14.1 strategy

javi2

javi2

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi,
I'm looking for some insight as to how I should play others in terms of skill level. I know I should be playing the table but I think it's different in straight pool where you're playing with a handicap.

Example #1: : I am new to a straight pool league. If I must make 55 points and my opponent must make 100 points ( he is a better player), how would you play him? Safe until you have a few shots that your most likely to make and then safe again? Or, aggressively in order to keep up with him, taking more chances?

Example # 2: I must make 55 before my opponent must make 30. Pick one off here and there, then safe him, making him have to be aggressive then hopefully capitalizing on his mistakes? Or should I come out "guns a blazing" to try to finish him off early?

All of the above, depending on the game?

What are some of the strategy's YOU use in similar circumstances?

Thanks.
 
I would concentrate on playing your game at first - whatever type of game you play (aggressive or defensive oriented) - as the league progresses you will get to learn your opponents style of play and then adjust your game if you can.
 
It's all about how the balls lie when you come to the table. In that respect, it's different than One Pocket, which can be both an offensive and defensive game at the same time. If you don't have a shot then you have to find a decent safety. If you have a shot, how many can you get before you have to play safe. Unless you're stalling to get a bet up I can't see not going all out to win.
 
javi2 said:
... I must make 55 before my opponent must make 30. Pick one off here and there, then safe him, making him have to be aggressive then hopefully capitalizing on his mistakes? ...
Click to expand...
I think you mostly have to stick to your normal play. The exception comes when you get to safety play. Often lower-ranked players don't understand safety play and will make strategic mistakes. As the game gets more unbalanced, say they have made some and you need 50 while they need 13, taking fouls is a good strategy for you. Each of their scratches is more expensive to them that yours are to you.
 
I see what you guys are saying. That's been my usually approach . The last two guys I played were all out aggressive in their play to the point where they would hit into a stack of 8-10 balls in an attempt to have one come out and carrom into a hanger that was sitting in the corner pocket. Not a dead shot either, but it worked. All the balls broke open leaving some nice shots. Now I would have played safe there. These are not better players, just very aggressive when playing and not shooting very many safes. Now they get a decent lead, and I change my game to take more risky shots......very frustrating!
 
If I'm playing a weaker player I tend to play a little more conservatively. I don't want to shoot, say, a long break shot that is miss-able.
 
Dan White said:
If I'm playing a weaker player I tend to play a little more conservatively. I don't want to shoot, say, a long break shot that is miss-able.
Click to expand...


That's interesting. If I'm playing a weaker player, I'll take more chances. Not flyers, but I'll go into clusters more aggressively if the penalty is only going to be less than a rack. If there is a 70% shot or a good safety available, I'll more than likely take the shot. If I have more innings because I'm playing a weaker player, I'm more likely to catch a gear and hit him with a 50 or so.

On the other hand if I'm playing a stronger player, I may not go into ANY cluster without an insurance ball or two, and when I do it will be much softer and more precise. If there is any shot less than 85% or 90% when there is a good safety option, I'll never shoot the shot.

But ... I never played in a league with handicaps either so none of that may apply.
 
javi2 said:
Hi,
I'm looking for some insight as to how I should play others in terms of skill level. I know I should be playing the table but I think it's different in straight pool where you're playing with a handicap.

Example #1: : I am new to a straight pool league. If I must make 55 points and my opponent must make 100 points ( he is a better player), how would you play him? Safe until you have a few shots that your most likely to make and then safe again? Or, aggressively in order to keep up with him, taking more chances?

Example # 2: I must make 55 before my opponent must make 30. Pick one off here and there, then safe him, making him have to be aggressive then hopefully capitalizing on his mistakes? Or should I come out "guns a blazing" to try to finish him off early?

All of the above, depending on the game?

What are some of the strategy's YOU use in similar circumstances?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi there.
First i ve to say that i never played a handicap tournament and so i ve also no expirience with such handicap leagues.
The Art of strategy just comes as time goes by. Means to play as often as possible Vs good players, better players and those with similar skill levels.
Ih straight Pool you learn so much by sitting in the electric chair like in no other game(my strong opinion)!

You First have to know what you exactly want: to use this league to really learn as much as you can or to win every Match no matter how.
The far greater amount of the *Not so expirienced* players have anyway a Problem to play the game correct. To make the right decision, to choose the right pattern.......to play safety........or even to be able to *rate yourself*.
The Most runs end because a player Made a wrong decision a few balls earlier in the rack. Sounds a Bit eeasy....but imo a fact.

So my advice is usually to new players us always to observe what the other does and make your thoughts. Ask EVERYONE after a game why, how etc he Made shots.
If you just want to makeyour opponent having a hard time by shooting each makeable ball into the pockets just to finally leave no shot....well: here you have to make a decision: Do you want to learn and want to play the game correct.......or Do you want to end as One of *those typical destroyers* who will play the Same skill Level for years,

1.) Always try to play the game correct
2.) Always play by percentages
3.) Always leave the table after the Match as a BETTER PLAYER

Use the league to increase your game and enjoy every Minute of expirience.



Hope my english wasn t too Bad and that the Most things Made Sense for you.
:-)

Typing is hard with a Mobile 7 o clck in the morning before my First coffee.

Have asmooth stroke

LG from overseas
Ingo

Gesendet von meinem GT-P5110 mit Tapatalk 2
 
Ratta said:
Hi there.
First i ve to say that i never played a handicap tournament and so i ve also no expirience with such handicap leagues.
The Art of strategy just comes as time goes by. Means to play as often as possible Vs good players, better players and those with similar skill levels.
Ih straight Pool you learn so much by sitting in the electric chair like in no other game(my strong opinion)!

You First have to know what you exactly want: to use this league to really learn as much as you can or to win every Match no matter how.
The far greater amount of the *Not so expirienced* players have anyway a Problem to play the game correct. To make the right decision, to choose the right pattern.......to play safety........or even to be able to *rate yourself*.
The Most runs end because a player Made a wrong decision a few balls earlier in the rack. Sounds a Bit eeasy....but imo a fact.

So my advice is usually to new players us always to observe what the other does and make your thoughts. Ask EVERYONE after a game why, how etc he Made shots.
If you just want to makeyour opponent having a hard time by shooting each makeable ball into the pockets just to finally leave no shot....well: here you have to make a decision: Do you want to learn and want to play the game correct.......or Do you want to end as One of *those typical destroyers* who will play the Same skill Level for years,

1.) Always try to play the game correct
2.) Always play by percentages
3.) Always leave the table after the Match as a BETTER PLAYER

Use the league to increase your game and enjoy every Minute of expirience.



Hope my english wasn t too Bad and that the Most things Made Sense for you.
:-)

Typing is hard with a Mobile 7 o clck in the morning before my First coffee.

Have asmooth stroke

LG from overseas
Ingo

Gesendet von meinem GT-P5110 mit Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...

Ingo,
Your English is just fine! And your advice is even better. I think I need to change my approach to this game. What you said made sense and I'll be applying it to my game. I'll let you guys know how things work out.

Thanks again,
JC
 
Pushout said:
It's all about how the balls lie when you come to the table. In that respect, it's different than One Pocket, which can be both an offensive and defensive game at the same time. If you don't have a shot then you have to find a decent safety. If you have a shot, how many can you get before you have to play safe. Unless you're stalling to get a bet up I can't see not going all out to win.
Click to expand...

I saw an interview with Irving Crane and he said exactly that. He never played the opponent, he just played the layout of the balls. He said if he started thinking about who he was playing it would throw his game off.
 
Ratta said:
Hi there.
First i ve to say that i never played a handicap tournament and so i ve also no expirience with such handicap leagues.
The Art of strategy just comes as time goes by. Means to play as often as possible Vs good players, better players and those with similar skill levels.
Ih straight Pool you learn so much by sitting in the electric chair like in no other game(my strong opinion)!

You First have to know what you exactly want: to use this league to really learn as much as you can or to win every Match no matter how.
The far greater amount of the *Not so expirienced* players have anyway a Problem to play the game correct. To make the right decision, to choose the right pattern.......to play safety........or even to be able to *rate yourself*.
The Most runs end because a player Made a wrong decision a few balls earlier in the rack. Sounds a Bit eeasy....but imo a fact.

So my advice is usually to new players us always to observe what the other does and make your thoughts. Ask EVERYONE after a game why, how etc he Made shots.
If you just want to makeyour opponent having a hard time by shooting each makeable ball into the pockets just to finally leave no shot....well: here you have to make a decision: Do you want to learn and want to play the game correct.......or Do you want to end as One of *those typical destroyers* who will play the Same skill Level for years,

1.) Always try to play the game correct
2.) Always play by percentages
3.) Always leave the table after the Match as a BETTER PLAYER

Use the league to increase your game and enjoy every Minute of expirience.



Hope my english wasn t too Bad and that the Most things Made Sense for you.
:-)

Typing is hard with a Mobile 7 o clck in the morning before my First coffee.

Have asmooth stroke

LG from overseas
Ingo

Gesendet von meinem GT-P5110 mit Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...

What Ingo said makes sense. Do you want to just get the win or do you want to improve your straight pool game? If the latter, then you will try to play the right way, no matter your opponent. You may lose a few matches you could have won, but your overall game will probably improve.

One of the things I saw in the handicapped leagues at Red Shoes and Illinois Billiard Club was some players who never seemed to improve. They did the same thing all the time. Their handicaps always stayed around the same level. Some of them would pick off break balls prematurely to prevent their opponent from getting them. Pick a few balls, and play safe. I got to the point where I tried to play right no matter what, tried to develop a pattern to get on a break shot and then shoot it, damn the consequences.

Finally, I started a non-handicapped league even though I knew there would be plenty of tough players that would get the best of some of us. We thought at first maybe 10 or so would join. We had 26 the first session and 30 this session. But I digress....:wink:
 
dmgwalsh said:
What Ingo said makes sense. Do you want to just get the win or do you want to improve your straight pool game? If the latter, then you will try to play the right way, no matter your opponent. You may lose a few matches you could have won, but your overall game will probably improve.

One of the things I saw in the handicapped leagues at Red Shoes and Illinois Billiard Club was some players who never seemed to improve. They did the same thing all the time. Their handicaps always stayed around the same level. Some of them would pick off break balls prematurely to prevent their opponent from getting them. Pick a few balls, and play safe. I got to the point where I tried to play right no matter what, tried to develop a pattern to get on a break shot and then shoot it, damn the consequences.

Finally, I started a non-handicapped league even though I knew there would be plenty of tough players that would get the best of some of us. We thought at first maybe 10 or so would join. We had 26 the first session and 30 this session. But I digress....:wink:
Click to expand...
Great points. Totally in agreement with you and Ingo.
 
javi2 said:
Hi,

Example #1: : I am new to a straight pool league. If I must make 55 points and my opponent must make 100 points ( he is a better player), how would you play him? Safe until you have a few shots that your most likely to make and then safe again? Or, aggressively in order to keep up with him, taking more chances?
Click to expand...

Bob made a good point. When playing better players you're going to have a very hard time coming out on top in a safety battle.
When you are playing safe, instead of always trying to leave no shot, look for opportunities to leave them a difficult shot. They're apt to take it figuring the penalty for missing may not be that great. If they miss it can lead to you getting some good chances at an open rack.

Another thing mentioned a couple times is trying to play the game correctly. This is very important if you wish to improve.
Right now you may not know exactly how to go about that. There are multiply factors but probably the most important is choosing the correct shot. This often entails leaving your comfort zone and shooting shots you're not entirely comfortable with.
Setting goals is helpful in leading you to the right shot. Ask yourself what you need to do to make the rack easier.
In partially open racks imagine you have ball in hand. Where would you place the CB? Once determined, then look for the quickest, most efficient way of getting to that spot. Doing that will point you toward shots which lead towards dealing with problems and accomplishing goals instead of just leading to another open shot.
Maybe haven't answered your original question very well but my opinion is the best strategy is to become a better player. I'd rather be the one going to 100 than the one going to 55.
 
alstl said:
I saw an interview with Irving Crane and he said exactly that. He never played the opponent, he just played the layout of the balls. He said if he started thinking about who he was playing it would throw his game off.
Click to expand...
I think this is mostly good advice, but...

In league against weaker players I don't think this holds. Crane was mostly playing against people who knew the strategy. In league, there are lots of players who have not yet learned when to take an intentional and simply lag the cue ball up to the end rail. If I'm on the first foul with a full rack, they will try to clip the edge. Crane didn't play people like that.
 
I play pretty much the same regardless of my opponent. If I have a choice between a hanger and a reasonable chance to break open a rack, I'm going to break the rack. Not a whole lot of strategy involved other than trying to stay on the table as long as possible and not selling out with a low percentage shot. If I miss a reasonable break shot, so be it. You'll get better at making them if you take more of them.

About the only time I consider my opponent is during safety play. I know some guys have a conservative tendency and pass up those 50/50 shots. I can get a little more aggressive with safeties and knock a few more balls loose knowing they won't go for them and I'll be in better shape if I break out of the safety battle. If the guy's a good shot maker or super aggressive my safeties get more conservative and I try to avoid leaving them any kind of shot. The aggressive guy might try to make something out of nothing and that's often to my advantage.
 
Bob Jewett said:
I think this is mostly good advice, but...

In league against weaker players I don't think this holds. Crane was mostly playing against people who knew the strategy. In league, there are lots of players who have not yet learned when to take an intentional and simply lag the cue ball up to the end rail. If I'm on the first foul with a full rack, they will try to clip the edge. Crane didn't play people like that.
Click to expand...

Valid points and you clearly are a better player than I. In a handicapped league that makes sense. The downside I see is you could develop some bad habits and have trouble shifting to a higher gear against better players.
 
3andstop said:
That's interesting. If I'm playing a weaker player, I'll take more chances. Not flyers, but I'll go into clusters more aggressively if the penalty is only going to be less than a rack. If there is a 70% shot or a good safety available, I'll more than likely take the shot. If I have more innings because I'm playing a weaker player, I'm more likely to catch a gear and hit him with a 50 or so.

On the other hand if I'm playing a stronger player, I may not go into ANY cluster without an insurance ball or two, and when I do it will be much softer and more precise. If there is any shot less than 85% or 90% when there is a good safety option, I'll never shoot the shot.

But ... I never played in a league with handicaps either so none of that may apply.
Click to expand...

The handicap changes everything. Of course if we both need 100 and he can only run 10 max, then I'm shooting every trick shot in the book. If I need 100 and he needs 30, then I'm not going to hand him balls to pick off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top