Pushing Out After Break/ Mosconi Cup

O

Old Nine Baller

Banned
This is the 1st time I've ever watched the Mosconi Cup and I'm wondering a few things. I see they can push-out after the break. Does this foul count towards the 3-Fouls you lose total or is it a "free" push? Have they always had the option of pushing out after the break or is this new? It seems kind of foolish to have the push-out after the break yet not have it the entire game or match.

I figure they should either play one-foul or play two-foul but not a bastardization of the two.

ONB
 
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Old Nine Baller said:
This is the 1st time I've ever watched the Mosconi Cup and I'm wondering a few things. I see they can push-out after the break. Does this foul count towards the 3-Fouls you lose total or is it a "free" push? Have they always had the option of pushing out after the break or is this new? It seems kind of foolish to have the push-out after the break yet not have it the entire game or match.

I figure they should either play one-foul or play two-foul but not a bastardization of the two.

ONB
Click to expand...

It's a "free" push -- not a foul. This way of playing 9-Ball is older than the Mosconi Cup. Here's an explanation from Wikipedia:

""One-foul" became popular in the 1970s, as play turned more aggressive for the early televised matches. This newer version of nine-ball awarded ball-in-hand on any cue ball foul. A now-standard rule variant, which started to sweep the sport of nine-ball in the mid-1980s, restricted the push-out option to once per game and only to the inning immediately following the break. This change profoundly affected the way the game was played. By about 1990 this new push-out rule had become ubiquitous and it and any additional rules appended to it were collectively referred to as "Texas express" rules, so called because of the supposed US state of origin and the speeding up of the game. Today, Texas express push-out rules dominate the way nine-ball is played and is the variant incorporated into the official rules maintained by the WPA and its affiliates like the BCA."
 
Old Nine Baller said:
This is the 1st time I've ever watched the Mosconi Cup and I'm wondering a few things. I see they can push-out after the break. Does this foul count towards the 3-Fouls you lose total or is it a "free" push? Have they always had the option of pushing out after the break or is this new? It seems kind of foolish to have the push-out after the break yet not have it the entire game or match.

I figure they should either play one-foul or play two-foul but not a bastardization of the two.

ONB
Click to expand...

They do change the rules for the Mosconi Cup from time to time, especially when it comes to the break.

As one example of why rule changes occur, at the World Pool Championship in Philippines, the "bird break" (soft break) was rampant, and Darryl Peach of England won the entire event because he had the best bird break that year. It wasn't just Darryl, however, that was doing it. They were all doing it, but Darryl's happened to be more consistent. Next year, bird break was outlawed, resulting in a new rules dictating that more than three balls have to pass the side pocket on a break or it's a foul. ;)

The game of 9-ball has been plagued with problems with the rack and break for years, especially after the changed the rules from the two-foul/push-out game back in the '80s era. Thereafter, 9-ball became more a game of luck than skill. I think incorporating the push-out after the break helps the game of 9-ball a little bit. It will still be a game of who gets the best rolls, however. :)
 
AtLarge said:
It's a "free" push -- not a foul. This way of playing 9-Ball is older than the Mosconi Cup. Here's an explanation from Wikipedia:

""One-foul" became popular in the 1970s, as play turned more aggressive for the early televised matches. This newer version of nine-ball awarded ball-in-hand on any cue ball foul. A now-standard rule variant, which started to sweep the sport of nine-ball in the mid-1980s, restricted the push-out option to once per game and only to the inning immediately following the break. This change profoundly affected the way the game was played. By about 1990 this new push-out rule had become ubiquitous and it and any additional rules appended to it were collectively referred to as "Texas express" rules, so called because of the supposed US state of origin and the speeding up of the game. Today, Texas express push-out rules dominate the way nine-ball is played and is the variant incorporated into the official rules maintained by the WPA and its affiliates like the BCA."
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I don't ever watch 9 ball anymore. The last time I remember seeing one-foul played the players didn't get a push after the break, or at least I don't remember it.

ONB
 
JAM said:
They do change the rules for the Mosconi Cup from time to time, especially when it comes to the break.

As one example of why rule changes occur, at the World Pool Championship in Philippines, the "bird break" (soft break) was rampant, and Darryl Peach of England won the entire event because he had the best bird break that year. It wasn't just Darryl, however, that was doing it. They were all doing it, but Darryl's happened to be more consistent. Next year, bird break was outlawed, resulting in a new rules dictating that more than three balls have to pass the side pocket on a break or it's a foul. ;)

The game of 9-ball has been plagued with problems with the rack and break for years, especially after the changed the rules from the two-foul/push-out game back in the '80s era. Thereafter, 9-ball became more a game of luck than skill. I think incorporating the push-out after the break helps the game of 9-ball a little bit. It will still be a game of who gets the best rolls, however. :)
Click to expand...

I've heard about the "soft" break but I've never seen it. I suppose as long as the players are within the confines of the rules they should use them to their advantage but it sure wouldn't seem like 9 ball to me.

The commentators said the "3 balls past the side" rule is not in effect this year but the players must "open break":confused:. I do like the "break box" being so small where the players don't get the tremendous advantage on the break. It seems much better.

ONB
 
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