February 2008
15
My New Favorite Game: Equal Offense
Samm Diep © January 2008
I was recently introduced to a game that's been around about as long as I have. This game was developed by BCA Master Instructor Jerry Briesath in 1977 to challenge the abilities of his students. This is a game in which each player shoots until you miss a shot, foul or pocket the maximum amount of balls allowed for the inning. The winner is determined by the total inning score (similar to bowling). PLAYERS: Any number. BALLS USED: Standard set of object balls 1-15, plus cue ball. OBJECT OF THE GAME: To score more total points than your opponent(s) in a predetermined number of innings, Samm Diep typically 5 or 10. SCORING: Any legally pocketed ball counts as one point for the shooter. OPENING BREAK: At the start of each player's inning, you have a free break. Any balls pocketed on the break are spotted, and player then begins shooting with object balls in position and cue ball in hand behind the head string. The opening break takes place at the start of every inning of each player. RULES OF PLAY: 1. Player may shoot any ball you choose, but before you shoot must designate an object ball and a called pocket. A legally pocketed ball entitles the shooter to continue at the table until you fail to pocket a called ball, or until you've scored the maximum total per inning permissible. (20 points in championship play) 2. Player is entitled to any additional balls pocketed on a shot, as long as you pocket your called ball. 3. Shooting order for subsequent innings is determined by the scoring results of preceding innings - player with the highest score shooting first. In the event of a tie inning, the order does not change. 4. If players are tied for high match total score, additional innings are played by each tied player with the first player posting a superior score to his opponent(s), in an equal number of innings, being the winner ("sudden death"). NOTE: Equal Offense is based on 14.1 Continuous, also known as straight pool, and the rule about the fifteenth ball of the rack applies to Equal Offense: when only one ball is left on the table, you rack the other balls leaving the apex ball out. When you pocket the last ball you try at the same time to
You Might Be A D Player If ... 101 Classic Moves that we can all appreciate as pool players. Brought to you by Samm’s Side Pocket Pick up your copy today! $12.95 + s/h. It makes the perfect gift for any pool player Visit www.SammsPocket.com or call 303.667.8000
“Unsinkable”
open up the pack, to make it possible to make the five balls you need to complete the maximum twenty.
The Equal Offense history and rules from this article are courtesy of Internet Equal Offense (IEOTour.com). If you're interested in playing and/or learning more about the game, IEOTour.com is a great resource. Hope you have as much fun with this game as I am. Enjoy! PLEASE BE SURE TO VISIT POOLTIPJAR.COM. You can take polls, view article archives, and read tournament and training updates. SAMM DIEP, "CHERRY BOMB" HOUSE PRO AT TABLE STEAKS EAST IN AURORA, COLORADO AUTHOR OF "YOU MIGHT BE A D PLAYER IF… (101 CLASSIC MOVES THAT ALL POOL PLAYERS CAN APPRECIATE)" VISIT: WWW.SAMMSPOCKET.COM FUN & UNIQUE PRODUCTS FOR POOL PLAYERS ALSO CHECK OUT: POOLTIPJAR.COM RANDOM SMATTERINGS OF POOL THOUGHTS & ARTICLES Hours: 10:30 - 2 am Kitchen 10:30-1 am
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