pattern play
- Thread starter indymike
- Start date
Pattern Play
Pattern play is intelligent selection of shot/shot sequence to make it easier to win. In 9 ball, it is pretty obvious what ball to shoot, but good pattern play would allow for easy position play into the easiest pocket for each successive shot. For instance, if you are shooting the one ball, you want to get the cueball into a spot that allows you to easily make the 2 ball and get good position on the 3 ball that will make it easy to get shape on the 4 ball and so on. Think 3 balls ahead to make sure you always get an easy shots on your next few balls. Also, you don't want to play shape off more than 1 cushion unless necessary, and you may want to set up for a more difficult shot if the position play is easier. Many pros make pool look easy because they usually make their shots and get the cue ball into a good spot that will let them get easy shape on each shot down the road. Amateurs make things more difficult on themselves by getting the wrong angles on balls, getting too far from the ob, and not breaking up clusters early.
In 8 ball, pattern play is the same, except you have options as to which ball to shoot. When do you get shape on the lonely ball at the other end of the table, when do you get shape to make a ball and break out another ball, when do you play a shot all the way up the table instead of into the closest pocket to make position play easier, etc. Early on in a rack, I try to play position on two balls so I always have options. If there is one ball in a difficult spot, I may try to get at least mediocre shape on it and another ball so that I can play either one. Depending upon your ability, you have to decide when to break balls out. Useful concepts are "clearing an area before moving on", position zones, ball selection, obstructing balls, and key balls.
Phil Cappele has books on 8 ball, 9 ball, straight pool, and general pocket billiards, all of which are good. I also like the 8-ball bible.
indymike said:
Pattern play is intelligent selection of shot/shot sequence to make it easier to win. In 9 ball, it is pretty obvious what ball to shoot, but good pattern play would allow for easy position play into the easiest pocket for each successive shot. For instance, if you are shooting the one ball, you want to get the cueball into a spot that allows you to easily make the 2 ball and get good position on the 3 ball that will make it easy to get shape on the 4 ball and so on. Think 3 balls ahead to make sure you always get an easy shots on your next few balls. Also, you don't want to play shape off more than 1 cushion unless necessary, and you may want to set up for a more difficult shot if the position play is easier. Many pros make pool look easy because they usually make their shots and get the cue ball into a good spot that will let them get easy shape on each shot down the road. Amateurs make things more difficult on themselves by getting the wrong angles on balls, getting too far from the ob, and not breaking up clusters early.
In 8 ball, pattern play is the same, except you have options as to which ball to shoot. When do you get shape on the lonely ball at the other end of the table, when do you get shape to make a ball and break out another ball, when do you play a shot all the way up the table instead of into the closest pocket to make position play easier, etc. Early on in a rack, I try to play position on two balls so I always have options. If there is one ball in a difficult spot, I may try to get at least mediocre shape on it and another ball so that I can play either one. Depending upon your ability, you have to decide when to break balls out. Useful concepts are "clearing an area before moving on", position zones, ball selection, obstructing balls, and key balls.
Phil Cappele has books on 8 ball, 9 ball, straight pool, and general pocket billiards, all of which are good. I also like the 8-ball bible.
indymike said:
Find yourself a copy of Johnny Holidays (Holiday may be two LL's, can't remember) "Position Play for High Runs" and you'll find what you seek...
patterns...
I have been playing pool for almost twenty seven years and try to stay under radar as much as possible but play as well as anyone on occasion, and I can say without doubt, the most important thing I ever learned about this game was understanding correct patterns, not only after the break...seeing the correct way to run the balls,but also when to recognize the best shot is available and knowing when to execute that shot to get back in line. I grew up watching the better players and asking myself why they chose that particular shot, etc. and tried to learn by observation. As I grew older and my game developed I had the pleasure and opportunity to watch various videos that related to this vitally important part of the game. Here are my recommendations: Get the Bert Kinister series (60 min workout) and pay close attention to his insight on the importance of center of table. This alone will improve your percentages. And I must echo the words of the greatest players.....there is no better game available to learn correct patterns than Straight Pool. So with that said, try to watch as many good straight pool matches as possible.
Good luck with your pursuit to pool excellence.
Raecarmia
I have been playing pool for almost twenty seven years and try to stay under radar as much as possible but play as well as anyone on occasion, and I can say without doubt, the most important thing I ever learned about this game was understanding correct patterns, not only after the break...seeing the correct way to run the balls,but also when to recognize the best shot is available and knowing when to execute that shot to get back in line. I grew up watching the better players and asking myself why they chose that particular shot, etc. and tried to learn by observation. As I grew older and my game developed I had the pleasure and opportunity to watch various videos that related to this vitally important part of the game. Here are my recommendations: Get the Bert Kinister series (60 min workout) and pay close attention to his insight on the importance of center of table. This alone will improve your percentages. And I must echo the words of the greatest players.....there is no better game available to learn correct patterns than Straight Pool. So with that said, try to watch as many good straight pool matches as possible.
Good luck with your pursuit to pool excellence.
Raecarmia
Raecarmia said:
I never practiced 8-ball for an 8-ball event, only 14.1 because of pattern play, and Johnny Holidays book is mostly all 14.1 informantion.
Island Drive said:
I have a copy of Holiday's book I would sell if you are interested. It is autographed and I want $25 delivered. paypal to drawman623@aol.com if you want it. I might have a second copy, can't remember if I gave it away already. will need to search. If I find that one, you can have it free...but I know I paid $25 for the autographed copy. Good book
Pattern play made sense to me after watching many Accu-Stats matches. Cardone and Grady explain the runouts before they happen. Eventually I began to see the pattern emerge from the ball layout. Now the pattern makes sense even when a mope like me is shooting.
grindz said:
I have this, got it from George before publication. Guys in the room who'd been playing 20-30 years learned stuff from it that they'd never even heard of.
I have Position Play for High Runs also, but Geoge's book is much better, in my opinion.
When I play 9 ball the patterns I try are...
Leaving angles to move around the table. The best angle is the one requiring no spin (center ball hit). These angles help take the guess out of speed control and line.
Pattern mistakes - finishing straight on shots... It might make the shot easy, but judging 2' of spin to middle table is hard.
Two of the most common patterns are probably 3 rails down to the other end and the Z... moving the CB side rail to side rail while moving up or down table. When a good player looks at these shots they see the path (pattern) to the next shot. They don't think about how, just weight.
I can tell good from bad players by watching a ball-in hand. I see many weak players take ball in hand and play full table back spin??? rather than natural line/rail to shape. So, if you want to practice start with ball in hand moving the CB full table 1,2, and 3 rails...
After playing you also start to see scratch patterns and learn to avoid them... like the end rail into the side. CB loves that one.
Leaving angles to move around the table. The best angle is the one requiring no spin (center ball hit). These angles help take the guess out of speed control and line.
Pattern mistakes - finishing straight on shots... It might make the shot easy, but judging 2' of spin to middle table is hard.
Two of the most common patterns are probably 3 rails down to the other end and the Z... moving the CB side rail to side rail while moving up or down table. When a good player looks at these shots they see the path (pattern) to the next shot. They don't think about how, just weight.
I can tell good from bad players by watching a ball-in hand. I see many weak players take ball in hand and play full table back spin??? rather than natural line/rail to shape. So, if you want to practice start with ball in hand moving the CB full table 1,2, and 3 rails...
After playing you also start to see scratch patterns and learn to avoid them... like the end rail into the side. CB loves that one.
Last edited:
patterns cont.......
Hi again, I would like to add that all the above mentioned material is great and will help you to get an understanding of pattern play, but I would feel as though I had let this post down if I didn't mention Jim Rempe's "brainwashing" drill. Once practiced for a week will make the correct patterns literally jump out at you and you will begin to see them from the chair...lol
Hi again, I would like to add that all the above mentioned material is great and will help you to get an understanding of pattern play, but I would feel as though I had let this post down if I didn't mention Jim Rempe's "brainwashing" drill. Once practiced for a week will make the correct patterns literally jump out at you and you will begin to see them from the chair...lol
Raecarmia said:
I remember this drill...and forgot about it too...isn't it 15 balls off the rail, start with BIH and run out never touching a rail??