During the 1980s and 90s, when the popularity of 8-ball pool was probably at its height, people seemed to want to introduce strangely designed tables built to accommodate "novelty" games of pool, most of which were loosely based on the 8-ball game. Few of the new style tables lasted much longer than their initial unveiling and 8-ball pool went happily on its way. In fact so successful were holiday camp tournaments becoming at the time that one bold promoter thought about holding one on board ship. We wondered whether he had ever sailed through the Bay of Biscay on a rough day. Now there is serious talk of pool being played with ultra-violet balls.

Strangely the only really likely threat to UK 8-ball pool came from 9-ball pool when stories were told of the vast prize monies paid out in the USA and other countries throughout the world whose pool players favoured the 9-ball game. With his SAM hat on Barrett said that his company's American tables are used for 9-ball pool in pool clubs and snooker clubs where pool is also played. But he agreed the demand for 9-ball tables and equipment was not as high as that for 8-ball.

For many years pool in the UK has been regarded as a pub game. Players put the appropriate amount of money into the coin slot and the game does not end until the black ball goes down after 14 balls have been potted. In the 9-ball game a rack can be won on the first shot so the game needs to be played on a time rather than coin slot basis. Not many landlords would want to install game timing equipment.

Barratt's opinions on the 9-ball version of pool are largely shared by Simply Pool's Stan McKenna whose company make the Atlanta, an American type pool table, upon which 9-ball can be played although the tables can also be coin-operated for other games, McKenna said that 9-ball pool was popular in Europe where it attracted a lot of satellite TV coverage. In the UK it had started with a flurry of interest but current demands for 9-ball diamonds and ball sets was lower than they were.

Equipment manufacturers and operators who would like to learn more about 9-ball pool should visit www.GB 9 Ball Tour where most items of interest are covered. Aramith sponsor the organiisation who run what appears to be a well rewarded event for the winner and Cuesport TV cover it.

Barrett likened the sitiation to red and grey squirrels. People loved to feed the red squirrels, he said, but now those are rarely to be seen they feed the grey.

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