Straight Pool at the DCC revisited

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Fred Agnir

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I'd like to continue the discussion on seeing straight pool (14.1) at the Derby City Classic. After Earl Strickland's intriguing "all-offense" suggestion," and the subsequent suggestion to add some kind of straight pool event at the DCC, Greg Sullivan is looking to see what kind of format are people interested in.

At this point, I think time constraints might dictate what the final format would be, but I agree that an all offense format is a great idea. This is two-fold. It's much more exciting to watch people make balls for the fans, and because the Diamond tables have recognized standards for pocket size, cushion play, etc, then benchmarking high-runs can more easily be possible. Instead of someone simply saying "I ran 492," they'd have to say, "my high run on a Diamond Pro Cut is..."

So, what do people want to see understanding the limited time that the DCC has to offer?

One great suggestion has been some kind of ongoing qualifier at the DCC. Pay $X and run balls in one inning. You get 10 chances at $X per chance. The highest 10 runs qualify for a high-run final tournament. That's a start for feedback.

I'd like to see a final tournament with four tables running simultaneously, for the fan to watch more readily. I'd like to see the final 10 or 8 guys (or whatever) have more than one shot at setting a high run, in case they blow it quickly. And , I'd like somehow for the final dance to be broadcast for the rest of the people who couldn't make it to Louisville.
 
I think that is a good idea provided there is enough table space, and banks doesn't get the boot. When I was there a few years ago it was super crowded. I think the DCC is in danger is suffocating itself.

kollegedave


Fred Agnir said:
I'd like to continue the discussion on seeing straight pool (14.1) at the Derby City Classic. After Earl Strickland's intriguing "all-offense" suggestion," and the subsequent suggestion to add some kind of straight pool event at the DCC, Greg Sullivan is looking to see what kind of format are people interested in.

At this point, I think time constraints might dictate what the final format would be, but I agree that an all offense format is a great idea. This is two-fold. It's much more exciting to watch people make balls for the fans, and because the Diamond tables have recognized standards for pocket size, cushion play, etc, then benchmarking high-runs can more easily be possible. Instead of someone simply saying "I ran 492," they'd have to say, "my high run on a Diamond Pro Cut is..."

So, what do people want to see understanding the limited time that the DCC has to offer?

One great suggestion has been some kind of ongoing qualifier at the DCC. Pay $X and run balls in one inning. You get 10 chances at $X per chance. The highest 10 runs qualify for a high-run final tournament. That's a start for feedback.

I'd like to see a final tournament with four tables running simultaneously, for the fan to watch more readily. I'd like to see the final 10 or 8 guys (or whatever) have more than one shot at setting a high run, in case they blow it quickly. And , I'd like somehow for the final dance to be broadcast for the rest of the people who couldn't make it to Louisville.
Click to expand...
 
I like the 14.1 idea and have suggested that 8 top players (entry fees paid for by fans/sponsors) play the Total Offensive Pool format.

Only 4 tables will be needed to kickoff this (trial) event.
The matches could be scheduled every other nite during the 9 days. This might ease the usage of the tables during any particular main event. And, let the fans see the 14.1 TOP matches all during the DCC experience.

Round Robin matches (if only 8 players).

Each table would have 10 break shot setups. Each player would have ten turns at the table chosing a different breakshot each time. The highest run would be 150.

Ref'ed matches? maybe..

Is there such a thing as 'the Derby City Classic' rule book?
Maybe it's time to have the official games and rules book for the 'Derby'?
 
Fred Agnir said:
I'd like to continue the discussion on seeing straight pool (14.1) at the Derby City Classic. After Earl Strickland's intriguing "all-offense" suggestion," and the subsequent suggestion to add some kind of straight pool event at the DCC, Greg Sullivan is looking to see what kind of format are people interested in.

At this point, I think time constraints might dictate what the final format would be, but I agree that an all offense format is a great idea. This is two-fold. It's much more exciting to watch people make balls for the fans, and because the Diamond tables have recognized standards for pocket size, cushion play, etc, then benchmarking high-runs can more easily be possible. Instead of someone simply saying "I ran 492," they'd have to say, "my high run on a Diamond Pro Cut is..."

So, what do people want to see understanding the limited time that the DCC has to offer?

One great suggestion has been some kind of ongoing qualifier at the DCC. Pay $X and run balls in one inning. You get 10 chances at $X per chance. The highest 10 runs qualify for a high-run final tournament. That's a start for feedback.

I'd like to see a final tournament with four tables running simultaneously, for the fan to watch more readily. I'd like to see the final 10 or 8 guys (or whatever) have more than one shot at setting a high run, in case they blow it quickly. And , I'd like somehow for the final dance to be broadcast for the rest of the people who couldn't make it to Louisville.
Click to expand...


I dunno. Even though I consider myself an offense-oriented player, I feel defense is the beauty of the game. On top of that, it's really difficult to just "go for it" when no conceivable shot is available and your opponent is coming off a 100-ball run. The only game that doesn't allow defense is 3-cushion and that's a game where the average run is what, 3 points? It's much easier to have an all-offense rule in a high-exchange game but in a game where your first turn could be your last, I'd have to think defense was necessary.

Aside from this point, I'd love to see straight pool at the DCC even though I question how popular it would be. I mean, this is an event that prides itself on its southern roots. Without ever having attended, I just have to wonder how they'd take to what has always been defined as a "northerner's game". I mean, straight pool will get me in Derby City but I might be in a rather small minority.
 
While I am ecstatic that Earl Strickland has chosen to grace our forum with his presence, I would certainly prefer to watch regular old straight pool. The great drama and pressure are generated by the nature of competing against a worthy opponent (the reason I don't even keep track of my runs in practice, only in competition). I'm sure I would still enjoy watching the "all-offense" version, but I would enjoy even more a good competitive match of straight pool (like the epic Schmidt/Pagulayan matchup at DCC 2 years ago - still by far the most outstanding pool match I have ever seen). If played on demanding equipment to 200, both players will still get plenty of offensive opportunities.

Start with the top 16 players you can find, Wednesday night at 11 P.M. Play one match each night at 11P.M. with the finals then being Saturday morning on the television table. Play all ball fouls; preliminary matches to 150 (or perhaps 200), finals to 200, tight pockets. I'll offer my services free of charge if any help is needed organizing/gofering/refereeing/racking.

This year at DCC I kept hearing, "well, we're considering a straight pool match" from some of the pro's. It never came off to my knowledge. If it doesn't happen this year, I'm going to go around challenging them myself just to have something to watch (though Lord knows why anyone would want to watch me play).
 
For me there has to be the following elements:

1) Everyone has to have a chance to play
2) It has to be standard rules to all high runs will be recognised
3) The DCC needs to be able to absorb the extra event

As mentioned in the start of this thread I would like to to see the DCC (and other tournaments) adobt a straight pool table for high runs. Its very simple and works well in the UK so I don't see why it wouldnt work here.

All you need is one spare table (setup to whatever specs you like) and a book of raffle tickets! :-) I go up by a ticket (say number 45) and pay $10, I wait around and when its my turn they announce my number and I go up to the table. The balls are racked and I break the balls, any balls that go down don't count. Then my run starts from there. If I miss the first shot, tough, thats my turn over. If I run 180 then it gets posted. At the end of the week either the best high run takes all the cash or yu could make the top 4 play off or something. Either way I would love to see it because:

a) It gives players (and fans) something else to do between games.
b) Given that the few straight pool events in the world are only races to 150 or less it would be probably the only tournament in the world where the players would have the chance to post and challenge the best high runs of all time.

Wouldn't it be good to see how the current best players in the world compare to mosconie etc? This is only going to work if we stick to the standard rules.

I will go to DCC for the first time for sure if this happens! :-)
 
I like this idea, but are you restricted to 1 ticket? Can you be at the top, get overtaken, then go back buy another ticket in an attempt to reclaim your top position? Could this end up being too busy a table? You might need a few. Keep in mind that the high 100 + runs are likely going to take over an hour. What about recording? Are you going to keep a camera running on the table? If its a single table you could control participation with the entry fee. The higher the demand the higher the entry fee. I'm sure lots of guys that would try it for $10 wouldn't try it for $50.
 
fxskater said:
I like this idea, but are you restricted to 1 ticket? Can you be at the top, get overtaken, then go back buy another ticket in an attempt to reclaim your top position? Could this end up being too busy a table? You might need a few. Keep in mind that the high 100 + runs are likely going to take over an hour. What about recording? Are you going to keep a camera running on the table? If its a single table you could control participation with the entry fee. The higher the demand the higher the entry fee. I'm sure lots of guys that would try it for $10 wouldn't try it for $50.
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The way it works in the UK is that yes you can buy as many tickets as you like. Yes the table could get too busy but this is where setting the right price comes in. Most players would generally buy a block of maybe 3-5 tickets to give them a chance of making a good run. But maybe you could restrict it to so many tickets per player per day? Filming it would be good and easy if only one table, great for DCC/accu stats maybe? to sell if there are some huge runs? Note though, what happend also in the UK is that the best players would wait until the last day until they had a go. If somebody made 400 on day one the table might not be as busy as you think, especially if its winner takes all. This is why maybe you have a playoff or cash for top 3 runs maybe?

Honestly, its a great side show and maybe a good way to test straight pool at DCC without taking to much resources. You usually get a real crowd watching and the pressure is immense. something around $10 a ticket/try would be about right
 
fxskater said:
Keep in mind that the high 100 + runs are likely going to take over an hour.
Click to expand...

How long does the average 100 ball run take? I have only seen a few 100+ runs, and all of them are on accu-stats tapes. The few I have on tape take far less than an hour.
 
mthornto said:
How long does the average 100 ball run take? I have only seen a few 100+ runs, and all of them are on accu-stats tapes. The few I have on tape take far less than an hour.
Click to expand...

I think the 96 or something I recorded and put online was only 30 something minutes. But I guess it depends on the player. Many many of the runs would be over before you know it if there was a big crowd lol
 
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