pulling long draws, but those type of shots really don't(shouldn't) come up in 8ball very often.

Amen!

Nap cloth presents absolutely no problem to any decent player, let alone a pro. I always found it more impressive that pros could stop the cueball on a dime playing on super fast cloth.

-Roger

 

[Rickw]

I actually think the slow cloth is easier to draw on because it has bite, i.e., when you put spin on the cb, the cloth will grab it. With Simonis, you get a lot of slide and the cloth doesn't alway grab the cb. JMHO.

 

[jjinfla]

last Sunday I asked Earl how he thinks he will do in 8-ball and he said he thinks he will play better in 8-ball.

As far as the slow cloth slowing the pros down. I imagine it will, for about 10 minutes. And then it will be like they played on it forever.

 

[bruin70]

last Sunday I asked Earl how he thinks he will do in 8-ball and he said he thinks he will play better in 8-ball.

As far as the slow cloth slowing the pros down. I imagine it will, for about 10 minutes. And then it will be like they played on it forever.

i don't know what the big deal is with the slow cloth. is everyone thinking you need a bigger stroke to move around the cb???

all the shots are going to be closer together and it will be more like a spread out 14.1 rack !!!!!

 

[Craig Fales]

9ball has to go, all this silly obsession with breaking and racking, break cues, Sardo racks, whatever. That's not pool.

I think 8ball is better.

What's NOT pool about 9-ball....LOLz

breaking and racking!?!? What other crazy pool games do that? that Sardo rack only racks nine balls!?!? I didn't know that....and those silly break cues...can't use them on 8-ball...
________

 

[supergreenman]

Only the people in the US really understand the game of 8 ball. They play 9 ball everywhere else you go. You will see more racks run in 8 ball then you have ever seen in 9 ball with the pros.

Steve

I beg your pardon? What a provincial attitude. We play extremely good 8ball up here in Canada, I've played 8ball in pubs in England and Europe.(although with slightly different equipment and rules) To say that Americans have the monopoly on 8 ball is a pile of crap.