How do you learn to like it?

3andstop

3andstop

Focus
Silver Member
or is it simply a lack of exposure to the other games?

Not a rhetorical question at all here ... Is there anyone in the same boat as me?

I have been playing and loving pool for 50 years. I love straight pool and 1 Pocket, I can endure a session of 8 ball, I love and can play extended sessions of 4 handed, what we call 1&3 or 1&5 moneyball (a form of Chicago), but I hate with a passion the thought of having to play 9 ball or 10 ball.

For me, personally, they are boring and redundant games. Problem is that's all anyone seems to play. I'd really like to learn to like the game but try as I might, I just can't stand em.

To put it in perspective, I might cancel a vacation to stay home and watch a days worth of 14.1 on TV if that ever happened, but if I'm sitting home on a rainy day with nothing to do but scratch my butt and 9 ball came on TV, I'd be flipping the channels looking for Spongebob or something. :(

Go figure, I love pool but can't make myself enjoy those games. Having a beautiful pool table and set of balls at your disposal and playing 9 ball to me is like having a beautiful carved chess set and setting up the pieces to play checkers with them. I dunno....
 
The kicking aspect in 9 ball is really fun to learn and is not really present in other pocket games. lately, it has made 9 ball more fun for me than other games because I have been learning so much lately. Knowing that I can not only hit my kicks, but play safe off of them with reliability as well makes the game so much more fun because I get to think of shots that aren't so...checkers.
 
I'm sure everyone has their favorite game, I agree with you, I prefer 14.1 to 9 ball. One pocket is good for a change but since we don't play for anything it can get a little boring. During the four month I spend in AZ we primarily play a version of 8 ball that is in my opinion horrible. I still play it since it is to some extent the only game in town and no matter what it's better than not playing at all.
 
I never liked it a lot but it's grown on me. The way I coax myself into liking it is to think of it as a personal runout challenge. You can have this challenge either with or without an opponent (ghost 9b is enjoyable).

You can't get that runout feeling in 14.1 unless you're thorsten or something and can actually run 150. The one pocket 8-and-outs are a great challenge, they're very tough but they never seem to happen in just one inning... only after the other guy has had a chance and spread the balls and sold 'em out to you.

So basically the thrill is in breaking and running out. The only other popular game where a typical C or B player can enjoy that is 8b, and I'll admit I enjoy that game more. But sometimes it feels too easy. I always feel a sense of pride on a 9b runout. And it's good for some of those skills that a lot of people are uncomfortable with... kicking, long shots, length of the table position, jumps, and so on. The pool equivalent of eating your vegetables.
 
Several years ago I became interested in One Pocket, learned the game, and now will absolutely refuse to play anything else. Que sera, sera.
Luckily for me there are several other One Pocket afficionados here with whom I can match up. :)
 
The guy that taught me how to play was really into one pocket, so that is what I was "raised on". We played mostly that and nine ball. I really disliked eight ball, it was just never as fun to me.

Since playing more, I really have come to enjoy mostly every game. I joined a bar table eight ball league and started to enjoy the game.

The way I look at pool is every game has its advantages and disadvantages. No matter what you are playing, every time you pocket a ball your stroke is getting better and you are fine tuning your aim and game. From playing one pocket, my safety ability in nine ball is far greater than it would be if I played nine ball alone.

Rotation games help me to develop using english and position that I would not normally use. If I was playing 14.1 and got out of line, many times I just choose a new pattern. In rotation games, if I get out of line, I either play safe or learn a new route to make the ball and get on the next ball. There is something to be said for being comfortable with shooting out of position shots.
 
I have not been playing quite as long as you but pretty much have the exact same likes/dislikes. Absolutely HATE any game with "ball in hand". Straight and 1P are the tops (in that order) and 8-Ball is fun if fouls are played from the kitchen. I am trying to open my mind to the rotataion/ball in hand games but so far, nada.

Cheers,
RG
 
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