What is this spot thing? Spot the seven? Does that mean you don't have to pocket the 8 or nine.. Just get to the seven? Also what's wire? Or any other terms.
I'm confused with this. Thanks!
I'm confused with this. Thanks!
I'm confused.. What's "spot"
- Thread starter Darkridder
- Start date
If your opponent is "spotting you the 7" that means that you can win the game by either making the 7 or the 9, but your opponent has to make the 9 as usual. The "call 7" means that you can win by making the 7, but you have to call it, so you can't just slop it in. Otherwise it's called the "wild 7", but in general if it's not specified, it is assumed to be wild. Also, when negotiating a spot, make sure you decide beforehand whether spotted balls count if they go in on the break.
Getting the "7 out" means you are spotted the 7 and the 8. The "6 out" means 6,7,8 and so on.
Spotting the "last two" means that you can win by pocketing the second-to-last ball remaining on the table, whatever that may be. Usually it's the 8, but if that goes down early, it's the 7, etc. But, you can't win by making the second-to-last ball early, you have to run out to where there are only two balls left and make it (you can still win by making the 9 early, as usual). Or, in the unlikely event that say the 7 and 8 and 9 are the only balls left, you make the 7 and 8 in one shot, then you win, because there's only one ball left after your shot. Same with the "last three" etc.
The last two is considered less of a spot than the 8-ball because you can't win with an early combo. These can also be combined, so you might get the "7 and the last three" for example, meaning you can pocket the 7 at any time, or else you can run to the last three and make one of them.
"Games on the wire" means you start a race with a positive game count. So if you get 2 on the wire in a race to 7, you only need to win 5 games to your opponent's 7.
These are the basic ways that 9-ball is handicapped. Of course, all sorts of other weird spots come up, but this is the basic vocabulary.
Getting the "7 out" means you are spotted the 7 and the 8. The "6 out" means 6,7,8 and so on.
Spotting the "last two" means that you can win by pocketing the second-to-last ball remaining on the table, whatever that may be. Usually it's the 8, but if that goes down early, it's the 7, etc. But, you can't win by making the second-to-last ball early, you have to run out to where there are only two balls left and make it (you can still win by making the 9 early, as usual). Or, in the unlikely event that say the 7 and 8 and 9 are the only balls left, you make the 7 and 8 in one shot, then you win, because there's only one ball left after your shot. Same with the "last three" etc.
The last two is considered less of a spot than the 8-ball because you can't win with an early combo. These can also be combined, so you might get the "7 and the last three" for example, meaning you can pocket the 7 at any time, or else you can run to the last three and make one of them.
"Games on the wire" means you start a race with a positive game count. So if you get 2 on the wire in a race to 7, you only need to win 5 games to your opponent's 7.
These are the basic ways that 9-ball is handicapped. Of course, all sorts of other weird spots come up, but this is the basic vocabulary.
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I looked around briefly for a list of spots, but didn't find one. Here are spots at nine ball:
Games on the wire. In a race to 10, for example, the weaker player could start with a score of 6 and need only 4 games to win.
Winning ball, such as the winning 8 ball. If you make the 8 at any time, you win the game.
Called ball, such as the called 7. Like a winning ball, but you have to call it (ball and pocket) for it to count. There are lots of details that have to be added, such as whether you continue shooting if you have called it but make some other ball instead, and whether the spotter is required to call that ball as well.
Safe ball, such as the safe 5. If you make the ball, and the better player makes the 9, the game is void. If you make the 9, you win, regardless of what happened to the 5. It's like half a winning ball.
Last balls, such as the last 3. When it gets down to only 3 balls on the table, if you make any of the balls, you win. This is like winning balls, but it prevents early combos and slop shots.
The break. The weaker player gets to break. This can be a negative spot for a bad breaker on a tough table. Sometimes the stronger player will give up winning balls but take the break.
Sometimes a winning ball will not count on the break shot. This needs to be negotiated before the game starts.
Multiple spots can be combined, such as the break, the winning 5, the last 3 and two games on the wire going to 10. If a player gets the winning 5-6-7-8, it's called "the 5-out." If he also gets the break, it's called "the Orange Crush".
There are various kinds of bizarre spots:
Move the 9 and you win.
Make the 9 hit the head rail and you win.
Someone has to bank the 9.
You can shoot at either of the two lowest balls on the table.
(Added from ineedaspot or idontreallyneedaspotbutihopetogetone
)General spots that can be applied to most games:
Shooting one-handed or opposite handed. For one-handed, it may be forbidden to rest the cue on the cushion (called "jacked up").
The "hand span" spot, where you can move the cue ball a hand's distance before every shot.
Break-to-ball-in-hand, where the breaker continues and gets ball in hand for his next shot.
Mulligans. You can shoot some number of shots a second time per rack.
Having to drink a beer every X number of racks...
Any corrections or other spots people can think of?
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Try this for starters.
BTW the first two responses were not visible when I read and composed my reply.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_cue_sports_terms
BTW the first two responses were not visible when I read and composed my reply.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_cue_sports_terms
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I thought Orange Crush was just the breaks and the 5, not the 5-out. I could be wrong though.
Shooting one-handed or opposite handed.
The "hand span" spot, where you can move the cue ball a hand's distance every shot.
Break-to-ball-in-hand.
Mulligans.
Having to drink a beer every X number of racks...
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Ok thanks for the explanation guys!
I'm pretty sure the Orange Crush referred to the more extreme spot. I have added these other spots to the list above with some explanations.
The Orange Crush was played that way where I played for about 25 years. It may vary according to area, though. Lot of spots do
Here's an example of giving a spot:
SVB vs Scooter Goodman, 12 ahead - Scooter gets the 6, 7,8,9 WILD and the Breaks! And the wild balls count on the break. For 7500.
Here's the link to the match.
https://vimeo.com/20004066
SVB vs Scooter Goodman, 12 ahead - Scooter gets the 6, 7,8,9 WILD and the Breaks! And the wild balls count on the break. For 7500.
Here's the link to the match.
https://vimeo.com/20004066
357 Magnum
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That was a good example of a Pro playing. You could set a stopwatch on Shane, almost exactly 5 seconds from the time his hand hits the table till he strokes the ball. A great example of playing your own game, even giving up the nuts. Also a great example of consistency.
You can also see an example in Scooter as he is not consistently playing his game and trying to just make one of the spot balls. This is one of the issues with receiving a spot. It can take you out of your normal game/routine. If Scooter would have played his game, I have no doubt he would have taken this.
Aloha
Spot is the dog Steven Wright used to have before accidentally spilling spot remover on. :smile:
I thought I knew them all, but this one is new to me....Thanx.
By the way, if anybody asks me for the orange crush, he gets the break and the 5-ball.
...if you want the 6,7, and 8....you gotta ask for them.