Emily Frazer/ 9 ball Fix
- Thread starter Island Drive
- Start date
did you watch the recent UK open, world championship, etc? even the snooker players made several balls on the breaks. shane played 5-ball instead of 9-ball. filler BNR'd like it was a stock GC with buckets. i'm not saying don't let these guys shine, just that it shouldn't be so easy for them to do it. the break is the biggest problem.
MR doesn't want to complicate the game with break box or three point rule, so that won't happen, no chance. tighter pockets and 9-ball on the spot is the only feasible option imo.
No. People like seeing runouts. People like seeing 4-5 balls made on the break. One pocket and bank pool have more interactions than any other discipline. Only us die hards watch them. Interactions does not equal better viewing.
The triangle rack should be thrown out the window because it causes so many arguments. Even in controlled conditions like the last few Mathroom events, the 9 ball was flying to the corner. They even had to stop using one of the TV tables a month ago due to this reason. The template rack is fine that the ball is wired. The balls are supposed to be all frozen. The template rack accomplishes that, and eliminates the racking fights, and dead 9 ball. Look at Zuglans tour vs a tour with a template for proof of that.
The bird break vs the hard break is player preference. Shane and Archer both beat the snot out of Corey and Mills breaking hard, while Corey and his protege fiddled with their soft break. There is no reason to outlaw any break speed. The player will have a variety, and that is nice to watch.
I watched all of them, for the past 20 years. 9 ball is fine. The promoters are trying to fix a problem that does not exist. And the player are all crying, no matter what the rule set is, so you can't satisfy them no matter what. For the casual pool fan, none of that matters. What does matter, is watching the ass crack of a player trying to rack the balls tight for 5 minutes using a triangle rack, then watching the player nearly come to blows when the 9 flies toward the corner. I've personally seen this many times.
MajorMiscue
Democat
"9 ball is fine"????? It's the game that doesn't give any credit for making balls other than the 9 ball. Where flukes count. Where runouts are the boring norm. Where tough shots are not attempted, you might give ball in hand. Now let's change the orange and purple balls colors for no friggin reason then stand staunchly by the bad decision. I won't be supporting Match Room in any way.
Pin
Registered
First, it depends what they want. If they want more back-and-forth in each rack (instead of run-outs), two ideas come to mind:
- Shim (not actually narrow) the pockets - it would give something for commentators to talk about too. I don't really know much about shimming pockets TBH, as it's not such a big thing in the UK, but I'm led to believe it's effective.
- Slug racks for everyone: someone neutral racks and, say, spins the 9-ball in the rack so everyone gets a bad rack.
Another big decision is what they want the viewer experience to be. I think snooker does a better job of telling a story, both within each frame and frame to frame in the context of a match. If you can build a story you help people care about the outcome, and feel some tension about which way it will go.
- Shim (not actually narrow) the pockets - it would give something for commentators to talk about too. I don't really know much about shimming pockets TBH, as it's not such a big thing in the UK, but I'm led to believe it's effective.
- Slug racks for everyone: someone neutral racks and, say, spins the 9-ball in the rack so everyone gets a bad rack.
Another big decision is what they want the viewer experience to be. I think snooker does a better job of telling a story, both within each frame and frame to frame in the context of a match. If you can build a story you help people care about the outcome, and feel some tension about which way it will go.
Viewership won’t increase by changing the rules of 9 ball. Or making the pockets tighter. Or changing the colors.
Matchroom is increasing viewership by improving the production value, and the backstories on the players, the human interest story.
The game itself is secondary, and minute rule details don’t affect viewership.
MajorMiscue
Democat
That may be their intent. It sure won't get my viewership or any shooters I know.
Mandatory push out after any break for every break where a ball is made on the break would accomplish that. It would seemingly help with a number of other issues with the game as well but I would have to see it played that way for a bit in order to know for sure how much I would like it or not.
I also still sometimes wonder if two shot push out wouldn't be an improvement.
Play APA lol
The idea might gain traction if MR sees the WOW factor because most pushes setting up jumps
Explaining a push is the downside.
L.S. Dennis
Well-known member
4 inch pockets, a must, beyond that anything to make the game a little harder (for pro tournaments anyway) is fine.
Possible things to consider, do away with the side rail break and the template rack (there’s way too many break and run outs
Possible things to consider, do away with the side rail break and the template rack (there’s way too many break and run outs
I tend to agree with you, nothing is more boring than to see player break and out consistently. The average people likes to see player MISS on occasion not make balls consistently and run out all the time. Here’s a novel idea, how abouts 3.75” corner pockets? I’d like to see Jump cues and the jump shot done away with as well.
MajorMiscue
Democat
No APA in Costa Rica but I was watching the championship on the interwebs yesterday. What cloth are they using?It looked like they were playing through a half inch of oatmeal. And I don't know if I agree with a lower SL player needing to win fewer games to win the match. Do they get participation awards as well?
You forgot to add something about those evil evil jump cues. Edit that in and this could make the Bitch and Whine post of the year.
Have you forgotten what the topic is here?
Pool.
Ban the top pros. That's what we do.
800+ Fargo, 9b with a template? Too easy a game for those beasts.
Its not our fault they got so good.
Pool.
Ban the top pros. That's what we do.
800+ Fargo, 9b with a template? Too easy a game for those beasts.
Its not our fault they got so good.
Pool is in the best shape it has been in for decades, if not ever. Where pool players can actually make money and the fans have some great events to watch with proper coverage, excellent commentators and professional standards.
Much of this is down to Matchroom’s involvement, but yet people want to criticize and drag them down? I really don’t get what the problem is.
I for one think that although they make the odd wrong turn, Matchroom are doing a phenomenal job of growing the sport.
Much of this is down to Matchroom’s involvement, but yet people want to criticize and drag them down? I really don’t get what the problem is.
I for one think that although they make the odd wrong turn, Matchroom are doing a phenomenal job of growing the sport.
BullSh.t. Safety play is a very special shot in pool. One must control two balls. Work on it!!!
MajorMiscue
Democat
Come on, man. You have to control two balls every shot, the ob to the pocket and the cb to position for the next shot. I didn't say I have trouble playing safe. I said 9b is boring and a safety followed by a jump shot is also boring. Make a player play better position so he isn't always running for safe or eliminate jump cues. As is, players are afraid to take a chance for fear of giving BIH.
I understand why Earl complains the other team never had a tough shot. If it wasn't easy, they played safe.