Straight Pool High Run

[FLICKit]

You seem to be of the automatic assumption that 8-ball would be negative. That appears to be an erroneous assumption. All he was saying is that most of the pool playing community (experienced as well as novices) can relate to 8-ball. Therefore, that relatedness could help increase the fan based interest. Just like 9-ball which is also played by experienced as well as novices, which was selected as the first option, due to its simplicity. You seem to be under the assumption that novices don't play 9-ball. That would be false as well. You seem to be under the assumption that good pool players don't play 8-ball. Add that to the list. Both are games, both have their validity just like any other game. Both are the most popular pool variants played in North America. The point was, we've picked up a pool audience with 9-ball, might be interesting to see if 8-ball would pick up a larger or at least a different audience. Plus, pool players who are more adept at all variations of pool, might be interested to see the pros play those variations on TV. Many people who are more open-minded to all variations, not just single-minded on one variation, would feel that 8-ball would be cool to see, and all the unique strategies that are contained therein. Let them have their fun too.

 

[pete lafond]

Please re-read my comment, "Maybe 8 ball on TV would be as boring as casual downhill skiing. We don't know." Key words here are; Maybe and We don't know.
Nothing was assumed. I also believe that it would require talented marketing research to help figure this one out.

 

[FLICKit]

Please re-read my comment, "Maybe 8 ball on TV would be as boring as casual downhill skiing. We don't know." Key words here are; Maybe and We don't know.
Nothing was assumed.

OK... then Maybe 8 ball on TV would be more exciting and pick up a larger audience than 9-ball ever did.

 

[pete lafond]

OK... then Maybe 8 ball on TV would be more exciting and pick up a larger audience than 9-ball ever did.

Possibly. In my opinion, not likely. This is not negative, just of the opinion thats all.

 

[lewdo26]

The biggest myth in pool is that 42 million play it. Yes, 42 million play eight ball, but only a few million play big-table nine ball.

Yes your 100% correct. Except there are no fans to speak of. A lot of people ski casually going down hills, fun for the skier but no fun to watch on TV. On TV they show races, jumps,... now that's exciting. That sells in that sport. Maybe 8 ball on TV would be as boring as casual downhill skiing. We don't know. What if we tried it and it gave a more negative effect to Billiards, this stuff happens to products marketed incorrectly. High talented marketing research is really needed here. Your opinion is a very valid one and I believe mine is too. Who knows?

That's right, Pete. Simply because many enjoy playing pool on social occasions does not mean it will succeed as spectator sport. A lot of what makes a sport or activity popular is very arbitrary, it seems to me. Except when it comes to sports which are very entrenched in American culture, like baseball. But for the most part, other sports like fencing or ping pong, which may involve a fair amount of skill (I wouldn't know), won't get widespread recognition. Pool is actually the norm, not the aberration. To us, pool may be big as life itself, but who knows what goes on in the mind of someone who's unfamiliar to the game? If anyone had told me years ago that golf would be as popular a TV sport as it is today, I would think it laughable. I would've thought that most people would find golf "boring" to watch, even though it may be fun to play.

It's just the ebbs and flows of commercial culture. You never know what will grip the general audience next. And there is no easy answers. But I believe if pool is going to have a chance at all as a TV sport, it'd have to be shown in all it's disciplines (with the possible exception of one pocket since it's so specialized). And that would include 8 ball and 14.1

 

[lewdo26]

[QUOTE\] Both are games, both have their validity just like any other game. Both are the most popular pool variants played in North America. The point was, we've picked up a pool audience with 9-ball, might be interesting to see if 8-ball would pick up a larger or at least a different audience. Plus, pool players who are more adept at all variations of pool, might be interested to see the pros play those variations on TV. Many people who are more open-minded to all variations, not just single-minded on one variation, would feel that 8-ball would be cool to see, and all the unique strategies that are contained therein. Let them have their fun too.[/QUOTE]
I would be of the opinion that 8 ball has a better fighting chance due to its familiarity to most casual players.

I also think that seeing pros playing the game would be instructive. Again, a lot of 9 ballers don't know the strategy involved, but never fail to dismiss it offhand as "bar pool".

But, ultimately, substituting 8 ball for 9 ball would still be as impoverishing as our pool diet today. I would like to see all variations, like you said, with an emphasis with 14.1

 

[pete lafond]

It's just the ebbs and flows of commercial culture. You never know what will grip the general audience next. And there is no easy answers. But I believe if pool is going to have a chance at all as a TV sport, it'd have to be shown in all it's disciplines (with the possible exception of one pocket since it's so specialized). And that would include 8 ball and 14.1

One pocket would be a hard sell. What the heck are they doing?

Problem is that there is no money to do what is required to market research, advertise and organize billiards.

 

[hobokenapa]

This thread is called 'Straight Pool High Run' so I thought it was appropriate to post that I just got mine! OK, so it's not in the 100s or 200s like many of the players here but it still feels good to me. However, I came out feeling very disappointed. After running 47 and having worked open a beautifully nice 4th rack, one of the staff came over to me and questioned me about a bag he found. After about a minute explaining whose it was and where the owner was, I carelessly just got down and missed a dead straight shot!

Still, I seem to be getting a high run quite frequently now so I hope it's not too long before I'm up in the 50s and 60s.

 

[sjm]

This thread is called 'Straight Pool High Run' so I thought it was appropriate to post that I just got mine! OK, so it's not in the 100s or 200s like many of the players here but it still feels good to me. However, I came out feeling very disappointed. After running 47 and having worked open a beautifully nice 4th rack, one of the staff came over to me and questioned me about a bag he found. After about a minute explaining whose it was and where the owner was, I carelessly just got down and missed a dead straight shot!

Still, I seem to be getting a high run quite frequently now so I hope it's not too long before I'm up in the 50s and 60s.

Congratulations on your new high run, and with all the positive thoughts that you are thinking, I don't reckon 47 will be your high run for too long.

It's amazing how often good runs end on absolutely ridiculous mistakes. In 1998, Tony Robles ran a 203 on me, and the run ended when he tried to cheat the pocket on a hanger and followed the cue ball into the pocket for a scratch. You had to see it to believe it!

 

[Bobby]

Congratulations on your new high run, and with all the positive thoughts that you are thinking, I don't reckon 47 will be your high run for too long.

It's amazing how often good runs end on absolutely ridiculous mistakes. In 1998, Tony Robles ran a 203 on me, and the run ended when he tried to cheat the pocket on a hanger and followed the cue ball into the pocket for a scratch. You had to see it to believe it!

I remember that run! I thought that he had tried
a soft follow on the shot and it wasn't supposed
to scratch but the cueball drifted or veered into
the side pocket. I remember Tony being in
absolute dead stroke during the run.