Advanced Thinking For Safes

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
Here is a strategy when you don’t have a shot or a good safe. Just like running the table takes thinking 3 balls ahead, you need to figure safes the same way. One option when you might leave a semi-hard shot that he probably will go for is to figure the worst angle to leave the CB so it’s almost impossible for him to get on the next ball. A lot of players forget about this option. Johnnyt
 
In the book "Safety Toolbox", there is a trick that only advanced "thinking" players use - "allow" the opponent to knock in several easy shots, and then be forced to face a blocking or cluster problem. His advancement is stopped. With fewer balls on the table, it is easier for you to run out.

And even if he is smart enough to play a defensive shot, that still won't save him. A "thinking" player simply enters into a safety battle and waits for the mistake that lets him win.

It is an advanced trap - and is VERY effective.
 
Johnnyt said:
Here is a strategy when you don’t have a shot or a good safe. Just like running the table takes thinking 3 balls ahead, you need to figure safes the same way. One option when you might leave a semi-hard shot that he probably will go for is to figure the worst angle to leave the CB so it’s almost impossible for him to get on the next ball. A lot of players forget about this option. Johnnyt
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This is BASIC for TOP players. They will make you "get your bus pass out" when they leave you a shot, because you are going "HAVE TO TRAVEL" to get position on the next ball. They usually shoot to the shot where a lot of "blockers" will be in the way too. So, not ONLY do you have to make the shot, you have to travel across country and navigate all the barriers in between in order to get to your destination.
 
Johnnyt said:
Here is a strategy when you don’t have a shot or a good safe. Just like running the table takes thinking 3 balls ahead, you need to figure safes the same way. One option when you might leave a semi-hard shot that he probably will go for is to figure the worst angle to leave the CB so it’s almost impossible for him to get on the next ball. A lot of players forget about this option. Johnnyt
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Generally I'm looking at making it so difficult that it results in a ball in hand or at the very least, forcing an uncontrolled shot. That's not always easy as you know. I like your idea. It is an option I need to start considering. Thanks.:smile:
 
Johnnyt said:
Here is a strategy when you don’t have a shot or a good safe. Just like running the table takes thinking 3 balls ahead, you need to figure safes the same way. One option when you might leave a semi-hard shot that he probably will go for is to figure the worst angle to leave the CB so it’s almost impossible for him to get on the next ball. A lot of players forget about this option. Johnnyt
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That is common in one pocket to leave a long straight in that can be missed and no balls can be run even if he makes it. In advanced safety you always have to look ahead to what he can do back to you even from a successful safety.. Many players who grew up playing one foul 9 ball think safety is to leave the opponent behind a ball. There is a lot more to it.

I often see players play a safe in 9 ball where they may drive a ball up table leaving no makable shot only to have the guy use the ball to snooker them back. Much like a chess move you have to see ahead what he will do back to you and play accordingly.
 
When playing 8 ball after the break (assuming I make a ball on the break), the first thing I look for is clusters as well as what I consider pocket advantage i.e. which balls are blocking specific pockets. This will usually help me decide before that very first shot if I am going for the runout, or like you said looking for the safe ahead of time. It also depends on how I am playing, and who my opponent is if I know their game.
 
HawaiianEye said:
This is BASIC for TOP players. They will make you "get your bus pass out" when they leave you a shot, because you are going "HAVE TO TRAVEL" to get position on the next ball. They usually shoot to the shot where a lot of "blockers" will be in the way too. So, not ONLY do you have to make the shot, you have to travel across country and navigate all the barriers in between in order to get to your destination.
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I didn't put this up for the top players on here. Johnnyt
 
This is my main tactic when playing pushes in 9b and 10b.
I don't push to intentional kicks, but I'll let them shoot jacked over a corner pocket and having
the wrong angle so they have to jack up on the rail to draw,
or try to ram it with inside english from 6 feet away.

It might not work against Shane but it will frustrate regular guys all day long.
Players have this mindset like "it's makeable, so I'm supposed to fire at it".
It's rare to see players who pass up a shot at an open pocket because position
is just too unrealistic.
 
Johnnyt said:
Here is a strategy when you don’t have a shot or a good safe. Just like running the table takes thinking 3 balls ahead, you need to figure safes the same way. One option when you might leave a semi-hard shot that he probably will go for is to figure the worst angle to leave the CB so it’s almost impossible for him to get on the next ball. A lot of players forget about this option. Johnnyt
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Since as I mentioned in my other post most safety play is often thought of as putting the guy behind a ball, here is some more advanced thinking on even this simplest of safes. When you knock the object ball away to get the snooker. You have to be aware of where the object ball stops. You don't want it near a rail of near the corner. It is best if it is out in the open away from rails.

The reason is, when someone kicks at a ball it is actually a pretty large target. The target ball is about 6 5/8 inches wide about three times the size of one ball. If you put that same ball near a rail it may become the size of a beach ball as far as a target and very easy to hit. True, he may hit it and sell out but better you get ball in hand if that was your intension.

Another thing is leaving the object ball near of behind clusters making it hard to hit. This often sets up an opportunity to get him on another foul with ball in hand or even three. When you have ball in hand you can set up on the object ball and drive it very accurately. You can use this ball to even break up other clusters or move a trouble ball while still getting the player snookered. There is a lot to safety play that doesn't really need any kind of advanced skill sets, just an awareness.

Although they may appear really creative to the watcher they really aren't. For the most part you are just doing standard things you have learned over time most of which are pretty easy to do once you learn recognize them and add them to your bag of tricks. If you see a good player do something that seemed to work, if you get the chance you may want to ask them why they did it. Most players will give you a straight answer. Before you do anything you need to know why you are doing it, what is the theory. That way you can apply the same theory to other situations that may come up.
 
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Johnnyt said:
Here is a strategy when you don’t have a shot or a good safe. Just like running the table takes thinking 3 balls ahead, you need to figure safes the same way. One option when you might leave a semi-hard shot that he probably will go for is to figure the worst angle to leave the CB so it’s almost impossible for him to get on the next ball. A lot of players forget about this option. Johnnyt
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Thats usually how I think about my safes, "where would I least like the cue ball to be if I was my opponent". If I have to I will even hit my opponents ball to create a cluster for him if I cant play a decent safe, even if it means giving up BIH.
 
HawaiianEye said:
This is BASIC for TOP players.
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From what I've seen of top players, nine times out of ten, if they can pocket the OB they can get shape on the next ball. Sure, there are instances where that isn't possible but they're very few...especially when you factor that you've got to be able to hit the OB and get the CB to that no-possible-position spot.
 
I learned from Grady years ago that sometimes you can't hook your man with a safe,BUT leaving him jellied up on top of a ball sometimes works just as good,esp if your opponent can still see enough of the ball to THINK he can make it and get where he needs to be.

It works the same as leaving the rock close to the rail,where all he has is the top of the cue ball. Tommy D.
 
Anvanced Thinking For Safes

One of the safety strategies that may not occur to an amateur player of rotation games is playing a safety so that the lowest numbered ball and the money ball are left very close together. Enjoy the times you will get the table back with ball-in-hand and a fairly easy combo to win the game. :smile:
 
I love the cue ball

Johnnyt said:
Here is a strategy when you don’t have a shot or a good safe. Just like running the table takes thinking 3 balls ahead, you need to figure safes the same way. One option when you might leave a semi-hard shot that he probably will go for is to figure the worst angle tome leave the CB so it’s almost impossible for him to get on the next ball. A lot of players forget about this option. Johnnyt
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You have 2 players brains at work .
I may just play safe
I may take the shot..pocket the ball.... and drop my cue ball into a position to lock you up off the next ball..not even try to get on the next ball.
Safety play is more advanced than the worst angle for the next ball. An eyelash can make the difference in choices
 
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