9 ball wwyd

7 ball

  • Cut it

    Votes: 32 91.4%

  • Bank it

    Votes: 3 8.6%
  • Total voters
    35
hang-the-9 said:
There is another option if making the shot with shape is in question, play a safe behind the 9 and 8 balls. Or play to a safe on the 8 behind the 9 after making the 7.
Click to expand...
That is actually a very good option.
Rotation is not like 8 ball.
To my mind 8 ball is closer to straight pool in regards to pattern play and nudging your balls out of clusters.
Many people don't realize the the object of 8 ball is not to necessarily run out, but to win the game.
A good safety with ball in hand and only 2 balls left on the table is a game winner.
 
philly said:
That is actually a very good option.
Rotation is not like 8 ball.
To my mind 8 ball is closer to straight pool in regards to pattern play and nudging your balls out of clusters.
Many people don't realize the the object of 8 ball is not to necessarily run out, but to win the game.
A good safety with ball in hand and only 2 balls left on the table is a game winner.
Click to expand...
I agree with you in general. In this specific scenario, I would never consider playing safe on the 7 ball. If you're a competent player, you have a great chance to get out here, and if you don't get great on the 8 you play the safe. Playing safe on the 7 is likely to get you in worse shape than you are now if the opponent hits the 7 after your safety.

I play pretty solid 8-ball. However, I have a bad habit of trying to run out more often than I should. You are right about trying to win the game being your first priority.
 
easy-e said:
I agree with you in general. In this specific scenario, I would never consider playing safe on the 7 ball. If you're a competent player, you have a great chance to get out here, and if you don't get great on the 8 you play the safe. Playing safe on the 7 is likely to get you in worse shape than you are now if the opponent hits the 7 after your safety.

I play pretty solid 8-ball. However, I have a bad habit of trying to run out more often than I should. You are right about trying to win the game being your first priority.
Click to expand...

That's a common issue most pool players suffer/have suffered from at one point, me included. Just because you can make it doesn't mean you should.


A friend of mine is getting up there in age (75) and at one point he was a pretty good shot but now he's always trying to run the table to prove something to himself. I keep telling him - you can make any ball on the table but you can't make all the balls on the table. He's starting to change his mindset a little bit and his play has been improving for the most part lately.

One safe in particular I remember, I was playing an SL5 or 6 in 9B (APA - I'm a 9) and he scratched on the break, the 1 and 2 were wide open but the 3 was locked up, the best shot was to utilize the one to break out the 3 and play safe. When I shot it the guy looked at me funny then he thought about and said something like "wow, you just changed the way I look at safe's".

If the goal is to win, don't give yourself an opportunity to lose :)
 
Yeah there is a good angle to move the CB, so no way would I bank that. Even if you come around 2 or 3 rails and get straight in on the 8, it’s an easy stop shot to make the 9.
 
David in FL said:
What surprises me is how many people are coming back up table to get on to that 8 Ball. It wouldn’t take much to get blocked by that 9…
Click to expand...
It's a big table and while it wouldn't take a 50 dollar bet to get me to opt for short side on the 8, there's also the danger of crimping your entire game with over caution.
 
I don't have an answer as there are many ways to accomplish the same thing. I will say, if I didn't run those three balls, I would play one more game and quit for life.
 
I like the CB's angle off the foot rail best, but I'd probably choose the follow shot because the shot's easy and I can hit it softer.

I think these are higher percentage than the bank, 2-rail and short side shots (of those I might like the bank).

pj
chgo

x.png
 
Last edited:
Willowbrook Wolfy said:
Nah. You guys just got me going. I’ll stop. I’ve just been really overdoing it on my position play. I’m looking for ways to get even better shape. Maybe grasping for straws at this point. But right or wrong really did bank the 7 with great position on 8 and got out.
Click to expand...
Sometimes it just feels right.
 
philly said:
That is actually a very good option.
Rotation is not like 8 ball.
To my mind 8 ball is closer to straight pool in regards to pattern play and nudging your balls out of clusters.
Many people don't realize the the object of 8 ball is not to necessarily run out, but to win the game.
A good safety with ball in hand and only 2 balls left on the table is a game winner.
Click to expand...
I don't like the safety option here - this is a stone cold opportunity for an easy runout (there are lots of ways to get shape on the 8 and plenty of wiggle room if you over or under hit it). But I think you are on the money about 8 ball. While "if you can't run 7 don't run 6" should never be taken as gospel, it's pretty sound advice. One thing that suck in my mind was a scene form Ronnie O'Sullivan's "American Hustle". He was playing a top player, I think Johnny Archer, at 8 Ball and he missed a ball. The player said, "that's the thing about 8 ball. If you try to run out and you miss, you lose". While much of the documentary was staged, it's a pretty good take on the game.
 
Fatboy said:
I want to match up with anyone banking the 7

What would I do? If I was already matched up and my man banks the 7. I’m jacking up the bet to his absolute maximum asap
Click to expand...
Maybe instead of what would you do we do "How much would you bet...?"

Patrick Johnson said:
I like the CB's angle off the foot rail best, but I'd probably choose the follow shot because the shot's easy and I can hit it softer.

I think these are higher percentage than the bank, 2-rail and short side shots (of those I might prefer the bank).

pj
chgo

View attachment 636504
Click to expand...
I'm going to have to play with the setup some more, I was having to hammer the cue ball to send it to the end rail. I was definitely playing for the same cue ball location as you. I can't get the ball to come off the long rail with inside spin like you are showing, 2 rails is currently my best option.
 
Willowbrook Wolfy said:
Nah. You guys just got me going. I’ll stop. I’ve just been really overdoing it on my position play. I’m looking for ways to get even better shape. Maybe grasping for straws at this point. But right or wrong really did bank the 7 with great position on 8 and got out.
Click to expand...
There is information on how to play to any spot along that third rail by hitting the cueball along the centerline. It is definitely something you should understand .I think it was in a book called wagon wheel or something when I saw it first, about 40 years ago, but I believe I saw Tor Lowery doing a video with it also. Remember that low is not always draw!
From what I have read you post you sound like you play decent , but you are lacking the finesse shots.
I also suggest a good book on position play, Once you see a darkened in window for where the cueball can end up vs another options window , you will almost immediately see the correct path to the next ball. Then if you can get to the next 2 balls easily , it's the correct shot, if not keep looking, until you can. If you don't see the shot , find the best safe and ask a good player later, what they would have done. Or come on here and someone can help.....or make you crazy lol. gl Bob Byrnes books are inexpensive and have a ton of info in them , I recommend them highly. If I had access to them 15 years sooner I would have probably been a good player.
 
Last edited:
Draw didn't work well which was my original thought. (Still working on solid draw stroke) Most consistent for me was a full tip of right center. 7 ball goes in right side pocket sends cue ball of long rail to short rail up table to second picture. Firm hit but not hard. Used bottom soft speed either ended up with third short or cue ball landing next to 8 in second shot for a shot to the top corner. Cool little drill.
 

Attachments

  • 16493104475053546071353558151419.jpg
    16493104475053546071353558151419.jpg
    65.1 KB · Views: 74
  • 16493107003513439376774804921629.jpg
    16493107003513439376774804921629.jpg
    73.5 KB · Views: 83
  • 16493107967084174737021630719998.jpg
    16493107967084174737021630719998.jpg
    73.2 KB · Views: 92
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top