Duck or run out: what to consider?

mikepage

mikepage

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In another thread with a 9-ball situation where some people would play safe and others would go for the out, someone posted that his decision depended on

(1) who he was playing
(2) whether he was winning (assuming playing by the game)
(3) what the score was (assuming playing a race-to-x set)

Now I understand the dependence on (1), but should decisions of what to do (how aggressive to play) in 9-ball depend on who is winning or on the score?

If you think yes, please try to explain why you think yes.

mike page
fargo
 
if you are ahead in a match you can afford to be more aggressive if say you are leading by a good margin in a longer race. but if its hill hill and you are facing a shot that is tough or a easy safety you dont attack you play the safe and hope that you come back to the table in better position. if you are losing a match i would say that either choice would be a good one if you attack and make the shot you win the game and gain momentum, if you play the safety same thing you swing the momentum in your favour.
 
I'm just going by hearsay from watching alot of Accustats, but often they say that when a player is behind by a large margin, they need to shoot. They need to take whatever chances to win they have and capitalize on them. I remember Mike Sigel saying "You can't win by ducking". That doesn't mean that you shouldn't play safe at all, but playing too many safeties can cost you the match. You are allowing your opponent back to the table, and you are relying on him/her to make the mistake. If they don't, you can lose control of the table easily. Pool is one of the very few games where it is possible that you can win a match and your opponent never gets to play. If you don't let your opponent get to the table, they can't win.
 
I don't know... I look at every shot as should I safety or should I go for the out... Of course if your winning, and your in your stroke, you'll be tempted to go for the out every time, but I always look at it like this:
1. Safety or Out?
2. What will I leave my opponent if I miss?
3. What shot do I want my opponent taking if I play safe?

Always play what the table gives you.
At least that's how I play...
 
The score really doesnt enter into it for me, even if i am up by 3 or 4 games, if im playing someone good, they could easily make those up. They could win 3 or 4 in a row just like i did to be in the lead (unless ive just overmatched them). I pretty much play every game of 9ball the same......i either runout, or shoot until i get to an unmakeable/low percentage shot and safe it and try to get the table back to finish. If i am really hitting the balls great, have a decent lead and not playing for much i would maybe take shots i normally woudlnt, but that would be the only time.
 
mikepage said:
In another thread with a 9-ball situation where some people would play safe and others would go for the out, someone posted that his decision depended on

(1) who he was playing
(2) whether he was winning (assuming playing by the game)
(3) what the score was (assuming playing a race-to-x set)

Now I understand the dependence on (1), but should decisions of what to do (how aggressive to play) in 9-ball depend on who is winning or on the score?

If you think yes, please try to explain why you think yes.

mike page
fargo
Click to expand...


I think you need to add

(4) Is it a Tournament or Action game.

If you are drilling someone in a action game and then you put the squeeze on and play safe. You may kill your action. Go for an agressive shot selection and miss, and you plant a seed of hope in your opponent.

Could be considered a "hustle" I guess.... Me personally, I would call it "free wheel" mode.

There are also examples of an aggressive shot that even if missed has a great chance of resulting in no or very low percentage shot for your opponent....This tends to put opponents "on tilt" and is usually followed with comments of "you are one lucky SOB"

I think there are MANY variables to playing safe vs going for the shot......and many specific examples of how either way could be the correct "move"
 
BRKNRUN said:
I think you need to add

(4) Is it a Tournament or Action game.

If you are drilling someone in a action game and then you put the squeeze on and play safe. You may kill your action. Go for an agressive shot selection and miss, and you plant a seed of hope in your opponent.

Could be considered a "hustle" I guess.... Me personally, I would call it "free wheel" mode.

There are also examples of an aggressive shot that even if missed has a great chance of resulting in no or very low percentage shot for your opponent....This tends to put opponents "on tilt" and is usually followed with comments of "you are one lucky SOB"

I think there are MANY variables to playing safe vs going for the shot......and many specific examples of how either way could be the correct "move"
Click to expand...
thats a good point......shoot too well and kill the golden goose. And i dont think its a hustle........like you said yeah its free wheel mode lol. Its not like youre shooting bad deliberately, you just arent making the same shot making choices. Of course if youre free wheeling it and still making the balls and getting out you could still run off your action.
 
scottycoyote said:
The score really doesnt enter into it for me, even if i am up by 3 or 4 games, if im playing someone good, they could easily make those up. They could win 3 or 4 in a row just like i did to be in the lead (unless ive just overmatched them). I pretty much play every game of 9ball the same......i either runout, or shoot until i get to an unmakeable/low percentage shot and safe it and try to get the table back to finish. If i am really hitting the balls great, have a decent lead and not playing for much i would maybe take shots i normally woudlnt, but that would be the only time.
Click to expand...


I agree...So you are up 4-2 in a race to 5. There is either a runout with a tough first shot, but if you miss you leave em safe. Then you also have a combo which completely sells out. You go for the combo miss the other person runs out. Then they snap the nine on the break. tied 4-4 with the pressure on YOU.

If you think about what the score is u take the pressure off of yourself (or put too much pressure), make stupid lazy decisions and give the other person opportunities to get back in. If you are playing against a solid player they will get back in it. Only think about what the smart decision is. Why should the smart decision be any different if you are down 2 games or up to games?
 
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