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
I voted 8ball. For some reason it just doesn't excite me as much as other pool games.
14.1 is my favourite because it really shows the (lack of) skills and creativity.
Little tired of 9ball cause I play it most of the time, but still love the challenging shots.
I know next to nothing about One Pocket, but from what I've seen you really need to understand it and be much more than a good shotmaker to play it well. What I like about it is that it heavily favours the better player, just like straight pool.
 
I'm very surprised to see 9 ball running even in the poll with straight pool.

Straight pool has been my favorite game for well over 35 of the 45+ yrs I've been playing. One pocket is a very very close second, if not dead even.

If you enjoy creativity, freedom of making a large variety of choices that will impact the game very differently, and the challenge of thinking your way through various positions, you need to try these two games.

On the other hand if you simply can't wait to get up and fire balls into pockets, have the table layout make your decisions for you (yeah, yeah, I know there are a few ways to play each shot) then 9 ball is more for you.

Everyone is different, and I believe as we get a little older, wiser, and calmer, we migrate toward these creative games in favor of the quick and dirty shoot em up games.

I believe the younger players who really take the game seriously, will eventually experience and enjoy straight pool and one hole more.

Sh#$%, with that music they blare while playing, I suppose it's lucky they don't stand on the table and try kicking ball into pockets on adjoining tables. Time fixes these things ... :)
 
3andstop said:
...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
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Amen brother, can't stand trick shot stuff. Some of the power stroke stuff is interesting, but those setup shots are beyond boring.
 
Blackjack's Heel Turn

:mad:

What I can't stand is people complaining about how difficult or boring straight pool and one pocket are. What you're really saying is that you don't have the skill to play these games nor do you have the heart, determination, or patience to learn.


If you think games like 14.1 and one pocket are boring, then you lack respect for the complexity of those games and the knowledge required to play them competently. Dismissing these games as "boring" is a weak excuse to remain complacent with your game. It's laziness and fear hiding behind the veil of your ego.

IMO, REAL POOL PLAYERS will learn how to master these games while the weak and lazy players make excuses and avoid them in exchange for remaining in their comfort zone.

If you can't handle me telling you any of this, tuff sh**. It's the truth.

I'm tired of logging in here to read all these posts about how easy straight pool is, or how anybody can run a hundred balls with a little bit of practice. If that's the case, if you see me out there on the tournament trail, pull me aside and do it. If you do it, I'll give you a dollar a ball. If you can't do it, I get a dollar for every ball you fall short.

One pocket is NOT boring. It is by far the most beautiful game in pool if you understand how to play and what to do offensively and defensively. I can spend hours examining different situations, lock-ups, safeties, break strategies, etc.

Personally, I love 1 pocket and so should anybody that says they love the game of pool. One pocket is the ultimate test in strategy, control, shotmaking, and precision safety play. The game holds a treasure chest full of knowledge, you just have to have the balls to dig into the treasure chest and find those gems.

Players that have heart and determination will keep learning no matter what happens along the way. They won't allow anything to prevent them mastering all the games. The lazy players will stick with what is easiest for them, and they rob themselves of the priceless knowledge that is hidden deep inside these games. In the long haul, this is good for me and everybody else that wastes their time playing these boring games. :rolleyes:

Have a little heart and go out there attack the balls that way you grow some balls. Quit whining and complaining about how difficult or boring something is and go out there and learn about the skill required to compete at these games.

No game is boring - all games teach you something. I don't care if its artistic pool, 8 ball, 9 ball, 14.1, 1-hole, or banks. All these games require specific skills that will eventually assist you in becoming a better all around player.

Like I said earlier, the real players are up for the challenge. The others will sit back and make excuses. I know which category I fit into.
 
Blackjack said:
Blackjack's Heel Turn

:mad:

What I can't stand is people complaining about how difficult or boring straight pool and one pocket are. What you're really saying is that you don't have the skill to play these games nor do you have the heart, determination, or patience to learn.
...
Click to expand...

I think what most of are saying is that they can be boring to watch. I generally find pool boring to watch even though I love to play it. Let's face it, it's not really a spectator sport, too much dead time.
 
catscradle said:
I think what most of are saying is that they can be boring to watch. I generally find pool boring to watch even though I love to play it. Let's face it, it's not really a spectator sport, too much dead time.
Click to expand...

As a student of the game, I'm not there to be entertained, I am watching to gather knowledge from what I am seeing so that I apply it in the future. If I want entertainment I'll find it elsewhere. IMO, "boring" is just a replacement word for "no interest in learning from what you're watching".

I believe that boredom is an enemy to every pool player.

You can defeat boredom by adjusting your attitude. If you have an attitude geared towards collecting as much knowledge as possible, boredom has a hell of time finding its way into your head.
 
Blackjack said:
Dismissing these games as "boring" is a weak excuse to remain complacent with your game. It's laziness and fear hiding behind the veil of your ego.
Click to expand...


Blackjack said:
As a student of the game, I'm not there to be entertained, I am watching to gather knowledge from what I am seeing so that I apply it in the future.
Click to expand...


In my crude sort of way I was hinting at these thoughts. :) No one is gonna say it more clearly than that however. :)

9 ball is a sort of waste of a perfectly good pool table's ability to provide a field of play for some very wonderfully complex games of pocket billiards.

Sort of like how a chess board's ability to provide a field of play for the complex game of chess is wasted on checkers.

( I excluded 8 ball from that statement since I do believe it is perfectly fine for beginners and in fact offers more decision making IMO than 9 ball.)
 
Blackjack said:
As a student of the game, I'm not there to be entertained, I am watching to gather knowledge from what I am seeing so that I apply it in the future. If I want entertainment I'll find it elsewhere. IMO, "boring" is just a replacement word for "no interest in learning from what you're watching".

I believe that boredom is an enemy to every pool player.

You can defeat boredom by adjusting your attitude. If you have an attitude geared towards collecting as much knowledge as possible, boredom has a hell of time finding its way into your head.
Click to expand...

Oh, I do "study" tapes, dvds, etc., but that doesn't change the fact that it is boring to watch for the most part. I studied a lot of things in my left to expand my knowledge, and pool was not the only one that was boring to watch/study.
I do drills every weekend to improve my game hopefully, they're boring too.
 
Blackjack said:
Blackjack's Heel Turn

:mad:

What I can't stand is people complaining about how difficult or boring straight pool and one pocket are. What you're really saying is that you don't have the skill to play these games nor do you have the heart, determination, or patience to learn.


If you think games like 14.1 and one pocket are boring, then you lack respect for the complexity of those games and the knowledge required to play them competently. Dismissing these games as "boring" is a weak excuse to remain complacent with your game. It's laziness and fear hiding behind the veil of your ego.

IMO, REAL POOL PLAYERS will learn how to master these games while the weak and lazy players make excuses and avoid them in exchange for remaining in their comfort zone.

If you can't handle me telling you any of this, tuff sh**. It's the truth.

I'm tired of logging in here to read all these posts about how easy straight pool is, or how anybody can run a hundred balls with a little bit of practice. If that's the case, if you see me out there on the tournament trail, pull me aside and do it. If you do it, I'll give you a dollar a ball. If you can't do it, I get a dollar for every ball you fall short.

One pocket is NOT boring. It is by far the most beautiful game in pool if you understand how to play and what to do offensively and defensively. I can spend hours examining different situations, lock-ups, safeties, break strategies, etc.

Personally, I love 1 pocket and so should anybody that says they love the game of pool. One pocket is the ultimate test in strategy, control, shotmaking, and precision safety play. The game holds a treasure chest full of knowledge, you just have to have the balls to dig into the treasure chest and find those gems.

Players that have heart and determination will keep learning no matter what happens along the way. They won't allow anything to prevent them mastering all the games. The lazy players will stick with what is easiest for them, and they rob themselves of the priceless knowledge that is hidden deep inside these games. In the long haul, this is good for me and everybody else that wastes their time playing these boring games. :rolleyes:

Have a little heart and go out there attack the balls that way you grow some balls. Quit whining and complaining about how difficult or boring something is and go out there and learn about the skill required to compete at these games.

No game is boring - all games teach you something. I don't care if its artistic pool, 8 ball, 9 ball, 14.1, 1-hole, or banks. All these games require specific skills that will eventually assist you in becoming a better all around player.

Like I said earlier, the real players are up for the challenge. The others will sit back and make excuses. I know which category I fit into.
Click to expand...

And what a heel turn it was! You sir are a bad man! You sure don't mince words.

In my area, the places I play at are largely occupied by APA players, who absolutely love their 8 and 9-ball. Ask them to play anything else, and they say no way. I'm not saying they are all this way...but a lot of them are. I'm also not knocking APA players, as I used to be one myself until fairly recently.

But I've always wondered why so many of these types ask themselves why they don't ever seem to see any real progress or improvement in their game. These are the same people that will only ever play 8 or 9. I tell whoever will listen that playing other games will teach you so much, especially 14.1.

Look, I am no fantastic player by any means. But I really feel like a little variety is entertaining. And it's knowledge value is immeasurable. Of course, I realize that everyone's devotion to pool and getting better is different. I admit I fall somewhere in the middle as well. But there is so much to be learned from all the different games, folks.
 
If you hate straight pool, then you must not like pool

Personally I favor 14.1 over the other games. I also enjoy playing one pocket, 9 ball, 8 ball, and 3 cushion with other "interesting players".
My skill level is fairly high at all of the games I play. Have learned to use certain shots and knowledge from all games to incorporate in each specific game.

14.1 for position play, ball pocketing sequence, focus and stamina.
3 cushion for position play using mutiple rails or by changing carom angles off the rails.
9 ball for improving my shot making skills, long, draw, thin cuts or whatever.
one pocket for position play in very tight areas, breaking clusters (the right way), and of course in executing great defensive shots when needed.
8 ball where all of the above combined knowledge can come in handy

If and when you become a pool "purist" you will strive to learn as much as you can from all games. If you dont you will probably gravitate towards yourr favorite game since it suits the strong parts of your overall game.
I enjoy playing all games and do not have a problem switching from one type of game to another at will.

The games/matches I enjoy watching are when 2 players with different styles play. eg. top one pocket player vrs top nine ball player, top snooker player vrs top 8 ball player. I love to see the differences in styles as they try to find a way to win. One defensive player trying to defeat another who does not play defense.

I guess boring would be two 14.1 players who cant run more than 5 balls play each other to 150 points.

Just my .02
 
It sounds like the problem is slow players, not the game itself. I wish my area had a straight pool league, but if the players took an unreasonable amount of time pondering their shots, I might get frustrated too. Is there someone who runs the league that could help remedy the problem? I don't play enough straight pool to know, but 4 hours to get to 150 seems pretty ridiculous to me.

By the way, I voted for American Idol. I don't really like to watch it, but I think it's a funny choice, and I have never gotten bored of any of the games listed. :)
 
Last edited:
If 1Pocket and Straight pool bore you, then you're just not smart enough to be entertained by them. :)
 
Blackjack said:
Blackjack's Heel Turn

:mad:

What I can't stand is people complaining about how difficult or boring straight pool and one pocket are. What you're really saying is that you don't have the skill to play these games nor do you have the heart, determination, or patience to learn.


If you think games like 14.1 and one pocket are boring, then you lack respect for the complexity of those games and the knowledge required to play them competently. Dismissing these games as "boring" is a weak excuse to remain complacent with your game. It's laziness and fear hiding behind the veil of your ego.

IMO, REAL POOL PLAYERS will learn how to master these games while the weak and lazy players make excuses and avoid them in exchange for remaining in their comfort zone.

If you can't handle me telling you any of this, tuff sh**. It's the truth.

I'm tired of logging in here to read all these posts about how easy straight pool is, or how anybody can run a hundred balls with a little bit of practice. If that's the case, if you see me out there on the tournament trail, pull me aside and do it. If you do it, I'll give you a dollar a ball. If you can't do it, I get a dollar for every ball you fall short.

One pocket is NOT boring. It is by far the most beautiful game in pool if you understand how to play and what to do offensively and defensively. I can spend hours examining different situations, lock-ups, safeties, break strategies, etc.

Personally, I love 1 pocket and so should anybody that says they love the game of pool. One pocket is the ultimate test in strategy, control, shotmaking, and precision safety play. The game holds a treasure chest full of knowledge, you just have to have the balls to dig into the treasure chest and find those gems.

Players that have heart and determination will keep learning no matter what happens along the way. They won't allow anything to prevent them mastering all the games. The lazy players will stick with what is easiest for them, and they rob themselves of the priceless knowledge that is hidden deep inside these games. In the long haul, this is good for me and everybody else that wastes their time playing these boring games. :rolleyes:

Have a little heart and go out there attack the balls that way you grow some balls. Quit whining and complaining about how difficult or boring something is and go out there and learn about the skill required to compete at these games.

No game is boring - all games teach you something. I don't care if its artistic pool, 8 ball, 9 ball, 14.1, 1-hole, or banks. All these games require specific skills that will eventually assist you in becoming a better all around player.

Like I said earlier, the real players are up for the challenge. The others will sit back and make excuses. I know which category I fit into.
Click to expand...

TAP TAP TAP

Willie
 
I am surprised Peer would use the "H" word, HATE
rant.gif
. As it is such a strong word, and not P.C. for a Stanford person.
lollol.gif
 
CocoboloCowboy wrote:
> Whitout Straight Pool there would have been no Hustler movie

Okay, that would be the only reason to support Straight Pool -- that movie (and you should get the DVD with the extra stuff) is a master piece.


Blackjack wrote:
> REAL POOL PLAYERS will learn how to master these games
> while the weak and lazy players make excuses and avoid them

Yea, I know -- I'm not just lazy, but I'm also a bad person.


My hero Eric Harada wrote:
> I guess boring would be two 14.1 players who cant run
> more than 5 balls play each other to 150 points.

Guess you are still pissed that I ran five games on you in 8-ball..?!


Anyways, love, peace and understanding -- to ALL of you!

-- peer
 
I usually play 14.1 alone and when people invite me to play 9-ball it's always a challenge for me to adjust because the most common scenarios in each game are different.

However, recently a local asked if I'd like to play 8-ball - a game I haven't played in a long time - and was shocked that I didn't have to switch heads to adapt. Besides the eight ball, I found the planning, the nudging of balls into favorable positions, hooking and overall patterns to be similar to 14.1.

I can completely understand why people would find 14.1 boring when playing someone. But by the same token, I find solo 9-ball boring, whereas playing 14.1 alone I find it easier to constantly compete against myself and problem solve.

Just a personal preference I suppose.:o
 
Even though 14.1 is a good game for me, I still think it's the most stressful of all games. There's always that lingering thought in your head that you're going to get a bad roll after the balls are scattered and your opponent runs 200 balls. One-pocket is fairly relaxed because a lot of the shots are non-critical, and 9-ball should be stressful, but not to me. You can do a lot of ducking and just make one ball to win.
 
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