Help me like 9 Ball

3andstop

3andstop

Focus
Silver Member
Ok, this isn't a rhetorical question, I'm serious. I get to play infrequently these days. I play maybe 3 times a month with an old friend who is a very good player.

Anyway, we go through this ritual each time we get together. A set of 8 ball to warm up, I can live with that. Then a set or two of 9 ball. The game I really can't get my head into. I can't take seriously and I can't devote any concentration to it.

Then we play our straight pool games, and end the day long outing with some one pocket.

The thing is, I'd like to like 9 ball, but I can't. Anyone out there share this strange aversion to 9 ball.

Is there a shrink in the house .... LOL. Why can't I like this damned game? :)
 
3andstop said:
Ok, this isn't a rhetorical question, I'm serious. I get to play infrequently these days. I play maybe 3 times a month with an old friend who is a very good player.

Anyway, we go through this ritual each time we get together. A set of 8 ball to warm up, I can live with that. Then a set or two of 9 ball. The game I really can't get my head into. I can't take seriously and I can't devote any concentration to it.

Then we play our straight pool games, and end the day long outing with some one pocket.

The thing is, I'd like to like 9 ball, but I can't. Anyone out there share this strange aversion to 9 ball.

Is there a shrink in the house .... LOL. Why can't I like this damned game? :)
Click to expand...

I hear ya on this,,,,,,8 ball and 9 ball bore me, I just can't seem to get into them.

One pocket and snooker are what I play mostly anymore, straight pool as well but not many will play anymore.
 
There are exactly two things I really like about nine ball:

1) the two-way shot, a shot having both a defensive and offensive element to it, the shot rquiring more planning and imagination thn any other shot.

2) the fact that superior billiard knowledge is frequently required in offense, defense, and in kicking.

Unfortunately, there are those who are trying to write the two-way shot out of the game by allowing an incoming player to decline the position if they please after a two-way shot. Once the two-way shot is eliminated in nine ball, straight pool and one-pocket are far more interesting and far more worthy of your attention.

In short, it's not critical that you learn to love nine ball, a game evolving into something having fewer dimensions.
 
a serious answer

3andstop said:
Ok, this isn't a rhetorical question, I'm serious. I get to play infrequently these days. I play maybe 3 times a month with an old friend who is a very good player.

Anyway, we go through this ritual each time we get together. A set of 8 ball to warm up, I can live with that. Then a set or two of 9 ball. The game I really can't get my head into. I can't take seriously and I can't devote any concentration to it.

Then we play our straight pool games, and end the day long outing with some one pocket.

The thing is, I'd like to like 9 ball, but I can't. Anyone out there share this strange aversion to 9 ball.

Is there a shrink in the house .... LOL. Why can't I like this damned game? :)
Click to expand...


I'll provide a serious answer. Play nine ball when you are playing nine ball. Stop comparing it to the things you like better and just accept the game as it is. I had a similar situation at work. A CAD program that I knew inside out and was three times as efficient as the other one we used. Problem was this was before decent file conversion software and we had to keep up a lot of drawings using the software I hated. Everything that I could do in one step with the other software seemed to take three steps with the one I had to use much of the time. I stayed frustrated and annoyed and battled mightily.

When I finally after a few months of complaining accepted the klutzier software as it was what it was and it was what I had to use sometimes life got much better. It never was wonderful but it wasn't quite as bad as I thought it was either.

My favorite game is still eight ball followed by snooker then one pocket, ten ball, and yeah nine is at the bottom of my list too but I still play nine ball tournaments sometimes.

Hu
 
In Straight Pool and 8ball it's all in the patterns...

1pocket is strategy, defense and 2way shots...

The beauty in 9ball will always be found in watching the cue ball...
Sure you can play flat shape and play great 9ball but the shots every talks about are when you have to come with something... 3-4 Rail position into small areas.. Full table draws or force follows out of the corners...

IF you want to enjoy 9ball learn to let your stroke out some and let whitey off the leash a little bit... Watching 9ball or 10ball played on the razors edge is like watching a force of nature... The power and beauty is there...
 
More to SJM's point, I think 9ball appreciation is subtle. That word should not be confused with refined. It's a blunt game of offensive prowess where two players basically free-stroke their way through the rack. The only time any thinking is really involved in 9ball are the rare instances when the shooter is presented with a dubious situation. Those situations ARE there but your game has to be pretty well-oiled in order to appreciate those situations. Otherwise, you'll often be left saying, "Well, I meant to do x but y happened" which is typical in 9ball since a fair amount of the time, the object ball is on the other side of the table.

Now, when we look at the other games like 14.1, 8ball and 1hole, we're looking at games that require the shooter to constantly make decisions with nearby balls. Play safe or shoot? Shoot the 14-ball or the 1-ball? Solids or stripes? These are decisions that supercede ability, that supercede how you're feeling that day. There is a correct approach to playing these games and an incorrect approach.

In 9ball, you can get away with so much if you're shooting well. To a person who enjoys the chess-like aspects of pool, 9ball is never going to be interesting. With that said, I have a lot of fun playing 9ball but only when I'm playing a lot. Also to add, the other games still require the shooter to be in gear. The point I was making, more than anything, is that the gear doesn't need to quite be as high if you're making good decisions.
 
sjm said:
There are exactly two things I really like about nine ball:

1) the two-way shot, a shot having both a defensive and offensive element to it, the shot rquiring more planning and imagination thn any other shot.

2) the fact that superior billiard knowledge is frequently required in offense, defense, and in kicking.

Unfortunately, there are those who are trying to write the two-way shot out of the game by allowing an incoming player to decline the position if they please after a two-way shot. Once the two-way shot is eliminated in nine ball, straight pool and one-pocket are far more interesting and far more worthy of your attention.

In short, it's not critical that you learn to love nine ball, a game evolving into something having fewer dimensions.
Click to expand...

I needed to see this post...sometimes I feel alone in my opinion of
call-shot rotation.
Call-shot with an option is like forcing an artist to paint-by-numbers.
Seeing 2 and 3 way shots is why I play these games....and why Reyes
could dominate, in his prime.
 
It depends on where you are at in pool.
14:1 players typically like one pocket, can tolerate 8-ball, and despise 9-ball.
Bar league players play 8-ball & 9-ball all the time , so they must enjoy it.
Money games are 9-ball, one pocket, and Golf.

I can't imagine anyone disliking 9-ball.
Did you know that all pool games at some point were derived from bar box 9-ball?
 
How about you change your routine and play 9 ball first. Better yet make it 10 ball. Use it to get the feel of the table and control of the CB.

My favorite game is BIH 8 ball on barbox - I like the challenge of all the traffic and having to keep control of the CB to work the pattern that I have selected to go with. I like that I get to think and pick the pattern that works for me instead of the table telling me what to do.

Recently started playing 1P and really enjoy that also.
 
cuesblues said:
It depends on where you are at in pool.
14:1 players typically like one pocket, can tolerate 8-ball, and despise 9-ball.
Bar league players play 8-ball & 9-ball all the time , so they must enjoy it.
Money games are 9-ball, one pocket, and Golf.

I can't imagine anyone disliking 9-ball.
Did you know that all pool games at some point were derived from bar box 9-ball?
Click to expand...

really? I thought like 10 foot pool tables were around well before barboxes,,,,,,,,,,,
 
usually people that can't stand 9 ball are people that can't run out. they figure it's all luck because they run out to the 7 then miss and the other guy wins. they figure he got lucky. the truth is the guy that cna't get out just can't get out
 
3andstop said:
Ok, this isn't a rhetorical question, I'm serious. I get to play infrequently these days. I play maybe 3 times a month with an old friend who is a very good player.

Anyway, we go through this ritual each time we get together. A set of 8 ball to warm up, I can live with that. Then a set or two of 9 ball. The game I really can't get my head into. I can't take seriously and I can't devote any concentration to it.

Then we play our straight pool games, and end the day long outing with some one pocket.

The thing is, I'd like to like 9 ball, but I can't. Anyone out there share this strange aversion to 9 ball.

Is there a shrink in the house .... LOL. Why can't I like this damned game? :)
Click to expand...


I am with you on that.I see 9-ball as a practice game, painful and mind-numbing but necessary.
A friend of mine who I practice frequently with will play nothing but 9-ball and goes nuts if I even mention one pocket LOL.
 
The Renfro said:
In Straight Pool and 8ball it's all in the patterns...

1pocket is strategy, defense and 2way shots...

The beauty in 9ball will always be found in watching the cue ball...
Sure you can play flat shape and play great 9ball but the shots every talks about are when you have to come with something... 3-4 Rail position into small areas.. Full table draws or force follows out of the corners...

IF you want to enjoy 9ball learn to let your stroke out some and let whitey off the leash a little bit... Watching 9ball or 10ball played on the razors edge is like watching a force of nature... The power and beauty is there...
Click to expand...


Excellent post. I think you capture very well some of what makes 9 ball exciting.

I see it like this: 9 ball is pure pool. By this I mean it is all about ball pocketing and cueball control...very little strategy. It must be the simplest of the major games. For this reason, it puts a premium on the very basic things we learn when we learn to play...make the ball, get shape. I like driving whitey around the table. I like firing in a tough cut and getting long distance shape. This is very exciting for me.

So I'm wondering, what is it about 9 ball that you don't like? I can certainly say that a strong stroke makes 9 ball a LOT more fun.

KMRUNOUT
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
More to SJM's point, I think 9ball appreciation is subtle. That word should not be confused with refined. It's a blunt game of offensive prowess where two players basically free-stroke their way through the rack. The only time any thinking is really involved in 9ball are the rare instances when the shooter is presented with a dubious situation. Those situations ARE there but your game has to be pretty well-oiled in order to appreciate those situations. Otherwise, you'll often be left saying, "Well, I meant to do x but y happened" which is typical in 9ball since a fair amount of the time, the object ball is on the other side of the table.

Now, when we look at the other games like 14.1, 8ball and 1hole, we're looking at games that require the shooter to constantly make decisions with nearby balls. Play safe or shoot? Shoot the 14-ball or the 1-ball? Solids or stripes? These are decisions that supercede ability, that supercede how you're feeling that day. There is a correct approach to playing these games and an incorrect approach.

In 9ball, you can get away with so much if you're shooting well. To a person who enjoys the chess-like aspects of pool, 9ball is never going to be interesting. With that said, I have a lot of fun playing 9ball but only when I'm playing a lot. Also to add, the other games still require the shooter to be in gear. The point I was making, more than anything, is that the gear doesn't need to quite be as high if you're making good decisions.
Click to expand...

EXCELLENT POST. Agree 100%. I play APA 8 ball and 9 ball, as a 7 and 9 respectively. I can pretty much win 8 ball 1/2 asleep, because most league players just don't know how to play 8 ball. Their strategic and decision making capabilities are stuck at the novice level, even the ones whose technique might approach solid B player level (there are not many of those!). However, in 9 ball, I am giving up lots of weight, and there is very little strategy to make up for being out of stroke. Of course I can play decent safes and control my game, but if I'm less than sharp, I can easily lose.

KMRUNOUT
 
KMRUNOUT said:
So I'm wondering, what is it about 9 ball that you don't like? I can certainly say that a strong stroke makes 9 ball a LOT more fun.

KMRUNOUT
Click to expand...

I've thought about that question many times in my effort to enjoy the game. To some degree, I can't put my finger on it. This may be as close as I can come to explaining it, even to myself.

My game is a "night and day" kind of thing. I can't relate to how others find their stroke, but for me, I need to find that far away place of "dead stroke" to enjoy pool. In fact, I need to find that place to care enough to play better than a beginner!

I need to be immersed in that world that is somehow able to shut out the entire outside world around it in order to truly enjoy pool.

I find little gratification in pocketing any one difficult shot and making position on the next. Rather, I need to find that zone that so deeply encompasses me, that the rest of the world around me can be exploding and I don't have a clue it's happening.

9 ball doesn't allow enough contiguous time at the table for me to fall into that zone. As I said, I can't speak for how others find their true speed. Maybe it comes faster for others, maybe others don't need that feeling I'm speaking of to enjoy pool. I don't know, I only know that 9 ball doesn't do it for me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no world beater. I only play, as I said about 3 times a month or so. I can and expect to run 30s and 40s regularly and love the 50s and 60s when they come. Then I'm in that great place that makes pool enjoyable for me.

9 ball .... I can't get into it. Banging balls around, paint by number layouts ... I don't know, but honestly, I'd like to like it. I just can't make myself focus or care enough about it to concentrate.

It's crazy, I know ... but if I had to explain why I don't like the game, that's about as close as I can come to explaining. Getting up, sitting down, back and forth, there just isn't time enough for me to find dead stroke and that feeling that makes pool worth playing.

I have a GC at home. If I have an opportunity to play someone that may come over to visit and they are not really players, I get no enjoyment out of going down to the basement to play. I actually find it boring. Dunno, can't explain it. :shrug:
 
9ball seems to simple to some

9 ball can seem very simple to most players because they don't have a choice as to what ball to shoot next but the fact is very and i mean very few players know how to play rotation pool correctly. Its all about your patterns and not just getting an angle but getting the proper amount of angle on the proper side of the ball. There is a reason Efren can come to your pool table and hit a rack of balls and have better speed control than you. He hits the balls consistently the same speed on most shots and adjust his angles so the shots lay for getting from one ball to the next. The banger who thinks 9 ball is to simple gets an angle and tries to adjust how hard he is going to hit the ball to get shape. This player runs some balls, strings a few racks from time to time but never is running 4,5,6s cause they are playing terrible patterns and getting away with it by playing other bad players thus their style of play is validated by winning some games playing wrong. There is a big jump in the talent it takes to beat the 9 ball ghost on a 9 ft table and i mean beating the ghost bad all day. That type of player is moving the cueball while making sometimes difficult shots quite a distance with great accuracy knowing how to avoid the hazards on the table and landing with the perfect angle over and over again and its about knowledge of pattern play. There is just a whole other level that most people can't recognize. Bar tables also promote bad pattern play and cue ball control that can be overcome by just making shots on a small table that are not often very long. Get the same player on a big table and they can't run a rack consistently at all. Just avoid the side pockets on a bar box unless the ball begs to be shot in it and you will run more balls on a bar box but it doesn't work on a big table as well.

Just look at the Pinoys, a complete rotation player can rob u at any pool game u want to play. Guys that think they are so smart at 8 ball but can't run balls in rotation might play pretty decent 8 ball but an A level 9 ball or rotation game player that never plays 8 ball, one pocket, what ever will rob you in those games in no time. Just look at Shane and Earl in one pocket, learn a couple of concepts and then they shoot ur nuts off.
 
Besides the above listed, another interesting aspect of 9 ball (10 ball) is that it requires a lot of heart, not that other games don't, but 9 ball is the only game where you might be forced to come up with multiple difficult shots in succession and if you miss just one of them, your opponent might put 2, 3, 4, or even more racks on you. This tends to make pressure in 9 ball a much bigger factor than in other games.

Also, the kick safety game in 9 ball (10 ball) is much more complex than other games except perhaps rotation. Other games like one pocket have kick safes, but they are generally only at medium-soft speed, require less accuracy (on average) and don't have a whole lot of variation.
 
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Masayoshi said:
you might be forced to come up with multiple difficult shots in succession and if you miss just one of them, your opponent might put 2, 3, 4, or even more racks on you. This tends to make pressure in 9 ball a much bigger factor than in other games.
Click to expand...

I don't play straight pool, but I know I would be feeling considerable pressure if the rack was wide open, but by bad luck I only have 1 super tough shot, and I know my opponent could run 100 or more...I can't see how pressure would be greater in 9 ball...

Masayoshi said:
Also, the kick safety game in 9 ball (10 ball) is much more complex than other games except perhaps rotation. Other games like one pocket have kick safes, but they are generally only at medium-soft speed, require less accuracy (on average) and don't have a whole lot of variation.
Click to expand...

Agreed about the kicking game. Also, agree with respect to 1P that the safes may generally be hit at slower speeds, and require less accuracy (a *little*, on average), but couldn't disagree more about the level of variation. I feel most 9 ball safeties fall into just a few basic categories, even though each shot is a unique thing. But when I see some of the escape and clearance shots people come up with in 1P, it blows me away. I think the safety game in 1P is vastly more complex than 9 ball. I don't play 1P at all...this is just my impression from what I have seen.

KMRUNOUT
 
I also don't like 9ball much but I do like 10ball. I think it's because 9ball is traditionally played with all slop counting and I've been playing 10ball as call shot. I think too much luck can ruin most games.
 
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