For straight pool shooters?

Question

How do you feel about modern straight pool matches being played to 200 points, as opposed to 150, or even 125? M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 1

I agree that in general the longer the better, but at some point enough is enough. Is it really that common for the better player to have a little bad luck in straight pool, only for his opponent to have a "lucky" run and win like in 9 ball? And if it does happen every now and then, who cares? That's how sports are, the best player doesn't always win. If it was a total crapshoot and a bunch of scrubs were sneaking into the top 5 all the time there'd be an argument, but I don't see that happening.

Anyway, I guess I don't really think it detracts from the tournaments, but I don't think it adds much either. The guy who's playing better that day is going to win a game of straight pool most of the time, whether it's to 125 or 200.

Answer 2

I always thought 150 was just for speed. Most of my matches, albeit years ago; was usually 250. Heck 100+ runs were always happening

Luck

Kevin

Answer 3

in the past 10 or 20 years  I heard that most of the high run was not reach even to 150 but some players manage to reach more than 150.   if most tournaments shift to 200, ,it would be too long for most professional players...

Answer 4

I guess they are going for more show!, but I think it will be too long!. time will tell, Imagine a game that's not open, safeties and such, how long will it go?

Answer 5

whether the game is, i feel the longer the match the better, 2 let the cream rist to the top. to let more of the athletic, and focused person prevail. i believe the 9 ball matches should all be a race to 25 at least. never will happen, because how long are the fans gonna sit and watch the match, and tv cutting out games in a race to 9 to fit them in on espn in 1 hour. i never could fifure that out, there is no reason espn or espn 2 cannot run an 1 1/2 hour show. commericals between almost every rack, and 1/2 of the commericals are the same nonsence commericals advertising espn. there constantlly running the sport ticker on the bottom anyway. they definitelly can fit in in their scedule, as they play 2005 or earlier poker matches over and over and over. im very into holdem, and play prob too much online, but come on, and who cares to watch the silly espn commericals of theirselves. sorry got off ur question, just a pet peve of mine. but if you have 2 great straight pool players butting cues, 150, might give the players 1 or 2 chances at the table. so i would agree with at least 200, and definitelly think 9 ball matches should be a race to 25. it would make for much longer tournaments, but the best players skill will prevail. i want another race to 120 in the same bar again with efren and earl. i dont care what u say about earl, i think efren is the best player in the world, but i truelly think earl would rise to the occasion, and posibablly  have a chance to beat efren? would love to watch the match at least 30 times, as i have at lest watched the 1st 1, and still watch it, when im n the mood. please no bashing, just some thoughts. thanks bone

Answer 6

Not sure about the rest of the country ,but in east Tn we played a -real- money game to 300 40 yrs ago But if TV that would be way to long

We would play 4 games all weekend-At least you got to see the other player shoot 150 is a run for a lot of people