Strategies for beating a pro in 9-ball

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PocketPoint

Banned
Let's say you are anywhere from a B player to a low A player. You're playing 9-ball race to 9, or something similar. Tournament situation, no weight given.

Do you employ any sort of strategy to try and give yourself a better chance to win? Do you just "play the balls" and ignore who you are playing? Do you just play how you normally would? Do you try and play more safeties, maybe to try and frustrate him?
 
The one thing I do is play more safes against a better player. I don't take the chances on a shot I would make 75% of the time (with shape) if there is a good safety(I would against a weaker player). People say to always play the same no matter what, and they are likely correct, but I play much more defensively against better players.
 
This made me think of that video where the guy had tips like ... in the middle of the set, go to the bathroom and put soap all over your hand and then come back and shake his hand so it will screw up his shaft.

I loved that video!

P.S. You can recognize a hustler if he has a custom cue or sometimes they use plain cues so you can recognize them that way too!
 
PocketPoint said:
Let's say you are anywhere from a B player to a low A player. You're playing 9-ball race to 9, or something similar. Tournament situation, no weight given.

Do you employ any sort of strategy to try and give yourself a better chance to win? Do you just "play the balls" and ignore who you are playing? Do you just play how you normally would? Do you try and play more safeties, maybe to try and frustrate him?
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A race to 9 on a big table you will never win unless lady luck is on your side the whole way .And that wont happen. Race to 3 maybe. (b player)
Bar box b player can win but needs a lot of things going his way.

A player can win but not all the time.

NEVER PLAY THE PLAYER ALWAYS THE TABLE. If your the type of person
who thinks oh know this guys plays good i cant possibly win your in trouble
and you will always have trouble.

Always play the game right no matter what.If your playing on a big table
think more safety and when playing on a bar box be more offensive minded.
 
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Tell him that if he was a real player he'd play a race to 3?

A 'B' player vs a top 50 pro has basically no shot going to 9. I'd doubt B would win 1/10 sets.

An 'A'...I'd say 2/10 at best, no way I'd bet that tho.

People often forget how strong guys like Corey/ SVB, etc... play. You can't put a 'level' on them, they are beyond categorization and if they play their game(s), no A has more than a statistical chance.
 
Break better and don't miss!

I know this sounds like I am being a smartarse and I apologize but it is about as simple as that. A pro's break and cueball control is imo so much more advanced than a "B" or low "A" player it ain't even funny.

I don't think a few more safeties will slow a pro down .... it just might slow your game down really.

I just say play your game and stay calm and forget about who you are playing. 9 times out of 10 the mind gets in the way thinking about your opponent with the dreaded "I can't miss or he'll run out" kinda of thing and you won't ever feel exactly right at the table. Hence missing balls you don't usually miss and then watching him run out lol. :)
 
I agree. As a B player, I might win 1 in 1,000 matches against a top pro.

They won't play perfect every match, so I have to be prepared to try and win.
 
I beat Cameron Clay real bad in 9-ball back in '06. Only, he's not a pro, he just thinks he is (APA) ;).

Maniac
 
You cannot give them anything. Always get out when you have the opportunity. If you can keep it close, even the pro's can feel pressure and you may get an extra opportunity or two. Also, getting good rolls can't hurt :)
 
Maniac said:
I beat Cameron Clay real bad in 9-ball back in '06. Only, he's not a pro, he just thinks he is (APA) ;).

Maniac
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Maniac:

Have you matched up with / beaten Bill Yard yet? If not, you might want to contact NewStroke...

:p

-Sean
 
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sfleinen said:
Maniac:

Have you matched up with / beaten Bill Yard yet? If not, you might want to contact NewStroke...

:p

-Sean
Click to expand...

I've invited him to my home for a matchup, but he won't come over. Maybe if he reads this post he'll "man-up" and play me. (Methinks I may be digging a hole I can't climb out of :o)

Invite is still open Dan/NewStroke/Bill Yard. Call me!!!

Maniac
 
Getting off to a strong start is helpful, because some pros are slow atarters and can get tempremental if they think a "nobody" is getting the best of them. You can't afford to have lapses in your game so keep practicing running out. This will offer you the best chance of bagging a pro. I've beaten a few pros in tournments, and it is sad to say in the tournments is where Ive had most of my success beating pros.
 
Try this:

Do two things:
1. Have realistic expectations. Tell yourself if you can get to 5 you are doing real well.
2. Don't get down on yourself when you miss a shot that YOU NORMALLY miss. Just because you are playing a pro doesn't mean you should play better yourself.

Do those 2 things and if you get the rolls you never know :)

P.S. Take this for what it's worth since I usually lose when I'm matching up against myself in the basement.
 
1. Break Better
2. Break Better
3. Break Better
4. No unforced errors
5. Break Better.

With my, now numerous, ass whoopings from Mr. Mills, one of my biggest issues is making a ball on the break and having a shot on the 1.

You have to maintain control of the table.

A pro is going to out-shoot, out-safe, and out-kick you.

Making a ball on the break with a clear shot on the one gives you a chance to win. Without it, youre doomed.
 
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Face it, if he is a better player he is probably going to win.

The first time I beat a pro in a tournament was a race to five, it went to the hill and I made a table length bank shot on the nine that I would usually make two out of ten times.

In the end I won because he scratched three times in the match, I did not do anything special but had luck on my side.

This guy sat down and said, I never scratch, I never scratch, but he sure did that match. My next match was with another pro who beat me 5 zip or 5 to 1. I had used up all of my luck in the prior match, hahaha..
 
First you must play to win. Do NOT play to avoid losing. If you go into any match with the attitude that I will do this or that to avoid losing. You will do just that ...lose. Play within your means and strengths. Take what the table gives and do your best with it. Getting into a safety battle with a better player will have you kicking most of the time. Best strategy is to not be intimidated. Act like a pro yourself. And play to win.
 
The pro has all the pressure on him. You have nothing to lose so if you have the right mindset, you can go out there loose and swinging for the fences if you like

If your capable of breaking and running out, your capable of beating anyone in the short run
 
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