From the Billiard Gods Blog: Safety & Defense - Intentions

[allanpsand]

Here's another post from the Billiard Gods blog:

All defensive shot selections must include a consideration of its effect on your opponent. Observe his reactions immediately after executing a defensive shot. Individually, taken shot by shot, these have little effect, but over time you should see him emotionally respond to your efforts.

If this is interesting, read the rest of the article here:
http://www.billiardgods.com/sd-intentions/

Have fun - good luck & shoot straight!!

 

[Donny Lutz]

Defensive psychology

Here's another post from the Billiard Gods blog:

All defensive shot selections must include a consideration of its effect on your opponent. Observe his reactions immediately after executing a defensive shot. Individually, taken shot by shot, these have little effect, but over time you should see him emotionally respond to your efforts.

If this is interesting, read the rest of the article here:
http://www.billiardgods.com/sd-intentions/

Have fun - good luck & shoot straight!!

A little "trick" I used to use was in situations where I was definitely going to play a safety. But I'd pretend otherwise and call a really foolish offensive shot. I could see my opponent straighten up in his chair and begin chalking his cue.

Then, after a couple practice strokes, I'd shoot the safety instead...and watch my opponent put down the chalk and slouch back down on his chair, realizing that I was not about to give the game away! Very effective psychological ploy!

 

[duckie]

I used to play a really short person. Whenever I played a safe on him, I made sure where the CB stopped so he could not reach it and had to use the bridge.

Was very effective.

 

[Skippy27]

I had an opponent in the MVP tournament run down to the 8 ball in the hill-hill match and stick himself giving me BIH.

I proceeded to bury him as I uncluttered my balls. However, after the first 3 times I saw how angry he was getting so I did it 2 more times until he got so impatient and pissed that he tried to jump and put the cue ball over everything right in a corner pocket. He slammed his stick on the table and then whacked his cue case breaking his shaft at the joint. He was still man enough to shake my hand and tell me smart playing.

I probably could have ran out after my clusters were gone, but why try? I saw I had control of the game without ever even trying to make a ball.

 

[Matt]

I probably could have ran out after my clusters were gone, but why try? I saw I had control of the game without ever even trying to make a ball.

It depends what you mean by "probably". If you have an easy run-out available and opt for the safety instead, you are giving your opponent a chance to make a great shot that swings the momentum of the match in their favor. Obviously, you should play the safety if it really is your best bet to win the game, but doing it just to irritate your opponent instead of running out will come back to bite you from time to time.

 

[bdorman]

If there are more than 6 balls on the table it's 50/50 that your opponent is going to safe you back by just making contact with the OB. If he knows how to kick the OB into traffic, his odds are even higher.

That said, I enjoy getting into a safety battle with equal or better players.

Just remember, as Billy Incardona says "If the safe is just as difficult as the shot, take the shot."