What Feat Is Harder
- Thread starter TheBook
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pharaoh68
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Hole in one. Giving the size of the target, the distance to the target, and the means you have to get the ball there, it is definitely the hardest.
I think that if the right player is shooting his/her game and they have good control over their break, running ten would definitely be the second hardest but just slightly more accomplishable.
I know a straight pool player who hits 150 or close to it every time he plays. Granted, he's a pro, but still, most pro golfers don't nail a hole in one every time they play. Do they?
And bowling? Every bowling alley in the world has a list a mile long of locals who have put up 300 before.
I think that if the right player is shooting his/her game and they have good control over their break, running ten would definitely be the second hardest but just slightly more accomplishable.
I know a straight pool player who hits 150 or close to it every time he plays. Granted, he's a pro, but still, most pro golfers don't nail a hole in one every time they play. Do they?
And bowling? Every bowling alley in the world has a list a mile long of locals who have put up 300 before.
TheBook said:
Without a doubt, it's breaking and running 10 racks of 9-ball.
A 300 in bowling requires concentration for 12 executions and all are repetitive. A hole-in-one can be done by anybody who knows the basics. You may not have one in your lifetime but you can tell someone a story about how you've seen one. Straight pool's 150 is likely the easiest. Not only will you see a great player run this number almost routinely, you may even see his opponent respond in kind.
HOWEVER, running 10 racks of 9-ball doesn't happen very often. In fact, I've been playing 15 years and have only been witness to a 6-pack (4 times, 3 by Mika Immonen). You need luck and skill to carry you for the 80-90 executions with challenging shots more often than not. Between the two pool games, the fundamental difference is that not all pro 9-ball players have run 10 racks but all pro straight pool players have run 150.
I am not a golfer or a bowler. It just seems as if such a big deal is made when someone get a hole in one or a 300 game. In every Sunday's paper there is a long list of names of people that have gotten either one, and the list of hole in ones is about as long as 300 games.
comparison
First off, it should be stated that it is 10 racks in a row of 9-ball. 10 break and runs is not difficult, but 10 in a row is extrememly difficult. The hole in one in golf could be a fluke thing and is by far the easiest on there. You could take some fool like Tin Cup and use a Louisville Slugger and get a hole in one. It takes not skill to get a hole in one. The rest usually take some skill. Now, somebody may get lucky and snap a bunch of 9's in on the break, but it takes a lot of skill to continue with running tables when the 9's don't fall in. The straight pool run doesn't have much luck involved at all. One must hope a ball doesn't skid and that is about the only luck involved in that. The 300 in bowling also is extremely difficult but they occur as well.
So by looking at all the options, the most difficult to do is the break and run 10 racks of 9-ball in a row but the thing that takes the most skill and knowledge is the 150 ball run of 14.1.
First off, it should be stated that it is 10 racks in a row of 9-ball. 10 break and runs is not difficult, but 10 in a row is extrememly difficult. The hole in one in golf could be a fluke thing and is by far the easiest on there. You could take some fool like Tin Cup and use a Louisville Slugger and get a hole in one. It takes not skill to get a hole in one. The rest usually take some skill. Now, somebody may get lucky and snap a bunch of 9's in on the break, but it takes a lot of skill to continue with running tables when the 9's don't fall in. The straight pool run doesn't have much luck involved at all. One must hope a ball doesn't skid and that is about the only luck involved in that. The 300 in bowling also is extremely difficult but they occur as well.
So by looking at all the options, the most difficult to do is the break and run 10 racks of 9-ball in a row but the thing that takes the most skill and knowledge is the 150 ball run of 14.1.
Of all the things listed I think the hole in one doesnt belong here. Ive seen a hole in one and I dont think they are extremely rare. The person who made the hole in one was a hack too, he shot like 100 on avg. If a complete hack can do a hole in one, it doesnt belong in this list.
150 ball runs have happened so much that just about everyone knows of someone who has done it. Don't know much about bowling but I did see a 300 game in bowling on tv, whereas I have never seen a 10 rack run. I've heard of just a few. Strickland ran 10 in that Tournament in Texas. Johnny Archer had one against Bustamente in a money match and I think Feijen supposedly had a big amt of racks run, maybe over 10. Does anyone know of anyone else running ten racks of 9ball?
Running 10 racks is so rare its hard to believe it can happen unless there is something like a dead ball on the break.
150 ball runs have happened so much that just about everyone knows of someone who has done it. Don't know much about bowling but I did see a 300 game in bowling on tv, whereas I have never seen a 10 rack run. I've heard of just a few. Strickland ran 10 in that Tournament in Texas. Johnny Archer had one against Bustamente in a money match and I think Feijen supposedly had a big amt of racks run, maybe over 10. Does anyone know of anyone else running ten racks of 9ball?
Running 10 racks is so rare its hard to believe it can happen unless there is something like a dead ball on the break.
TheBook said:
The question is "what is the hardest feat to accomplish"
Good question and I think the answer is.... it depends who you are.
For me, the 300 in Bowling would be hardest as I am a decent golfer and a decent pool player but it is highly unlikely that I could as a non bowler get lucky and bowl a 300 game with my current skill set.
Tiger Woods would probably tell you that it would be easier for him to get a hole in one and one of the other three would be the hardest (for him), Thorsten Hohmann would probably tell you the 150 in Straight pool is easy (for him) etc.
I think a better question would be which feat requires the most skill (and/or the least amount of luck)
I would say the 300 in Bowling requires the least amount of luck, followed by the Hole in One, then the 150 in SP and then the 10 racks last which IMO requires the most luck even for the most talented pro.
If you took the best bowler, golfer, Straight Pool Player and Nine Ball player to each attempt said feats, given conditions that are as consistent as possible, I believe the Nine Ball player will be waiting a long time before he runs 10 racks but everyone else will be done. JMHO
TheBook said:
They might all be the same "for free"! However, if the question were what is the most difficult in tournament competition, I would say the 10 pack (basically running out the set).
I can't really decide on this one at first glance...
Bowling = 300
Hole in one
Run 10 racks of 9 ball
Run 150 in straight pool
After my lame and seamlessly waste of time writing this I would have to go with Run 10 racks of 9-ball.
JMO
Bowling = 300
- 12 throws
- Skill needed to reproduce the action
- It is possible to get it by luck, but rarely
- Armatures and professionals alike have acquired it
- Occurrences - occasionally, most publicly known and documented
Hole in one
- One shot for success
- No particular skill needed except hitting the ball
- Can get it by skill or luck
- Armatures and professionals alike have acquired it
- Occurrences - occasionally, most publicly known and documented
Run 10 racks of 9 ball
- Multiple shots (many) to acquire it
- Skill is needed except hitting the ball
- Can get it only by skill
- Armatures and professionals alike have acquired it
- Occurrences - said to not be that often, few publicly known and documented
Run 150 in straight pool
- Multiple shots (many) to acquire it
- Skill is needed except hitting the ball
- Can get it only by skill
- Armatures and professionals alike have acquired it
- Occurrences - occasional, few are publicly known and documented
After my lame and seamlessly waste of time writing this I would have to go with Run 10 racks of 9-ball.
JMO
This isn't even close. Breaking and running ten racks of 9 ball is far and away the toughest of these tasks.
I would racnk them as follows
Break and run 10 racks of 9 ball
300 in bowling
150 in straight pool
Hole in 1
Even though as Jude pointed out in bowling a 300 there are a limited number of shots I think you have to a be a top player to be able to accomplish it. IMO running 150 in straight pool is about as equal but
with the mulitple balls and options I think its a touch easier. Really not sure on that one.
I have seen golfing idiots have a Hole in one. Its possible to hit a shot semi bad and catch a good bounce and find a groove towards the hole.
Some holes in one are more inpressive. Some hole placements greatly help
the chances of getting a hole in one.
This topic brings up a good question --What is the toughest feat of
any game? I would say that to be fair it would need to be a sport/game where a player is all alone on their turn. Not like a baseball pitcher or hitter.
I would racnk them as follows
Break and run 10 racks of 9 ball
300 in bowling
150 in straight pool
Hole in 1
Even though as Jude pointed out in bowling a 300 there are a limited number of shots I think you have to a be a top player to be able to accomplish it. IMO running 150 in straight pool is about as equal but
with the mulitple balls and options I think its a touch easier. Really not sure on that one.
I have seen golfing idiots have a Hole in one. Its possible to hit a shot semi bad and catch a good bounce and find a groove towards the hole.
Some holes in one are more inpressive. Some hole placements greatly help
the chances of getting a hole in one.
This topic brings up a good question --What is the toughest feat of
any game? I would say that to be fair it would need to be a sport/game where a player is all alone on their turn. Not like a baseball pitcher or hitter.
I have never done any of the above... I'm halfway to a 150 run, I've broke and ran 5, I've ALMOST made a hole in one, and I thought about bowling once. I've gotta say, hands down it's 10 racks of 9-Ball, because of the variables in the break. In 14.1, if you play it right, you have control of the break and plenty of chances to deal with problems. In 9 Ball, what can start out looking like a great break, can go to hell in a handbasket with a little brush of the CB by a flyer.
Later,
Bob
Later,
Bob
I will never do any one of them, but I think it's indisputable that there are fewer people who walked the planet who who have ran 10 racks of 9 ball than any of the other accomplishments mentioned.
In fact, who else has done this but Archer and Feljin (sp?) have done this, if I am not mistaken?
In fact, who else has done this but Archer and Feljin (sp?) have done this, if I am not mistaken?
I bowled 3 seasons and had high of 220+. This was amatuer and we had a couple of people very close to 300. Mostly good amatuer skill with a touch of luck to do.Amatuer 70-30 skill to luck, Pro 90-10 skill to luck.
I have golfed a bit and missed a hole in one by about 1/2". I"ve had playing partners also come very close. About 60-40 skill to luck ratio to do for average amatuer. Pro 70-30.
Ten racks in 9ball, never seen it personally or come even close. I'd guess you would have to have pro skill and be on your game and have a lot of luck on the breaks. I'd say 60-40 skill to luck ratio for a top pro. Very good amatuer 30-70.
150 in straight pool is mostly skill for a pro, some luck. Say 80-20 for top pro, 60-40 for very good amatuer.
I'd say running ten racks would be most difficult but it's really comparing apples and oranges because luck is really just the odds of something happening and plays a factor differently in the different sports mentioned.
Skill is aquired and mastered diferently and at different levels in the sports mentioned.
Terry
I have golfed a bit and missed a hole in one by about 1/2". I"ve had playing partners also come very close. About 60-40 skill to luck ratio to do for average amatuer. Pro 70-30.
Ten racks in 9ball, never seen it personally or come even close. I'd guess you would have to have pro skill and be on your game and have a lot of luck on the breaks. I'd say 60-40 skill to luck ratio for a top pro. Very good amatuer 30-70.
150 in straight pool is mostly skill for a pro, some luck. Say 80-20 for top pro, 60-40 for very good amatuer.
I'd say running ten racks would be most difficult but it's really comparing apples and oranges because luck is really just the odds of something happening and plays a factor differently in the different sports mentioned.
Skill is aquired and mastered diferently and at different levels in the sports mentioned.
Terry
I go with the 10 racks of 9-ball. I've seen a lot of top players "playing the 9-ball ghost", and I don't remember seeing any 10-packs, and that's breaking and getting ball in hand. The most I've ever seen is 13 by Mika, but they were in two different sets; he ran 9 in one set to finish, and started with a 4-pack the next set, in a tournement in Orlando. No 9's on the break, they were all break and run. Still like Earl's 10-pack to win the million. Brings up a point: running 10 racks is so rare, a million bucks was offered to do it...I don't think any of those other feats have a million dollar payoff potential. For our friends in the UK and Canada, I would like to add one toughie: running out a 501 darts game in 9 darts. Good topic, Book.
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Hole in one is a lot of luck as others have pointed out. You get more chances at it if you are a good player, but still a lot of luck. Equally skilled players can have radically different numbers of holes in one. I am definitely aboove average as a golfer and have never made one. I have flown one in on a par 3 and it bounced out. I have come within inches. A good bounce nearly got me one on a very short par 4. But no holes in one. I suspect if I make one it will be when I blade one or something. I have seen some holes in one on mediocre shots. Many many many golfers worse than me have made them. The 300 game in bowling is both more skillful and maybe easier if that makes any sense. If you are a good bowler the odds of a 300 game are better I think, especially if the lane conditions are right for your gam10 racks of 9 ball is the hardest as everybody else has said. I was lucky enough to see Buddy Hall string 7 and out together once. He might have ran more but the match was over, LOL. But his break was an instant reply. This was before Sardos. He broke, left the cue ball dead center, and ran out. No hard shots so it must have been easy right?
pharaoh68 said:
Peter Jacobson alone said he has 16 hole-in-one's. MANY of the pro's have multiple hole-in-ones. Not to mention, 3 rounds of golf isn't as much play-time as a 3-day session of pool. It might end up being the same amount of time as far as the clock is concerned, but it isn't as much play time. JIHAD, B*****es! Hah!
What about a maximum in snooker. If you look at the list of players who have accomplished a 147 in competition it is very short.
Another snooker related feat is making more than a maximum 148-155, There are less than a handful of players who have accomplished this in a match. I believe the highest recorded break is either a 151 or 153. Tony Drago made a 149 in a practice match. I think this blows away all of the other suggestions.
Another snooker related feat is making more than a maximum 148-155, There are less than a handful of players who have accomplished this in a match. I believe the highest recorded break is either a 151 or 153. Tony Drago made a 149 in a practice match. I think this blows away all of the other suggestions.
TheBook said:
Here are some estimates to help quantify the odds.
I found some stats on the intenet:
Hole in one odds by an amateur - 1 in 12,750, pros about 1 in 3756
300 game - league bowlers 1 in 8000. I would imagine pros would be around 1 in 2500 but I couldn't find the stats.
Straight pool - since only a pro caliber player is likely to run 150, I would put the odds at under 1 in 200 for a straight pool playing pro and nearly impossible for a non-pro. So, this is probably the easiest of all tasks to accomplish, at least for a pro. For an amateur, the odds would be ridiculous. If a pro could run 150, the odds for running 300 would be far more difficult, 1 in 40,000
Run 10 racks of 9 ball: If a player had a break and run percentage of 20%, I would guess a pretty average number for a pro on a table with average pockets, I calculate the odds of running 10 racks at over 1 in 1,562.000.
I am not a math expert and it's been a long time since I took statistics class, but running 4 (1 in 500), is a cake walk compared to running 10 racks in any particular sitting.
Yes, it's nearly impossible, but we know it has happened.
If anyone is is familiar with odds making, please check the calculations.
Chris
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