How many of you can beat the 9-ball ghost?

[sixpack]

Sixpack, I didn't make an assertion that everyone was out and out lieing. What I said was I'd bet with these criteria there might be this many people that could pull it.. I did however call bullshiat on the results of the poll, which again I stand behind completely.

The criteria I listed isn't exactly a "trap" table setup.. 4 1/4 really isn't as tight as we're making it out to be. It's just an honest pocket.

I have a 4 1/4 at home and on the next go around I'm going to have it shimmed up to 4 inches, becuase if I can run racks on it it's obviously not tough enough. My record is losing to the ghost 6 : 9 on my table, and I'm a B player.. A strong "A" player would shred the ghost under those same conditions.

If we're talking 5 inch (or bigger) pockets here, well then by all means I'd bet there's a shitload of guys that could beat the ghost.. Hell on a good day I'd probably be one of them.

Reread the bottom part of my last post, and you'll see what I mean. Again I'm not the worlds greatest writer here so I think most of my point was probably not conveyed as well as it should've been.

My point was, on an "honest" table (honest meaning you hit it center pocket and it goes in, you don't hit it center pocket and your entering shooter beware territory) I just can't see that many people flat killing the ghost. (I.E. 20% of the players that voted). I had to make some sort of standard for my position on this, becuase if nobody has one, then how do we know what's actually going on?

DJ

i'm not angry at all. I agree there should be standards, but it's not the national museum of science, it's a discussion forum.

I'm just saying that it seemed unfair, that's all. I was actually giving you another chance to clarify what you were trying to say

Did you swing through and stop at a barbox tourney at Vinnie's on your way to the reno tourney in March?

FWIW, I wouldn't jump on your offer if I lived closer. Especially not on 4.25" pockets. I do offer sweaters in the ph $2/game ghost action for a workout sometimes. But not up for $100 sets. Good job spicing things up though.


Cheers,
RC

 

[cuetechasaurus]

Tate, it would seem to me that it'd be a stupid bet on my part. I just read earlier in the thread that you were knocking pro's out of a tourny, and here I am some lowly B player from S.D. How the hell am I going to compete with that?

In the end, I'm going to lose 2 sets and your going to play the ghost on my money which = zero pressure for you and a potential of doubling up again on my money with zero chance of me winning anything.

You might've read earlier that I've been around the game to know what's what. Why would I put myself in a situation I know I can't win, to watch you play some sets on my money that while you are most likely the underdog might be able to pull one out? Doesn't seem to bright to me so I'll have to pass on that.

You playing the ghost is your talent with your money vs the ghost on my money. Seems a little more fair, being that you play more the ghosts speed then my speed. Again, I want to clarify, I wasn't trying to pick on you, I just happened to notice you live in Burbank and figured we could get something going becuase the location(s) were convenient.

If you want action on the ghost, I'll be willing to give it a shot. If you want action with me, hey I'm game for that too, but we're going to be negotiating a spot of some sort.

DJ <---- B player, hasn't exactly knocked any pro's out of tourny's lately.

That's not really fair to him...he already said he doesn't play the ghost for money. He's actually a nice and honest guy, one of the few I know that play good and doesn't have an inflated ego. You started picking on him, because you think that so many people are BSers. You probably expected him to back out of your offer, but instead he just wants to play you some cheap sets, and now you are backing out? What gives dude? He even said he can LOWER the amount if you don't want to bet $100 per set.

 

[Williebetmore]

The criteria I listed isn't exactly a "trap" table setup.. 4 1/4 really isn't as tight as we're making it out to be. It's just an honest pocket.

DJ

DJ,
I'm afraid most here would disagree with you on this point; 4 1/4" IS tight, and very much a trap table.

The initial poll said NOTHING about pocket size, just specified a 9 footer. If you measured the pockets in a hundred tables in a hundred pool halls, the average will be nowhere near 4 1/4". JMO

Perhaps you were being a little harsh in your assessment of everyone's skill (P.S. - I'm a "once in a blue moon" player, but I only play on "trap tables").

 

[Scottster]

Last night I played the ghost. 9 footer, foul on break = loss, BIH after break. First we played 9-ball, I didn't like it 9-4, 9-6.

Then we played 2 sets of 7 ball, Casper didn't like it, 9-2, 9-3.
Just thought I would share with everyone how bad of a player I am.

Still stuck on a 48 high run in 14:1... Damn I suck

 

[bigdaddygerald]

I'm one of those players that when im on.....im on. when im not i shouldnt be playing 3 ball for money...lol. i can hang with the ghost but he's not scared of me. I have seen some players beat the fifteen ball ghost on a consistant basis and thats something to see...of course one of the same players can run a full rack of banks.....and that sucks gitten beat 15-0 playing banks and just rackin

 

[unknownpro]

I'm one of those players that when im on.....im on. when im not i shouldnt be playing 3 ball for money...lol. i can hang with the ghost but he's not scared of me. I have seen some players beat the fifteen ball ghost on a consistant basis and thats something to see...of course one of the same players can run a full rack of banks.....and that sucks gitten beat 15-0 playing banks and just rackin

Wanna give any names???

unknownpro

 

[ironman]

I certainly don't think you have to be A+ level or open level player to beat the 9-ball ghost. I also don't think you can relate it to running balls in straight pool. I never play straight pool and I can't play it worth a lick, but I can usually beat the 9-ball ghost.

The table is what really matters. I know we are talking about 9-footers in this thread, but just for comparison. On a bar box I will give the ghost two games in a race to 5. On say a regular gold-crown 9 I will play it even. Then in our hometown pool hall we have a triple shimmed 9 and you would be hard pressed to get me to even play the 7 ball ghost on that thing.

I did once see Hennessee play the 10-ball ghost on a fairly shimmed up 9-footer and he beat it like 10 to 1. Pretty impressive.

10 ball would be a better measure of a players ability. The balls don't break nearly as well which in turn means you have to deal with alot more clusters and trouble areas. 10 ball isn't just like adding an extra ball the difficulty goes up almost exponentially because the balls don't break nearly as well.

The 9-ball ghost and 10-ball ghost are entirely different games.

 

[Dhakala]

Mikeg6, playing the ghost is breaking the balls, then you have ball in hand and either have to run out or make the 9 on a good hit(combo or otherwise) and if you miss you lose the game and the ghost wins the game. good practice game for your break and to see how well you are pocketing balls and well your patterns are for getting out.

So, the general question for those who don't practice solo ghost drills is,

"How often do you win at 9-ball without giving your opponent a chance to shoot?"

The 9-ball ghost can be used to track one's progress along the Four-Bank Path to Enlightenment and Correct Thinking.

Begin by removing all but the three highest-numbered balls on the table immediately after the break. When you can run out or sink the 9 ten games in a row, begin leaving another ball on the table. Add another ball when you win 10 in a row, and so on, until you achieve satori.

 

[CaptainJR]

I was evidently completely wrong about the caliber of players on this forum. Or, not talking ball in hand makes a bigger difference than I thought. (not)

So this pole is saying that 60 percent of the people on here can beat the ghost 20 to 30 percent of the time or better! That's pretty darn impressive! LOL

 

[laser2507]

I think some people are exaggerating no doubt. 10% might be 20% and 20% might be 50%, but I have to say, living here in the UK I wish I could play you guys some sets, as the talent over here is good but hard to find.

You are aven talking about 4 1/4" pockets :O
I play on a brunswick at the club with 4 7/8" and its still tough if your not playing top gear. Even in top gear, I may only "JUST" beat the ghost.

 

[uwate]

4.25 is a triple shimmed table in my pool hall. Very tough to beat the ghost on a table like this, especially if the table has a deep shelf and the pockets are cut sharp. Can you say TRAP TABLE?

 

[PlynSets]

4.25 is a triple shimmed table in my pool hall. Very tough to beat the ghost on a table like this, especially if the table has a deep shelf and the pockets are cut sharp. Can you say TRAP TABLE?

They must be using some pretty thin ass shims then.. LOL Triple shimmed is tighter then 4 1/4 in my experience. To solve that though, we have a table mechanic section on here, lets just ask? Maybe I'm wrong about all this? My table measures 4 1/4, and it plays tough don't get me wrong, but it doesn't play nearly as tough as a triple shimmed GC that I used to play on.. Point in fact I can get out on it quite often? Nowhere near drilling the ghost though.. I played some sets with the ghost last night.

9:4 (with one 9 ball carom, and one 9 ball combination.. both almost immediately off the break)

9:3 (no combinations)

5:0 (g/f came home and had to cut it short, although I think 4 more games would've just yielded losing 9:0.. LOL I was pretty rattled by that point)

DJ

 

[laser2507]

4 1/4 does seem real tough to me.
Suppose compare it to snooker. On a club table I made 80+ break, then on a competition table I made only 40 highest break... but I havent played snooker in years, and Ive only ever played it about 30 times in my life.

 

[PlynSets]

So I played the ghost last night to warm up..

Managed to get 4 games in a race to 9, and I never made more then 2 balls per rack if you can believe that.. Broke 9 ball, Broke 1 - 9 combination, Broke 2 - 9 combination, Broke 1 - 9 combination (if memory serves) It was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.. I was actually up on the ghost 3 : 1 just from breaking more or less. Got it on video and I'll post it up next week if anyone wants to see, but more or less it's just breaks and combo's (nothing to exciting in my book)

DJ

 

[unknownpro]

So I played the ghost last night to warm up..

Managed to get 4 games in a race to 9, and I never made more then 2 balls per rack if you can believe that.. Broke 9 ball, Broke 1 - 9 combination, Broke 2 - 9 combination, Broke 1 - 9 combination (if memory serves) It was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.. I was actually up on the ghost 3 : 1 just from breaking more or less. Got it on video and I'll post it up next week if anyone wants to see, but more or less it's just breaks and combo's (nothing to exciting in my book)

DJ

Sounds like you need to work on your rack? The nine shouldn't be moving.

unknownpro

 

[PlynSets]

Sounds like you need to work on your rack? The nine shouldn't be moving.

unknownpro

It was kind of a weird night.. Balls would run around the table and hit the 9 giving it quite a bit of action. Usually the 9 wouldn't travel very far from the initial rack at the time of break, but something else would go off the end rail, or side rails and come back and hit it. I have it on video, so I can show ya next week if ya want to see it. Sucks though becuase I'm pretty sure I just used up all my luck for the next decade with regards to pool.. LOL

DJ

 

[laser2507]

True, I wouldnt play a pro beater for $100 a set unless I had the money to play with easily.

 

[Solartje]

weird post. some say u need to be a C to beat the ghosts, other say u need to be a A/short stop.

what i can say.

in a race to 9 , ill probably(never tried it) lose 1-9 without BIH. and maybe 3-9 with BIH. but im sure ill lose 99% of the time.
i think im a B player. i know i will never beat the 9ball ghost often. maybe once in a blue moon.

i play total offence alot, and my average is around 100-110, so a B player as i think im. But im no way NEAR to beat the ghost. so i think those who say u need to be a A+ at least are the closest.

ps im really not a 9ball player, so that may play some part too, but still i think anything under a A player should beat the ghost once every blue moon. (with 2 1-9 combo's, a 9on the break and 1 B&R maybe)

mm im going to try it on my videogame and later on the poolhall and tape the damn thing.

 

[Pete]

Hey PLYNSETS,

I saw you run the first rack, and you can play as far as I'm concerned. Iknow people will say crap I about posting a video. But I am impressed enough to listen what you have to say about skill level. I will watch more, but I would say that you would give a me a spanking in any race (rotation games for sure) over 4. I mean if it's a race to 3 and I win the lag, I could (and have once) break and pocket the 9 two out of the three and mabye pocket an early 9 or if all goes well run the rack. But any more and that luck I think would be used up for the day...

Thanks for sharing the video, you have my respect as a player, and no, you ain't taken my lunch money...


Pete

 

[PlynSets]

weird post. some say u need to be a C to beat the ghosts, other say u need to be a A/short stop.

what i can say.

in a race to 9 , ill probably(never tried it) lose 1-9 without BIH. and maybe 3-9 with BIH. but im sure ill lose 99% of the time.
i think im a B player. i know i will never beat the 9ball ghost often. maybe once in a blue moon.

i play total offence alot, and my average is around 100-110, so a B player as i think im. But im no way NEAR to beat the ghost. so i think those who say u need to be a A+ at least are the closest.

ps im really not a 9ball player, so that may play some part too, but still i think anything under a A player should beat the ghost once every blue moon. (with 2 1-9 combo's, a 9on the break and 1 B&R maybe)

mm im going to try it on my videogame and later on the poolhall and tape the damn thing.

I have my breaking in 9's like it's going outta style on tape, but again it's kinda boring. I've tried to play the ghost a few more times, and I'm running 2 : 9 , 3 : 9 on a good set, and sometimes 1 : 9 or even 0 : 9 (bad set)

I don't think it's as easy as people think it is.. You miss a one ball, and that's it. Your reracking. That score gets up 4 or 5 quick!

What did you mean that your average is 100 - 110? (I'm not sure I understand the analogy)


-----


Pete, thanks for the compliment on my game. I think there's alot of guys around here that could hand me my arse pretty handedly, but just becuase someone can play better doesn't necesarrily mean they "know" more, and or understand handicapping better... Something that's often overlooked on this website is just becuase someone plays better it DOESN'T give them more credibillity then anyone else in my opinion.

DJ