cuechick said:
I think the IPT's choice of 8 ball is smart marketing, it is not only the most popular game for the general public at large, but the most popular league game. There are far more 8 ball teams between APA, BCA, Tap and independent leagues than 9 ball. So more people will be able to turn it on and just get it.
I also think 9 ball when played at this level looks too easy to the causal viewer. Of course we all understand how good you have to be to make it look easy...
As far as the game itself, I think they both have there complexities. There is less of a luck factor in 8 ball. I also like the fact the my opponent still has to make their balls to win, even if I run out and miss the 8. I don't think any of the players have complained about this choice, that I have heard of.
I also think 8-ball is smart marketing just because it's something different and, ironically, something "new" compared to the 9-ball we usually see.
However, I think 8-ball at this level also looks too easy and probably easier than 9-ball, because you usually don't need to make great shots or really juice up the cueball to run an 8-ball rack, just play smart with good speed and good touch. Kind of like in straight pool where people might say "that's easy, every shot is straight in." At least in 9-ball, you often have to come with some shots simply because that's how the balls are laying and there's no other way. In a sense, the fact that 8-ball is arguably a more "strategic" game makes it less telegenic, kind of like straight pool.
As far as the luck factor, I tend to thing it's about the same in 8-ball and 9-ball at the pro level. At the amateur level, there is probably less luck in 8-ball, for various reasons, and at the banger level, there is certainly less luck in 8-ball because you actually have to pocket 8 balls to win. But at the pro level, if you run out and miss the 8-ball, you're going to lose, period. Even more than in 9-ball, because you might leave the 9-ball tough if you miss, but if the other guy has 7 balls left and you miss the 8, there's no way you're gonna leave him tough.
I haven't seen any IPT matches except the few on TV, but I watched a qualifier, and I tell you, those guys were out; one shot, and you're out. The most suspenseful moment of each game was whether a ball would drop on the break, and whether there would be a scratch on the break. After that, sure, sometimes someone would screw up, and sometimes the balls would lay freakishly bad, but basically I would say 70%-80% of the time the first shooting inning was a run-out.
So, in my opinion, if 70% of the time the outcome is determined by whether a ball drops on the break, that's too much luck. Just my opinion. I know some people break better than others, but let's face it, there's a huge luck factor as to whether or not a ball drops. At least in 9-ball you need to keep the cue ball under control to hopefully get a shot at the 1, but in 8-ball, as long as you don't scratch, you're gonna have a shot.
On the other hand, in 9-ball you can miss a shot and get lucky with the leave and hook you're opponent. Or you can get out of line halfway through and escape with a decent safe. In 8-ball, that doesn't really work. You miss, you lose. You get out of line halfway through a run, you're probably going to lose. I really like that aspect of 8-ball. I just wish there wasn't so much riding on whether a ball drops on the break.
