Well the "Last 2" is not one of the weakest spots in 9-ball. It is in fact one of the best spots depending on the players run-out ability and understanding of safety play. The "Last 2" is in play every game the entire game, and pressure to get all the way out never ends until the final
ball is made.
Respectfully disagree.
@King - You've been here a while so you know this topic has been discussed many times. I'd be interested to know how you would put the last 2 in the list below. In my mind, the last 2 isn't much of a spot at all. There are a
lot of spots in 9-ball and IMO, getting the last 2 is a "starting" spot and not really much of a spot.
My thoughts: the last two is only useful for the weaker player at the very end of the game. So, it is
not as good as any wild ball. Just as a simple point of reference, last 2 is weaker/worse than [last 3 / 4 / 5], and weaker than any wild ball [6 / 7 / 8] or wild ball combo [7 out / 6 out]. Combine with the getting the break, and I think there are already ~20 spots better than the last 2 already.
I agree that a player might decide that they prefer the last 2 vs the call 8. Or maybe the last 2 vs the call 8 and the break. But they shouldn't swap a wild ball (6, 7, or 8) for the last 2. And never take the last two over 2 spot balls.
Here's an example of some spots. Some of these will swap around in the list based on the player and the day, but you get the idea. The last two is one of the first spots you give up and it won't ever move into a "strong spot" zone. And this list doesn't even include on the wire on on the money spots...
- Break
- Last two
- Last two and the break
- Call 8
- Wild 8
- Wild 8 and the break
- Wild 8 and the last 2 [could also include the break]
- Last Three
- Last Three and the break
- Call 7
- Wild 7
- 7 and the break
- 7 and the last 2 [could also include break]
- 7 and the last 3 [could also include the break]
- Call 7 & call 8
- Wild 7 & wild 8
- Wild 7, 8, and the break
- Wild 7, 8, last 3, and the break
- Last Four
- Last Four and the break
- Call 6 & call 7 & call 8
- Wild 6, 7, 8
- Last 5
- etc
- etc
- [Orange crush]
-td
