I finally played Ultimate Pool

[Cord]

"6.5 foot (88”), 7 foot (93"), 8 foot (101")" Where do you suppose they are measuring these tables?? If its cushion nose to cushion nose which is the correct way to measure playing area that 8" Valley at 101" is bigger than a 9' Gold Crown.

no, i think those are outside (or overall) dimensions

 

[JPB2]

"6.5 foot (88”), 7 foot (93"), 8 foot (101")" Where do you suppose they are measuring these tables?? If its cushion nose to cushion nose which is the correct way to measure playing area that 8" Valley at 101" is bigger than a 9' Gold Crown.

Bigger dimension is outside dimension. Playing area is cushion nose to nose. So 93” table is 40x80 play area. 9’ table is 50x100.

 

[boogieman]

Just played in my first UP tournament... and it'll probably be my last.

Had two games in a row where I started at negative 4 and we had 20 minutes to play.

First match I won the first three and then my opponent ran out the clock (no shot clock as the tables are too close).

2nd match I lost the first game so it was moot. I was at negative 5 with 13 minutes left. I played it out as a good sport, but it's not for me.

Sorry you had a bad experience. I've never heard of a 20 minute match clock, not saying it couldn't have happened but I've only seen 30 minutes on any UPLUSA events or leagues.

If it really was a 20 minute match and they didn't adjust the handicap then you got royally screwed. The handicap is pretty tightly tied to the match length. It's not unheard of but milking the shot clock isn't as useful as you'd think. There are cases where it could matter but it's another thing that doesn't come up too often.

 

[easy-e]

Just played in my first UP tournament... and it'll probably be my last.

Had two games in a row where I started at negative 4 and we had 20 minutes to play.

First match I won the first three and then my opponent ran out the clock (no shot clock as the tables are too close).

2nd match I lost the first game so it was moot. I was at negative 5 with 13 minutes left. I played it out as a good sport, but it's not for me.

I'm sorry but that's not ultimate pool. 30 minute match clocks should be used. I start at -4 almost every time. Last week I won 4-1 with my opponent milking the clock. You played some dumb TD's version of UP.

 

[j2pac]

I'm sorry but that's not ultimate pool. 30 minute match clocks should be used. I start at -4 almost every time. Last week I won 4-1 with my opponent milking the clock. You played some dumb TD's version of UP.

I've watched several of the events, and I have found them to be very entertaining. I like the idea of the shot clock. Not sure I'm crazy about the 15 second version, and I would probably add 10 minutes to the overall match length. Other than that, I like what I see.

 

[dtroup64]

Sorry you had a bad experience. I've never heard of a 20 minute match clock, not saying it couldn't have happened but I've only seen 30 minutes on any UPLUSA events or leagues.

If it really was a 20 minute match and they didn't adjust the handicap then you got royally screwed. The handicap is pretty tightly tied to the match length. It's not unheard of but milking the shot clock isn't as useful as you'd think. There are cases where it could matter but it's another thing that doesn't come up too often.

I hear you. I wouldn't have balked at -4 if I'd had a bit more time. The way we were playing, the most we could get in were 4 games in 20 minutes. I had a shot in the first match. Had 3 balls and the 8 left with 30 seconds to go, and the timer went off as I went to aim on the 8. Would have been a shootout which I was hoping for.

 

[fastone371]

I've watched several of the events, and I have found them to be very entertaining. I like the idea of the shot clock. Not sure I'm crazy about the 15 second version, and I would probably add 10 minutes to the overall match length. Other than that, I like what I see.

I too like the UPUSA events although I much preferred the races to 6 or 7 instead of just playing the 30 minutes and seeing who has the most wins. I think the race to a certain number adds an extra level of entertainment because there are 2 ways a match can be decided, by time or by the race format.

 

[Runnintable]

noted rules difference:
They rack the 8 on the spot, choice of stripes solids after break - so no take what you make like APA. Also cannot combo strip into solid and keep shooting solids, I believe that is a foul.

 

[dtroup64]

noted rules difference:
They rack the 8 on the spot, choice of stripes solids after break - so no take what you make like APA. Also cannot combo strip into solid and keep shooting solids, I believe that is a foul.

That is correct. After the break you have to nominate either stripes or solids, and you must hit whichever you nominate first in a combo

 

[Cartune]

ball in hand in the kitchen after a break foul, but you can shoot at a ball in the kitchen

 

[JABSolstice]

ball in hand in the kitchen after a break foul, but you can shoot at a ball in the kitchen

Correct. I was actually looking forward to being able to do this for once in my life, but sadly when he scratched on the break, there were no balls in the kitchen. I think you can even hear me say it in the video.

 

[uk_9_ball_convert]

I'm not sure I'm reading you right, but you can use your ball to pocket your opponent's ball. It's just a loss of turn if none of your balls go down.

Or are you referring to the rules after the break on combo shots?

That's the big difference between international rules and blackball rules in English pool and it's never sat right with me. I prefer blackball rules where pocketing your ball and the opponents ball in the same shot is legal (presuming you hit your ball first), but if you try it and fail it's a foul.

Ultimate pool was originally a thing in the UK before they tried exporting it to America. Presume they're thinking bigger audience/more money, but I'm sure a lot of the rules seem strange to people as it originated from English pool.

 

[boogieman]

I hear you. I wouldn't have balked at -4 if I'd had a bit more time. The way we were playing, the most we could get in were 4 games in 20 minutes. I had a shot in the first match. Had 3 balls and the 8 left with 30 seconds to go, and the timer went off as I went to aim on the 8. Would have been a shootout which I was hoping for.

I'd honestly report this to the organization. This isn't how the game is meant to be played and I'm sure they wouldn't want bad experiences like this to taint their name/brand. 20 minutes isn't long enough to outrun a handicap meant for 30 minute matches, and they are delivering a shitty version that definitely makes the brand look very bad.

I'd guess if you were actually playing 20 minutes you would have had to spot 2 because you can't outrun 4 in 20 minutes. Bad TD who really needs reported for violating the rules. Not as a punitive thing but it severely broke the rule set. The rules are pretty much all important and if you start changing one thing it no longer works.

 

[dtroup64]

I'd honestly report this to the organization. This isn't how the game is meant to be played and I'm sure they wouldn't want bad experiences like this to taint their name/brand. 20 minutes isn't long enough to outrun a handicap meant for 30 minute matches, and they are delivering a shitty version that definitely makes the brand look very bad.

I'd guess if you were actually playing 20 minutes you would have had to spot 2 because you can't outrun 4 in 20 minutes. Bad TD who really needs reported for violating the rules. Not as a punitive thing but it severely broke the rule set. The rules are pretty much all important and if you start changing one thing it no longer works.

I gave the TD my feedback. He's a friend of mine, so I don't want to create a hassle for him. He heard me and is going to make changes going forward. Appreciate your response.

 

[Sheldon]

Bigger dimension is outside dimension. Playing area is cushion nose to nose. So 93” table is 40x80 play area. 9’ table is 50x100.

I've worked on a lot of Valley tables, and 98% of them were 40x80.
Fun fact; "8 foot" tables can be 44x88, 45x90, or 46x92.

 

[easy-e]

noted rules difference:
They rack the 8 on the spot, choice of stripes solids after break - so no take what you make like APA. Also cannot combo strip into solid and keep shooting solids, I believe that is a foul.

It's not a foul. It's just loss of turn and still an open table. No ball in hand.