FORUM CLOSING ON 14th JANUARY

jamesyboy · Veteran Poster (Pots the first red)

EPA County Trials

The Pool Shark · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

I'm sure you can just turn up and have a go, though if you qualify then I expect you'll have to get one of those silly membership cards.

I expect 'Poolqueen' will be able to confirm? p.s. Good luck in your England play-off, Hazel...

PoolQueen · Ultimate Poster (1-0 up in a best of 7)

Thanks Ash, it's the first time I've ever had to play off for them, I've always been in the top 8 but 4 of us are joint 7th so we need to play off for 2 places. I only won 1/4 last match, just one more frame and I'd have been ok but I went in off my last ball in one frame and in another I potted my last ball and the black in the same shot which would've been ok in BB rules.

As for trials jamesyboy, you only need to register if you qualify for the team and actually play in a county match. If you qualify you'll be asked on the day for the £4 registration fee and you'll have to fill out a form. So good luck, I'll probably turn up as I always do to see the new talent - and see if you're any good at pool.

KING GEE · Regular Poster (Wins the toss)

pool queen as u seem to know a good bit about world rules, do u know if someone can play for both counties blackball and world rules cause i wanna go to the trials but got told im not allowed to play for world rules county cause im in the blackball

is that true? so is it ok if i go to the county trials and play for both sets

DOGLOOP · Regular Poster (Wins the toss)

I'll be there, I assume its in abingdon?? haven't even looked on the oxonpool website but will at some stage, off out for a christmas do now lol, hopefully will still be standing by the end of the night lol.

See ya there Hazel, ya hair still growing lol. Must be down to ya knees by now lol, hehehe biggrin

Beefy · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

KING GEE wrote:

pool queen as u seem to know a good bit about world rules, do u know if someone can play for both counties blackball and world rules cause i wanna go to the trials but got told im not allowed to play for world rules county cause im in the blackball

is that true? so is it ok if i go to the county trials and play for both sets

Its an easy question to answer - Blackball doen't have a problem but world rules asks you to sign a declaration that says you won't play for another organisation in direct competition.

The problem is what is direct competition ?

Some would argue if there being played on different dates there is no direct competition but others would argue the fact your playing on any date is competition.

Last year because of the increased fixtures the black ball team had they clashed on three occassions although one was due to a rearrangement by the EPA team.

Neither manager will take kindly to you chosing the other in favour of their team so think long and hard before you do it. History shows that the oxford EPA team has not made the finals as only the top team qualify and Northhants are very good. The Oxon black ball team has had more success in reaching finals in recent years.

I did it last year to get some competitive matches at world rules as all the major comps are played to them and the tactical game is very different to black ball.

the apprentice · Veteran Poster (Potting like a demon)

Instead of writing an essay...like some people....*COUGH BEEFY COUGH*

No...dont play both.

I used to play Wolrd Rules and that hate people that play both.

I know of 3/4 players who have played both and got caught. E.g. Jack Whelan (Derbyshire) played both and got fined £200 by World Rules and banned for 2 years.

PoolQueen · Ultimate Poster (1-0 up in a best of 7)

KING GEE it's up to you. If you qualified for the EPA county side and played both, then you run the risk of getting caught and getting banned by the EPA.
The only reason the Blackball county side do better is because the competition is a lot easier and there isn't as many county teams Nationally as there are EPA county teams.
There is also loads more tournaments in the EPA - ie:- The Golden Cue, Champion of Champions, National Interleague (knockout cup and National league), Gangsters Tour (at Swindon), Minehead Open/Team event, IPA tour, regional tours (there's being a region 5 tour which we play in getting set up for next year), Mens individual Amateur National Championships, and the top 8 players in each region at the end of the year qualify for England trials.
The WEPF World Championships is televised and has much better players in it.
So basically if you can stand the heat and want to improve your game, play EPA.
I know the Blackball set up can't boast a fraction of what the EPA have.

PoolQueen · Ultimate Poster (1-0 up in a best of 7)

DOGLOOP wrote:

I'll be there, I assume its in abingdon?? haven't even looked on the oxonpool website but will at some stage, off out for a christmas do now lol, hopefully will still be standing by the end of the night lol.

See ya there Hazel, ya hair still growing lol. Must be down to ya knees by now lol, hehehe

Mens trials are on the 20th January at the Oracle, Abingdon and ladies on the 27th. Turn up by 11.30am to guarantee a place.
My hair's still growing though I'm fed up with it now so might get it cut soon. It's down to my shoulder blades now. wink

Look forward to seeing you there.

KING GEE · Regular Poster (Wins the toss)

ohhhhh which one to choose confused

, ill probably stay with blackball until i cant play youth anymore than ill probably give world rules a bash when im ineligible for youth county blackball rules

and thank u for the information ladies and gentlemen smile

PoolQueen · Ultimate Poster (1-0 up in a best of 7)

Why wait till then? If you think you're good enough, try out at our county trials and see how you get on now. It won't cost you anything. biggrin

MING · Ultimate Poster (2-0 up in a best of 7)

PoolQueen wrote:
KING GEE it's up to you. If you qualified for the EPA county side and played both, then you run the risk of getting caught and getting banned by the EPA.
The only reason the Blackball county side do better is because the competition is a lot easier and there isn't as many county teams Nationally as there are EPA county teams.
There is also loads more tournaments in the EPA - ie:- The Golden Cue, Champion of Champions, National Interleague (knockout cup and National league), Gangsters Tour (at Swindon), Minehead Open/Team event, IPA tour, regional tours (there's being a region 5 tour which we play in getting set up for next year), Mens individual Amateur National Championships, and the top 8 players in each region at the end of the year qualify for England trials.
The WEPF World Championships is televised and has much better players in it.
So basically if you can stand the heat and want to improve your game, play EPA.
I know the Blackball set up can't boast a fraction of what the EPA have.

Ahhhh Hazel, selective reasoning me thinks;

If you qualified for the EPA county side and played both, then you run the risk of getting caught and getting banned by the EPA.

EPA run by communists/religious zealots; only their version of the truth's allowed

The only reason the Blackball county side do better is because

Our players are better than the current EPA side

There is also loads more tournaments in the EPA - ie:- The Golden Cue (used to be a BAPTO comp), Champion of Champions, National Interleague (knockout cup and National league).IPA tour, regional tours (there's being a region 5 tour which we play in getting set up for next year),

Gangsters Tour (at Swindon), Minehead Open/Team event,

Now you are stretching it a bit Hazel, both privately run, not exactly EPA comps though, no EPA ban for Blackball players

Mens individual Amateur National Championships,

Where they bend the rules and allow professional standard players to partake

and the top 8 players in each region at the end of the year qualify for England trials.

lol, top 10 in Blackball

The WEPF World Championships is televised and has much better players in it.

Can't argue with that.............. except, don't they use a bigger table (same size balls) on the TV stages

I know the Blackball set up can't boast a fraction of what the EPA have.

I'm sure they can if someone bothered to look into it. Bottom line is that the EPA, both locally and nationally, don't want players to have a choice. If EPA were so much better, then players would join them after seeing how little Blackball has to offer, wouldn't they............?

PoolQueen · Ultimate Poster (1-0 up in a best of 7)

MING wrote:

PoolQueen wrote:
KING GEE it's up to you. If you qualified for the EPA county side and played both, then you run the risk of getting caught and getting banned by the EPA.
The only reason the Blackball county side do better is because the competition is a lot easier and there isn't as many county teams Nationally as there are EPA county teams.
There is also loads more tournaments in the EPA - ie:- The Golden Cue, Champion of Champions, National Interleague (knockout cup and National league), Gangsters Tour (at Swindon), Minehead Open/Team event, IPA tour, regional tours (there's being a region 5 tour which we play in getting set up for next year), Mens individual Amateur National Championships, and the top 8 players in each region at the end of the year qualify for England trials.
The WEPF World Championships is televised and has much better players in it.
So basically if you can stand the heat and want to improve your game, play EPA.
I know the Blackball set up can't boast a fraction of what the EPA have.
Ahhhh Hazel, selective reasoning me thinks;

If you qualified for the EPA county side and played both, then you run the risk of getting caught and getting banned by the EPA.

EPA run by communists/religious zealots; only their version of the truth's allowed

What has religion got to do with it? The rules are made by the National Committee, not the County Committee. We don't turn away people who play in both as you well know as you've have done it yourself. Just saying that if the EPA found out which is very rare you'd lose your membership and the chance to play in many events.

The only reason the Blackball county side do better is because

Our players are better than the current EPA side

That has never been proved. We have 2 mens players qualified for England trials this year and 2 ladies in play offs. Read on.........

There is also loads more tournaments in the EPA - ie:- The Golden Cue (used to be a BAPTO comp) need I say more?
Champion of Champions, National Interleague (knockout cup and National league).IPA tour, regional tours (there's being a region 5 tour which we play in getting set up for next year),

Gangsters Tour (at Swindon), Minehead Open/Team event,

Now you are stretching it a bit Hazel, both privately run, not exactly EPA comps though, no EPA ban for Blackball players

Maybe privately run, but still World Rules events which a lot of Blackball players know nothing about.

Mens individual Amateur National Championships,

Where they bend the rules and allow professional standard players to partake

If a player isn't Professional anymore then they are amateur. Where can you draw the line?

and the top 8 players in each region at the end of the year qualify for England trials.

lol, top 10 in Blackball

Which makes it much harder to qualify for EPA players but ensures the better players play at the trials. As Blackball only has 9 players per team and we have 11 and most regions have 6 counties in them so with no reserves for eg, 66 players playing for 8 places whereas Blackball has 4/5 counties per region so 36/45 playing for 10 places. So the odds are that more numpties will qualify and waste a day at trials. Plus there's the fact that in Blackball set up you can play the same player in all 3 frames so a reasonably good player could play against a really good player in all 3 frames and lose whereas a rubbish player could play an even more rubbish player and win all 3 and qualify for trials. Now where's the sense in that? At least at EPA you're guaranteed playing 4 frames all against different players. If an average player who makes Blackball trials has a "lucky day" they could make your England team who do what exactly anyway? Play against countries like the "The Channel Islands and The Isle of Man".

The WEPF World Championships is televised and has much better players in it.

Can't argue with that.............. except, don't they use a bigger table (same size balls) on the TV stages

Yes because it makes better viewing and they are good enough to adapt to the 8' tables. You know the saying, it's not the size that matters but what you do with it.

I know the Blackball set up can't boast a fraction of what the EPA have.

I'm sure they can if someone bothered to look into it.

Who bothers?

Bottom line is that the EPA, both locally and nationally, don't want players to have a choice. If EPA were so much better, then players would join them after seeing how little Blackball has to offer, wouldn't they............?

If you looked at it Nationally there are many many more World Rules players than there are Blackball players, it's just that Oxford is so dominated by Blackball because of certain people.

By the way Oxford players, don't get me wrong. Personally I prefer Blackball Rules to be honest but there's no future in it.

-- Edited by PoolQueen at 23:00, 2008-01-01

PoolQueen · Ultimate Poster (1-0 up in a best of 7)

I can't wait to see the replies to this.

Beefy · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

I have seen the standard in the EPA county region this year and with the exception of North hants I disagree with your statement the standard is better. Better potters yes but better all round I am not so sure. One thing is for sure though most players just pot balls at EPA because of all the querky rules and they don't want to make a mistake in a tactical battle. Master the tactical side of these rules and you are on to a winner because unlike black ball you can not clear a ball in the jaws without giving 2 shots away unless you are foul snookered and thats rare. Its much easier to tie the table up in these rules.

PoolQueen · Ultimate Poster (1-0 up in a best of 7)

-- Edited by PoolQueen at 17:23, 2008-01-02

The Pool Shark · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

PoolQueen wrote:

Which makes it much harder to qualify for EPA players but ensures the better players play at the trials. As Blackball only has 9 players per team and we have 11 and most regions have 6 counties in them so with no reserves for eg, 66 players playing for 8 places whereas Blackball has 4/5 counties per region so 36/45 playing for 10 places. So the odds are that more numpties will qualify and waste a day at trials.

The sections for Oxon Blackball this season had 7 teams (8 for the B's), wheraes, as far as I can see the EPA ones only had 5. confused

lakeattacks · Veteran Poster (Pots the first red)

PoolQueen wrote:

MING wrote:

If you qualified for the EPA county side and played both, then you run the risk of getting caught and getting banned by the EPA.

EPA run by communists/religious zealots; only their version of the truth's allowed

What has religion got to do with it? The rules are made by the National Committee, not the County Committee. We don't turn away people who play in both as you well know as you've have done it yourself. Just saying that if the EPA found out which is very rare you'd lose your membership and the chance to play in many events.

By the way Oxford players, don't get me wrong. Personally I prefer Blackball Rules to be honest but there's no future in it.

-- Edited by PoolQueen at 23:00, 2008-01-01

Oxford EPA don't need to turn people away when the trials are on the same day as a full away fixture list for the Blackball county side.

MING · Ultimate Poster (2-0 up in a best of 7)

PoolQueen wrote: We don't turn away people who play in both as you well know as you've have done it yourself.

Yes you do, how come i wasn't picked last season? The reason i was given was that i wasn't committed, though i did explain that i wouldn't be available if i was working as is the case with Blackball. Does the current "Dave Jones"champion automatically qualify?

Just saying that if the EPA found out which is very rare you'd lose your membership and the chance to play in many events.

Most events that you mentioned are not carded events

Our players are better than the current EPA side

That has never been proved. We have 2 mens players qualified for England trials this year and 2 ladies in play offs. Read on.........

Lets get a challenge on then................. or will you all be banned. More importantly, where were all these super EPA county players/England trialists at the £1000 Riley's tournament?

Gangsters Tour (at Swindon), Minehead Open/Team event,

Maybe privately run, but still World Rules events which a lot of Blackball players know nothing about.

Don't they get advertised on this site? tut, tut

If a player isn't Professional anymore then they are amateur. Where can you draw the line?

Ahhh Hazel...... the entry criterior said "no professionals or players of that standard" So an ex-World Champion can just decide to be an amateur the year ater being IPA No 4 and enter these events

Plus there's the fact that in Blackball set up you can play the same player in all 3 frames so a reasonably good player could play against a really good player in all 3 frames and lose whereas a rubbish player could play an even more rubbish player and win all 3 and qualify for trials. Now where's the sense in that? At least at EPA you're guaranteed playing 4 frames all against different players.

Well, with 11 players per team there's a reasonable chance you could play 4 numpties anyway

your England team who do what exactly anyway? Play against countries like the "The Channel Islands and The Isle of Man".

Nice to see that you hold the people of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man in great esteem. Interestingly, if you did your research you'd discover that both have associations affiliated to the WEPF Own goal me thinks.

Neither code can claim to have a proper WC as english pool not the main version of pool played around the world.........

Both sets have about 12 different countries reprsented....... less countries than in europe

don't they use a bigger table (same size balls) on the TV stages

Yes because it makes better viewing and they are good enough to adapt to the 8' tables.

on that basis maybe FIFA should consider having bigger goals in televised football. Maybe England could score more and qualify/win tournament.............................Nah!

If you looked at it Nationally there are many many more World Rules players than there are Blackball players, it's just that Oxford is so dominated by Blackball because of certain people.

I think you'd find that "old EPA" are the most used set of rules nationwide.

Blackball are popular as there's less rules and are easier to explain (ok, and because Malc can't pot).

World Rules take 2367 rules to explain the serious foul ........ and NO! you still can't have a free ball

By the way Oxford players, don't get me wrong. Personally I prefer Blackball Rules to be honest but there's no future in it.

are you permitted to say that, where's Bob Love?

-- Edited by MING at 12:16, 2008-01-03

Beefy · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

lakeattacks wrote:
Oxford EPA don't need to turn people away when the trials are on the same day as a full away fixture list for the Blackball county side.

Well thats a good way of reducing the chance for players to do both. I enjoyed the games I played last year and there was a good team spirit too which always helps the new players settle in.

where we playing on the 20th ?

Beefy · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

MING wrote:

on that basis maybe FIFA should consider having bigger goals in televised football. Maybe England could score more and qualify/win tournament.............................Nah!

May be not England but Robinson with his super kicks might start scoring and the saying of best form of defense is to attack would be very true.

KING GEE · Regular Poster (Wins the toss)

Im in beefy's corner ill stick with the good old blackball rules cause we gonna make nationals more often and i lie our youth team good laugh

PoolQueen · Ultimate Poster (1-0 up in a best of 7)

KING GEE wrote:

ill stick with the good old blackball rules cause we gonna make nationals more often and i lie

Exactly. Play EPA. biggrin

Beefy · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

PoolQueen wrote:

KING GEE wrote:

ill stick with the good old blackball rules cause we gonna make nationals more often and i lie

Exactly. Play EPA.

Well I suggest you get some glasses from Spec Savers then. Where does the Gee man say EPA even if you scramble up the letters only the E and A are present in his statement

Yet Blackball is clearly stated

Nice play on his spelling mistake of lie for LIKE

-- Edited by Beefy at 12:41, 2008-01-04

-- Edited by Beefy at 12:41, 2008-01-04

the apprentice · Veteran Poster (Potting like a demon)

Well done King Gee, a lot of respect goes for ya. Our youth team is a great laugh, and i really believe something can happen this year at Selsey, as long as we get a good draw, a little bit of luck here and there and all play brilliant :) lol

nobrain · Occasional Poster (Racking up the balls)

Both set ups have their strengths and weaknesses.

I like the EPA system of playing 4 different players- it avoids the fluke factor in the rankings.

Its nice playing at a lower standard in Blackball meaning you have a chance of winning something and qualifying to play for England.

As for strength of teams on average the ladies teams for both set ups are similar. The Blackball side is more of a consistent standard and the World rules side has a strong and a weak end and would probably benefit if it was only 7 players as based on how many oxford ladies finished high up in the region the ladies would qualify with a smaller team. I dont know about the mens side but guess it would be a similar story.

Rather than decide not to go to trials why not go and sample the atmosphere - its usually fun and anyway you get to play a lot of games for free or at least a small amount. You also get to play the existing players which gives you an idea of the standard expected.

The rules are a bit different but not really better or worse- blackball was weird to begin with and if you stop winging and just learn them they are fine.

Beefy · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

Fair comments there No Brain and I would agree with you on some. There will be a reduced number of players at trials though as the date clashes with a blackball game so those wanting to go to trials for some experience of the rules have missed that this time round. Maybe thats a plus as only those with no other commitments will be there but maybe its a weakness to only time will tell.

I agree with the idea of the order being determined after the first leg so you play different players and do think that Blackball should increase the number of frames as most matches are over much quicker since blackball rules took over from BAPTO 2 years ago.

KING GEE · Regular Poster (Wins the toss)

thank u for clearing up the mistake i made beefy, i meant to say like. And i feeling good about our chances about selsey if we finish top of our region and get a nice group, make the semis, there's bound to be 1 average team that makes the semis hopefully we get them and in the final well all play really well and get lucky and y not bring it home to oxfordshire, the odds are not on our side but im still optimistic.

and if i aint got a match then if thats ok ill go to the trials for a taste of the goods and whether i make it or not i wont sign up and ill stick with the blackball cuz its a good laugh with the buds as well as a better chance of success.

but i might give world rules a bash in the near future

DOGLOOP · Regular Poster (Wins the toss)

I must admit i dont think the county team was the best ever this year as i know a couple of the players on the side were there because they were faithful to the team and wanted to be there but were not so great, and some players that were great were not really interested, but this season will be a good one i think, I'll be at county trials, I am on trial because I only played one game last season due to only just coming back into the game but now i have a new cue with a bigger tip my confidence is growing back up to what it used to be. (15mm) lol hehehe

And I know a couple of other players that are coming this year that are good, should be a good turn out I think, I cantg wait. biggrin

jamesyboy · Veteran Poster (Pots the first red)

is the format of the trials the same as the blackball trials?