No, it isn't a joke. Nobody was stringing racks in Stage 2 at the UK Open. With tight pockets, nine ball is plenty challenging enough, and the break rules in use continued to ensure that the cream kept rising to the top in the Matchroom events. For the five Matchroom events contested so far in 2022, here are the winners.camel tour broke from the box yrs ago. combined with 9-on-spot should slow down the b&r's. good idea imo. without this 9b can be a joke at the top level.
Premier League Pool - Albin Ouschan
World Pool Championship - Shane Van Boening
World Pool Masters - Josh Filler
UK Open - Josh Filler
World Cup of Pool - Team Spain (Sanchez-Ruiz and Alcaide)
The argument that nine ball is too easy does not hold up to scrutiny.
In addition, this break rule discriminates against American entrants, most of whom have played with nine on the spot just a handful of times in their entire careers. In contrast, Euro-tour has been using nine on the spot for many years, although they don't break from the box.
This new break rule is the real joke.