My opinion on bonus ball…

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In my opinion bonus ball is a great game for the pros to play. I don’t think it’s a game that the average player is capable of playing. However, for a true fan of pool, this game is a truly intriguing because it incorporates many of the challenging elements from different games (one pocket, straight pool, rotation games, 8 ball, etc.). I think that if pool, as a sport, was in a situation where it was much more popular than it is now, that bonus ball would be a great idea and not have all of the controversy attached to it that I have read about lately.

What I mean is that it is probably not a good game to get people to develop a new interest in pool, but it is a good game for people who do love pool. And since it seems like the pool world’s biggest priority right now is to get more people interested in the game, it probably was not the best time to introduce a game like this (even though I very much enjoy watching it).
 
I have to agree with you, there is little interest from any of the players I know in playing bonus ball.
It is a pretty confusing format.
I do not like watching it that much either. I think the team format is a very good idea since the Mosconi cup is probably the most watched pool event these days. Just change it to 9 ball 10 ball or the game that most amateurs play 8 ball.
 
The biggest problem I see from bonus ball is , unlike your usual tournament, there isn't any real downside for losing a match. I understand its a league and has divisions. Starting out it would of peaked my interested more if they played it where the loser is out or at least on the one lost side. I'm thinking most pro's wouldn't play if that was the case. I just can't get into bonus ball as a weekly league event.
 
The Rooster said:
The biggest problem I see from bonus ball is , unlike your usual tournament, there isn't any real downside for losing a match. I understand its a league and has divisions. Starting out it would of peaked my interested more if they played it where the loser is out or at least on the one lost side. I'm thinking most pro's wouldn't play if that was the case. I just can't get into bonus ball as a weekly league event.
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It's very similar to the format of the NFL. Ever heard of it? Remember all those games that Brady sat out because he could? Yet somehow the Super Bowl was the most watched event in the US.

This is the worst argument against bonus ball I've heard yet.
 
I keep going back and forth on it because I think it has several pros and cons. I think it's biggest draw is that it's cool to watch the guys really interact in the team format, and they have the mics up nice and loud where you can really hear the chatter. I've been blown away a couple of times this weekend by hearing some of the thought processes out loud. It really shows their creativity. One of the biggest cons for me is that sometimes games can devolve into basically what amounts to a one pocket game. I know some people like the moving etc, and I certainly appreciate the shots and the skill it requires. However, for me one pocket and anything resembling it is a total snoozer. In the end I'll continue to watch when it's free when players I like to watch are on the stream. Otherwise I'd much rather watch 8 ball or 10 ball.
 
StraightPoolIU said:
I keep going back and forth on it because I think it has several pros and cons. I think it's biggest draw is that it's cool to watch the guys really interact in the team format, and they have the mics up nice and loud where you can really hear the chatter. I've been blown away a couple of times this weekend by hearing some of the thought processes out loud. It really shows their creativity. One of the biggest cons for me is that sometimes games can devolve into basically what amounts to a one pocket game. I know some people like the moving etc, and I certainly appreciate the shots and the skill it requires. However, for me one pocket and anything resembling it is a total snoozer. In the end I'll continue to watch when it's free when players I like to watch are on the stream. Otherwise I'd much rather watch 8 ball or 10 ball.
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I agree that the US with short attention spans could never handle the one pocket portion.

This game has got to be designed for the Asian market that loves pool and appreciates good safety play.
 
Luxury said:
I agree that the US with short attention spans could never handle the one pocket portion.

This game has got to be designed for the Asian market that loves pool and appreciates good safety play.
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I love pool as much as anyone and that includes good safety play, but when any game turns in to bunting balls i'm out.
 
StraightPoolIU said:
I love pool as much as anyone and that includes good safety play, but when any game turns in to bunting balls i'm out.
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The shot clock and the 15 minute time limit before a shootout limits how long such play can drag out, which is another benefit of the game from a spectator's perspective
 
I understand it has the same format as the NFL, MLB, NBA . But unlike the NFL you don't have the chance to watch all the games over the weekend. You don't get a chance to watch your team each week . You don't have Espn showing you highlights. It looks more like 6 pros just hanging out and playing some game on a pool table. It just doesn't appeal to me but if you enjoy it well more power to you
 
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