I broke in the 9-ball (and felt horrible).

migwombat

migwombat

Registered
Has this happened to any of you?

I played in my first USPPA 9-ball tournament last week - single elimination, rack your own. I went w/ a friend, and it was our first time playing in that pool hall, although we recognized a couple players from other places.

I was shooting rather abysmally in the first match, losing 6-2 in a race to 7. (Had a hard time w/ the speed of the tables.) My opponent missed a 6-ball on the hill, I ran out, and proceeded to rack my own.

Down 6-3, I shot a 50% controlled break from the left rail. The 9-ball went straight into bottom right pocket, 6-4.

I racked again, and broke in the exact same manner, and lo and behold, the exact same outcome - 9-ball in the bottom right pocket. 6-5.

As I racked a third time, I was thinking... "wow... I don't think I've ever broke in the 9-ball twice in a row." Placed my cue ball, broke exactly the same way, and ... you guessed it - 9-ball straight in the bottom right corner pocket. 6-6.

I felt... bad. Only 2 minutes ago I felt as though I was ready to shake hands and grab another table to practice while waiting for my friend to finish the tournament. Instead, I felt that my opponent (who has been nothing but a gentleman the entire match) had the rug pulled from under him (by the universe??) Worse was the feeling of having to hold back a grin while racking... I wasn't necessarily amused about my good fortune or his lack thereof, but at the sheer absurdity of the circumstances.

Unfortunately, any hope of levity for the situation was absconded when I heard some of the house players telling my opponent to check the rack. :( I honestly was at a loss - do I purposely give myself a bad rack? (I still am unaware that there is a way to rack in such a way that the 9-ball could be forced in.) My opponent graciously declined to check the rack, we shook hands for the hill-hill match, and I broke the same way. The 9-ball began to roll *again* toward the same pocket, but was kicked out at the last second. I felt... relief! He ended up missing the 1-ball, and I ran out the table to win the match 7-6.

Everyone in the tournament was extremely nice and friendly, but I could not help but feel that I raised a bunch of red flags. Despite my miraculous comeback victory (who doesn't love those?) - I felt rather sick. My opponent and I shook hands, and he said (perhaps facetiously) the only thing that could make me feel better at that point: "Don't worry, I've done that before." :)

(Summary: I broke in the 9-ball 3 racks in a row in a rack-your-own tournament at a pool hall I've never played in and felt genuine remorse.)

A statistical rarity? Or a frequent occurrence on certain equipment? I'm curious if anyone's ever done the same and how they felt. :)

-mig.
 
if you rack your own in most tourneys the 9does not count in the two lower corner pockets, there is a way to rack the balls so the 9 has a good chance of going in , in the bottom corner pockets its on joe tuckers video, but really its not your fault, when racking your own the 9should not count in the bottom corners, that avoids people acusing anyone of setting the rack, but thats just my opinion:smile:
 
I never feal bad, I'v pulled 4 in a row in a race to 5 for $50 on a brunswick. I keep fat men in and out of their chair and I keep bangers safe till they dont know whats going on.




AND




The GOOD players do the same thing to me!!!!:wink:
 
I got 3 in a raw but never in a tournament....
The sweetest 9ball on the break in tourney is to get it when you're on the hill, that happened to me a few times... :rolleyes:

BTW, all the new gadgets/templates for racking eliminates the 9ball on the break, the 9 hardly moves when racking with them....
 
migwombat said:
Has this happened to any of you?

I played in my first USPPA 9-ball tournament last week - single elimination, rack your own. I went w/ a friend, and it was our first time playing in that pool hall, although we recognized a couple players from other places.

I was shooting rather abysmally in the first match, losing 6-2 in a race to 7. (Had a hard time w/ the speed of the tables.) My opponent missed a 6-ball on the hill, I ran out, and proceeded to rack my own.

Down 6-3, I shot a 50% controlled break from the left rail. The 9-ball went straight into bottom right pocket, 6-4.

I racked again, and broke in the exact same manner, and lo and behold, the exact same outcome - 9-ball in the bottom right pocket. 6-5.

As I racked a third time, I was thinking... "wow... I don't think I've ever broke in the 9-ball twice in a row." Placed my cue ball, broke exactly the same way, and ... you guessed it - 9-ball straight in the bottom right corner pocket. 6-6.

I felt... bad. Only 2 minutes ago I felt as though I was ready to shake hands and grab another table to practice while waiting for my friend to finish the tournament. Instead, I felt that my opponent (who has been nothing but a gentleman the entire match) had the rug pulled from under him (by the universe??) Worse was the feeling of having to hold back a grin while racking... I wasn't necessarily amused about my good fortune or his lack thereof, but at the sheer absurdity of the circumstances.

Unfortunately, any hope of levity for the situation was absconded when I heard some of the house players telling my opponent to check the rack. :( I honestly was at a loss - do I purposely give myself a bad rack? (I still am unaware that there is a way to rack in such a way that the 9-ball could be forced in.) My opponent graciously declined to check the rack, we shook hands for the hill-hill match, and I broke the same way. The 9-ball began to roll *again* toward the same pocket, but was kicked out at the last second. I felt... relief! He ended up missing the 1-ball, and I ran out the table to win the match 7-6.

Everyone in the tournament was extremely nice and friendly, but I could not help but feel that I raised a bunch of red flags. Despite my miraculous comeback victory (who doesn't love those?) - I felt rather sick. My opponent and I shook hands, and he said (perhaps facetiously) the only thing that could make me feel better at that point: "Don't worry, I've done that before." :)

(Summary: I broke in the 9-ball 3 racks in a row in a rack-your-own tournament at a pool hall I've never played in and felt genuine remorse.)

A statistical rarity? Or a frequent occurrence on certain equipment? I'm curious if anyone's ever done the same and how they felt. :)

-mig.
Click to expand...


I know exactly how you feel.

Although I haven't done what you said, i've had similar things happen in which I just shook my head with a dissapointed look on my face as I shook hands with my opponent knowing that I sure as hell didn't "win" the match.

It's one of the most emptiest feelings in the world and the only thing I can think about is the other dude I was shooting and how he must be feeling.
 
The only thing I've ever done that made me feel kinda bad (as in a cheap win) was when I was in an 8-ball tournament using APA rules. I was in the losers bracket and the race was to one (it was a benefit tourney, not too serious of a tournament). I won the lag, broke and made the 8-ball. Tournament over for my opponent, who by the way was a staunch BCA player and a well-known a**hole. He wasn't very happy, but oh well, rules are rules :rolleyes:!!!

Maniac
 
When these things happen, I ask myself 'what would you do if you got that lucky at poker?'. The answer is 'smile and rake the chips'.

-s
 
I once had to spot a guy 3 games in a race to 6 at Hollywood Billiards in SF. Well i one the toss and it was rack your own.

1st break the 9 goes in
2nd break the 9 goes in
3rd break... You guess it the 9 ball went in.

Then i won the next three to win 6-3. My opponent wasnt happy about it but what are you gonna do.. It happens :wink:
 
These things you describe are known as blessing and are given to people who live right. My hat is off to you my friend. I don't know of a single person who received blessings that was not suppose to receive it so there are no mistakes made when they come your way because it was suppose to come your way at that percise time. If anyone ever gets upset at you for getting your blessings then have them take it up with the person that sent it to you and I am sure they will get what coming to them. Case closed.
 
Last edited:
migwombat said:
Has this happened to any of you?

I played in my first USPPA 9-ball tournament last week - single elimination, rack your own. I went w/ a friend, and it was our first time playing in that pool hall, although we recognized a couple players from other places.

I was shooting rather abysmally in the first match, losing 6-2 in a race to 7. (Had a hard time w/ the speed of the tables.) My opponent missed a 6-ball on the hill, I ran out, and proceeded to rack my own.

Down 6-3, I shot a 50% controlled break from the left rail. The 9-ball went straight into bottom right pocket, 6-4.

I racked again, and broke in the exact same manner, and lo and behold, the exact same outcome - 9-ball in the bottom right pocket. 6-5.

As I racked a third time, I was thinking... "wow... I don't think I've ever broke in the 9-ball twice in a row." Placed my cue ball, broke exactly the same way, and ... you guessed it - 9-ball straight in the bottom right corner pocket. 6-6.

I felt... bad. Only 2 minutes ago I felt as though I was ready to shake hands and grab another table to practice while waiting for my friend to finish the tournament. Instead, I felt that my opponent (who has been nothing but a gentleman the entire match) had the rug pulled from under him (by the universe??) Worse was the feeling of having to hold back a grin while racking... I wasn't necessarily amused about my good fortune or his lack thereof, but at the sheer absurdity of the circumstances.

Unfortunately, any hope of levity for the situation was absconded when I heard some of the house players telling my opponent to check the rack. :( I honestly was at a loss - do I purposely give myself a bad rack? (I still am unaware that there is a way to rack in such a way that the 9-ball could be forced in.) My opponent graciously declined to check the rack, we shook hands for the hill-hill match, and I broke the same way. The 9-ball began to roll *again* toward the same pocket, but was kicked out at the last second. I felt... relief! He ended up missing the 1-ball, and I ran out the table to win the match 7-6.

Everyone in the tournament was extremely nice and friendly, but I could not help but feel that I raised a bunch of red flags. Despite my miraculous comeback victory (who doesn't love those?) - I felt rather sick. My opponent and I shook hands, and he said (perhaps facetiously) the only thing that could make me feel better at that point: "Don't worry, I've done that before." :)

(Summary: I broke in the 9-ball 3 racks in a row in a rack-your-own tournament at a pool hall I've never played in and felt genuine remorse.)

A statistical rarity? Or a frequent occurrence on certain equipment? I'm curious if anyone's ever done the same and how they felt. :)

-mig.
Click to expand...

after the 1st one i would have checked the rack. after the second one i would have had you rerack until you gave up and let me rack them for you.
 
I did it at a tourney in the mid nineties at Danny K's...

migwombat said:
Has this happened to any of you?

I played in my first USPPA 9-ball tournament last week - single elimination, rack your own. I went w/ a friend, and it was our first time playing in that pool hall, although we recognized a couple players from other places.

I was shooting rather abysmally in the first match, losing 6-2 in a race to 7. (Had a hard time w/ the speed of the tables.) My opponent missed a 6-ball on the hill, I ran out, and proceeded to rack my own.

Down 6-3, I shot a 50% controlled break from the left rail. The 9-ball went straight into bottom right pocket, 6-4.

I racked again, and broke in the exact same manner, and lo and behold, the exact same outcome - 9-ball in the bottom right pocket. 6-5.

As I racked a third time, I was thinking... "wow... I don't think I've ever broke in the 9-ball twice in a row." Placed my cue ball, broke exactly the same way, and ... you guessed it - 9-ball straight in the bottom right corner pocket. 6-6.

I felt... bad. Only 2 minutes ago I felt as though I was ready to shake hands and grab another table to practice while waiting for my friend to finish the tournament. Instead, I felt that my opponent (who has been nothing but a gentleman the entire match) had the rug pulled from under him (by the universe??) Worse was the feeling of having to hold back a grin while racking... I wasn't necessarily amused about my good fortune or his lack thereof, but at the sheer absurdity of the circumstances.

Unfortunately, any hope of levity for the situation was absconded when I heard some of the house players telling my opponent to check the rack. :( I honestly was at a loss - do I purposely give myself a bad rack? (I still am unaware that there is a way to rack in such a way that the 9-ball could be forced in.) My opponent graciously declined to check the rack, we shook hands for the hill-hill match, and I broke the same way. The 9-ball began to roll *again* toward the same pocket, but was kicked out at the last second. I felt... relief! He ended up missing the 1-ball, and I ran out the table to win the match 7-6.

Everyone in the tournament was extremely nice and friendly, but I could not help but feel that I raised a bunch of red flags. Despite my miraculous comeback victory (who doesn't love those?) - I felt rather sick. My opponent and I shook hands, and he said (perhaps facetiously) the only thing that could make me feel better at that point: "Don't worry, I've done that before." :)

(Summary: I broke in the 9-ball 3 racks in a row in a rack-your-own tournament at a pool hall I've never played in and felt genuine remorse.)

A statistical rarity? Or a frequent occurrence on certain equipment? I'm curious if anyone's ever done the same and how they felt. :)

-mig.
Click to expand...

I did the exact same thing at a tourney at Danny K's in the nineties.

I didn't feel bad about it though. I felt awesome, and wished I could do it every time. but it was the exact same thing, I could feel myself breaking the exact same each time for the three times in a row that it went and it went in the exact same pocket all three times.

Jaden
 
probably wouldn't have done you any good.

poolplayer2093 said:
after the 1st one i would have checked the rack. after the second one i would have had you rerack until you gave up and let me rack them for you.
Click to expand...

The most likely reason for it was the natural way the balls racked on that table, always a little different from table to table. and the way he happened to break them. You might have been able to push the rack a little forward, but he could say to you to put it on the spot and made you rerack until you gave up and let him rack them again.

Jaden
 
???????

migwombat said:
Has this happened to any of you?

I played in my first USPPA 9-ball tournament last week - single elimination, rack your own. I went w/ a friend, and it was our first time playing in that pool hall, although we recognized a couple players from other places.

I was shooting rather abysmally in the first match, losing 6-2 in a race to 7. (Had a hard time w/ the speed of the tables.) My opponent missed a 6-ball on the hill, I ran out, and proceeded to rack my own.

Down 6-3, I shot a 50% controlled break from the left rail. The 9-ball went straight into bottom right pocket, 6-4.

I racked again, and broke in the exact same manner, and lo and behold, the exact same outcome - 9-ball in the bottom right pocket. 6-5.

As I racked a third time, I was thinking... "wow... I don't think I've ever broke in the 9-ball twice in a row." Placed my cue ball, broke exactly the same way, and ... you guessed it - 9-ball straight in the bottom right corner pocket. 6-6.

I felt... bad. Only 2 minutes ago I felt as though I was ready to shake hands and grab another table to practice while waiting for my friend to finish the tournament. Instead, I felt that my opponent (who has been nothing but a gentleman the entire match) had the rug pulled from under him (by the universe??) Worse was the feeling of having to hold back a grin while racking... I wasn't necessarily amused about my good fortune or his lack thereof, but at the sheer absurdity of the circumstances.

Unfortunately, any hope of levity for the situation was absconded when I heard some of the house players telling my opponent to check the rack. :( I honestly was at a loss - do I purposely give myself a bad rack? (I still am unaware that there is a way to rack in such a way that the 9-ball could be forced in.) My opponent graciously declined to check the rack, we shook hands for the hill-hill match, and I broke the same way. The 9-ball began to roll *again* toward the same pocket, but was kicked out at the last second. I felt... relief! He ended up missing the 1-ball, and I ran out the table to win the match 7-6.

Everyone in the tournament was extremely nice and friendly, but I could not help but feel that I raised a bunch of red flags. Despite my miraculous comeback victory (who doesn't love those?) - I felt rather sick. My opponent and I shook hands, and he said (perhaps facetiously) the only thing that could make me feel better at that point: "Don't worry, I've done that before." :)

(Summary: I broke in the 9-ball 3 racks in a row in a rack-your-own tournament at a pool hall I've never played in and felt genuine remorse.)

A statistical rarity? Or a frequent occurrence on certain equipment? I'm curious if anyone's ever done the same and how they felt. :)

-mig.
Click to expand...

Explain--- first senance,playing in single elemation tourny, and you lost first match??? then made 9ball so many time in next match-- if you lost first how you shoot in another?????:confused::confused::confused:
 
I once broke in the 9-ball in a rack-your-own tournament and felt terrible about it. It was unintentional, and now seven years later I still feel bad about it.

There are ways to rack to get the 9-ball to move towards the bottom corner pockets. You did it unintentionally and followed the rules, so you didn't do anything wrong per se. But if I were your opponent, I'd be checking every rack after that first 9-ball. There's no way a 9-ball on the break should be a win in a rack-your-own tournament anyway.
 
poolplayer2093 said:
after the 1st one i would have checked the rack. after the second one i would have had you rerack until you gave up and let me rack them for you.
Click to expand...

I made 3 ten balls in a row on the break to end a ten ball match against Strickland in the South Jersey Open. We made 7 tens on the break between us in a race to 9 and that was with opponent racking. You can check the rack all you want, if you can't tap the balls (it was against the rules there) you often can't do much about it.

All the money balls flying into the corners or near the bottom corners for easy combos was a main motivation for inventing the racking template/tapping mat. That and not wanting to spend any more time watching rack wars from hard bleachers.
 
The 9 primarily will only go into a bottom corner (unless kicked) if there's a space between it and one of the two balls behind it that are in contact with it (there's more to it than that, but that's the main physics critieria).

After you snap it in once, if I'm your opponent, I'm looking right there. I seriously doubt you're going to snap it 3 times against a student of Joe Tucker, regardless of how the balls tend to lie in the rack on any table. :smile:
 
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