When I play better players in 8-Ball, I like to leave as many balls on the table as possible until I am sure that I can run out. I do this so I have better safety options and more places for them to get hooked. What is your strategy?
Playing a better player
- Thread starter tashworth19191
- Start date
8-ball strategy
That's just sound 8-ball strategy most of the time, regardless of who you are playing.
That's just sound 8-ball strategy most of the time, regardless of who you are playing.
What he said
I play this guy who LOVES to leave his balls inside the pocket every chance he gets.
Then, even when he has a straight shot at it and little else makes sense he'll still work proceed to work on his other balls and just leaves his still planted in the pocket, just to take that pocket out of the picture for me.
Honestly, so far I've not seen that his strategy pays off.
I can always plant one of my balls right in front of his.
Done it a couple of times but it led to a boring game where eventually he lost his patience and nailed the whole group, sending his ball in the pocket and mine somewhere else, but I had ball in hand....
Then, even when he has a straight shot at it and little else makes sense he'll still work proceed to work on his other balls and just leaves his still planted in the pocket, just to take that pocket out of the picture for me.
Honestly, so far I've not seen that his strategy pays off.
I can always plant one of my balls right in front of his.
Done it a couple of times but it led to a boring game where eventually he lost his patience and nailed the whole group, sending his ball in the pocket and mine somewhere else, but I had ball in hand....
The better player will know what you are doing and will still kick your butt.
I had someone do this to me and my son in a tournament, he'd barely try to make a ball. He lost. Actually I got sick of playing him and let him win to make him happy, but my 15 yr old son beat him after me LOL. He'd bat balls around not even trying to make a ball but try to leave no shot for my son, at the end he lost 3-0 because my son just ran out playing position around the pocket he would block. It was interesting because after the match my son told me that the guy kept leaving him no shots when he missed, I let him know that he had no interest or very little interest in actually making a ball, he was trying to just leave you no shots. It was a good example to introduce him into that style of 8 ball play.
This may help you a bit, but you will find that if the player is really better, you are still the underdog no matter what you try. The better player will know what you know and then some, so anything you try to do, say a safe or a push out, he will know what you were thinking as well as you.
I think this blocking of pockets and moving things around works a lot better against a worse player that will have no idea what is going on and will just try to swing at every chance to pocket a ball, be it a bank, 2 rail bank or just hitting something hard. Leaving the better player every chance to win.
But a slightly better chance for him not to run out is still better, so can't hurt to try.
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When runouts are available, you certainly need to runout. When they're not, look for creative ways nudge your balls into runout positions while you're pocketing balls, or during a safety. A great time to improve your winning chances with such a shot on a tough layout is with ball-in-hand.
Alot of what hang-the-9 said is true, but I've definitely seen lessor players beat better players in 8-ball by using their heads more creatively than the better player. You can induce better players to make more mistakes by leaving them tough shots and by testing their patience. Even good players can get rattled. If Strickland snaps sticks during tournaments, imagine what the average 7's in a typical bar league are capable of with a temper and a couple beers.
Alot of what hang-the-9 said is true, but I've definitely seen lessor players beat better players in 8-ball by using their heads more creatively than the better player. You can induce better players to make more mistakes by leaving them tough shots and by testing their patience. Even good players can get rattled. If Strickland snaps sticks during tournaments, imagine what the average 7's in a typical bar league are capable of with a temper and a couple beers.
I have guys in league do this to me all the time. I have my ball follow his in and then they give me a dirty look.
Fun times at college =P
..............
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Nicky vs. Efren
In a tv match some years ago, I watched Nick Varner open a game of 8-ball against Efren by playing five consecutive safeties, moving one of his group into position in front of a pocket, while forcing Efren to kick.
Was Nicky playing incorrectly, because Efren was a great player?
Nicky won that game, by the way.
In a tv match some years ago, I watched Nick Varner open a game of 8-ball against Efren by playing five consecutive safeties, moving one of his group into position in front of a pocket, while forcing Efren to kick.
Was Nicky playing incorrectly, because Efren was a great player?
Nicky won that game, by the way.
:angry:
But if you do this in TAP League, they think you are trying to keep your handicap down.
Then you get accused of all kinds of things. They even call you a cheater.
This is the worst advice that I've seen in a while.
All four of your points have nothing to do with winning a game of 8-ball against a stronger player. :slap:
I don't necessarily agree with this. The lay out dictates your play. It sounds like you are playing not to lose rather than playing to win. If you are playing a much better player and you think you cannot make the shot then play safe. If you can make the shot but have no chance of getting shape then play safe. This is what works for me against better players.
8 ball
Eight ball in my day was the game. Its a strategy game. The minute you abandon that you are going to start paying for it.
I think that what you have is a pretty sound strategy over all. I try to pick off shots through banks and block pockets if not make the ball playing safe as well.
One pocket and 8 ball are similar in that a missed ball isnt always bad if its very near the hole.
I also try to break balls out when I make another shot or attempt and block the pocket.
I think the main thing is safe play. You just try to get the other guy in the position where he has to come with something and if he doesnt have a high gear you should win the majority of the time.
For instance I played a game yesterday with a guy I had some shots but no definite run out on the last 3.
I had pass banks on all three balls but only one was the highest percentage and he could not run out. I pass banked and played all three of those balls one at a time and then it was easy out he had balls in two clusters he was unlikely to run out.
Eight ball in my day was the game. Its a strategy game. The minute you abandon that you are going to start paying for it.
I think that what you have is a pretty sound strategy over all. I try to pick off shots through banks and block pockets if not make the ball playing safe as well.
One pocket and 8 ball are similar in that a missed ball isnt always bad if its very near the hole.
I also try to break balls out when I make another shot or attempt and block the pocket.
I think the main thing is safe play. You just try to get the other guy in the position where he has to come with something and if he doesnt have a high gear you should win the majority of the time.
For instance I played a game yesterday with a guy I had some shots but no definite run out on the last 3.
I had pass banks on all three balls but only one was the highest percentage and he could not run out. I pass banked and played all three of those balls one at a time and then it was easy out he had balls in two clusters he was unlikely to run out.
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8-ball is about choosing the right time to go for the out. If you are playing a better player and have a reasonable chance at running out, then you better take the opportunity! If you don't have a chance of getting out, then you generally don't want to pocket your balls. This will interfere with your opponent getting out and also give you more options if you get back to the table.
If you're playing a really good player, then you probably won't be able to out strategize them. They will find a way to break out clusters, bank difficult shots, and also safety you. Besides, they can always play the same strategy and are probably better at it.
If you're playing a really good player, then you probably won't be able to out strategize them. They will find a way to break out clusters, bank difficult shots, and also safety you. Besides, they can always play the same strategy and are probably better at it.
2strong4u
Banned
Only way to beat strong players...run out or get run over. I'm gonna break and run 30 to 40 percent of my breaks. Tying up pockets won't beat any strong player. Run half rack and play a safe that might award ball in hand. Always pick to best group to shoot. Don't get into failed runouts with 1 or 2 balls on table. You gotta make a strong player play well to win. You can't make it easy.
Run out
All of the current good players I have watched on the tube almost always go for the run out. The last thing they want is their opponent getting back to the table. I try to run out and always take the shot if there is a 50-50 chance I will make it. So I try to shoot my game in the same way all the time. How good my opponent is does not effect my game plan.
My game won't improve if I am constantly worried about my opponent running out or playing a safety on me. The really good players are good at moving object balls a few inches to open up a shot.
I know a safety is important in 8 Ball, but 8 Ball is not One Pocket. Safeties seem to be more important when the players skill level allows them to get 3 or more turns at the table. Which describes a whole bunch of players.
All of the current good players I have watched on the tube almost always go for the run out. The last thing they want is their opponent getting back to the table. I try to run out and always take the shot if there is a 50-50 chance I will make it. So I try to shoot my game in the same way all the time. How good my opponent is does not effect my game plan.
My game won't improve if I am constantly worried about my opponent running out or playing a safety on me. The really good players are good at moving object balls a few inches to open up a shot.
I know a safety is important in 8 Ball, but 8 Ball is not One Pocket. Safeties seem to be more important when the players skill level allows them to get 3 or more turns at the table. Which describes a whole bunch of players.
To win against a strong player you have to be CONSISTENT. Wether its by playing safety or making a shot. You cannot make a mistake. I played a 7 in 8 ball last night (hes a 9 in nine ball). He destroyed me first two matches. Shot once both times. 3rd game i won. I ended up losing. Hell run a table every time he steps up so you have to play at his level or your gonna lose. Hes just so consistent. Really never missed unless he rattled a shot. He played smart safeties. I got him next time tho. It was a lesson playing someone that good tho. Showed me what i need to do. Its a HUGE jump from a 5 to a 7. Im not far off tho ill get there. Cant tell ya how important it is to just be consistent. Gotta have a plan to finish the table playing against someone like that or your gonna fail. Dont miss unless its defense. Consistency Consistency Consistency- nothing more nothing less