darmoose
Verified Member
Congratulations to Pilot on his victory, and to Jerry on his amazing stamina as a 70 year old playing all day and night. The California Billiards room (what little of it we got to see) was very impressive. Watching the "action" games going on was entertaining.
All that being said, and having watched as much as I could stay awake to watch, I am left with a singular overriding impression. One pocket, as played by well experienced non professional players such as the members of One Pocket.org in a tournament format is not a "spectator sport".
Trying to see the game and the play as an unbiased viewer (which I ain't) I must admit that I can understand the critisms about the game being tooo slow and boring "to watch". I think we should openly and honestly discuss whether what we saw helps or hinders the growth and expansion of one pocket to the wider public audience.
Not being able to execute a 32 man tournament in three full days without playing all night long is an indicator in and of itself, isn't it? Maybe we should take our heads out of the sand and take some steps to address the slow play and boring bump bump play, all too common in tournaments before it's too late.
I know, I know, one pocket seems to be more popular today than a few years ago. I think though that this is true among players and not spectators.
I think we should consider ways to make the game more exciting and faster, and we should display the conviction to use our events to "test" ideas put forward, if not for an entire event perhaps for a round or two. Isn't that our obligation as a rules promulgator and as mentors of this great game?
All that being said, and having watched as much as I could stay awake to watch, I am left with a singular overriding impression. One pocket, as played by well experienced non professional players such as the members of One Pocket.org in a tournament format is not a "spectator sport".
Trying to see the game and the play as an unbiased viewer (which I ain't) I must admit that I can understand the critisms about the game being tooo slow and boring "to watch". I think we should openly and honestly discuss whether what we saw helps or hinders the growth and expansion of one pocket to the wider public audience.
Not being able to execute a 32 man tournament in three full days without playing all night long is an indicator in and of itself, isn't it? Maybe we should take our heads out of the sand and take some steps to address the slow play and boring bump bump play, all too common in tournaments before it's too late.
I know, I know, one pocket seems to be more popular today than a few years ago. I think though that this is true among players and not spectators.
I think we should consider ways to make the game more exciting and faster, and we should display the conviction to use our events to "test" ideas put forward, if not for an entire event perhaps for a round or two. Isn't that our obligation as a rules promulgator and as mentors of this great game?