Is playing safe ever cheap?

MilwShooter said:
I agree with the overwhelming masses. They have a rule for safeties because sometimes you need to do it. Some pool players remind me of video-gamers...bear with me, this is easy to follow.

Sometimes, while playing a video game online, people will get mad at you for using a rocket launcher or grenades. These are put into the game for a reason, and therefor they should be used without anybody complaining. The same goes for pool rules. These rules are in effect because enough people felt they should be.

On another note...What bar did you go to that had people agree to BIH? I find it next to impossible in my neck of the woods. lol
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I like the analogy. Being a gamer I can totally agree with this. I made kids swear at me for chainsawing them in gears of war. Now I have seen a lot of games that have balance issues where one weapon is overpowered. In that case I can agree but if the developers put it in the game you are using the tools that were presented to you.
 
The ironic thing about barroom bangers who think that safety play is dirty pool is that you often have to play dirty pool in order for them to not accuse you of playing dirty pool. You are almost forced to do this as an alternative to playing a clean safety sometimes. An intentional miscue or intentionally playing the wrong angle or speed on a kick shot to avoid a hit will often do the trick, since there's no penalty for a foul.

TheNewSharkster said:
So I was playing some guy last weekend for a drink at 8ball. I was holding the table so I asked if we were playing call pocket BIH rules. He made a smug remark about how that is the way he always plays. I break dry. He runs 6 balls off and misses. I run 4 balls and set up my 5th dead straight into the corner.

At this point I could have attempted to complete the run out and it was well within my skill level. But since I was dead straight if I played a stop shot he would have little chance of making a legal hit because he was snookered and would have a low percent 2 rail kick shot. The run out was super easy with BIH for me.

So I call safe (and made sure he heard me), knock in my 5th ball and turn the table over to my opponent. At this point he starts getting angry at me saying I should have tried to run out and it was cheap to hit a ball in and call safe. Walks up to the table and slams the cue ball. Missing his ball by a mile. I get ball in hand and complete the table.

I was slightly irritated by his attitude about playing a safe so I told him I wanted a jack and coke and walked away. Later that night he proceeds to give me a earfull about my play.

Anyways, I just wanted to hear some other opinions on a deliberate safe play. I think he was just mad he go screwed with a TERRIBLE leave.
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Andrew Manning said:
I get what you're saying about weighing the chances either way. But I'd always rather have the game riding on my skill (running out) than on his luck (he kicks at the ball and who knows what happens). Thus, if I think I can run out, I always try, even if I have easy safety options.

Anyway, I don't think anyone should complain about a legal and in fact common strategic move the other player makes. The rules of pool are designed for players to use offense or defense to give themselves the best chance to win, and although opinions differ on the details, all good players agree there's a time to play safe. Anyone who thinks defense shouldn't count doesn't have a complete concept of the game, and that's their problem, not yours.

-Andrew
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Everyone plays a little different. I can respect playing it either way. I guess in some cases depending on my mood I might do it a little different. I just kinda knew it was such a good safe I was going to get the bizzy in hizzy
 
I think safety play is definitely cheaper than not using safeties at all....Whatever keeps the money in my pocket or money flowing into my pocket is the far cheaper alternative.... So yes, it is "cheap" to play safe!
 
I think it is abslolutely fine to do what you did and play safe. I for some reason have never been a fan of the call safe, and make the ball rule but it's part of the game. I just don't see where the need to win a game for a 2 dollar drink is worth the hassle it could cause by doing so. If it were a tournament match or a gambling for some decent dough, I would say it is defenitely the right move. I've just been in two many bars where a move like that would have resulted in a problem where you might not get out the door safely.

Plus, you know you would beat him playing that safe, why not practice a little offense and go for the out? I don't know maybe I am a little old fashioned or something or grew up playing too much bar pool but I almost always go for the out when playing for drinks, or at least miss a shot or try a bank and leave safe. it's like a blow to the guys ego when you pull a straight in shot and call safe, like "take that guy" and is just asking for some hothead player to blow his top. :) jmo
 
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My first instinct was to just type "No" and click reply and leave it at that.
But then I realized something very important. There's like a 10 character minimum on posts.

So my answer is "nopers~!" (with quotes)
 
I think that you should always play the percentages. If the safety is easier than the shot, shoot it. There is never anything cheap about defense. After all, it is half of the game...
 
Its only ever cheap if you hit the shot bad and it doesn't pay you dividends. Safeties are a big part of playing any billiard game...I often take alotta pleasure in hearing the name calling or whatever type of banter an opponent who just paid up has to say about my "cheap or cowardly" play as I now have their money in my pocket...kinda makes you wonder who the dumb person is at this point doesn't it?
 
Wow I almost forgot about this thread.

The guy that pulled that number on me played me a couple weeks ago and was being a complete ass. I decided I am not going to play with him anymore.
 
Imo

Safeties are ok if the rules are understood B4 the game begins.

An important lesson given to me once. "Just because you have the right to do something, doesn't make it right to do it."

Weigh the rewards and consequences and act accordingly. Some people do take it as an insult to them personally. Got to watch those egos.

Good luck finding a safe path to follow, pun intended. :grin:
 
there are rules and there are customs you need to abide by both when you go out and play.

in many bars you arent supposed to play safe for drinks and sometimes even for big money.
for drinks anywhere go for all the shots and always let them have a few turns at the table each game until you learn the customs. you are still going to win most games anyway.
 
TheNewSharkster said:
So I was playing some guy last weekend for a drink at 8ball. I was holding the table so I asked if we were playing call pocket BIH rules. He made a smug remark about how that is the way he always plays. I break dry. He runs 6 balls off and misses. I run 4 balls and set up my 5th dead straight into the corner.

At this point I could have attempted to complete the run out and it was well within my skill level. But since I was dead straight if I played a stop shot he would have little chance of making a legal hit because he was snookered and would have a low percent 2 rail kick shot. The run out was super easy with BIH for me.

So I call safe (and made sure he heard me), knock in my 5th ball and turn the table over to my opponent. At this point he starts getting angry at me saying I should have tried to run out and it was cheap to hit a ball in and call safe. Walks up to the table and slams the cue ball. Missing his ball by a mile. I get ball in hand and complete the table.

I was slightly irritated by his attitude about playing a safe so I told him I wanted a jack and coke and walked away. Later that night he proceeds to give me a earfull about my play.

Anyways, I just wanted to hear some other opinions on a deliberate safe play. I think he was just mad he go screwed with a TERRIBLE leave.
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This is a typical idiot barroom pool mentality. You're never ever supposed to play a safety or else you playing dirty pool or somehow cheating. You're lucky you didn't get stabbed. Many barroom player just don't take kindly to safety play. A smart player will disguise his safety when playing barroom pool. A good move to make here is to intentionally miscue or intentionally foul some other way if there is no penalty for a foul. You just have to exploit their idiotic rules, and put on an academy award winning act, pretending like you were really going for the shot. It's hilarious sometimes watching some of the horrible acting put on by people who make these moves.
 
Safeties are part of the game...and a great way to irritate your opponent. If you can't run out, look to a safety as the next option.
 
safe

Nothing wrong with playing safe.

It may not be a good idea to call safe and pocket a ball.If your opponent gets safe either thru skill or luck you may need that ball to make a good hit.
 
I gotta say....and I may be the only one....but bar room or league,I've never heard of pocketing a called shot and also playing a safety,that is to say "turning the table over to the OP" after a legal pocketed ball.

That would have made me say "Do huh???"

I'll agree its not cheap fwiw....but as mentoned it would have been much simpler to leave the 5 in the jaws....same result with no discussion.
 
Thunderball said:
I gotta say....and I may be the only one....but bar room or league,I've never heard of pocketing a called shot and also playing a safety,that is to say "turning the table over to the OP" after a legal pocketed ball.

That would have made me say "Do huh???"
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Done all the time in Straight Pool. 8 ball, couldn't care less.
 
Bar rules are real simple, call your shot, scratches only u get BIH behind the line, bad hits are legal, you cant play safe on purpose, and the 8 has to go clean!

I personally love those rules...makes it fun. You dont go to the bar to play serious pool you go to play bar pool.
 
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