14.1 position play rules of thumb

wigglybridge

wigglybridge

14.1 straight pool!
Silver Member
here are the 10 basic rules of thumb for 14.1 position play:

1. if there is any possibility that the cueball will scratch, it will.

2. if there is simply no possibility whatsover that the cueball can scratch, it will.

3. if for some reason the cueball fails to scratch, it must hang in such a way as to be hooked.

4. the cueball will pass through gaps narrower than the width of one ball, especially if said gap leads uptable and results in no available shot.

5. when 3 balls remain on the table, shooting the key-to-the-key will result in the cueball crashing into the keyball and/or break ball; no new break ball is created, and both remaining balls will be unplayable.

6. if only 2 balls remain on the table:
(a) the cueball will freeze against the keyball. or break ball. or both.
or
(b) the keyball will be hidden from any available pockets by the break ball. either ball can be played, directly or via combination, so long as the remaining ball is not itself useable as a break ball.

7. in the event of a pattern of 2 or more stop shots leading to a perfect break ball, a miscue will occur.

8. bank shots are bad form in straight pool, so any successful bank shots will result in the cueball being frozen to the pack.

9. opening the rack on a breakshot where no remaining object balls touch will generally involve no ball having an open pocket. if an object ball has an open pocket, it must be at least a 60 degree back cut of table length or greater, and lead directly to a scratch.

10. in match play, none of these rules shall apply to your opponent.


please let me know if i've missed any.
 
Lol

That's funny....I totally agree with all that!
I played a match today. I think all 10 rules took place.
 
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excellent list, Mills

i also enjoy my opponent missing his break shot, resulting in a completely shattered rack, no two balls touching-- except the ball which is frozen to the cue ball, pinning it to the rail, leaving neither a legitimate shot nor a viable safe. a day of 14.1 wouldn't be complete without it.

regards, jim
 
wigglybridge said:
here are the 10 basic rules of thumb for 14.1 position play:

1. if there is any possibility that the cueball will scratch, it will.

2. if there is simply no possibility whatsover that the cueball can scratch, it will.

3. if for some reason the cueball fails to scratch, it must hang in such a way as to be hooked.

4. the cueball will pass through gaps narrower than the width of one ball, especially if said gap leads uptable and results in no available shot.

5. when 3 balls remain on the table, shooting the key-to-the-key will result in the cueball crashing into the keyball and/or break ball; no new break ball is created, and both remaining balls will be unplayable.

6. if only 2 balls remain on the table:
(a) the cueball will freeze against the keyball. or break ball. or both.
or
(b) the keyball will be hidden from any available pockets by the break ball. either ball can be played, directly or via combination, so long as the remaining ball is not itself useable as a break ball.

7. in the event of a pattern of 2 or more stop shots leading to a perfect break ball, a miscue will occur.

8. bank shots are bad form in straight pool, so any successful bank shots will result in the cueball being frozen to the pack.

9. opening the rack on a breakshot where no remaining object balls touch will generally involve no ball having an open pocket. if an object ball has an open pocket, it must be at least a 60 degree back cut of table length or greater, and lead directly to a scratch.

10. in match play, none of these rules shall apply to your opponent.


please let me know if i've missed any.
Click to expand...


Rule #4 just happened to me this past week at league, i was taking a secondary breakshot into a cluster of about 10 or 11 balls. had a ginormous target...but guess what, the CB found the only possible path through those balls untouched and ended all the way up table against the rail.
I was fortunate enough to have a wired ball in that stack which i hadnt seen before i played the breakout.....crushed the stack and nailed the shot, only to go ahead and miss the very next shot.

I think you have to add an amendment to the rules here and add this.

Rule #11 - Missing a no brainer after playing an amazing pack shot, now that you are out of the woods !!! LOL:grin-square:


-Steve
 
rule #11, totally, Steve!

your first one sounds like that run of Danny Harriman's, was it like 199? and the cue ball finds a kiss to make it through a gap it shouldn't have and scratched in the corner.

if life is a beech, sometimes 14.1 is a son-of-a-beech.
 
10 worst

Wow, what a terrible affliction to have. One thing I have learned in playing this game is that the player controls the balls, not the other way around.....well, most of the time. I notice when I'm in a good practice session, I have an easier time visualizing and executing. When in a match, it becomes more difficult. This is because our comfort zone is somewhat compromised by the competition. And many times, if a player is being challenged by a better player, or the lay of the balls is tough.....we tend to lose our ability to focus on the most simple objective: Physical technique. I have had a few good runs ended by hitting the balls a little to softly. Having said that......as far as getting locked up goes......I always add a little umpf when going into a cluster. That helps when I'm in competition. But, I will concede that.....when I get sewed up......my first reaction is to take it VERY personally. I really think the evil balls did it to me.
 
Here in Medford we have a straight pool league and I am posting Bob's list with additions on the bulletin board.

I reworded Steve Kurtz's addition to match the tone of Bob's list:

11. Directly after playing an amazing pack shot to get out of the woods, you will immediately miss a complete no brainer.

And, one of my favorites:

12. After making difficult shot after difficult shot to finally get out of the woods, you will miss the shot that gets you out of the woods, leaving all the gravy for your opponent.
 
Dave Nelson said:
The cue ball will enter a side pocket at an angle impossible for an object ball.

Dave Nelson
Click to expand...

Yeah, what's up with that one Dave? And it always seems to go in swish! Amazing, isn't it?

I'm my own worst enemy when I play, so I always shoot before I'm ready. That way I'm pretty sure I can fool myself before I figure out a way to miss. :scratchhead:
 
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