How long before 10-ball replaces 9-ball

[Handsumm]

Good question. I really think 10 ball is a more competitive, better solution to tournaments. Especially in a winner break format. I have seen good players never come to the table in a race to 11. In 9-ball, it is too easy to get a good break down. Make the one in the side or wing ball in corner (or both) and play shape on next highest ball and your out.

 

[Adanac67]

Ditch 9 ball ASAP

Watching 9 ball played by very high calibre players with a winner break, rack-your-own format is actually pretty boring stuff.

That is one of the better descriptions of 9 ball I've seen on here. I think 9 ball is a crap game but 10 ball is better simply because it's harder to make a ball on the break.

 

[Adanac67]

8 Ball is king, no doubt!

If we're out to improve interest AND quality of play, we need to switch to 8-ball. It's the game of the masses and the fact is, it's a much better game.

Another brilliant comment. About 10 times more people play 8 ball and it IS the best game on small tables with big pockets.

 

[Jerry Forsyth]

Ten Ball

Well, Ten Ball is certainly getting a lot of atention these days. Yen Makabenta, the excellent promoter who presented the WPA World 9-Ball Championships in Manila last year and will do so again this year, has sanctioned the World Ten Ball Championship for 2008 with the WPA.

I have never had a pro player tell me he preferred 9-Ball over 10-Ball. They all like the way that the rack problems go away and the matches tend to favor the more skilled player.

But television is a different matter. Bring this up to ESPN or others in the industry and they shudder. "We have spent all this time promoting 9-Ball. We would be crazy to try and get the viewers to change horses now. They may not accept a different game that is slower and has fewer surprises." TV does not wish to risk the investment already made.

I certainly prefer 10-Ball. I just do not see any advantages to 9-Ball.

Jerry

 

[jay helfert]

For B players and below... 9-ball is just fine.

For A players and above... it's nigh time for 10-ball (to replace 9-ball)... because it sure would help significantly to reduce/eliminate what I'll call...the racking wars. That... and the 10th ball will tend to slow down the break 'n runs and add more safety play early in the rack... which is goodness imo... especially for pro events.

And we can go back to winner breaks. And break anywhere behind the line. It solves a lot of problems. I like Ten Ball, Race to Nine or Ten. That's a good match.

 

[jay helfert]

That is one of the better descriptions of 9 ball I've seen on here. I think 9 ball is a crap game but 10 ball is better simply because it's harder to make a ball on the break.

And about 30-35% harder to run out.

 

[sjm]

This has already been tried. The Camel Tour, in 1999 I believe, was an all 10-ball tour. I thought the change to 10-ball was a big "so what" and so did all the players and fans that I've discussed the matter with. You guessed it, i have never discussed it with Joe Tucker!

Nine ball has consistently and accurately rewarded the talents of the truly elite. Look at the champions that the WPC, the most elite nine ball event, has produced.

2001 Mika Immonen, who beat Souquet in the final
2002 Earl Strickland, who beat Bustamante in the final
2003 Thorsten Hohmann, who beat Pagulayan in the final
2004 Alex Pagulayan, who beat Pei Wei Chang in the final
2005 Chia Chang Wu, who beat Kuo in the final
2006 Ronnie Alcano, who beat Souquet in the final

Nine ball is doing just fine when it comes to determining who the most elite pool players in the world are. No need for a change.

 

[Johnnyt]

They need to put three ten foot tables end to end with just six pockets like a reg table. Call it long pool. You would need to have a hell of a stroke All kidding aside...they need to come up with something new for TV. Johnnyt

 

[jay helfert]

This has already been tried. The Camel Tour, in 1999 I believe, was an all 10-ball tour. I thought the change to 10-ball was a big "so what" and so did all the players and fans that I've discussed the matter with.

Nine ball has consistently and accurately rewarded the talents of the truly elite. Look at the champions that the WPC, the most elite nine ball event, has produced.

2001 Mika Immonen, who beat Souquet in the final
2002 Earl Strickland, who beat Bustamante in the final
2003 Thorsten Hohmann, who beat Pagulayan in the final
2004 Alex Pagulayan, who beat Pei Wei Chang in the final
2005 Chia Chang Wu, who beat Kuo in the final
2006 Ronnie Alcano, who beat Souquet in the final

Nine ball is doing just fine when it comes to determining who the most elite pool players in the world are. No need for a change.

You make a good point. No matter the game or what the rules are, the best players keep getting there in the end. And I believe I know why. In a nutshell, they have more heart. They can come with a big shot under pressure better than the other guy. And that's what big matches usually boil down to. Who can come with the big shot and tough run-out when all the chips are on the line. Some can and some sit on the sidelines and talk about it, like me.

Personally, I would like to see the day when big money tourneys could be played with a Tennis format. Single elimination, two out of three sets. Each set could be a Race To Seven. We did it once at the Peter Vitalie Invitational in 1987, and the final four were Buddy, Earl, Sigel and Reyes. Not a bad little group.

 

[kevin s]

The Florida Pro Tour has already switched to Ten Ball. I think all pro events should be Ten Ball and Eight Ball. I am a better Ten Ball player because I cant run 5 or 6 racks of nine ball. I think 9 ball is a breaking contest. Atleast in Ten Ball you almost always get one shot per game. Its more of a safety battle and then runout game for me.

 

[F58_Player]

The next good Pool movie

We are about do for a good Hustler/TCOM type movie, if they play 10 ball, maybe then.

 

[Vinnie]

Not the same as 9-ball, but better.

Same rules as 9ball. Racked in a triangle shape. (Imagine racking all 15 balls, then take away the bottom row)

According to the rules posted in the BCA rule book, there is no "push-out" in ten ball, a scratch on the break or illegal break is cue ball in the kitchen, and all illegally pocketed or jumped object balls are spotted.

These rules are very different from 9-ball.

Vinnie
------------
Stroke

 

[mark8950]

10 ball in the 70's

well all i can tell u is 10 ball should be "now". we used to play it alot in the 70's because the lightweights started the 1 foul rule which gave all the "[suckers] a chance. now all pool is is "dink" dink and get ball in hand. with 10 ball, and 1 foul now the bst players will always win! good luck "suckers". sparky
"

 

[TorranceChris]

You make a good point. No matter the game or what the rules are, the best players keep getting there in the end. And I believe I know why. In a nutshell, they have more heart. They can come with a big shot under pressure better than the other guy. And that's what big matches usually boil down to. Who can come with the big shot and tough run-out when all the chips are on the line. Some can and some sit on the sidelines and talk about it, like me.

Personally, I would like to see the day when big money tourneys could be played with a Tennis format. Single elimination, two out of three sets. Each set could be a Race To Seven. We did it once at the Peter Vitalie Invitational in 1987, and the final four were Buddy, Earl, Sigel and Reyes. Not a bad little group.

Alright, I'll bite. Who won ? That right there is an amazing 4-some!!

 

[jay helfert]

Alright, I'll bite. Who won ? That right there is an amazing 4-some!!

Buddy beat Sigel in the finals. It paid 15 Grand 20 years ago.

 

[JimS]

I give it about 10-15 yrs. before 10 ball is more televised than 9 ball.

Won't happen.. imo. 9 ball is fast and TV loves fast. Both games SHOULD be played call shot but that's slow. The world hates slow. Slop is exciting and the world loves exciting. Pool lovers will want more skill in the game and the public will want less. Skill is hard to discern by the voting public and is not exciting. The world REQUIRES exciting.

 

[gulfportdoc]

Won't happen.. imo. 9 ball is fast and TV loves fast. Both games SHOULD be played call shot but that's slow. The world hates slow. Slop is exciting and the world loves exciting. Pool lovers will want more skill in the game and the public will want less. Skill is hard to discern by the voting public and is not exciting. The world REQUIRES exciting.

My feeling exactly, Jim. I don't think there will ever be a move to 10-ball. The 10 rarely goes on the break, there would be fewer break-and-runs, and the game takes a little longer-- all negatives to the fast action crowd.

I'm not so sure that pool lovers would want a more skilled game. I'm always astonished when 9-ballers defend the ridiculous rules now in use. But then I realize that the object is fast, loose, and lucky. The emphasis is on "action", not skill. So if that is what's driving the players as well as the TV producers, then we'll not likely ever see a move to either less lucky rules, or to a more skilled game.

Doc

 

[seymore15074]

It seems like a lot of knowledgeable pool people would like to see 10-ball replace 9-ball. I'm not so high on the totem poll, but I'd like to see this too. What will it take for 10-ball to become more popular than 9-ball, and how long do you think it will be before it does?

I do not see it ever happening. 10 ball is 9 ball with less balls on the break and another ball to run...it cuts down on the break and runs. I would estimate that the majority of people that play pool are not "sick of breaking and running too many racks," therefor, it will not take over...it will have a better chance for the pros, but even then I think that stringing racks together is what the audiences want to see...

 

[Pete]

I voted "Hopefully Never" and I'll explain-

In my opinion, although 10-ball would be an improvement over 9-ball, it's still a step in the wrong direction. If we're out to improve interest AND quality of play, we need to switch to 8-ball. It's the game of the masses and the fact is, it's a much better game.

Jude,

I hear what your saying, but don't you think at the pro level of play (after the pros start playing it all the time) the game is to easy. I mean if a pro gets to the table in 8 ball, they have a far higher percentage of running out then in 9 ball (I mean after the break). In 9 ball, you need to hve a shot on one and only one ball. In 8 ball there could be as many as 14 shots on the table to start with.

How would you compensate for that? Tougher equipment (IPT), which rules,longer races, alternate break, safe breaks allowed. I really want your opinion, your a respected contributer on the board here. So please continue with your thoughts.

Pete

 

[8-Ball Player]

I think is will take about 5-10 years before it becomes more popular.
10-ball is a great game, I love it personally.