patterns

[LRNINGtheGAME]

Like my name says I'm learning the game and improving but I have major trouble getting out unless the table is wide open and I just wing it and pocket balls I don't see patterns. Is it from lack of table time because I only play 7 or 8hrs a week or is this something that can be taught on the general ways to see patterns? I play 95percent of the time 8ball. Thanks for any help. LRNINGtheGAME Mase-O

 

[BobN]

A good friend of mine, Jeff Melton, probably helped my pattern play a long time ago, more than anything else has. Jeff told me that when I walk up to the table, look at the 8 ball first and decide where I want to be for my final shot and which pocket I want to put the 8 ball into. Now, look at the ball that would be your best link ball, or ball that you'd want to pocket right before the 8 ball to get you in that perfect position to pocket the 8. Simply work backwards from there to your first shot. In other words, work the pattern backwards in your mind then reverse the process and run out.

The only problem that arises with this is when you have clusters or problem balls that have to be moved.

There are several schools of thought on breaking out trouble balls. 1. Do it last, in case you mess up so you don't give your opponent an easy out. 2. Do in sometime in the middle of your run, once you feel confident that you can get out at your level of play and 3. Do it EARLY. Personally, I like to get my trouble balls, if there are any, broken out as soon as possible in the run, and sometimes, I'll take a tougher shot to make sure I get them out early. If you break out a trouble ball and can't get to your next "planned" shot or it is more difficult, then step back, look at the 8 ball again, work backwards again, and start working your NEW pattern. In my thinking, the earlier you get them out, then the more options you have if you need to change your planned pattern. If you wait until mid or late run, then you have less balls on the table and the odds of being able to adjust to a simple pattern are lowered greatly.

If you have too many clusters and your opponents balls are involved in them too, then you may have to change your strategy from a "run out" to a safety play mind set. Nothing wrong with playing a good safety and making your opponent kick or jump at a cluster, letting him break them out for you. Yes, sometimes this will backfire and he'll make a fantastic kick or jump shot and happen to call the right ball out of a cluster, or there may be a "on" ball that you didn't see, but most times this will work in your favor. Running out isn't ALWAYS the best way to win the game.

Bob

 

[3RAILKICK]

So, you start with a plan?

A good friend of mine, Jeff Melton, probably helped my pattern play a long time ago, more than anything else has. Jeff told me that when I walk up to the table, look at the 8 ball first and decide where I want to be for my final shot and which pocket I want to put the 8 ball into. Now, look at the ball that would be your best link ball, or ball that you'd want to pocket right before the 8 ball to get you in that perfect position to pocket the 8. Simply work backwards from there to your first shot. In other words, work the pattern backwards in your mind then reverse the process and run out.

The only problem that arises with this is when you have clusters or problem balls that have to be moved.

There are several schools of thought on breaking out trouble balls. 1. Do it last, in case you mess up so you don't give your opponent an easy out. 2. Do in sometime in the middle of your run, once you feel confident that you can get out at your level of play and 3. Do it EARLY. Personally, I like to get my trouble balls, if there are any, broken out as soon as possible in the run, and sometimes, I'll take a tougher shot to make sure I get them out early. If you break out a trouble ball and can't get to your next "planned" shot or it is more difficult, then step back, look at the 8 ball again, work backwards again, and start working your NEW pattern. In my thinking, the earlier you get them out, then the more options you have if you need to change your planned pattern. If you wait until mid or late run, then you have less balls on the table and the odds of being able to adjust to a simple pattern are lowered greatly.

If you have too many clusters and your opponents balls are involved in them too, then you may have to change your strategy from a "run out" to a safety play mind set. Nothing wrong with playing a good safety and making your opponent kick or jump at a cluster, letting him break them out for you. Yes, sometimes this will backfire and he'll make a fantastic kick or jump shot and happen to call the right ball out of a cluster, or there may be a "on" ball that you didn't see, but most times this will work in your favor. Running out isn't ALWAYS the best way to win the game.

Bob

I'm guessing Bob can play a little.

I leave the trouble till last. I often lose. With 1 ball left on the table. I highly recommend Bob's approach to table management to others. There's no hope for me. Leave me, save yourself.

REP to you. Valuable advice for those that will heed it.

3railkick

I'll go 3 rails and break it out

 

[3kushn]

If you can afford it go see Little Joe at Miller Time. Always best to learn at the table and Joe is right in your back yard.

 

[Woof Biscuit]

The fatal flaw when playing a good player in 8-Ball is missing the 8. If you leave an open table you will lose. Break it out early. If you decide to run out, be sure that you can run all the way out unless your opponent has a really tough out with a couple of clusters.

 

[JoeW]

I agree with BobN and usually break out clusters as early as possible because it leaves me more options with several balls on the table. In addition, if you break out clusters early you can create a revised plan for getting out.

My first option is to run out. I play safe when I get stuck or a run out is not possible. If a run out is not possible, my next shot is usually a safe to set the table up for a run out. There are exceptions such as when I have to make a ball first to get position for a lock safe.

I would add one more element to pattern play. It is a little more advanced but best to learn it early. When you are playing position there is a funnel behind the ball you are playing to. The farther you are from the object ball the wider the funnel. I tend to play towards the wide end of the funnel that will get position on the third ball.

In general do not cross a line that makes the funnel. It is often better to play the cue ball off a rail and come into the funnel from the widest part. Play this way long enough and you will find it is easier and you are more likely to get the position you desire.

The funnel leads to another idea. Position the cue ball on the second ball in such a way that it will allow you to play into the shot (the wide end of the funnel) on the third ball.

So there are a couple of general suggestions.
Try not to cross a line into the funnel when possible.
Draw for show, follow for the dough.

Here are a couple of more ideas for the 8-Ball break.
If your opponent has less skill than you, break from center table. Spread the balls for an easier run out.

If you opponent has more skill than you break from the side of the table with the second ball break. This break tends to bring the balls to the side rail and create clusters that will make it difficult for your opponent to get out.

If your more highly skilled opponent is right handed use the second ball break from the right side of the table. This tends to cluster balls on the right side of the table and makes it more difficult to get into one’s usual stance.

If your more highly skilled opponent is left handed use the second ball break from the left side of the table for the same reasons given above.

That should get you started.

 

[accustatsfan]

Like my name says I'm learning the game and improving but I have major trouble getting out unless the table is wide open and I just wing it and pocket balls I don't see patterns. Is it from lack of table time because I only play 7 or 8hrs a week or is this something that can be taught on the general ways to see patterns? I play 95percent of the time 8ball. Thanks for any help. LRNINGtheGAME Mase-O

The commentary by Troy Frank and Shawn Putnam during the Corey Duel v. Niels Feijen match is great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLLn01c2h4A

One thing said that relates to your question is the commentators say (during one of the clips) if you don't have a run out all you have is a pattern to break out (problem balls) the table. Once the balls are open only then can you plan a pattern for a run out.

Simple piece of advice that's so true.

 

[cmbwsu]

A good friend of mine, Jeff Melton, probably helped my pattern play a long time ago, more than anything else has. Jeff told me that when I walk up to the table, look at the 8 ball first and decide where I want to be for my final shot and which pocket I want to put the 8 ball into. Now, look at the ball that would be your best link ball, or ball that you'd want to pocket right before the 8 ball to get you in that perfect position to pocket the 8. Simply work backwards from there to your first shot. In other words, work the pattern backwards in your mind then reverse the process and run out.

The only problem that arises with this is when you have clusters or problem balls that have to be moved.

There are several schools of thought on breaking out trouble balls. 1. Do it last, in case you mess up so you don't give your opponent an easy out. 2. Do in sometime in the middle of your run, once you feel confident that you can get out at your level of play and 3. Do it EARLY. Personally, I like to get my trouble balls, if there are any, broken out as soon as possible in the run, and sometimes, I'll take a tougher shot to make sure I get them out early. If you break out a trouble ball and can't get to your next "planned" shot or it is more difficult, then step back, look at the 8 ball again, work backwards again, and start working your NEW pattern. In my thinking, the earlier you get them out, then the more options you have if you need to change your planned pattern. If you wait until mid or late run, then you have less balls on the table and the odds of being able to adjust to a simple pattern are lowered greatly.

If you have too many clusters and your opponents balls are involved in them too, then you may have to change your strategy from a "run out" to a safety play mind set. Nothing wrong with playing a good safety and making your opponent kick or jump at a cluster, letting him break them out for you. Yes, sometimes this will backfire and he'll make a fantastic kick or jump shot and happen to call the right ball out of a cluster, or there may be a "on" ball that you didn't see, but most times this will work in your favor. Running out isn't ALWAYS the best way to win the game.

Bob

Us Bob's think alike -- we all are backward thinkers so it kinda comes easy for us I guess.

Good advice here. I am a strong proponent of same!

Happy New Year,

Bob