How would have you played this shot...in the game of 8-Ball??

Jude Rosenstock said:
I was looking at this, too. It's aggressive and risky but it's the only way to avoid exchange. Personally, I wouldn't play this because the only way you're going to get that two-way action is by drawing to straight-position on the 8-ball. Say the 3-ball was positioned so you can just stop and play the 8-ball, it would be an option worthy of consideration. Because you have to draw to get there, I can't say I like it that much.
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I don't think its difficult to draw back a couple of feet. You don't have to be straight on the bank, just close. You shoot a stop shot full ball, with a little english if you need to adjust the bank. Its difficult to actually leave him a shot from the angle off the 8 unless you really blast it. Look at the original diagram, you can't hardly screw up the draw, unless you can't, in which case your already in big trouble. (the you is referring to the shooter, I know you can draw a ball):)
 
Bob Jewett said:
If you accept that, then I think the right way to go is to draw the cue ball back to about where it starts, hit the eight ball through the hole between the nine and the cushion, and park the cue ball on the bottom side cushion. Let your opponent try the bank or the hook -- I don't like his chances from the rail.
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Not sure where I think the 8 would end up in your suggestion. Can you show it? Different tables might make a difference in choice, that is if its a bar box or 9 footer. I have assumed its a bar box, and I may be wrong. If its a tight 9 footer, there are a number of reasonable safes.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Throw will send that right in the hole. You can also cheat the pocket, if need be. Seriously, you have to assume that ball can drop.
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With all due respect, could be, but, with the opponent at the other end of the table, 7 foot away, shooting off the end rail and having to have to spin their rock! I like my chances....:D
 
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klockdoc said:
Could be, but, with the opponent at the other end of the table, 7 foot away, shooting off the end rail and having to have to spin their rock! I like my chances....:D
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Once again, you're thinking idealistically. It's not a bad shot if you execute it to perfection. I mean, if that's how you play, why play percentages at all? The way I see it, I want something I can execute most of the time on any table. I play 8-ball a lot and although I am always looking to improve, I think I play a pretty decent game as it stands. The strategy is not meant for lower level players or professional players. It's meant to deliberately place the balls in a situation that would tilt things in my favor no matter who I'm playing. If you think there is a move that could turn things against me, I'd be happy to explore it. I don't think my safety is without holes but I do believe no matter how well or how poorly I execute it, I'm getting back to the table with a bonafide opportunity to win the game.

The fact is, there are just so many ways to gain advantage here. The 9-ball is pocketable from only a handful of places on the table and your opponent can't hide the cue-ball. Don't try to take his Queen, put him in checkmate when you have the chance! Leave the 3-ball near a pocket and there's nothing he can do about it. He can't pocket it because BIH is going to give you an ideal safety scenario. He's keeps things tied up and you have a two-ball target to break open which is not terribly difficult to do. If you manage to keep the 3-ball out of the jaws of the pocket, there are going to be some safety opportunities that may actually yield BIH, at the very lest, not sell-out.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Once again, you're thinking idealistically. It's not a bad shot if you execute it to perfection. I mean, if that's how you play, why play percentages at all? The way I see it, I want something I can execute most of the time on any table. I play 8-ball a lot and although I am always looking to improve, I think I play a pretty decent game as it stands. The strategy is not meant for lower level players or professional players. It's meant to deliberately place the balls in a situation that would tilt things in my favor no matter who I'm playing. If you think there is a move that could turn things against me, I'd be happy to explore it. I don't think my safety is without holes but I do believe no matter how well or how poorly I execute it, I'm getting back to the table with a bonafide opportunity to win the game.

The fact is, there are just so many ways to gain advantage here. The 9-ball is pocketable from only a handful of places on the table and your opponent can't hide the cue-ball. Don't try to take his Queen, put him in checkmate when you have the chance! Leave the 3-ball near a pocket and there's nothing he can do about it. He can't pocket it because BIH is going to give you an ideal safety scenario. He's keeps things tied up and you have a two-ball target to break open which is not terribly difficult to do. If you manage to keep the 3-ball out of the jaws of the pocket, there are going to be some safety opportunities that may actually yield BIH, at the very lest, not sell-out.
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Jude, don't you ever go to bed? :) I was just playing in a 180 player tournament on Poker Stars and won 1st, $594.00. Thought my post was the last for the night, then I see you responded. Do you do on-line advertising at night? :confused:

Anyway, the second is only an option to the first post. Actually, I would have taken the first shot that I posted. The thin cut on the three and hook behind the 3. I actualy played league tonight and shot this shot four times. Executed it perfect on every attempt. Something that I practice a lot though (when close to the balls because of age and eyesight);)

I like your line of thinking. Although it may not coincide with mine at all times, I respect your thought process and attack at the game. Wish I was closer to NY, would enjoy meeting you in person.

Good luck in your future endeavors and pool playing. Difference of opinions is what what makes the game interesting and also a challenge... :D
 
I came up with the following:

CueTable Help



The idea for the 3 is to keep an easy shot with a breakout if necessary.
For the cueball, you'd like to increase their chances of making a mistake.
Going off the right of the 9, the cueball will carom off the 8, lessening their control.
Off the left of the 9 is a thin cut, requiring some precision. If they hit it too hard it could push the 8 out.
Shooting straight at the 9 will separate the 8 and 9 or force them to slow roll it. If they try to freeze you in front of the 8, the 3 will probably still be makeable, (with shape on the 8).
Cueball A takes away the thin cut on the left of the 9 (scratch) and dares them to go for it, (which you may not want to do if the pockets are easy).
What I like about it is that anywhere on the path from B to A is OK.
What I don't like about it is the scratch risk in the side or corner if you have the wrong amount of sidespin or hit it a little bad.
 
klockdoc said:
Jude, don't you ever go to bed? :) I was just playing in a 180 player tournament on Poker Stars and won 1st, $594.00. Thought my post was the last for the night, then I see you responded. Do you do on-line advertising at night? :confused:

Anyway, the second is only an option to the first post. Actually, I would have taken the first shot that I posted. The thin cut on the three and hook behind the 3. I actualy played league tonight and shot this shot four times. Executed it perfect on every attempt. Something that I practice a lot though (when close to the balls because of age and eyesight);)

I like your line of thinking. Although it may not coincide with mine at all times, I respect your thought process and attack at the game. Wish I was closer to NY, would enjoy meeting you in person.

Good luck in your future endeavors and pool playing. Difference of opinions is what what makes the game interesting and also a challenge... :D
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I was actually just playing poker too though I can't say I faired as well tonight.

I love 8-ball and only wish New York was more into the game. Nowadays, it's almost all 9-ball which might be the most boring of all pool games. Part of my strategy comes from my 8-ball experiences on crappy barboxes. I mean, it's so easy to be precise in the poolroom when we're on Simonis but once you leave that world, cueball control gets awfully difficult and you naturally begin to refine your vicinitiy play. What's more, I found it can be especially rewarding in those big 8-ball tournaments where you're not going to get much practice time prior to your match.
 
kicker said:
I came up with the following:

CueTable Help



The idea for the 3 is to keep an easy shot with a breakout if necessary.
For the cueball, you'd like to increase their chances of making a mistake.
Going off the right of the 9, the cueball will carom off the 8, lessening their control.
Off the left of the 9 is a thin cut, requiring some precision. If they hit it too hard it could push the 8 out.
Shooting straight at the 9 will separate the 8 and 9 or force them to slow roll it. If they try to freeze you in front of the 8, the 3 will probably still be makeable, (with shape on the 8).
Cueball A takes away the thin cut on the left of the 9 (scratch) and dares them to go for it, (which you may not want to do if the pockets are easy).
What I like about it is that anywhere on the path from B to A is OK.
What I don't like about it is the scratch risk in the side or corner if you have the wrong amount of sidespin or hit it a little bad.
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Wow, I like this one. Assuming I'm stripes, my next play is to try leaving you long on the 3-ball and taking my chances. Personally, I think there are better plays but you're definitely NOT selling the farm on this shot.
 
This is vnea. That means we're playing on valley tables. That means the pocket is HUGE and damn near unmissable. I cheat the pocket (a lot, going rail first) with a shit ton of follow for the breakout. UNLESS the table is really slow (high possibility). If the table is too slow, you're break will only leave you with the 9 blocking the pocket. But a super slow table is very easy to stop a cue ball. So you draw back a foot and proceed to play one of the safeties mentioned earlier.
 
why cheat the pocket?

Johnnyt said:
Shoot the three in the corner cheating the pocket with 5 o:clock draw. Med. stroke. Johnnyt
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what was the reason for cheating the pocket ??? .
 
kildegirl said:
what was the reason for cheating the pocket ??? .
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As diagrammed, the shot on the 3 is nearly straight in -- it is straight in if played to the right side of the pocket -- so that favoring the left side of the pocket is the best way to get the cue ball to go to the right and break the 8-9.
 
Bob Jewett said:
As diagrammed, the shot on the 3 is nearly straight in -- it is straight in if played to the right side of the pocket -- so that favoring the left side of the pocket is the best way to get the cue ball to go to the right and break the 8-9.
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I'm confused. Is this how you think it should be played? Cheat the pocket on the left and stun into the 8/9?
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
I'm confused. Is this how you think it should be played? Cheat the pocket on the left and stun into the 8/9?
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No, I posted my solution earlier based on the very special game/team/league situation that this shot is based on. Some of the respondents failed to take those other factors into account in spite of the fact that they are critical to the shot choice here. My solution was to shoot the 3 ball straight in and draw the cue ball back to about its starting location and then play a safe.

I was just explaining why someone might want to cheat the pocket for this shot if they are really determined to break out the 8. If I'm correct about the alignment of the cue and 3 ball in the diagram, playing the 3 ball to the left side of the pocket (rather than the center) is going to leave about four times the "sideways" energy in the cue ball which will help break out the 8-9, if that's what the player decides to do.
 
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