It being relatable to the fans is the biggest thing. It has to be something people want to watch. This is why Trickshot Magic had higher ratings then the Tournament of Champions.
Shane says, "9 ball is too easy"
- Thread starter NathanDetroit
- Start date
Why bother sharing it then??
Yeah there’s no way to remove luck from the game
There’s always gonna be a ball shit in no matter if it was called or leave someone snookered to hell from a terrible miss
Or mark Williams kicking in an asinine ball on the other end of the table
Its not that the 9 ball luck factor enables weak players to beat superior players but can and definitely does decide games and matches between relatively equal players.
Honestly though... at the elite level. It's the manifestation of "luck" (good/bad) that's typically the most memorable.
Have you played or watched it? I avoided even watching it until recently. I found it WAY more interesting than standard 8 ball, which I don't mind playing but watching it bores me. The rules are actually fairly straightforward. I think even non players would understand it, and maybe be interested in seeing what world class players could do. The trouble with standard 8 ball, is spectators rarely see things that average players can't do. Of course, more advanced amateurs can tell the difference, but that's not enough to move the needle.
Worse?! Come on, it isn't a negative at all, imo, it is reality.
9 BALL IS AN EASY GAME.
I have never been anywhere near the caliber of the players we see in current pro events and I have played many perfect sets over my time on the tables.
Its ease does not mean it can't be a competitive contest but don't kid yourself, to svb, the game is easy.
They should be playing with 15 balls and ball in hand after any miss, no push after the break either, damalama dingdong daddy.
Last pocket 8 ball..? Yep, I play nearly after every league night, when we want to goof around and swing at 9 railers
Wasn't there a rule in 15b rotation about no deliberate safeties as well...?
Ghost of OBC
Well-known member
I think that's exactly why it is. Nine foot tables are increasingly hard to find in the wild. The rooms, not to mention the bars, are 9:1 7ft tables to 9ft. Nineball on a big table is foreign to most casual players. Barbox eightball they 'know' and play. People seem to like pro English eightball fine in England.
DaWizard
Well-known member
Very true, "fun to watch" is almost as important as "fun to play".
If I try to think of what is fun to watch:
- spectacular highlight shots
- elite skills pressed to the max
- always retain some hope that your player can still win
- variety and interesting choices (deep understanding of the game leads to suprising choices that make you go: ahhhh that's mf genius!!)
- 'climbing high then lose it all' - type of emotions, or any emotions really.
- simple rules, but lots of emergent strategy
- and probably more
If you think of 8-ball or 9-ball then both games lack in many of these requirments. They're still fun games and at times very fun to watch. But often not so much, even to people that love pool. Matchroom makes 9-ball about as sexy as it can get.
I'm convinced there's something more fun out there.
Too hard to police/ easy solution that also promotes aggressive shots: ball in hand if you miss.
I didn’t give an opinion, I asked a question.
smiling_Hans
Well-known member
Also, 9 ball is as robotic as you can get. It is about execution. You're not suppose to think but only to make the shots in front of you.
With 8 ball you have to sometimes slow down to think or recollect your thoughts since layouts are always changing, misses or safeties. Of course, from a professional standpoint it can still get robotic but the players' personality come out with 8 ball. You will see the risk takers or the creativity come out.
I've played pros before and when playing 9 ball they will look like a pro. You play them 8 ball, while still great, they look more pedestrian.
With 8 ball you have to sometimes slow down to think or recollect your thoughts since layouts are always changing, misses or safeties. Of course, from a professional standpoint it can still get robotic but the players' personality come out with 8 ball. You will see the risk takers or the creativity come out.
I've played pros before and when playing 9 ball they will look like a pro. You play them 8 ball, while still great, they look more pedestrian.
smiling_Hans
Well-known member
Yep.
You don't know how many times I have to ask the rules of 8 ball because every pool room's "house pro" or money player plays the game differently.
If you scratch it is ball in hand at some places and it is behind the kitchen at others (normal). This is probably the biggest confusion.