Knowing that most of the players that I deal with won't run 100 and out, would I be better served with a big break vs the safety break? I'll give up some points, but it could also work in my favor when they miss....good plan or not?
Big Break?
- Thread starter POCKETWOLF
- Start date
POCKETWOLF said:
Suicidal.
You'll learn more about the game by picking balls out of the stack. After the first rack, you'll have to find a way to deal with the stack anyway. It's best to play the game correctly from the beginning as it will assist you in learning more about the game.
I'd take a scratch first
Before I smashed insanely I would take a scratch every time. You can work on your opening break, it will save you alot of pain!
Nick
Before I smashed insanely I would take a scratch every time. You can work on your opening break, it will save you alot of pain!
Nick
It's not that I don't have a good soft (safety) break, I usually leave very little for my opponent off the break. But if the rack is open against average players, my opportunity to score fast and get into my opponents head could be an advantage, right? I'm just thinking if everyone is in the right lane, maybe I can reach the finish line in the left lane faster.
POCKETWOLF said:
Whats the rush? All you are doing is spotting your opponent some balls and calculating that you are going to have a wide open table if they make a mistake. Like Blackjack said, thats suicide against a better player and is not going to advance your game. Aren't you better off giving them wieght and forcing yourself to play hard right from the break?
But if you are set on giving spots to your opponents in this manner at least call the corner ball bank on the break. It will go once in a while and won't make you look like an arrogant SOB as much to your opponent
. (just a figure of speech, not calling you that)
Last edited:
Well said, apparently I haven't been playing enough and thinking too much. Problem is, we don't have a 14.1 league here, so getting games to make mistakes and learn my lessons are hard to come by without breaking the bank. Sorry, not a high roller, so I can't afford that lesson. Also, there aren't any 14.1 minds to pick, so a few more "suicidal" questoins are sure to follow. Thanks for the input!
POCKETWOLF said:
it's a bad plan. if you're playing someone that's even with you they'll stay, what ever they scored, ahead of you. or there's always that they'll shoot off all the easy open balls and then duck when something semi challenging comes up.
Picking apart the cluster is the name of the game. that IS straight pool that is where all the skill and precision comes from. running the last 5 balls is easy. its the first 9 that are hard. leave a weak player an ugly cluster and you will get your shot soon enough.
I understand your point. I understand that you feel you can break correctly if needed, but smashing the rack is not only fundamentally the wrong thing to do, I'd consider it demeaning if I were your opponent. If you are playing with friends, I'd never want to make them feel that way.
No one learns from doing this. Not you from smashing the rack, and surely not your opponent who isn't able to experience the most important shot in the game the way it should be.
Why not spot your opponent a few racks up front instead, and play the game correctly if you feel you have an edge. Who knows, someday you may meet someone who is a strong player and you will be grateful you played the rack.
No one learns from doing this. Not you from smashing the rack, and surely not your opponent who isn't able to experience the most important shot in the game the way it should be.
Why not spot your opponent a few racks up front instead, and play the game correctly if you feel you have an edge. Who knows, someday you may meet someone who is a strong player and you will be grateful you played the rack.
POCKETWOLF said:
The question you asked is sort of the flip side of a 'discussion'
that grew into the formation of this forum.
The larger issue could be stated as:
'Should I play in a manner that will yield more games won today,
but will inhibit my long term progress?'.
I think the choice is pretty simple, when stated in those terms.
Most people these days don't have any talented local 14.1
players to watch. There are books, videos, and tournaments.
A trip to sunny Fla for lessons with Blackjack would be
money well spent.
Dale