I have a few questions about 8ball

I like 8-ball more than 9-ball because there are more options to get "crafty"..straight pool thinking helps with the runs..and one pocket helps with moves and safety play. Also the luck factor is much less in 8-ball.
 
It's the most popular pocket billiards game on earth. Why don't the Pro's play more on TV? That's grass-roots stuff?

What person dead or alive reads a 8 ball rack like no other. I'm not asking about the best 8-ball player, some people dog's a shot once in awhile?

Is there any video to study this person's game?

9 ball has always been a game more suited for tv than 8 ball @ least time wise that is, w 8ball i think it is more so about who is the most creative player that can deal w problems when they arise and that by far is efren, accu-stats had an 8ball event back in the early 2000's that demonstrated some of his 8ball skills

if u really like 8ball i would check out some of tar's videos from the reno bar table events, this is the only 8 ball event w a world class field on a bar table, a 9 foot table doesn't really do the game much justice
 
What I heard

I've head that about Straight Pool but never, ever, about 8 ball.

I simply stated what I heard someone say forty years ago. Isn't it remotely possible that people have made statements about pool that you didn't hear?

(I've also heard the same thing said about 14-1, line-up and one pocket...)
 
Seeing ball patterns and getting on the proper side of your next shot is what 14.1 is all about. You learn to go into and move ball clusters with control, playing 8 ball only, you don't do that all the time. You learn quickly when to run and when to hide. Delicate shots needed to take apart a full stack of balls occur in every rack of 14.1. These type of shots don't come up EVERY rack, and sometimes seldom in some matches. To myself, I never practice 8 ball for an 8 ball event, only 14.1. When it comes to 8 ball on a bar table....it has the right amount of congestion and its way more difficult than on a 9 footer....There's allot of board play on a 7 footer. Put a Great bar table only 8 ball player against Any top pro, they will have all they can handle.
 
Varner was an elite player who mastered many games. I bet svb rarely plays 8 ball but I would have him as a favorite if he showed up for an 8 ball tournament.

Maybe you just didn't realize but Shane is a champion 8-ball player.
 
Have you ever played 8 ball on a 9 foot table with tight pockets as we do in our league? Not nearly the same game as on a sloppy bar box the game is typically played on. Even if you atleast played on a pro spec diamond bar box i doubt you would say the game is as simple.

If you ever get a chance to watch the finals of the 2013 U.S. Open 8-ball Championship (played on a Diamond pro-cut 9-footer, i might add) you'll see why many posters are saying that 8-ball, particularly on a 9-footer, is too easy for the pros. I had the privilege of watching it in person. SVB and Biado went something like 22 racks before either player missed a ball, and the first 18 racks or so were break and runs. An awesome display and exhibition, but by no means a competive test for the top pros...just too easy!

I heard Nick Varner, in his commentary on a match, say that when two great players play 8-ball it's mostly a breaking contest and, "if I make a ball on the break I expect to win and if not, I expect to lose."
 
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