It depends on the type game but usually I play the table but my shot selection
and how I play the shot contemplates my opponent’s skills. Obviously straight
pool and one pocket are uniques games but 8, 9 & 10 ball are basically alike.
You can pocket any object ball but where you want to place the cue ball afterward
decides how you play the shot. Sometimes trying to get shape winds up jawing the
pocket and you surrender the table. You used too much English or speed or cut and
the OB jaws the pocket wiggling. But if you played the shot just to make the ball as
if it was the last OB in the game, you’d have played it differently since shape did not
matter and only avoiding a scratch is on your mind. Example: center ball cut shot vs.
a low left hand English draw stoke. You can pocket balls more easily when shape is
not on your mind and just accept the results on the table.
If my opponent has the ability to run the table, what number do I assign to him or her?
Again, 10 ball as an example. How many times will my opponent run out from the break,
from the 2 ball, 4 ball etc. I realize the table lay after the break largely decides the runout
difficulty. Balls may or may not be touching, frozen, on opposite rails, etc. so that also has
to be factored in but if my opponent doesn’t command my respect that they can run the table
from say the 3 ball versus say the 5 ball (on average), then I am a little more aggressive with
my shots and position play until the table approaches the number of balls I regard as their table
runout danger zone. So instead of playing a safety early in the match, I’ll go for the hard shot as
long as it not within the rating I assigned to the player. I mean if your opponent usually only runs
4-5 balls, I am a little more bold when there’s still 7, 8, 9 balls left in the rack. Again, always take
into consideration how the table lays because even a blind squirrel still finds the occasional acorn.
Your opponent may only average 4-5 balls but remember it an average. That means sometimes he
runs less and other times he runs more. So you never know when they might get lucky with the table.
If I am playing for practice, then I play the table exclusively and when I miss, I reset the shot or start
a new rack. I also incorporate practicing safety play and then see if I can pocket that same shot. But
in actual play, it’s a combination of playing the table as much as my opponent. It’s really sorta blended.
Matt B.