Getting Out When It's Easy - 8-ball

[Jude Rosenstock]

Initially, I was amazed this thread has managed to go so long but the more I think about it, the more I understand why. The fact is, we don't always take the correct path to run out, especially when we have a wide-open table. A lot of us, especially the better pocketers, are going to have their way with the table. We'll start with whichever side of the table we happen to be on, pocket the nearest ball with a little angle and just proceed to run everything out, leaving any one of a number of balls last that can be used as a key-ball. Only in competitions like The BCA Championships do you see players do everything they can to make their lives easier with the slick cloth and the mounting pressure.

Going over these answers, my goal wasn't to offend anyone nor was it a means of calling people out. I think it's important we discuss every answer no matter how much we agree or disagree. Even if the answer in whole is not "correct" (whatever that means), there may be a concept worth considering. Besides which, 8-ball is not a commonly played game in most poolrooms with 9-ball and 1-pocket being so prevelant. I think people should be allowed to contribute EVEN IF it's easy to see their pool prowess might not translate to solids & stripes.

I'll continue to post scenarios primarily because in my opinion, that's the purpose of a forum like this. For me, it's what's most interesting. I hope threads like these don't dissuade others from also contributing.

 

[coryjeb]

Initially, I was amazed this thread has managed to go so long but the more I think about it, the more I understand why. The fact is, we don't always take the correct path to run out, especially when we have a wide-open table. A lot of us, especially the better pocketers, are going to have their way with the table. We'll start with whichever side of the table we happen to be on, pocket the nearest ball with a little angle and just proceed to run everything out, leaving any one of a number of balls last that can be used as a key-ball. Only in competitions like The BCA Championships do you see players do everything they can to make their lives easier with the slick cloth and the mounting pressure.

Going over these answers, my goal wasn't to offend anyone nor was it a means of calling people out. I think it's important we discuss every answer no matter how much we agree or disagree. Even if the answer in whole is not "correct" (whatever that means), there may be a concept worth considering. Besides which, 8-ball is not a commonly played game in most poolrooms with 9-ball and 1-pocket being so prevelant. I think people should be allowed to contribute EVEN IF it's easy to see their pool prowess might not translate to solids & stripes.

I'll continue to post scenarios primarily because in my opinion, that's the purpose of a forum like this. For me, it's what's most interesting. I hope threads like these don't dissuade others from also contributing.

Jude- I enjoy these posts/scenarios you make. It is probably most important to be open minded. If you don't understand what someone is saying, then ask how and why. Also worth noting, I believe people get way to heated/bullheaded to actually take in some of this information.

I don't know where this quote comes from, maybe Ricky Bobby , but "If you're standing still, you're gettin' passed". I believe we are all striving to get better.