How much does your shot selection change based on where you are in the set?

W

WillyCornbread

Break and One
Silver Member
Let's say you are up 4-0 in a race to 6, do you shoot more aggressively or try to maintain the same strategy that got you there?

What if you were the one down 0-4?

Lastly, does the length of the race also factor in for you?

Thanks for your 2 cents :) I'm struggling lately with allowing people back in after getting a lead on them, and trying to figure out if it's just laziness creeping in or if it's because I'm 'going for the kill' too often...
 
I don't change my shot selection based on the score the set. I just try and work my game to the best of my ability.
 
Way way too many variables to give just one answer. What game, players speed, giving/getting / even weight, how much the bet is ( I'm a pretty aggressive style player but if it's cheap for only a few hundred bucks I'm firing at EVERYTHING LOL ), how many barrels you have left, if you know your opponent is on his last barrel, etc. In general though with all things being equal, I try to stay consistent the entire time. As I said I'm a fairly aggressive player so as long as your making them constantly putting heat on someone wears on them pretty good after awhile. I think it would be fair to say though if I'm as head by a bunch I may tale some flyers that otherwise I may not especially if I'm down by a lot. And I am a believer that when you are close to finishing someone off you do need to really go in for that kill even when it's risky.

You didn't mention what game but I'm guessing your talking 9 ball. I play mostly one hole these days so there's a huge difference between a game of 9 ball or a game or one hole. Being one game ( can ) last a half hour or even a hour ( I personally hate those games lol ) and the sets are generally a lot shorter than that of 9 ball and the bet is generally much larger it's way worse to give away a game as compared to just a single game of 9 ball so that must be taken into consideration as well.

From what you said it sounds like you're having trouble closing out the wins? That kinda sounds like you're lacking or losing the killer instinct. That just boils down to a concentration issue. Could be from a plethora of reasons but the most common I'd say is getting tired and or losing interest. If it's getting tired you're just gonna have to do whatever it takes to combat that. If it's losing interest than you need to jack the bet up substantially from whatever you are currently betting, to the point you're really gonna feel it if you lose . By putting yourself in that position you definitely should be able to keep interest and it will ( should ) invoke the killer instinct you may be lacking.
 
It's a hard lesson to keep relearning. Get lazy or careless and sometimes you never get back to the table for another reasonable chance as it slips away.

These things sting when you're on the short end of them.

Answer to the original question, yes. But do so at your own peril.

JC
 
I was taught that in One-Pocket,for example,you should play cautiously to protect the Lead,but shoot more aggressively if you are behind.
 
First,I consider if I have a chance to run out from Here? Can you work your way toward your Key

ball?

If you can't get out,do you play safe early,or run a few balls, and then play safe,and where?
 
In 9-Ball/8-Ball, first,I consider if I have a chance to run out from Here? Can you work your way toward your Key

ball?

If you can't get out,do you play safe early,or run a few balls, and then play safe,and where?
 
BmoreMoney said:
Way way too many variables to give just one answer. What game, players speed, giving/getting / even weight, how much the bet is ( I'm a pretty aggressive style player but if it's cheap for only a few hundred bucks I'm firing at EVERYTHING LOL ), how many barrels you have left, if you know your opponent is on his last barrel, etc. In general though with all things being equal, I try to stay consistent the entire time. As I said I'm a fairly aggressive player so as long as your making them constantly putting heat on someone wears on them pretty good after awhile. I think it would be fair to say though if I'm as head by a bunch I may tale some flyers that otherwise I may not especially if I'm down by a lot. And I am a believer that when you are close to finishing someone off you do need to really go in for that kill even when it's risky.

You didn't mention what game but I'm guessing your talking 9 ball. I play mostly one hole these days so there's a huge difference between a game of 9 ball or a game or one hole. Being one game ( can ) last a half hour or even a hour ( I personally hate those games lol ) and the sets are generally a lot shorter than that of 9 ball and the bet is generally much larger it's way worse to give away a game as compared to just a single game of 9 ball so that must be taken into consideration as well.

From what you said it sounds like you're having trouble closing out the wins? That kinda sounds like you're lacking or losing the killer instinct. That just boils down to a concentration issue. Could be from a plethora of reasons but the most common I'd say is getting tired and or losing interest. If it's getting tired you're just gonna have to do whatever it takes to combat that. If it's losing interest than you need to jack the bet up substantially from whatever you are currently betting, to the point you're really gonna feel it if you lose . By putting yourself in that position you definitely should be able to keep interest and it will ( should ) invoke the killer instinct you may be lacking.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the responses all, this is what I'm dealing with. It can't be tiredness because it happens in the first match of a tournament as well as the later rounds when I make it that far. I guess it's laziness / carelessness although I try to be aware of that and stay focused...

My best guess is I need more action and pressure situations to get repetition in bearing down over and over as well as playing my game the way I play regardless of the score. Sometimes I'll take more chances if I'm up and I think that is contributing..

Thanks again - looking for more insight...
 
Saw someone giving up the call 8 the other day. 2-2 race to 5. Misses a straight in 8, and not see the table rest of set. Changing because of score is a good way to get beat, unless maybe you are playing more jam up safeties. Too easy to take a chance, miss it, and next thing you know it is hill hill.
 
WillyCornbread said:
Let's say you are up 4-0 in a race to 6, do you shoot more aggressively or try to maintain the same strategy that got you there?

What if you were the one down 0-4?

Lastly, does the length of the race also factor in for you?

Thanks for your 2 cents :) I'm struggling lately with allowing people back in after getting a lead on them, and trying to figure out if it's just laziness creeping in or if it's because I'm 'going for the kill' too often...
Click to expand...

I'd maintain what got me there until something tells me otherwise. What you don't go is get too cocky and think you're ability grew just because you're up. Lots of things happen in pool.

As a guy whose been down 4-0 in a race to 5 and won, it can be done. You safety play the hell out of them then it gets in their head and you trickle by and next thing you're even.,.
 
LeftyIke said:
I was taught that in One-Pocket,for example,you should play cautiously to protect the Lead,but shoot more aggressively if you are behind.
Click to expand...
That's a different situation since your present shot leads into future shots. The best chance to win the game when you are 6-1 behind at one pocket may well be a 25% shot that will leave a good chance at a run out by spreading the remaining cluster towards your pocket. It would be a mistake to play the same shot with the lead.

At nine ball each game is independent of the previous games (or very nearly so). You have to choose the best strategy to win the current game and that does not depend on the score.

Some players get flashy and take chances when they have a big lead. It's not the way that gives the best chance of winning unless the player plays better in show-off mode. Like a front-runner.
 
A lot of it depends on the game and who has the break. I have played a lot lately doing alternating break. Which kind of keeps people from running away with a match.

I have found that when I am way up. I have a tendency to take a few shots very casual or go for something that I knew was low percentage. Both of those have either cost me a win or made me come close to losing.

The best strategy is to keep doing what you were doing. Be consistent and remember you are playing the table. Don't let up and take things too causal.
 
Choosing the right gear is certainly a skill. It gets better with experience. It's also often also too easy to be blinded by hindsight. Play the low percentage match winning shot and make it and follow up - you got it right. Don't make it and be punished - you got it wrong. Aside from that, even the very best occasionally make the wrong shot selection under pressure. As for the rest of us - well I occasionally get it wrong under pressure but also sometimes get it wrong because I am being an idiot.

Generally I agree, you should just play your game.
 
WillyCornbread said:
Let's say you are up 4-0 in a race to 6, do you shoot more aggressively or try to maintain the same strategy that got you there?

What if you were the one down 0-4?

Lastly, does the length of the race also factor in for you?

Thanks for your 2 cents :) I'm struggling lately with allowing people back in after getting a lead on them, and trying to figure out if it's just laziness creeping in or if it's because I'm 'going for the kill' too often...
Click to expand...
Sometimes it's easy to lose concentration and focus once you have a comfortable lead in a race. This can be very dangerous, even against weaker opponents. Once you have established a big lead in a set, it's even more critical to keep the pedal to the metal and finish off the set asap. If the trailing player wins a game or two, it only puts more pressure on you not to choke away the big lead you've built up, and momentum can do funny things in a match, no different than any other sporting events.

From the other perspective, as the trailing player, you're just trying to do everything you can, taking it one shot at a time, trying to win that next game, to try to start to plant the seed of doubt in the mind of the player whose has the big lead in the set - who is feeling increased tension not to blow their lead.

In a close back and forth set, those negative thoughts never seem to enter your mind near as much as they do in a match that one player jumps out to a big lead in.
 
Interesting

Great responses thanks again...

I'd have to say it's a combination of losing focus and actively changing my shot selection. I do this too much and need to start looking at it differently in that situation.

Good discussion,

b
 
Never give daylight!! Especially when ahead....it stinks sitting in the chair!

Td
 
The answer is obviously a yes it changes for anyone. I think people get too caught up with giving an answer you want to hear.

When you're in the lead, and you're feeling it, your percentage for shooting cetains shots will increase. When you're behind, suddenly the certain shots will feel like someone is squeezing your nutz in a vice, so you might tend to go the cinch route.

This is reality, not fantasy. I think you deserved the reality answer. But I'm sure people will tell me how full of shit I am.


Freddie <~~~ for reals
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top