in my opinion the changes regarding the pockets are completely stupid, its obv they are easier to pot in with the sudden increase in straight runs, now players that had there own completely level before are winning games they wouldn't have won before I normally play 9 ball when im on, think ive lost 40 points today to players who just smash and hope in tourneys, imo all its done is increase the luck factor and made the game easier, its making the game less skill factor and more luck factor, with the increase in points in tournaments combined with the bigger bags the ranking system will which is already flawed with resetters will go completely down the pan

its the same layout for everyone and playing 9 ball its mostly luck anyway but there is an element of skill too.

id rather have an orig size table on here than the arcade games but we learn to get used to the table

u think????!!!! :s

i dont know you but i have played you and if your going to repeatedly snooker ppl then they are gonna smash and hope for a fluke. simple solution....... pot the balls then they cant fluke. ive nothing against snookering but your just asking to be fluked pal

mhwahhaah, the only lucky thing about 9 ball is your break!

For me it's all about skill and control, u really have to be on it to maintain rank when playing ranked games, u have to think about everything.

Can't win a FBL golden cue being lucky all season long playing only 9 ball

But saying that i've worked on my break and still working on it to try n pot everytime.

Haha yh 9 ball on a orig table, run outs galore!!

I agree with Pete, only luck in 9us is the Break apart from 9ball arcade which is a waste of time, seeing ppl just smash their cue ball around the table.

Managed to pot 6 off the break in 9us Billiards now, so more improvement required lol.

Oh yes i was a previous 9US Virtuoso, was that luck? No course not and everything Pete has said is true. The break is the luckiest shot so to speak in 9US. Before anyone starts about flukes to, flukes are apart of the game and happen in every game type! I have been fluked more in most other types than in 9US to be honest.

It does feel like the pockets and a bit more forgiving. I see a few comments have been made about higher runs been made on straight. I guess it's just one of them things, just need to get used to them and get practising! Everyone is playing on the same table, there is no advantage/disadvantage to anyone.

^When I hit mine, you told me to give you a couple of weeks until you had it

The pockets are a tiny bit more forgiving because they're further in as nick has said. I think the more important change is the way they look to the eye. We have a much better idea where to aim now and thus are potting more, even without the pockets being bigger.

Oh yes, i never said it was luck about rank. yeah you might fluke one or two but you need skill to get there.

only said mostly luck because the amount of people who fluke the 9 on that table. seen more flukes in 9 than any other type. on reverse i find 9 more enjoyable than UK as UK is boring and 9 has some decent tactical play.

breaks can be lucky but if you know where to aim, little skill is involved too

It's easier to hit and hope in 9 ball with there being less on the table and you can't foul by potting the wrong ball (other than the white). The thing about flukes though in 9 ball is that they're usually game changers/winners at any point, whereas in the other types they'd only be game changers/winners at the end of the frame.

There's a lot more luck involved in 9 ball, but to get to the top of the rankings has nothing to do with luck. It's nicknamed flukeball for a reason

Another update to watch finals straight from chatbox, thats alright to be honest

Also spectators have a 2 minute headstart so they can be in before the final starts.

A lot of people dont want spectators in their games.
Pocket size increases are just a step to make luck even more of a factor.

Really?, thats brill too

Mmm.... Yh true that aswell

A few persons on here would blame the spectator especially if they lost, use them as a scapegoat. I think this update would be better if spectators were granted permission from the 2 competitors first then 1 min to get there before the final commenced? I can only see more arguments over this.

Any chance of having a say 5 mins TIMEOUT button too? This games not very nature friendly lol, if there were an option to briefly pause the current game you were in obviously after dialog with your fellow player then im sure more ppl would visit this site.

If had a timeout timer say 10 mins which you can accumulate throughout your day instead of losing points for having to quickly nip elsewhere? Just an idea.

Tournaments are aimed at being public and social events, unfortunately on here this isn't really occuring, so.encouraging and enabling people to watch the final is certainly a goal. Think of it like moving to the televized table in latter stages of snooker.

Tournaments are certainly not intended to be private invite-only affairs.

I saw this yesterday, a great little feature. Maybe 2 minutes is a bit long though, I was in a final room yesterday as a spectator and it had about 4 or 5 spectators. One or two left before the 2 competitors even entered because nothing was happening.

Tournaments have always been public game rooms, so the final being advertised encourages people to get involved more instead of just waiting in the chat room.