Optimal 3-ball break?

[macguy]

We play one tie all tie but don't double the pot. Everyone does a re-ante. I agree that 4 is easy but I can't count how many times I have seen that be the winning number

The problem is, for the game to work you need a lot of people in and out of the game and it has to have a high perception of luck. If you have a guy in the game who doesn't even try to luck a ball in on the break and always cinches a four, people quit playing. If you can play, you will probably make four most of the time just whacking the balls and you won't look like a nit. The better player always ends up with the money in these games anyway. No reason to really play like that.

 

[rackem]

It's been a while since I've played 3 ball, we always would rack 3 in a triangle formation around the Chicago burbs. I was playing at a hall in Houston the first time I saw 3 in a line. I asked and they said it was way too easy to make a ball in with a triangle rack, how easy? 2 out of 5 for $20? I got the 20, but gave it back playing 3 ball in a line. Fun times.

Not only is making 1 to easy in triangle 3-ball, making 2 is also.

On a side note. How many of you guys own an ace??
I have made them all on the snap twice.
The recent one was for some good change and it beat a 2 :happydance:

 

[TheNewSharkster]

The problem is, for the game to work you need a lot of people in and out of the game and it has to have a high perception of luck. If you have a guy in the game who doesn't even try to luck a ball in on the break and always cinches a four, people quit playing. If you can play, you will probably make four most of the time just whacking the balls and you won't look like a nit. The better player always ends up with the money in these games anyway. No reason to really play like that.

If I am first or my turn is early on I will try to pot a ball on the break. If I am going later and no point is set then I will play smart and try to win the pot. Why risk scratching with a hard break? Just do it in 4 and take the money. I don't think that is being a "nit".

 

[TheNewSharkster]

Not only is making 1 to easy in triangle 3-ball, making 2 is also.

On a side note. How many of you guys own an ace??
I have made them all on the snap twice.
The recent one was for some good change and it beat a 2 :happydance:

The closed I have got was sinking two on the break and leaving the last in the jaws of the pocket. I watched my buddy do it twice though.

 

[macguy]

If I am first or my turn is early on I will try to pot a ball on the break. If I am going later and no point is set then I will play smart and try to win the pot. Why risk scratching with a hard break? Just do it in 4 and take the money. I don't think that is being a "nit".

Obviously if the lowest is a four, five or six and you are last you cinch the four and tie or win. The other players expect you to. In the case of a four, it keeps everybody alive. I am referring to someone who every time tries to do nothing but make a four. It just has a bad perception. Like I said, you make four most of the time anyway regardless.

 

[izquik72]

You can burn a lot of ones playing 3 ball. I come home and the wife thinks i have been stripping ha ha.

I have done one ace head ball banked in side corner ball came four rails, and other corner went one rail into corner where i broke from. Sure wish I could have cam with that shot the game before ther was $32 in the pot. I only got $4

 

[recanizegame]

Yeah you guys are right, 4 will take it more often or not

where I play. Against the speeds of the guys I play its

nothing serious, but you can make a nice little payday

especially for a night out drinking. 3 ball in a triangle is

the only way its played around my way, I'm sure if I fell in

with some more serious players the alternate racking

method would be used, but I'm not really looking for that

kind of action, right now at least anyway.

Thank you for the indepth response sfleinen its very much

appreciated. I can't wait to try it out when I get home

tonite.