Nine ball rule changes?

[tc in l a]

What would you change in these major or regional tournaments?

I'm sure there's a thread somewhere out here but there was so much discussion about the Shane-Ko match I thought I'd ask for some recent thoughts, or for those of you who prefer to do it another way feel free to revive or link an older thread.

I'll start with mine.

Break rules - I don't mind templates, pattern racking or alternate break but to offset the alternate break I would like to see "win by two" since we don't have a tie-breaker as they do in tennis.

Push out whenever - I grew up with this and think it adds psychology, strategy and tension to the match, should he, will he, won't he, etc. I also don't think it negates the three scratch rule, might add to it.

Time clocks - Please, something. There has to be a solution to the players who take forever and then end up doing little more than what was the obvious move to begin with.

Coaching - Cardigan Kid posted some very thoughtful comments in another thread today. What are your thoughts?

Thanks for your participation and any additions.

Tony C

 

[Bob Jewett]

What would you change in these major or regional tournaments?

I'm sure there's a thread somewhere out here but there was so much discussion about the Shane-Ko match I thought I'd ask for some recent thoughts, or for those of you who prefer to do it another way feel free to revive or link an older thread.

I'll start with mine.

Break rules - I don't mind templates, pattern racking or alternate break but to offset the alternate break I would like to see "win by two" since we don't have a tie-breaker as they do in tennis.

Push out whenever - I grew up with this and think it adds psychology, strategy and tension to the match, should he, will he, won't he, etc. I also don't think it negates the three scratch rule, might add to it.

Time clocks - Please, something. There has to be a solution to the players who take forever and then end up doing little more than what was the obvious move to begin with.

Coaching - Cardigan Kid posted some very thoughtful comments in another thread today. What are your thoughts?

Thanks for your participation and any additions.

Tony C

All it takes is convincing the promoter. If you run/fund the tournament, it's done.

 

[poolguy4u]

Shot clock......yes.

Neutral racker and no one can check the rack.
Put a hankercheif over the rack right after they rack.

Or make up a template for putting over the rack before breaking.

No three foul rule. Nine goes in on a good hit, it's a win including the break.

The greatest shot in nine ball is the luck shot.


If good players don't like it, they don't have to play
because I know a lot of bar bangers that will.

Why does the best player always have to win?
Give the lucky player an equal chance by getting lucky.:smile:

Oh...and loser breaks.

 

[philly]

Shot clock......yes.

Neutral racker and no one can check the rack.
Put a hankercheif over the rack right after they rack.

Or make up a template for putting over the rack before breaking.

No three foul rule. Nine goes in on a good hit, it's a win including the break.

The greatest shot in nine ball is the luck shot.


If good players don't like it, they don't have to play
because I know a lot of bar bangers that will.

Why does the best player always have to win?
Give the lucky player an equal chance by getting lucky.:smile:

Oh...and loser breaks.

To put your opponent in a two foul or three foul situation is pure skill to a good player. It is a necessary part of the game. The best player should win if they are even up because all pool games should be games of skill. Why try to get better if that is the case. Get or give weight if a handicap is needed.

 

[bdorman]

Pattern racking solution:

Breaker racks the balls in any pattern he wants. Opponent has the option to require the breaker to exchange the position any two balls (except the one and nine or ten, of course).

After the position exchange the breaker racks the balls tight and breaks. No touching the balls after you've lifted the triangle.

This solution is based on the theory that you can destroy any pattern by exchanging the position of just two balls. Try it; you'll see that it works.

Time clocks would be great, but very impractical without a referee.

 

[Runner]

The new NINE

My .2 cents...

Three foul rule... it's part of the game.

Push out after the break only.

Shot clock with a limited number of "exceptions"... enough with the air stroking
and walking around the table 20 times... get on with it. The official who is racking should notify the player.. this used to be the case, don't know why it changed.

Neutral racker... this has been discussed often. An official racks the balls... takes the
pattern racking out of it. I think it speeds up play a little.

Call nine ball... no sh**ing in a nine off of some other shot. All other object balls are
non-call.. it's pretty obvious what you're doing in nine ball. If you pocket your intended ball, any incidental ball going in stays down.

Nine on the break is a win.. it's part of nine ball, it's exciting, and if you want to spot up the money ball off of a break, play 10 ball.

Winner breaks?... I'm on the fence on this one... I love seeing a guy string racks together, but in a tournament, giving the opponent a chance to shoot?

Cheers

 

[SamLambert]

My .2 cents...

Three foul rule... it's part of the game.

Push out after the break only.

Shot clock with a limited number of "exceptions"... enough with the air stroking
and walking around the table 20 times... get on with it. The official who is racking should notify the player.. this used to be the case, don't know why it changed.

Neutral racker... this has been discussed often. An official racks the balls... takes the
pattern racking out of it. I think it speeds up play a little.

Call nine ball... no sh**ing in a nine off of some other shot. All other object balls are
non-call.. it's pretty obvious what you're doing in nine ball. If you pocket your intended ball, any incidental ball going in stays down.

Nine on the break is a win.. it's part of nine ball, it's exciting, and if you want to spot up the money ball off of a break, play 10 ball.

Winner breaks?... I'm on the fence on this one... I love seeing a guy string racks together, but in a tournament, giving the opponent a chance to shoot?

Cheers

9 on the break is a win, but gotta call the 9 after that? Seems weird don't you think?

 

[poolguy4u]

To put your opponent in a two foul or three foul situation is pure skill to a good player. It is a necessary part of the game. The best player should win if they are even up because all pool games should be games of skill. Why try to get better if that is the case. Get or give weight if a handicap is needed.

:boring2:



Three fouls in a row is a cheap way to win. I rarely play a safe.

My luck game is too good. Every time I miss I might get lucky and leave you safe.:thumbup:

 

[philly]

:boring2:



Three fouls in a row is a cheap way to win. I rarely play a safe.

My luck game is too good. Every time I miss I might get lucky and leave you safe.:thumbup:

Your luck game is too good? Born under a lucky star huh? Okay.

 

[Solomon]

I like having a shot clock. I think the World Cup of Pool and Mosconi Cup have it right. The shot clock should start when the non-shooting player returns to his/her designated area. A player looking at the table after he/she has shot to see if they've left their opponent a shot shouldn't eat up the shooting player's time. (A shot clock is a must for any televised match).

Alternate break. I think pretty much every sport in the history of sports has it right.

I like the 3 foul rule. It adds another dynamic to the game and as long as there is a shot clock it doesn't negatively affect the length of the match.

Call the 9 ball. The money ball should never be allowed to be lucked in for the win (unless made on the break).

9 on the break wins. I'm really not a fan of the game being able to be won/lost on the break. However, the odds are low enough and it adds so much excitement to the game that I can live with it.

Neutral racker. Another must for televised matches. I understand that every tournament doesn't have the manpower to provide a neutral racker (or dedicated referee) for every match. In these instances, opponents rack for one another.

Push out only after the break. I don't understand how you can push out whenever if you're required to make a good hit on the lowest number ball.

I don't mind a player being coached from the seat when he/she is not shooting. The player still has to execute and a shot clock would keep it from getting out of hand.

 

[Runner]

Nine on...

9 on the break is a win, but gotta call the 9 after that? Seems weird don't you think?

IMO, no... I don't have a problem with the 9 winning on the break... I don't like a missed shot on an OB kissing in the 9 unintentionally, counting for a win, or a guy missing the 9 and having it bank in another pocket... that's just slop. Call 9 after the break.