Total Pool Ten Ball League?

[EDRJR]

Anyone here sign up for this new format league? Almost like playing the ghost at ten ball. I believe Chris Leal is the director, from Massachusetts. I'm looking for more detailed rules than were included in the mailing. The biggest question I have is it ball in hand after the break and does no ball on the break score as a miss.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Njhustler1]

Where'd you read/hear about it? Is it part of a New England tour?

 

[EDRJR]

League just started in Gotham Billiards, North Bergen

My pool hall told me about it a month ago. The format is you play 20 racks of 10 ball. Each foul is 3 points and each time you miss is 1 point. You have ball in hand after each miss or foul. You subtract your total points from 200 for your score. Depending on the house rules, you can split it up into two sessions if you are unable to stay late. In my room, you can play Tuesday night, Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon.
You must have another person from the league or approved by the league operator to score for you. On league night you alternate racks with someone. I played 10 racks and it was getting a little late, so my "opponent" agreed to get together this Sunday to play the last ten. I must admit, it was a lot more fun than I thought it would be.
It is rack your own, break, run all the balls. Making the 10 early does not finish the rack. I discovered early it is better to make a legal hit and take ball in hand than try for hard position and scratch or try a tough shot and let the cue ball loose. After the third beer, I forgot my strategy and scratched two more times. You must play ten sessions (200 racks). The season is 16 weeks long and the 3 worst scores are dropped. The annual dues are $35 and it costs $20 for the 20 racks.
My room owner is generous and turns the tables on early and leaves them on late for practice and for interested parties to try the game. My understanding is there are 48 rooms signed up. There are also regional and finals. It might be called Final Table or something like that. I'll list more info if I can find some posters. There is a Grand Prize for the winner of the finals, but it won't be me so I don't remember how much it is.

 

[arsenius]

Sounds interesting, but expensive for league play. I've never paid more than $8 for a night of league pool. How long does it usually take to play your whole session with the other guy?

 

[Ruthless]

The biggest question I have is it ball in hand after the break and does no ball on the break score as a miss.

Thanks,
Ed

Same question?

All I practice is 10-Ball and 20 racks would take 1 - 1 1/2 hrs with short break times.

Sounds like an interesting alternative game. I wish you success and enjoy the game

 

[EDRJR]

Expensive?

I don't think it is too expensive, I had to pay $19 a night to play 8 and 9 ball in the APA. It took a long time to finish that up also, which is why the room owner switched to this. The flexibility to spread your racks over two days and being able to do that on different days seems to attract quite a few of the players. As long as you have a neutral scorer, you can start early with the league operator's approval. Not depending on other people is also a good selling point, I feel. You can miss 6 out of 16 weeks and still be in it. The $35 annual membership covers three 16 week periods.
It does take awhile to finish 20 racks, 40 if you count your scorer's racks. I like the fact you are playing the table, not an opponent. I played with a guy better than me and we shared strategies as we played and discovered new ideas. We also agreed to meet Sunday for the second set, since the first night got off to a late start due to explaining the game, rules, playoffs, etc. I think next week will be better, tables ready to go, guys matching up as soon as they are warmed up, etc. We'll see.