Generalizations On Pattern Play

[Clusterbuster]

Assuming you’re talking about 8-ball, #7 and #3 are both misleading that they actually hurt more than they help, IMO. They need better wording.

I would add one of my “Runout for Dummies” guidelines:

Stay away from using the side pocket as yout keyball pocket. It works nicely for 14.1 when you’re clearing the table and you’re looking for “the triangle,” but if you’re running 8-ball with the other guys balls in the table, side pocket key balls are doom.


Freddie

#7 is a little tough for me to articulate but here is the basic idea: Most target zones are elongated. When you're trying to get shape by moving into a target zone, you're typically trying to get on the same line as the line between your next object ball and it's intended pocket. Once you get on that line, it's easier to stay on it with the cue ball moving more parallel to it as opposed to crossing it perpendicularly. If the cue is rolling more or less parallel to that line, you may have a margin of error of half the length of the table or more. If you're moving across the zone, you may only have a margin of error of a few inches before you get out of line.

As for #3, the idea is to clear out one portion of the table first and then move to the next so as to minimize cue ball movement. Some others have put it better than me.

 

[KMRUNOUT]

What's the thinking behind this one?

pj
chgo

I agree with this one. Generally speaking it allows for a large position zone to play for the other balls. Also, unless you are straight in on a ball in the side, you are typically going to a rail and possibly moving a distance with the cue ball. Better to do that when there are plenty of bail out options. Basic idea is that you clear out the higher traffic areas first.

KMRUNOUT

 

[deanoc]

When alone at the table i try to run balls of 14:1

I start with ball in hand
Even then I miss the ball,it seems that my eye goes off to where the break will occur
somtimes it takes 10 or more racks for me to start cinching the object ball

even then I easily go back to this same way


Then I don't know which ball to shoot or how to get the cue ball in shape
in short it destroys my game

my average run is less than 7 balls,no joke

once i ran over 56 balls when i had my Deano cue,but I was
showin off,i could draw the ball 3 feet to break the balls

honestly I think I should be able to run some 20s and more
but i can't


I really want to though

I watched some dr D,I wish i could learn

you guys are providing good information,congradulations

 

[Patrick Johnson]

1. Plan at least three balls (and preferably more) in advance

I don't know who came up with the "plan 3 balls ahead" but, I was taught to plan the entire table before ever touching the table.

I think the two principles are compatible.

"1. Plan at least three balls (and preferably more) in advance" is really the same as "5. Be cognizant of stopping the cue ball on the right side of the line".

In other words, know which side of the 2nd ball you want to be on in order to get to the 3rd ball. It's really meant to be the minimum planning ahead you have to do (as it says).

pj
chgo

 

[jrctherake]

I think the two principles are compatible.

"1. Plan at least three balls (and preferably more) in advance" is really the same as "5. Be cognizant of stopping the cue ball on the right side of the line".

In other words, know which side of the 2nd ball you want to be on in order to get to the 3rd ball. It's really meant to be the minimum planning ahead you have to do (as it says).

pj
chgo

Wrong side of shot line is not a good place to be.

The last time I planned 3 balls ahead I was playing 3 ball.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

4. Clear the center of the table first

it opens up natural through-the-center-of-the-table position-play routes

it allows for a large position zone to play for the other balls.

These make sense to me, but I also think Bob's advice...

1. Minimize cue ball movement.

...is an important part of that planning. For me that often means taking balls in the middle in the order of most efficient CB movement.

pj
chgo

 

[ChrisinNC]

I've been giving more attention to pattern play lately. An issue with pattern play is that, with every rack depending on the particular layout of the table, you are limited to learning general concepts and, hopefully, applying them correctly in a given instance. I thought I'd list what I understand as the general concepts for pattern play and invite anyone to point out what I am missing or maybe don't have quite right:

1. Plan at least three balls (and preferably more) in advance;

2. Break out clusters and move problem balls early and, conversely, avoid moving any other balls without purpose;

3. Clear the table by zones (attacking the table in thirds or by half). I've seen folks take issue with this but I expect their assumption is that this is a rule to be applied slavishly instead of a guideline;

4. Clear the center of the table first;

5. Be cognizant of stopping the cue ball on the right side of the line;

6. Keep an angle, generally avoid leaving yourself with straight in shots;

7. Approach a target zone by rolling parallel to it's length instead of perpendicular to it;

8. Keep an angle, generally avoid leaving yourself with straight-in shots;

9. When you have a choice between moving into a couple of target zones to get on a ball, default to the larger (strong side/weak side issue);

10. Leaving yourself with a thin cut probably means you'll be letting go of the cue ball on your next shot. Not necessarily good or bad but just be aware.

Obviously, these are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. What should I add to the list or modify and, where it may be an issue, how do you prioritize among them? I just ordered Tor Lowery's new video on pattern play, so maybe I should have waited to see it first but I was interested in what others may say.

To clarify, are we talking about rotational games, 8-ball or 14.1 here? Pattern play strategies can obviously differ greatly between the 3 disciplines.

 

[Rico]

Patterns

Jim Rempe,s how to run a rack was a great vidio .It showed how to hit the correct side of balls on breaking clusters and having to change a pattern. Also Tor Lowery,s half table and full table pattern play and connecting balls is excellent.

 

[crazysnake]

Read it again, and just pause, and let it really sink in. It's amazing.

Sent from my Moto Z2 Play using Tapatalk

 

[michael4]

Yeah this! Less movement is best! Also I was taught not all clusters need broken up, some clusters just need some precise shape!

Agree, when I watch great players, if a ball is in a cluster but it still goes into one pocket, they play precise shape to play that ball into that pocket (rather than randomly break open the balls)

 

[michael4]

I suppose that last leads to another suggestion:

2. Watch players who play good patterns.
Or, stated negatively:
II. Avoid watching players who have no idea how to play patterns.

Of course this means I can never watch myself play :grin-square: