Emily Frazer/ 9 ball Fix
- Thread starter Island Drive
- Start date
Currently the version some people hate most people love.
The answer is promote a tournament and get it paid for and do it the way you want it if you want it changed.
Then you'll find out how cheap pool players are.
If I had to choose one game for the rest of my life it would be 9B. It can be as fast as you want it or as slow as you want it - i.e. get out of line and you can go for it and either run out or sell out or, duck and run for cover - which can lead to a strategic game. I don't like limiting players by forcing a push out after the break, I don't like uncontrollable/unpredictable rules like 3 balls must pass the head string. I don't like alternate breaks because it prevents a player from getting in stroke. I like seeing guys get in stroke and letting it out but, I don't like seeing someone run the set which, admittedly, rarely happens. I like the 3 foul rule. Jump cues are a give or take thing, I own two jump cues and occasionally have fun with them but would rather kick than jump but - the public would understand the technicalities/intricacies of a jump more than a kick - they do dumb down safeties but it also puts more pressure on the safety itself, akin to competition breeds excellence - i.e. you better get that CB locked up or you'll sell out. Jump cues are also easily explained/demonstrated to the general public.
Funny, I had more to say but the more I typed I realized, much like you, there's really nothing wrong with 9B but, the one common denominator I see in the conversations with 9B is the rack and running out (Emily from Matchroom even had Jason Shaw show her the different breaks to see what the issue is) - which, admittedly again, doesn't happen that often.
But, are the breaks really the issue? I don't think so, any random APA skill level 4 or 5 can make a few balls on the break, the real issue is a pro can consistently make balls on the break and if things go his/her way they can run the set - and how do you stop that? Simple, you don't let them run the set. Alternate breaks does prevent that but, it also prevents the show of someone putting a 4 or 5 pack on someone - which is fun to watch and shouldn't be eliminated - think centuries or 147's in snooker - they're rare so they're fun to watch.
I believe CSI has the race to 4, race to 4, spot shot if tied - what a joke. I understand there's skill in the spot shot but if it continues then every pro will be so proficient at the spot shot it would be boring to watch. Imagine two pros who can make 20 spot shots in a row, boring.
I like my idea of, in a race to 9, winner of lag gets the fist four breaks, opponent gets the next four breaks, and if it goes hill-hill then winner of lag gets the last break. I created a thread about that a long time ago but it got no traction (group think) but, I seriously think it could solve every issue people have with 9b.
Chili, I've always professed about sets, like Tennis, you serve, then it's my serve.
For the US Open....
Make it single elimination, best 4 out of 7 sets, races to 4 alternate breaker each set.
If when they tie at 3-3 sets apiece, tiebreaker win by 2 alternate break, not a Spot Shot Dealio'
What's good for ALL player$$$$ is, either your in or your out.
This format will give each player, a great chance.
If you don't Win....your out (French Open Tennis) no more hotel rooms to pay and you can save on the nut.
For the US Open....
Make it single elimination, best 4 out of 7 sets, races to 4 alternate breaker each set.
If when they tie at 3-3 sets apiece, tiebreaker win by 2 alternate break, not a Spot Shot Dealio'
What's good for ALL player$$$$ is, either your in or your out.
This format will give each player, a great chance.
If you don't Win....your out (French Open Tennis) no more hotel rooms to pay and you can save on the nut.
Add one more for me: break from the box. Even with 9b on the spot a side-rail break always pockets a ball.
Longer races are enjoyed by serious pool players, for the most part. But it's a snooze fest for the average viewer. Average viewer numbers are needed to get the money rolling in. Serious pool players are in low numbers, so the money wont come from that demographic. It's been tried over and over and has not worked. Matchroom, I believe, is stepping in the right direction.
When played by good players a race-to-15 doesn't much longer than a race-to-nine. IMO pros should play no less than races to 11.
You'll get done next year sometime.
Chili, I've always professed about sets, like Tennis, you serve, then it's my serve.
For the US Open....
Make it single elimination, best 4 out of 7 sets, races to 4 alternate breaker each set.
If when they tie at 3-3 sets apiece, tiebreaker win by 2 alternate break, not a Spot Shot Dealio'
What's good for ALL player$$$$ is, either your in or your out.
This format will give each player, a great chance.
If you don't Win....your out (French Open Tennis) no more hotel rooms to pay and you can save on the nut.
What would you say the average time it takes to play a game? Not the fastest time, an average.
Check YouTube to back this up but men are a lot faster than women. Men are 5.5 minutes to 7 max most games.
Women can go a lot longer than that. Down to a certain level on the fargorate list they can be excruciating to watch and
those go anywhere from 7 to 13 minutes without a shot clock.
Race to 9 is good with a shot clock and men playing that would get done in around 2 hours. Its on the edge of things time wise if it goes hill/hill.
Let's say 6.5 min average. Posible 3 to 3 1/4 hours per match if it goes hill/hill (29 games).... plus commercial breaks. Longer if 4 inch pockets are used. More safety play.
Viewers (and therefore advertisers) won't, and don't sit still and watch for that long. There cant be enough money made just on pool nuts. Like it or not, show business is the way to bring in the viewers and the money.
Viewers (and therefore advertisers) won't, and don't sit still and watch for that long. There cant be enough money made just on pool nuts. Like it or not, show business is the way to bring in the viewers and the money.
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L.S. Dennis
Well-known member
I like the idea of ‘push out’ nine ball, and also the elimination of the jump shot and cue in this situation. CJ talked about this in one of his videos.
Matchroom is not going to do it. So someone with deep pockets has to make this format happen. Put the show on and see what happens. Competition against Matchroom would be a good thing.
I would like to see a tournament run on the old rules on the old cloth with no jumpers just for entertainment sake.
While i agree, this will never happen. The numbers just don’t work for pool
Best
Fatboy
Nice write up, enjoyed your perspectives & understanding.
I look at this game, like I look at 18 different holes at Augusta/Masters.
In 9 ball after the break, up appears.....sand traps....obstacles...and each Rack has 6 water holes.
One's always working their way around stuff, it's not normal being in the fairway ''all the time''.
That is an understatement. Someone would have to work the market in order to make the numbers work.
So far no one is interested.
Sand traps and water hazards on a pool table? Hmmmm...
