FORUM CLOSING ON 14th JANUARY

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

EPA Oxfordshire County trials

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

I can now confirm that the mens county trials are on Sunday 18th January and the ladies are on Sunday 25th January both are 12 noon start at
Witney Snooker Club
Eagle Industrial Estate, Witney, Oxon. OX28 4YR
01993 779078

the apprentice · Veteran Poster (Potting like a demon)

Booooo scum scum scum!!

Sorry Haze its all about Blackball !!!

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

the apprentice wrote:

Booooo scum scum scum!!

Sorry Haze its all about Blackball !!!

Not if you want to improve, and you know it. How many Blackball national events are there each year compared to EPA ones? And what rules do the top players in the World play?

You've just been brainwashed. yawn

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

PoolQueen wrote:
And what rules do the top players in the World play?

I think you'd find that the top players would still be the top players regardless of what rules they were playing Hazel. As you well know, different rules are down to politics. So i wish just for once people could refrain from all this usual b*ll**ks over rules...

Got to run a tourny, Best of 9 - 3 frames each, Blackball, World and old EPA....

the apprentice · Veteran Poster (Potting like a demon)

There are a fair few big Blackball tournies Haze.

And im always looking to improve my game because there are loads of ares that need to be improved, but EPA was not for me.
I was travelling to places like Coventry and Northampton to not get a single frame of county pool.

Blackball players in this area can compete with the "superstars" of EPA. And you know it.

Beefy · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

I heard comments that EPA are thinking of adopting or knicking the skill shot and bringing it into their rules and removing the DF is there any truth to this......................................

Sounds like the old EPA rules we all used to play back in the late 80's and early 90's if true but with the skill shot now that would make for a decent set of rules......

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

It's just a rumour Beefy. If there's any proposed rule changes I'm one of the first to hear about it being a member of the English Pool Referees Association.

And as for rules debates, I like both sets - maybe even prefer Blackball as it has the skillshot if I'm honest. But I prefer the EPA set up at there's many more events, more counties involved and a much higher standard of pool in general. Most people I know that have tried both agree.

The reason you didn't get to play Jamie is probably because you weren't good enough at the time? biggrin

Anyway, I didn't start this thread for a debate, just to inform pool players that they can try out for the EPA county teams if they so wish.

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

When you gonna sort out a Blackball vs EPA Oxfordshire ladies match, Hazel - to sort out who's the best once and for all... wink

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

The Pool Shark wrote:

When you gonna sort out a Blackball vs EPA Oxfordshire ladies match, Hazel - to sort out who's the best once and for all...

I could but you only have 7 in your team, we have 11. So either you get 4 extra weak players or I pick our 7 strongest players. wink

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

And to make it fair, I suggest 4 sets, 2 at Blackball rules and 2 at World rules. And play at the Oracle, Abingdon which is central for everyone with free parking.

I could also run a ladies singles comp on the same day?

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

PoolQueen wrote:

The Pool Shark wrote:

When you gonna sort out a Blackball vs EPA Oxfordshire ladies match, Hazel - to sort out who's the best once and for all...

I could but you only have 7 in your team, we have 11. So either you get 4 extra weak players or I pick our 7 strongest players.

If I was organising it I'd go for a compromise of 9 per team then. One match at the Oracle, one match at Riley's, one match in World rules and one match in Blackball. It could be an annual event?

MOO · Veteran Poster (Potting like a demon)

"Blackball vs EPA Oxfordshire ladies match"

Now that would be a match worth watching!it could go either way

If Blackball manage to get a "A & B team this year" then they might be able field 11 players.

Beefy · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

Last time I looked the squad had more than 7 players so perhaps they could field 11......

I think it would be a very interesting match......

-- Edited by Beefy at 15:06, 2009-01-07

Beefy · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

PoolQueen wrote:

I can now confirm that the mens county trials are on Sunday 18th January and the ladies are on Sunday 25th January both are 12 noon start at
Witney Snooker Club
Eagle Industrial Estate, Witney, Oxon. OX28 4YR
01993 779078

Ooh this going to be interesting the mens A & B blackball teams have an important match against Wiltshire that day......

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

Beefy wrote:

PoolQueen wrote:

I can now confirm that the mens county trials are on Sunday 18th January and the ladies are on Sunday 25th January both are 12 noon start at
Witney Snooker Club
Eagle Industrial Estate, Witney, Oxon. OX28 4YR
01993 779078

Ooh this going to be interesting the mens A & B blackball teams have an important match against Wiltshire that day......

Good, we don't want Blackball scum coming to our trials anyway. biggrin

the apprentice · Veteran Poster (Potting like a demon)

So why post it on this blackball forum ? ;)

Beefy · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

Exactly...................

But thats Queenie being hypocritical again......

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

PoolQueen wrote:
Good, we don't want Blackball scum coming to our trials anyway.

The real reason is to stop you having to run another trial due to the fact that ANY Blackball player who turns up WILL qualify and then later get banned due to playing Blackball County.

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

Beefy wrote:

Exactly...................

But thats Queenie being hypocritical again......

Has someone got your log in details Beefy? No way you spelt that right unless you checked in a dictionary. biggrin

Jamie started the rules debate so I just kept it going. I know there's lots of players that come on here and don't play county so I thought some of them might be interested.

james250 · Occasional Poster (Racking up the balls)

Hi folks just thought I would say hi!
Can someone confirm the county trials are at Witney this coming sunday?
It my first time so not sure what to expect, i have load's of questions!
How many people turn up?
What's the format?

Anyway any info greatly appreciated!

James

Beefy · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

If I were you I would SWAT up on the rules if your going to EPA trials especially as its your frst time. Some fine print in there that can cost you dearly if you forget..............

james250 · Occasional Poster (Racking up the balls)

Thanks mate!

I have been having a good read this week lol

I think im getting my head around it, just pot one on the break and clear up seems to be the best bet!

one question, can you only pot your opponents ball if they give away two shot's and you are "foul snookered"?

I am playing a lot this week with a mate who plays world rules all the time so fingers crossed i should have it sorted by the weekends.

Joking aside i haven't played in a league for a long time and only play with a couple of friends and we play a "no snooker" rule and just practise trying to clear up so world rules are probably better for me! Snookers do my head in lol

Anyway thanks for the advice!

Winter · Occasional Poster (Racking up the balls)

Hi James,
Not decided if I'm going yet, but I do miss world rules a lot so I'll prbably turn up.

There are no skill shots allowed, so you can only legally pot your opponent's ball after a foul and you are 'foul snookered'. In this instance you may nominate an opponent's ball, which then essentially becomes a ball of your colour for that shot - you can do what you want with it.
However it is not considered a serious foul if you play an opponent's ball as it is in Blackball, so essentially you can pot your opponent's ball whenever you like (and will do often if you are good tactically), and only give away 2 shots for a standard foul.
This is the deliberate foul rule that so many Blackball lovers hate. Having learnt the game playing world rules, I love the tactical aspect that the DF brings to the game.

Other thing to remember is that you have to call a foul snooker or total snooker and make sure the ref/other player knows this, or it will not be valid. And remember a foul snooker is like a free ball in snooker - if you can't hit the finest possible cut on both sides of one of your balls then it's a foul snooker, even if you can see almost all of one of your balls.

Final major difference is nominating after the break I guess, rather than the open table in Blackball.

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

Winter wrote:

you can only legally pot your opponent's ball after a foul and you are 'foul snookered'. In this instance you may nominate an opponent's ball, which then essentially becomes a ball of your colour for that shot

If you want a "free ball" after a foul snooker, you have to nominate which ball it is after calling foul snooker and the opponent/referee confirming it.
You can also have the cue ball picked up and replaced anywhere you like behind the baulk line.

The county trials are run to the Swiss system so you play someone and if you win you play another winner, if you lose you play a loser. You'll play people on the same wins/losses until you lose 3 matches usually then you're out. If you win 5/6 matches you've usually made it.

If you want to know anything else, don't hesitate in asking. I helped running county as Chairperson for many years and I'm a qualified referee and will be senior referee at trials and future county matches.

The trials are at Witney at the address I posted earlier. Hard to say how many will turn up but there's usually a good turn out, 30 plus.

Good luck James, see you next Sunday.

Hazel.

james250 · Occasional Poster (Racking up the balls)

Thanks guy's I appreciate the help!

It's all new to me as far as World rules go but I have to say I like the sound of them!

I used to hate all the tucking up etc when I played league.

How many frames is it per match, is it a race to 3 or something?

Will the refs be kind to me if I ask them for a guidance during the match?

Thanks again

James

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

I think it'll be best of 3, but might be best of 5, can't remember.

I can't give guidance as it's classed as coaching, your opponent might be lenient though and help you out. It's up to you to know the rules inside out I'm afraid.

Minx · Ultimate Poster (Breaks off in decider)

Hazel

As always I think it'd be great idea to have a Blackball v World Rules match.

I know we talked about this some way back but nothing got done.

Its busy season coming up for tourneys tho - we're pretty chocca for matches til end of march at the mo.

Love to get something orgnaised for May time though... worth looking into, and prob best speak with Nicki as she's ladies captain.

GOD · Veteran Poster (Pots the first red)

World Rules = More attacking than Blackball.

Hahahahahahahaha.

Black ball is a much more attacking game. For example, In world rules if someone has a pocket covered you will HAVE to fowl to get rid of it. In Blackball with the skillshot rule you atleast have a chance not to fowl when removing your opponents ball.

Further more, with the DF rule you make frames drag out a lot longer than they should. This of course could be remedied by allowing a free ball after all fouls not just foul snookers! You could quite conceivedly end up with two people having a pocket or two covered each, and promptly just DFing back and forth for some time. I know Hazel will say 'ooooooh that never happens' and will probably add 'because world rules players are too good for that' but she knows that it's far easier to drag a frame out at world rules than it is at blackball. She also knows that it's rubbish about them being better aswell!

The truth of the matter is, that EPA is a more organised code. They have more and bigger events than Blackball. But also, if you want to play on a team that has a chance of actually qualifying for a tournament and maybe even winning it, you should come to Blackball trials in March. We tend to get about 50 people at our trials every year. We have more teams, so we have more spaces available for trialists.

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

PoolQueen wrote:
I like both sets - maybe even prefer Blackball as it has the skillshot if I'm honest.