U S Open break box question

sjm said:
Thanks for the info. I'm looking forward to your stats during the upcoming event.

Yeah, 33% is a bit low for my taste (I'd like it right at 50%), although the cost of a dry break is, based on the nine-on-the-spot events I've watched, less with the balls racked this way. The play at the last Mosconi Cup was some of the most interesting I've ever seen. Here's what I posted about the Mosconi break just a few days after the 2013 Mosconi event:



Here's what Jay Helfert posted in the same thread, citing my post above:



Noted racking guru Joe Tucker, in the same thread, had this to say:



Now let's not be delusional, it's obviously a matter of opinion whether this is the kind of pool that should decide who is the best, but at least a few of us like watching this type of pool because it ensures that all of ones skills will often be put to the test.

Many say that the break and run is what pool is all about, but that's like saying that birdies are what golf is all about. The US Golf Association sees it fit to make birdies much more scarce in its national championship by narrowing the fairways and lengthening the rough, making it a tougher and more comprehensive test of all-around golfing skills. I think the nine-on-the-spot with a break box has the same effect in pool, making it ideal for a national championship.

Then again, I'm a diehard fan and I'm gonna love the US Open no matter how they set it up. Let the games begin!
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Good thoughts, Stu. I, too, enjoyed the MC last year, and I think one reason might have been because the breaking results,and, therefore, the subsequent play, were so different from the norm for 9-Ball. But I don't know that I'd like to see that format in every 9-Ball event. Perhaps this U.S. Open will be a nice compromise -- 9-ball on the spot, a normal-sized break box, and no soft breaking.

Incidentally, the Open in 2005 (when Pagulayan won) was played with the 9-ball on the spot and a normal-sized break box. But they used the Sardo Rack (at least on the recorded table), so results may be a little different this year. I recently watched parts of a couple of those matches; I saw a lot of semi-soft breaks and a lot of dry breaks.

Should be interesting; I hope it all goes smoothly.
 
AtLarge said:
Good thoughts, Stu. I, too, enjoyed the MC last year, and I think one reason might have been because the breaking results,and, therefore, the subsequent play, were so different from the norm for 9-Ball. But I don't know that I'd like to see that format in every 9-Ball event. Perhaps this U.S. Open will be a nice compromise -- 9-ball on the spot, a normal-sized break box, and no soft breaking.

Incidentally, the Open in 2005 (when Pagulayan won) was played with the 9-ball on the spot and a normal-sized break box. But they used the Sardo Rack (at least on the recorded table), so results may be a little different this year. I recently watched parts of a couple of those matches; I saw a lot of semi-soft breaks and a lot of dry breaks.

Should be interesting; I hope it all goes smoothly.
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I agree. I would not want to see this format every week of the pool year. That said, though, I do think that this stiff test of all-around skills befits the occasion of our national championship.

I didn't remember that nine-on-the-spot was tried before, but it is not at all surprising that Alex was victorious the last time they racked that way, given that he has the great defensive/tactical skills to go with his run out abilities. Efren Reyes and Nick Varner are the only better defensive/tactical players I've ever seen over the glorious green felt.
 
Thanks.

Thanks to all for your input on this subject. Now, let's all look forward to a great U S Open.
 
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