Playing Position Methodology

[deadnutz]

I voted neither. Its too iffy depending on the game. Playing 8 ball If I have a ball in trouble early I try to figure out where is the easiest spot on the table that I can break that ball out from and then figure out how I'm going to get there. I may not be perfect in one attempt but with that many balls on the table, chances are I can, and will get the perfect break shot if I hang in there. 9 ball, I'll take the easy shot first. If I get really bad position after that I'll play safe but the biggest part of it is this, as long as I'm the one standing at the table and making the decisions I'm in control of the game. If I screw up and lose its my fault. It would also depend on my oppenents skill level, If they are bad enough that I don't think they can make 2 or 3 balls straight then I don't care what shot I take. At that point it would be whatever ball looked good at the moment.

 

[pulzcul]

position being everything I WILL take the hard shot every time. For instance I'll take a bank to get the solids/stripes for an easy run.

 

[twal]

I say neither.
If you don't think you can run out at your turn at the table then you need to play a safety. A well played safety can you you the game more than 50% of the time.
From what it sould like here, the easy shot leads to a tough shot. The tough shoot probably leads to another tough shot.

 

[Maniac]

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.

One important factor for me is : Where am I gonna leave the cueball if I don't make the shot (not that I think negatve things while I'm shooting, but you almost have to think about this). It can certainly depend on whether or not I take the easy or the hard shot first. Can't sell-out.

Dan, when are you gonna take the photograph of me down from your avatar :grin:? And, did you ever ask permission from your wife if you could come over and embarrass me on my own table (and bring her too, my wife will be here)?

Maniac

 

[CreeDo]

I think I get what you're getting at. My bottom line is: you MUST NOT make a dumb miss.

Taking a calculated risk is fine. Playing safe is fine. Trying tough position is fine. And if you're forced to shoot a tough shot and you miss it, that's fine. But you cannot shoot a ball that you think is 95-100% and then get a surprise miss. Or miss a ball you know is a missable, when there was a 100% option available. Those are dumb misses.

So, I will take the easier shot and with that easier shot I'll get better position than I would taking a tough shot. I will never shoot a missable ball for the sake of a better pattern, though I might shoot it if it solves a problem and I'm unlikely to get a better opportunity to solve that problem.

 

[measureman]

Depends on the shot. There are some hard shots i am very good at and some i know I'm weak at. If shooting the hard shot is your fault then you got out of line and have to get back in line.So if cinching a hard shot that I don't like means i get a hard shot that i like and it will get me back in line that's what i will do. Does this make sense to you ?