Looking for a "pattern" teaching video

hang-the-9

hang-the-9

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Way too many videos I have seen are nothing more that watching a pro run a few racks of a game saying "now I'm going to shot this ball" without saying why this ball was picked, and why the runout was done the way it was (Mike Sigel's Run Out 8-ball is one of that that I just watched this past week, was a bit useless to me).

Too often I am looking at an open table and in 8-ball especially, go into a brain lock where a seeming open table is a mystery as to the "right" balls to play first.

Would like to know if anyone has seen a good training video where the pattern to layouts are explained well? I mean do I start picking off balls at one end, then move closer to the ones located near the 8? Do I want to leave a side pocket shot for last to play to the 8 if there is both a side pocket and a corner pocket there? When to shoot a "hanger" and when to leave it, especially if they are not blocking the oponent's balls? Lessons that would answer stuff like that.
 
hang-the-9 said:
Way too many videos I have seen are nothing more that watching a pro run a few racks of a game saying "now I'm going to shot this ball" without saying why this ball was picked, and why the runout was done the way it was (Mike Sigel's Run Out 8-ball is one of that that I just watched this past week, was a bit useless to me).

Too often I am looking at an open table and in 8-ball especially, go into a brain lock where a seeming open table is a mystery as to the "right" balls to play first.Would like to know if anyone has seen a good training video where the pattern to layouts are explained well? I mean do I start picking off balls at one end, then move closer to the ones located near the 8? Do I want to leave a side pocket shot for last to play to the 8 if there is both a side pocket and a corner pocket there? When to shoot a "hanger" and when to leave it, especially if they are not blocking the oponent's balls? Lessons that would answer stuff like that.
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Try looking at the pattern in reverse. In other words work back from the 8 ball to the first ball. when possible leave the closest ball possible to the 8 ball as your "key" ball to get position on the 8.Also there is no better game then straight pool for learning patterns.
 
Good Question

I think a lot of us are asking the same thing to ourselves! Hope you get a lot of responses.
 
It's not a video but Phil Capelle's Play Your Best Eight-Ball helped answer all of your questions...
 
Jimmy Reids "The Art of 8ball"

Bert Kinisters on demand video library is probably one of the best resources on the internet for pocket billiard tutorials. He doesn't just show you a group of shots. Bert shows you how to expand your knowledge and build on every aspect of the game.
 
Its going to be different for each player depending on your style of play,some players draw & spin the rock a lil better then others & have complete confindence in their style,some roll the ball better.I was taught by a guy named Bert Drice & his first words were "this table has NO Side Pockets" so everything was patterened around the cornor pockets.(bar tables)
 
8&snap said:
Its going to be different for each player depending on your style of play,some players draw & spin the rock a lil better then others & have complete confindence in their style,some roll the ball better.I was taught by a guy named Bert Drice & his first words were "this table has NO Side Pockets" so everything was patterened around the cornor pockets.(bar tables)
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I understand your post, but try thinking a different way. playing the correct pattern usually means reducing the amount of travel the cue ball has to do.
 
jdxprs said:
I understand your post, but try thinking a different way. playing the correct pattern usually means reducing the amount of travel the cue ball has to do.
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not always as in every other ball at different ends of table,some like to go up & down the table while others will play a 2 railer out of the end rail,im talking rotation games not 14.1 or one hole where you can bunt all night long.
 
DoubleD said:
Bet that really confused you the first time you scratched in one of those pockets that didn't exist.
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Didnt confuse me,it cost me money everytime i did though(come to think of it, these werent really free lessons when i add it up)
 
8&snap said:
not always as in every other ball at different ends of table,some like to go up & down the table while others will play a 2 railer out of the end rail,im talking rotation games not 14.1 or one hole where you can bunt all night long.
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i thought for some reason the o.p. was refering to 8 ball.

but regardless, imo the best players always seem to minimize cue ball travel.
 
My favorite is an old standby- the 3 ball (or 4, 5, or 6, ect ball) drill. Get some of the paper renforcement tabs and mark the layout then run them in the order you think is right. If you mess up, set em up again and try a different pattern.
Hope that helps, good luck.

Stan
 
daphish1 said:
Also, not a video but The 8-Ball Bible has a bunch of good examples in it as well.

You can see some samples from the book here:

http://8-ballbible.com/index.html
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Neil said:
Get yourself the book Mastering Pool by George Fels. Tons of pictures and layouts that he carries you through. Great resource for just what you need.
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These ^^^ .

Interesting that both of these posts came in at almost precisely the same time, because, if you're looking for books on patterns, these are the two to get.

You won't be sorry.

-Sean
 
8-ball patterns

Good thread.

Practice...Practice... solving the ever changing puzzle.
Is that what it is all about?
Make it fun and keep it creative..at least that is what keeps me coming back to the table.

Oh, I sorry to answer your question not really sure about any videos directly addressing this subject.
I have heard that the Mika Immonen series does go through some pattern discussions
 
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I know a lot of people say different people will play different patterns, but I feel there is general right and wrong way to play patterns. Example 9 ball run outs if you watch ESPN and the pro commentors they generally know what the player will do most of the time or the "right way" to run out. I know 8 ball is different, but it is still pattern play to run out correctly.

I think books are helpful, but video is more helpful to why the shot was taken and you get a visual.

Overall, I think the better players run out better because of skill and practice their mind is adjusted to the natural patterns based on experience of being there and done that.

I will say sometimes, I can naturally see the run out and go for it, but other times I will second guess it.
 
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