Make Stripes Easier Than Solids

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
For years I thought I made stripe balls much easier than solids. About two months ago I bought a 9 ball set that were all stripes, just to see if it made any difference playing the ghost. In a race to nine I don't think the ghost has beat me once in 30+ sets. For me the stripes are so much easier to find a spot on the OB to aim at. I'm color blind too, but I don't think that has anything to do with it. Anyone else feel they pocket stripes easier? Johnnyt
 
I'm fairly new to pool, but I definitely find stripes much easier than solids, for the reason you noted. The stripes on the ball make it very easy to locate and recognize contact points.
 
Interesting. It never occurred to me that one is more difficult to pocket than the other. It just goes to show you how interesting the game is or hard we make it out to be. If I were you I wouldn't get hung up on it. Just pocket em without TOO much thought.
 
I would also agree. The strip gives you another point of reference when you are looking at contact points.

If all things are equal, I will go with strips before I go with solids.

Also if I recall correctly I read some time ago the 8 ball being black was by design as it was a harder color to establish your line or contact point on.
 
Skippy27 said:
I would also agree. The strip gives you another point of reference when you are looking at contact points.

If all things are equal, I will go with strips before I go with solids.

Also if I recall correctly I read some time ago the 8 ball being black was by design as it was a harder color to establish your line or contact point on.
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All things are rarely equal in a layout of 8 ball after the break. Your out can very well be determined by your choice of big or little balls. Isn't the pocket angle the same whether the object ball is stripe or solid?
 
Interesting

Could that be why I see some players putting up six ball or eight ball with the number straight up when spotting a foul in one pocket.
 
Yes. I started choosing stripes in 8 ball after my eye injury to the point of people asking me why did you shoot that.
 
I can see where it might be, Johnny. The stripe provides lots of references for identifying and reliably re-acquiring the contact point once down on the shot.

Back in the day when the spot shot was a big part of the game (you younger players will have to look up the term) that was the whole idea behind spotting the 9-15 with the stripe on the horizontal equator (i.e."on the number") - to minimize the reference points. This is also one of the reasons I prefer the Centennial balls to the Super Pros.
 
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foospot said:
Could that be why I see some players putting up six ball or eight ball with the number straight up when spotting a foul in one pocket.
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Yes. The spot goes straight up (on stripes too) so there is no reference point. Back in the day of the spot shots, as previously mentioned, you could face the number on the ball directly in line with the pocket so all you had to do was hit the number on the ball for a dead in shot. Some players use the reflection of the table light for a dead in shot. Never worked for me though.
 
Just think about it like this, They're all stripes.

No, really, they are ALL stripes.

The 1 through the 8 have a big wide stripe leaving only a small white circle left to each side of the stripe. While the 9 through the 15 have a narrower stripe leaving a much larger area of white.

So, they all should be just as easy to pocket as any others!


Royce
 
I use ghost ball for aiming. I do not think I pocket stripes any easier than solids, I will have to test and find out. The most important visual reference for me is the edge of the object ball.
 
I also use ghost ball aiming and don't really consider the ball much.

To take it a step farther, I try to eliminate the idea of "hard shots" when I play. A shot is a shot is a shot and I need to put the same amount of effort into each one. The same goes for balls. A ball is a ball is a ball. Aim each one carefully and make sure it's the correct group! ;)
 
krupa said:
I also use ghost ball aiming and don't really consider the ball much.

To take it a step farther, I try to eliminate the idea of "hard shots" when I play. A shot is a shot is a shot and I need to put the same amount of effort into each one. The same goes for balls. A ball is a ball is a ball. Aim each one carefully and make sure it's the correct group! ;)
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Your a wise man!
 
Johnnyt said:
For years I thought I made stripe balls much easier than solids. About two months ago I bought a 9 ball set that were all stripes, just to see if it made any difference playing the ghost. In a race to nine I don't think the ghost has beat me once in 30+ sets. For me the stripes are so much easier to find a spot on the OB to aim at. I'm color blind too, but I don't think that has anything to do with it. Anyone else feel they pocket stripes easier? Johnnyt
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It's easier to see the sharper, mostly white edges. Maybe it's a good time to get your eyesight checked.
 
I'm glad most agree that stripes are easier to aim at than solids. I thought it was just me. Johnnyt
 
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