How many shots do you plan ahead when it is your shot, playing pool?

Like Lock N Load, I plan a minimum of 3 shots ahead. But usually I will try to plan the entire rack as I only play 8/9/10 ball. It's not possible for me to do it every time but I still give it my best.

Recently been trying to keep it at a minimum of 4 shots now..
 
I think all the shots ahead. Sometimes there is one huge, perfect pattern and other times it looks tricky but you notice the key to open the table. My first clue if I can't visualize running out is that I should play safe sooner than later. I really like "soldiers" on the table. No real sense running a bunch of balls then playing safe when a lot of kicking lanes are open. How many times have you seen someone hooked on a dead layout and they miss the kick and inadvertantly open up the problem balls? Happens all the time. If the table isn't run-able for me I would rather get in a little moving game within the game early and see if I can out manuever him by rearranging the layout, keeping him off the shot, and beating him to the winning inning. If you know you have a plan for the layout it should be easier to execute. Not always the case but it can't hurt.
 
lock n load said:
meaning,
do you plan to make 3 balls when it is your shot? One ball and then play safe? When i play 9 ball i plan 3 balls to make if at all possible! Same way with one pocket, if i can't make more than one ball i play a safe shot. Perhaps i am wrong, but it works for me. Now how about your shot thinking and ball making plans in your game?
Many regards,
lock n load.
Click to expand...

depends on the layout, as far as possible though.
 
I generally see the whole table right after the break.

However the only thing I really plan are the trouble areas or shots that I know will be difficult or limited in pocket options.

The rest is just a pool 101.
 
ChrisBanks said:
I've never heard of playing 3 balls ahead in one pocket. If there is some sort of system of looking ahead in one pocket, please share. I would like to know it!

And if you only have one live ball, and it is in your best interest to pocket it now, you will refuse to shoot it because you can't develop more balls on that shot? Please share more.
Click to expand...

Chris,
Most decent one pocket players look at patterns of running balls (just as they would in rotation games) and will often pass up a very easy shot to take a slightly more difficult shot because that shot gives them access to far more balls that they will be able to run.

I'm not a great one pocket player by any stretch of the imagination, but I know that on occasion, I have looked ahead for as many as seven balls, counting each of them before I began my run, knowing the order that I planned to run them in.

And if you have only one live ball, most one pocket players will take it or lay it up in their pocket and play safe.
 
I look at the current ball and the next 2. Looking further than that is usually not necessary.
I'll "earmark" balls to save for breakouts or delicate position in 8 ball.

I just try to leave angles on each ball where I can definitely put the cueball anywhere on the table without too much effort. I usually like to leave an angle going into a rail rather than playing for straight in, or shots where you don't touch the rail.
 
ChrisBanks said:
I've never heard of playing 3 balls ahead in one pocket. If there is some sort of system of looking ahead in one pocket, please share. I would like to know it!

And if you only have one live ball, and it is in your best interest to pocket it now, you will refuse to shoot it because you can't develop more balls on that shot? Please share more.
Click to expand...

I agree, I wouldn't hesitate to take a ball in one pocket, only time to avoid it is if the difficulty of the shot comes into question.

9 ball players run into problems when using the 3 ball strategy in one pocket.


John
 
Lock N Load said:
Meaning,
Do you plan to make 3 balls when it is your shot? One ball and then play safe? When I play 9 ball I plan 3 balls to make if at all possible! Same way with one pocket, If I can't make more than one ball I play a safe shot. Perhaps I am wrong, but it works for me. Now how about your shot thinking and ball making plans in your game?
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
Click to expand...

In 8-ball and 9-ball, I plan the entire set out. Of course, I have to re-think my plan after I dog the first shot.

Freddie <~~~ or miscue on the lag
 
Cornerman said:
In 8-ball and 9-ball, I plan the entire set out. Of course, I have to re-think my plan after I dog the first shot.

Freddie <~~~ or miscue on the lag
Click to expand...

Ditto. I do the same for straight pool and even plan on the break out ball, but alas, I am no Irving Crane.
 
Depends on the layout. If there is a cluster or balls tied up the plan is to break open the balls and go from there.
 
I automatically plan the whole rack before I shoot the 1st ball. Sometimes I will plan it up to the point of a safety. I firmly believe you have to have a plan.
As they say.... A bad plan beats no plan
 
Hi pool-a-holics :)

usually i try to *plan the complete rack* - and after that i *try* to plan the next 3 balls 100% perfectly.
What then happens....well- we all know :)
 
Personally, I'll always plan how to run the rack from my first visit to the table. The exception is when there is a ball that needs to be developed. In those instances, I'll plan up to getting position on the ball before (or ball best positioned to develop it), and once it is in a position to be played, re-adjust and re-plan the rack from that point.
 
All pro's are usually 3 shots ahead.

My whole life I have always been 4 shots ahead, and I explain my thinking process in depth in my No Time For Negative 2 hr. DVD, which is available now for $29.99 on Ebay.

Best of Luck !
 
ChrisBanks said:
I've never heard of playing 3 balls ahead in one pocket. If there is some sort of system of looking ahead in one pocket, please share. I would like to know it!

And if you only have one live ball, and it is in your best interest to pocket it now, you will refuse to shoot it because you can't develop more balls on that shot? Please share more.
Click to expand...

Lock included 9 ball in his question...not just 1 hole....which I don't play, so I can't respond to that part of your question. My comments were related to 9 Ball.

As to your second question...of course not.

But I might elect not to POCKET the ball. If I don't like the rest of the layout, I might miss a puppy and play a lock up safe instead.

But I don't know of any top speed players who don't TRY to think AT LEAST 3 balls ahead continuously*...and if the layout won't permit potting 3 then planning which shot to play safe off of.

(-:

EagleMan

* In my experience, the Top players can see the whole route in at least half the racks of 9 ball...probably closer to 75%....and maybe slightly less than that in 8 ball. Of course, they have to adjust from time to time if their CB control isn't perfect.

Those stats comes from general observation but also having played HUNDREDS of "lesson racks" with a top roadie whose name you would all know...during which he would TELL me the "whole table route"....and then DO IT. So my percentages are pretty accurate.

To be clear...not all layouts permit runouts barring lucky rolls...so my 50-75% figure is based in "runable racks." (runable for THEM...often CREATING runable racks out of clustered ones.) (-:

But if its not a runout pattern, they can tell you that they will play out to the 6 and then leave a safety behind the 8 ball....stuff like that...nearly all the time before they play shot #1.

Ain't no APA 7s who can do that...and probably hardly any even take the time to plan their routes in the first place.

I have taken and given full day lessons on NOTHING BUT route identification/shot selection.

Great route planning can be just devastating to the opponent. And it is SO funny when after they lose, they say..."The SOB never had a tough shot the entire match!"

But they DID have "tough shots"....they first SAW the route and then stopped the CB on a DIME to make the route good.

Any dope can make easy shots. But it is MAKING them easy...that is so hard!

(-:

(Former BCA Instructor. I no longer give lessons and have nothing to sell.)
 
Jimmy Reid said:
All pro's are usually 3 shots ahead.

My whole life I have always been 4 shots ahead, and I explain my thinking process in depth in my No Time For Negative 2 hr. DVD, which is available now for $29.99 on Ebay.

Best of Luck !
Click to expand...

Jimmy, see my other post...but I'm curious as to what percentage of 9 racks do you SEE the entire route before you take your first shot?

Obviously, you may have to adjust if you land on the wrong side..but how often do you SEE the whole runout in advance?

EagleMan

PS: We met at JOBs several years ago through a mutual friend...we played a few racks and you gave me a lesson FOR FREE!!!!!

THANKS for that and THANKS for your FABULOUS DVDs and the HUGE number of lessons on your web site!!!!

Good on you sir.
 
I think most really good apa 7 and above can see the whole route pretty much. I have a couple really good apa 7 on the vnea league team i play on. I don't know much about the apa other then these guys are 7's and considered above average 7's.
 
Last edited:
At 9-Ball I am planning the rout with all 9 Balls, at 8 Ball I try to plan the route with 8 Balls, but I'm doing hard, I have to practice much more.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top