Ball spot or game spot - which is better?

[denzilla171]

Just how valuable is a "ball spot?" For example, in a race to 8, would it be better to have a one-game start, or be given the 8-ball?

Hypothetical matchup for example: SVB vs. Tyler Styer. In an even race to 8, we'd expect SVB to win more than he loses, correct? But at what point would Styer become the favorite? (in your estimation):

8/8 and the 8-ball
8/7
8/7 and the 8-ball
8/7 and the 7-ball
8/6
Something else?

 

[The_JV]

I've given up my fair share of weight in the past. I never entertain the ball spot. Games sure, balls no...

Bad enough I have to give up weight to begin with.

That said, maybe the actual rules of the 'ball spot' differ from what I've experienced. Generally the ball given is wild, so they have 2 opprotunities to slop in a win and/or get a fortunate combo.

With the game spot I can see the mountain I have to climb to reach even keel.

 

[Black-Balled]

I've given up my fair share of weight in the past. I never entertain the ball spot. Games sure, balls no...

Bad enough I have to give up weight to begin with.

That said, maybe the actual rules of the 'ball spot' differ from what I've experienced. Generally the ball given is wild, so they have 2 opprotunities to slop in a win and/or get a fortunate combo.

With the game spot I can see the mountain I have to climb to reach even keel.

That perspective is not relevant to svb/ styer. Players of that caliber don't slop in money balls.

With players of that level, games on the wire are needed by the lesser player. The ball spot means one runs out to the spot ball and those guys are rarely going to flub one of the last few balls during a runout...

Fargorate.com

 

[sjm]

Ball spots are more for amateurs than pros. Still, if it was absolutely mandatory that a ball spot were to be used, I'm guessing Shane can give Tyler the call 7-8-9 in 10-ball for an even match, meaning Tyler would win any rack in which he made the 7, 8, 9 or 10 as long as he called them. Truth is, Shane will not lose many racks in which he gets as far as the seven, but the extra combos and caroms available to Tyler would make this game close.

To be honest, on the rare occasion that I do see top players with ball spots, it seems much of the old time strategy is lost. For example, if you are getting the seven as a spot, using the pushout (or occasionally a safety) to either a) tie up the eight and nine together or b) improve the position of the seven, was something quite common back in the day. Seems nobody knows all the moves these days, which is understandable as ball spots are rarer and rarer with top players.

I'd stick with games on the wire. I'd guess Tyler needs 3 on the wire in a race to 13 for a fair bet with Shane.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... Fargorate.com

At 8-8 without a ball spot, Shane is expected to win the set 80% of the time. Shane has a slight advantage if they play at 8-5. (51.6%, 75 Fargorate points difference) Shane is back to rated #1 in the world.

As mentioned above, ball spots are hard to figure for good players. For all players the value of the ball spot depends on the table -- a tight table makes the spot larger.