End Game in 8 ball.

D

duckie

GregH
Silver Member
This is one of the reason I like 8 ball. This is in the part of the game, taking a chess term, that I call the end game.

Both players have to trend lightly in order not to give up control of the table. One thing to always remember.....when you are at the table, you are in control.

You can see this at times in safety play. A really good safety player controls what shot the next person has. The goal is the one responing to safey play is to respond in such a manner as to take control of the table back.

Example of a shot I ended up with when I got a turn at the table and what I did:

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Also, this is why its important to spend time learning how to go multible rails.

And once again a feel shot since there nothing to reference where you need to put the cue ball in order to put it up there in front of the 8 ball.

I did get another turn at the table. My oppenent made his stripe. Caromed the cue ball off the 8 and made my 1 ball. Left me with this:

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This is where lack of commitment about what shot to do will cost you the game. By commitment I mean you decide on a shot and put whole self into it.

The shot I choose was one I have made over and over again, however I was not comminted to making the shot and missed and gave to game away. It doesn't matter how many times you made a shot before, the only time its matters is now.

FWIW

ps, I just learn cue table, so I'm kinda having fun.
 
I would have tried to bank the 1 towards the 10 ball, between the 10 and the rail at pocket speed. Not sure based if it would go but based on the graph it would have had a chance and also moved the 10 to the bottom rail.
 
stuckart said:
I would have tried to bank the 1 towards the 10 ball, between the 10 and the rail at pocket speed. Not sure based if it would go but based on the graph it would have had a chance and also moved the 10 to the bottom rail.
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Good God, never mind!D:D
 
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stuckart said:
I would have tried to bank the 1 towards the 10 ball, between the 10 and the rail at pocket speed. Not sure based if it would go but based on the graph it would have had a chance and also moved the 10 to the bottom rail.
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I thought of that. My fear was tying up my 1 ball with his 10 ball or missing and giving him a easy run out.

By tying up the 8, even though he made his ball, there was no easy pocket for the 8 and gave me another turn at the table.

I have a strong safety and bank game BTW. This is why I can do these things without the use of crack. I spend lots of time at the table practicing this type stuff and not the setup pattern drills that do nothing for you when you get into these type of situations.

My failure was the lack of commitment for the shot I choose for the 8 ball.
 
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duckie said:
I thought of that. My fear was tying up my 1 ball with his 10 ball or missing and giving him a easy run out.

By tying up the 8, even though he made his ball, there was no easy pocket for the 8 and gave me another turn at the table.

I have a strong safety and bank game BTW. This is why I can do these things without the use of crack. I spend lots of time at the table practicing this type stuff and not the setup pattern drills that do nothing for you when you get into these type of situations.

My failure was the lack of commitment for the shot I choose for the 8 ball.
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Why did you run down to one ball and not get out? That's terrible 8-ball play.
 
cookie man said:
Why did you run down to one ball and not get out? That's terrible 8-ball play.
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I kinda have to agree here. In my mind, you should have never have left yourself with this as a final shot...one ball hell. As a rule, I deal with any problems balls asap...and that includes balls sitting on the short rail.

At the very least...your road map should have allowed for you to position yourself for not only the 1, but leave you with the easy out on the 8 along the same rail.

You call it the 'end game'...i equate it to the 'short game' in golf. Doesn't matter how few strokes it took you to get on the green, if you can't make the putt.

I have a few simple hard rules for myself in 8 Ball. Work from the farthest point in to the 8, work the edges toward the center, and deal with potential problem balls asap. Also...just like in 9 Ball...the break is key. A ball down on the break allows for you to pick the suit that is less tied up by obstructions...which goes a long way for a runout.

Lisa
 
So you mean to tell me you have the skill to bank a off angle 3 railer with acurracy of 1/2 a balls width to avoid kicking the 8 ball in. Then you miss a straight in 8?
 
I'll resist my usual M.O. (to flame the sh1t outta wacky posts) and see if I can offer some insight...

I think the better move would have been to call the 1 ball in the corner by the 10 and bank the one with lag speed. The goal is to make the one ball, or have it hang in the jaws of the pocket. You might even knock his ball to the end rail, leaving your ball hanging.

Why?

1. The safety isn't high percentage and won't win you the game
2. a well played 2 way shot can win (if the 1 goes) or possibly get you a safety if it doesnt
3. banking your ball towards the 8 is asking for trouble. Specifically, you can miss blocking the 8 and leave your opponent an easy out OR..knock the 8 in yourself, losing the game.

The bottom line is that you got into a low percentage situation in your 8 ball end game. The safety options are all low. You need to find a way to win (other than playing a pure safety).


Eric >sharing the crack pipe
 
Neil said:
Then why didn't you just bank the one back to the corner opposite the 10???
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As a proposition bet where you have to shoot it 100 times...
I'll bet on Neil's choice against anybody in the world...
..conditions are they MUST play the multi-rail safety

Personally i would cut it in ..rail first with left-hand english..
But getting action against the safe choice with my or Neil's shot...
...would be just duckie
 
While we are talking about crazy shots. I think I would have fouled on purpose with this shot before trying your 3 rail behind the 8 ball and hope it hooks the 8 ball shot.

Give the guy ball in hand with this layout and have him try and get out.

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This was my first thought on the full shot. I feel much more capable of controlling whitey at this angle and speed.

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I just smoked some crack at lunch and came up with the ultimate move

I would hide the 8 in my pants pocket until I could safely make it. As long as your opponent doesnt see it and accidentally hit you in your nutzzz on attempting a good hit, you should be winner from there every time.
 
Not saying that's the best option, but I'd much rather try that than the original 3 rail the 1 to move the 8 out of the way. I'd still stick with my original option of banking it down to move the 10. Here are some better scenario's, but they don't mean you are going to win, but atleast you have a fighting chance from this point.

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OR

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Hmmm

DUCKIE:

I would love for someone to take the shot you suggest when I play. Bank the one ball, three rails, and hide behind the 8 ball. (and not kick in the 8 while you are at it) Of course, you are a 100-1 dog on that shot. Even Efren is at least a 20-1 dog to sell out there.

Yeah, a big problem with 8ball is going for the worlds greatest shot that may work every once in a blue moon, but how many games are lost waiting for the moon to come out at night ? Way to many I think.

In theory, a heck of a shot, in reality, not so good shot selection. The bank is the obvious and only answer because it is makeable and the 10 ball gives you a little cushion if you come up short on the bank.

I know there has got to be some great 8ballers on this site, and I sure would like to know what a great 8baller goes for on this shot ?? I'm not thinking too many, but lets see what they say !!

Looks like a better 1P shot to me !!

PS: Crack Kills !!!
 
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