New-found respect for 8-ball.

[inside_english]

I'm the opposite. I have been playing 8 ball since i started playing pool and it's gotten easy for me to play, I've done it so much that I feel as if i see what is going to happen before it does.

You just started playing 8 ball and I just started playing 9 ball and I was struggling at first, I could make the shots but my leaves were off because in 8ball a lot of the time you just have to get the cue ball in the middle of the table and you will have a shot on one of your balls but of course we all know its different in 9ball. I'm finally starting to play better 9 ball and i think it's helping my 8 ball game as well. So it's a win; win for me!

You seem to feel that positional play in 8-ball is easier than 9-ball. Is my interpretation of your message correct?

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

In 8 ball and 9 ball there isn't anything you can do if your opponent is off to the races. You can just sit the chair and hope for a mistake. That is where the similarity ends. The guy with the bad group can still win the game if he employs creativity. Playing safe shots while opening a cluster, turning the screws further with a ball in hand until the run is available, or using your obsticles to limit your opponents option and force them to break your problem ball free.

I really like the dynamic of the game. Games which turn into safety battles leaving the more thoughtful or patient man with an edge, or games that break wide open with skillful ball control through traffic to complete a difficult run. It's a totally different game each time you rack the balls. It has best balance of offense and defense IMO

Banger

I guess I'm not conveying my thoughts well - my point is, there remains a luck factor in both games. In 9-ball, the luck is as plain as day - BANG, the 9 drops and you win or something along those lines. In 8-ball, it can be you make a ball on the break and have zero problems. THAT, IMO is lucky. It's even luckier when you have no problems and your opponent has plenty.

 

[trustyrusty]

...but, it's SO fun when you make a ball on the break AND have problems (planning break-outs and safes). Seems that alot of non-8ball players think that you can just make a ball and hope you have a shot at another (since it's not rotation), well, I am tryng to make the balls in a certain order after my first shot. Sure, you could possibly miss position on say the 6 ball, and shoot the 3 instead, but then you have to change your whole pattern to the 8.

I've said it before, I like 8 on the box (hopefully a Diamond smart table), and 9 on 9 footers - swapping them around is no fun for me.

 

[softshot]

To the OP, do you play Straight Pool? If so, nothing in 8 ball should be difficult for you, moreso if you play One Pocket as well.

I agree up to a point... playing straight pool will make you better at 8 ball.. but 8-ball has one dynamic that 14.1 doesn't.. there are balls you cannot hit first.

I think 8-ball is best played on a smaller table.. it's pretty easy to play 8 on a nine footer balls spread a little better and you have more lines to chose..

on a smaller table those angles cramp up and precise leaves are the only way to win.. I play a different game every night... but box 8 is still my favorite..