Merging two playing styles together

Push&Pool

Push&Pool

Professional Banger
Silver Member
Finally, after a lot of thinking, planning and assessing different options, I managed to merge together my old playing style I had practiced for years with my newly learned precision and CB control based game. The hybrid style I created basically goes as following:

1. every shot I have a fair chance of making I shoot at optimal speed and maximum precision, while attempting to gain as much position as possible on one of the other OBs

2. when the shot I'm about to make is either too difficult or too important to miss, I let go of the position play and focus entirely on making that single ball, after which I can either play a safety or hope to accidentally get a decent following shot

3. when I have poor chances of making anything but I don't have to pocket something at all costs, I take advantage of the situation and play a simple but effective safety, letting the opponent give me better position on my next OB

4. on certain occasions when I don't have a clear shot at any OB, but safety is also a poor option, I calculate the angles and smash the largest cluster available to pocket something by probability and to rearrange the table as well (I make sure I don't accidentally pocket the 8 ball)

Now that I have some experience in all these areas of the game, I've become a much more complete player than before. By combining pocket and position with safety play and by adding probability based shots, which I studied for a long time, to my arsenal in times of need, I can cope with most situations I get myself into and stand a fair chance even against better, more accurate and experienced players.
 
You graduated from banger status. How is the ram-shot coming along with those clusters though? Is it effective at least 70%of the time?

Seriously though, it sounds like you have come a long way in a short period of time.
 
What league rules are you playing by? Smashing a large cluster is actually less effective than playing a well calculated safety or calculating the angles and English of the cue ball after pocketing your object ball to get a better break out.

Sounds like you have the basics down and you are now going from your average banger to a higher level of player.

Keep your mind thinking about the run outs, patterns and practice a lot. You will increase your skill.

Awhile back I found a tutorial on YouTube that the guy really explains from the basics to calculated bank shots and gets your mind thinking more about run outs. Zero X from Tor Lowrey.
 
Progress

Push&Pool said:
Finally, after a lot of thinking, planning and assessing different options, I managed to merge together my old playing style I had practiced for years with my newly learned precision and CB control based game. The hybrid style I created basically goes as following:

1. every shot I have a fair chance of making I shoot at optimal speed and maximum precision, while attempting to gain as much position as possible on one of the other OBs

2. when the shot I'm about to make is either too difficult or too important to miss, I let go of the position play and focus entirely on making that single ball, after which I can either play a safety or hope to accidentally get a decent following shot

3. when I have poor chances of making anything but I don't have to pocket something at all costs, I take advantage of the situation and play a simple but effective safety, letting the opponent give me better position on my next OB

4. on certain occasions when I don't have a clear shot at any OB, but safety is also a poor option, I calculate the angles and smash the largest cluster available to pocket something by probability and to rearrange the table as well (I make sure I don't accidentally pocket the 8 ball)

Now that I have some experience in all these areas of the game, I've become a much more complete player than before. By combining pocket and position with safety play and by adding probability based shots, which I studied for a long time, to my arsenal in times of need, I can cope with most situations I get myself into and stand a fair chance even against better, more accurate and experienced players.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are figuring some things out. It's a thinking mans game. I would add when in tough spots and don't have a solid plan, to do your thing softly. Good things happen sometimes when cue moves slowly. Bad things when cue is turned loose. Play the bounce off the rail to not get stuck there. Also when nothing is there, shoot the opponents balls into clusters and take away his break out balls. Herding and corralling his balls can be done anytime, not just when you are in a tough place. If you really want to broaden your horizons, start playing one pocket! The greatest learning game.
 
Allen Brown said:
You graduated from banger status. How is the ram-shot coming along with those clusters though? Is it effective at least 70%of the time?

Seriously though, it sounds like you have come a long way in a short period of time.
Click to expand...

Well, the last time I attempted something close to a ram shot, I almost hit a kid in the head. And I didn't even miscue... But to be honest, smashing clusters, when done well, actually is effective like 70% of the time.

desertshark said:
What league rules are you playing by? Smashing a large cluster is actually less effective than playing a well calculated safety or calculating the angles and English of the cue ball after pocketing your object ball to get a better break out.

Sounds like you have the basics down and you are now going from your average banger to a higher level of player.

Keep your mind thinking about the run outs, patterns and practice a lot. You will increase your skill.

Awhile back I found a tutorial on YouTube that the guy really explains from the basics to calculated bank shots and gets your mind thinking more about run outs. Zero X from Tor Lowrey.
Click to expand...

The rules I play by are no league rules, they're local/regional rules. They go something like this:
- break from kitchen with the 8 ball on footspot
- you take what you pocket first
- after scratch the CB goes on headspot and you can't hit anything above side pocket-headspot-side pocket line
- no requirement to hit the rail or one of your balls
- you can hit your opponent's balls and the 8 ball after touching one of your balls or a rail
- the opponent can pocket his ball if you hit it directly with the CB
- if you hit the 8 ball directly you lose
- no shot calling (slop counts)
- no Ball-in-hand
- you lose your turn when you miss or when you pocket your opponent's ball(s)
- you have to pocket the 8 ball in the same pocket where you dropped your last OB (last pocket)

I know that smashing clusters sounds too risky, but from my personal experience I can tell you it's very effective when done the right way and in the right circumstances. Maybe I'll write more about it soon.

I agree that my understanding of the game improved considerably and that I may have surpassed my banger status, but what still troubles me is accuracy and consistency. When I lose, it's almost never because of a tactical mistake, but due to failure in pocketing something I simply had to pocket, or a missed safety.

Anyway, I'll keep thinking about patterns and run-outs. I feel it improved my game the most.

Mr. Wiggles said:
Sounds like you are figuring some things out. It's a thinking mans game. I would add when in tough spots and don't have a solid plan, to do your thing softly. Good things happen sometimes when cue moves slowly. Bad things when cue is turned loose. Play the bounce off the rail to not get stuck there. Also when nothing is there, shoot the opponents balls into clusters and take away his break out balls. Herding and corralling his balls can be done anytime, not just when you are in a tough place. If you really want to broaden your horizons, start playing one pocket! The greatest learning game.
Click to expand...

It's a thinking man's game for sure and it's also a game of probability. The probability of pocketing your OB or playing a successful safety, the probability of getting a good position, the probability of something dropping after smashing a cluster etc. I studied and practiced the calculation of probability, and what I found out after a long time is that mostly it's better to strike the CB lightly, but letting your cue go on a rampage from time to time can surely pay off in certain situations even more.

Regarding the management of your opponent's balls, I like to combine safeties with rearranging the table or blocking a specific ball or a pocket. I can buy myself several additional turns at the table that way. I find it important to be open-minded about every available tactic and to improvise whenever necessary. Surprising your opponent can turn the tables when things aren't going your way.
 
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I think you would benefit from a season. Of APA or TAP or an in house league. This would build a structure of solid knowledge and rules of the game. Also you could see first hand the difference between a banger and a 6 of whatever league.
Either that or you need to start on some drills on cue control, pocketing shots and shape.
 
desertshark said:
I think you would benefit from a season. Of APA or TAP or an in house league. This would build a structure of solid knowledge and rules of the game. Also you could see first hand the difference between a banger and a 6 of whatever league.
Either that or you need to start on some drills on cue control, pocketing shots and shape.
Click to expand...

Well, I don't really have a league like that here :/
 
Push&Pool said:
Regarding the management of your opponent's balls, I like to combine safeties with rearranging the table or blocking a specific ball or a pocket. I can buy myself several additional turns at the table that way. I find it important to be open-minded about every available tactic and to improvise whenever necessary. Surprising your opponent can turn the tables when things aren't going your way.
Click to expand...

Congrats on improving your game, its a good feeling when you can see the improvement. If you are "buying several additional turns at the table" it sounds like your games are going 6-10 innings at minimum, thats a lot of innings. Maybe working on ball pocketing drills will help you. The extra innings at the table that are good for you are also good for your opponent to steal a victory from you. Your opponent can not beat you if you are not letting him shoot.
 
Push&Pool said:
Finally, after a lot of thinking, planning and assessing different options, I managed to merge together my old playing style I had practiced for years with my newly learned precision and CB control based game. The hybrid style I created basically goes as following:

1. every shot I have a fair chance of making I shoot at optimal speed and maximum precision, while attempting to gain as much position as possible on one of the other OBs

2. when the shot I'm about to make is either too difficult or too important to miss, I let go of the position play and focus entirely on making that single ball, after which I can either play a safety or hope to accidentally get a decent following shot

3. when I have poor chances of making anything but I don't have to pocket something at all costs, I take advantage of the situation and play a simple but effective safety, letting the opponent give me better position on my next OB

4. on certain occasions when I don't have a clear shot at any OB, but safety is also a poor option, I calculate the angles and smash the largest cluster available to pocket something by probability and to rearrange the table as well (I make sure I don't accidentally pocket the 8 ball)

Now that I have some experience in all these areas of the game, I've become a much more complete player than before. By combining pocket and position with safety play and by adding probability based shots, which I studied for a long time, to my arsenal in times of need, I can cope with most situations I get myself into and stand a fair chance even against better, more accurate and experienced players.
Click to expand...

Is this you?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TGwrHRLYeU
 
fastone371 said:
Congrats on improving your game, its a good feeling when you can see the improvement. If you are "buying several additional turns at the table" it sounds like your games are going 6-10 innings at minimum, thats a lot of innings. Maybe working on ball pocketing drills will help you. The extra innings at the table that are good for you are also good for your opponent to steal a victory from you. Your opponent can not beat you if you are not letting him shoot.
Click to expand...

Yeah, ball pocketing... That's exactly what I need. As I already said, when I lose, my pocketing ability is the one that lets me down. I'll do my best to get better.

Dead Money said:
Is this you?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TGwrHRLYeU
Click to expand...

No, but I wish I were him.

Dunnn51 said:
That's funny !!!
I had to watch that at least 6 times.

The "taa - daa" shot. :clapping:

To the OP,...... you contradict yourself a few times, but hey you are trying :cool:
80 % of the time clusters wind up against or near rails. You DON'T wanna smash 'em
there.
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter if they're near the rails or not. It's their relative positions in regards to other balls which tells you if they should be dealt with one at a time, left for the opponent or smashed.
 
Best bet is to learn the rules or download a certain rule set you and your friends can play by or even start you're own league if you gotta enough people out there to start it up.

Just an idea.
 
desertshark said:
Best bet is to learn the rules or download a certain rule set you and your friends can play by or even start you're own league if you gotta enough people out there to start it up.

Just an idea.
Click to expand...

Why do you say we have to switch to another rule set? By using regional rules we can play with hundreds of other players, if we moved to WSR for example, there would barely be anyone left to play with. However, I'm familiar with WSR and I can play that way if necessary, but I guess I'm one of the rare players who tried playing like that. After all, pretty much the only way people learn about WSR is due to that Miniclip game.

Founding our own league is tempting, but for now we don't have enough time, money or organization skills for an adventure like this. We have this bar where most good players in the city regularly come and play against each other by regional rules, plus the "winner stays at the table" rule. That's the closest thing we have to an organized pool competition. There are supposed to be WSR tournaments in another place but unfortunately we haven't agreed on going there so far.
 
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