but thats what I love about 9 ball - the fluke factor.

Its 50% skill and 50% luck. So what if there are a few flukes to be had? everyone has the same amount of chance of winning.

I wouldn't say it's 50 - 50 - that implies that all of the top 9ball players are just lucky half of the time.

well they are

Lol, no they're not And, without saying that I'm one "of the top 9ball players", I would put ranking points on the line to prove it!

well then if its not luck, then why call shots?

Luck is an aspect of the game, in all 5 games types, and you are probably right in saying it is 9ball in which 'luck' is most common.

I was just saying that it's not 50-50.

I mean fair enough I've had my share of luck in that game but not in half of them.

50% is far too high, but yes, the factor is much higher in 9 ball vs any other game type.

More a matter of 10% instead of 5% (9 ball vs others)

I'd say that's a fair analysis Jan

do this please...im sick of losing to complete flukes...would it be on 9ball?

yeah do it as love_it will probably delete his 83rd account in anger one day.

yeah, ok, not 50-50 - but all I am saying is that for a game to be fun, you have to keep the fluke factor there.

At the end of the day, it will always even out. It may not even out by the end of the tournament match, but you may have a run of luckyness by days end...

Keep the unpridictible state about it; otherwise I feel it will become less enjoyable and games will be dragged out for longer.

agreed!!!if the definition of "luck" is to be able to make a shot against the odds and a favourable outcome surfaces and if this happens half of your total shots ie 50/50 then you are right to say 9 ball is 50% however i do not think this is the case,jans percentage is much truer statistic then the 50% suggested,pool is a game of skill just as poker is and you must understand betting/gaming odds and percentages before you can spout numbers from the top of your heads.

it was from the top of my head, yes - but can we just move forward with the topic instead of percentages??

sorry flumps but when it comes to percentages odds or ratios they have to correct as i am an avid punter horses,poker,football ect ect and i agree calling pockets does not belong in 9 ball,the only time ive played calling pockets or nominating pockets would be on 8ball uk Tuesday rules(many moons ago lol)

lol, I see...I know what you mean!!

What's that?

basically rules that were played in a league that was on Tuesdays in a little town called stafford(these are old rules by the way)
they were pretty much the same as the uk played here,the difference as follows

first ball potted is where your black must be potted and opposite bag or pocket for your opponnent which was identified or remembered by good old beer mats

Edited at 00:09 Fri 24/04/09 (BST)
also forgot to mention that you was only able to hit down the table from when the white ball was scratched and returned to the D

Edited at 00:48 Fri 24/04/09 (BST)

Edited at 00:49 Fri 24/04/09 (BST)

so who likes it and who does not