George the Greek
Well-known member
I agree. I think they should try a new game by using the regular cue ball to break then switch to a trick cue ball and watch it wobble around. It would make it a fun spectator sport lol
World 10-ball
- Thread starter pt109
- Start date
I still don't understand the disdain for call shot rules in a rotation game. It seems that the primary argument against call shot is simply legacy.
As 8cree pointed out, would you be okay if straight pool allowed flukes? And 8-ball?
Yes but sometimes you are in a bad situation and you aren't sure you'll make either but it's better to try and make both. Or more commonly the opportunity to take a chance to win a game early by also making the money ball when you are sure of making the ball on, generally when the table is not open. That way you get a free chance to win and otherwise don't give up control of the table if you're forced to play safe after missing the money ball.
Ultimately, it's nitty in straight pool, too, but straight pool originated in an era when pool was not televised. There's not a shred of doubt in my mind that call shot rules are part of the reason that nine ball replaced straight pool. I'm still reliving it. During the golden age of straight pool, if the player wanted to play the four in the side, they called "four in the side", after which the referee repeated "four in the side." If the ball was pocketed, the referee then announced where the run stood on every single shot. Only those sitting in the front could hear any of it. Calling this process laborious is being too kind.
Call shot games are not best for the viewer. They slow the game down and make the game harder to follow.
Thanks to Sky Sports, both nine ball and snooker are often televised. They probably wouldn't be if they were call-shot games.
That said, the fringe games are alive and well and, right now, 14.1 is one of them. So is 10ball. Arguably the most difficult of them all is one-pocket, always played without call shot. The fringe games are unlikely to become the primary games anytime soon.
Last edited:
So fluke shots made the game as popular as is it? Or is just a faster paced game in general that did it? I wasn't watching or playing back then so your observations are credit worthy no doubt. But calling a shot is practically part of the pre-shot routine when you point your cue at the intended pocket because in 9ball the objective ball is always known. I could see where a carom/kiss or more tactical shot may need a 2 second explanation though.
One Pocket sort of stands alone in that regard to me...although, sometimes I like to call my "shot" in 1PKT . Just so you know I meant to do that!
One Pocket sort of stands alone in that regard to me...although, sometimes I like to call my "shot" in 1PKT . Just so you know I meant to do that!
AFAIC ....
The 10 ball made on the break should be spotted, but after that if it's called, then game over.
The only balls that should have to be verbally "called" are bank shots, billiard shots, kiss shots* and combinations. With cut shots, what's the point, since it's obvious where the object ball is being directed.
And as long as the primary ball is pocketed, all other "luck shots" should remain down, with the exception of the 10 ball. In 10 ball, unlike 9 ball, the money ball should never be fluked.
* Other than cut shots that are kissed off another ball that's sitting in the pocket. I'd treat those as ordinary cut shots, without any requirement to call the "kiss".
Alex looked focused like I haven't seen him in a while. Can't say he played perfect, because he didn't, but there seemed to be a little bit of an aura around his play.
And it is those surprise first downs that make for exciting gameplay.
Unless you lost.
Actually, many 2-way shots can be played, just not multi-purpose shots on offense.
I did single out Predator for their vast contribution to the game in my post.
i like call shot. without it 10-ball would be a pointless variance from 9-ball. early 10:s should count, except for breaks. i don't actually mind triangle rack either here, but do it right. in the last event it just wasn't acceptable
Alex, Mika, Thorsten. A who's who 15-20 years ago all looking serious about this tourney.