What would you guys do, rules wise, to change pro pool?

I would like 9 and 10 ball to be played like Mike Zuglan runs a tournament...
...with two exceptions.
..a third party racker
...breakbox one diamond square at the middle of the end rail.

I guess there's a third one...you can only concede a game when it's your shot.
 
I've said before, pro pool is dry and boring. I watch not so much for entertainment but to see the game played at top level. I know, some of you call that entertainment.

Mic the players, encourage bantor. Get em out of the church and onto the playground so to speak.

The most entertaining match I've ever seen is the Mosconi vs. Fats match. Fats was animated and you could see it was eating at Willie.

Earl has many fans in large part due to him being an animated player.

Imagine if Earl had been playing Fats in that match, that would've been fun.

Mosconi Cup, great fun to watch because there's actually a pulse to it, even if the players are quiet.

I got interested in the McGregor/Mayfield fight in large part because of McGregor talking so much smack. That was the most boxing I've watched in decades.

As for regular rules...I don't have much to say other than the nine ball break is too easy to pocket the one.
 
I would get rid of 9 ball and move on to 10 ball exclusively. Call shot (no call safe) and the coming player has the option if the shooter flukes a ball in the wrong procket. Alternate break for shorter races or winner breaks for longer races.

We don't need to complicate it more than that.
 
What I would do is require the players to know the rules. Most of the pro players are as stupid as stumps when it comes to knowing what is legal.

As others have said, the rules are fine if your main concern is finding a larger audience; the problem is not in the rules. The rules are also fine for the majority of players who play 8 ball.
 
Agreed Bob as for the rules, but I'm amazed that players Don't know the rules. I'm sure you know way more than me but hell, my local tourney and league know the rules fairly well.

I understand some tourneys play different, but you got to know going in. Crazy, I wouldn't bet $2.00 w out knowing the rules my opponent is playing by.
 
Eliminate call shot from rotation games. Independent rackers. 30 second shot clock. Early money balls always count including on the break. Trying to take luck out of rotation games by fussing with the rules makes it far less entertaining and exciting. Rotation games were never meant to be played that way.
 
I'm curious to know what people on here have come up with, as rules suggestions, on how to change the professional game for the better.

As much as I do not like 9 ball much, it's pretty much the standard for all big tournaments these days. But after last years US Open and the rules implemented there, I ask myself why more tournaments here in the US have not adopted those rules. Everyone seemed to have the same opinion that it was better than the current 9 balls rules.

Any other suggestions? Or is everyone pretty much happy with the way things have been for the last 2 decades or so?

No jump cues in any pro level event "US Open, Euro Tour, Joss tour, Predator, etc..."

For 9 ball, standard rack with standard break spot, no soft breaking. Pattern racking should not even be a question since it's not allowed in the standard rules of 9 ball in the first place.

If using a template rack, 9 on the spot with same break requirements.

If a rule is needed for soft break, 4 balls past the side pockets or 2 past the headstring.

No title events on 7 footers. Any "State Championship" on a 7 footer should be called a bar table event not a true state championship. No ranking events on 7 footers either for WPA, Mosconi cup, etc.. standings.
 
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