Social experiment

[JoeW]

In our neighborhood saloon we have a rather unusual situation that enables all comers a chance to compete on their own terms. The owner has expressed an interest in creating two distinctive atmospheres, one associated with VNEA league play, and a second for pure fun. It seems to work better than many other situations in taverns where rules are left up to the patrons. This little "hole in the wall" routinely attracts many of the areas top bar box players as well as providing a ton of entertainment for the locals. The first table has 4 rules, ( 1.)Keep What You Break ( 2.) Sh$t Counts ) ( 3.)Call The 8 ( 4.) Any Questions Refer To Rule #2. Everyone knows on either table what their in for. It works great. By the way the fun table is a quarter and the upper level table is 50 cents. This owner keeps these tables in top shape with pool being central to his business. Those of us who have talked about the differences in rules find only the penalty to an incoming shooter that has to shoot out of the kitchen and back in to hit his ball to be unjust, but you know what your getting into well ahead of time as some players knowingly will use this to their advantage.

This looks like an excellent way to introduce change. It allows people to compare and to decide for themselves. I suspect the only thing I would change is the idea that one is "better" or more professional than the other. Initially they would be alternatives with the benefits of each extolled.

It culd be set up on a temporary basis to see what happened in various places and only requires the owners cooperatin. In fact the original owner's statements might helpful. At the end of the day it might be useful to several bar owners in various places.

 

[steev]

The first table has 4 rules, ( 1.)Keep What You Break ( 2.) Sh$t Counts ) ( 3.)Call The 8 ( 4.) Any Questions Refer To Rule #2.

Correction: rules read as follows:

1. sh1t counts, call the 8
2. refer to rule #1
3. you must hit your ball first
4. don't f#ck with the quarters

keep what you break is understood. you can hit anything first when open, also understood.

maybe the rules will change someday, the piece of paper they're on gets darker each year from the smoke...

-s (on my way there now)