8-ball or 9-ball: What's Your Preference?

Zphix

Zphix

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was at the poolhall today for about 6 hours - constantly playing racks, drills, etc. and anyway, I was going to post this the other day but I forgot until I was playing today.

What's your preference between 8 ball and 9 ball? What's your strongest game?

My reflection on both:

8-ball pros: You get more options on which ball to play next, and if you get out of line you have a much greater chance to still play good position shots ahead

8-ball cons: I think playing safeties are a bit harder because it's much harder to take away every ball your opponent has, and there are more clusters usually because more balls are on the table.

9-ball pros: Takes away a lot of the thinking aspect (at least for me anyway) because you have to shoot in order. For me, it only becomes a matter of how to get from ball to ball. Safeties are a lot easier because you have to shoot balls in order. 9-ball combos are a bonus as well.

9-ball cons: I actually don't have any personal cons for 9-ball, unless somebody lists some that I agree with I really can't think of any that I have lol.

So, while I play 8-ball in the APA, I'd love to join a 9-ball league to see how I stack up against everybody. I'm quite confident that my 9-ball game is at least 2 SLs higher than my 8-ball SL.

What are your guys' thoughts on the matter?
 
Zphix said:
I was at the poolhall today for about 6 hours - constantly playing racks, drills, etc. and anyway, I was going to post this the other day but I forgot until I was playing today.

What's your preference between 8 ball and 9 ball? What's your strongest game?

My reflection on both:

8-ball pros: You get more options on which ball to play next, and if you get out of line you have a much greater chance to still play good position shots ahead

8-ball cons: I think playing safeties are a bit harder because it's much harder to take away every ball your opponent has, and there are more clusters usually because more balls are on the table.

9-ball pros: Takes away a lot of the thinking aspect (at least for me anyway) because you have to shoot in order. For me, it only becomes a matter of how to get from ball to ball. Safeties are a lot easier because you have to shoot balls in order. 9-ball combos are a bonus as well.

9-ball cons: I actually don't have any personal cons for 9-ball, unless somebody lists some that I agree with I really can't think of any that I have lol.

So, while I play 8-ball in the APA, I'd love to join a 9-ball league to see how I stack up against everybody. I'm quite confident that my 9-ball game is at least 2 SLs higher than my 8-ball SL.

What are your guys' thoughts on the matter?
Click to expand...

One con is the "heavy lifting" aspect.

I hate running 8 and losing and I also don't like making the 9 after another guys choke.

8 ball still requires you to make some sort of run no matter how easy in order to win.

I have gone back to 8 ball however 9 ball will always be harder
 
Personally I like 8ball better because it requires more thought. I have recently begun running out a lot more and it usually can be traced back to one particular shot in the rack where a cluster was broken up or perfect position was obtained. While I agree that if you miss in 8ball you usually have more options it can often be just as detrimental if you are attempting to play run out pool.

That being said I would have to highly disagree with you on the safety front. 9ball on a 9footer is very hard to play safeties on because the safeties usually involve multiple rails (there are safeties and then there are SAFETIES in 9ball). In 8ball the safeties generally involve much less speed control and banking knowledge but they do require more finesse and knowledge of the game... Well that's not even true... They require different knowledge of the game.
 
I don't dislike 8ball, but I like 9ball a lot more. I used to play straight pool mainly. I just like the faster pace of 9ball.

8ball, played at the upper levels is a really great game. Unlike what the bar bashers do, a serious 8ball player is probably a capable 1 hole player, too. They're both strategy games and the best shooter doesn't always win.

Best,
Mike
 
I like (and play) 8-ball better.

I do enjoy playing 9-ball, tho. I think playing both games improves the other.
 
poolhustler said:
Neither...... One Pocket = Greatest Game Ever !!!!!
Click to expand...

I cannot lie - I actually really love one pocket.

It'd be really nice to play with someone whose been at it most of their life so they can really whoop my ass. The people I've been playing are more experienced than me in one pocket but I've only lost twice so far.

I find that playing people significantly better than me really helps me learn.
 
If you play good 9 ball your going to play good 8 ball but if you play good 8 ball you won't necessarily play good 9 ball. I have people at apa say all the time they are higher ranked in 8 ball then in 9 and they don't know why. It's simple.. you have to have a higher understanding of position play and using the rails accurately in rotation pool .. 8 ball is more about finding the path of least resistance and if you blown position you still have other options to get out. I used to be one of those people to recognized this and devoted myself to play better position to become a better player. 8 ball became easy after that. That's why my answer is 9 ball.. I only play 8 ball at bca leagues or if thats what a tournament happens to be.
 
8 ball with out a doubt. I like the fact its generally more tactical, and that you have your set, the opponent has theirs. There is far more thinking involved which I like and safety play is a lot more complex.

On the other hand, if I can't stand playing UK 8 ball. It comes down to the rules that you use whether its an enjoyable game. There are two main rule sets used in UK 8 ball - World Rules and EPA...both are shocking. Blackball Rules are on the increase and are more closely related to American 8 ball which in my opinion is a good thing.
 
Zphix said:
I was at the poolhall today for about 6 hours - constantly playing racks, drills, etc. and anyway, I was going to post this the other day but I forgot until I was playing today.

What's your preference between 8 ball and 9 ball? What's your strongest game?

My reflection on both:

8-ball pros: You get more options on which ball to play next, and if you get out of line you have a much greater chance to still play good position shots ahead

8-ball cons: I think playing safeties are a bit harder because it's much harder to take away every ball your opponent has, and there are more clusters usually because more balls are on the table.

9-ball pros: Takes away a lot of the thinking aspect (at least for me anyway) because you have to shoot in order. For me, it only becomes a matter of how to get from ball to ball. Safeties are a lot easier because you have to shoot balls in order. 9-ball combos are a bonus as well.

9-ball cons: I actually don't have any personal cons for 9-ball, unless somebody lists some that I agree with I really can't think of any that I have lol.

So, while I play 8-ball in the APA, I'd love to join a 9-ball league to see how I stack up against everybody. I'm quite confident that my 9-ball game is at least 2 SLs higher than my 8-ball SL.

What are your guys' thoughts on the matter?
Click to expand...

You will never be good at pool playing games that allows CB position for multiple balls, 1st and foremost, you have to learn how to get CB position for a single ball, and proper angle for next ball; then you can play any other games with ease. Rotation games offer all kind of shots and speeds; where as 8 ball, straight pool, one pocket, at times restricts you to your "own desired speed" true some shots becomes tricky but not much..
 
trob said:
If you play good 9 ball your going to play good 8 ball but if you play good 8 ball you won't necessarily play good 9 ball. I have people at apa say all the time they are higher ranked in 8 ball then in 9 and they don't know why. It's simple.. you have to have a higher understanding of position play and using the rails accurately in rotation pool .. 8 ball is more about finding the path of least resistance and if you blown position you still have other options to get out. I used to be one of those people to recognized this and devoted myself to play better position to become a better player. 8 ball became easy after that. That's why my answer is 9 ball.. I only play 8 ball at bca leagues or if thats what a tournament happens to be.
Click to expand...

I prefer 8 ball. But I took summer session off from league. Been playing nothing but 9 ball all summer. I'm hoping it will help my 8 ball game. Guess ill find out.
 
naji said:
You will never be good at pool playing games that allows CB position for multiple balls, 1st and foremost, you have to learn how to get CB position for a single ball, and proper angle for next ball; then you can play any other games with ease. Rotation games offer all kind of shots and speeds; where as 8 ball, straight pool, one pocket, at times restricts you to your "own desired speed" true some shots becomes tricky but not much..
Click to expand...
How would you explain this to Ronnie O'Sullivan? He plays for reds in a way to maximize his chances of not running out of position. So unless he has to he always plays for multiple reds. Its the same in 8 ball. Does it mean you can't play for one ball? No, if you are a quality 8 ball player you will know how, and have the ability to play for 1 ball.
 
Pidge said:
How would you explain this to Ronnie O'Sullivan? He plays for reds in a way to maximize his chances of not running out of position. So unless he has to he always plays for multiple reds. Its the same in 8 ball. Does it mean you can't play for one ball? No, if you are a quality 8 ball player you will know how, and have the ability to play for 1 ball.
Click to expand...


yea that's right..lets compare the average player to the greatest snooker player or maybe pocket billiards player to ever play. a guy who has more god given natural ability then 90 percent of this forum combined lol snooker and straight pool you don't get to start the game by blowing open the table with a given break. Imagine how easy that would make either game, you still have to spend most of the game playing to ball to break into large clusters. with straight pool choosing your out ball and getting to the right spot to break into the rack. comparing 8 ball to either of those games is like comparing checkers to chess. The average player is going to get better faster by playing rotation games where they are forced to play for one ball.
 
Pidge said:
How would you explain this to Ronnie O'Sullivan? He plays for reds in a way to maximize his chances of not running out of position. So unless he has to he always plays for multiple reds. Its the same in 8 ball. Does it mean you can't play for one ball? No, if you are a quality 8 ball player you will know how, and have the ability to play for 1 ball.
Click to expand...

Miss understood my post a little. I said to learn the game of pool you have to know how to get position for a single ball, in such away to get the next; rotation games is best for that because you will always be under pressure to perform each shot. Once you learn that skill, then comes what you talking about pattern play and choosing best possible position for CB for best possible chance to keep the run going. Ronnie is # 1 because he excel in pattern play in snooker, sucks in 9 ball compared to a pro in pool! Each game has its own pattern and years of experience is a must to master it.
Speaking of 8 ball, the pressure to pocket balls is far less than 9 ball game, and a player must over come such pressure, and only rotation games helps that.
 
I really enjoy both games, there is enough of a difference between them that
makes both challenging. I would also like to play 10 ball but it hasn't caught on
with the guys I play with yet.
 
naji said:
Miss understood my post a little. I said to learn the game of pool you have to know how to get position for a single ball, in such away to get the next; rotation games is best for that because you will always be under pressure to perform each shot. Once you learn that skill, then comes what you talking about pattern play and choosing best possible position for CB for best possible chance to keep the run going. Ronnie is # 1 because he excel in pattern play in snooker, sucks in 9 ball compared to a pro in pool! Each game has its own pattern and years of experience is a must to master it.
Speaking of 8 ball, the pressure to pocket balls is far less than 9 ball game, and a player must over come such pressure, and only rotation games helps that.
Click to expand...
Yeah fair enough. But for an absolute beginner 8 ball would be a better starting point because of the fact position isn't so difficult. It teaches you to master soft stun, screw and follow shots and makes you think in patterns this way too. Too many average 9 ball players don't think like this and try doing too much with the white ball which massively holds them back. Think simple and play strong.
 
Pidge said:
Yeah fair enough. But for an absolute beginner 8 ball would be a better starting point because of the fact position isn't so difficult. It teaches you to master soft stun, screw and follow shots and makes you think in patterns this way too. Too many average 9 ball players don't think like this and try doing too much with the white ball which massively holds them back. Think simple and play strong.
Click to expand...

Can't argue with you there. I found myself recently spinning the ball more often then. I should instead of playing simpler shots that all but guarantee me making the shot and maybe having a little harder shot as my next shot but I'm still at the table.
 
the reason that balls got numbers on them is that they are made for rotation games so with these balls i play only 9ball-10ball and rotation(prefer 10ball):wink:
 
I enjoy playing both games grew up playing straight pool now I love playing bank pool and one pocket more have problems with eyes now so playing 9 ball is a little harder than it to be but will still play it most of the guys I play with now play one pocket since we all getting up in age lol:thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top