We played for over 2 hours, racked in a triangle, nine of us, and I don't think we had one on the break more than twice a round. Again, 9-footer with tight pockets...I can't imagine making it tougher.
I learned about 3-ball last night....
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We played for over 2 hours, racked in a triangle, nine of us, and I don't think we had one on the break more than twice a round. Again, 9-footer with tight pockets...I can't imagine making it tougher.
Oh hell, down, down, down....
I had my opportunity in one round, one of the two times I made a ball on the break. Had a decent look at being out, but choked it, of course.
Funny thing. One of the three "better" players won the first two rounds, then one of the middle of the pack guys won the rest of the night, with many, many pushes. One pot was $36. I think that guy got $54 total, not bad for just over two hours with a $1 per player entry. What a hoot.
Yeah that's what great about a cheap ring game. Lots of fun, and you can play for a while without the worry of losing big. Yet, the pot can be decent. When one early and you are golden!
Glad you had a great time. Haven't played it in years but may need to again!
Glad you had a great time. Haven't played it in years but may need to again!
Yeah, a dollar per round is my kind of gambling...heh heh. (I also drink the cheap $1 draft beer, too
) The Action Room has nothing to fear from me. To me, this was a better, more fair way to play cheap ring-style games, as opposed to 3-6-9 like we have played in the past. The better players can usually take advantage of that far more than 3-ball, especially with a mixed group of people, at differing ability levels. Perhaps "more fair" isn't accurate, but I'm struggling to describe it being more of an even chance for everyone. Again, this being on the big table...perhaps on a barbox, the more advanced player can take better advantage of the big pockets to get more two-fers. I have such a limited experience on the small tables that I lose perspective in many of the threads here, about how things are played in other parts of the country.
Snow ball 3-ball
Had to resurrect this thread to crow about our game last night.
It happened in our local tavern that is my current home court. They have 3 $5 eight ball tournaments a week but I only play in one as to keep from beating up on the weaker players. But wouldn't you know they always get a bigger field for the tournament on the night that I play. Anyway all the locals know I am the "big gun" and would never consider gambling even a dollar in any game if I am in it. So we have started playing 3 ball for a quarter. This makes for a game to pass the time and keep everyone in the bar and having fun and drinking, so the house will open up the table for a 3 ball game. Yesterday the house was packed and we got a quarter game going with 15 players! After a couple of rounds there was a group of 5 guys that I did not know that wanted to have their own little side pot of $5 per person. So we said sure and let them shoot out for their side pot even if the main pot was already out of their reach or tied. Wouldn't you know they invited me to join their side pot?! Well it was not long till the quarter game fell by the wayside and we were playing 7 handed $5. I just stayed steady and kept laying down the 4's with an occasional 3. Gradually the players dropped out until there was only one guy interested in playing, I was probably up about $250 at that point. Any way he throws a $100 bill in the pot and says lets play for $50. So I handed him $50 and left the $100 in the pot and we were off! After watching a couple of rounds another player that had quit decided to take a short shot and got in for one round. The guy had an envelope that he kept pulling $100 bills out of. I got home just after 11. I woke my wife and told her I needed her help. She was a little grumpy and asked "help with WHAT?". I said "help with counting this money!":grin:
Had to resurrect this thread to crow about our game last night.
It happened in our local tavern that is my current home court. They have 3 $5 eight ball tournaments a week but I only play in one as to keep from beating up on the weaker players. But wouldn't you know they always get a bigger field for the tournament on the night that I play. Anyway all the locals know I am the "big gun" and would never consider gambling even a dollar in any game if I am in it. So we have started playing 3 ball for a quarter. This makes for a game to pass the time and keep everyone in the bar and having fun and drinking, so the house will open up the table for a 3 ball game. Yesterday the house was packed and we got a quarter game going with 15 players! After a couple of rounds there was a group of 5 guys that I did not know that wanted to have their own little side pot of $5 per person. So we said sure and let them shoot out for their side pot even if the main pot was already out of their reach or tied. Wouldn't you know they invited me to join their side pot?! Well it was not long till the quarter game fell by the wayside and we were playing 7 handed $5. I just stayed steady and kept laying down the 4's with an occasional 3. Gradually the players dropped out until there was only one guy interested in playing, I was probably up about $250 at that point. Any way he throws a $100 bill in the pot and says lets play for $50. So I handed him $50 and left the $100 in the pot and we were off! After watching a couple of rounds another player that had quit decided to take a short shot and got in for one round. The guy had an envelope that he kept pulling $100 bills out of. I got home just after 11. I woke my wife and told her I needed her help. She was a little grumpy and asked "help with WHAT?". I said "help with counting this money!":grin:
What he said:
there is a time-tested way to get out in 3, but you needa get the aim & speed just right onna BB.
Doing 3-ball atta bar usually happens late-nite when everyones good and drunk.
I never liked it when 2 "seperate strangers" would want in late in the game.
Oh, .....and watch-out for the bartender; he's a sleeper ! :wink2:
there is a time-tested way to get out in 3, but you needa get the aim & speed just right onna BB.
Doing 3-ball atta bar usually happens late-nite when everyones good and drunk.
I never liked it when 2 "seperate strangers" would want in late in the game.
Oh, .....and watch-out for the bartender; he's a sleeper ! :wink2:
Three ball is a hoot.
I've enjoyed many a 3-ball game. Fun stuff.
I now carry a golf score sheet in my cue case and hawk it these days as an interesting twist to the game. Hey, got the scoresheet already.
http://www.sfbilliards.com/golfpool_score.pdf
If people are so stuck in their ways that only 3-ball will do (which is quite often), I pull out a nail and set it in the middle of the 3-ball triangle rack. Then take the usual proposition bets that no one can break the rack and knock the nail down. After winning a few proposition bets, I suggest the game be played with the nail and if you knock the nail down at any time during your turn you get to subtract a stroke from your score. Makes a fun game even funner!
I've enjoyed many a 3-ball game. Fun stuff.
I now carry a golf score sheet in my cue case and hawk it these days as an interesting twist to the game. Hey, got the scoresheet already.
http://www.sfbilliards.com/golfpool_score.pdf
If people are so stuck in their ways that only 3-ball will do (which is quite often), I pull out a nail and set it in the middle of the 3-ball triangle rack. Then take the usual proposition bets that no one can break the rack and knock the nail down. After winning a few proposition bets, I suggest the game be played with the nail and if you knock the nail down at any time during your turn you get to subtract a stroke from your score. Makes a fun game even funner!
This game sounds very similar to the 3 ball game in carnivals. Except I think the break doesn't count as one. So you still get three shots after the break but if you scratch it's all over. The trick was to soft break and get a nice easy lay out. Well I suppose it's not that easy because the tables were always leaning to one side.
If you want to make a ball on the break go to Onepocket.org and click on Playing The Game. Then look for how to break. It shows how to make the wing ball. Good luck
You don't know how excited I was to see pool tables at the fair last year.
Easiest, fastest and cheapest way to get the girl a big stuffed animal.
Make it real interesting by having $1 ante and then $.25 per shot. You keep shooting until all balls are in. Players with tied low scores don't have to ante on the next round.
This does two things, builds a big pot and everyone has to shoot in all 3 instead of ending your turn when you don't have a chance to beat the low score. Also puts pressure on the player to shoot well.
This does two things, builds a big pot and everyone has to shoot in all 3 instead of ending your turn when you don't have a chance to beat the low score. Also puts pressure on the player to shoot well.
An old pool hall downtown was usually host to a regular Fri night 3 ball get together. It was always a great killer of a Fri night.
Last year, we had a steak night to raise a little extra cash for the winning team that went to Vegas. We played 3 Ball all night and most of the pots were around the 60 dollar range. Not a bad haul for the winners.
Funny one here. We usually play a little 3 Ball after a last Sun of the month bar box tourney at a bar that we go to.
I tend to break really soft to try and keep the balls close to the end.
One guy looked at me and said, "What are you trying to do, win a Teddy Bear".
Thats one strategy that can work ok. The other of course is to blast them and see where they go.
I would like to know what the break is to make the wing ball that someone mentioned.
Should be good for a few tips.
Last year, we had a steak night to raise a little extra cash for the winning team that went to Vegas. We played 3 Ball all night and most of the pots were around the 60 dollar range. Not a bad haul for the winners.
Funny one here. We usually play a little 3 Ball after a last Sun of the month bar box tourney at a bar that we go to.
I tend to break really soft to try and keep the balls close to the end.
One guy looked at me and said, "What are you trying to do, win a Teddy Bear".
Thats one strategy that can work ok. The other of course is to blast them and see where they go.
I would like to know what the break is to make the wing ball that someone mentioned.
Should be good for a few tips.
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I break from the side about an inch off of the rail with follow. The head ball can go in the side pocket or cross side. The corner ball can go 4 rails in the corner. I've made both balls before depending on the table.
You may have to change the speed of your break and aim a touch off center to adjust for the table.
Best,
Mike
You may have to change the speed of your break and aim a touch off center to adjust for the table.
Best,
Mike
My break
I break from aprox 4" off center and aim to hit the head ball straight on with the cue ball rebounding back to the middle of the table. Ideally the two wing balls bank around and one goes in the side and the other in the corner. With the oversize cue ball on a bar box I can get the head ball to go toward the corner with the two wing balls going in the side and corner respectively. I have made 2 ones this way. If nothing goes all three balls should be back in the rack area or near the two foot pockets, for a simple 4. 3 ball has always been great practice for my 9 ball break. Hit it hard and accurately.
I break from aprox 4" off center and aim to hit the head ball straight on with the cue ball rebounding back to the middle of the table. Ideally the two wing balls bank around and one goes in the side and the other in the corner. With the oversize cue ball on a bar box I can get the head ball to go toward the corner with the two wing balls going in the side and corner respectively. I have made 2 ones this way. If nothing goes all three balls should be back in the rack area or near the two foot pockets, for a simple 4. 3 ball has always been great practice for my 9 ball break. Hit it hard and accurately.