What is Blackball?....and since its Pool....Why is it scheduled on top of the US Open?

[pt109]

I played a couple games by myself in Preston UK
3x6 table…snooker pockets…2 inch object balls
Inch and 3/4 cue ball,,,could draw a long way hitting dead centre cue ball.
I felt the table and the rules were ridiculous.
Had one in Toronto at a bar…I bet a friend I could hold the table for 5 games without making the 8-ball… won easy…missing the 8 altogether was loss of game…dumb rules

 

[Raph Cleary]

Jim Rempe Is an English Eight-ball/Blackball Champion in 1985, the only American player to do so.

 

[Monti]

I played a couple games by myself in Preston UK
3x6 table…snooker pockets…2 inch object balls
Inch and 3/4 cue ball,,,could draw a long way hitting dead centre cue ball.
I felt the table and the rules were ridiculous.
Had one in Toronto at a bar…I bet a friend I could hold the table for 5 games without making the 8-ball… won easy…missing the 8 altogether was loss of game…dumb rules

In a time when everyone is really trying hard to push billiards its this sort of attitude that isn’t very helpful. I used to live in the uk and always played 8 ball. Now in North America I prefer 9 ball etc on 9 ft tables.
However the uk 8 ball game has lots of different skill sets and can be much more tactical, especially at a lower level where you play to take pockets out of the equation for your opponent since he can’t play his ball onto yours unless both go down
When uk players come over here and you pick the ball up after a foul and put it anywhere they start laughing as they find that ridiculous. Every game has its merits, it’s good to see all of them available to watch

 

[Positively Ralf]

Amazing to see how much the IPA Blackball organization has come. They put on some really great events for their players and get them exposure to the rest of the billiards world.

Looks like I'll be watching some blackball that weekend.

 

[Philthepockets]

Jim Rempe Is an English Eight-ball/Blackball World Champion in 1985, the only American player to do so.

That tourney was played on a 4x8 table (rare in the UK as most were 3.5x7 or 3x6) the players were under orders to play open as it was on TV.

 

[Straightpool_99]

I played a couple games by myself in Preston UK
3x6 table…snooker pockets…2 inch object balls
Inch and 3/4 cue ball,,,could draw a long way hitting dead centre cue ball.
I felt the table and the rules were ridiculous.
Had one in Toronto at a bar…I bet a friend I could hold the table for 5 games without making the 8-ball… won easy…missing the 8 altogether was loss of game…dumb rules

I don't know what game YOU were playing, but it wasn't blackball. Blackball rules are much more attacking than previous rule sets on the same equipment. Missing the black would mean giving your opponent a free shot where he plays from baulk or where the cueball lies.

You are certainly entitled to you opinion regarding the equipment. Personally I find it a very challenging game and the difference in weight between the cueball and object ball gives new and interesting challenges.

You might be interested to know that blackball has quite an active money playing culture. You should totally go back to the UK and dominate with your superior skills. You can try out your strategy. No matter how it goes or how well you play, you have every chance of getting a game for money. Here is a money match that isn't necessesarily the very top level of playing but is very exciting:

 

[pvc lou]

I don't know what game YOU were playing, but it wasn't blackball. Blackball rules are much more attacking than previous rule sets on the same equipment. Missing the black would mean giving your opponent a free shot where he plays from baulk or where the cueball lies.

You are certainly entitled to you opinion regarding the equipment. Personally I find it a very challenging game and the difference in weight between the cueball and object ball gives new and interesting challenges.

You might be interested to know that blackball has quite an active money playing culture. You should totally go back to the UK and dominate with your superior skills. You can try out your strategy. No matter how it goes or how well you play, you have every chance of getting a game for money. Here is a money match that isn't necessesarily the very top level of playing but is very exciting:

I've been playing blackball for almost a year now. Around here it's either that or french billiards...the blackball club is closer, and I'm lazy.

I agree that it is a challenging game, but I still think the rules and tiny cueball are kinda chicken shit somehow....