9-Ball Push
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Gosh, I don't know if there's any one answer to the OP's question, but... For me, it's all @ %'s. We push because our % is poor. Maybe we're in a 10% "make" or "good safe" position. I try to push to a position that is a higher %. But you can't push to a 70% position, because you're likely to lose. Pushing to a 50% position is perhaps the best play IMO.
I generally try to push to a position where a weak safety is best option, with the intent of starting a safety battle that I can win. Unless you leave the CB hooked about the push-out, your opponent is probably going to take the shot, so you really need to make sure they can't lock you up too tight playing safe and don't have an easy two-way shot.
A push is one of the few times where you need to be aware of your opponent at the table in billiards. If you know nothing about them, leave a kick,that is if you think you can hit it with good results.
If you know they can't play or are not good at defense or long shots or cut shots or banks, etc.. play to their weakness.
If you know they can't play or are not good at defense or long shots or cut shots or banks, etc.. play to their weakness.
the question can only be answered with the word if, so here is my opinion:
if your opponent is a strong player, he will only give the push back to you if he can't make contact, and as you go up the food chain they can jump and kick so if you get the push back, then you are in trouble.
now for those opponents not so skilled you will most likely get all kicks and most thin cuts, but you never can tell, and that's why you play the game.
if your opponent is a strong player, he will only give the push back to you if he can't make contact, and as you go up the food chain they can jump and kick so if you get the push back, then you are in trouble.
now for those opponents not so skilled you will most likely get all kicks and most thin cuts, but you never can tell, and that's why you play the game.
Most people will give back a kick shot.I just try to improve my position if I am hopelessly hooked by rolling to a manageable kick that my opponent will likely pass on.
As some1 said you can also roll to a jump shot if that is a strength of yours.
Some people wont give back an option unless they are hooked so that makes it easy.
As some1 said you can also roll to a jump shot if that is a strength of yours.
Some people wont give back an option unless they are hooked so that makes it easy.
The push out is kind of a broken rule. How are you possibly going to end up with an advantage against another good player if you let him choose whether to shoot or pass? If you push to a "good" spot, he takes it, if you push to a "bad" spot, he gives it back.
Pushouts are only effective against weaker players where the better player already has the advantage.
I would rather see everybody kick at the one. At least that acknowledges the random luck in rotation games and doesn't try to mask it with some pretend skill shot. (IMO, you're pretty unlucky to have to push in the first place, since you figure to lose about 60% of games from there.)
Pushouts are only effective against weaker players where the better player already has the advantage.
I would rather see everybody kick at the one. At least that acknowledges the random luck in rotation games and doesn't try to mask it with some pretend skill shot. (IMO, you're pretty unlucky to have to push in the first place, since you figure to lose about 60% of games from there.)
One thing I often like to do is push out into a decent shot while simultaneously tying up a couple other balls. Danny D taught me this one. While your opponent is almost guaranteed to take the shot, they very often bring you back to the table when trying to break up the balls you tied up. Unless, of course, you are dealing with the very best.
If someone does this to me, most of the time I will run the rack to the tied up balls and play position for a safety. So keep that in mind if you want to use this trick.
If someone does this to me, most of the time I will run the rack to the tied up balls and play position for a safety. So keep that in mind if you want to use this trick.
Than you must believe your opponent won't just do this to you? I would make the balls you gave me and than play the safe on you if I could not set the breakout to be a high percentage shot.....just how I would do it...the idea would work with some players however.
The standard strategy is to push to a shot that your opponent is 50% or so to take himself. If he loves the shot and shoots it right away, you made a mistake. If he gives it back with hardly a glance or a thought, you made a mistake. There is no rule on what kind of shot will get passed back most -- it depends entirely on the table position. If you want the shot back, push to a really hard spot.
Are there shots you're better at than your opponent? Push to a shot like that. Some players love to kick and do it well -- don't leave them kicks. Some players can jump over a ball four inches away with accuracy -- don't leave them jump shots.
I think these two comments pretty much sum up the "math" of pushing. You push when shooting gives you less than even odds to win, so you're hoping to improve your odds to as close to even as possible, knowing that giving up the choice is at least a small disadvantage.
As Bob says, you're successful when your opponent has a hard time deciding whether to shoot or pass - so the shot most likely to be given back is probably one to avoid.
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chgo
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Good ideas above. Do all that, and then...
Quickly size up your opponent: is he one to go for it, or a does he play careful (scared)?
If it's a 'go for it' player, give them something they can't make that sells out
If it's a 'careful' player, give them something easier that you can play safe from when they give it back
I just love watching an aggressive player trying to make a ridiculous shot, when they don't have to.
-s
Quickly size up your opponent: is he one to go for it, or a does he play careful (scared)?
If it's a 'go for it' player, give them something they can't make that sells out
If it's a 'careful' player, give them something easier that you can play safe from when they give it back
I just love watching an aggressive player trying to make a ridiculous shot, when they don't have to.
-s
This is where APA 9 ball kills you with the no-push rule.
I went from this to playing a tournament against Jarrod Clowery. I actually has a shot at winning, with a huge spot of course, but broke and needed to push and had no freakin clue what to do. I sold out so bad I think I heard him laugh...LOL
I went from this to playing a tournament against Jarrod Clowery. I actually has a shot at winning, with a huge spot of course, but broke and needed to push and had no freakin clue what to do. I sold out so bad I think I heard him laugh...LOL