Should all 9 ball tournaments be call shot?

[Jason Robichaud]

People switched to 9 ball because of the luck factor, all of the votes for no are proof. I lost a match 9-4 after running the first 4 tables... I was up 4-0. I lost to a guy that made only 24 balls. Someone do the math. Less than 3 balls per rack. Everyone can say what they want, but this was sick. From that point on, I wished I never stopped playing snooker. I will always vote call shot. If you make a bad/unexperienced choice, punished you should be! I know the better play wins in the long run, but it doesn't make those B.S. loses any easier.

To me call shot would mean calling two way shots, calling kicks etc. If you make your shot, doesn't matter if every ball on the table goes, you made the called ball. If you hook your self and can't kick and fluke ball??? that is bad play why get rewarded. Make a nice call kick to redeem yourself.

 

[BRKNRUN]

It wouldn't take that shot out of the game, just make it even better when he makes it after calling it!

What makes you feel better? pounding a CB 2 or 3 rails hitting OB and seeing it go in any pocket... or.. being hooked on the 8 in 8 ball, calling a pocket, kicking perfect 2 or 3 rails and having it go in that pocket. I like the feeling of making great shots not making a hit and getting lucky. I know playing someone making the above shots, one I want to break my cue over their head or my own head and the other I clap.

I think introducing more skill to the game would put distance between the top guys and I don't see anything wrong with that. Rather than changing games to 10 ball etc, trying a few changes to 9 ball first wouldn't be so bad.

Note that my comment was regarding call shot (and the push out rule)

If push out was an option Efren would have never tried that two rail kick shot.....(with or without call pocket)

I believe that push outs went away the same time call pocket did....(I could be wrong..I did not know what pool was when those rules were in effect.

You are however correct in regards to if it was call pocket only (no push out option)...I would suspect that Efren would have called that pocket....Just in case....I would also suspect that even he did not think he was actually going to make the ball.

All that call pocket would do in situations like Efren's would be eliminate
the luck factor of balls going in "other"

In my opinion...the shot Efren hit was like making a hole in 1 in Golf...It is skill to get it close...It is luck that it actually goes in.

Called or not called it was an incredible shot either way.

I see it like this....In a straight race to 10 I don't think it is going to have a major effect on the game... I would say that MOST of the time when someone gets lucky against you and kick caroms some crazy shot in....you can probably re-wind just a bit before that shot and find some place that you "allowed" them to get lucky.

You just have to lock them down tighter in most cases....if you leave a 3" gap and they jump it in or kick it in.........that is what you get for leaving a 3" gap.......next time play a better safe...

Now that I think about it....I can't really recall any video of where a professional flat out missed a ball and craped it in to a different pocket... I can only think of balls that have been kicked in.

I am sure it has happened...but as the level of play increases ...how much does it really happen.....I am starting to think that call pocket is really a non issue....except maybe on the break for the 9-ball.

I however would like it if balls pocketed on a foul got spotted and ball in hand was played out of the kitchen....at least on a 9'

 

[tigerseye]

Should all 9 ball tournaments be call shot?

I think they should be,I see only good out of it:thumbup:

I think that it should be, on a professional level....They should also call the ball for the next pocket....on a professional level...

 

[GMAC]

Only if you luck in a ball

Permitting opponents the option of giving back a position after a miss would greatly devalue nine ball.

Most of the art and beauty in nine ball is found in the defense, kicking and two way shots. Call shot with the option to give back after a miss removes a significant part of the skill factor, which is too big a price to pay to eliminate the occasional slop. Texas Express Nine Ball has always done a great job of sorting out the best from the rest.

In an era in which seemingly everyone can run the table once they get an open look at a runnable table, defense, kicking and two-way shots often tell the story.

Nine ball as a runout contest only is about the most boring game ever played on a pool table, as the runout protion of the game is so repetitious and routine. Those who find anything but runout nine ball objectionable should stick to playing the ghost.

Texas Express Nine Ball, by allowing defense and offense to be played simulataneously, has much of the majesty that one-pocket enjoys. Neither game requires shots to be called, but the rules of each, because they make two-way shots indispensable, are conducive to maximum use of creativity and imagination. Because of this, it always shocks me when proponents of one-pocket have a problem with Texas Express Nine Ball.

Call shot without the option to give back after a miss is somewhat less objectionable, but eliminates some multi-purpose shots that can be counted as among the most interesting shots the game of nine ball has to offer. Still, I prefer it to the old "one shot shootout" version of nine ball which I played as a teen.

I like called shot. My spin on this would be, all balls stay down and if you pocket a ball illegally would your opponent has the option of making you shoot again or taking the shot himself. So if you sh-t a ball in and land perfect on the next ball your opponent can shoot or give it back to you, if say you hooked yourself. This wouldn't slow the game down at all and would have the same element of excitement IMO.

As far as missing and leaving a guy hooked thats just part of the game. That happens in all games.

 

[Aaron_S]

Nice post, Aaron. This type of thread always drives me nuts, but I'm always pleased when somebody takes exception to the fact that call shot with the option to decline the position after a miss removes many elements of skill from the game.

So many posters in this type of thread make the comment that call shot removes luck as if it were irrefutable fact. Call shot removes some luck and it also removes some skill from nine ball. It also removes a lot of creativity from the game. Whether it makes the game a greater test of skill is arguable, and I, for one, think it doesn't. I do feel, however, that, by making the game less multi-dimensional, it makes the game of nine ball a greater test of boredom for any fan watching.

Thanks, sjm. It sounds like we are on the same page, although you managed to get the same point across in about 1/10th as many words as me. Well stated.

Good rolls,

Aaron

 

[highrun55]

The room I bought in 1993 was and still is Call the 9 only in tournament.

Never any problem yet, if they are playing each other, not in a tournament, then play how ever you want.

I dont care.

Highrun55

 

[unknownpro]

I would like to see the players ratings that vote no call. I would think anyone able to run tables would vote, call shot.

I've run 7 straight racks of 9 ball in tournaments more than once and call shot is still a very bad idea.