Bank pool: esoteric, or worthwhile?

[gulfportdoc]

Freddie, I don't think there would be anybody raised on the east coast, the deep south, or west of the Mississippi you could NOT give up 9/7 to, in banks.
That would be like Tiger giving an Eskimo 2 a side in golf.
Thats also why Banks was never included in any of Janscos tournaments, even though Johnston City was close to the heart of the bank pool region. It simply did not have broad enough appeal.
I hate to break this to you, and Steve B., but bank pool's popularity is confined to a fairly small region of the country.
Dick, I copied this to a new thread, so as not to derail the "Stardust, 78" thread. I think you're right. Bank pool popularity seems to be limited to Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and northern Illinois; the hotbed being Kentucky. Although I was surprised to see a lot of banks played in Louisiana, especially New Orleans. We also have a couple of excellent bank pool players in Gulfport.

I used to regard good bankers as possessing some sort of mystical ability that most pool players didn't have. And I still think good bankers do have a gift-- a spatial feel for the lay of the shot, and where the pocket is.

I've started to practice banks, and I've even played a few games (short rack) against good bankers. I don't know if I'll become a good banker or not, but I have noticed that it does help my 1P game, and also the other games.

Now, good bankers don't necessarily make good 1P players, simply because most shots in bank pool are hit anywhere from firm to hard, whereas in 1P most banks are shot at pocket speed to leave the ball near the hole if missed. And that slower speed dictates a different approach to the bank.

However I've noticed that once the facility is acquired to feel comfortable shooting certain bank shots in bank pool, that feel does translate into an increased confidence in shooting those bank shots in other games.

I never had any interest in learning banks. But here lately, I'm starting to see the wisdom of playing and enjoying this esoteric pool game. And BTW, Fred's book completely de-mystifies the entire subject.

Doc

[SactownTom]

I agree with you Doc, first because I witnessed the OHIO, IN and Kentucky players playing the game regularly and secondly, because I also know it is played all over the US, just not as frequently as in the areas mentioned above.

And Freddy's books have made the game come back to a lot of pool halls that haven't seen the game in awhile.

I am considering a 16 player Banks tournament soon. Short rack Round Robin two brackets of 8 players with the two winners battling it out for 1st and 2nd.
$50 entry fee, $200 added. Payout 8 places. One day event. Race to 3.

[philwelch]

Dick, I copied this to a new thread, so as not to derail the "Stardust, 78" thread. I think you're right. Bank pool popularity seems to be limited to Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and northern Illinois; the hotbed being Kentucky. Although I was surprised to see a lot of banks played in Louisiana, especially New Orleans. We also have a couple of excellent bank pool players in Gulfport.

I used to regard good bankers as possessing some sort of mystical ability that most pool players didn't have. And I still think good bankers do have a gift-- a spatial feel for the lay of the shot, and where the pocket is.

I've started to practice banks, and I've even played a few games (short rack) against good bankers. I don't know if I'll become a good banker or not, but I have noticed that it does help my 1P game, and also the other games.

Now, good bankers don't necessarily make good 1P players, simply because most shots in bank pool are hit anywhere from firm to hard, whereas in 1P most banks are shot at pocket speed to leave the ball near the hole if missed. And that slower speed dictates a different approach to the bank.

However I've noticed that once the facility is acquired to feel comfortable shooting certain bank shots in bank pool, that feel does translate into an increased confidence in shooting those bank shots in other games.

I never had any interest in learning banks. But here lately, I'm starting to see the wisdom of playing and enjoying this esoteric pool game. And BTW, Fred's book completely de-mystifies the entire subject.

Doc
C'mon let's face it Doc, SJDick is just a rabblerouser trying to start trouble every chance he gets. Bank pool is and always will be an important element of billiards in general. Banks are important in most games and especially in one pocket.

[Cowboy Dennis]

Banks are as important to one pocket as three cushion billiards is to 9-Ball. Great bankers do have a special feel for the pocket. I envy them.

[NH Steve]

I also used to think that Banks was just a minor game only played in a limited zone of the country... until I went to Derby City. Wow, did that open my eyes! I am pretty certain that every year that I have gone, they get more Banks entries in the DCC than they do either in One Pocket, or amazingly, even in 9-Ball!!

Yes, the event is in the heart of Banks country, and yes, the Banks entry fee is less than the entry fee for One Pocket and for 9-ball, but by no means are all those Banks players only from the limited Banks territory that you might expect.

Doc, I know you are familiar with Gerald Reichle (sp) and Danny Harriman -- neither of which fit the into the Banks circle you drew, but they bump 'em pretty damn good. How about David Matlock, where's he from? Two time Banks winner Larry Price, the defending champ is from West Virginia, I believe. 2nd place last year was Texan Sylver Ochoa. 2 years ago, Stevie Moore (Atlanta), and even Jose Parica has won once.

[newfosgatesucks]

In Bank pool, you get the opportunity to explore more than you do in 1Pkt...8 months ago, a got sick at my stomach when a local wanted to play shortrack. Now, I look forward to it. And to boot, he is stronger than I am and has taught me a shot or two, not to mention that the game of banks developed my sense of passing vs holding, how to throw, how to throw with the cue-ball and sidespins, how to hook/curve, among other things. And how to deal with frozen/near frozen balls has been highly rewarding.

Not to mention the defense aspect - I have learned how to play more effectively against a strong banking opponent in 1-hole as well...

I now look forward to my Bank and One-pocket sessions with this local hero, and wouldn't trade the fun, the payoff, or the mutual torture for anything....
Thanks, Pal!!!

[blackeee]

In Bank pool, you get the opportunity to explore more than you do in 1Pkt...8 months ago, a got sick at my stomach when a local wanted to play shortrack. Now, I look forward to it. And to boot, he is stronger than I am and has taught me a shot or two, not to mention that the game of banks developed my sense of passing vs holding, how to throw, how to throw with the cue-ball and sidespins, how to hook/curve, among other things. And how to deal with frozen/near frozen balls has been highly rewarding.

Not to mention the defense aspect - I have learned how to play more effectively against a strong banking opponent in 1-hole as well...

I now look forward to my Bank and One-pocket sessions with this local hero, and wouldn't trade the fun, the payoff, or the mutual torture for anything....
Thanks, Pal!!!

I used to hate banks, but as I got older{62} and my 9-ball skills diminished I started messing around with the game and became fascinated with it. I got all Freddies stuff, watched a lot of accustats, and practice every day. I love the game and although not too many players in my town play it, there is one member of this board in particular I enjoy playing with and watching his game improve. There's nothing like firing one of those wide angle cross corners in and hearing that POW! as it hits the back of the pocket. My favorite game is still one-pocket but banks is close. As Freddy says Junior, "Bank on Brother"

[SJDinPHX]

Sure, all you guys jump on my case. I did not say Banks was a bad game. I only said it was confined to a small region. Where is the argument ? If anyone wants to expand it, more power to them. I wish them the best.
The only reason it has any validity at DCC, is because that is the heart of bank pool country. I love to watch good bank pool players bet it up. I just don't think it will ever be a major discipline. I could be wrong. But name me one major tournanent that has included Bank Pool, except as a side event ?

Dick <--- wishes he could bank like the Beard !!!! :eek:

[fred bentivegna]

Sure, all you guys jump on my case. I did not say Banks was a bad game. I only said it was confined to a small region. Where is the argument ? If anyone wants to expand it, more power to them. I wish them the best.
The only reason it has any validity at DCC, is because that is the heart of bank pool country. I love to watch good bank pool players bet it up. I just don't think it will ever be a major discipline. I could be wrong. But name me one major tournanent that has included Bank Pool, except as a side event ?

Dick <--- wishes he could bank like the Beard !!!! :eek:

Reminds me of when I was in Conn. and went into Connecticut Johnny Vives' pool room with my road pal, Sugar Shack Johnny, and I asked Vives to play bank pool. This was maybe 3 or 4 years after he had won the 1pkt in Johnston City. The room had 5 x 10 tables in it, and I figured the larceny in him might come out and he would lead me to play banks on one of those, unaware that I came out a poolroom that had fifteen 5 x 10's in it (Bensingers). He just laughed and walked away. The only bank action I ever got on the East Coast was in Florida.

the Beard

Cecil Tugwell banked pretty good for an LA boy. He came to Chicago and couldnt beat nobody however.

[SJDinPHX]

Reminds me of when I was in Conn. and went into Connecticut Johnny Vives' pool room with my road pal, Sugar Shack Johnny, and I asked Vives to play bank pool. This was maybe 3 or 4 years after he had won the 1pkt in Johnston City. The room had 5 x 10 tables in it, and I figured the larceny in him might come out and he would lead me to play banks on one of those, unaware that I came out a poolroom that had fifteen 5 x 10's in it (Bensingers). He just laughed and walked away. The only bank action I ever got on the East Coast was in Florida.

the Beard

Cecil Tugwell banked pretty good for an LA boy. He came to Chicago and couldnt beat nobody however.

Fred,

Sounds to me like you are re-enforcing the point I was trying to make. :rolleyes:

[fred bentivegna]

Fred,

Sounds to me like you are re-enforcing the point I was trying to make. :rolleyes:

You're not always wrong, Dick.

the Beard