Pool & Billiards in the U.S. - OPTIONS

[ScottR]

Here are two threads that will warm your heart and make you sick at the same time. Warm you because our beautiful game is appreciated by tons of people around the world. Sicken you because it is so neglected in the U.S.

http://www.azbilliards.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=15494
http://www.azbilliards.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=15455

What is it in the U.S.???? My thoughts, which may not be original since it's been discussed before many times here.

I think there are too many options available on which people can spend their entertainment dollars. We have this problem in Atlanta with the Braves. They have won their division so many years in a row that they set a record. But, their attendance is pathetic. Too many options for the entertainment dollar in the city.

The game has too many options. 3-ball, 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball, 14.1, banks, rotation, 1-hole, snooker, golf, don't even go to the carom games, and on and on. Who, besides us fanatics, can know the fascination and nuances of all these variations??? Fuggetabout the rules of each, which we debate on these forums regularly. Joe Blow doesn't know what it takes to compete at the highest level at these games

How many variations do we have for soccer, football, baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, bowling, etc.? A few, to be sure. But nothing like our games.

A fairly simple pool game format, that still showcases the skills and minimizes the luck, is understandable to a casual player, and has the combination of runouts and strategic (safety) play might be one key.

I hope I'll get flamed for this because it might generate good discussions, but . . . . . how about call-pocket 8-ball to start the ball rolling????

You run out when it's there. And you duck (called, of course) when it's not because you would sell out the game otherwise. Stripes and solids, and whoever makes the 8-ball wins; easy to understand. Enough balls on the table that even a monster break rarely leaves a wide open run out. Usually short games, but even in a safety battle, TV could edit it to cut to the climax and the viewer could still see . . . . . . . solids and stripes and the end game.

I think it could work. And, you?

 

[AuntyDan]

Enough balls on the table that even a monster break rarely leaves a wide open run out. Usually short games

I agree 8 Ball is an easier game to understand for the lay-person or casual player. After all a lot of people's first Pool experience is playing 8 Ball on a bar table. However as a Pro game on 9' tables I feel it is lacking compared to 9 Ball. You yourself notice the contradiction, you feel the break rarely leaves a wide open run out but yet the games are usually short, this does not add up.

The excellent author Phil Capelle did a detailed analysis of the 2 games at the pro level that makes very interesting reading. Long story short 8 Ball on 9' tables is easier for pro-level players to break and run out than 9 Ball.

 

[Tbeaux]

8-ball is certainly the most popular and easily recognized game.Does it work on TV??
9-ball is easy to understand but generates controversy between players due to break issues.
I like Rotation but don't think it would go over well with the general public.
3-ball is a joke.
14.1 is a great game and I know I and most others will never be worth a shit at it.
I guess I kind of like the idea of a 10-ball game ...with ball in hand behind the string with an option to pass back to your opponent on fouls. If no ball is pocketed on the break then opponent has option to play ball or hand the ball back (no push).

Terry