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I was beating some chubby Canadian at pool a little while ago and we were having a discussion about (North) American v British rules.
Apparently over there you have to announce the shot you are about to play ("five ball in the corner!" etc.). This is bad because:
(a) It makes you sound like a lunatic/idiot (imagine having a friend who constantly described other actions he was about to perform - "Clean my teeth!" "Walk up the stairs!" "Breathe in!" - etc.)
and more importantly:
- It leaves no room for an essential element of sport - sheer, blind luck. If I play one shot and another comes off by accident, so what? Why should I be penalised for having the guiding hand of Jesus on my shoulder?
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Funny, I was playing this British alcoholic the same game and I remember arguing about the proper name for the rules of so-called "8-ball" pool and he said flatly, "It's just called POOL, you chubby backwoods idiot!".
Turns out we were both wrong.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rack_%28billiards%29
Originally posted by dottewellCalled shots is a common bar rule unless, of course, you're playing with women.
I was beating some chubby Canadian at pool a little while ago and we were having a discussion about (North) American v British rules.
Apparently over there you have to announce the shot you are about to play ("five ball in the corner!" etc.). This is bad because:
(a) It makes you sound like a lunatic/idiot (imagine having a friend who constantly desc ...[text shortened]... so what? Why should I be penalised for having the guiding hand of Jesus on my shoulder?
Originally posted by darvlayI'd take issue with "alcoholic" but I'm about to finish work and head off...
Funny, I was playing this British alcoholic the same game and I remember arguing about the proper name for the rules of so-called "8-ball" pool and he said flatly, "It's just called POOL, you chubby backwoods idiot!".
Turns out we were both wrong.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rack_%28billiards%29
...down the pub.
Originally posted by dottewellBecause pool is a game of skill, not luck.
But why, why, why? In God's name why?
You are not penalized for having a ball sink on a fluke but you should not be rewarded by allowing your turn to continue if it happens.
Also, if you call a shot, make the shot and incidentally sink others in the process, you are still allowed to continue since you made your shot which you called.
Originally posted by darvlayI played American Pool (much better than English pool) every lunch for a couple of years. Once we got decent at the game, we called shots, and also instead of 2 shots for a foul, we played "white ball in hand" with 1 shot.
Because pool is a game of skill, not luck.
You are not penalized for having a ball sink on a fluke but you should not be rewarded by allowing your turn to continue if it happens.
Also, if you call a shot, make the shot and incidentally sink others in the process, you are still allowed to continue since you made your shot which you called.
D
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Originally posted by darvlayThe central goal is to pocket balls. The reward for doing so (assuming no foul) is to continue your turn. In those circumstances, being deprived of that reward is in itself a form of penalty. If you're playing someone good, it's one that can immediately lose you the game.
You are not penalized for having a ball sink on a fluke but you should not be rewarded by allowing your turn to continue if it happens.
It's completely artificial to have to narrow down that goal by specifying a particular pocket for a particular ball.
Can you think of another sport where something comparable happens? It seems to me that all mainstream sports reward lucky plays as much as perfectly-executed plays, provided the central goal is achieved (scoring a goal, making a pass, sinking a putt, etc).
Originally posted by dottewellWait a second! Are you claiming that pool is a sport now?
The central goal is to pocket balls. The reward for doing so (assuming no foul) is to continue your turn. Being deprived of that reward is in itself a form of "penalty".
It's completely artificial to have to narrow down that goal by specifying a particular pocket for a particular ball.
Can you think of another sport where something comparable happens ...[text shortened]... , provided the central goal is achieved (scoring a goal, making a pass, sinking a putt, etc).
Originally posted by darvlayNice rack.
Funny, I was playing this British alcoholic the same game and I remember arguing about the proper name for the rules of so-called "8-ball" pool and he said flatly, "It's just called POOL, you chubby backwoods idiot!".
Turns out we were both wrong.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rack_%28billiards%29
Originally posted by dottewellI'm about to press post.
I was beating some chubby Canadian at pool a little while ago and we were having a discussion about (North) American v British rules.
Apparently over there you have to announce the shot you are about to play ("five ball in the corner!" etc.). This is bad because:
(a) It makes you sound like a lunatic/idiot (imagine having a friend who constantly desc ...[text shortened]... so what? Why should I be penalised for having the guiding hand of Jesus on my shoulder?