Pattern Play
- Thread starter Jen_Cen
- Start date
I always understood pattern as the route you take to get to the last ball. A good pattern is one that gives you the least amount of problems to running out. A bad pattern is when you have to take alot of difficult shots. Pros are usually very fast in finding a good pattern to finish their inning.
Well, I'll give you my take on it anyway. 
Patterns are IMO a misnomer in rotation games like 9 ball or 10 ball. More accurately they should be called "approaches". Ways to go from one ball to the next in the best, highest percentage fashion. Such as, following two rails around a ball to the next numbered ball, or drawing to get to the next shot. In my mind they are not actually patterns however, since your next destination is governed by the numbers on the balls, not by your creative abilities to design a map to get through a rack.
In 8 ball, straight pool, and even one pocket patterns are much more aptly named, since how you proceed from one ball to the next is entirely up to you. You have all the creative powers to come up with any variation you would like to get through a rack.
Great examples of pattern play can be seen in the straight pool forum by looking at any of the "Run This" threads. Much easier than trying to explain in depth. Bottom line is the best way to have one ball take you to the next ball to take you to the next ball ... and so on and so on ... until you get through the rack.
Patterns are IMO a misnomer in rotation games like 9 ball or 10 ball. More accurately they should be called "approaches". Ways to go from one ball to the next in the best, highest percentage fashion. Such as, following two rails around a ball to the next numbered ball, or drawing to get to the next shot. In my mind they are not actually patterns however, since your next destination is governed by the numbers on the balls, not by your creative abilities to design a map to get through a rack.
In 8 ball, straight pool, and even one pocket patterns are much more aptly named, since how you proceed from one ball to the next is entirely up to you. You have all the creative powers to come up with any variation you would like to get through a rack.
Great examples of pattern play can be seen in the straight pool forum by looking at any of the "Run This" threads. Much easier than trying to explain in depth. Bottom line is the best way to have one ball take you to the next ball to take you to the next ball ... and so on and so on ... until you get through the rack.
Jen_Cen said:
Here are two examples that come up often... weaker or new players on the 1 ball may play short rain, side rail and down for the 2... better players will take it 3 rails cause it is a natural line landing on the 2.
The 3 to 4, weaker player may try to hold or just go one rail to the 4. Taking the CB off the second rail requires less speed control allowing for a more confident stroke.
Both examples allow for a free confident stroke with natural shape to OB.
Joe T
Well-known member
3andstop said:Well, I'll give you my take on it anyway.
Patterns are IMO a misnomer in rotation games like 9 ball or 10 ball. More accurately they should be called "approaches". Ways to go from one ball to the next in the best, highest percentage fashion. Such as, following two rails around a ball to the next numbered ball, or drawing to get to the next shot. In my mind they are not actually patterns however, since your next destination is governed by the numbers on the balls, not by your creative abilities to design a map to get through a rack.
In 8 ball, straight pool, and even one pocket patterns are much more aptly named, since how you proceed from one ball to the next is entirely up to you. You have all the creative powers to come up with any variation you would like to get through a rack.
Great examples of pattern play can be seen in the straight pool forum by looking at any of the "Run This" threads. Much easier than trying to explain in depth. Bottom line is the best way to have one ball take you to the next ball to take you to the next ball ... and so on and so on ... until you get through the rack.
Nicely put
3andstop said:Well, I'll give you my take on it anyway.
Patterns are IMO a misnomer in rotation games like 9 ball or 10 ball. More accurately they should be called "approaches". Ways to go from one ball to the next in the best, highest percentage fashion. Such as, following two rails around a ball to the next numbered ball, or drawing to get to the next shot. In my mind they are not actually patterns however, since your next destination is governed by the numbers on the balls, not by your creative abilities to design a map to get through a rack.
In 8 ball, straight pool, and even one pocket patterns are much more aptly named, since how you proceed from one ball to the next is entirely up to you. You have all the creative powers to come up with any variation you would like to get through a rack.
Great examples of pattern play can be seen in the straight pool forum by looking at any of the "Run This" threads. Much easier than trying to explain in depth. Bottom line is the best way to have one ball take you to the next ball to take you to the next ball ... and so on and so on ... until you get through the rack.
Question About Seeing Patterns
Here is something else that I also posted on the topic - I can't find which thread it was in, but I did save this layout and text -
I look to find a general triangle pattern that works with a break ball - in a series of stop shots.
Once I have designated a break ball, I try to find a ball that is parallel to it near the center of the table... if there is a ball that is parallel to my break ball, then I look for a ball that would get me on the ball (in the side pocket) with a stop shot. That is how I identify the last 3 balls in my end pattern -
scroll through the next diagram - 7 pages -
There are many examples in the 14.1 forum. I would also recommend John Schmidt's 245 Ball Run DVD - excellent commentary by JS and flawless 14.1 pattern play.
I think EVERY aspiring pool player should play some 14.1 to learn the best patterns in that and all the other games, but I'm old school. I'll go out on a limb and say that as a minimum you should buy the Accu-stat DVD of Mike Siegel vs Mike Zuglan. Siegel's 150 and out in that match contains the most perfect patterns ever captured on film. It's the way Straight Pool is supposed to be played. Who knows, you might even decide to play 14.1, but regardless you will learn a few patterns if you pay attention and listen to the commentators...Tom
OB placings, once you play, are what determines the patterns. When you step to the table you see the easy patterns from one OB to next rather than think about what to play for shape. Thats why better players are usually faster. When they miss shape and the natural pattern isn't there, you see them slow and sometimes point to where the CB should be.
tpdtom said:
I think straight pool patterns are different than 9 ball. If you are going up and down table every other shot in straight pool, it will be hard to run 150 out.
Jen_Cen said:
It means the order of the balls you'll try to shoot and the path you'll try to take to shoot them, chosen to be the simplest to execute, to give you the most room for error or the most options, or to solve particular problems (like breaking open clusters).
pj
chgo
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basically patterns are how you choose to play position, and the order you choose to play the balls if you have choice, such as in eight ball or 14.1.
so, order of the balls, and position route. (one/two rail etc.)
so, order of the balls, and position route. (one/two rail etc.)
Jason Robichaud said:
This has been discussed and debated ad nauseum. Almost every top player has recommended 14.1 as a learning vehicle, to say nothing of it's place as the game that incorporates all the skills. On the surface, your point is very valid, but playing Straight Pool demands a mastery of all the skills...Tom