Bob Jewett said:
Since I do not play black ball, I think this is a matter for those who do to sort out.
The problem from the rules writing perspective is that the rules for black ball, as originally received, were editorially in an entirely different universe from the other rules for pool. One could argue that the rules for black ball do not belong in the same set of rules as the games of pool that are played on standard pool tables with standard pool balls. (9-foot and 2.25-inch) For whatever reason, it was decided to put them with the pool rules. As far as I know, I correctly translated the black ball rules I was given into the format required for standard pool games.
At least one problem is that there are several versions of black ball, or so I've heard.
My own opinion is that it was as foolish of the British to invent a different form of eight ball as it was for the Americans to come up with their own rules for snooker. Life would be easier for everyone if the BBers would just play eight ball.
Yes Bob, but it is rather more a case of there being several versions of uk style 8 ball rather than several versions of "Blackball" per se. In fact "Blackball" is itself only a very recent name conjured up at the time that one camp of the various uk style 8 ball governing bodies decided to align themselves with the WPA. "Blackball" is only one of several rule sets used for uk style 8 ball pool.
There are basically three different sets of rules for uk style 8 ball in use:-
1. "World Rules", no connection with WPA in a 'world' sense, just to add further confusion
These rules are the domain of the WEPF who have their own World Championships every year. They are mainly played in England where the main World Rules Tour is run by The IPA. The EPA (English Pool Association) are firm supporter of World Rules and in fact refuse to have anything to do with the WPA or Blackball Rules. These rules are also played in Australia and in a few other countries.
2. "Blackball Rules". These are basically a modified version of older sets of rules formerly known as "Fed Rules" or "BAPTO Rules". The supporters of these rules have their own governing bodies, world championships etc. These rules are mainly played in South Africa, Scotland, Wales, parts of Ireland and England and some other European and African countries.
3. "Old EPA Rules". These are the rules which predated the above number 1 (World Rules). They are no longer in use for world championships etc but are still popular and in very wide use in pub and club leagues throughout England.
Historically, probably the main reasons that any of these rules exist is that when pool tables first came to uk they were early versions of American bar boxes which were a little unsuited to the British pub environment (where most pool is played, not in pool halls) partly due to size and partly due to the British public being more accustomed to snooker. This led to the development of uk style pool tables which are more conducive to the limited space in pubs and easier on the senses of a public more comfortable with mini snooker table styles.
Leading on from that it then quickly became crystal clear that American 8 ball rules were completely unsuitable to uk style tables, mainly due to the cut of the pockets. New uk style rules were then a natural derivative of that situation (a foolish one in your view, lol) There is no present realistic reason to expect that American style bar box pool tables will ever completely replace uk style tables in many countries.
It sure would make life easier if everyone who played uk style 8 ball at least played to one common set of rules and if there were less so called governing bodies and only one unified world championship etc. That is a debate which has been raging for many many years with absolutely no sign of any real positive progress. However purely in a rules context the chance of any future unified common rules for play on uk style 8 ball tables ever being the same WPA/BCA type 8 ball rules used for American tables, are zero for the reasons decribed above
That is not to say that American 8 ball isn't played in pool halls on full size American tables in Uk and elsewhere because of course it is, along with 9 ball. Both have gained some popularity recently.....but are still a zillion miles behind uk style 8 ball pool in terms of the numbers of people regularly playing. It is a little hard to desrcibe just how tiny a minority sport American style pool is in uk and in some of the other countries playing uk style 8 ball pool.
Hope some of this rambling is useful from a background knowledge point of view
Bob....would you have any objection to me reproducing your above post on the uk sites as I think your opinion and explanation are both valuable and deserve to be heard?
