8-Ball practice

Fuji-whopper

Fuji-whopper

Fargo: 457...play some?
Silver Member
Since there is an influx of high profile 8-Ball tournaments, what is the best form of individual practice of the game? There have been recent threads on rating 9 or 10-ball while playing the ghost, is there a good measure or rating system for playing 8-Ball?

Any help is appreciated, I hope we can come up with something useful!!
 
Throw 8 balls on the table and pratice running them out. You need to get over the hump of running out 8 balls and it also helps to see the patterns. This is also good when you get ball in hand because you should and need to be able to run out the 8 balls.

After you are comfortable on running out 8 throw a few obstacle balls on the table and try running them out and practicing safeties and then see if you can get out of it.

There are some good books out by Capelle and also the 8 Ball Bible. Capelle's Practicing Pool is good after you figure it out. It is confusing on what he wants you to do with the diagrams, you read a few pages past them.
 
TheBook said:
Throw 8 balls on the table and practice running them out. You need to get over the hump of running out 8 balls and it also helps to see the patterns. This is also good when you get ball in hand because you should and need to be able to run out the 8 balls.

After you are comfortable on running out 8 throw a few obstacle balls on the table and try running them out and practicing safeties and then see if you can get out of it.

There are some good books out by Capelle and also the 8 Ball Bible. Capelle's Practicing Pool is good after you figure it out. It is confusing on what he wants you to do with the diagrams, you read a few pages past them.
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking as well.

Also, since you didn't mention what level you are at, just throwing out three balls onto the table and taking ball in hand can be a challenge. You start to see that you MUST hit the first ball in such a way that you leave an angle on the second ball to get to the third ball. If you can keep doing this, consistently, you see that running the eight balls is just doing the same thing as with three balls, but with eight.
 
Do the Drivermaker Holiday Tournament game. Everytime I practice this for a few days, by 8-Ball game jumps a couple of notches. It makes 8-Ball seem so easy, thus fear diminishes and potting increases.

Jeff Livingston
 
chefjeff said:
Do the Drivermaker Holiday Tournament game.

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...

Where would one find such a thing? Thank you for your suggestions everyone, keep them coming!!
 
8-ball Player Skill Rating

1. Breaking: Cue Ball Leave…
(Cue ball left in central area of table after break.)
1. 0% – 20% of breaks.
2. 21% – 40% of breaks.
3. 41% - 60% of breaks.
4. 61% - 80% of breaks.
5. 81% - 100% of breaks.

2. Breaking: Distribution of Balls…
(Balls evenly distributed over entire table after break.)
1. 0% – 20% of breaks.
2. 21% – 40% of breaks.
3. 41% - 60% of breaks.
4. 61% - 80% of breaks.
5. 81% - 100% of breaks.

3. Breaking: Clusters after Break
(Balls near each other or touching each other after break.)
1. No clusters 0% – 20% of breaks.
2. No clusters 21% – 40% of breaks.
3. No clusters 41% - 60% of breaks.
4. No clusters 61% - 80% of breaks.
5. No clusters 81% - 100% of breaks.

4. Breaking: Ball Made on Break
(At least one ball pocketed on break.)
1. 0% – 20% of breaks.
2. 21% – 40% of breaks.
3. 41% - 60% of breaks.
4. 61% - 80% of breaks.
5. 81% - 100% of breaks.

5. Speed Control Skills...
(Can shoot at exact speed needed for shot and necessary for cue ball leave.)
1. Shoots too fast for every shot
2. Can sometimes shoot slowly
3. Can shoot slow, medium, or fast
4. Ability to shoot straight or cut shot and leave object ball on rail or in front of pocket
5. Ability to shoot straight, cut, bank, or kick shot and leave object ball on rail or in front of pocket

6. Position Skills...
(Can leave cue ball in good position for next shot.)
1. 0% – 20% of shots.
2. 21% – 40% of shots.
3. 41% - 60% of shots.
4. 61% - 80% of shots.
5. 81% - 100% of shots.

7. Breakout Skills…
(Shoot ball into pocket and try to break out a cluster or trouble ball in same shot.)
1. 0% – 20% of attempts.
2. 21% – 40% of attempts.
3. 41% - 60% of attempts.
4. 61% - 80% of attempts.
5. 81% - 100% of attempts.

8. Runout Skills...
(Number of balls you can pocket in a row.)
1. Have trouble pocketing 1 ball
2. Can run 1 to 2 balls
3. Can run 3 to 5 balls
4. Can run 6 to 8 balls
5. Can usually run out 8 balls

9. Safety Skills...
(Can play a good safety which leaves opponent with no direct shot at one of his balls.)
1. 0% – 20% of attempts.
2. 21% – 40% of attempts.
3. 41% - 60% of attempts.
4. 61% - 80% of attempts.
5. 81% - 100% of attempts.

10. Kicking: Cue Ball Contacts Your Object Ball...
(Shoot cue ball to rail, then cue ball comes off rail and contacts your ball.)
1. 0% – 20% of attempts.
2. 21% – 40% of attempts.
3. 41% - 60% of attempts.
4. 61% - 80% of attempts.
5. 81% - 100% of attempts.

11. Kicking: Object Ball is Pocketed in Called Pocket…
(Kick shot which results in object ball being pocketed into the pocket you called.)
1. 0% – 20% of attempts.
2. 21% – 40% of attempts.
3. 41% - 60% of attempts.
4. 61% - 80% of attempts.
5. 81% - 100% of attempts.

12. Banking Skills...
(Shoot bank shot and object ball is pocketed in the pocket you called.)
1. 0% – 20% of attempts.
2. 21% – 40% of attempts.
3. 41% - 60% of attempts.
4. 61% - 80% of attempts.
5. 81% - 100% of attempts.

13. Innings Per Game...
(Turns you need at the table on average to pocket all your balls and win the game.)
1. 5 or more
2. 4
3. 3
4. 2
5. 1

14. Inning Ends in Missed Shot…
(Attempt to pocket ball, but ball does not go into pocket.)
1. 81% - 100% of ended innings.
2. 61% - 80% of ended innings.
3. 41% - 60% of ended innings.
4. 21% – 40% of ended innings.
5. 0% – 20% of ended innings.

15. Inning Ends in Good Safety…
(Your turn at the table [inning] ends by your playing of a good safety.)
1. 0% – 20% of ended innings.
2. 21% – 40% of ended innings.
3. 41% - 60% of ended innings.
4. 61% - 80% of ended innings.
5. 81% - 100% of ended innings.

16. Ability to Play Under Pressure…
(Team pressure to win match, playing for 1st place, etc.)
1. Pressure disrupts playing 81% - 100% of games.
2. Pressure disrupts playing 61% - 80% of games.
3. Pressure disrupts playing 41% - 60% of games.
4. Pressure disrupts playing 21% – 40% of games.
5. Pressure disrupts playing 0% – 20% of games.

17. Ability to Play Well While Being Distracted or Sharked…
(Loud noise, someone walking/standing in front of your shot, sharking by opponent, etc.)
1. Distractions disrupt playing 81% - 100% of games.
2. Distractions disrupt playing 61% - 80% of games.
3. Distractions disrupt playing 41% - 60% of games.
4. Distractions disrupt playing 21% – 40% of games.
5. Distractions disrupt playing 0% – 20% of games.

Your 8-Ball Skill Rating...

1. Breaking: Cue Ball Leave:
2. Breaking: Distribution of Balls:
3. Breaking: Clusters after Break:
4. Breaking: Ball Made on Break:
5. Speed Control Skills:
6. Position Skills:
7. Breakout Skills:
8. Runout Skills:
9. Safety Skills:
10. Kicking: Cue Ball Contacts Your Object Ball:
11. Kicking: Object Ball is Pocketed in Called Pocket:
12. Banking Skills:
13. Innings Per Game:
14. Inning Ends in Missed Shot:
15. Inning Ends in Good Safety:
16. Ability to Play Under Pressure:
17. Ability to Play Well While Being Distracted or Sharked:

Your 8-Ball Skill Rating Average:
(Total of above numbers divided by 17.)
 
So far as practice goes, work on whatever you are not good at above.

I find it best to work on one thing at a time. Sometimes I will work on one thing for several months or even a year.

Other than that, the thing which has helped me the most is being able to lose again and again and again and keep playing all night long losing every game!

There are those who will lose two games and then stop playing and leave. They will only play against players who they can win against. They will avoid playing anyone better than themselves. These people do NOT improve.

If you frequently play against someone who is a bit better than yourself, then you will improve. With 8-ball, there are a lot of things to learn about strategy, safeties, etc. You will learn this best by playing against better players and watching what they do to win.

Also get a BCA rule book and learn the rules. Buy an extra book and leave it in your local bar. Get rule books here...
https://www.bcastore.com/product_info.php?products_id=118&osCsid=cf0f03a41be377ae57c57e7f5b74385f
 
Is there a score sheet for this type of regiment? It's the most comprehensive thing I have ever seen in my entire life, thank you very much!!
 
Fart sniffer said:
Is there a score sheet for this type of regiment? It's the most comprehensive thing I have ever seen in my entire life, thank you very much!!
Click to expand...

Yes the "score sheet" is entering small local weekly 8-ball tournaments as frequently as you can. BCA rules tournaments are the best and most fair.

When you lose a match in a tournament, you tend to remember "that shot" which cost you the match. Well practice "that shot" and return the next week for the tournament. See if you can do a little better.

Shoot enough of certain types of shots which cause you to lose tournaments, and you will know what to do. When this has happened to me, I practiced and practiced "that shot" until I got good at it. Then I started doing better in tournaments.
 
I think the only rating that would be worth much is a competition performance rating. Most guys who play regular competitions or tournaments have an idea of how often they can win against pro or top league level players.

Stats like playing the 8-ball ghost, or run outs first visit etc. can give some indication, but the table being played on can make a big difference in the result. Also, there are guys who don't look great on the practice table but who can regularly focus in during competition and make those key shots required to win games and who can play very smart defensive strategy.

btw: 8-ball ghost is breaking and then trying to run out from where the CB finishes, regardless of if a ball was made. If you don't go out, the ghost wins. Race the ghost to 11 or whatever. Another alternative is to take ball-in-hand after the break to take a bit of the luck out of it, making it easier of course.
 
Winning and losing games of eight ball, like many other games, is directly effected by the level of competition.
 
What I do ...

To make a game easier for you, you strive to master a harder game.

I practice 8 ball using a game I call Dakota 8 ball:

1) Combination of 8 and 9 ball.
2) Played like league 8 ball except after the first ball is made, you either take the group of what was made (solids or stripes), and then you have to shoot the lowest numbered ball of your group, and continue shooting in
ascending order until your group is gone (usually 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 or 9,10,11,12,13,14,15 minus 1 ball made or balls if more than one on break).
If you make balls of each group on the break, you still have an open table, but you must shoot the 1 or 9 ball, or the lowest numbered of a group in case the 1 or 9 is made on the break.
3) After all of your group is made, you shoot the 8 ball as normal.

Teaches you to play position better (have to get shape on next ascending ball like 9 ball), helps with playing easy safeties to start with if you don't
have a shot.

Regular 8 ball becomes surprising simple after practicing with this game. If you run a table of Dakota 8 ball, you can pat yourself on the back.

It is difficult, but not too difficult as to be discouraging. Fun to play with other players (if I am playing a better player, I change regular 8 ball matchups to Dakota 8 ball because I know they will not be running table after table on me - plus it is my game I have practiced - plus a better player's ego will force them to play, especially for money). Like straight
[pool, this game will benefit your 8 and 9 ball games, plus help you on
Rotation or ring games (10 ball).
 
Wow, that sounds like a pretty interesting/hard game. Will try it out tonight for sure, I would imagine playing "last pocket" or "bank the 8" would also help discipline yourself if you practice it.
 
I still use the method that I believe was originally suggested in the BCA Rules Book, EVERY inning each player comes to the table with ball-in-hand. This drill allows you to look for patterns of balls (to run) BEFORE you begin to shoot. Even a beginner will see 1 or 2 balls they can make in succession.
 
Gregg said:
This is what I was thinking as well.

Also, since you didn't mention what level you are at, just throwing out three balls onto the table and taking ball in hand can be a challenge. You start to see that you MUST hit the first ball in such a way that you leave an angle on the second ball to get to the third ball. If you can keep doing this, consistently, you see that running the eight balls is just doing the same thing as with three balls, but with eight.
Click to expand...


I agree. How bout throwing the 3 balls, take ball in hand and run out. Do that 10 times in a row; if you mess up once start the count over. After achieving the 3 ball run out 10 in a row move up to 4 balls and so forth :)
 
Fart sniffer said:
Where would one find such a thing? Thank you for your suggestions everyone, keep them coming!!
Click to expand...

The Drivermaker Holiday tournament is an annual event open to all players here on AZ, played in Decemeber. Do search on this site for more info, as there's several threads about it.

Happy holidays,

Jeff Livingston
 
Billy_Bob said:
8-ball Player Skill Rating

1. Breaking: Cue Ball Leave…
(Cue ball left in central area of table after break.)
1. 0% – 20% of breaks.
2. 21% – 40% of breaks.
3. 41% - 60% of breaks.
4. 61% - 80% of breaks.
5. 81% - 100% of breaks.

2. Breaking: Distribution of Balls…
(Balls evenly distributed over entire table after break.)
1. 0% – 20% of breaks.
2. 21% – 40% of breaks.
3. 41% - 60% of breaks.
4. 61% - 80% of breaks.
5. 81% - 100% of breaks.

3. Breaking: Clusters after Break
(Balls near each other or touching each other after break.)
1. No clusters 0% – 20% of breaks.
2. No clusters 21% – 40% of breaks.
3. No clusters 41% - 60% of breaks.
4. No clusters 61% - 80% of breaks.
5. No clusters 81% - 100% of breaks.

4. Breaking: Ball Made on Break
(At least one ball pocketed on break.)
1. 0% – 20% of breaks.
2. 21% – 40% of breaks.
3. 41% - 60% of breaks.
4. 61% - 80% of breaks.
5. 81% - 100% of breaks.

5. Speed Control Skills...
(Can shoot at exact speed needed for shot and necessary for cue ball leave.)
1. Shoots too fast for every shot
2. Can sometimes shoot slowly
3. Can shoot slow, medium, or fast
4. Ability to shoot straight or cut shot and leave object ball on rail or in front of pocket
5. Ability to shoot straight, cut, bank, or kick shot and leave object ball on rail or in front of pocket

6. Position Skills...
(Can leave cue ball in good position for next shot.)
1. 0% – 20% of shots.
2. 21% – 40% of shots.
3. 41% - 60% of shots.
4. 61% - 80% of shots.
5. 81% - 100% of shots.

7. Breakout Skills…
(Shoot ball into pocket and try to break out a cluster or trouble ball in same shot.)
1. 0% – 20% of attempts.
2. 21% – 40% of attempts.
3. 41% - 60% of attempts.
4. 61% - 80% of attempts.
5. 81% - 100% of attempts.

8. Runout Skills...
(Number of balls you can pocket in a row.)
1. Have trouble pocketing 1 ball
2. Can run 1 to 2 balls
3. Can run 3 to 5 balls
4. Can run 6 to 8 balls
5. Can usually run out 8 balls

9. Safety Skills...
(Can play a good safety which leaves opponent with no direct shot at one of his balls.)
1. 0% – 20% of attempts.
2. 21% – 40% of attempts.
3. 41% - 60% of attempts.
4. 61% - 80% of attempts.
5. 81% - 100% of attempts.

10. Kicking: Cue Ball Contacts Your Object Ball...
(Shoot cue ball to rail, then cue ball comes off rail and contacts your ball.)
1. 0% – 20% of attempts.
2. 21% – 40% of attempts.
3. 41% - 60% of attempts.
4. 61% - 80% of attempts.
5. 81% - 100% of attempts.

11. Kicking: Object Ball is Pocketed in Called Pocket…
(Kick shot which results in object ball being pocketed into the pocket you called.)
1. 0% – 20% of attempts.
2. 21% – 40% of attempts.
3. 41% - 60% of attempts.
4. 61% - 80% of attempts.
5. 81% - 100% of attempts.

12. Banking Skills...
(Shoot bank shot and object ball is pocketed in the pocket you called.)
1. 0% – 20% of attempts.
2. 21% – 40% of attempts.
3. 41% - 60% of attempts.
4. 61% - 80% of attempts.
5. 81% - 100% of attempts.

13. Innings Per Game...
(Turns you need at the table on average to pocket all your balls and win the game.)
1. 5 or more
2. 4
3. 3
4. 2
5. 1

14. Inning Ends in Missed Shot…
(Attempt to pocket ball, but ball does not go into pocket.)
1. 81% - 100% of ended innings.
2. 61% - 80% of ended innings.
3. 41% - 60% of ended innings.
4. 21% – 40% of ended innings.
5. 0% – 20% of ended innings.

15. Inning Ends in Good Safety…
(Your turn at the table [inning] ends by your playing of a good safety.)
1. 0% – 20% of ended innings.
2. 21% – 40% of ended innings.
3. 41% - 60% of ended innings.
4. 61% - 80% of ended innings.
5. 81% - 100% of ended innings.

16. Ability to Play Under Pressure…
(Team pressure to win match, playing for 1st place, etc.)
1. Pressure disrupts playing 81% - 100% of games.
2. Pressure disrupts playing 61% - 80% of games.
3. Pressure disrupts playing 41% - 60% of games.
4. Pressure disrupts playing 21% – 40% of games.
5. Pressure disrupts playing 0% – 20% of games.

17. Ability to Play Well While Being Distracted or Sharked…
(Loud noise, someone walking/standing in front of your shot, sharking by opponent, etc.)
1. Distractions disrupt playing 81% - 100% of games.
2. Distractions disrupt playing 61% - 80% of games.
3. Distractions disrupt playing 41% - 60% of games.
4. Distractions disrupt playing 21% – 40% of games.
5. Distractions disrupt playing 0% – 20% of games.

Your 8-Ball Skill Rating...

1. Breaking: Cue Ball Leave:
2. Breaking: Distribution of Balls:
3. Breaking: Clusters after Break:
4. Breaking: Ball Made on Break:
5. Speed Control Skills:
6. Position Skills:
7. Breakout Skills:
8. Runout Skills:
9. Safety Skills:
10. Kicking: Cue Ball Contacts Your Object Ball:
11. Kicking: Object Ball is Pocketed in Called Pocket:
12. Banking Skills:
13. Innings Per Game:
14. Inning Ends in Missed Shot:
15. Inning Ends in Good Safety:
16. Ability to Play Under Pressure:
17. Ability to Play Well While Being Distracted or Sharked:

Your 8-Ball Skill Rating Average:
(Total of above numbers divided by 17.)
Click to expand...


To the best of my knowledge I am a 2.82; so what does that mean?
 
tjlmbklr said:
To the best of my knowledge I am a 2.82; so what does that mean?
Click to expand...

It just means that right now today *you* are at 2.82 and there are some things which you can work on.

So pick one thing to work on and work on that for several months or a year, then rate yourself again next year. Your rating will go up over time.

And the fun part is you can spend your whole life working on this.

I have a "1" rating for kicking and pocketing the ball. I'm not good at this at all. I'm currently working on position play, but I think I will work on kicking when I get this position thing figured out (which could take several years...) So this just points out stuff you can work on to improve your game. I think that is the most important thing.
 
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