Is your best game one you actually don't prefer?

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AzB Silver Member
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I prefer 1 pkt, but I had a better win percentage with 9 ball. Luck factor probably.
 
i would think people would tend to like better the things they get rewarded for more
so
i would think people would prefer the game they win at more
jmho
 
And bbb nails both awesome points immediately. Well said Doc!

My favorite game is big table 9/10 ball because I think it is the most challenging to run racks. But my firepower isn't at the elite level. So I'm probably most competitive at bar table 8 ball and one pocket.

But I'm a challenge seeker. I agree more with your first post, most people have certain aspects of the game they like, they get good at those aspects, then they like games that reward those skills. Movers and thinkers like one pocket, strikers like rotation, and recreational players like bar boxes :)
 
Surprised this hasn’t got more traction. I don’t think I’m any better at the main three played locally in tournaments. Those being 8, 9, and 10.
 
bbb said:
just to contadict myself
i also think people might like to challenge themselves and prefer the game that is more "challenging" even if they suck at it
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I can hold my own at 8-ball to a pretty good level on the American table. But then it is the game that is played most here in halls. I have beaten some friends who are professional c-8 players on the American table, which always brings a nice hit of dopamine. But I very much prefer 9ball when the luck is going my way.

I played in a doubles 8-ball match with a friend who is a pro snooker player from XJ, and it was super fun. Amazing cueist, but doesn't have the pool 'brain'. Felt like an evil super villain directing him, "make this ball, put the CB here for me" - short tournament with races to 5. We ran out two matches without opponents playing a shot.

I enjoy 8-ball, but I think playing so much of it (and often an adaptation of the rule set I consider best), means I don't enjoy it as much as rotation games.

The people here who dedicate themselves to rotation games, are on another planet when it comes to consistency. I would say the 'average' player here, is better than a 'better' player elsewhere. I feel I am always learning and progressing with rotation games and I think that is what contributes to my enjoyment of them.
 
bbb said:
just to contadict myself
i also think people might like to challenge themselves and prefer the game that is more "challenging" even if they suck at it
Click to expand...
Agree, there are all sorts of people who take pleasure in all sorts of pursuits. Some like the challenge, and some like the ego building.
 
I'd say my biggest strength is 9-ball, simply because I've played it the most and therefore have the most experience with it. But one pocket and pretty much all speciality games are my favourite to play (banks, carom games, pretty much any custom games made up on the spot). Variety is key. For me, coming up with new strategic ideas/shot ideas on the spot is more fun than repeating stuff I already know well.
 
My best game is bar table 8 ball. I don`t especially like it. My favorite game is big table 9 ball but I never get a shot after the break.
 
Absolutely! My favorite game is 8-ball, 9 ft. or bar box. Closely followed by straight pool but there’s no opportunity to play. The game I think I play best is 9-ball, by default. 9-ball and 1-pocket are the popular gambling games in my area and I have no experience with 1-pocket. Consequently, I had to get better at 9-ball or quit. Threatened to quit a million times.


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Not much play here unless you want to climb the economy. I like challenging my technique as a function of improving. My take on competition as an enthusiast is why bother challenging people when you can just go past them.
 
I play weekly 8-ball and 9-ball tournaments and an 8-ball league. 8-ball it definitely my better game and my preference between the two. That being said, I vastly prefer one pocket to either of those.
 
Yes. I can no longer access my league stats and although my favorite game is 9B (fast and loose) I'm pretty sure my 8B win percentage is higher than my 9B win percentage. I guarantee my current 8B B&R percentage is higher than my current 9B B&R percentage. Truth be told, I bet most people who are proficient at playing pool have a higher 8B win percentage than their 9B win percentage (rotation in general and all other things being equal - mainly opponent's ability). Simply put, it's an easier game. 8B is a game of shot selection while 9B is a game of shot execution. Chances are, you'll make better decisions (again, must be a proficient player) over the long run than better shots. As long as you can pick the right shots in 8B (and can pocket balls, i.e proficient) then you'll be OK but in 9B you have to be able to execute said shot and not everyone can do that.

I enjoy 1P and 14.1 but if I'm not dedicated to that particular set I will eventually lose interest and a similar caliber player with better focus will generally get the better of me.
 
I started out playing a lot of 9 ball and some one pocket in Richmond, VA in the mid 90's. Those are still my favorite games, but I've lived in the Bozeman MT area for over 20 years and most of the competition is bar table 8 ball, perhaps my least favorite game. At this point it's probably my best just because I've competed way more at it than anything else. I've come to respect that game a lot more and really love the pool community here, but I'd much rather play 9 ball or one pocket on a 9 or 8 foot (pretty common to find in the south back in the day) tables.
 
Nah. I like bar box 8 ball and it's also my best game.

I don't particularly enjoy big table 9 ball, but I WANT to enjoy it more. Chalk it up to a "skill issue." Under 600 Fargo or so, it's a difficult and often ugly game. Especially on fairly tight 9' tables.

I like bar box 8 ball because I and people around my skill level can break and run somewhat regularly. If I play 10 racks, I'm surprised if I don't break and run at least once and maybe twice on a good night.

But with big table 9 ball, breaking and running usually comes down to a favorable layout and making one or two lowish percentage shots, whether they're recovery shots or spin-heavy shots to get position. It just doesn't feel as "clean" as bar box 8 ball to me where my run outs are usually pretty textbook. But putting together a textbook B&R on the big table does feel great when it happens.
 
Chili Palmer said:
Yes. I can no longer access my league stats and although my favorite game is 9B (fast and loose) I'm pretty sure my 8B win percentage is higher than my 9B win percentage. I guarantee my current 8B B&R percentage is higher than my current 9B B&R percentage. Truth be told, I bet most people who are proficient at playing pool have a higher 8B win percentage than their 9B win percentage (rotation in general and all other things being equal - mainly opponent's ability). Simply put, it's an easier game. 8B is a game of shot selection while 9B is a game of shot execution. Chances are, you'll make better decisions (again, must be a proficient player) over the long run than better shots. As long as you can pick the right shots in 8B (and can pocket balls, i.e proficient) then you'll be OK but in 9B you have to be able to execute said shot and not everyone can do that.

I enjoy 1P and 14.1 but if I'm not dedicated to that particular set I will eventually lose interest and a similar caliber player with better focus will generally get the better of me.
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That last paragraph should be writ in stone!!!
 
Mensabum said:
That last paragraph should be writ in stone!!!
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Totally.

I personally lose interest playing 9 ball. Moreso when playing a weaker opponent. But by myself it’s no fun at all. Thats why I only practice 8. I don’t care what anybody says about it. 9 ball is simple. That doesn’t mean it’s easier. But It’s only one pattern. Thats it. If you are having trouble in 9 ball think about it that way and your game will probably improve some. There is really nothing to think about.

8 ball has lots of patterns. And you can change it up whenever you want to. Now I’ll get ragged on some. But IMO if you play 8 ball the same exact way you play 9 ball you better be a 700+ if you want the same B&R percentage. I’m talking about playing a set 8 ball pattern from the get go. Playing 8 ball that way there are too many obstacles to set yourself on just one pattern unless you have perfect positional play. 8 ball is multiple smaller patterns. Playing it like 9 ball you don’t leave a lot of the extra “optional” shots you do by playing multiple patterns or by section. As Chili said earlier or in another thread 8 ball is about shot selection. Im gonna take it one step further and say it’s shot selection with small(2-4 ball) patterns. Until you get really good and can do whatever you want. That’s also why you see some strong 9 ball players in the 600-650 range that struggle when they try to play 8. They are trying to play a 7-8 ball pattern and with all the extra balls out there it’s much more difficult to play that way. Again IMO. But I’ve seen it 100’s of times. Plus if I personally try to play 8 ball the same exact way I play 9 ball my B&R goes way down.😉

All in all though. My best game is probably 1 pocket and I never play it. Maybe that’s why it’s my best game.😂😂😂😂😂
 
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