Do you have a game plan?
- Thread starter Stretch
- Start date
In 9 ball I just play to win. You know the usual stuff, no dumb shots,control the cue ball and things like that. One pocket I have to change my game for the opponet.I play one guy I have to play real tight and more defense because he can (and will) burn me with 1 or 2 mistakes on my part.On the other hand another guy I play I can lay traps for and then go for it when he takes the bait. He's only good for a 2 maybe 3 ball run before he self destructs. I just try to make sure I'm mentally ready to shoot before I pull the trigger.
Dawg
Dawg
I play in a handicapped straight pool league, and find that a game plan REALLY helps achieve good results. Against poorer players where you are spotting them 60-70 balls in a race to 100, you must play very carefully, avoiding any risky shots that could leave them an open table, play safeties often as they are usually unable to respond successfully, err on the side of clearing off open balls (even if it sometimes leads to stopping your run), and break the balls a lot more softly than usual (if you miss, they will not be able to manufacture their own shots). I rarely make long runs when playing the poorer players (and I almost always win).
Oddly enough, when playing professional caliber players, my strategy is very different. I play wide open, since safeties have to be incredibly good to stymie them. My only chance to win (they spot me balls) is long runs, so I play for more angled break shots and hit them harder (it is still easier for me to run a rack that is wide open, than one where only a few balls break out), and I will take any type of fairly difficult shot, no matter the situation - against these players you must stay at the table at all costs. In these matches, I play more traditional straight pool - clear rail balls and trouble balls first in an attempt to run multiple racks at a time.
Oddly enough, when playing professional caliber players, my strategy is very different. I play wide open, since safeties have to be incredibly good to stymie them. My only chance to win (they spot me balls) is long runs, so I play for more angled break shots and hit them harder (it is still easier for me to run a rack that is wide open, than one where only a few balls break out), and I will take any type of fairly difficult shot, no matter the situation - against these players you must stay at the table at all costs. In these matches, I play more traditional straight pool - clear rail balls and trouble balls first in an attempt to run multiple racks at a time.
Last week in my league, we played a team with lesser skilled players in which every player is a first time league player. I broke wide open leaving the cue ball near the center of the table for every match as I knew no one would run the table on me. And I did not play much of any safeties and always left them with a shot. It was obvious my team was going to win easily and there was no need to *creamate* them.
Next week we play a team where everyone is a BCA 9. For this match, I will break leaving clusters with the cue ball near the foot rail, will play a lot of safeties, and will try to keep my opponent from ever getting a shot.
For small local money tournaments, I usually use these to practice whatever I am working on at the time. So I may try out a specific break with all players, or choose shots which require draw over other easier shots, or shoot all shots with left English, etc. This is fun because the other players will watch me and say "why did he do that..." They never know what to expect.
Next week we play a team where everyone is a BCA 9. For this match, I will break leaving clusters with the cue ball near the foot rail, will play a lot of safeties, and will try to keep my opponent from ever getting a shot.
For small local money tournaments, I usually use these to practice whatever I am working on at the time. So I may try out a specific break with all players, or choose shots which require draw over other easier shots, or shoot all shots with left English, etc. This is fun because the other players will watch me and say "why did he do that..." They never know what to expect.
PoolTipper
New member
Game plans are great, but remember you're only left with 2 things in every game...
1. The layout of the table.
2. The shot in front of you.
Build your plan for the shot at hand, and you'll do fine. Go to far ahead of yourself and you'll be punished for it.
1. The layout of the table.
2. The shot in front of you.
Build your plan for the shot at hand, and you'll do fine. Go to far ahead of yourself and you'll be punished for it.
Stretch said:
What a great question! I assume we’re talking nine-ball here. There are many strategic adjustments that can be incorporated into one’s approach to any match, and they center, primarily, on 1) opponent’s level and 2) their specific strengths and weaknesses.
Taking Opponent’s Level Into Account
For me, and for most pool players, there are three levels of opponent to consider, the player that is weaker than me, the one that plays comparably to me, and the one that plays stronger than me. I believe adjustments are called for in strategic orientation, particularly in three areas of the game: push out, two-way shots, and offense/defense judgment.
Playing a Player that is Weaker than Me
1) If I face a push out situation, I can leave a little more on my push than I might against someone who plays my speed. If my opponent plays a push out, I can give it back a little more often than I might against someone who plays my speed
2) Against a weaker player, playing shots two-ways will pay great dividends, even when the defense resulting from my miss is very passive. Hence, I’m more inclined to play a little more defense with my offense.
3) When I have a close choice between a chancy shot and a safety, I’ll choose the safety, as I’ll be a big favorite to end of with control of the table whenever I have the first shot in a defensive sequence.
Playing Somebody that Plays Comparably to Me
1) When deciding where to push out, I expect, on average, that after I push, opponent will accept any position I would, and give back any position I would.
2) Playing two-way shots when the defense that would likely result from a miss is very passive probably won’t pay big dividends, so I’ll, for the most part, only play shots two-ways when the defense that would result from a miss would have some merit.
3) When I have a close choice between a chancy shot and a safety, I’ll rely on the rule that if the safety is as tough to execute is the shot, play the shot, to guide me.
Playing Somebody that Plays Stronger Than Me
1) If I face a push out situation, I have to leave a little less on my push than I might against someone who plays my speed. If my opponent plays a push out, I cannot give it back as often as I might against someone who plays my speed.
2) Playing two-way shots when the defense that would likely result from a miss is anything but strong probably won’t pay big dividends, so I’ll likely only play shots two-ways when strong defense would be the likely result of a miss.
3) When I have a close choice between a chancy shot and a safety, I’ll have to take on the shot a little more often than I would against somebody who plays my speed..
Taking Opponent’s Specific Strengths and Weaknesses into Account
Players that are comparable as competitors still have specific strengths and weaknesses, and where possible, knowledge should be incorporated into one’s strategic orientation. Here are two examples at pro level:
1) Although the two play comparably, you should be less inclined to get into a safety battle against Efren Reyes than against Earl Strickland, because Efren Reyes’ speed control and kicking are so strong.
2) Although the two play comparably, you should be less inclined to leave a bank shot against Vivian Villareal than against Gerda Hofstatter. Vivian’s vast one pocket experience has made her superb at banking balls.
The Bottom Line: Have a Game Plan
Rather than make strategic adjustments on the fly, give some thought to your opponent's level and their specific strengths and weaknesses and you'll enter a match with a game plan, freeing more of your mind up to focus on your fundamentals and your shot execution once the match begins.
Last edited:
sjm said:
Thanks sjm, great post! The concensis seems to be along the lines of "a plan" is better than no plan. I like the way you identified some situations ie push-outs, two way shots, low% shots where you can make judgements about how best to play them if you have a plan. More importantly, a good game plan also makes the mental side of the match easier. I'd imagine that you wouldn't have to make as many impromtu, possibly emotional decisions. Instead you can decide before the game, calmly, outside the heat of competition.
I should really make a check list of things i can decide upon "before" a match starts. That way when i get stuck deciding about something, i can go ah-ha! I thought of that already, this is what i'll do.
I think everyone could benefit by prepairing responses to say dogging a shot, falling behind, holding a lead, that sort of thing. Plus sometimes your just not playing great or the equipment dosn't suit your style or something. You can make a decision to play conservativly. It would save you alot of grief haha.
Sure i've walked into a lot of matches and just play for play sake. Go out and have fun, play smart. But i'm finding that FUN and SMART are not always synonimous.
St out.~~~and thanks for all the input guys!~~~