IPT, older players versus younger players

[StevenPWaldon]

I keep running into these threads where people keep saying the old-timer straight pool players are going to dominate the IPT until the new generation of "9-ball players" learn 8-ball on slow cloth and tight pockets.

What a bunch of crap.

There seems to be a very big misconception here that current (esp. new) pros only play 9-ball on big pockets. After all, all you see them play on ESPN is 9-ball and those sloppy buckets, right?

When did people lost so much respect for pros? Come down to Hollywod Billiards and watch Max Eberle run out rack after rack after rack of 8-ball on 4" triple shimmed Gold Crowns set up by Ernesto Dominguez himself. Those pockets will make the IPT look like buckets! Just because you see the BCA Open using 5" pockets doesn't mean that's what the pros practice on and play on every day. Like *any* serious player, they're hitting balls on triple shimmed GCs; 4 1/4" is what they're used to! All the B and A players here I'm sure prefer to play on tight pockets -- what makes you think pros don't or can't?


It's amazing that people see young(er) players and automatically just think of them as just hot-shot 9-ball players. There was even a thread today questioning the qualifications and expectations of Hohmann (8-ball, straight pool and 9-ball champ!).

I can understand why many would have much respect for the old guard; I do myself.

But also realize that many many many of the younger players are pros because THEY PLAY ALL GAMES WELL. Manalo won the 14.1 tourney in NJ this year, lest we forget too soon -- the guy's not even 30 and he's playing world class 9-ball and is kicking straight pool legends to the curb. Reyes did the same thing at the Maine Event. And his 143 ball run against Dallas West in the '01 14.1 US Open was anything but conventional but he had poor old Dallas in tears. Even straight shooter Deuel came in 2nd at DCC. Have we all forgotten John Schmidt running 400 balls just this year in straight pool? Or him beating Mike Sigel?

Bottom line is that these guys are immensely talented with a cue stick, and just because all we get to see them is using their skills at 9-ball on loose pockets doesn't mean that's all they're good for. These guys can shoot lights out, and they've put in years and yeard of hard work to get there. They can play straights, 8-ball, 9-ball. I'm sure a lot of them even have trick shots up their sleeve. I'm not discounting the Hall of Famers. I'm just giving credit where it's due.

 

[Colin Colenso]

Homer Simpson: "Who's doin' what now?"

I haven't noticed a lot of talking bagging the skills of the new generation players. I must be out of the loop

 

[Njhustler1]

Old timers, especially those that hang in pool halls, are less computer savvy than most people on here, so I'd be suprised if there's a lot of people talking trash about the younger players considering most people on here are probably between the ages of 15 and 45.

 

[jsp]

...Reyes did the same thing at the Maine Event. And his 143 ball run against Dallas West in the '01 14.1 US Open was anything but conventional but he had poor old Dallas in tears...

I generally agree with what you're saying (although I haven't encountered too many people thinking that the old schoolers would wipe the floor out of the new schoolers). But why are you using Efren as an example for your arguments? No one would consider him as a "younger player" who only plays 9 ball. This man is probably the only person who has wiped the floor out of the "older players" back in the day and still consistently dominates the new players of today, in any game.

 

[Cornerman]

It's amazing that people see young(er) players and automatically just think of them as just hot-shot 9-ball players. There was even a thread today questioning the qualifications and expectations of Hohmann (8-ball, straight pool and 9-ball champ!).

I am sorry you felt that this was somehow a slam on Hohmann's youth. It certainly was not. And I resent the implication.

I can understand why many would have much respect for the old guard; I do myself.

But also realize that many many many of the younger players are pros because THEY PLAY ALL GAMES WELL. Manalo won the 14.1 tourney in NJ this year, lest we forget too soon -- the guy's not even 30 and he's playing world class 9-ball and is kicking straight pool legends to the curb.

Manalo is my pick to win the whole thing, so that should tell you how I feel about whatever your point is.

That being said, old-timers like Sigel and Varner have had little to get their juices flowing. But now, they do. I think Butera is too old at this point, but Sigel isn't and Varner, well he was ill and has made his way back. So those two veterans being two of the top all-around players of all time and have been two of the elite players (Varner and Sigel are #1 and #2 for number of major tournaments won in one calendar year) deserve the kudos.

Because 8-ball isn't so much about the big stroke and long shots, those areas where the old men are weaker no longer are at such a disadvantage. So, they should make a better game compared to 9-ball. That's all we're saying.

Fred

 

[bruin70]

I keep running into these threads where people keep saying the old-timer straight pool players are going to dominate the IPT until the new generation of "9-ball players" learn 8-ball on slow cloth and tight pockets.

What a bunch of crap.
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Bottom line is that these guys are immensely talented with a cue stick, and just because all we get to see them is using their skills at 9-ball on loose pockets doesn't mean that's all they're good for. These guys can shoot lights out, and they've put in years and yeard of hard work to get there. They can play straights, 8-ball, 9-ball. I'm sure a lot of them even have trick shots up their sleeve. I'm not discounting the Hall of Famers. I'm just giving credit where it's due.

i think it's more that the "older" players will do better than they do in 9ball.

ever notice the shift in standings when the pros play 10ball?