Best way to practice 8 ball

[Bigdogbret]

I play a practice game called Straight 8 Ball. It is a game found in the PAT (Player Ability Testing) books and it has really helped my game. You break and run either stripes or solids until you miss. That is the score for that inning. A break & run keeps your inning going. The break is a free shot, meaning if you don't pocket a ball on the break, it does not end your inning. I also keep stats on my breaks though. Made Balls, Dry Breaks and Scratch Breaks for my own information and to know what my percentages are. You keep a running total for 10 innings. Documenting your progress lets you see peaks and valleys in your game. It also adds some match type pressure to the practice table.
Hope this helps!

 

[Push&Pool]

OK I've been in this situation many times, playing 8 ball on a bar box against someone much superior. I have a few tricks and strategies for dealing with such opponents. Actually, a few days ago I played a guy who had two times my accuracy, ten times my position play and three times my planning capabilities. I stuck to my strategy and won.

The problem is, I play by regional bar rules, so my tactics aren't compatible with WPA or BCA rules. The good thing is that you said you play in APA, so I guess you use APA rules, which is just fine. Here are a few tips which should help you improve your win/loss ratio against players with greater skill:

1. Always choose the balls which block your opponent's balls in the start. For example, if stripes are mostly positioned between the solids and most pockets, preventing the opponent from scoring anything during the first few shots, go with them.

2. Be patient. Don't go for low-percentage shots. If your opponent is highly skilled, let him do that. Eventually he'll miss, allowing you to punish him by pocketing some easy balls.

3. If you don't have a good shot, you have two options:
a) Play defensively. Simply hide the CB on a difficult position and let your opponent play. If he does the same thing, be persistent and keep repeating the same defensive move until he freaks out, shoots and most likely misses. Remember: nerves win this.
b) Use "heavy artillery" someone else mentioned before. It's not a recipe for disaster if you use it at the right moment. Some situations require you to forget about planning ahead, aim for the largest cluster of your balls and blast away with full power. Just make sure you don't accidentally pocket the 8 ball. This option is a risky one and requires a lot of thinking and practise, but it usually turned the tide of the match for me.

4. Go for easy balls, but leave the ones positioned near the pockets right where they are. With them guarding the pockets, your opponent will be forced to drop them first before pocketing his own balls, or at least waste a shot to kick them out of the path.

5. If he pockets most of his balls while you pocketed almost nothing, use this to your advantage. Play defensively and keep hiding that white around. At the same time, you have an open table, allowing you to go for easy balls.

6. If you pocket the majority of your balls before him, he'll most likely catch up. He'll also keep blocking your every shot. That's where artillery comes into play again. If he hides the white behind a cluster of his balls, blast away (off the cushion if necessary) in the direction of your remaining balls. You don't really have much to lose, but there's a lot you can gain. Just make sure you actually hit your balls

There's much more I could say about this topic, so pm me if you're interested, but for now you should do fine with this along with the great advice from other posters.

 

[Island Drive]

14.1

Best way, learn straight pool. It's advanced 8 ball, but looks easier because you can shoot any ball, but its NOT. The shots that come up once in awhile in 8 ball/bar table, come up ALL the time in 14.1.

 

[blackda]

I practice 8 ball against myself when playing at home on my bar box. From break to 8 every game. Practice, practice, practice... think about every shot and position play.

 

[Cornerman]

Best way, learn straight pool. It's advanced 8 ball, but looks easier because you can shoot any ball, but its NOT. The shots that come up once in awhile in 8 ball/bar table, come up ALL the time in 14.1.

This is good advice but its not the end all. There are many shots and patterns in good 8-ball that are against the grain in 14.1.

For example, the key ball in the side pocket is ok for 14.1 but will spell doom in 8-ball. In 8-ball there are too many times where you must shoot (banks, combos, wrong side) where there is no option.

IMO, anyone who thinks playing some other game is the end all to learning 8-ball is being short-sighted. You've got to play good 8-ball to become your best at 8-ball.

If you were to play against yourself a big set of 8-ball with one of you only playing 14.1 and the other you only playing 8-ball for a month to practice, which of you wins???

Freddie <~~~ thinks 14.1 is a great idea to add to your 8-ball improvement

 

[CJ Wiley]

practice this way it will make regular eight-ball a "piece of cake".

I play on home table every night usually nine ball or just throwing balls onthe table and running them out. I also play in a APA league where we play 8ball and 9ball on same night. I can not seem to win in 8 ball to save my life. The last two weeks I have lost in 8ball to the same person I destroyed in 9ball so I know i need to practice more 8ball but find it hard to do by myself anyone got any tips for 8ball practice?

Anniston AL, that town brings back a lot of memories. That area around Gadsden and Anniston was a hotbed of action back in my gambling days. I had a heck of a set with Matlock on the bar table back then.

Eight-ball isn't that much fun to play by myself, so when I've trained for matches in the past I added a significant challenge to it. Being able to control your cue ball and carom accurately is most important in eight-ball, so I make myself carom another ball EVERY time.

That's right, I play eight-ball as usual, however after making each solid or stripe I practice caroming{the cue-ball} into another ball. This starts out fairly easy earlier in the game and gets more difficult as you have less balls on the table. It's very difficult to run out playing this game, however, if you practice this way it will make regular eight-ball a "piece of cake".

 

[BasementDweller]

Don't try to run out until all your balls have pockets. Break out clusters early. If playing safe, do it early. Don't run all the ducks off and leave problems balls for last, that is a recipe for a loss.

Sounds like you might need to play more safes? Running down to the last ball or second to last ball only to leave yourself no shot is suicide in 8 ball. Play safe, create problems for the other guy, get all your balls wide open and only then, go for the run. If you can't run for whatever reason (tough table, cueball control is lacking tonight, etc.), use safes as a defensive weapon.

Mohrt:

Sounds like you have a fairly conservative approach to 8 ball. I think you need a slightly more aggressive approach to play at the higher levels. Thinking you can get all of your balls in the open BEFORE you even begin thinking about getting out is a good way to get beat by the better players. For me, I'm looking at how many clusters I have? As a rule of thumb, 3 or more and I'm probably ducking. If I have 2 clusters I will probably begin my runout, looking at breaking them out as soon as possible. If I mess up after my first shot and I don't break out a cluster, I'm probably going to play safe. But I'm not necessarily afraid of waiting till the end to break out a ball if I have a good line on it. Not all clusters are created equal.

 

[Island Drive]

Mohrt:

Sounds like you have a fairly conservative approach to 8 ball. I think you need a slightly more aggressive approach to play at the higher levels. Thinking you can get all of your balls in the open BEFORE you even begin thinking about getting out is a good way to get beat by the better players. For me, I'm looking at how many clusters I have? As a rule of thumb, 3 or more and I'm probably ducking. If I have 2 clusters I will probably begin my runout, looking at breaking them out as soon as possible. If I mess up after my first shot and I don't break out a cluster, I'm probably going to play safe. But I'm not necessarily afraid of waiting till the end to break out a ball if I have a good line on it. Not all clusters are created equal.

Good points....I've found 14.1 brainwashes me (in a good way) into realizing by ball patterns an layouts and ones ability to get on the proper side of the ball if a run out should even be attempted. Many times in table layouts like that, your first shot declaring ball groups will determine if you run or hide or move em around. I've never found a better game for one to realize if the layout patters will allow you to clear the table or NOT.

 

[ronscuba]

I am horrible at 8 ball. Mainly because a lack of strategy and experience.

Opening clusters early has worked well, but some opponents re-create clusters. Very frustrating when they do it unintentionally because the zoom the CB around.

 

[sfleinen]

Mohrt:

Sounds like you have a fairly conservative approach to 8 ball. I think you need a slightly more aggressive approach to play at the higher levels. Thinking you can get all of your balls in the open BEFORE you even begin thinking about getting out is a good way to get beat by the better players. For me, I'm looking at how many clusters I have? As a rule of thumb, 3 or more and I'm probably ducking. If I have 2 clusters I will probably begin my runout, looking at breaking them out as soon as possible. If I mess up after my first shot and I don't break out a cluster, I'm probably going to play safe. But I'm not necessarily afraid of waiting till the end to break out a ball if I have a good line on it. Not all clusters are created equal.

I agree with this. In fact, in my Thursday in-house 8-ball league, I'm often tapped for lessons about game play, and this is one of the key things I teach -- know when, that magic signal, when it's time to run out. One of the surest ways to get beat in 8-ball is not knowing where you fall in the two extremes -- i.e. too aggressive (which we already know), and the lesser-known too conservative approach. For me, a couple clusters are NOT an indicator that the table is not runnable. Straight pool experience teaches me the trick is getting an angle on that cluster with a nearby ball, and using precision cue ball control to get on it. As a matter of fact, one of the few times that a cluster will cause pause, is when there's no ball of my category nearby to break that cluster up. What I'll do then -- and it really depends on the layout of the table -- is to use defensive maneuvers to try to get ball-in-hand, and either use that BIH to pocket a ball out of that cluster and break it up to continue the run, or else play another safety that both breaks up the cluster and locks my opponent up behind one of those balls.

A great example of the "too conservative" approach, is that IPT match between Francisco Bustamante and Larry Schwartz. Larry is known as an authority on 8-ball tactics (and has written several GREAT works on the topic, as well as being a regular columnist for several pool periodicals). However, in this match, he got roasted. The conservative approaches failed him, because he didn't regulate or moderate his conservative approach correctly. Not only would Francisco get out of the safeties that Larry played on him, but he would kick-safe Larry back, and in a kicking war with Francisco, Larry was sure to lose. Also, Francisco ran the table out from the break more often than Larry, because Francisco didn't let a few clusters stop him -- rather, he used great cue ball to get position on a ball near the cluster to break that cluster up. I think that if Larry recognized earlier in the match that he needed to "adjust" his conservative approach -- and become more aggressive -- he would've fared better.

Anyway, 8-ball's one of those games that can become a "science" if you let it.

-Sean

 

[mohrt]

Mohrt:

Sounds like you have a fairly conservative approach to 8 ball. I think you need a slightly more aggressive approach to play at the higher levels. Thinking you can get all of your balls in the open BEFORE you even begin thinking about getting out is a good way to get beat by the better players. For me, I'm looking at how many clusters I have? As a rule of thumb, 3 or more and I'm probably ducking. If I have 2 clusters I will probably begin my runout, looking at breaking them out as soon as possible. If I mess up after my first shot and I don't break out a cluster, I'm probably going to play safe. But I'm not necessarily afraid of waiting till the end to break out a ball if I have a good line on it. Not all clusters are created equal.

This is only a rule-of-thumb. If you feel confident you can break up trouble balls in the first few shots then by all means go for it.

[edit] my real point of saying this is, don't get in the habit of running off ducks and leaving trouble balls at the end. This is disaster. So if you are going to run out, you have to have a plan for every ball.

 

[CJ Wiley]

"trouble balls"

This is only a rule-of-thumb. If you feel confident you can break up trouble balls in the first few shots then by all means go for it.

[edit] my real point of saying this is, don't get in the habit of running off ducks and leaving trouble balls at the end. This is disaster. So if you are going to run out, you have to have a plan for every ball.

So would you advise breaking out the "trouble balls" early in the rack?

 

[bowiebill]

I play on home table every night usually nine ball or just throwing balls onthe table and running them out. I also play in a APA league where we play 8ball and 9ball on same night. I can not seem to win in 8 ball to save my life. The last two weeks I have lost in 8ball to the same person I destroyed in 9ball so I know i need to practice more 8ball but find it hard to do by myself anyone got any tips for 8ball practice?

i didn't read everyones post here, but i find myself wondering if the original poster is doing a good job at choosing WHICH balls to play after the break.

taking solids when stripes is the better choice can be a killer in 8 ball. or visa versa of course.

maybe he can tell us how he chooses.

 

[sigep1967]

Played again last night. I am a SL6 in 9ball had to play a SL9 he was off and missed a few shots early and i was able to run out everytime I got to the table and got a big lead on him that he couldn't overcome. Then had to play him again in 8ball. He won the the flip and broke dry I ran out, this was a race 5-2 since I am a SL4 in 8ball due to my poor play in 8ball. He wins the next 3 games and then I finally get a chance and beat him for the second game and the win. I choose my balls wisely and as i have said before I plan my runout from the 8 but what gets me in trouble is speed control on the table we play league on the cloth is so worn and thin it is like playing on a sheet of glass and i struggle slowing the cueball down enough not to roll out to far. I can get away with it in 9ball due to the openess of the table but with the crowded 8ball table I always seen to get out of line by the 4-5 shot.

 

[Push&Pool]

Played again last night. I am a SL6 in 9ball had to play a SL9 he was off and missed a few shots early and i was able to run out everytime I got to the table and got a big lead on him that he couldn't overcome. Then had to play him again in 8ball. He won the the flip and broke dry I ran out, this was a race 5-2 since I am a SL4 in 8ball due to my poor play in 8ball. He wins the next 3 games and then I finally get a chance and beat him for the second game and the win. I choose my balls wisely and as i have said before I plan my runout from the 8 but what gets me in trouble is speed control on the table we play league on the cloth is so worn and thin it is like playing on a sheet of glass and i struggle slowing the cueball down enough not to roll out to far. I can get away with it in 9ball due to the openess of the table but with the crowded 8ball table I always seen to get out of line by the 4-5 shot.

If the cloth is too worn out, don't force position play at all costs. It will decrease your chances of winning. Play smart and think one shot at a time. Be patient and don't risk too much. If your opponent tries position play, let him make the mistake due to the low quality cloth first. Sometimes you can put your opponent in a very bad position by actually letting him have the upper hand in the match. Remember that for the next time and keep us posted about your upcoming results.

 

[KenK]

I play a practice game called Straight 8 Ball. It is a game found in the PAT (Player Ability Testing) books and it has really helped my game. You break and run either stripes or solids until you miss. That is the score for that inning. A break & run keeps your inning going. The break is a free shot, meaning if you don't pocket a ball on the break, it does not end your inning. I also keep stats on my breaks though. Made Balls, Dry Breaks and Scratch Breaks for my own information and to know what my percentages are. You keep a running total for 10 innings. Documenting your progress lets you see peaks and valleys in your game. It also adds some match type pressure to the practice table.
Hope this helps!

I liked your suggestion so much; I had to go give it a try for myself. To me, it was very much an eye opening experience to see exactly where I stood. Out of 10 games, I had one ero; three games where I was able to pocket 6 balls and I either missed shape on my last object ball or flat out missed a very makeable shot. The remaining games I averaged anywhere between 3 to 5 balls.

I can definitely see many benefits to using this practice drill. For example, the next time I do it, I’m going to change my break from head on to second the ball. I will be curious to see if my ball average will go up by simply changing my break.

All in all, I think I can do better but time will tell. Thanks for the tip!

 

[mohrt]

So would you advise breaking out the "trouble balls" early in the rack?

Absolutely, this would generally be better than late in the rack. You can break them by way of an offensive shot, or a strong safety. If you are playing a safety against a strong player, you had better freeze them up tight. I realize CJ, you are playing 8-ball at a level far beyond the average player. If you are playing say, an APA 5 player and you are also APA 5, you will go a long ways toward winning games if you control the table. Break up problems, make problems for your opponents, play strategic safes until you are ready to run 'em. If you are a master playing a master, you had better look for the offensive runout if possible, otherwise lock them up tight.

 

[KMRUNOUT]

I play on home table every night usually nine ball or just throwing balls onthe table and running them out. I also play in a APA league where we play 8ball and 9ball on same night. I can not seem to win in 8 ball to save my life. The last two weeks I have lost in 8ball to the same person I destroyed in 9ball so I know i need to practice more 8ball but find it hard to do by myself anyone got any tips for 8ball practice?

Here are some good options:

1) Drill: place all 15 balls scattered around the table, at least 1 diamond away from the rails, and no clusters. Take ball in hand. Run out without touching a rail or another ball. There are two primary benefits to this drill. First, it very much emphasizes *pattern* recognition. You need to be able to connect the balls together with lots of stop shots. Selecting the balls in the right order is huge. Second, it really tunes up your stop shot and all the many very slight variations...(for example how to spin balls in to hold cue ball position, how to *super* soft roll balls in, long distance perfect stops, very slight draw and follow). This drill is excellent for all games, but really works wonderfully for 8 ball play.

2) Play the 8 ball ghost. Break, take ball in hand. You can pick either set of balls. Try to run out. This obviously focuses on runout 8 ball, but also places an emphasis on effective breaking. If you want to beat the ghost, you better be spreading the balls out nicely.

3) Assess the table drill. This might be very boring, but it is a fantastic drill. Basically, you break. If you are playing APA or take what you make, follow that. Otherwise, if you don't make a ball or are playing BCA, spend some time taking a careful look at the table. Choose what set of balls you want. Identify (out loud ideally) any problems or clusters. Announce to yourself the potential solutions...do you have a break ball? Do you need to manufacture one? At what point might you play safe? Make sure you really have all the answers. Once you do, rake the balls and do it again. If you want to you can proceed with your plan to try it out. It is certainly more fun...but don't let it distract you from the purpose of this drill.

I think doing these 3 things will make a HUGE improvement in your 8 ball game.

MOST importantly: DO NOT GO FOR THE RUNOUT if you don't have it. If you can't see the run all the way to the 8 ball, DON'T START RUNNING BALLS!!! 8 ball has 2 phases. "Set up the table", and "Run out the table". Finish phase 1 before starting phase 2. Sometimes you need to make a ball to pick your set. Fine. Look for the ball that leads to progress in phase 1 before plowing ahead into phase 2. Every ball has a *function*! Learn to identify what it is for each of your balls.

Good luck, hope it helps,

KMRUNOUT

 

[Cuaba]

Play 8-Ball League every night you can.

There is no substitute for real competition against better players.