Is 9-ball pool?

[wayne]

In the comparison between snooker and pool it seems like a lot of people interchange 9-ball with pool. Doesn't pool include 8-ball, rotation, 1-pocket, banks, straight pool etc. Of the more popular pool games 9-ball may well be the simplest or close to it (along with 8-ball). To compare snooker to 9-ball as far as difficulty level is a no brainer. There are many top 9-ball players who aren't really good at some of the other pool games.

As a kid I played some snooker and became quite proficient in pretty short order with a natural talent for ball pocketing. After my teens I never played again until I was 45 years old. I started out playing 9-ball as a ball banger and made rapid progress over a year or two to where I could play decent. I started playing one-pocket and focused most of my energy there and have been developing at that game for 8 years to the point where I play pretty strong. Now I am starting to learn banks which seems like another long hard road to reach a high level. I have never played 8-ball but it may be necessary to study and learn this game if it catches on as the big money game. Straight pool would also require a long learning curve and I can't even imagine trying to become great in rotation.

It seem that a number of people have stated that pool is an easy game, although 9-ball and 8-ball are pretty easy to learn, is pool really that easy?

Wayne

 

[hobokenapa]

It seem that a number of people have stated that pool is an easy game, although 9-ball and 8-ball are pretty easy to learn, is pool really that easy?

I think 9-ball is the easiest. The table is open and the balls tell you which order they go in. No brains required. 8-ball has a lot more strategy, and is not just a runout game like 9-ball. Straight Pool is more difficult, and involves a lot more strategy, and precise pattern play. I haven't played one pocket myself.

After playing 9-ball for a whole season, and rarely missing, I missed more balls in one match of Straight Pool then the last four months playing 9-ball. When you are in a match with a lot of safety play, that table length shot that seems so straightforward in 9-ball becomes a hell of a lot harder.

 

[Rickw]

Pool includes all of the games played on a pool table, at least that's my humble opinion. That would include 9b, 8b, 1h, 14.1, banks, line-up, rotation, etc.

As for which game is better, well that's an individual preference. I think every game has it's pros and cons. Personally, I like 9b, 1h and 8b the best but I can get into playing banks too. My least favorite is 14.1 because of the tempo. I just hate sitting there watching someone shooting while I'm sitting there. The other games seem to afford you more opportunities to play.

 

[pete lafond]

I think 9-ball is the easiest. The table is open and the balls tell you which order they go in. No brains required. 8-ball has a lot more strategy, and is not just a runout game like 9-ball. Straight Pool is more difficult, and involves a lot more strategy, and precise pattern play. I haven't played one pocket myself.

After playing 9-ball for a whole season, and rarely missing, I missed more balls in one match of Straight Pool then the last four months playing 9-ball. When you are in a match with a lot of safety play, that table length shot that seems so straightforward in 9-ball becomes a hell of a lot harder.

Contrary to what you might think. Pros playing 8 ball will run out 2 times more in 8 ball than they will in 9 ball. 8 ball is a more offensive game, the defensive strategies came in mostly through average players inability to play good position and the lack of shot making ability.

All said, 8 ball is another pool game that is probably the most popular in the bar set. Good game just as 14.1 and 9 ball are too.

 

[hobokenapa]

Contrary to what you might think. Pros playing 8 ball will run out 2 times more in 8 ball than they will in 9 ball. 8 ball is a more offensive game, the defensive strategies came in mostly through average players inability to play good position and the lack of shot making ability.

Good point. I've never seen pros play 8-ball. I think that is another reason why the IPT will be so interesting.