Mosconi Cup - Break Rules

V

voiceofreason

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have to say that as someone that has watched it each night live, for the whole length of the coverage, the break rules have made for some great viewing.

It's been exciting, the odd golden break thrown in, but because of the hard conditions, "pool" is actually being played. Both players/teams are getting a visit most of the time.

Until the balls are actually broken and come to rest there is no real idea what is going to happen next. Add to this the short distance format and it's very exciting..

Purists will argue against this but I have to say - well done Matchroom (again).

Gripping TV..
 
after two days of watching I feel I don't like current break rules. That's okay about the break box, and actually they could have made it even shallower. But as for moving the rack THAT far uptable, there are too many golden breaks. Team Europe figured it out first (as always happens at the Mosconi Cup), if the last ball travels straight along the table axis there is good chance the 9 would be cut into the side.

On a side note, I didn't pay close attention (I will tonight) but as I recall the last ball was always the 2? That's not mentioned anywhere, but supposedly that is just another "break rule" this year.

I think with the break box it would have been sufficient to move the rack only a ball up, maybe 1 1/2. Just to make it hard to make the wing ball.
 
i love how the 2-ball hits the 9 then goes crazy. very suspenseful for the audience.
 
Vahmurka said:
after two days of watching I feel I don't like current break rules. That's okay about the break box, and actually they could have made it even shallower. But as for moving the rack THAT far uptable, there are too many golden breaks. Team Europe figured it out first (as always happens at the Mosconi Cup), if the last ball travels straight along the table axis there is good chance the 9 would be cut into the side.

On a side note, I didn't pay close attention (I will tonight) but as I recall the last ball was always the 2? That's not mentioned anywhere, but supposedly that is just another "break rule" this year.

I think with the break box it would have been sufficient to move the rack only a ball up, maybe 1 1/2. Just to make it hard to make the wing ball.
Click to expand...

love your avatar!
 
SVB is the best breaker in the world, and he isn't going for the 2 ball into the 9 for the 5% chance at a golden break. He is trying to make the 1 ball in the side. He had 6 breaks on Monday and pocketed the 1 ball directly into the side 2/6. He also pocketed the 1 in the top corner 1/6. No one else has been able to directly pocket the 1 into the side pocket.

I wonder if they need to make the break box even smaller as SVB is working out how to make the 1 in the side. On the other hand, he has to pound the rack to do it so the break is still far from being predictable.

The break rules are a huge improvement for 9 ball!!
 
Vahmurka said:
... On a side note, I didn't pay close attention (I will tonight) but as I recall the last ball was always the 2? That's not mentioned anywhere, but supposedly that is just another "break rule" this year. ...
Click to expand...
I think the "2 in back" rule has been used in some tournaments for about 15 years.

I asked Souquet about the golden break possibilities and he pointed out that if it just comes close to the head pocket it is in danger of being pocketed by the next player on a combination.

One remarkable result of the break rules is that there were many breaks that left all or nearly all of the balls above the side pockets.
 
Magog30 said:
SVB ... had 6 breaks on Monday and pocketed the 1 ball directly into the side 2/6. He also pocketed the 1 in the top corner 1/6. No one else has been able to directly pocket the 1 into the side pocket. ...
Click to expand...

Perhaps you mean Tuesday.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top