It can’t be an issue of strength, can it?
A friend tried to convince me that they play “differently,” but even if that were the case, look at soccer, tennis, or any other worldwide sport where various playing styles are pitted against one another.
And if it’s an issue of skill, should that be a valid reason for making a separate “women’s” league when, really, it should simply be an amateur one?
I’ve wondered this as well. I doubt the table, cues, or balls are different - but someone correct me if I’m wrong. Ditto for pro bowling - MAYBE the balls are lighter, but there’s variation there anyway and I doubt it should matter.
Just signing into the queue of the curious. This (and chess) has always bothered me. I know that there are a couple of billiards experts here, so we should see them soon. Thanks for asking this question, Vorae.
This has been asked a few times. Men have an advantage on the break because they tend to be stronger. Women will sink 1-2 less balls on the break on average.
Haj
This cite sums it up pretty well.
There are so many more men that compete in billiards than women. So the seperate leagues were started to bring the attention to women players and to get more women involved.
It is not an issue of talent. Ive heard some people try to say that there may be a physiological difference between the sexes that lends an upper hand to one or the other but I couldnt find a cite.
I would put Jeanette Lee up against any male opponent.
I saw a woman pro nine ball player interviewed a few weeks ago and this question was asked. As haj said, it’s all about the break. She even said that her husband can beat her pretty regularly at nine ball, even though she is ranked higher worldwide on the women’s tour than her husband (also a pro) is ranked on the men’s tour.
I can’t play billiards to save my life and the average woman off of the street would probably beat me. I’d still love to go up against Jeanette Lee though.
Anyway, I happened accross a mixed doubles match on TV one day and wondered why they normally played separately. At some point the announcer brought it up and said it was because of the break. They then showed all of the breaks from the match and it was obvious that the men had an advantage.
Haj
From a gent named Wes Hunter, a cue maker and an insider on why he`s sponsoring a womens amateur tour.
For what its worth.
“Because women have been getting a raw deal in the tournaments, both in the money and the attention. Besides, I would rather watch women play. Their form is better, they are more exciting and they are more intelligent on the table. If women had as much time in the game as the top men, they would be every bit as good or better than the men.”
Dickie were you referring to Jeanette Lee? She is married to a pro player.