Chuck (2) said:
My next question is about 8-ball strategy. I suppose I look at the game a little differently; to me it sounds like a lot of people apply 9-ball strategy in 8-ball. So if I'm correct in my assumption, I should only start to sink balls when I think I can run the table? I don't know, I like to start sinking whatever is available and then if I run into trouble, play a safety. I'll play safe as much as I can througout the game until I feel I can run at least a few at the end. Now, if I'm playing someone that's an amazing player my strategy might become an issue, but if they're that much better than me, they've probably already run out before I get a chance to sink anything anyway!
So is there a correct and incorrect way to play 8-ball? Maybe I haven't played or watched enough experienced players to fully understand the game. Too much 9-ball on TV. Maybe I should eventually join a league and get beat a few times! That way I could learn a little more?!
Yes, joining a league would help your 8 ball strategy. Playing a lot of different players and seeing different approaches is a good thing.
Also, your ability versus your opponents ability will come into play, but there are better overall strategies than others. Obviously if you have two players who are not able to run three balls, than the game becomes a one ball at a time race to the finish ( this is where the "I am winning, I only have two balls left" thinking comes from). This CAN be true under these circumstances.
The problem usually comes when a player gets better and becomes a 4-5 ball runner. If they are still in the "pocket as many balls as possible " mode against a more skilled player they get into big trouble. Now, if you have an open shot you just start pocketing balls with no other considerations thinking that each ball you make is getting you closer to winning the game (wrong). Now at the beginning of the game if you jump out and run to your max (4-5 balls) you may think you have done great, you're half way there. WRONG. Chances are because you focus is on making balls and putting on a good show, you cleared all of your easy ducks sitting in front of the pockets and left your clusters. All you have accomplished is getting your balls out of my way opening up the pockets making my run easier. When I have all my balls on the table and you only have 2 left, the table layout will favor me. Now let's say you have cleared all your open balls off the table and left 2 balls. One of your balls in sitting tough on the short rail and your other one is in a cluster with one from my group. Now I can I have a lot of choices on how I want to go. I can play a couple of balls to get just the right shot to break out the cluster AND have a shot to finish out my run, giving you no chance to get back to the table ( you lose it is over). Or I may choose to break out the cluster while playing a safety. This should be easy because you only have 1 ball besides the 1 in the cluster. Assuming you even hit one of your balls I still have 6-7 balls left, I will have a makeable shot, or at the very least, a lockup safety option to get ball in hand on a now wide open table.
I have heard it said, to think of 8 ball as a war. Your balls in your group are soldiers, any pocketed balls are dead soldiers who can no longer help you win the war. If you have a ball ( or more) sitting in front of a pocket, LEAVE IT THERE! This is good for you in 2 ways. First, it is in your opponents way and is making his runout more difficult. 2, it is an easy backup ball for you to continue your run if you get in trouble. It limits your opponents safety options, and if you miss your intended position it is a ball you can usually make from just about anywhere and get position to anywhere on the table.
Good players LOVE to watch lessor players keep making ball after ball while giving no thought to solving their problem balls. Each ball you make LESSENS your chance of winning. This does not mean you just slam your cluster wid open either. It means that before you just start pocketing balls, have a plan to solve it. You may decide that if you play the pattern a certain way, on your 3rd shot you will be able to break open the cluster while having a shot on another ball, etc.
Sometimes THE WORST thing to do is pocket a ball. Just because you have a makeable shot does not mean you should. If it does not lead anywhere you have just driven further down a dead end road. A lot of times, I will intentionally "hang up" a ball and duck th cueball. I could have made it, but did not feel I could get good shape. So, I put up a ball that I know I can make next shot AND get shape.
You do not have to run out of shots to look for a safety. Look at it this way : If you aren't confident that you will run all the way out, then you are acknowledgeing that you WILL turn the table over to your opponent at some point. Do you want to turn it over to them when you have run all the way out of options and were forced to salvage something at weak point for you. OR have a game plan and turn it over to them when you have setup the table to your liking with the best chance of winning? I have played a safe on an open table before.
EVERY DECISION should be made by asking " what will give me the BEST chance of winning?" NOT "how can I make the most balls" This is an important distinction. You do not get points for yardage. You will still win some games you should lose, and lose some games you should win. But you will win more games that you are supposed to win.
Let me give my cardinal rule: IT IS OKAY TO LOSE AS LONG AS YOU MAKE YOUR OPPONENT EARN IT! Nobody wins every game they play. If I play a great safe, and you make the 3 rail bank in half a pocket (past my hanging ball) and draw a table and a half for perfect shape and then get out, I am happy for you, you deserved to win that game. I know full well, that I played the right shot correctly, and you played great to win. I also know that at least 8 out of 10 times I will win by playing that safety. I only kick myself when I give the game away as a wrapped gift. More games are lost than are won. Most by poor decisions.
Probably more info then you were looking for, but it is just the tip of the iceberg.
JW
You better go for that 4 rail bank shot before rolling up the cue for a hook ( even if you get the hit and rail).
