No Conflict Rules Favor the Better Player

Paul Schofield

Paul Schofield

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Last Saturday we ran a one day, open to all, Nine-Ball Tournament in Erie PA using the No Conflict Rules. Three past Mosconi Cup players participated. 115 matches were played without controversy. The event moved right along at a good pace. Here is an intersting fact about the tournament: The top 4 bids in the Calcutta finished in matching order in the tournament. The No Conflict Rules award an even larger advantage to the better player. To make it very clear: Alternating breaks and not requiring a ball to be pocketed on the break, favors the better player.

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Why would you want a rule that favors the best players? They already are the favorate when they enter. Soon, you will only have top players enter ( no dead money ) and the field will shrink, The best rack mechanic will still have the advantage. If you only want the best players, then thats all you will get, and not anyone else.
9 ball has been so butchered since the 70's, its become a joke. This just makes it worse.
 
Funny that the best rack mechanic won :)

Also, what's the point of having a most racks broken and ran prize under these rules? I'm sorry, but when you get to keep shooting even if you don't make a ball, then it's NOT a break and run. Also, if Kurt's 5 break and runs were during match play, then they WEREN'T consecutive (since the rules are alternate break).
 
When its your break you should be able to packspray the rack and if you scratch on said packspray you should be able to keep shooting, maybe cueball in kitchen to start out. Does the tournament have to be done in one day and thats why it is limited to 32? Since its an anything goes tournament anyone who isnt an acknowledged pro should also get to shoot out of rotation after the break, still having to "pocket the 9 ball" last though....:thumbup:
 
Gunn_Slinger said:
Why would you want a rule that favors the best players? They already are the favorate when they enter. Soon, you will only have top players enter ( no dead money ) and the field will shrink, The best rack mechanic will still have the advantage. If you only want the best players, then thats all you will get, and not anyone else.
9 ball has been so butchered since the 70's, its become a joke. This just makes it worse.
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This is conventional wisdom but I have found it not to be true. The No Conflict Rules make the matches much closer but the better player wins more often. I have found that the weaker player really does not expect to win nor does he require that he have a chance. He wants a good play for his time, travel, and money. These rules provide just that.

The rules also serve as a platform for a good tournament experience. No one wants to fight, argue, get cheated, or have to cheat in order to win.
 
BeiberLvr said:
Also, if Kurt's 5 break and runs were during match play, then they WEREN'T consecutive (since the rules are alternate break).
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Oh yes they were. They are as much consecutive as is a golfer who birdies 5 holes in a row. or a bowler who strikes 8 times in a row. It was 5 times in a row that when Kurt broke the balls, he ran the rack out.
 
Subscribed......and going for the refreshments!!!!

Paul, I am guessing you have a problem with 10-ball and call shot rules??? Why play the antiquated game of 9-ball at all with those rules and that much talent entered in your tournament? If you are interested in the best players finishing in the money...better to use 10-ball rules imo.

Maniac
 
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Maniac said:
Subscribed......and going for the refreshments!!!!

Paul, I am guessing you have a problem with 10-ball and call shot rules??? Why play the antiquated game of 9-ball at all with those rules and that much talent entered in your tournament? If you are interested in the best players finishing in the money...better to use 10-ball rules imo.

Maniac
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I want to be clear. Like every other sport, I don't think we should be calling anything. Calling balls is advantage for the weaker player and is no fun. IMO: Ten-Ball is where pool goes to die. I am not touching it. I want our game to live on. Harder games, stiffer rules, tighter pockets, point our great sport in the direction of a cemetery. Ten-Ball is miserable.
 
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Paul Schofield said:
I want to be clear. Like every other sport, I don't think we should be calling anything. Calling balls is advantage for the weaker player. IMO: Ten-Ball is where pool goes to die. I am not touching it. I want our game to live on. Harder games, stiffer rules, tighter pockets, points our great sport in the direction of a cemetery. Ten-Ball is miserable.
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Well you certainly entitle to your opinion even if it's wrong ...
10 ball is the best game going right now world wide ,, However it's just one of several disciplines that top players need to be good at ,,
The games demise has zero to do with it's difficulty at the pro level ,, however at the lower level,, harder is by no means better ,, the dead money player don't come if they have no chance ,,


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Hey there Paul. I just wanted complement you on having put together such a nice pool hall! If I lived in your area I would be a regular for sure! :)
 
Paul Schofield said:
Not true. Dead money needs to get value for his time, travel, and recreational dollar. There are ways to provide that without him having to have some chance to win.
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But that's exactly what you're providing. Alternate break is good for the dead money because it allows them to come to the table at least every other rack.

By allowing the dead money player to stay at the table after the break, even without making a ball, they are being sold on the idea that they have a chance. They don't.

What you don't realize is any format without a ball spot handicap is going to favor the better player.
 
These are the silliest rules I've ever heard.
I would never use these in my tournaments.

I want it to be harder for the better player first off. They deserve no freebies, sorry.
You try those rules in Texas and the "dead money" will jot participate, then there goes the event.
 
Called shot favors the weaker player??? I dont think so. This tourney is like so many in my area.A charity for the best players. Ball spots do no good either in handicap tourneys. Only ball spots with games on the wire give the 'dead money' player a chance. I've worked and hustled pool for over 40yrs, and nobody gave me anything. Why do so called 'pros' get the charity games??? I for one dont give my money away, I've never understood 'dead money ' players. If I dont have a chance to win, I dont play. Why would anyone pay hard earned $$$ knowing they have NO CHANCE to win??? I've played a lot of good players in my time. And if they spotted me or I spotted them or we played even, I always had a chance to win ( if not WHY PLAY???? ).
Not having to make a ball on the break is like telling the defence , you cant rush the passer on third down!!!
If you only want 'pros' , then make it a 'pro' event. But dont pass it off as an 'open' event that only 'pros' can win.
 
Gunn_Slinger said:
... Why would anyone pay hard earned $$$ knowing they have NO CHANCE to win??? ...
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fun, entertainment, seasoning, testing oneself, learning to overcome nerves, education, supporting the event or director or room owner, developing personal war stories, ...
 
Paul Schofield said:
Not true. Dead money needs to get value for his time, travel, and recreational dollar. There are ways to provide that without him having to have some chance to win.
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I'm joe blow dead money player and if I don't have a chance of winning a match or two I won't play. If top guys work the rack to make certain balls how does giving them a free shot after the break any better? The only way to be fair is a neutral racker and the breaker can not go look at the rack.


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Gunn_Slinger said:
Called shot favors the weaker player??? I dont think so. This tourney is like so many in my area.A charity for the best players. Ball spots do no good either in handicap tourneys. Only ball spots with games on the wire give the 'dead money' player a chance. I've worked and hustled pool for over 40yrs, and nobody gave me anything. Why do so called 'pros' get the charity games??? I for one dont give my money away, I've never understood 'dead money ' players. If I dont have a chance to win, I dont play. Why would anyone pay hard earned $$$ knowing they have NO CHANCE to win??? I've played a lot of good players in my time. And if they spotted me or I spotted them or we played even, I always had a chance to win ( if not WHY PLAY???? ).
Not having to make a ball on the break is like telling the defence , you cant rush the passer on third down!!!
If you only want 'pros' , then make it a 'pro' event. But dont pass it off as an 'open' event that only 'pros' can win.
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I agree, but when you won't take the worst of it now a days your considered a nit. NIT=someone that won't let you steal from them. Some people just have too much money or they don't work for it. JT
 
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