Emily Frazer/ 9 ball Fix

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.
It's a part of the game.
 
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.
But you have to think before MR had the stationary printed, it figured it would lose money for the short term. We'll see where this goes.

They're definitely going to have to be smart about spending. Nobody's been able to make anything big out of it yet.
 
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.
I agree with a lot of your position generally, but tighter pockets will serve the game. The casual public does indeed like seeing runouts but if their success rate is too high, it loses the drama. So we do want a balance of misses and safety to create that sense of anxiety and create those gasps of shock when they fail. When the table conditions have been right, we’ve seen players miss all sorts of routine shots and I think that’s good for the game so long as it’s mixed in with BnRs and a sprinkling of safety.
 
I think we should bring back Pushout, 2 fouls, ball in hand.
The world played pushout and and switched over to the game we have today, bring pushout back.

When a top player has an open table and screws up they shouldn't be allowed to punish the other player with a lock up safety, regaining ball in hand. It's like rewarding yourself for bad play.
The incoming player can now push and there is the option to shoot or pass.

If you make five balls on the break only one should count, the lowest numbered ball. The other four balls can be spotted numerically directly in line spaced out by the diamonds up the center of the table.
Mark the table with a series of dots.
Balls can't be kissing, the breaker shouldn't be punished , he should be allowed fair play.
You have to run eight balls not four, nine balls if your playing ten ball.
If it were up to me all balls would be spotted but that's for another day,

I agree, if you're weak at breaking, safety, kicking, etc. you must practice to improve, thats an automatic.
It will carry over to Pushout, along with other strategies many rotation players are unaware of.
On a pocket scratch you shoot a spot shot from the kitchen, maybe that could change to ball in hand.

I like safety battles and kicks as much as anyone. I love playing safe and kicking back.
I play a lot of three cushion so I enjoy safe and kick play, it's a strong part of my game.
If I play with friends, it's ball in hand on any miss.
I think Pushout is a better way to go for pool.
 
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.
I've liked 3 Great, simple common sense ideas from the past 60 threads.
What I'm starting to see are these that make sense.

4'' pockets with new cloth.
9 on the spot.
Template rack.

These are Simple, effective ideas to be implemented, and the 4'' pockets will.... MAKE top players think TWICE, before trying the offensive shot......Cutting a ball at a 80 degree angle, and come 5 rails around on the proper side of your next ball, Most often, it's not worth the risk.

BUT if....THE CUE BALL IS NEARLY ON TOP OF THE ball to be cut, then Earl will Love it!
 
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Why not? Serious question.

EDIT: I'm not advocating for it (never really thought about it actually) but, given that's what I learned to play on I love walking into old shitty bars with shitty felt, it feels like home and I usually play very well on those tables.
Yeah! Nowadays, most of the well maintained tables will have worsted so most of our experiences with felt will not be on the best table. With slower cloth, moving the ball around the table takes a little heat and the extra force required can degrade your stroke.
 
"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.
Yes, 9 ball is fine.
 
Jesus
That might be awesome

Nope, it's not. I played in a "no-safe" league and all you get is people banging balls to see what happens or people "missing" at just the right time. It opens up the game to many variables - give it a name and allow safes.
 
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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.

I like the backstories, it adds depth to the experience.
 
I still like my idea that, in a race to 9 i.e., the winner of the lag gets the break on the first 4 racks, opponent gets the next four racks, and lag winner gets the break on hill-hill. This allows for people to put some packages together for the crowd, prevents the boring experience of watching run after run, and is easily followed.

If you do that - nothing else matters. Wing ball goes every time, who cares, someone can run 10 racks, who cares. This allows each player their opportunity but if it goes hill-hill then the winner of the lag has the benefit.
 
I still like my idea that, in a race to 9 i.e., the winner of the lag gets the break on the first 4 racks, opponent gets the next four racks, and lag winner gets the break on hill-hill. This allows for people to put some packages together for the crowd, prevents the boring experience of watching run after run, and is easily followed.

If you do that - nothing else matters. Wing ball goes every time, who cares, someone can run 10 racks, who cares. This allows each player their opportunity but if it goes hill-hill then the winner of the lag has the benefit.
That's an interesting concept. One match I watched, the announcers said they'd like to see mandatory push after the break at hill-hill. I've also heard it suggested that the trailing player gets to break when the leader gets on the hill.
 
That's an interesting concept. One match I watched, the announcers said they'd like to see mandatory push after the break at hill-hill. I've also heard it suggested that the trailing player gets to break when the leader gets on the hill.

I don't like the mandatory push out, it eliminates runs. As much as I don't like watching people run the set, or even run more than 5 or 6 racks, I do like watching guys put a few racks together. I really like watching guys work through trouble racks with precision, but it gets boring after a while. Let them run a few, give the other guy the chance and go from there.
 
This garbage is getting OLD. Do you guys really want to go back to the old days? Poor payouts. Late Payouts, Pros on Bar Boxes and other silly drama? We have been waiting for a Sugar-Daddy to take us to the promised land. Well we got a Sugar-Mama. She has a funny sense of style (cloth and ball colors/colours) but she does bring the sugar. The rest will work it's self out over time. Trust me it will. This is like Betamax vs. VHS. It's not about which format is better.

Do I love 9-Ball. Not really I would prefer 10 Ball (Actually One Pocket).
Do I love the "Shark Grey Cloth". Not really but I'm over it.
Do I love the Purple 5. Nope. Over it.
Do I like jump cues. Nope. Sells equipment. Good for sport. Over it.

Me I'm waiting for the US Open. Complete with No Bag Pipes. No Children Singing and No 48min soul sucking/arm freezing speeches and everyone goes home with a check.

According to Wikipedia Kevin Trudeau just got released from prison. Maybe he'll strike up the IPT band and revive 8-Ball.

Sit back and enjoy the ride.​

 
How can/will MR get this nine ball game, right?
The below ideas have not worked, or other ideas, pros figure it out/adjust.

Cue ball break box.
9 ball location on the rack?
Breaking format?
Template?


Emily is thinking about this allot, her concern is to do something but not change the American game.

I sent her a FB message last week, from a players perspective and what I think is best for 9 ball and its rotation excitement.

Prior changes....all have proven to be ineffective.

Dave Isaacs, the Diamond table mechanic, set up my table specs....exactly the same as the US Open.
My pockets, 4.5'' with worn in cloth, not worn out, are waaaaaaaay more difficult than that 4.25'' pockets with new, slippery cloth in the pro events.

If I catch any part of the rail with some speed, the ball Never goes in, either hangs up, but most often dbls the pocket and lands left or right of the hole.

Here's the simplest and best way to keep the game as it's always been, and at the same time make it work, and STILL keep the 1 ball on the spot.

4'' Pockets for pro play.

The below picture is my table, with slightly worn cloth, it plays MUCH tougher than 4 1/4'' pockets on NEW CLOTH.
NO COMPARISON.....NONE


View attachment 643439
Hey look a purple 4 ball☺️☺️😊

I’m gonna sleep well tonight
 
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