8-Ball Runout - Challenge 1

Colin Colenso

Colin Colenso

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
As some of us are getting into the spirit of 8-ball, and it seems to be generally accepted that a very big part of the game is selecting the bet run out pattern / order / strategy from the start, I though some visual challenges would be interesting.

Below diagram, you've made a strip / big ball off the break. Now what are you gonna do?
 

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First decision to make is which balls to take and why?

Where are the potential problem spots and what is the best solution to avoid them?

What will be your next shot?

I am thinking of 2 possible starting shots. Not sure which one is best. I'll be interested to see if anyone else comes up with these independently.
 
I choose solids. Playing the 5ball in upper left corner. Then the 2ball in the same pocket gently rolling the cue ball forward. Then perhaps the 1ball in the lower left corner and next possibly the 4ball in the bottom side pocket. Softly roll in the combo, then pocket the 7ball drawing back for the 3ball. Call the 8ball in the same pocket as the 3ball. Rack!
 
These things are tough to figure without being right there.
My first thought is that the 4 is tough and that I dont want to have to shoot the 3 last. If the one is gone then the 4 opens up.
The combo looks straight forward but I would still want a backup ball when I shoot it if possible.
I think I would work on the right half first and then go up table. No matter which ball you shoot last up table shape on the eight is easy.

3 or combo first and then finish the bottom half.
Either clear the top half like Hal mentions or get a look at the one and
clear it opening the 4 up.

What do you think?

What kind of code or table is this?
 
I left the combo and the 3ball to be used as blockers. Now that I look back, I see they're not really blocking much, but they could still be a problem for your opponent.
 
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frankncali said:
These things are tough to figure without being right there.
My first thought is that the 4 is tough and that I dont want to have to shoot the 3 last. If the one is gone then the 4 opens up.
The combo looks straight forward but I would still want a backup ball when I shoot it if possible.
I think I would work on the right half first and then go up table. No matter which ball you shoot last up table shape on the eight is easy.

3 or combo first and then finish the bottom half.
Either clear the top half like Hal mentions or get a look at the one and
clear it opening the 4 up.

What do you think?

What kind of code or table is this?
Click to expand...
I'm using a game software called Poolhouse You can download it here: http://absolutist.com/pool_house/

The break in the program is too weak so I hit the balls a couple of times until I get something close to a realistic post-break rack. I print screen and edit a little in paintbrush.

I agree that I don't want to leave the 3 to last. And I also want to get on the 4 asap and not rely on playing it in the center, so I want to get on that one asap. If I mess up first time, I may have some options.

Here is my solution below. My second best option would have been to play the combo first for the same position and leave the 3 till last.

I would play to get on the 5 ball. If I finish short I may get a shot on the 1 ball straight away to get on the 4 ball. If I'm way off I've got the 5, 2 or even combination shots to choose to get into position.

Here's the diagram, the rest is self-explanatory.
 

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Colin's one ball shot and position on the 4 is much better than my original plan. Perhaps the 5ball straight in, then the one ball, then 4ball, etc...
 
Shoot the 7-6 combo first so the 7 rolls out in front of the pocket and blocks all of his balls, then work from there. You are supposed to run out from here, but that's an insurance policy in case you dont. You cant play shape off the 3 like that, the red line is going right into the 8. That's a tough shot to control the speed of also, and drawing past the 8 puts you in line with a side pocket scratch.
 
cuetechasaurus said:
Shoot the 7-6 combo first so the 7 rolls out in front of the pocket and blocks all of his balls, then work from there. You are supposed to run out from here, but that's an insurance policy in case you dont. You cant play shape off the 3 like that, the red line is going right into the 8. That's a tough shot to control the speed of also, and drawing past the 8 puts you in line with a side pocket scratch.
Click to expand...

Well the balls in the diagram are too big. I would play to side of this line and try to make sure I didn't have the speed to scratch. I think there is a reasonable margin for error, though the scratch would be the biggest risk in the out. Better have a good feel for the table speed.

I'd be quite happy to finish short for either a straight in 5 ball, a shot on the one ball or a cut on the 5 into the center with a good kiss onto the 4 ball to open it up.

Even if I caught the 8 ball I'd end up with a good angle on the 2 ball or a shot on the combo and the black should still be open.
 
Colin Colenso said:
As some of us are getting into the spirit of 8-ball, and it seems to be generally accepted that a very big part of the game is selecting the bet run out pattern / order / strategy from the start, I though some visual challenges would be interesting.

Below diagram, you've made a strip / big ball off the break. Now what are you gonna do?
Click to expand...

Must get rid of 7,6, and 3 first. Order; Shoot 3, then 7-6 combo. Then shoot 7 two short rails then shoot 2, 5 ,1 then 4 followed by the 8.

(edited to add) If you do not run out you are dead, game over. Leaving balls hanging in the pocket does nothing here, you have to make all balls.
 
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pete lafond said:
Must get rid of 7,6, and 3 first. Order; Shoot 3, then 7-6 combo. Then shoot 7 two short rails then shoot 2, 5 ,1 then 4 followed by the 8.

(edited to add) If you do not run out you are dead, game over. Leaving balls hanging in the pocket does nothing here, you have to make all balls.
Click to expand...

I Agree. First you should clear out the right end of the table, but I would start from the combo (looks easy enough). It seems to have a possibility to play shape for 3 and 7 with a same shot. After that you would relatively easy
find your way through the stripes and 8 in order to clear the left side of the table.
 
Colin Colenso said:
As some of us are getting into the spirit of 8-ball, and it seems to be generally accepted that a very big part of the game is selecting the bet run out pattern / order / strategy from the start, I though some visual challenges would be interesting.

Below diagram, you've made a strip / big ball off the break. Now what are you gonna do?
Click to expand...
Take the small balls and shhoot the 3 1st and go straight up table and get aggressive with the idea of getting the 4 ball in play. After that, it should be routine.
 
run-out pattern

Colin Colenso said:
Oh...cause I can't count. oops :o
Click to expand...
I like your patern here except that i would probably try to go more center table off the 3 ball to give myself a good chance. But, I do like your thinking here.
You know it is difficult from an angle like this and not being there over the balls. It should be easy for me as I am the greatest player in the world, from the rail.
 
rules for the IPT

just rather curious, but lets assume you did make a stripe on the break and we are playing in an IPT event, do you have a choice, or are you stuck with the stripes?
I have not seen the rules for the IPT and I hope, that one is stuck with the stripes. That rule could come into effect quite often and really changes the game.
If this were the case in your diagram, there is a great safety shot right off the break.
 
Colin Colenso said:
As some of us are getting into the spirit of 8-ball, and it seems to be generally accepted that a very big part of the game is selecting the bet run out pattern / order / strategy from the start, I though some visual challenges would be interesting.

Below diagram, you've made a strip / big ball off the break. Now what are you gonna do?
Click to expand...

What really makes the difference here is the players ability to control the cue ball. For example, shooting the 3 first is an easy position to the combo though some may find it difficult. I think many patterns stated are good choices based on the comfort level of the player. Even Cory D. has shots that are more comfortable to him.

What is very important in all shots is to keep the angles so that error margins can be reduced, and the cue ball un-obstructed and off the rails for better cue ball control. Outside of this, this is a pretty open run out.
 
>Dealing with your problem balls early is basic 8ball strategy so my thinking would be limited to dealing with the combo or the 4ball. Being that combo's, even easy ones can go south I would start with the 7/6 combo, because the cb is near where I would put it if I had BIH for this shot, leaving the 7 to cover the hole.
>If my cb lands good for the 3 I would take it and return to the center area of the table w/o distrubing balls. Depending on how my cb lands I would start to deal w/the 4ball.
>This table looks like a must run so you are committed early to the runout. If you fail to get out here it is very unlikely you will win the dink safty game. At the level of 8ball play your going to be in if you don't get out this inning your toast.
 
Colin Colenso said:
As some of us are getting into the spirit of 8-ball, and it seems to be generally accepted that a very big part of the game is selecting the bet run out pattern / order / strategy from the start, I though some visual challenges would be interesting.

Below diagram, you've made a strip / big ball off the break. Now what are you gonna do?
Click to expand...

7-6 combo, 3 - 7 - 5 - 1 - 4 - 2 - 8 would be the way I would go. The four goes after getting the one out of the way.

John
 
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