Matchroom changing break rules for European Open (Aug 9-14 Germany)

[sjm]

... people need to know the back stories of the players, their struggle with adversity in becoming who they are.

The modern day players have non of that, they seem to be stone faced, robot drones and although they shoot straight as a string, they are about as exciting to watch as pulling the night shift at the county morgue!

Of course, you are right, but ....

My opinion is that Matchroom IS starting to give some insight into its players' lives. If you watched the World Pool Masters, you saw a feature in which the Ko brothers went bowling and another in which Alex Kazakis went paddleboarding. I loved both of these features and would like to see more of the same.

I also feel that, at long last, Matchroom IS starting to play up the rivalries a little more than in the past. There's no denying that this was a long time coming and their commentary team must carry much of the burden in playing up the rivalries. I feel that Matchroom's commentary team is, at long last, starting to do a better job in playing up the rivalries, and I think it's chiefly due to better preparation.

Yes, there's still plenty of room for improvement, but I reject the suggestion that Matchroom isn't making some strides in these areas.

 

[ChuckJones1987]

Someone earlier mentioned using rounded snooker pockets.

I have always thought that would make nineball a much more interesting game for spectators, leading to more safety battles, and making run outs or packages even more impressive. There would be no need to have a break box ,9 ball on the spot, or any other arbitrary rules we have seen over the years due to the tougher pockets. I just want to see a tougher game all around.

Yes, I know it would never happen. Maybe something for Matchroom to consider for an annual tournament, possibly a one table shoot-out type event.

 

[L.S. Dennis]

Of course, you are right, but ....

My opinion is that Matchroom IS starting to give some insight into its players' lives. If you watched the World Pool Masters, you saw a feature in which the Ko brothers went bowling and another in which Alex Kazakis went paddleboarding. I loved both of these features and would like to see more of the same.

I also feel that, at long last, Matchroom IS starting to play up the rivalries a little more than in the past. There's no denying that this was a long time coming and their commentary team must carry much of the burden in playing up the rivalries. I feel that Matchroom's commentary team is, at long last, starting to do a better job in playing up the rivalries, and I think it's chiefly due to better preparation.

Yes, there's still plenty of room for improvement, but I reject the suggestion that Matchroom isn't making some strides in these areas.

Ok I admit I may have been unduly harsh in that above post but was just trying to make a point. I too am grateful for everything that MR is doing for pool, God knows it’s about time something like this happened for pool and its players.

For now let’s just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best!

 

[jasonlaus]

Can we talk about the Orange ball now

 

[sjm]

Ok I admit I may have been unduly harsh in that above post but was just trying to make a point. I too am grateful for everything that MR is doing for pool, God knows it’s about time something like this happened for pool and its players.

For now let’s just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best!

You made valid points. All I was saying was that there are some encouraging signs, not that the issues you have raised are now resolved.

As we've so often noted on AZB, the player interviews can also play a big part in playing up the rivalries, but Matchroom's well-conducted but plain vanilla interviews have, to this point, failed to do this at all. Wouldn't it have been better at the WPC if, before the final, SVB had said in the interview. "Albin took me down in the 2016 World Pool championship final and he recently pinned a very tough loss on me in the semis at the 2021 International, so I'm really out to get him this time, especially with a chance to realize my life dream of a world championship." A palpable rivalry, specific scores to settle, a general revenge motive and a burning desire to realize a lifelong dream would have all been covered in a single sentence.

Still, I'm bullish that Matchroom Pool, at some point, will conduct interviews that offer better content.

 

[336Robin]

Someone earlier mentioned using rounded snooker pockets.

I have always thought that would make nineball a much more interesting game for spectators, leading to more safety battles, and making run outs or packages even more impressive. There would be no need to have a break box ,9 ball on the spot, or any other arbitrary rules we have seen over the years due to the tougher pockets. I just want to see a tougher game all around.

Yes, I know it would never happen. Maybe something for Marchroom to consider for an annual tournament, possibly a one table shoput-out type event.

I would like to see you do a poll on this. The last time it was winner breaks vs. rotate the break.

Winner breaks won by about 65/35 if I remember correctly. I believe you are in the minority opinion here.

 

[tomatoshooter]

I read it all the time about how so often, one player is basically denied a chance to win because the other is running rack after rack after rack. The thing is that, speaking as somebody who spends 40-50 days a year attending tournaments live, I just don't see this happening. In my 47 years attending pro events live, I've only seen more than a five pack on about four different occasions.

The impression of stringing rack after rack together may come from watching matches on youtube. It's going to be semifinals and finals usually so it's only the best players playing at their peak. Sampling bias.

 

[tomatoshooter]

I could be wrong, but it might be cool if they use a few different rules like this at different times/matches.

As far as the “forceful”, I wouldn’t mind radar. It’s fairly cheap now. And it takes away the subjective nature of official’s discretion. Just don’t have official standing where the camera sees them. As casual viewers might be turned off by it.

Just for example:

Tournament A: Break box

Tournament B: forceful break

Tournament C: 9 on spot

Tournament D: anything goes. Soft break your heart out


Don’t release the break rules until the player check in or meeting.


Just tell them at beginning of season what break formats will be utilized for the year. Prepare accordingly.


This will give some variety, force players to be well rounded breaking, as well as let Matchroom collect data on different formats. They can use the data to get rid of, or add stuff down the line.

I like the idea of variation. Baseball parks are different, golf courses are different, why not pool?

 

[buckshotshoey]

The impression of stringing rack after rack together may come from watching matches on youtube. It's going to be semifinals and finals usually so it's only the best players playing at their peak. Sampling bias.

Good point.

 

[skogstokig]

Someone earlier mentioned using rounded snooker pockets.

I have always thought that would make nineball a much more interesting game for spectators, leading to more safety battles, and making run outs or packages even more impressive. There would be no need to have a break box ,9 ball on the spot, or any other arbitrary rules we have seen over the years due to the tougher pockets. I just want to see a tougher game all around.

Yes, I know it would never happen. Maybe something for Matchroom to consider for an annual tournament, possibly a one table shoot-out type event.

but it wouldn't be american pool. the game your describing exists and is called chinese 8-ball.. occasionally they have chinese 9-ball, which i think is called duel king. and there is also the occassional am. pool player trying their luck on those events, notably SVB, ouschan (runner-up), melling (runner-up), appleton (winner), wu jia-qing, JL chang and others.

i think those tables and that game is an interesting, curious part of the cue sports fauna, but i would never want that version of pool to take over 9-ball, no way.

 

[skogstokig]

Yes, but for American players, the rules employed by Pat are only occasionally seen on my side of the Atlantic Ocean, and represent a clear exception to what is customarily found in American events. Contrastingly, nine on the spot is what Euro-tour has been using for many years and the European players are used to it. So no, it is not true that well-travelled players from America are well-versed in or easily adjust to these break rules, and the "not as well travelled" American players haven't played by these rules more than a few times in their entire careers.

good point, i didn't think of that disparity. i mostly watch the DCC, the international, and sometimes turning stone, overlooking all the minor events.

the eurotour suffers from bucket tables provided by the main sponsor, 1 on the spot is a no go.

 

[336Robin]

I like the idea of variation. Baseball parks are different, golf courses are different, why not pool?

I kind of like some variation of rules also. At least for a little vacation. Variety the spice of life.

 

[Bob Jewett]

I kind of like some variation of rules also. At least for a little vacation. Variety the spice of life.

I think a better way to get variety is to play snooker or 3-cushion. I think it is better to play by one set of rules for the main games. For lots of reasons.

 

[336Robin]

I think a better way to get variety is to play snooker or 3-cushion. I think it is better to play by one set of rules for the main games. For lots of reasons.

I don't disagree but this is Emily figuring how being nice is a good way to get screwed over. We all have to
learn that the hard way. You go girl! (at EF) I really believe she is a super person but the Pool crowd is tough.

 

[Island Drive]

I'm for a small break box/tee box, 9 on the spot winner breaks. Cloth makers might love it!

 

[mista335]

I think this is a player-driven change to the rules.

I don't think Matchroom want to do any more changes to the game.

 

[Bob Jewett]

I think this is a player-driven change to the rules.

I don't think Matchroom want to do any more changes to the game.

I agree that Matchroom would rather not make changes, but they are still trying to find the best way to present the game. I think the main reason they change mid-tournament from templates to racks is for the TV audience. It looks "better". They also understand about tapping/training the table.

 

[Fatboy]

I agree, let them break how they like. Although I have no idea what pink or any other color panties have to do with anything, as that's a completely unrelated subject to the break. I also don't understand what "act like men" means. That is a very strange expression, pool players can be male or female and can have a myriad of outlooks.

If your a man and don’t know how to act like one, that’s pathetic. If your a female then I understand your problem. I’m a man and I don’t know how to act female.

 

[straightline]

Someone earlier mentioned using rounded snooker pockets.

I have always thought that would make nineball a much more interesting game for spectators, leading to more safety battles, and making run outs or packages even more impressive. There would be no need to have a break box ,9 ball on the spot, or any other arbitrary rules we have seen over the years due to the tougher pockets. I just want to see a tougher game all around.

Yes, I know it would never happen. Maybe something for Matchroom to consider for an annual tournament, possibly a one table shoot-out type event.

Takes away shots down the rail. Big minus in a pool game. Snooker too for that matter

If you cut the rails flat like lumber, you can bring the aperture in to 3.5 inches maybe less. More forgiving than pyramid but still tight as F.

I make it a point to post this notion as often as possible. Ignore if you're sick of it.

Uh, Zappa's good though...

 

[skip100]

If your a man and don’t know how to act like one, that’s pathetic. If your a female then I understand your problem. I’m a man and I don’t know how to act female.

Classy.