We're way off topic, but i'm finding this interesting.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dinopoker
Actually the rules are written to get away from the goofy house rules that so many places use and more toward concepts that reward skill as opposed to random variance. They also cut down on the kind of disputes you see in some bars where you're supposed to call 'kisses' and short rails and stuff. Designated ball, designated hole, period. What could be simpler?
Being facetious - not having to nominate at all?
Quote:
Originally Posted by dinopoker
Well yes, but I happen to think it's a dumb rule in snooker. All it does is add a random element to the game that doesn't need to be there. I mean, I understand the reasoning but in practice all it really accomplishes is occasionally screwing a guy who makes what would otherwise be a (very) good shot.
I dont agree with this in snooker an really disagree with this in 8-ball.
In snooker i've seen plenty of instances where players have had to change their shots because a red they are going to run into is also a plant. In 8-ball avoiding potting an opponents ball probably occurs more often, and failing to avoid is a lack of skill imo.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dinopoker
Sure, but sometimes those things just can't be done, in which case the guy with the hanging ball has an advantage he didn't earn.
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Yeah well if you shoot at your ball and miss it, but hang it deep in the pocket and block a couple of my balls from going in, that could be a position from which there's no way any player could win the game. But what did you do to earn that? After all you missed, right? Why should you gain such an advantage for playing a bad shot?
And if the shot was deliberately played to block a pocket? Could that not be called tactics?
Even on an english table it is surprising hard to block a pocket. I'd go as far to say that it is harder to block a pocket _completely_ than it is to pot the ball. On an American table id suspect it is even harder.
It is very rare that you can't do something to promote your ball or jam an opponents ball out of a pocket from some spot on the table.
I had a situation last night where my opponent was in trouble with a couple of dead balls and deliberately played a tough shot to block the 8 ball from being potable, and separated the two dead balls. They played it pretty much perfectly leaving the 8 was blocked to the corner by my opponents ball separated from the 8 by less than 2 inches. It was a great tactical shot, it opened the table for them to be able to pot out next shot, and made potting out from my position low probability.
I was able to pot my first for position on a second ball that allowed me to make solid contact on the 8, and maintain position on my next ball and got out. It was a great game and I enjoyed it thoroughly, and had I lost I had to appreciate the tough spot my opponent put me in.
I'm sure equivalent alternate tactics become available using the one-shot ruleset too. I prefer the world rules because the one-shot rules seem too easy (i'm also sure i'm wrong) as it removes/changes a lot of the tactics that i've grown up learning.