For TV, my vote would go to 8-ball. The reason is mostly marketing. In north America, way, way, way more people play 8-ball than anything else. Walk in almost any bar and check out what is being played. 8ball. Bars are where the "masses" play. The people that love pool, but maybe are a bit intimidated to go to an actual pool hall. Women , on average love the game as well. Its the crap that usually comes along with it they hate.Why would TV promote a game that only hard core pool players understand (9ball)? Makes no sense. People say 8ball is slower and not as exciting for TV. According to who? Statements like that are simply wrong. Go to the masses where everybody is familiar with 8ball and work from there. And GET WOMEN INVOLVED! All tournies should be mixed and women encouraged to attend. Sure Augusta can dis-allow female membership, thumb their noses at both the public and their sponsors and get away with it. IMO, they're the exception, not the rule in gaining a sport's acceptance. The pool industry needs to be in recruitment mode, big time if it ever wants to be seen as anything but a hustler's hobby. We should learn a bit of our marketing from the Brits. Their billiard stars are national heros. They're paid accordingly.
Trick shots, yeah I love 'em and think there's always going to be a place for exhibition shots. Just like golf, when there's a long drive contest on TV, I'm glued to it. Little in this world is better than seeing a ball get whacked 350+ yards. Gives me hope...as maybe Robin Williams would say.
