I just don't understand why people don't play this game more. Its more fun than 9ball. Its def a better practice game.
why?
- Thread starter 5ballcharlie
- Start date
Because its not as easy as 9 ball.
I've always thought it's because of the dreadfully boring between-rack safety play of true beginners. It's absolutely not their fault - until players can consistently set for breakshots, playing 10 safeties off a closed rack every 14 balls is the only option, but also a real momentum-killer. It's just not fun. Even after someone loses the safe battle, usually the rack is pretty tight anyway.
So the problem, as I've always seen it, is that it takes a certain amount of proficiency before the game becomes enjoyable. That barrier-to-entry might keep a lot of players away from the game after one or two initial forays.
Why better players don't play the game, I'll never understand.
- Steve
Good points, Steve. Too bad more people aren't introduced to the "Equal Offense" approach from a ball in hand break shot in their early exposures. Excellent way to learn what to expect out of various break shots, and it gives you an opportunity to jump right into the pattern learning in the game, while still competing with a playing partner - so you can employ safety play within the framework of an ongoing game as opposed to a long, stagnant phase.
The very nature of the opening game break can be a turn off for some. But face it, some folks just aren't attracted to, or cut out for, the cerebral side of pool.
The very nature of the opening game break can be a turn off for some. But face it, some folks just aren't attracted to, or cut out for, the cerebral side of pool.
To me, the difference between 9-ball and straight pool is the same difference as between playing the guitar and playing violin: it's very easy to produce a few chords that sounds okay with a guitar, while it takes many months of training to produce notes that don't sound completely atrocious with a violin. But in the end, if you want to be a great player of either instrument, you'll need the same amount of training and skill.
In short, straight pool has a steep initial learning curve that 9-ball doesn't have. I believe most people who come to straight pool from 9-ball do so when their game is at a level where the two learning curves cross: 9-ball gave them enough experience enjoyably to start being able to have fun with straight pool too.
In short, straight pool has a steep initial learning curve that 9-ball doesn't have. I believe most people who come to straight pool from 9-ball do so when their game is at a level where the two learning curves cross: 9-ball gave them enough experience enjoyably to start being able to have fun with straight pool too.
We sometimes take turns with ball in hand, high run wins 1 point, and play races to 9 or 11 or whatever. You can give an extra point for each full rack run. I think this is a good way to practice.
I was spotting a guy 75 balls in our league Monday. Me 125, him 50.
I felt like I wasn't playing straight pool. The table looked terrible. I couldn't be crazy and take a flyer or he could pick off enough balls to make a dent in me. Even when I got to the table it seemed not enough there to start something.
I did break loose for a 35 or so in the second game but otherwise it felt like I was playing in mud. I think this is because he did not seem to be playing straight pool. He avoided break shots. His patterns were just pick off a few balls and then see what you have next. Not a lot of fun.
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Hey dennis,
that sounds like the league match that i had to play last night. i had to go to 110, my opponent had to goto 50.
It was the same thing, him being less of a player would shoot shots that just made no sense. would shoot enough of those shots and by the time he would miss, i would be left with nothing that resembled a good end pattern or anything that could remotly be turned into one either.
but i guess you have to start somewhere, i should know i used to play the same way. Mr Lipsky could agree on that !!!!
I agree with Mr Lipsky about the safety play that becomes discouraging to up and coming players, especially since you are not just playing safe on the obvious lowest numbered ball.
alot of newer players have to idea that straight pool is a much easier game because you can shoot any ball at any time. But its those same players that will struggle with continuing into a second rack without having to play some sort of crazy breakshot.
Or they will always manage to get stuck with balls locked up because they didnt play a propper pattern to unlock the problem area with having an insurance ball to cover there ass when running into them.
And thats just my .02 !
Steve
that sounds like the league match that i had to play last night. i had to go to 110, my opponent had to goto 50.
It was the same thing, him being less of a player would shoot shots that just made no sense. would shoot enough of those shots and by the time he would miss, i would be left with nothing that resembled a good end pattern or anything that could remotly be turned into one either.
but i guess you have to start somewhere, i should know i used to play the same way. Mr Lipsky could agree on that !!!!
I agree with Mr Lipsky about the safety play that becomes discouraging to up and coming players, especially since you are not just playing safe on the obvious lowest numbered ball.
alot of newer players have to idea that straight pool is a much easier game because you can shoot any ball at any time. But its those same players that will struggle with continuing into a second rack without having to play some sort of crazy breakshot.
Or they will always manage to get stuck with balls locked up because they didnt play a propper pattern to unlock the problem area with having an insurance ball to cover there ass when running into them.
And thats just my .02 !
Steve
Same reason people won't play straight rail, but will play 3C.
Sounds easy, but is crushingly difficult.
No one wants to look bad at a game that sounds so simple
Lou Figueroa
any ball
any pocket
All I know is that my nine ball game is suffering, because all I want to play is straight pool and one pocket.
I was talking to a good 9 ball player the other day who said that he can't stand one pocket....it's too boring. I feel about the same concerning 9 ball. Conceptually, 9 ball is the easiest game out there, but difficult to execute well. It amazes me that that's all that beginners want to play and they literally can't run 3 balls.
In a way, it has been a curse for me to want to play straight and one pocket. There are very few people that play either game around here. I'm left playing 9 ball bacause that is the game of choice.
I was talking to a good 9 ball player the other day who said that he can't stand one pocket....it's too boring. I feel about the same concerning 9 ball. Conceptually, 9 ball is the easiest game out there, but difficult to execute well. It amazes me that that's all that beginners want to play and they literally can't run 3 balls.
In a way, it has been a curse for me to want to play straight and one pocket. There are very few people that play either game around here. I'm left playing 9 ball bacause that is the game of choice.
It may also have to do with players not being introduced to the game until late in their development. By that time, they are already indoctrinated to believe 9 ball is THE pool game, that it requires more skill because you play the balls in rotation. Nevermind the fact that it's absurd that you only need to pot one ball to win....
That said, I have introduced many new players to 14.1 and they all have enjoyed it. They tend to like the fact that their runs are longer than in 8 ball or 9 ball. And with a handicap we can have a fair game.
That said, I have introduced many new players to 14.1 and they all have enjoyed it. They tend to like the fact that their runs are longer than in 8 ball or 9 ball. And with a handicap we can have a fair game.
I play that type of guy a lot and it kills me. Takes the game down a notch but that is how they play. WBM suggested play those guys make shots that are definite duck otherwise do not try to go for anything close to missable. i do not contain my game that well but will have to learn.
Whenever I play against those types I like to give monster spots. Earlier in the year I was playing a guy regularily giving him a 80-90 point start going to 100 (depending on how I was feeling).
It was TOUGH (he could run 5 balls at time). The benefit I found was that I had to limit my mistakes and take advantage of my opportunities. Every ball he made was like a 10 ball run, on top of that he was deliberately getting rid of break balls so I had very difficult time getting loose.
We haven't played in a while, but we are dead locked even as far as win/losses.
Yeah, I know exactly what you mean, and who. It's one of the harder nights at league. You get so frustrated you take any kind of ridiculous shot just to get going. Nice guy, though. You have to hand it to him, he knows how he must play to win.
It's the price we pay for getting to play Smooth Eddie Latimer and George Fels. All in all, I love the league.
I guess a lot doesnt know the game or understand it.
Newly started restarted the club here in my local town(15 years absent).
And a lot of the new players dont know 14.1 or 10-ball, let alone they dont know 9-ball even
After a little learning they are all into 14.1 and 9-ball.
But 9-ball and 10-ball is the most entertaining to watch, at least it think so.
To me, everyone wants their fair share of the shots. When someone weaker plays me (not that I am very good myself) & I get on a good run, they don't say "That's how I should do it, I'm gonna sit here & learn how to do it" they say "I'm bored of watching this guy shoot, let's play some 9B". They don't want to pay those dues...in the form of bruised ego & calluses on their fanny.
mosconiac has a point here, I quit playing with one of my partners because I tried to introduce him to straight pool and he is a kind of player who dwells on his game, the better he plays the more. And he showed so minimal interest in the game when I was shooting 14.1 against him that I couldn't stand that. He wasn't trying to learn or discuss the patterns, he just was waiting his turn and reading an e-book...
To make people interested, there should be a way to make more fun of the game.
Equal Offense practise with alternating attempts offered earlier in the thread must be a good option.
To make people interested, there should be a way to make more fun of the game.
Equal Offense practise with alternating attempts offered earlier in the thread must be a good option.