Mental Checklist

[Zphix]

I know a lot of players fail to think properly under pressure (myself under league pressure) and I came up with a checklist of what to look for in order at the table.

Mathematics has PEMDA for equations.

I came up with OPBKBS standing for:
Open - Which group is more open.
Problems - Where are the problems in both groups?
Blockers - Do either groups have balls that have a pocket but block opponent's balls from having a pocket?
Key-balls - Which ball/balls can you use to get on problems balls or clusters, or onto the 8?
Breakers - Which balls can be potentially used to break open clusters? These are the same as key-balls but are used exclusively for breaking open clusters.
Stop-shot/Safety - Is there a ball you can play a stop shot on to get on the 8? If you assess the above and feel like you can't get out, where is the best safety on the table for you?

This is only my version so far. I don't run-out consistently enough to be able to explain the process a run-out player or pro follows to think their way through a rack. So, would you add anything to the above?

Our Parents Blame Kids Break Stuff is the phrase I came up with to remember it. Being that there were two Bs in the phrase, the letter following the B matches the word. BLames = BLockers, BReak = Breakers.

Any additions to be made?

 

[philly]

I know a lot of players fail to think properly under pressure (myself under league pressure) and I came up with a checklist of what to look for in order at the table.

Mathematics has PEMDA for equations.

I came up with OPBKBS standing for:
Open - Which group is more open.
Problems - Where are the problems in both groups?
Blockers - Do either groups have balls that have a pocket but block opponent's balls from having a pocket?
Key-balls - Which ball/balls can you use to get on problems balls or clusters, or onto the 8?
Breakers - Which balls can be potentially used to break open clusters? These are the same as key-balls but are used exclusively for breaking open clusters.
Stop-shot/Safety - Is there a ball you can play a stop shot on to get on the 8? If you assess the above and feel like you can't get out, where is the best safety on the table for you?

This is only my version so far. I don't run-out consistently enough to be able to explain the process a run-out player or pro follows to think their way through a rack. So, would you add anything to the above?

Our Parents Blame Kids Break Stuff is the phrase I came up with to remember it. Being that there were two Bs in the phrase, the letter following the B matches the word. BLames = BLockers, BReak = Breakers.

Any additions to be made?

Thanks for organizing a thought pattern that we all should do when we analyse the table after a break. I think better players naturally do this subconsciously. Sometimes in 8 ball I will work my way backwards starting from the 8 looking for pockets for the chosen suit.

 

[BarTableMan]

Shorten the list for easy reading and add to your notes on your phone. I review mine before each match so it burns into my mind over and over. Add in breaking form and goals.

 

[Zphix]

Shorten the list for easy reading and add to your notes on your phone. I review mine before each match so it burns into my mind over and over. Add in breaking form and goals.

On my phone it's only Open, Problems, Blockers, Clusters, Breakers, Key-balls, Starter/Safety/Stop-Shot.

The explanation I provided was only for people to read and understand where my mind is at for each point.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I came up with a checklist of what to look for in order at the table:

Open - Which group is more open.
Problems - Where are the problems in both groups?
Blockers - Do either groups have balls that have a pocket but block opponent's balls from having a pocket?

I think the three above can be condensed to "Where are the problems in both groups?", and I'd add "Which group has more (or more difficult) problems?".

Key-balls - Which ball/balls can you use to get on problems balls or clusters, or onto the 8?
Breakers - Which balls can be potentially used to break open clusters?
Stop-shot/Safety - Is there a ball you can play a stop shot on to get on the 8?
If you assess the above and feel like you can't get out, where is the best safety on the table for you?

I would add to the above, "Which group has the most alternatives for these?".

Any additions to be made?

• Which group can be cleared with the least travel?
• Which group has the best opening shot? (Can it solve a problem?)
• Do you think I need to lose some weight?

pj
chgo

 

[pdcue]

Thanks for organizing a thought pattern that we all should do when we analyse the table after a break. I think better players naturally do this subconsciously. Sometimes in 8 ball I will work my way backwards starting from the 8 looking for pockets for the chosen suit.

It wouldn't be too bad an idea to do that ALL the time. 9 ball too.

Dale

 

[Zphix]

Forgot to reply yesterday.

I created/put this together simply to assess which group has the higher run-out chance. Not as a means to determine how to necessarily run the balls out.

I'll work on that another time or try to condense the two into a single phrase/acronym.

 

[8onthebreak]

This is proper

This is the proper thought process for 8 ball. It's what any good player is studying after the break before choosing a suit. It's cool to see it in writing...but yes, that's what your mind is doing. I think it's like a bank shot...knowing the angles and diamond theories will get you close...but also distracted. In the end, you've got to be able to do this entire excercise subconsciously so that you're not so distracted with details...and you are able to play off feel and get into the zone. We've all been in the zone...it's a beautiful place, where you barely notice anything going on around you except what's under the pool table light. It's like being in a trance. It's a sweet spot. I don't think you can enter the zone while being so concerned about steps, although I think it's a great training tool to get you to the point that it becomes subconscious.

 

[pdcue]

Forgot to reply yesterday.

I created/put this together simply to assess which group has the higher run-out chance. Not as a means to determine how to necessarily run the balls out.

I'll work on that another time or try to condense the two into a single phrase/acronym.

Thanks for the clarification.

Not to hijack your thread, but might I humbly suggest a closely related
before-I-shoot-the-first-shot-question should be:

Do I want to try to run this rack? If the answer is no - that might change which group is the better choice.

Dale

 

[Zphix]

Thanks for the clarification.

Not to hijack your thread, but might I humbly suggest a closely related
before-I-shoot-the-first-shot-question should be:

Do I want to try to run this rack? If the answer is no - that might change which group is the better choice.

Dale

I'm not sure how necessary it is to add as a part of the process because the goal of the process is determine which group has the higher run out percentage. The rest comes down to what you feel your competence in getting out is.

 

[Bavafongoul]

Too much to think about.......I usually try to plan 4-5 shots ahead and reaffirm after each shot.
If there's a cluster or ball situation I have to contend with, it's either within or outside my shot plan.

I address that issue as I approach having to hit that shot and hopefully it's a fews shots ahead too.
As an example, in a 10 ball match, it's not the 2 or 3 ball presenting the problem but rather the 6 or 7.

I realize in 8 ball there's opportunity for it to pop up differently since you have more shot selections.
Since I mostly play 9 ball, 10 ball & straight pool, I only need to map out the table several shots ahead.

In straight pool, I will map out the table much further.....7-8 shots....and I pick my break ball same way.
However, in the other games, 4-5 shots mapping is more than adequate for my pool game strategy.

I pay more attention to my body mechanics, pool stroke feel, bridge hand position & pendulum equality.
Everyone approaches the game differently & so whatever you use, just remain consistent all the time.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

We've all been in the zone...
It's like being in a trance.

I think it's literally being in a trance. Sports psychologists compare it to being hypnotized:

"hypnosis is often defined by a state of attentive and receptive concentration, with a relative suspension of peripheral awareness that is common when players are playing their best"

pj
chgo

 

[7forlife]

As someone mentioned earlier, this would be good to less experienced players as more experienced players do this automatically.
Since both parties do it the one thing I would add is being able to see it faster as treating it in such a structured manner will result in a player becoming a slow player and then over thinking settles in, then doubt, then depression when ones skill level does not allow them to land within that zone.
As this comes more natural for me (when playing 8 ball) my mental checklist now consist of fundaments and when to focus most i.e. on every shot i make sure that my aim line is correct and that my cue comes "down" on this line and not across. Next I look at what comes with a natural stroke/natural position, so this tells me don't over think it and just focus on pocketing the ball with a soft or medium stroke (depending right) or "this is a key shot and more attention needs to be made on a fluid stroke/going through the ball/proper tip position.

I feel that more inexperienced player/players having a problem with pattern play needs to have a checklist link yours but still be lax about it as the biggest problem less than advanced players make is playing above their ability, so to add to your list I would but B = Bail Out Balls, this is for when you miss position what option you have left as a security, this is common with 14.1 players.

A big problem slightly more experienced players suffer from is "letting up on the shot and/or not taking the shot serious enough" I feel a checklist for this part is key which ties in to a PSR, another thing that gets put to the side when one feels that "this shot and position is easy so i'll just play it with X"

 

[pdcue]

I'm not sure how necessary it is to add as a part of the process because the goal of the process is determine which group has the higher run out percentage. The rest comes down to what you feel your competence in getting out is.

I would differ in that - IMHO - decisions should ALWAYS be made with an assessment
of what choice will yield the best chance to win the game... running out is one option.

Dale

 

[spartan]

The

I know a lot of players fail to think properly under pressure (myself under league pressure) and I came up with a checklist of what to look for in order at the table.

Mathematics has PEMDA for equations.

I came up with OPBKBS standing for:
Open - Which group is more open.
Problems - Where are the problems in both groups?
Blockers - Do either groups have balls that have a pocket but block opponent's balls from having a pocket?
Key-balls - Which ball/balls can you use to get on problems balls or clusters, or onto the 8?
Breakers - Which balls can be potentially used to break open clusters? These are the same as key-balls but are used exclusively for breaking open clusters.
Stop-shot/Safety - Is there a ball you can play a stop shot on to get on the 8? If you assess the above and feel like you can't get out, where is the best safety on the table for you?

This is only my version so far. I don't run-out consistently enough to be able to explain the process a run-out player or pro follows to think their way through a rack. So, would you add anything to the above?

Our Parents Blame Kids Break Stuff is the phrase I came up with to remember it. Being that there were two Bs in the phrase, the letter following the B matches the word. BLames = BLockers, BReak = Breakers.

Any additions to be made?

Only risk is by time you run thru the list on a 30 second shot block, your opponent has BIH and has run out the rack
:grin: