9 Ball Spots

mapman72

mapman72

New member
Ok, so I've played a lot of 9 ball and I've given spots and received them. But I've never totally understood the complete hierarchy of spots. For instance, what is a better spot, the 6 and the break or the 7,8? I know a lot of this is dependent on the other player and how well they break, run out, etc., but can anyone give a general guideline to all the possible 9 ball spots. Wow, a table would be really helpful. Any help is appreciated and I have a local FISH that I'll try them out on tonight for some field testing :D
Thanks.
 
mapman72 said:
Ok, so I've played a lot of 9 ball and I've given spots and received them. But I've never totally understood the complete hierarchy of spots. For instance, what is a better spot, the 6 and the break or the 7,8? I know a lot of this is dependent on the other player and how well they break, run out, etc., but can anyone give a general guideline to all the possible 9 ball spots. Wow, a table would be really helpful. Any help is appreciated and I have a local FISH that I'll try them out on tonight for some field testing :D
Thanks.
Click to expand...
I'll take the 6, 7, 8, and the breaks :D
 
mapman72 said:
Ok, so I've played a lot of 9 ball and I've given spots and received them. But I've never totally understood the complete hierarchy of spots. For instance, what is a better spot, the 6 and the break or the 7,8? I know a lot of this is dependent on the other player and how well they break, run out, etc., but can anyone give a general guideline to all the possible 9 ball spots. Wow, a table would be really helpful. Any help is appreciated and I have a local FISH that I'll try them out on tonight for some field testing :D
Thanks.
Click to expand...

There are so many issues involved. The underlying problem here is that a spot is EXTREMELY subjective. What are the stengths and weaknesses of each player, specifically. A run-out player will look at the 7-ball as near minimal weight but may consider a game or two on the wire as being significant. On the other hand, if the better player typically hands back the table after the 7, the 8-ball might come into play in each game.

It really is impossible to answer your question effectively.
 
Thanks

for nothing Jude. JK. I know it's complex, but I'm just looking for some general guidance here. I've heard it argued that the last two is better than the eight, and vice versa. What do you think - I mean, other than you can't really answer. ;)
 
amc4 said:
If you guys are playing for your clothes I'm sure you'll be wearing your birthday suit when the set is over.
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Can we have one thread without you two whoring it out?
 
mapman72 said:
for nothing Jude. JK. I know it's complex, but I'm just looking for some general guidance here. I've heard it argued that the last two is better than the eight, and vice versa. What do you think - I mean, other than you can't really answer. ;)
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That's easier to answer... having the eight is a better spot than the last two. You give yourself an extra money ball to pocket.
 
Jude

Seriously though... If you meet me in Amsterdam Billiards and you see that I'm pretty good, but you think you can beat me pretty easy, what do you do when I won't gamble even with you. Is your first move to offer me the called 8, the last two, or what???
 
Unless...

Unless the 8 is being pocketed on the break, or out of order by way of a combination. Then it's like giving up the 7.
 
mapman72 said:
Seriously though... If you meet me in Amsterdam Billiards and you see that I'm pretty good, but you think you can beat me pretty easy, what do you do when I won't gamble even with you. Is your first move to offer me the called 8, the last two, or what???
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I'd ask if you gambled, and if so, what weight do you want? You gotta negotiate what each person thinks is their best bet. Usually starts with the breaks, then the call 8, then wild 8, then last two, etc, etc...

You really have to be careful giving up the "wild x" ball, because if someone is not a good player, they will try to send that ball for a ride everytime, so then every shot you have, you are looking to combo their "wild" ball in...

I'd prefer to give up the break, last two, or games on the wire...
 
mapman72 said:
Seriously though... If you meet me in Amsterdam Billiards and you see that I'm pretty good, but you think you can beat me pretty easy, what do you do when I won't gamble even with you. Is your first move to offer me the called 8, the last two, or what???
Click to expand...


I offer games on the wire first. I find that's the easiest way to handicap effectively. It equates to a score change and luck is less prevelant.
 
mapman72 said:
Seriously though... If you meet me in Amsterdam Billiards and you see that I'm pretty good, but you think you can beat me pretty easy, what do you do when I won't gamble even with you. Is your first move to offer me the called 8, the last two, or what???
Click to expand...


The last two, it takes away from you making the 8 on the break or playing a combo on it durning the game. The 8-ball is a bigger spot than the last two.
 
mapman72 said:
Ok, so I've played a lot of 9 ball and I've given spots and received them. But I've never totally understood the complete hierarchy of spots. For instance, what is a better spot, the 6 and the break or the 7,8? I know a lot of this is dependent on the other player and how well they break, run out, etc., but can anyone give a general guideline to all the possible 9 ball spots. Wow, a table would be really helpful. Any help is appreciated and I have a local FISH that I'll try them out on tonight for some field testing :D
Thanks.
Click to expand...

:eek: I believe the wild 6-out and breaks is considered a very modest spot.
 
Cory in DC said:
:eek: I believe the wild 6-out and breaks is considered a very modest spot.
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I prosed that for me vs. Corey to amc4 and he didn't want to take that.... can you believe it?
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
I offer games on the wire first. I find that's the easiest way to handicap effectively. It equates to a score change and luck is less prevelant.
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Games on the wire is way more weight than the 8-ball or the last two.
 
Agreed

Games on the wire is huge and people throw it around like it's nothing. If you give up the six and out in a race to 7, the score still starts out 0-0. I think people are starting to see why I was confused. Already we have had a person rank the last two as a bigger spot than the eight and vice versa. Phew, this stuff is tricky.
 
Cory in DC said:
:eek: I believe the wild 6-out and breaks is considered a very modest spot.
Click to expand...

If the break is the same as the 7 ball than the 6 and the breaks is a better spot. That would be like getting the 6 and the 7, where the other game was just the 7 and the 8. So take the 6 and the breaks.
 
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