New game defensive rotation

erhino41

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Reading the new game thread below got me thinking about an idea for a game to practice safety play and kicking that I had been bouncing around for awhile.

It's basically fifteen ball rotation but the only way to successfully pocket a ball is on a ball in hand. Any balls made on the break spot and breaker has option of playing or passing the table. Likewise on a dry break incoming player can play or pass.

Play would then consist of a safety battle on the one until someone fouls. The incoming player can then take ball in hand and make the one thus scoring a point. Play continues until eight points are made by a player.

This could be made shorter by using less balls, ie nine ball, play would then be to five.

Illegally pocketed balls spot and incoming player has option, maybe? All other rotation rules apply, except of course the three foul rule.

One thing I'm not certain about is after the point is made with bih. Should the inning end after that shot, ie a two way shot, or should the scoring shooter have to execute a safety on the next ball in rotation?

The end game is also a mystery. Getting ball in hand on one ball is near impossible barring a blunder. What about last pocket? Or a bank shot? Or a draw with the game point carrying over to the next game.ie ie two on the wire for whomever wins the next rack?
Thoughts?

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The more I think about it the less I like the bih only scoring rule. There should be a penalty for a bad safety/sell out.

Once a safety has been played on a ball that ball is then eligible to be scored, keeping in mind that you'll have to play position for a safety on the next ball.

This solves the end game problem. Once a containing shot has been played on the nine it becomes fair game. This also mostly solves the illegally made ball problem, if a ball is pocketed before it is on, it gets spotted and the incoming player has the option.

This way all aspects of actual rotation safety play is covered, offensively and defensively. Kicks, jumps and containing shots and safeties. This should also keep the game moving pretty well.

I also think standard push out rules should apply after the break.

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The game requires to much pool knowledge.

Successfully finding a safe and having the control to play it are not great for beginners.

It sounds like a great practice game, but not a promotional game, that seems like anyone with a cue stick can win, like 9-ball.

10-ball took that easy feel away with a challenging break.

But in terms of new games is it for new players or players that are tired of classic games?

Its way to difficult for new players.
 
Practice game is the idea, and anyone looking for a challenge. The beginners have eight ball and nine ball if they prove too hard, they should take up another hobby.

In trying to come up with practice ideas for safety situations, drills seemed very limiting and tedious. I wanted to find a way to practice all aspects of safety play for nine and ten ball rotation while still keeping it feeling like rotation.

I couldn't care about reinventing the wheel for tv. If tex ex 9ball can't make it on tv, I'm not sure anything can.

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One other change would be once a ball is on all balls are on until that ball is made. Allowing for combos and caroms which are viable ends to a safety battle.

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For practice I played a few racks of this last night, solo. To keep it honest I was playing to see how many consecutive safety/containing shots I could play before selling out. It was a bit subjective on what a sellout is but I know one when I see one. It also gave me Great practice coming with tough shots to grab control of the table.

It was fun and beneficial. I would certainly use this as a break to the robotic rack running that comprises a lot of my practice time. If others do try it out I'd like to know what you think about it.


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