Would this make a difference?

[AceHigh]

The majority of tournaments now a days are alternate break. I for one, think that if the format changed to winner break, we might just see a dominating player.

You won't see as many careless mistakes by any player, because they know that if they make a mistake that they might not get to shoot again. Where as in today's alt. break format, they have something in the back of their head saying, "Don't worry if you dog this shot, you get to break next game."

 

[Mr. Wilson]

...........if I'm winning, I love winner breaks.


There's always the flip side to that coin.

 

[SonjaBlue03]

I've never played in a tournament that's alternate break format. I will say this though, take the good with the bad because when you play in winner break formats, sometimes you don't get to get up. At least if it's alternate break, you know you can get out of your chair!!!!

 

[spartan]

The majority of tournaments now a days are alternate break. I for one, think that if the format changed to winner break, we might just see a dominating player.

You won't see as many careless mistakes by any player, because they know that if they make a mistake that they might not get to shoot again. Where as in today's alt. break format, they have something in the back of their head saying, "Don't worry if you dog this shot, you get to break next game."

i disagree. it keeps matches closer. with shorter races every mistake is magnified. you have to hold your break.

 

[AceHigh]

i disagree. it keeps matches closer. with shorter races every mistake is magnified. you have to hold your break.

To me that's a handicap. And at it's highest level, pool should have no handicaps.

 

[spartan]

To me that's a handicap. And at it's highest level, pool should have no handicaps.

handicap? who has the advantage? it keeps the players in the match. there is more closer matches and gives every player a chance. say you are playing a race to 7 and you lose the conflip. the opponent runs 7 racks and out on you. does it seem fair?

 

[AceHigh]

handicap? who has the advantage? it keeps the players in the match. there is more closer matches and gives every player a chance. say you are playing a race to 7 and you lose the conflip. the opponent runs 7 racks and out on you. does it seem fair?

First of all, no Pro tournament decides the first break with a coin flip. It's done by a lag, and if you don't win the lag, then why should you even get a chance to shoot. With a winner break format, you would see less mistakes, and a dominating player would arise. The alternate break format is the biggest reason as to why there isn't a single dominating player, because anyone who can run a rack has a chance to win.

It is much easier to win a race to 7 in an alt. break format than it is to win a race to 7 in a winner break format. You make it seem like putting a 7 pack on someone is easy work.

 

[OldHasBeen]

Imo - 9 Ball - Is - Winner Breaks!

The majority of tournaments now a days are alternate break. I for one, think that if the format changed to winner break, we might just see a dominating player.

You won't see as many careless mistakes by any player, because they know that if they make a mistake that they might not get to shoot again. Where as in today's alt. break format, they have something in the back of their head saying, "Don't worry if you dog this shot, you get to break next game."

I understand WHY rotate breaks is getting popular but I totally disagree with the concept.
Tournament directors want to get more local & novice players to enter because they will at least - get a shot. "If you feel you NEED and WANT "A Shot" - Go To The Bartender".
IMO - This is the same as lowering the bar on test scores to accommodate the stupid. It is just plain WRONG.
The whole concept of 9 ball is (and always has been) to keep your opponent in the chair. No matter what the score is - I FEEL IF I HIT A "GEAR", I can get back into the set. For years I have heard players complain about their opponent getting "All The Rolls" - BULLSHIT - If you do what you came to do - They don't get out of the chair. Now that's 9-Ball!
This reminds me of the game changing from 2 shot roll out to 1 shot, ball in hand. It ain't gonna work. Playing Alternative Breaking - The best player has the best chance to get ahead in any given set and once ahead - It is even more impossible to beat them. Their is nothing that can be done to the game to let the week players have an equal chance with the good players, unless you give games on the wire, (way to risky).
When you figure out a way to make it equal - you'll find the "Good Players" won't be there - and - There Goes "The Gate".
I hate people who complain and offer no solutions - Sooooooo -
I think that Major Tournaments (Hello, Greg S.) could replace the Calcutta with an official Betting Station/Bookie. Like betting Baseball, Football or any other sport, there would be a service fee (loser pays 10% above bet amount). This way a local/novice player could justify the entry fee by hoping he/she plays up to or better than the "Line" on any given match.
Say Impity Stimp was going to play Efren and they were racing to 9. The "Betting Station" was letting anyone bet either way that Impity Stimp wouldn't get 4 games against Efren. Naturally this would take 2 knowledgeable Handicappers (1 local & 1 touring pro) to be efficient.
Just a thought - but - If it happens - I expect a nice "Jelly".

TY & GL

 

[sjm]

Count me among those who don't care for alternate break. I've always believe the break is earned, not assumed. Some argue that it keeps matches close, and there's some truth in this, but the great comeback, one of the game's most exciting things, is becoming a rarity because of alternate break.

Nonetheless, I do not agree with the premise that winner breaks would increase the likelihood that any player would dominate. The track record says this isn't so.

Two of the better year's of Johnny Archer's career are the last two, in which nearly all events in which he played were alternate break. I doubt he'd have done any better with winner breaks, despite the fact that he may have the best break of anybody that has ever played nine ball.

The reason no player can dominate is Texas Express nineball itself. It's a game that has ebbs and flows (oh, did I leave out rolls) that ensure that no player can dominate.

 

[Williebetmore]

The "Betting Station" was letting anyone bet either way that Impity Stimp wouldn't get 4 games against Efren. Naturally this would take 2 knowledgeable Handicappers (1 local & 1 touring pro) to be efficient.
Just a thought - but - If it happens - I expect a nice "Jelly".

TY & GL

OHB,
Are you aware that Billy I. was doing just this at the DCC this year?? I hope he kicked some back to you for your great idea.

 

[OldHasBeen]

I don't want to go there.

OHB,
Are you aware that Billy I. was doing just this at the DCC this year?? I hope he kicked some back to you for your great idea.

I'll just say - read the second last sentence again.


TY & GL