Pool Comparison to other sports

u12armresl

u12armresl

One Pocket back cutter
Silver Member
Hello,

I think we all have tried telling others who don't play pool about something that we did in a tournament, league, match, etc. but didn't know how to put our accomplishments into terms of a sport the other person knows.

I'd like to start this thread making comparisons of things that happen in pool to thing that happen in other sports. Let's try to stick to the sports of Golf, Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Track (running times)

The post would look something like this.

Break and run a race to 11 in 9ball would be like scoring 55 in a basketball game.

Or whatever your comparison is.


I'm thinking that there can be ones for things like,

9 on the break
10 on the break
Break and run a rack
Break and run 3 racks
3 foul someone
9 ball on the break 3 times in a row
running 100 in straight pool

etc.

Interested in your views.
 
u12armresl said:
Hello,

I think we all have tried telling others who don't play pool about something that we did in a tournament, league, match, etc. but didn't know how to put our accomplishments into terms of a sport the other person knows.

I'd like to start this thread making comparisons of things that happen in pool to thing that happen in other sports. Let's try to stick to the sports of Golf, Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Track (running times)

The post would look something like this.

Break and run a race to 11 in 9ball would be like scoring 55 in a basketball game.

Or whatever your comparison is.


I'm thinking that there can be ones for things like,

9 on the break
10 on the break
Break and run a rack
Break and run 3 racks
3 foul someone
9 ball on the break 3 times in a row
running 100 in straight pool

etc.

Interested in your views.
Click to expand...

Only my opinions of course...and I'm trying to use sports I actually watch, because I dont watch the american sports in England.

Golden Breaks are like getting to the green off the tee on a par 4, you need a lot of speed/power and technique to execute the break shot well. Very rare both situations occur with perfect equipment.

9ball on the break 3 times in a row, comparable to Diego Maradonas hand of god or Michael Schumachers farcical F1 world championship win in 1994 when he crashed Damon Hill off deliberately.

Break and running a rack is probably comparable to a home run - the best you can do is win the rack in one visit and likewise slogging the ball into the crowd is the quickest way to score a point.

Can't think of any other comparisons really. Interesting to see other peoples thoughts.
 
GREAT ANSWER

The breaking and running a rack is a perfect example.

You can apply this to any billiards game. Snooker, 3 cushion, banks, one pocket, straight pool, Russian, 8 Ball, whatever.
 
Thanks Bull and Luxury, those are both great examples.

Love to hear others weigh in and add their own ideas.
 
u12armresl said:
GREAT ANSWER

The breaking and running a rack is a perfect example.

You can apply this to any billiards game. Snooker, 3 cushion, banks, one pocket, straight pool, Russian, 8 Ball, whatever.
Click to expand...

Breaking and running in short rack banks is probably more like an eagle in golf or a three-homer game.
 
u12armresl said:
Hello,

I think we all have tried telling others who don't play pool about something that we did in a tournament, league, match, etc. but didn't know how to put our accomplishments into terms of a sport the other person knows.
Click to expand...

I gave up on trying to explain my play in a tourney or league to others. I'll use the wife as an example; "honey, it was a race to 5 alternate break, and I won the flip." "I break and runout the first game, and he breaks dry, and I runout the 2nd as well." "Now, it's my break again..." Meanwhile her eyes are completely glazed over, and she's wondering what to make for dinner on Tues., or if the 35% off sale includes shoes (whatever)...lol OK, that's probably a bad example since we've been together for quite a long time, and I do the same when she brings up so and so from work's siter, and her kids.... She does the same with my desciption of a GREAT round of golf too. OH WELL!

It's hard to describe (relatively minor) accomplishments to those who are HEAVILY invested in whatever it is you're playing, let alone those who don't quite understand the activity. So, now whenever the wife feigns interest about league nite, or a tourney, I just say, "didn't miss a single shot". :p :cool:
 
Snapping the 9ball is more like a homerun. Like previously stated, it is one swing away from scoring a point....just like snapping the 9. Or if you play APA snapping the 8 also.

Running a rack is more like a 20 foot putt. It was all about precision.

A small pack of runouts (2,3 4), is more like striking out the side. Everything came together for a brief amount of time.

Breaking and Running a whole set would be like a perfect game.

A tough 2+ rail kick, bank, or anything along those lines would be like a 7 10 split.
 
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Wow Bugz, those are really good analogies.

What about darts, what would a ton 80 be like or a 6 dart out.

Bugz said:
Snapping the 9ball is more like a homerun. Like previously stated, it is one swing away from scoring a point....just like snapping the 9. Or if you play APA snapping the 8 also.

Running a rack is more like a 20 foot putt. It was all about precision.

A small pack of runouts (2,3 4), is more like striking out the side. Everything came together for a brief amount of time.

Breaking and Running a whole set would be like a perfect game.

A tough 2+ rail kick, bank, or anything along those lines would be like a 7 10 split.
Click to expand...
 
9 on the break- scoring a goal on a penalty kick in soccer.
10 on the break- same as above

Break and run a rack-like you just "swished" a 3 pointer.

Break and run 3 racks- feels like being on defense during the final 2 minute drive hoping not to make a mistake that will end the game.

3 foul someone- Serving four Aces in a row in tennis, they had a chance to hit the ball,but they just couldnt.

9 ball on the break 3 times in a row- It feels like when your playing against someone in golf and you both miss the green in two, but on three consecutive holes you chip in for Birdie, sorta tough to fade that as an opponent.

running 100 in straight pool- it was already said, but bowling a 300.

A ton 80 in darts- Would be considered the same as an Eagle on a par 5. Three great shots, and I think that was said already also.
 
Mike Sigel in the IPT 14.1 Challenge match between John Schmidt and Oliver Ortmann said a 150 in out in tournament play is like bowling back to back 300's in bowling.

Dunno if I agree or disagree because I doubt I will ever do either.

Ben
 
For most non players, watching the Pros play on TV makes the game look easy.

If the TV People opened up the TV matches, with two 4-Speeds playing for $500 a rack, the audience would quickly see the difference in skill or ability.

This type of comparison might entice a few to start playing the game.
 
3 foul rule = UFC. Kicking someone in the nuts very hard, and winning the match with little effort.
 
Not sure that I agree there, nut shot = illegal in UFC and most 3 fouls require a good amount of skill because you have to not only take away that shot, but think about how if they choose to break something up or move balls around (with their shot to try to prevent a 3rd foul) you can foresee that and adjust accordingly.

Blue Hog ridr said:
3 foul rule = UFC. Kicking someone in the nuts very hard, and winning the match with little effort.
Click to expand...
 
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