George Fels on bonus ball

[trob]

Well this was probably posted before but I missed it. I just found it interesting one of our now gone great writers of the game (his article is read first by 99% of the bd readers lol) had the same opinion I did. It's not that its a bad game but why start a new one when we can't get people to watch what they already know.I had hoped that it succeeded for the players sake but I always said 8 ball is the game that appeals to the mass's the most. It seems to be the one most likely to be played at your local bar by people that occasionally play the game so there is a better chance they'll watch it. anyway if you haven't read it ...here it is

http://www.billiardsdigest.com/showblogentry.php?id=232

 

[TX Poolnut]

Yep. I think that's why the IPT was 8-ball as well.

 

[Johnnyt]

The IPT did a lot of things right. But they did a few things wrong. IMO the purses were way too big to sustain the tour. Johnnyt

 

[boogeyman]

...[Bonus Ball] is not that it's a bad game, but why start a new one when we can't get people to watch what they already know? I had hoped that it succeeded for the players sake, but I always said 8 ball is the game that appeals to the masses the most....

Anything Mr. Fels wrote, I read.
Although this particular article doesn't seem to reflect his good writing—a lot of nonstandard errors.
That might have to do more with his health at the time.

Anyways, I was highly disappointed that Bonus Ball faded away as it did.
I agree with trob; it wasn't a bad game, it was a good game, but a game that didn't seem to connect with the masses.

I have no problem with 8-ball. It's good for everyone.:thumbup:

 

[jalapus logan]

I've been too busy to keep up with pool of late, though I just found the time to peruse the bonus ball website. I can't find anything on there indicating the dates for the next season. Is this now officially defunct?

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

I've been too busy to keep up with pool of late, though I just found the time to peruse the bonus ball website. I can't find anything on there indicating the dates for the next season. Is this now officially defunct?

The shortened completion of last season is most likely still "in the can" awaiting a suitor. If it doesn't sell, season 2 can't be economically justified, right?

 

[bdorman]

The masses play 8-ball because it's the easiest game.

But when pros play 8-ball it's more boring than watching paint dry. Break, run. Break, run. Rinse and repeat. Whoever wins the lag, wins the match.

Bonus Ball was never going to be popular with "the masses." Too many new rules, too confusing. If you can't get anyone to watch the game they play/know (8-ball), how will you get them to watch Bonus Ball?

And forget the pipe dream of getting non-players to watch pool. They've currently got more entertainment options than they know what to do with.

 

[trob]

The masses play 8-ball because it's the easiest game.

But when pros play 8-ball it's more boring than watching paint dry. Break, run. Break, run. Rinse and repeat. Whoever wins the lag, wins the match.

Bonus Ball was never going to be popular with "the masses." Too many new rules, too confusing. If you can't get anyone to watch the game they play/know (8-ball), how will you get them to watch Bonus Ball?

And forget the pipe dream of getting non-players to watch pool. They've currently got more entertainment options than they know what to do with.

I'm really talking about non players. Casual players watching would make a world of difference. I can't argue about 8 ball. It's interesting watching bar box because at least even the pro's have to work the ball in tight spaces and deal with clusters but on a 9 footer it's terrible. It's just to open and to easy.
I think the nfl is one of the few sports that a lot of people have never played (my 130 pd ass included) but still watch it religiously and are passionate about it.