If the lag is a skill shot, there's a better way

[poolscholar]

Instead of lagging twice across the table. The lag could be one table length, closest to rail by the racking area.

1. This is a more natural length and comes up often in real games.

2. This eliminates the luck factor of hitting the rail, every rail reacts differently and it's a bit of a guessing game. Not to mention dead or hot spots

3. Less chance of table roll affecting the lag result. Sometimes you'll get a scratch or a longer path

All of these reduce luck and makes the lag shot a better measure of speed control and skill

 

[Bob Jewett]

Nah.

 

[David in FL]

Instead of lagging twice across the table. The lag could be one table length, closest to rail by the racking area.

1. This is a more natural length and comes up often in real games.

2. This eliminates the luck factor of hitting the rail, every rail reacts differently and it's a bit of a guessing game. Not to mention dead or hot spots

3. Less chance of table roll affecting the lag result. Sometimes you'll get a scratch

All of these reduce luck and makes the lag shot a better measure of speed control

Why?

No.

I'd rather 2 rails back to the foot rail. That would be fun and sporty...

 

[Mark V]

Why?

Same exact thought I had.

 

[poolscholar]

Same exact thought I had

Why not?

 

[lfigueroa]

Instead of lagging twice across the table. The lag could be one table length, closest to rail by the racking area.

1. This is a more natural length and comes up often in real games.

2. This eliminates the luck factor of hitting the rail, every rail reacts differently and it's a bit of a guessing game. Not to mention dead or hot spots

3. Less chance of table roll affecting the lag result. Sometimes you'll get a scratch

All of these reduce luck and makes the lag shot a better measure of speed control

Nope.

Lou Figueroa

 

[poolscholar]

Y'all closed minded lol

 

[lfigueroa]

Y'all closed minded lol

"1. This is a more natural length and comes up often in real games."
Ah, guess what? So does coming off a rail.

"2. This eliminates the luck factor of hitting the rail, every rail reacts differently and it's a bit of a guessing game. Not to mention dead or hot spots"
Ah, guess what, if you can't accurately judge the speed of the rails you are a dead duck anywhos. And, in any event that you are actually compelled to lag, it is doubtful you will encounter dead/hot spots.

"3. Less chance of table roll affecting the lag result. Sometimes you'll get a scratch."
Ah, guess what? Pool tabes are not perfect and besides I don't think I've ever heard of two lags running into each other. AND, if you are scratching on the lag... just unscrew and go home, lol.

Lou Figueroa

 

[poolscholar]

Because it's always been done a certain way is not a good argument. Change is fine if it's better

People say the lag is skill. This method increases the skill

Is there a reason 2 table lengths is better than 1 table length lag?

 

[nataddrho]

The opening lag is supposed to be difficult enough that there is a clear winner by inspection. We don’t want to start creating arguments on who won a lag by a millimeter. When that happens the players lag one more time and there is never a second tie.

A skill shot executed perfectly by two players to both repeatedly land on a rail is the opposite of a coin toss, which is also used to start games.

 

[poolscholar]

The opening lag is supposed to be difficult enough that there is a clear winner by inspection. We don’t want to start creating arguments on who won a lag by a millimeter. When that happens the players lag one more time and there is never a second tie.

A skill shot executed perfectly by two players to both repeatedly land on a rail is the opposite of a coin toss, which is also used to start games.

The fact that most lags are not close means it's not a good indicator of skill and pretty random. So make it more skillful we want the first break decided by a skill shot

This is off topic but i prefer coin flip as it's faster and nobody wants to practice the lag

 

[bbb]

The fact that most lags are not close means it's not a good indicator of skill and pretty random. So make it more skillful we want the first break decided by a skill shot

This is off topic but i prefer coin flip as it's faster and nobody wants to practice the lag

Are you @el chappo on onepocket.org?
Can you explain to me why going 1 rail on a lag is more skilfull than going 2 rails?
Thanks

 

[poolscholar]

Are you @el chappo on onepocket.org?
Can you explain to me why going 1 rail on a lag is more skilfull than going 2 rails?
Thanks

See my first post. I'm not on any 1p sites

 

[bbb]

See my first post. I'm not on any 1p sites

We can agree to disagree
I have never seen a scratch on the lag by 2 players with a even alittle skill
Takes the same or more feel because of the distance

 

[Jimmy_Betmore]

The fact that most lags are not close means it's not a good indicator of skill and pretty random.

Define "close" and in what setting? The reason I ask is "close" is a very subjective idea.

Just for funsies I took a couple of minutes to try to track down a full pro tournament bracket that included scores. The first one I found was for The 2023 American Straight Pool Championship (https://americanstraightpool.com/.) I'm sure there are more out there but I didn't want to spend all night searching for something that might not be out there. Anyway, the average margin of victory on the winner's side was 73.53 points going to 150. (I didn't do the loser's side because they played to 125 and it would have skewed the average.) We're not talking about Billy Bob who "paid his way through college" here. These are some of the best straight pool players in the world. And yes, I understand how straight pool works and that once a player gets a shot, they're very capable of running 150 and out. But my point and question is this: Was the average match during this tournament close enough to warrant it being an adequate test of skill? And I'd bet most tournaments have set results similar to these. Hill/Hill isn't as common in nine ball as 13-6 or a similar score.

I prefer a coin flip, too. But where it's required the lag is fine as it is.

 

[j2pac]

Because it's always been done a certain way is not a good argument. Change is fine if it's better

People say the lag is skill. This method increases the skill

Is there a reason 2 table lengths is better than 1 table length lag?

I think both players should hit their lag shot, and then fire at the moving object ball with a .22 caliber revolver. Safety glasses optional.

 

[sciarco]

I may not always be right but I'm never wrong just leave it the way it is.

 

[something_pool]

3. Less chance of table roll affecting the lag result. Sometimes you'll get a scratch

The softer you hit, the more table roll is a factor, not less...

 

[poolscholar]

The opening lag is supposed to be difficult enough that there is a clear winner by inspection. We don’t want to start creating arguments on who won a lag by a millimeter. When that happens the players lag one more time and there is never a second tie.

A skill shot executed perfectly by two players to both repeatedly land on a rail is the opposite of a coin toss, which is also used to start games.

Good point, but you can always repeat a lag. It's possible you get lots of ties and its not practical.

It could be more meaningful or fun if it was close more often. Especially at the pro level and you could have a ref decide. A lot of pros are just going through the motion and don't practice it. So it's essentially random.

 

[sciarco]

what happened to Mr garczar unless my eyes are playing tricks on me i thought i saw his post on here.