Is your best game one you actually don't prefer?
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I play a team in apa masters they always pick 9 ball first and they ride the 9 every chance they get lol so disrespectful to the game to me but It hurts them more then helps so whatever lolLet's hear it for the "Cheese Rollers"!!!
Ding, ding, ding.
My only caveat is that in 8B you need to learn to play with "out" balls. If you've got a tough shot you need to be able to figure out how to approach it so if you get out of line you have those options. That's not luck, that's skill. One of my pet peeve's is watching people whack balls that are locked up or try to break out balls that don't need to be broken out. If you know the tangent line well, you can figure out where balls are going to go when you break them out.
Agreed. Like most, I would go for the cheese when I started playing 9B in the 80's but eventually I learned it's generally not the highest percentage shot, sometimes the highest percentage shot is a safe, or run a few balls and play safe, or the run. I can't tell you how many times I've ran out the table and someone will say, why didn't you just go for the nine?
Going for the cheese all the time is not a winning strategy.
I used to take the other tack sometimes, ride the nine just because I knew it pissed my opponent off!(grin)
Hu
sudocrushms
Well-known member
Friends and i used to call that "whack-a-nine". We'd play it like carrom for giggles: goal was to make the 9, but had to move it on every shot or it was a foul. Some crazy and bizarre shots played in those games. I've also seen people that just play 9B like that...
I
am not saying that 8 ball doesn’t require skill . I get what your saying but that’s an easier option then 9 ball as well. I have a tough shot so I play to the cue ball in this big area because I know I’ll have options and then build my run from there. You don’t have that option in rotation. I just always felt you can play average position and play good 8 ball and that doesn’t work for rotation. 8 ball is about finding the path of least resistance and patience. But there is still plenty to learn from the game and I do enjoy playing it.
Well that wouldn’t work with me lol it doesn’t piss me off. It tells me I’m the more skilled player so just do what I do and It will take care of itself lol
Never pisses me off either. Riding the nine usually involved rearranging the furniture every shot when they missed too. For a short time a long long time ago I let the crap of resetting pretty much the entire table every time they shot annoy the hell out of me. One night it dawned on me to accept riding the nine and wrecking the table as just their style. Once I accepted I was probably going to see a new world every time I got to the table life was much less stressful.
I always note what stresses the other player unduly. Nobody likes shooting from against the rail but some people go on absolute tilt if you freeze the cue ball against the rail over and over. That is why I always say play the table but play the other player too. Like riding the nine, some people are addicted to the jump cue. Unless they jump really well I am going to be generous and give them lots of jump shots!
Hu-
Agreed, I don't care if they ride the nine and rearrange the furniture, when I approach the table the CB will be in a different place anyways and therefore, it's a whole new situation. I used to get mad at slop and/or slop leaves but not anymore, again, it's simply a new situation every time I get to the table - there's nothing I can do when sitting in the chair.
And same thing on the jump cue, there aren't too many amateurs who can jump a ball and control the CB afterwards, I say go for it, maybe they get lucky or maybe I get lucky with the leave or BIH, usually the latter.
That was meant as a dig. Sarcasm.
If you can blow a guy's cool by rollin em around, and I know a few that hate that shit, I say go for it. Depending on circumstances of course.
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
I like to do it against certain people. Some folks, especially the "10B is a game without luck" crowd. It's funny watching them seethe. The best part is it's always a 2 way shot (thanks 1P!) so they come to the table just hooked. It's really easy to get some folks to believe in luck.
sudocrushms
Well-known member
I watch *a lot* of pro matches, especially while i'm sitting in a taproom. Practically everyone looking over my shoulder: "that was lucky" over and over. Trying to explain shot percentages and 2 way shots is a good way to get people to leave you alone...I like to do it against certain people. Some folks, especially the "10B is a game without luck" crowd. It's funny watching them seethe. The best part is it's always a 2 way shot (thanks 1P!) so they come to the table just hooked. It's really easy to get some folks to believe in luck.
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
Another one is running into balls. A lot of times if you can hit an additional ball on a particular side, or solidly in the center, it's a great way to get shape after making a ball, or to play a safe, re-arrange problem balls, etc. A lot of times people get caught up on the old adage "never hit a ball that's make-able," but sometimes it's the best way to get shape and you can control where the ball goes when hitting it. Yes, stuff can go wrong, but it's a percentage choice like anything else.I watch *a lot* of pro matches, especially while i'm sitting in a taproom. Practically everyone looking over my shoulder: "that was lucky" over and over. Trying to explain shot percentages and 2 way shots is a good way to get people to leave you alone...
I mean, why flirt with a scratch in the side or something if you can instead run the CB into a blocker? It's just one of those things... many people "get" it but others think you just get so lucky.
tomatoshooter
Well-known member
Some guy codified it and calls that texas one shot. It's fun to play different games because you have to think differently and they emphasize different skills.
Billiards | Texas One Shot(TM)
An exciting new form of 9-Ball aiming for Olympic play. Carom is king in this game. The 9-Ball is the focus in every aspect of this game. Move the 9 to shoot again and make it to Win! Remember to spot the 9 when you set the unique rack. The Texas Hold'em of Pool! TX1Shot.com
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Yeah man I know lol it’s a pool forum. I try not to take it to serious
I played a guy at my local hall that's a Mark Wilson groupie. All psr, medium talent. Very anal retentive. (Mark is a friend of mine. Don't get the wrong idea.)I like to do it against certain people. Some folks, especially the "10B is a game without luck" crowd. It's funny watching them seethe. The best part is it's always a 2 way shot (thanks 1P!) so they come to the table just hooked. It's really easy to get some folks to believe in luck.
Anyhoo, I use my own chalk. Masters. He uses some Predator type I think. (All his gear is 'hello kitty.' lol.) He asked about my chalk and why I used it.
Told this clown I used Masters bcuz my chalk was ancient and had lead in it. Smoother application.
He just sneered.
Bit later I accidentally knocked a piece off the table that bounced off his leg b4 it hit the floor.
Dude jumped out of his chair and shot into the John like his pants were on fire and his ass was catchin'!!
I hate to laugh at others' behavior, poor taste, ya know, but I couldn't hold in that chuckle!! Neither could the guys on both sides of us who knew him and me and about my lead-based chalk!!
Some guys just rattle easy.
Geoge Fel's has a good sequence rule in his Mastering Pool. He says, "Whenever possible".Another one is running into balls. A lot of times if you can hit an additional ball on a particular side, or solidly in the center, it's a great way to get shape after making a ball, or to play a safe, re-arrange problem balls, etc. A lot of times people get caught up on the old adage "never hit a ball that's make-able," but sometimes it's the best way to get shape and you can control where the ball goes when hitting it. Yes, stuff can go wrong, but it's a percentage choice like anything else.
I mean, why flirt with a scratch in the side or something if you can instead run the CB into a blocker? It's just one of those things... many people "get" it but others think you just get so lucky.
I like to do it against certain people. Some folks, especially the "10B is a game without luck" crowd. It's funny watching them seethe. The best part is it's always a 2 way shot (thanks 1P!) so they come to the table just hooked. It's really easy to get some folks to believe in luck.
I've done that my entire career. It's just another very useful part of the game you need in your arsenal.Another one is running into balls. A lot of times if you can hit an additional ball on a particular side, or solidly in the center, it's a great way to get shape after making a ball, or to play a safe, re-arrange problem balls, etc. A lot of times people get caught up on the old adage "never hit a ball that's make-able," but sometimes it's the best way to get shape and you can control where the ball goes when hitting it. Yes, stuff can go wrong, but it's a percentage choice like anything else.
I mean, why flirt with a scratch in the side or something if you can instead run the CB into a blocker? It's just one of those things... many people "get" it but others think you just get so lucky.
tomatoshooter
Well-known member
Especially if the balls are close, it's a good way to stop the cue ball.