Winning 8-Ball Strategy and Techniques … How to Play Smart

dr_dave

dr_dave

Instructional Author
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FYI, I just posted a new video showing breaks, run-outs, and shots from three recent 8-ball practice sessions on a both a 9’ table and 7’ “bar boxes.” Included are good examples of many important strategies and techniques for playing winning 8-ball. Enjoy! Check it out:


Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:42 - Centered Break
2:08 - 2nd-Ball Break
3:31 - Shot and Strategy Examples
9:47 - 9' Table B&Rs
11:42 - "Bar Box" 7' Table B&Rs
13:45 - More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
 
My number1 strategy in 8 ball is, don't make a ball unless I have a plan to make them all. The plan to make them all starts with dealing with problems first. In the event that the run out isn't happening I want more soldiers on the table to control the battle field.
My plan often requires revision, I call it "new pocket new plan". Each revision still requires a plan to make them all or duck and hide immediately.
 
gregcantrall said:
My number1 strategy in 8 ball is, don't make a ball unless I have a plan to make them all. The plan to make them all starts with dealing with problems first. In the event that the run out isn't happening I want more soldiers on the table to control the battle field.
My plan often requires revision, I call it "new pocket new plan". Each revision still requires a plan to make them all or duck and hide immediately.
Click to expand...

The problem for many people is they almost always think they can run out.
 
dr_dave said:
The problem for many people is they almost always think they can run out.
Click to expand...
The problem is the run out plan is not well thought out. Kind of a Polly Anna approach. Taking the ducks with no plan to liberation of balls that are trapped or stuck in traffic.
Creating break out balls and angles to liberate problem balls early is an 8 ball strategy that pays dividends.
I get a warm fuzzy feeling watching my opponent run all the easy balls then study the problem balls with diminished soldiers on the field of friendly strife.
 
gregcantrall said:
The problem is the run out plan is not well thought out. Kind of a Polly Anna approach. Taking the ducks with no plan to liberation of balls that are trapped or stuck in traffic.
Creating break out balls and angles to liberate problem balls early is an 8 ball strategy that pays dividends.
I get a warm fuzzy feeling watching my opponent run all the easy balls then study the problem balls with diminished soldiers on the field of friendly strife.
Click to expand...

I love that “warm and fuzzy feeling” too!

I also love safely bumping opponent balls into trouble while doing my runout work, just as insurance (and for fun).
 
gregcantrall said:
My number1 strategy in 8 ball is, don't make a ball unless I have a plan to make them all.
Click to expand...
Exactly !
gregcantrall said:
The plan to make them all starts with dealing with problems first.
Click to expand...
I categorize the ball groupings into a key ball, those I want to make early, those to be made later.
The key ball is the one used to get position on the 8-ball to win. So, thoughts start by "how do I make the last 2 balls".
Then the thoughts turn to "how do I get on the key ball" ?
Then the thoughts turn to "how do I get to part 2" ?

If there is no path to completion, then I start looking for where and when to get a lock-up-safety.
gregcantrall said:
In the event that the run out isn't happening I want more soldiers on the table to control the battle field.
My plan often requires revision, I call it "new pocket new plan".
Click to expand...
I re-evaluate my plan after each shot.
gregcantrall said:
Each revision still requires a plan to make them all or duck and hide immediately.
Click to expand...
 
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