Playing Position Methodology

[NewStroke]

Last night I was watching a couple different players and how they played position between matches and comparing it to my own. They made some choices, positionally, that I wouldn't have considered but they seemed more effective. This leads me to my poll.

I know this is very situational and may change, I am just looking for a majority. Let's assume you only have 2 or 3 balls on the table to avoid the arguement of having to avoid other balls to play position.

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

early yes, but later is gator bait

That's pretty vague, but I think it'll lead to some good discussion.

I voted "take the harder shot and go for better position." BUT, I tend to do that more often early in the rack, rather than later. Later in the rack, I'll compromise position, 'cause I want a shot at almost any cost.

 

[NewStroke]

That's pretty vague, but I think it'll lead to some good discussion.

I voted "take the harder shot and go for better position." BUT, I tend to do that more often early in the rack, rather than later. Later in the rack, I'll compromise position, 'cause I want a shot at almost any cost.

Thanks KoolKat, that's what makes this so difficult. There are so many different circumstance and it's difficult to be specific. But I hope we get good discussion.

I too tend to try the more difficult shot for better position on the next ball. I am finding that does not work out so well sometimes.

 

[MikeM]

That's pretty vague, but I think it'll lead to some good discussion.

I voted "take the harder shot and go for better position." BUT, I tend to do that more often early in the rack, rather than later. Later in the rack, I'll compromise position, 'cause I want a shot at almost any cost.

Tend to agree here, but since the OP stated 2 or 3 balls left I chose take the easier shot and leave tough position.

Early on that may change. All depends on the layout. If you've got multiple opportunities to get in line, I tend to play it safe and concentrate more on making the shot and possibly incrementally improve my position.

If you've got a late ball (7,8,9, etc.) that's tied up and you're going to need perfect position to get out it makes more sense to try a riskier position shot early.

MM

 

[Myk]

Generally, I try to take the easiest shot available, and use the easy shot to get position on the tougher balls. My theory is that it's easier to use a simple shot to move the cueball around off of.

 

[Elephant Man]

I usually take the easier shot and hope for position. At my skill level it is more important to me to just sink some balls. But I am sure that strategy will bite me in the !@!$ a lot in the future. I am actually starting to see patterns better and get away from that at present.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

So I guess I'm the first (lone) one to say neither. When you have options between a harder shot with easy position versus an easy shot with harder position, you have to weigh the two out. It depends heavily on how hard the first shot is versus the second. Having a rule to live by isn't going to do you much good.

You sort of have to look at the odds in terms of the sequence and not just the shot. In plain language, what are the odds of running out from the 7-ball if you shoot the 7 in the side versus the corner? Ignore the percentages of just making the 7 since that ball alone does not win the game.

 

[WoodyJ]

I didn't vote due to not enough information. Depends on the game. I'm assuming your talking about 8-ball?

If 8-ball, can't answer the question without knowing what my opponent's situation is. Generally speaking it depends on where my opponents balls are and if I'll sell out the game if I miss the shot.

I'll shoot the harder shot first if it's a two-way shot. That is if I miss I'm going to leave my opponent safe. Whereas if I make it I have easy shapes to run out.

I'll shoot the easier shot (if I'm 80+% sure I can make it) first if the next shot will then leave my opponent a difficult shot if I miss.

I'll play safe if need be.

Edit: Just saw what Jude said above. Ditto. You have to look at the whole sequence and not each individual shot to formulate a plan.

 

[swrooster]

Pocketing the ball is always first, or shooting it to the exact location that you want it to be. I always go for the easier shot unless the miss on the more difficult shot would leave me perfect position for the next shot while being a safety also. That could change if I start thinking while I'm playing...then who knows what I'll do, I generally surprise myself, then make a mental note to self to quit thinking and go with easier shot. As a rule of thumb if you have to choose between the two, a safety could be the best option not mentioned. The more I learn about 8 ball the earlier in the rack I start thinking of safety options.

 

[scratchs]

I didn't vote due to not enough information. Depends on the game. I'm assuming your talking about 8-ball?

If 8-ball, can't answer the question without knowing what my opponent's situation is. Generally speaking it depends on where my opponents balls are and if I'll sell out the game if I miss the shot.

I'll shoot the harder shot first if it's a two-way shot. That is if I miss I'm going to leave my opponent safe. Whereas if I make it I have easy shapes to run out.

I'll shoot the easier shot (if I'm 80+% sure I can make it) first if the next shot will then leave my opponent a difficult shot if I miss.

I'll play safe if need be.

Edit: Just saw what Jude said above. Ditto. You have to look at the whole sequence and not each individual shot to formulate a plan.

This is how I approch all games as well..even a poor plan, is better than no plan. I say this to myself when I am not sure what to do, it gets me back to thinking safe.

 

[Ratta]

You have to overview your plan after every shot- noone is that perfect that he plays permanently 100% position.
But it depends for sure on the game you re playin- if we re talkin about straight-pool you usualy have to solve your problems as soon as possible, breakin the balls should be almost done as soon as possible etc. - But the sequence in straight-pool is more important than in any other game in my opinion! To make a high-run depends on the sequences you re playin, so in straight-pool i would choose sometimes a bit more difficult ball if i could clear several problems with it.
Nine and ten-ball are more about- run out or safe. 8-ball is much more tactical in my opinion- so here, if somethin went wrong with your position you can often choose more than one option.

But at least: it s all about percentage

 

[tom mcgonagle]

That's why they put six pockets on the table. Sometimes it makes more sense shoot the ball into a more difficlt pocket for the sake of position.

I'd rather miss with one more ball on te table than one less ball on the table.

________________________________

http:tommcgonaglerightoncue.com

 

[NewStroke]

After posting this, I realized my mistake. I know what I want to ask but I am not asking it correctly. Please disregard this thread.

I know that are billions of possible situations and given the number of individuals here we will that number of possibilities rise exponentially. My over all goal was to generalize these situations and determine what the best course of action based on percentage.

It's tought to classify these situations, so I will think about it more and be more concise with my questions regarding this particular topic.

Thanks

Dan

 

[peteypooldude]

It all depends on the position value of the shot,and what shots you are most comfortable with,I could go on about this .Good Luck and Happy Easter

 

[fishcake]

it depends on the lay out of the balls and how comfort you are to make that shot.

 

[MitchAlsup]

I had to answer the poll with "neither". To me, each table position is different and there is a different rule of thumb which solves the delima.

I will take a shot (easy or hard) that leads to the position where I can solve a problem (with my balls) on the table. Thus, the goal is to solve the problem clusters on the table, not the hard or easy shot.

 

[Tennesseejoe]

As others have stated---it depends on the conditions. However, when I come to the table I like to shoot a shot that I will make and give me confidence. The feel of a successful shot sure makes the next shot easier.

Easy shot first.

 

[Geometry]

I could write a dissertation on this. Playing position comes with experience and experience brings knowledge. There is a great deal of difference between writing about it and actually doing it.

Every position play is about not asking too much of yourself in both of these areas.... a) Making the ball with the desired spin b) Speed... moving the CB to a zone where you can do the same on the next ball.

Obviously centre ball is easiest to pot balls. Hitting higher and lower than centre on the vertical axis is slightly tougher to pot balls due to any unintentional side being accentuated but still pretty easy. Shots hit with deliberate side spin are the most difficult due to deflection and throw.

Speed play becomes more increasingly difficult the more you move the cue ball. Usually its a blend of the control of minimising cue ball movement vs area size of the position zone.

 

[Cornerman]

It's tough to say whether someone is "taking a harder shot for easier position." I might view that shot is the overall easier shot if I weigh out the entire out or set of shots.

It's a bit unfair to the description to say that a better player for example is hitting a harder shot for easier position. The better player's definition of "easier shot" may be so much of a wider range compared to a beginner that to him, that particular shot was as easy as as the other shot that the beginner may have found easier.

Clear example, there are some shots that I find "easier" if I hit with english and spin two rails out. A beginner might find that shot impossible, yet it might actually be easier for any decent player. And I'm talking about both easier to make the shot as well as easier to get position.

Fred

 

[John Biddle]

I voted neither because I try to look more than one ball ahead. Thus, it varies based on the situation.