Oh god do I HATE Straight Pool...

Most boring game:

  • Straight pool

    Votes: 32 19.8%

  • 1-pocket

    Votes: 59 36.4%

  • 8-ball

    Votes: 19 11.7%

  • 9-ball

    Votes: 36 22.2%

  • I like to watch 'American Idol'

    Votes: 16 9.9%
  • Total voters
    162
Peer

Peer

Norwegian in California
Silver Member
Well, as the subject line eludes to, I've never been so close to smashing my cue to pieces from pure frustration.

With some persuasions, yesterday I reluctantly entered a straight pool league. The reason given was that it would improve my 8-ball game. I started playing 6 p.m. and wasn't done until well past 1 a.m. -- the last match lasted 4 hours. Since I have some compulsive tendencies (that also include pool) I can easily play for 12 hours straight without breaking a sweat -- but not straight pool with some sloooooooow playing opponents. I'm too restless.

Besides, all this reminds me of a dreadful period in my childhood when our pool club forced us kids to play 3-cushion "to get better at pool." I wonder if it's just me who have this impatient mindset?

By the way, of course I lost... big time.

-- peer
 
heh...I know the frustration...but for me it's usually because I miss balls that I wouldn't miss in a different game simply because I feel out of my comfort zone in that game

one question though...four hours? that can't be for a single match, race to a normal number like 75-125? I'm no good (high run 29, ONCE) and can get to 125 in 1.5 max...?
 
one of the most frustrating aspects of straight pool is playing a really good player.

i used to gamble cheap with a local old timer. we'd play 20 dollar 9ball sets until i got to a point where i could beat him fairly regularly. he told me he wouldn't play me 9ball any more but he would play me straights for whatever i wanted.

after several sessions of playing him i decided i couldn't beat him at his game. there's nothing more frustrating than playing a 3 hour game where you sit and watch someone run 2 racks then safe you, and every safe you play on him he doubles right back on you, then when you sell out or misshoot a safe him he runs 2 racks then sticks you again.
 
One pocket is the most boring. safety after safety after safety. Just look at Souquets DCC one pocket match= 5 hours in a race to 3? You could hear crickets by the time they were done. A few years back, didn't Nick Varner have a 3 hour one game marathon?

At least with straight pool there is a begining and an end. Every pool game has its boring moments, but One hole out of all of them is the King of boring. Though, it is fun to play. Grass grows faster and paint dries faster than most one pocket games comming to a conclusion!
 
I really enjoy watching great One Pocket, there is nothing boring about watching some of the most skilled players in the world try to out think each other. But I also love Chess, so go figure right?

Straight Pool is a little too offensive for my taste, less thinking and more making balls. It is the least fun for me to watch.
 
The optimum word here being "watch". Unless somebody interesting is playing, read major pro, one hole puts me to sleep.

Personally I love straight pool, makes me have to think about the next 3 or 4 balls. Right behind that I love snooker, I think most of the grey hair I have is because of snooker, damn game!!! :(
 
Well, I'm one of those who voted 9ball. I suppose if you like something, watching it isn't boring, if you don't like something, then watching it would be.

I like the creative aspects of both straight pool and one pocket. I despise the "play by number" dull robotic thinking that 9 ball offers. To each his own.

BTW, if you added Artistic Pool as a "most boring" option, I'd have voted that as # 1. Now there is something akin to watching domino's fall after you set them up. Of course they fall ... you set them up that way .. :rolleyes: zzzzz
 
If 8-ball is your favorite game, then I am surprised that you do not like 14.1. After all 8-ball is just a rack version of 14.1 with a couple of extra restrictions; only shoot highs or lows and the 8 is the last ball pocketed. Not only do I think that 14.1 will improve your 8-ball game, but it will improve any game you play. I see people fail to runout in 8-ball simply because they do not see the shots that would simplify the rack that are commonplace in 14.1 such as:

  • Breaking up clusters and knowing exactly which ball you are shooting next whether it is an insurance ball or one of your balls in that cluster. In 14.1 this not having a plan in this situation is asking for trouble. My favorite moments in 8-ball have been when there was a slug rack and there are still 10+ balls in the stack, my opponent just says 'good luck with that' and I run out because I immediately see the secondary break shot and how to hit it so that the balls take their places for the run out.

  • Working your way back from the 8 to develop a pattern. I see a lot of players taking the easiest shot on the table and then the rest of their shots are difficult, whereas I sometimes shoot the most difficult shot because I see that the position off that ball results in 'connect the dot' position from there. In 14.1 you have to determine your break and key balls as soon as you have simplified the rack.

  • Shooting balls that allow other balls to go; also called 'freeing up lanes'. In 8-ball this is a part of the decision making process as you need to make your balls shootable while trying to keep your opponent locked up. If you do not do this as soon as possible in 14.1, then you aren't going to be able to put some racks together with regularity.

I could go on, but it's back to work for me.
 
3andstop said:
Well, I'm one of those who voted 9ball. I suppose if you like something, watching it isn't boring, if you don't like something, then watching it would be.

I like the creative aspects of both straight pool and one pocket. I despise the "play by number" dull robotic thinking that 9 ball offers. To each his own.

BTW, if you added Artistic Pool as a "most boring" option, I'd have voted that as # 1. Now there is something akin to watching domino's fall after you set them up. Of course they fall ... you set them up that way .. :rolleyes: zzzzz
Click to expand...

I kinda go along with these lines of thinking.

Maniac
 
I personally love the game of Straight Pool, (aka 14/1). it is a great game builder for other pool games.
broccoli.gif


Wish we had some Straight Pool Tournaments in the SouthWest, but sad we do not.
flyingbrick.gif
 
I like watching them all being played. I don't like playing straight pool at all though. 1 pocket is OK, but I have never been in decent game of it and never had the oppurtunity to learn from players who are great at it.

I like 9ball and 10ball. 8ball is starting to grow on me a little bit, but I dont think I will ever enjoy it as much as 9ball.
 
If any player is ever looking to become a seriously competitive all round skilled player, then the only 3 games that are REALLY worth playing are Straight Pool, One Pocket and Full Rack Banks :)

To me, 8Ball and 9Ball are boring, because like 3andstop has mentioned, the repeating of playing a game to connect the dots, is as entertaining as a fart in a space suit.

9Ball and 10Ball, are generally the same principle as playing the colors in snooker, being you gotta go in swquence, ecept that 9 & 1-ball have short cuts in them.

8Ball bores me beyond recognition because English 8ball is all I saw being played in public rooms and clubs when I was growing up, which was enough to put me off 8ball for life.

I'll happy enter a straight pool, Bank Pool or One Pocket tournament over 8ball, 9ball or 10ball anyday and I wouldn't give a damn if the the straight pool, etc events had lower prize money than the other events either :)

Willie
 
jjr183 said:
If 8-ball is your favorite game, then I am surprised that you do not like 14.1. After all 8-ball is just a rack version of 14.1 with a couple of extra restrictions; only shoot highs or lows and the 8 is the last ball pocketed. Not only do I think that 14.1 will improve your 8-ball game, but it will improve any game you play. I see people fail to runout in 8-ball simply because they do not see the shots that would simplify the rack that are commonplace in 14.1 such as:

  • Breaking up clusters and knowing exactly which ball you are shooting next whether it is an insurance ball or one of your balls in that cluster. In 14.1 this not having a plan in this situation is asking for trouble. My favorite moments in 8-ball have been when there was a slug rack and there are still 10+ balls in the stack, my opponent just says 'good luck with that' and I run out because I immediately see the secondary break shot and how to hit it so that the balls take their places for the run out.

  • Working your way back from the 8 to develop a pattern. I see a lot of players taking the easiest shot on the table and then the rest of their shots are difficult, whereas I sometimes shoot the most difficult shot because I see that the position off that ball results in 'connect the dot' position from there. In 14.1 you have to determine your break and key balls as soon as you have simplified the rack.

  • Shooting balls that allow other balls to go; also called 'freeing up lanes'. In 8-ball this is a part of the decision making process as you need to make your balls shootable while trying to keep your opponent locked up. If you do not do this as soon as possible in 14.1, then you aren't going to be able to put some racks together with regularity.

I could go on, but it's back to work for me.
Click to expand...

Right On, Dude! When I am playing 8 ball against a Break and Run player, I employ an 8 ball break that usually causes a horrible cluster of balls on the long rail. 9 times out of 10, my opponent can't run it out because they don't play straight pool. So, they don't know how to break out the clustered balls.

I think your second and third point should be combined. I shoot at the most difficult balls with the intent to free up all my balls and leave him hooked.

Most players think that B&R is the way to go, but I have found that playing good safeties does 2 things......it get's your opponent out of stroke/frustrated, and you win games.
 
Peer said:
Well, as the subject line eludes to, I've never been so close to smashing my cue to pieces from pure frustration.

With some persuasions, yesterday I reluctantly entered a straight pool league. The reason given was that it would improve my 8-ball game. I started playing 6 p.m. and wasn't done until well past 1 a.m. -- the last match lasted 4 hours. Since I have some compulsive tendencies (that also include pool) I can easily play for 12 hours straight without breaking a sweat -- but not straight pool with some sloooooooow playing opponents. I'm too restless.

Besides, all this reminds me of a dreadful period in my childhood when our pool club forced us kids to play 3-cushion "to get better at pool." I wonder if it's just me who have this impatient mindset?

By the way, of course I lost... big time.

-- peer
Click to expand...


You had a pool club when you grew up? i love playing straight pool but i hate playing slow players
 
Tap Tap Tap

JustPlay said:
One pocket is the most boring. safety after safety after safety. Just look at Souquets DCC one pocket match= 5 hours in a race to 3? You could hear crickets by the time they were done. A few years back, didn't Nick Varner have a 3 hour one game marathon?

At least with straight pool there is a begining and an end. Every pool game has its boring moments, but One hole out of all of them is the King of boring. Though, it is fun to play. Grass grows faster and paint dries faster than most one pocket games comming to a conclusion!
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more.
 
jjr183 said:
If 8-ball is your favorite game, then I am surprised that you do not like 14.1. After all 8-ball is just a rack version of 14.1 with a couple of extra restrictions; only shoot highs or lows and the 8 is the last ball pocketed. Not only do I think that 14.1 will improve your 8-ball game, but it will improve any game you play. I see people fail to runout in 8-ball simply because they do not see the shots that would simplify the rack that are commonplace in 14.1 such as:

  • Breaking up clusters and knowing exactly which ball you are shooting next whether it is an insurance ball or one of your balls in that cluster. In 14.1 this not having a plan in this situation is asking for trouble. My favorite moments in 8-ball have been when there was a slug rack and there are still 10+ balls in the stack, my opponent just says 'good luck with that' and I run out because I immediately see the secondary break shot and how to hit it so that the balls take their places for the run out.

  • Working your way back from the 8 to develop a pattern. I see a lot of players taking the easiest shot on the table and then the rest of their shots are difficult, whereas I sometimes shoot the most difficult shot because I see that the position off that ball results in 'connect the dot' position from there. In 14.1 you have to determine your break and key balls as soon as you have simplified the rack.

  • Shooting balls that allow other balls to go; also called 'freeing up lanes'. In 8-ball this is a part of the decision making process as you need to make your balls shootable while trying to keep your opponent locked up. If you do not do this as soon as possible in 14.1, then you aren't going to be able to put some racks together with regularity.

I could go on, but it's back to work for me.
Click to expand...

This makes perfect sense to me.

I try to play lots of different games, in order to get the full knowledge from playing pool. I used to not like one pocket or straight pool at all, and while I'm still not very good at either (or 8 or 9 for that matter), I do enjoy them now and realize the benefits of exposing yourself to as many different games as possible.

I do sometimes wonder why people would refuse to play a game that will make them better, even if it's just practicing that game. But then again, we all have things we don't like, and I hate drills. Refuse to do them. Some people I know can do them all day.

It's ultimately a matter of personal preference, I suppose.
 
JustPlay said:
One pocket is the most boring. safety after safety after safety. Just look at Souquets DCC one pocket match= 5 hours in a race to 3? You could hear crickets by the time they were done. A few years back, didn't Nick Varner have a 3 hour one game marathon?

At least with straight pool there is a begining and an end. Every pool game has its boring moments, but One hole out of all of them is the King of boring. Though, it is fun to play. Grass grows faster and paint dries faster than most one pocket games comming to a conclusion!
Click to expand...

I think it all depends on how you play the game. I play with some old fart which you would expect he'd take forever to shoot, but he likes to play the game fast because who the hell wants to watch a guy staring at the table, trying to decide his next shot. And it's not all safeties. There are also a lot of 2 way shots and bait shots. And the occasional break and run. It think 1P is similiar to straight pool, and I like straight pool.
 
Straight pool is the stuff. I have more enjoyment playing that over 8/9-ball do the detail and the thinking involved. Yes when I do play something else such as 8-ball my game has improved because I can see the patterns and the shots to clear jammed up balls. Plus playing safe is a whole lot easier after playing straight pool :)
 
poolplayer2093 said:
You had a pool club when you grew up?
Click to expand...


Sure, I was a member of this militant billiards club that not only forced us kids to practice 3-cushion, snooker, and straight pool but also rented a gym every Friday night for the obligatory workout -- the idea was to get us in shape for the long tournaments. It was so fierce that many of us just lost that fun factor of playing, and gave up -- including myself. But my buddy somehow stuck with it, and last year he won the national team championship. So I guess our instructors knew what they were doing...

-- peer
 
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