The game the pro's should play.

[fxskater]

I posted this in another thread but i think it deserves its own spot right up front:

How about a Hybrid 8-ball game. Something that everyone could understand, since it is 8-ball after all, but a slight rule modification for the Pro's to limit the number of 1 or 2 inning games. THE IDEA: Make each of them run thier ball in rotation. The only difficulty in 9-ball is running the ball in rotation, forcing you to get nearly perfect shape on nearly every shot. Try putting 6 obstacles and making them run 8-balls in rotation, maybe even spot up balls pocketed on the break. TV Viewers could easily relate, because it is essentially the same game they know and love, and Pool fans would love it because it lends itself to interesting shots and lock up safeties. The more i think about it the more it excites me. The only problem i could think of is it being too difficult and slowing the game down to a one-pocket-esque pace. Think of all the safety options with six 'blocker balls' out there. I think you would get to see some exciting 6-rail kicks and Massive Mass-eh-s. (hehe dont know how to put that little squigly above the E)

Any other ideas? This is the game i wanna see the pros playing. The Key is to not waiver too far from what John Q Public already knows and loves.

The only thing im worried about is hooking being so easy with so many blockers around, but the pros could addapt by learning using mass-eh (there i go again) a little more proficiently.

 

[bethesilentone]

I am going to masse around this thread ah ah ah ah.

 

[Williebetmore]

To paraphrase Strawberry, 9 Ball is a disease, straight pool is the cure.

 

[bruin70]

9ball today poses no challenge to pro player. and it looks too easy to john q public,,,even if he's standing next to a table.

so howz about 9ball on a 12' table.........tight pocket if need be. then, at least, the general public might think "holy shit,,,that's a BIG table!!!!"

 

[Cuteone]

pool cure?

somehow I don't believe that the actual format is going to make or break pool. but I will say this. there is NO way straight pool is EVER going to be popular in America. I am talking the masses. The regular average joe that doesn't even know 9ball rules. straight pool audiences are rail birds and those who really know the game. You'll NEVER see straight pool on t.v. again. the x-box generation can't sit still long enough to watch something that boring. note that the challenge of champions is 7-ball. Short, sweet, simple to understand. This is not an accident by espn. they spend lots of money determining what viewers like or don't like. my prediction is that 9ball is fine however it needs to be live without a game being finished every time a commercial break is over.

the real problem is prize money. real road vs. road rules (mtv show) play for hundreds of thousands! top prize money winners in a year might make 1oo grand. that aint gonna make me rush out to buy my son or daughter a pool stick any time soon. "here boy, go out and play pool against the worse type of people in the worst settings, and make yourself some gas money!"

how many parents are putting golf clubs in kids hands because they see retirement potential? heck, you can spit watermelon seeds for a million and you can bet i'll be tuned in.

show me alison winning a 7k check and I feel sorry for her.

 

[satman]

FX, I use a variation of that game when practicing with my wife and a couple of her team-mates. If I have stripes I must make a good hit on the 9 or 15 balls. Combo's are legal on a good hit. It's good practice. Sam

 

[drivermaker]

but I will say this. there is NO way straight pool is EVER going to be popular in America. I am talking the masses. The regular average joe that doesn't even know 9ball rules. straight pool audiences are rail birds and those who really know the game. You'll NEVER see straight pool on t.v. again. the x-box generation can't sit still long enough to watch something that boring.

This is true, but straight pool WAS popular in America and THE game before television and the commercial time that competes with the actual length of the telecast. Straight pool is still the ultimate test in pool and it's a shame that the game isn't taught, practiced, and played as it used to be. I also plead guilty to the fact that I've gotten away from it, but not today, I'm gonna play some straight.