Tournament Play. What do you prefer on who BREAKS

One of the great things about pool, and the thing that sets it apart from any other game/sport, is the fact that you can lose without getting to play. I love that. And, with winner breaks, you can defend yourself, regardless of the score. I would hate to have top players not have the ability to put packages together. Hearing that Johnny ran all the racks he broke isn't the same as him running 13. Not the same ring, imo. I really wish that the alternate break would go the way of the dodo, but that is just my opinion.
 
Alternate breaks in 9-ball, winner breaks in ten ball. But i would prefer that everyone be required to spot me the break at all times. LOL!
 
Neil said:
Winner break. IMO, alt., break is nothing more than a handicap.

Exactly

When a pro isn't running out from the break they are able to play safeties that keep themselves in control. It's one of the things that sets them apart from their competition. Taking winner breaks away simply allows weaker players to compete. A top player will invariably win the tournament, but along there will be more upsets.
 
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Definitely feel alternating breaks should go away. I believe it was mentioned that alternating breaks were introduced to create a closer more exciting match? I find a hill hill match just as exciting as watching one player break and run a set without a miss. Either way its all about seeing higher performance of a pro player not just a close match. I have seen close matches that were horribly played because neither player could get anything going.
 
muttley76 said:
One of the great things about pool, and the thing that sets it apart from any other game/sport, is the fact that you can lose without getting to play. I love that. And, with winner breaks, you can defend yourself, regardless of the score. I would hate to have top players not have the ability to put packages together. Hearing that Johnny ran all the racks he broke isn't the same as him running 13. Not the same ring, imo. I really wish that the alternate break would go the way of the dodo, but that is just my opinion.

Good observation.
 
Winner breaks...

As much as I hate someone stringin up a package up on me, I love that if I'm playin well I have the chance to do it to them.

Thanks,
Josh Hillard
 
muttley76 said:
One of the great things about pool, and the thing that sets it apart from any other game/sport, is the fact that you can lose without getting to play. I love that. And, with winner breaks, you can defend yourself, regardless of the score. I would hate to have top players not have the ability to put packages together. Hearing that Johnny ran all the racks he broke isn't the same as him running 13. Not the same ring, imo. I really wish that the alternate break would go the way of the dodo, but that is just my opinion.

Matt B,

Nice playin this past weekend. Tell Harold to come play me some. I suck and he should be stealing. :smile:

Thanks,
Josh Hillard
 
If there aren't alt breaks why have an opponent at all. When a guy can make his why through a whole bracket and not even get to shoot in the final match, something isn't right about that? Why not just watch u-tube videos of your favorite player running racks if you want to see that or buy his dvd. Lose before you get to play is ridiculous. Everybody knows the top players can run racks, why not make it a competition or at least even chance at the table. Every game on the planet gives the other team a chance at the game after a score. Lets change all the games if people want to watch practice, so every time you score in basketball you have to give the ball back to the team who just scored.
 
DRINKDUFF said:
When a guy can make his why through a whole bracket and not even get to shoot in the final match, something isn't right about that?


Most finals are long sets to 11 or close to that.

Unless you're speaking of local weekly events. Then I would have never even responded.

but if you're talking about bigger open events, It's not likely someone is going to run off the whole set.

Didn't say not possible, Said not likely.

I do understand the irritation of losing the flip and being dominated in a set by packages and only getting to kick or play safe when you do shoot.

Eat or be eaten. lol

I'm all for winner breaks.. I like having the same option as my opponent. Being able to string packages together and control the set if I can.

At least in winner break you have a better chance of coming back to win the set if you're down 8-3 going to 9 then you do on alternate break.

:thumbup:

To each their own.
 
Nine Ball said:
Winner breaks...

As much as I hate someone stringin up a package up on me, I love that if I'm playin well I have the chance to do it to them.

Thanks,
Josh Hillard

You may never get that chance. Alt. breaks, you would get your chance to show your stuff.

Granted, if you're down 8-3 in a race to 9 with Alt. Break, you're probably not going to win...but then again, how did your opponent get that far ahead?

Somebody said it is unlikely that players will run 11 racks...probably true, but if that player has control of every table from the beginning, that player can play some good safeties when he can't get out and tie you up pretty tight so you never do get a real chance at the table.

If I'm in a tournament, I want to play. I want the chance to win...not just show off some good kick shots and watch my opponent finish (and start) every rack.

For me, it's definitely Alternate Break...equal chances for both players. One change I would like to see in the Alternate Break format is if the match goes hill/hill, the breaker of the final match should win that oppotunity with a lag...not just get lucky with a coin flip...seen too many matches won by the guy who got the lucky coin flip in the beginning, had the final break and ran it for the win...even though every rack in the entire match might have been ran by both players...basically, luck determined who won that match.

L8R...Ken
 
Food for thought. In accu-stats massive collection of 9 ball matches spanning 20 some years, they haven't a single match wherein a player runs out an entire set. They have a few where they come close, but they never quite manage the feat.

If someone is hitting you with packages, and you can't reply properly then you are probably playing over your head. Should we set a limit to the runs in 14.1? Is it not fair that you only get two chances in a match?

If a person can't handle someone running out racks on them, then I think they may be playing the wrong game. Take up bowling.
 
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