9-ball Strategy: Playing someone much worse than you

K

ktrepal85

Banned
I have a handicapped 9-ball tournament coming up this weekend that I've been preparing for. The opening rounds of the tournament always scare me because I have to play people who are rated much lower than me. They only need to win a few games due to the handicap system.

What kind of strategy should I use on these low handicaps? I always stress myself out when I get towards the end of the rack because although I've ran all the balls up to the 8, one miss and I could lose the game. I know that it's no different than playing a good player but for some reason it makes me think and worry too much. I guess it's because one loss is much more costly against a low handicapped player.

Any strategy advice?
 
Safety safety and more safety. Don't take any risks that could give a game away, if you are not confident in the shot + position - duck.
 
ktrepal85 said:
I have a handicapped 9-ball tournament coming up this weekend that I've been preparing for. The opening rounds of the tournament always scare me because I have to play people who are rated much lower than me. They only need to win a few games due to the handicap system.

What kind of strategy should I use on these low handicaps? I always stress myself out when I get towards the end of the rack because although I've ran all the balls up to the 8, one miss and I could lose the game. I know that it's no different than playing a good player but for some reason it makes me think and worry too much. I guess it's because one loss is much more costly against a low handicapped player.

Any strategy advice?
Click to expand...

If you are not confident, then duck the shit out of every possible situation :), a tough 8 ball ? push it to the rail :wink:
 
Safeties and low to mid percentage shots is usually pretty sound strategy but you really got to pay attention to your opponent. Too many times I have lost to weaker players because they often are not afraid to sell out. I would rather leave them with a table length real thin cut, something they will take a shot at but more than likely miss rather than put them in a situation where they need to bank. They often may not hesitate to go for a long rail bank and hit the shot hard, hoping to sink that 15 rail bank on the 8 they seem to make all too often. If I can play a safety that they have to kick or jump out of I choose the safety every time. With a couple balls left I will sometimes go for a lower percentage shot if I cant snooker them with a safety. I lost to a weaker player a couple weeks ago that tried at least 1 9 ball combo in every game. He made 3 early 9 ball combos, 1 was a combo bank, another was a combo he missed so bad they cue ball kicked the 9 into a different pocket than he was aiming for. Players that have nothing to lose can sometimes stick it to you.
 
ktrepal85 said:
I have a handicapped 9-ball tournament coming up this weekend that I've been preparing for. The opening rounds of the tournament always scare me because I have to play people who are rated much lower than me. They only need to win a few games due to the handicap system.

What kind of strategy should I use on these low handicaps? I always stress myself out when I get towards the end of the rack because although I've ran all the balls up to the 8, one miss and I could lose the game. I know that it's no different than playing a good player but for some reason it makes me think and worry too much. I guess it's because one loss is much more costly against a low handicapped player.

Any strategy advice?
Click to expand...

a most intriguing concept for me, as i see myself as fitting the description of your potential 1st round opponent. i'm at the point in my development where venturing out of league and wading into the tournament scene is how i'm going to grow to the next level. there is a city-based open tournament coming up this fall that i'm thinking of entering. the competition level would be way over my head, and i'd get eviscerated. but maybe, just maybe, i can put a scare into the 2 guys i face.

so maybe you'd face me. i have an idea of what would have to happen for me to win and how to approach it. and i'm damn curious as to what you're mindset is and how you would view me.

tell me more about the format. what size tables? 3 foul rule? and most significantly, what's the race? (i'm an APA 4(8b)/5(9b), self-rate as an inconsistent D+, maybe C- for brief flashes). against an overwhelming opponent i think i have a (ever so slightly) better chance in an even short race (to 1 or maybe 2) than one that is handicapped but lengthened (ie me to 3 you to 6 or 7). my expectations and decision process would be different depending on the format.

tell me how you beat me and i'll tell you how i beat you. (and props for coming up with the topic. you come up with a lot of good one's.)
 
I quit playing in handicapped tournaments. They always got on my nerves with firing at the 9 on every shot. When someone is going to 2 and I'm going to 7 or 8 they get 2 crap shots on the 9 that sucks.
 
app4dstn said:
tell me how you beat me and i'll tell you how i beat you. (and props for coming up with the topic. you come up with a lot of good one's.)
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i beat you by never shooting a shot im less than 80% to make
and always playing you safe and or with distance when im not sure or cant play a 2 way shot

how do you beat me??
 
WillyCornbread said:
Safety safety and more safety. Don't take any risks that could give a game away, if you are not confident in the shot + position - duck.
Click to expand...

Yep, conservatism is the proper approach. Coincidentally, I think this is also the proper approach in short races against tougher opponents. In a race to 5 or 7, you can be penalized so heavily for your mistakes, so my goal is always to play conservatively and not miss any balls.

Aaron
 
app4dstn said:
a most intriguing concept for me, as i see myself as fitting the description of your potential 1st round opponent. i'm at the point in my development where venturing out of league and wading into the tournament scene is how i'm going to grow to the next level. there is a city-based open tournament coming up this fall that i'm thinking of entering. the competition level would be way over my head, and i'd get eviscerated. but maybe, just maybe, i can put a scare into the 2 guys i face.

so maybe you'd face me. i have an idea of what would have to happen for me to win and how to approach it. and i'm damn curious as to what you're mindset is and how you would view me.

tell me more about the format. what size tables? 3 foul rule? and most significantly, what's the race? (i'm an APA 4(8b)/5(9b), self-rate as an inconsistent D+, maybe C- for brief flashes). against an overwhelming opponent i think i have a (ever so slightly) better chance in an even short race (to 1 or maybe 2) than one that is handicapped but lengthened (ie me to 3 you to 6 or 7). my expectations and decision process would be different depending on the format.

tell me how you beat me and i'll tell you how i beat you. (and props for coming up with the topic. you come up with a lot of good one's.)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment!

The tournament format is race to your handicap on diamond bar boxes. The handicaps range from 2-7. I am a 5. In APA 9-ball I'm a 7 but I play guys that are 8 even when I gamble and I do well so I'm somewhere around a 7 or 8.
Rack for each other, 3 foul rule, 9 counts on the break, alternate break.

I highly recommend moving past the league competition. Most people in league have been the same skill level for years and don't realize there are much higher levels of play out there they could achieve with some work.

Open tournaments are fun but I don't stand a chance in those either. I just like to play for the experience. I'm happy if I win a match or two. Even if you are good enough to beat those guys you need to play in enough tournaments to be able to handle the added stress and intimidation of playing really good players. It's a head game just as much as a physical game.

Good luck!
 
ktrepal85 said:
What kind of strategy should I use on these low handicaps? I always stress myself out when I get towards the end of the rack because although I've ran all the balls up to the 8, one miss and I could lose the game. I know that it's no different than playing a good player but for some reason it makes me think and worry too much. I guess it's because one loss is much more costly against a low handicapped player.

Any strategy advice?
Click to expand...

I'm surprised that no one has really honed in on your issue yet (unless I skipped a few replies by accident). It's here, you wrote it. If you're feeling unusually pressured against these specific opponents in the situation you quoted above, this is probably what gets you beat against these guys. You play below your potential briefly, then the low handicap goes 7,8,9 or 8,9 on you and puts a bead up.

You could put a bandaid on it and get a few more wins by altering your strategy, such as playing more defensive against these guys and always staying in control of the rack, but it won't address your real concern which appears to be psychological. If you fix it at the root, who knows where you can go....sky's the limit.

If you can play every shot in each rack like they're the same from a mental standpoint, you'll be more consistent.

PS: Just make sure what you posted is really what's happening. Are you sure your late misses against these guys are pressure related, or is it possible you got slightly more and more out of line during the rack til eventually you missed in the later stages? Know what I mean?
 
Is this consistent? If you know your opponent can't run 3 balls, how about playing a safety when you reach the 5 or 6 ball?

I know one of my faults when I play a lesser handicap player is I try to beat them on shotmaking alone. When I play with higher level players, I'm more conscious and play smarter (more safeties).


ktrepal85 said:
I have a handicapped 9-ball tournament coming up this weekend that I've been preparing for. The opening rounds of the tournament always scare me because I have to play people who are rated much lower than me. They only need to win a few games due to the handicap system.

What kind of strategy should I use on these low handicaps? I always stress myself out when I get towards the end of the rack because although I've ran all the balls up to the 8, one miss and I could lose the game. I know that it's no different than playing a good player but for some reason it makes me think and worry too much. I guess it's because one loss is much more costly against a low handicapped player.

Any strategy advice?
Click to expand...
 
Pretty much what's been said... Make them take low percentage shots early in the rack. If they take a swing at a thin cut on the 3 ball and get lucky, there's not much worry of them running out the rest. Playing safe on the 7 or 8 is too late to fade a lucky roll. If they have a jump cue, let them use it as much as possible. At lower ranks there's generally no downside to leaving a jump shot; most are thrilled to make the hit and disregard the likely sell-out.
 
Allen Brown said:
I quit playing in handicapped tournaments. They always got on my nerves with firing at the 9 on every shot. When someone is going to 2 and I'm going to 7 or 8 they get 2 crap shots on the 9 that sucks.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure "don't play" was quite what the OP was looking for :smile:

I get it and it gets frustrating but I think if you look at most handicap systems, the better players still seem to win somehow which suggests the system still favors them.

To the OP, what others have said: play lots of safeties, don't take unnecessary risks and try to estimate your chances of making a shot as honestly as you can when making the decision to go for it or not.
 
I've got mixed feelings about this. What everyone has posted about being conservative is great advice and it's how I used to play bad players. I've changed a little bit though.

When you are playing conservative and playing safe and then making balls and playing safe, you really can't make mistakes and you put a lot of pressure on yourself. Any mistake you make gives them a free shot. And there isn't any difference in how you play when there is slack - early in the rack - and when there isn't - later in the rack or with the 9 ball in an easy spot for a combo.

The big problem with this is eventually you make mistakes. And then they capitalize on your mistakes. And then they get some confidence and then they play better and pretty soon, you couldn't beat them playing even because their game has jumped and your game has slumped.

I'd rather put myself in a position to capitalize on their mistakes and put the pressure on them. I do this by always being aware of the situation and giving them plenty of opportunities to make those mistakes.

Instead of giving them lock up safes I like to leave them tough shots with no leave or a tough table. Missing shots, even if they aren't 'supposed' to make them will shake their confidence. Plus, I've learned the hard way that poor players kick hard and have good stuff happen way too often. Giving them a kick shot that would stymie a better player doesn't phase them at all. Because they look at it as a free shot and hit it warp speed. Anything can happen and most of them aren't a good outcome for ME.

If there is a lot of trouble in the rack I like to let them get to it first. They will usually break it up and make a mistake giving you an easy runout.

Sometimes I'll just let them shoot at the 4 or 5 ball knowing that odds are they will run a few balls and leave me with an easy two ball out.

It takes a little practice to get the feel for it but now my win% has improved dramatically over bad players.

This only works with people who are legitimately lower handicaps. :)
 
sixpack said:
I've got mixed feelings about this. What everyone has posted about being conservative is great advice and it's how I used to play bad players. I've changed a little bit though.

When you are playing conservative and playing safe and then making balls and playing safe, you really can't make mistakes and you put a lot of pressure on yourself. Any mistake you make gives them a free shot. And there isn't any difference in how you play when there is slack - early in the rack - and when there isn't - later in the rack or with the 9 ball in an easy spot for a combo.

The big problem with this is eventually you make mistakes. And then they capitalize on your mistakes. And then they get some confidence and then they play better and pretty soon, you couldn't beat them playing even because their game has jumped and your game has slumped.

I'd rather put myself in a position to capitalize on their mistakes and put the pressure on them. I do this by always being aware of the situation and giving them plenty of opportunities to make those mistakes.

Instead of giving them lock up safes I like to leave them tough shots with no leave or a tough table. Missing shots, even if they aren't 'supposed' to make them will shake their confidence. Plus, I've learned the hard way that poor players kick hard and have good stuff happen way too often. Giving them a kick shot that would stymie a better player doesn't phase them at all. Because they look at it as a free shot and hit it warp speed. Anything can happen and most of them aren't a good outcome for ME.

If there is a lot of trouble in the rack I like to let them get to it first. They will usually break it up and make a mistake giving you an easy runout.

Sometimes I'll just let them shoot at the 4 or 5 ball knowing that odds are they will run a few balls and leave me with an easy two ball out.

It takes a little practice to get the feel for it but now my win% has improved dramatically over bad players.

This only works with people who are legitimately lower handicaps. :)
Click to expand...

Good post, alot of truth in there against that opponent-type.
 
ktrepal85 said:
Thanks for the compliment!

The tournament format is race to your handicap on diamond bar boxes. The handicaps range from 2-7. I am a 5. In APA 9-ball I'm a 7 but I play guys that are 8 even when I gamble and I do well so I'm somewhere around a 7 or 8.
Rack for each other, 3 foul rule, 9 counts on the break, alternate break.

I highly recommend moving past the league competition. Most people in league have been the same skill level for years and don't realize there are much higher levels of play out there they could achieve with some work.

Open tournaments are fun but I don't stand a chance in those either. I just like to play for the experience. I'm happy if I win a match or two. Even if you are good enough to beat those guys you need to play in enough tournaments to be able to handle the added stress and intimidation of playing really good players. It's a head game just as much as a physical game.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Ok, then i'm gonna say we're a 5-3 matchup. So here's what i'm thinking at this point. OK i get 4 chances to screw up, but how do i manufacture 3?

(i started typing but now i gotta run and pick up at daycare. i'll be back. cuz i definitely want to hear some inner thinkings leading into a tourney matchup between strangers. i never thought i'd have anything good to share on AZB, but yeah, the musings of a 1st round newb sacrificial lamb? i have daydreamed of being that!)
 
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