How would you play this?

[Kev]

I got this layout the other day (stripes). The game is 8-ball and the score is hill-hill.

My opponent makes 3 balls on the break and is running out, but misses his last solid. I don't really play much 8-ball and I'm positive the pattern I was going for was definitely not the right/easiest one.
How would you (try to) play this?

 

[longhorns2]

I'd probably go 9 first, get near the short rail then the 14, trying to go one rail across for position on the 11. If you get position, I'd try to draw back to get position for the 15 downtable. Then you have a lot of options.

If you don't feel comfortable with the runout or get out of position, you could try to play safe, but it's easy to kick at that ball in the jaws, but even then it'd be easy for him to end up with an awkward shot after

 

[Bic D]

I can't tell all the balls but I immediately thought...

9 ball and 13 ball? in the same right corner pocket.

Use the angle off the 14 ball in opposite corner to get an angle on the 11 ball.

Come off the rail and put the (ball to the right of the 8) in the upper right corner.

Send the 10 ball in the same corner as the 11

Send the 8 in the same corner as 10 and 11

 

[pt109]

So much depends on you caliber.
I like low left english on the 9-ball...three rails for the 15-ball in the same corner...
..if it doesn’t work out, you got the 11-ball for another try at it.

 

[Shaka]

Tap the 14 on the right half side to bank and hover it near the corner pocket. Send whitey to hide between 13 and 15 line with no direct jump or jump+bank to 7ball. Hope for ball in hand and use it to attack 15 and 10 ball.

 

[9BallKY]

So much depends on you caliber.
I like low left english on the 9-ball...three rails for the 15-ball in the same corner...
..if it doesn’t work out, you got the 11-ball for another try at it.

I think this is the best option from here. You have to play to win from this position. It's easier to take care of the problem ball early rather than try to deal with it later. The balls are positioned where this puts you on the problem ball. After that your just shooting balls in the pockets.

 

[Kev]

I can't tell all the balls but I immediately thought...

9 ball and 13 ball? in the same right corner pocket.

Use the angle off the 14 ball in opposite corner to get an angle on the 11 ball.

Come off the rail and put the (ball to the right of the 8) in the upper right corner.

Send the 10 ball in the same corner as the 11

Send the 8 in the same corner as 10 and 11

Yes it's the 9 and 13 ball. Here's a better overview of the layout

 

[Black-Balled]

Tap the 14 on the right half side to bank and hover it near the corner pocket. Send whitey to hide between 13 and 15 line with no direct jump or jump+bank to 7ball. Hope for ball in hand and use it to attack 15 and 10 ball.

That is horrible advice.

Unless you are betting on the other guy.

 

[ChrisinNC]

The hardest striped ball to get position on to make is going to be the 15 ball, on the right side of the table nearest your opponent's last ball, so that's the one you need to plan as soon as you can to get shape on - and there appears to be no simple natural positioning paths from another ball to get an easy shot on it. If your 11-ball near the lower left corner is preventing the 8-ball from going in the same pocket, a possible strategic move would be to play the combo of your 15 in to his 5-ball, and leaving your 15 ball in/near the pocket jaws and the cue ball on the side rail just above the 2nd diamond. Your opponent should have virtually no shot on the 8-ball - not even a bank, and unless he can figure out a really good safety from there, which would be hard, you're most likely going to be left with an easy rack to run out.

Otherwise, it appears you have little choice but to make your 3 balls up table first, most likely pocketing the 9-ball first, and on the last one, doesn't really matter which, try to bring the cue ball down to the nearest end rail, or try to fall behind the 15 for a shot on it. Assuming you don't fall good on the 15 ball, then shoot your 11-ball drawing it back to get shape behind the 15 ball for a shot in one of the upper corner pockets or the left side pocket or the left corner pocket closest. Then your last object ball would likely be the 10-ball to set up the 8-ball in any pocket other than the one his last ball is covering up. I have written this post before reading/considering any of the other posters suggestions, so I'm curious what others are saying as well.

 

[o.g. (old guy)]

The hardest striped ball to get position on to make is going to be the 15 ball, on the right side of the table nearest your opponent's last ball, so that's the one you need to plan as soon as you can to get shape on - and there appears to be no simple natural positioning paths from another ball to get an easy shot on it. If your 11-ball near the lower left corner is preventing the 8-ball from going in the same pocket, a possible strategic move would be to play the combo of your 15 in to his 5-ball, and leaving your 15 ball in/near the pocket jaws and the cue ball on the side rail just above the 2nd diamond. Your opponent should have virtually no shot on the 8-ball - not even a bank, and unless he can figure out a really good safety from there, which would be hard, you're most likely going to be left with an easy rack to run out.

Otherwise, it appears you have little choice but to make your 3 balls up table first, most likely pocketing the 9-ball first, and on the last one, doesn't really matter which, try to bring the cue ball down to the nearest end rail, or try to fall behind the 15 for a shot on it. Assuming you don't fall good on the 15 ball, then shoot your 11-ball drawing it back to get shape behind the 15 ball for a shot in one of the upper corner pockets or the left side pocket or the left corner pocket closest. Then your last object ball would likely be the 10-ball to set up the 8-ball in any pocket other than the one his last ball is covering up. I have written this post before reading/considering any of the other posters suggestions, so I'm curious what others are saying as well.

This is what I was thinking, :thumbup:

 

[ChrisinNC]

Tap the 14 on the right half side to bank and hover it near the corner pocket. Send whitey to hide between 13 and 15 line with no direct jump or jump+bank to 7ball. Hope for ball in hand and use it to attack 15 and 10 ball.

I understand the strategy, but only if you know for certain that you can hide them from having a direct shot or an easy rail first shot on the 7-ball, which to me seems to be no absolute guarantee. If you're good enough to do what you are saying, you should be good enough to somehow find a way to run out these balls, getting good shape on your 15 ball at some point during the run.

 

[Zphix]

I'd probably play the 9 ball with low left to come out 3 rails for the 15 since it's your only problem ball.

My other thought is if the 10 ball passes the 11 then start with the 10 ball and play the 15 next uptable. It looks (based on the photo) that you can roll the 10 in without bumping the 8-ball with the cueball.

 

[orion21]

9 trying to get down for the 15, you don't get shape you've got the 11 to try again. "Get rid of your trouble in a hurry" -S Mizerak

 

[JC]

I would not try to run out here at my current level (600 fargo). I would shoot the nine in the corner and try to get a better angle on the fifteen to back cut it slightly toward the 7 blocking that pocket and ducking the cue ball behind the 10. If I didn't like the setup on the 15 after the first shot I would reassess the table and shoot another stripe in until I did.

In other words I'm playing for clearing the 7 and getting safe from the get go. It's harder to run out with the opponent's game ball hanging there. Get rid of it and you take complete control of the game

If I were a better player I would run out but I know my limits and a safety play early gives me the best chance to win this game. Your mileage may vary.

JC

 

[Kev]

I'd probably go 9 first, get near the short rail then the 14, trying to go one rail across for position on the 11. If you get position, I'd try to draw back to get position for the 15 downtable. Then you have a lot of options.

If you don't feel comfortable with the runout or get out of position, you could try to play safe, but it's easy to kick at that ball in the jaws, but even then it'd be easy for him to end up with an awkward shot after

I looked at that option, but as the table plays fairly quick with 3 week old cloth I'd thought it would be difficult holding the cueball near the short rail for an uptable angle on the 14.

I haven't really looked at a safety option as the opponent is an accomplished and experienced player that knows his way around the table, even if I hide the cueball on a safety I expect him to hit (and make) the 7 ball and the only way I'd get another turn at the table would be if he doesn't leave himself a shot at the 8 ball.

 

[alstl]

I haven't played 8 ball in years but I'd shoot the 14 pocketing the 7 and draw the cue ball to the head rail. if the 14 goes along with the 7 you run out. If only the 7 goes you leave a tough shot on the 8.

 

[Bic D]

Yes it's the 9 and 13 ball. Here's a better overview of the layout

I did my original thought twice and both times I used top left on the 14 and went 2 rails to get on the 11 and both times I got on the 11 but also got position on the 15 in the opposite side.

The 1st time I played the 11 and drew back to the 15. I got out of line a little but completed the run.

The 2nd time, I took the 15 in the side 1st ans stopped. I then put the 11, 10, 8 in the same corner.

6 or 1/2 dozen of the other

 

[mikemosconi]

This should be real easy - just play the 9 13 14 in any order that you are most comfortable- then the 10 and 11 in the order dictated by your cue ball position when you go back down table for the last 3 stripes. I disagree with some as I believe the 15 is the last stripe to be pocketed - now you have 5 pockets to choose for it and get on the 8 in the easiest way possible - anyone who considers themselves a very good player should get out from here 80% minimum.

 

[Bob Jewett]

I haven't played 8 ball in years but I'd shoot the 14 pocketing the 7 and draw the cue ball to the head rail. if the 14 goes along with the 7 you run out. If only the 7 goes you leave a tough shot on the 8.

I like this. If you can get to the center of the head rail, he's hooked on the 8.

Removing the 7 greatly improves your chances.

 

[ChrisinNC]

I haven't played 8 ball in years but I'd shoot the 14 pocketing the 7 and draw the cue ball to the head rail. if the 14 goes along with the 7 you run out. If only the 7 goes you leave a tough shot on the 8.

Do you mean the 15-ball instead of the 14-ball?